Nesterovic isn't that bad.

[Whottt]

AHF..why the intellectual dishonesty?

If you bothered to look up those stats you know that Raef is younger than Rasho, played 7 fewer minutes pg than Rasho this season..

and LaFrenz has better career highs and averages in scoring, rebounding, blocks, steals and assists, not to mention 3 pt PCT.



For the money..sure Rasho is probably a better deal, but as far as overall talent, LaFrenz has shown a lot more..

And I never said there is a replacement for Big Dave..only that Rasho does not do the defensive job on Shaq that DROB did.

It's ok, if you wanna be that way, but you are only fooling yourself here. I am not hating on Rasho, but why make him out to be more than he is? It isn't fair to him or us.

[genghisrex]

I'm not a big Nesterovic fan, but $6 million or so starting for a second tier center is not a bad deal. Rasho keeps us at around the level we were last year, which puts us in a better position to gamble on Brand or Odom and wait out the Clippers.

I think Rasho gives us a center who's better or roughly on par with his counterpart on every contender outside of the Lakers. Unfortunately Nesterovic can't guard Shaq, but, then, Malone can't guard Timmy either. At worst I think Duncan/Rasho/Malik/Willis can play Shaq/Malone/Crap to a standstill. The Kobe/Payton backcourt could be a real problem, but unless we nabbed Jermaine, that's not something we could have offset with a 4/5 this offseason anyway.

The Spurs got Tim a complementary big, ed the T'Wolves, and still preserved 25% max cap room. I don't see the problem here...

[KoriEllis]

Johnny Ludden reported the contract is $42M -- that means it starts around $5.45M. If so, that is perfect for making a run at Brand/Odom.

[ChumpDumper]

played 7 fewer minutes pg than Rasho this season.

Because he sucked so bad.

He lost major time to guys like Najera due to sucking.

Rasho has lapses - Raef took the entire season off.

[Ghost Writer]

Under $5 and a half million a year for a starting quality center at Rasho's age and potential level is a more than a bargain — it's a steal.

There.

A positive post from Ghost Writer.

And they said it couldn't be done.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Whott,

Who's being intellectually dishonest?

As I said, ground your arguments in reality. We need a big man to bang inside and get boards, get in people's way on defense.

You are whining about a 6'11" whiteboy who likes to jack three pointers and hang out around the arc.

Hmm, which fits our needs more? A banger or a younger Danny Ferry?

Think man, you're making this too easy.

AHF

[picnroll]

If Brand does come it means in all likelihood Malik goes. The value of post players in this market you cold probably get a very nice swing player for Malik.

[Morphgizmo]

Agreed pic.

If Brand comes, then Malik gets moved for a backup point.

[o0drpill0o]

I could deal with that. We'd send him someplace nice I'm sure.

[Spurminator]

Raef inflated his career highs as a member of the Nuggets. Put Rasho on that team for a few years and his career numbers will look pretty decent too.

[Marcus Bryant]

If Rose was dealt he would be sent out for a perimeter scorer, not a backup point.

[o0drpill0o]

And those perimeter scorers are easier to find, of course. We could trade Malik anywhere and get a quality 2/3 in return IMO.

[Morphgizmo]

To replace who, MB? We'll still have (hopefully) Bowen, Jax and Manu.

Speedy looks like he's gone, so we'll need a backup PG.

[scott]

Malik Rose, Bruce Bowen, Luis Scola and Phoenix's number 1 for Desmond Mason?

[Morphgizmo]

I like it, scott.

But who backs up TP? Kerr?

[o0drpill0o]

Leave Bowen out of there and you got a deal.

[Morphgizmo]

Wilwaukee would have to send back more salary than just Mason.

He's still on his rookie deal.

[picnroll]

If it all played out and you wanted to role the dice you could get one of Ghosts favorites Artest. His salary and Malik's match up.

[scott]

I hate to lose Bowen (as well as Rose, one of my all time fave Spurs) too because of his D- but there is no room for him if we brought in Mason.

We could run this roation:

PG: Parker 35, Manu 5, Kerr 5, Devin Brown 3
SG: Mason 22, Manu 23, Brown 3
SF: Jackson 32, Mason 13, Manu 3
PF: Brand 35, Rasho 13
C : Duncan 35, Rasho 13

Minute Breakdown:

Parker 35
Manu 31
Mason 35
Jackson 32
Kerr 5
Brown 6
Brand 35
Duncan 35
Rasho 26

[Marcus Bryant]

I doubt the Bucks deal Mason for anything other than like talent. He's their franchise player now.

[o0drpill0o]

I think I would look elsewhere before Artest, but it just goes to show how many options the Spurs would have. It could be tough this year finding minutes for all the talent we may have.

[scott]

Gotta agree with MB though- no way we could give up Mason without giving up Parker, and even that would be iffy since they are putting the future in TJ Ford's hands.

Its fun to play NBA Live 2003 GM every now and then though.

Gotta admit, that would be a killer line up though.

[ShoogarBear]

64% FT?

Now I know why we went after him. He's a natural Spur.

Is this a horrible signing? No. He's serviceable and hopefully it'll work out.

But be honest, people, you're all rationalizing. Deep down we all know this is a disappointment.

Let me see somebody state that two weeks ago, Rasho was among anybody here's top 3-4 most desired FA.

[Solid D]

You deal with disappointments and you move on. Chris Webber, Derek Anderson = temporary disappointment.
David Robinson, Kerr and Smitty instead...chemistry and talent blended to work within the system...a lasting memory...
moments to remember...disappointments that fade.

So, you just deal with it and sometimes, what seems a missed opportunity ends up smelling like Championship Roses.

[baseline bum]

The revelation that the deal is for $42 vs $48 million combined with the news of the cap coming in way higher than I ever hoped even makes this much easier to swallow. I still think he's a freaking creampuff and he's not the answer at the 5 at all, but we still have room to try for Brand or Odom. If I'm the Spurs I make that same offer to Odom that the LA Times has them making to Brand. There's no risk in signing players to offer sheets now, because the cream of the unrestricted crop is off the market with the exception of Arenas, who I don't want.

****! We could have offered Payton $12 million and kept him out of LA!