Ric Bucher on Twitter about Spurs FA targets

[Mr. Body]

Here's how it will play out:

Sheed to Boston
McDyess to SA
Varejao stays in Cleveland
Orlando steals Bass (but overpays for him)
Gortat to Dallas

I agree.

[timvp]

1. There wasn't any logic put forward that any NBA player = Elson. I was putting forward that NBA experience with a bad player doesn't trump inexperience with a player who could be good in the NBA. Mikki Moore is garbage, just because he's experienced doesn't mean he'd be better in 20 minutes than trusting that 20 to Blair, or Mahinmi. There's a dozen guys you could replace Moore's name with, and Frye's coming to mind, though maybe not as bad.

My point was just that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. There are those Spurs fans (not talking about you, specifically) that will always go with the unknown product over the known player. For example, if you asked Spurs fans if they'd rather have Splitter or Pau Gasol, there'd be that contingent that goes with Splitter.

I agree with you that a bad player with NBA experience shouldn't automatically be given an advantage simply due to having NBA experience.

I wouldn't say anyone who watched Elson play knew he sucked, because this board had lots of people that were optomistic right off the top of my head. Except me, because I reviewed what little I had of him and could only say that he was quicker than Rasho. And his stats of blocks with Denver weren't good.

I remember most people being upset about signing him. I know I wasn't the world's biggest Elson fan

2. What is this nonsense about 'second coming'? Don't insult me with that bull please. I'm on record as being in favor of getting Javtokas and Sanikidze, and never have I EVER insinuated they'd be stars or second comings or messiahs or anything like that.

I was talking about Spurs fans in general, not you. I think we've both agreed that we'd like to see Sanikidze given a legitimate chance and at least give him a season to show what he can do in Austin. IIRC, our stances are relatively similar on Javtokas as well.

I was just cautioning against the sentiment that ends up overrating the unknown.

I've said they could play in the NBA, be rotation guys, and fill roles. And unlike so many fans here who have opinions on guys pro or con (not talking about you), I've actually watched games of those guys. I watched feeds of Rytas vs. Zalgiris. I watched BBL and SEB games with their nauseating airhorns and windows in the background where you can see cars driving by. I've based my assertions on games, not highlights or Spurs-cultdom.

Yeah, I know you are one of the few people who have actually taken the time to watch the prospects

And yeah, some of that camera work combined with the awkward presentation can make the whole experience nauseating

So speaking for myself, no, I wouldn't be talking up Elson if he was a stashed Euro.

Yeah, I'm sure if you watched him, you probably could tell he wasn't very good. But you have to admit there'd be those who would see his 28 point and 15 rebound average while on Holland and his high rebounding rate in Euroleague and think Elson could become the next Dwight Howard simply because he'd be unknown.

It's a tough balance to figure out how much NBA experience is really worth. Unfortunately, the Spurs haven't been too good at figuring out that balance as of late. It's like they went from overrating foreign talent to underrating foreign talent midstream.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

How thin would we be looking now if we hadn't snagged Blair? I still find that one difficult to fathom.

[Marcus Bryant]

How thin would we be looking now if we hadn't snagged Blair? I still find that one difficult to fathom.

The Spurs seem to be approaching free agency as if they hadn't.

[HarlemHeat37]

drafting Blair was huge, and drafting McClinton could end up being very significant..our bench looks like it's going to have a lot of potential for this year, which could end up being the difference for us..

[weebo]

The one guy not being talked about very much is Dice. Got a weird feeling he ends up in SA...

I really hope you're right. Dice, overall, seems like the better player for the Spurs. A quiet guy that works hard and goes about his business. Although I like the idea of having Sheed sign, in the end, it is a better fit for the Spurs to go after Dice.

[objective]

There are those Spurs fans (not talking about you, specifically) that will always go with the unknown product over the known player. For example, if you asked Spurs fans if they'd rather have Splitter or Pau Gasol, there'd be that contingent that goes with Splitter.

any poster who says they'd rather have Splitter than Pau should be pinked outright. That is madness. And I like Splitter, but Pau is remarkable.

[timvp]

any poster who says they'd rather have Splitter than Pau should be pinked outright. That is madness. And I like Splitter, but Pau is remarkable.

Speaking of Splitter, have you watched any of his footage from this past season? The couple games I've watched so far were pretty disappointing.

[objective]

I was talking about Spurs fans in general, not you. I think we've both agreed that we'd like to see Sanikidze given a legitimate chance and at least give him a season to show what he can do in Austin. IIRC, our stances are relatively similar on Javtokas as well.

I was just cautioning against the sentiment that ends up overrating the unknown.

...

It's a tough balance to figure out how much NBA experience is really worth. Unfortunately, the Spurs haven't been too good at figuring out that balance as of late. It's like they went from overrating foreign talent to underrating foreign talent midstream.

I would agree in general about the overrating of the unknown, maybe moreso with guys who are available at draft time (Gladyr, Eyenga, etc). And a caustic reaction the other way as well (my initial reaction to George Hill was quite poor, I barely knew him and was upset over Batum).

It's a small point, but I would put forward however that on the list of overrated unknowns Sanikidze doesn't quite belong, because as far as I can tell he's still pretty much off the radar as far as all but the most hardcore fans. Splitter and Javtokas has been the subject of EN articles at free agency time, occasionally talked up by the press like ESPN, talked up on DX, a spurs press conference, etc. Javtokas also in the past has been talked about by Don Harris and other SA tv guys, talked about on the radio, talked about during Spurs radio pre-game by Sam Presti, appeared in nationally televised Olympic and WC games during which times the American announcers talk about him and his Spurs history.

Sanikidze though is pretty much off the radar. It's me, you, Bruno and a handful of other people who even remember him (and don't confuse him with Karaulov).

[objective]

Speaking of Splitter, have you watched any of his footage from this past season? The couple games I've watched so far were pretty disappointing.

only bits and pieces, nothing longer than a 6 minute stretch of any game. He didn't look like star material.

But for myself I only ever hoped for a mobile, long young big who could do what he did in International play. Set screens, guard well, contest. Finish around the rim when set up by teammates, run the court. Don't screw up.

And for the Spurs that's about a dream come true. He seemed weaker in the post straight up on defense then I remembered him being, but not as bad as say, Chris Anderson. I think Splitter would do a better job on Pau than Anderson did.

If there was any chance Splitter could come over, I'm confident he'd easily be better than Mikki Moore, Calvin Booth, Channing Frye, Johan Petro, etc.

And with such a good roster around him, I think he'd have a smooth transition to become the player that people expected when he was drafted.

[TheSpursFNRule]

The one guy not being talked about very much is Dice. Got a weird feeling he ends up in SA...

Yeah im starting to get this really weird feeling that he will end up in SA because of the lack of talking about him. It would be just like Jefferson, they do it without making any noise about it. Coulda been VC and Sheed but will be more than happy with RJ and Dice.

[bishopospurs]

Sanikidze looks like Rudy Fernandez to me, but he is mighty skinny still. Does anyone think he will ever come over? We were pretty pumped to get him when he was drafted. I thought he was going to be in the Summer League, but he isn't.

[bishopospurs]

If there was any chance Splitter could come over, I'm confident he'd easily be better than Mikki Moore, Calvin Booth, Channing Frye, Johan Petro, etc.

Safe bet. Tau was smart to sign splitter for 2 years. I am sure they are hoping to get something back in return for him, it almost makes more sense for them to let Splitter go so they at least get some cash.

[mountainballer]

if the Spurs can get Frye for small money, they have to do it. of course not as the #2 big on the roster. but as a 4th or 5th man in the big rotation....why not. and sometimes a 26 years old pony can still be taught a new trick.
just a guess: if the Spurs could get McDyess for something like 4 million/per and Frye for the remaining 1.6 million from the MLE, this could turn out a pretty nice deal.
(unlikely anyhow, Frye will get some half MLE offers from desperate teams)

[Spurs Brazil]

I don't like the Splitter option. We already have 2 young guys on the C/PF for next season.

I think we need a guy who can finish games and I don't think he can do that.

I think the best option for him is now in 2010 in Bonner or Ian place

[Grundle]

Sanikidze looks like Rudy Fernandez to me, but he is mighty skinny still. Does anyone think he will ever come over? We were pretty pumped to get him when he was drafted. I thought he was going to be in the Summer League, but he isn't.

No. If he hasn't bulked up by 23 (or whatever he is), he never will. I'm pretty sure the Spurs org. has given up on him.

[spurspokesman]

How the does Buc know that?

Good Question

[spurspokesman]

Speaking of Splitter, have you watched any of his footage from this past season? The couple games I've watched so far were pretty disappointing.

Haven't seen much of him. Only on you tube Timvp. But to be honest with you i'm tired of hearing about him. His potential and Ian and sankidize and jaktovas or whatever his name is doesn't do s*&% for us. Let's hope Ian is worth the jersey he wears and we land A good big and let's go get this money and . End of rant

[urunobili]

It looks I'm probably the only poster that wouldn't mind to grab Frye... I think that under the right system that kid can shine... The games i got to see him last season he was actually very good... tough on D and hit clutch three's as well... I think he IS an upgrade over Bonner... that said.... The perfect option of a Mobile big for the Spurs is Linas Kleiza.

On my prediction of how this will pan out:

Boston: Sheed, Davis
Orlando: Bass, Varejao
Mavs: Gortat, Hollins
Cavs: Odom
Spurs: Dice, Frye
Denver: Kleiza

[ElNono]

Ric Bucher's response to a question about why the Spurs aren't pushing harder for Sheed.

"Have heard McDyess and Frye. There's a chance Tiago Splitter could be coming over, which would solve a *lot* of problems."

So has Ric heard something we haven't? Or is this just idle speculation of someone in the media?

http://twitter.com/RicBucher

I has Twitter. I has to fill it up.

Bucher has no clue what he's talking about.

[Extra Stout]

Complete the tweet!

[Ocotillo]

I don't see Splitter coming this year because he would still be paid rookie scale which is not enough. If he comes, it would be next season when he has a buy out and more could be paid to him.

Dang it, I want Sankidze in Austin rather than some obscure eastern Euor league so we can see what he's got.

[Extra Stout]

Yesterday we proposed a principle to follow, which is that NBA "experts" in the national media do not have any reliable inside information on the Spurs apart from what is available in this very forum.

[tmtcsc]

Please not Frye. That's who I'm worried the Spurs would target. He's a softer, even more mentally weak version of Bonner.

Agreed. He's no answer. What happened to the PF that can hit the three, play D and post up ? If we don't get Sheed, then bring in a defensive minded player. Go for McDyess or put something together to bring in Camby.

Am I the only one that thinks Artest is a team killer ? The dude monopolizes the ball and is not a very smart player. How many times did he bull his way into the lane with 3 defenders swiping at the ball ? What a head ache. The lakers made a mistake.

[Das Texan]

does bucher just throw against the wall and see what sticks?