timvp Apologizes To SpursTalk

[phyzik]

I was wrong.

I underestimated how slow Nazr and Rasho were and how much of a difference it would make to have a center who can run. I also underestimated how smart Francisco Elson is and how fast he could pick up the system.

Elson was awesome tonight. He's the most agile Spurs center since David Robinson circa 1995 and that alone makes a huge difference defensively and offensively. Pop hadn't ended an important game with a center playing down the stretch since Game 6 of the 2003 NBA Finals. It took Elson all of one game to end that streak.

Once again, I apologize and if Elson can play anywhere close to as well as he played tonight, the Spurs will be very good.

I'm sorry to Pop, RC, Presti and whoever else I offended with my comments. Elson's speed and willingness to learn are enough to justify his contract.

Thank you Francisco Elson for being better than I ever dreamt possible. Continue to play like this and you have a new fan.

Sincerely,

timvp
Formerly Perfect
SpursTalk.com







P.S.

I take 10% of the credit cuz of the new avatar that debuted before the game.

Couldnt resist.... We all love you Timvp dont ban me

I agree.... The guy proved himself tonight and I loved his play, but it BETTER not be a one time thing.

[RC's Boss]

Well timvp's initial assessment of him actually comes when we saw him in person in the summer of 2004. And he sucked badly. He was one of the worst players in all of summer league.

In watching him in Denver in the past few years, we always knew he could run well and dunk. That's why I've been repeating to people that was going to be his strength. But he was a weak rebounder and poor shotblocker. Maybe that was a byproduct of their system. Or maybe tonight was a fluke .

Time will tell, but, for tonight, he looked damn good.

I think you're right. I mentioned before that Rasho wasn't a good post defender until he became a Spur. Hopefully Elson can be as good in the post. Run fast + dunk = athleticism. So all the Dirks and Paus of the world better watch out! Is it too early to call him our Dirk Stopper? Ruben patterson said that about Kobe and got smoked like crack pipes. Maybe so, but one thing seems clear.....SMALL BALL IS OVER AND DEFENSE IS BACK! SEND THOSE EMINEFFERS BASELINE ONCE AGAIN

[RC's Boss]

Finley was a good wing defender back in like 98-01 and then the Nelson philosophy kinda sunk in, but during the playoffs last year I thought he fared well given the fact he was playing the 4 spot. I think in time, all players become somewhat defense oriented once they accept the system. I'm too damn excited, can't sleep. I need a diaper!

[BeerIsGood!]

I guess it goes to show that a new system and a new atmosphere and confidence can completely change the way a player performs. Nazr might have a similar season for the Pistons too...

[Cant_Be_Faded]

god damnit timvp stop turning my posts into timvp support.

im serious
you thought our ball movement tonight was good? Better than denvers yeah, okay, but spurs good? We started our past couple of seasons with some pretty good motion action...tonight it seemed liek whoever parker passed it to was forced to shoot it instantly, no matter where their location on the court.

[RC's Boss]

Not unless Mr. Fantastic figured out a way to change those stone hands of his.

[polandprzem]

Apology notaccepted

[gospursgojas]

.....SMALL BALL IS OVER AND DEFENSE IS BACK

You said brotha

[kris]

You convinced me Elson sucked when I thought he was a decent player.

I don't accept your apology.

[T Park]

@ Kris

[polandprzem]

btw - one game - big deal

81 to go

November etc.

[Kori Ellis]

If Elson has 2 points and 2 boards tomorrow, Spurs fans are going to freak.

[SA210]

Masterful owning up. Nice use of charm to disarm potential gloaters. *jots down notes*.


I gotta admit man...never in a million years did I think Elson would be the guy who ended your undefeated streak(IF I had I would have been 100% in the Pro Elson camp). Never even saw this coming.

It was a great undefeated streak. And I'm kinda of sad to see it end *sheds tear*, Damn you Elson...

You are speaking of sports only, right?

[timvp]

If Elson has 2 points and 2 boards tomorrow, Spurs fans are going to freak.

If Elson has 2 and 2 the next five games I'd still be owned. I don't think he's going to average like 12 and 8 or anything like that, but he's already proven he's pretty damn good.

[Kori Ellis]

If Elson has 2 and 2 the next five games I'd still be owned. I don't think he's going to average like 12 and 8 or anything like that, but he's already proven he's pretty damn good.

I'm not talking about you.

I'm talking about Spurs fans that ride the roller coaster ride. They'll be cussing his name tomorrow if he plays poorly. It's just a funny phenomenon.

[FromWayDowntown]

Elson's value isn't going to be in points or rebounds or things like that -- I don't think. His value (and the reason that he's here) is that he can do just enough on the defensive end against a team like Dallas to keep himself useful on the floor, which allows Bowen to deal with wing threats as needed.

If he can move his feet and contest shots against other long bigs who like to play out on the floor, he'll be valuable even if he averages 5 and 3 or something like that. I can't imagine that he'll consistently provide any numbers, but if he consistently provides intangible things that allow the Spurs to play 2 bigs, he's done what they wanted him to do.

[polandprzem]

I'm not talking about you.

I'm talking about Spurs fans that ride the roller coaster ride. They'll be cussing his name tomorrow if he plays poorly. It's just a funny phenomenon.

Like good old times with spurstalk

[whottt]

Yeah, I'm not too worried about his stats...

He can dunk...he can stay in front of his man, he's a great help defender, he's fast, like Drob or Amare fast, he's even got a couple of post up moves...that's exactly what we want.

Looking at his career stats he looks like he could put up a block per game and maybe about 7 boards if he was getting about 30 mins per game.

I do see him having problems with some of the big C's though, Shaq, Yao guys like that...because he's so light, I think he probably weighs less than Horry.


But I see him doing really well against guys like Dirk, KG(we already know he can piss KG off like Bowen pisses every man he guards off)Amare and Diaw...

[Kori Ellis]

I do see him having problems with some of the big C's though, Shaq, Yao guys like that...because he's so light, I think he probably weighs less than Horry.


But I see him doing really well against guys like Dirk, KG(we already know he can piss KG off like Bowen pisses every man he guards off)Amare and Diaw...

He only weighs like 230.

[RC's Boss]

Yeah but we have Elson, Horry, Butler, Oberto, Bonner????, and last but not least Tim to give us a pretty good "commitee" type center rotation.

[polandprzem]

Like good old times with spurstalk

Ohh - maybe not good afterall ...

[kris]

He's got to be more than 230. He'd have to be really, really skinny to be 230 at his height.

[Kori Ellis]

He's got to be more than 230. He'd have to be really, really skinny to be 230 at his height.

He's really skinny. He's listed at 235 and that's probably close to accurate. So maybe I was off by 5 pounds.

[milkyway21]

i think the Spurs have found a perfect defender for Dirk. One who is BIG & ATHLETIC enough who can run after him

[RC's Boss]

, how many true big post players are in the league anyway. I can only think of four and one of them plays for us. (Yao, Shaq, Howard) Outside of them, there are no beast in the paint for him to contend with.