Welcome to SA, CP3

[Down Under]

Sorry - just saw this. Great questions. I think CP3 off the ball spotting up would be fine - he's an elite shooter. However, that's not what really playing off the ball is (at least not good basketball). Off the ball is cutting/moving and generally being comfortable being an assisted player.

CP has never ever done that and I don't think he would be particularly good at it. It's a skill and one that is developed and as great as he is, he's not an off the ball player. Like Lebron. Lebron is a top 3 player ever IMO but he's not an off the ball player. CP3 value lies in his ability to create offense at an elite level using his decision making.

A dive man would be ideal in any offense but finding a good one with good hands is the key (at what SA can afford assuming all of this goes down). Tiago, as mentioned by others, might actually be a great fit.

Yeah i've said numerous times they should go after Splitter as he'll be available from probably the minimum. Apparently, the injuries to his calf and hamstring have been a result of a surgery he had on his hip when he was traded earlier on so that would be the concern. But still he's only 32 and injury prone or not you may as well go after him. He's a very effective player on the court, especially in our system.

[Down Under]

No, but they can be misleading when given without context. In reality, we know that in many of those games, Warriors were on the 2nd night of a back to back and had a key player(s) injured.

Considering it's over a 3 year span, there's a big enough sample size to credibly suggest Spurs are closer to them than anyone, but they're not as close as those numbers suggest.



You don't pass up a top 6-8 player in the world, especially when he'd fill your biggest positional need . . . and why do some of you act like he's not a good shooter?

By this logic, the Cavaliers should have traded Irving when James returned and the Warriors shouldn't have signed Durant. Context is everything. When you're surrounded by other elite talent, you adjust your game accordingly. He's definitely a domineering type, but he's also aging and has never played with another perimeter star, let alone superstar, to ease the creative burden.

Paul hasn't shown any serious signs of slippage yet and Stockton never really did throughout his career, so I wouldn't assume he'll be "massively overpaid" in the back half of the contract. Could be, but if that's the cost of having a chance to win another championship, so be it.

You people act like Spurs will have their choice of any top 10 player, so they can afford to bypass him and just wait for one of the others.



It was one game and Spurs were coming off of impressive finish to previous series, while Warriors were coming off of long layoff and hadn't been challenged in a long time. I wouldn't read too much into it.

Stockton started slipping at 34, like virtually every other elite PG had at that age. He's a decent shooter, but someone who's never played off the ball in his life (cutting/moving) as smart as he is, would have to learn that pretty quickly or it wouldn't work. The other option, as I said, is let the most stacked team in NBA history 3-peat (which they should barring injury) and hope that Murray develops into a star. He's nothing yet, but he's got the tools and seems to have the desire like Kawhi to make it happen. Plus you need a dive man for CP3 to be most effective. I'm not against it happening, especially considering apart from LMA, no big name free agent ever comes to SA, but it's going to be pretty hard to maximise his effectiveness.

[Down Under]

2016 ALL NBA Defensive team too. He's the real deal.

No doubt. He's a top 10 player and has been for almost a decade. It's just age, fit and the difficulty of a 6 foot guard to dominate deep into the playoffs that are the biggest concern.

[spursistan]

These Nuggets/Rox meetings are absurd ..

Look, it is still in the realm of "long shot"..If Paul makes the move, it is only for basketball reasons and only for San Antonio. Everything else, and he is better off staying in LA. If he allows his camp and family-- all of whom have settled in Los Angeles and are liking it according to reports--- to have a say in his decision, then there is no way he is leaving..

The Clippers are clearly sweating a bit (West move, Inglewood arena news), but they are still in the driver's seat to retain him..

[coachmac87]

Stockton started slipping at 34, like virtually every other elite PG had at that age. He's a decent shooter, but someone who's never played off the ball in his life (cutting/moving) as smart as he is, would have to learn that pretty quickly or it wouldn't work. The other option, as I said, is let the most stacked team in NBA history 3-peat (which they should barring injury) and hope that Murray develops into a star. He's nothing yet, but he's got the tools and seems to have the desire like Kawhi to make it happen. Plus you need a dive man for CP3 to be most effective. I'm not against it happening, especially considering apart from LMA, no big name free agent ever comes to SA, but it's going to be pretty hard to maximise his effectiveness.

Ok yeahhh let's just "wait"...

Terrible idea and that's how you potentially lose Kawhi who's contract expires in 2 years

[TD 21]

Stockton started slipping at 34, like virtually every other elite PG had at that age. He's a decent shooter, but someone who's never played off the ball in his life (cutting/moving) as smart as he is, would have to learn that pretty quickly or it wouldn't work. The other option, as I said, is let the most stacked team in NBA history 3-peat (which they should barring injury) and hope that Murray develops into a star. He's nothing yet, but he's got the tools and seems to have the desire like Kawhi to make it happen. Plus you need a dive man for CP3 to be most effective. I'm not against it happening, especially considering apart from LMA, no big name free agent ever comes to SA, but it's going to be pretty hard to maximise his effectiveness.

Sure, but he didn't really show any serious signs of slippage and was basically still an All-Star caliber player until nearly 40.

Paul has a genius level basketball IQ. Of course, it would take some getting used to because it would be new, but he'd obviously know going in he'd have to adjust and might be at the point where he realizes he'd be better off having someone to share that burden with. History shows that even when fit isn't seamless, talent has a way of making it work. James and Wade were probably best example.

What's a better alternative, hoping Murray can become 2/3 or 3/4 as good as him in 3-5 years (when Aldridge and Green will be clearly past prime)?

[coachmac87]

Sure, but he didn't really show any serious signs of slippage and was basically still an All-Star caliber player until nearly 40.

Paul has a genius level basketball IQ. Of course, it would take some getting used to because it would be new, but he'd obviously know going in he'd have to adjust and might be at the point where he realizes he'd be better off having someone to share that burden with. History shows that even when fit isn't seamless, talent has a way of making it work. James and Wade were probably best example.

What's a better alternative, hoping Murray can become 2/3 or 3/4 as good as him in 3-5 years (when Aldridge and Green will be clearly past prime)?

I just got a text saying Green is gonna be a casualty

[TheDoctor]

I just got a text saying Green is gonna be a casualty

Which mean? Stop the pretty little liars ty game Coach.

[coachmac87]

Which mean? Stop the pretty little liars ty game Coach.

Spurs will stash their pick..

Green/Pau will be causality...

Parker will come back to be back up while Murray holds down the fort...

I don't agree with the possible move..I'd rather lose Parker but just going off what my source told me..

Obviously will know more come draft night..you can call me a liar if the Spurs don't trade/or stash pick in the deepest draft in a decade

[TheDoctor]

Spurs will stash their pick..

Green/Pau will be causality...

Parker will come back to be back up while Murray holds down the fort...

I don't agree with the possible move..I'd rather lose Parker but just going off what my source told me..

Obviously will know more come draft night

HoTS to be back-up to whom? To Murray?

[coachmac87]

HoTS to be back-up to whom? To Murray?

CP3

[Down Under]

Ok yeahhh let's just "wait"...

Terrible idea and that's how you potentially lose Kawhi who's contract expires in 2 years

With Kawhi & the other role players we're still a 55 win team. The chances of Kawhi walking are extremely remote already, but if Murray is working hard to become a better player and develops (which may take a year or 2) we would be looking extremely good for 5 years after that.

[Down Under]

Sure, but he didn't really show any serious signs of slippage and was basically still an All-Star caliber player until nearly 40.

Paul has a genius level basketball IQ. Of course, it would take some getting used to because it would be new, but he'd obviously know going in he'd have to adjust and might be at the point where he realizes he'd be better off having someone to share that burden with. History shows that even when fit isn't seamless, talent has a way of making it work. James and Wade were probably best example.

What's a better alternative, hoping Murray can become 2/3 or 3/4 as good as him in 3-5 years (when Aldridge and Green will be clearly past prime)?

I guess it all depends on how fast Murray develops. If he wants it as bad as Kawhi (he's working out with him this offseason) then it may be faster. I think Paul would be willing to accept playing without the ball & there has never been a smarter player in NBA history, but learning to play that way when you've had the ball in your hands your entire life, may take time and we're not going to see the same CP3 in 2 years that is playing now, even if he is still good.

[TheDoctor]

I guess it all depends on how fast Murray develops. If he wants it as bad as Kawhi (he's working out with him this offseason) then it may be faster. I think Paul would be willing to accept playing without the ball & there has never been a smarter player in NBA history, but learning to play that way when you've had the ball in your hands your entire life, may take time and we're not going to see the same CP3 in 2 years that is playing now, even if he is still good.

That won't happen. CP3's magic is creating for others. Kawhi OTOH can play flawlessly w/o the ball in his hands.

[Down Under]

That won't happen. CP3's magic is creating for others. Kawhi OTOH can play flawlessly w/o the ball in his hands.

Well unfortunately it won't work. A 6 foot player can't dominate the game deep into the playoffs, because of their physical limitations as Steve Kerr said the other day. Kawhi has to be the main guy.

[tonight...you]

Well unfortunately it won't work. A 6 foot player can't dominate the game deep into the playoffs, because of their physical limitations as Steve Kerr said the other day. Kawhi has to be the main guy.

Agreed. One of The Main reasons why CP3 hasn't advanced to any conference finals yet.

Do Not Want. FU TGY.

[UZER]

Lol why...

Rooney rule.

[noles1983]

W/ the Spurs (along Kawhi and possibly CP3) he wouldn't have to work . Worriers and Spurs should dismantle the League and the WCF would be the real Finals. Same scenario as if he stays in the East.

Right, the WCF would be harder compe ion than anything he has ever faced in the East. Not a guaranteed Finals ticket. That was my point.

[Uriel]

FWIW, both SA Express-News beat writers Mike Monroe and Jeff McDonald believe the Chris Paul-to-the-Spurs discussion is smokescreen and nothing more.

[TheGreatYacht]

FWIW, both SA Express-News beat writers Mike Monroe and Jeff McDonald believe the Chris Paul-to-the-Spurs discussion is smokescreen and nothing more.

The only beat writers with absolutely no sources from the team they cover

[TimDunkem]

Mike Monroe and Jeff McDonald

[spursistan]

The only beat writers with absolutely no sources from the team they cover

Mike Monroe and Jeff McDonald

[TheDoctor]

Right, the WCF would be harder compe ion than anything he has ever faced in the East. Not a guaranteed Finals ticket. That was my point.

If he can't beat this version of the Worriers playing w/ the Spurs he aint beating them with whatever team he playing in the East. We are not talking about Finals here. We are talking about beating those Oakland pansies.

If he only cares about being in the Finals, he should stay put in CLE then. But he ain't beating this version of the Spurs either.

[tmtcsc]

Spurs will stash their pick..
Green/Pau will be causality...
Parker will come back to be back up while Murray holds down the fort...

Keeping Tony Parker is a ing waste. Did your source tell you why they would keep him over Pau? Not that Pau was a difference maker mind you. I heard from my source that Pau's contract had some stipulations that would make it unlikely he would be moved. However, Green's name came up as a likely piece to get moved.

[cutewizard]

CP3 is the point god of basketball......................!