Spurs get OK to interview Rockets VP Dennis Lindsey

[Marcus Bryant]

And shot better than Finley did...across the board.

Incorrect. Finley shot better from 3 in the '07 playoffs than Barry did in the '05 playoffs. Stop lying.

He also managed to score instead of being a pussy about taking open shots that didn't feel right to him.

[Marcus Bryant]

Here are some other guys I would interview to replace Presti:

David Griffin -- He's the Suns' director of player personnel. Jerry West nominated him as his replacement in Memphis but Griffin turned it down. Some expected him to be named GM but they hired Kerr instead. I think he's a little overrated but it'd be nice to get some inside knowledge on the Suns.

Rich Cho -- Cho is the Sonics' salary cap expert. IIRC, he's a law school graduate and numbers guy who moved his way up in the organization. New ownership got rid of everybody in the front office, except Cho. With Presti going there, having another salary cap expert might be overkill.

John Gabriel -- He was the architect behind Orlando's attempt to lure Duncan. He was the guy responsible for opening up all that cap space that almost landed the Magic Duncan and Hill. His consolation prize was Hill and McGrady. He's currently without a job.

Moni Fanan -- Fanan is the GM of Maccabi Tel Aviv. Maccabi has great connections and is good at finding players who slip through the cracks. If the Spurs want to build their overseas connections, they should take a look at this guy.

Michael Born and Chad Buchanan -- These are the two domestic scouts for the Portland Trailblazers. The Blazers have made some nice selections in the last couple drafts. Jarrett Jack and Sergio Rodriguez were two nice picks. Ime Udoka was a nice free agent addition. Joel Przybilla off the trash heap was nice. One of these guys could help the Spurs find domestic talent.

Scott Layden -- Yeah, Layden was horrible in his time with the Knicks. But when he was the small market Utah Jazz, Layden was one of the best in the business. He brought in the role players to keep that team compe ive for a long time. Maybe he could be successful in a similar role with the Spurs. Currently he's an assistant coach with the Jazz. And if he had anything to do with drafting Millsap, that might be reason enough to hire him.

Good list. In my mind, domestic talent scouting is a need for the Spurs.

[whottt]

Not really...Barry is a career 9ppg scorer, Finley is a career 17ppg scorer...

The fact that Finley scored 3ppg in 20mpg in the finals is much more alarming than Barry scoring 3ppg in 10mpg.

Barry is playing the way he has played everywhere he has been...you may not like it, but it's the way he plays.....Finley is the guy showing serious signs of either choking, or decline. Take your pick.

Since the Cavs weren't as good as the game was big, I am picking the former.

[ploto]

For all of Pop's claims otherwise, he does not treat all players the same with regards to earning minutes. Since he got to SA, Finley was given minutes, even when he sucked, even on nights when Barry was clearly outplaying him. Just like Elson who sucked big time yet started for two months, even as he got worse and worse. Barry was never- ever given the same allowance. Lucky for Oberto, Pop finally got desperate, Horry got suspended, and the Spurs played Utah, otherwise Fabricio would have never gotten the chance he did either. Remember in April and the talk of him going back to Europe? Even Steve Kerr only got to have his heroics in Dallas because of Tony's food poisoning.

[timvp]

For all of Pop's claims otherwise, he does not treat all players the same with regards to earning minutes. Since he got to SA, Finley was given minutes, even when he sucked, even on nights when Barry was clearly outplaying him. Just like Elson who sucked big time yet started for two months, even as he got worse and worse. Barry was never- ever given the same allowance. Lucky for Oberto, Pop finally got desperate, Horry got suspended, and the Spurs played Utah, otherwise Fabricio would have never gotten the chance he did either. Remember in April and the talk of him going back to Europe? Even Steve Kerr only got to have his heroics in Dallas because of Tony's food poisoning.

Obviously Pop is racist.

[Marcus Bryant]

Not really...Barry is a career 9ppg scorer, Finley is a career 17ppg scorer...

The fact that Finley scored 3ppg in 20mpg in the finals is much more alarming than Barry scoring 3ppg in 10mpg.

Barry is playing the way he has played everywhere he has been...you may not like it, but it's the way he plays.....Finley is the guy showing serious signs of either choking, or decline. Take your pick.

Since the Cavs weren't as good as the game was big, I am picking the former.

Yeah, obviously the Cavs weren't any good defensively.

Figure it out.

[Marcus Bryant]

How much had Finley "declined" in the 1st 3 playoff rounds?

Finley's not a pussy when it comes to shooting the rock. That's why Pop went with him as the starter. I know your man-love for Barry clouds your judgement, but at this point there's no excuse.

BTW...when are the nuptials?

[whottt]

LMAO .03 of a difference is the only thing you can come up with? And you even somehow manage to get indignant about it?


No...shooting the rock blindly is not a hard skill to find...Smitty never had a problem shooting the rock. Jacque ing Vaughn doesn't either...do you like it?



And the Pistons were a better defensive team in 05 than the Cavs were this year.



You guys are ing fools if you want to ship Barry just for the sake of contract, and have to trust Finley...not only because there is ample evidence he chokes, but because he is showing serious signs of decline...

The guys was the most efficient shooter in the NBA this season....


Exactly wtf are you wanting to replace him with and trust the declining physical skills of a guy very reliant on his physical skills...


You are begging for NVE part deux.



Any trade of Barry that doesn't net Nocioni, Jack or someone of equvivalent talent and familiarity with the system and players...is a bad one.

You don't just do this ing trade for contract reasons, Peter, not if you want to repeat.



You can't trust Finley to be here this season....

Dude showed total for about 15 games total this entire season, and not the most important ones. We can debate the whys and wherefores all we want....but that's the fact...he played well for this team for about 15 games this entire season....and then his back got hurt.

[timvp]

Not really...Barry is a career 9ppg scorer, Finley is a career 17ppg scorer...

The fact that Finley scored 3ppg in 20mpg in the finals is much more alarming than Barry scoring 3ppg in 10mpg.

Barry is playing the way he has played everywhere he has been...you may not like it, but it's the way he plays.....Finley is the guy showing serious signs of either choking, or decline. Take your pick.

Since the Cavs weren't as good as the game was big, I am picking the former.

A) Finley earned his ring against the Nuggets and the Suns -- the two toughest teams the Spurs played.

B) The Spurs played the Cavs six times this season. The only Spur outside of Tim, Tony and Manu to score over ten points in any game was Bowen in Game 3. The Cavs, using the Spurs' system, shutdown all the role players from shooting the ball well. So it's not just on Finley. Bowen, who is probably the best playoff shooter in franchise history, was held to under 30% for the series.

C) Barry had a couple good games during the playoffs. I don't want him to be traded simply for the sake of being traded. However, eventually the Spurs have to get younger and if that means trading Barry to make salaries match, you'd probably have to do it.

[Marcus Bryant]

When one is either incompetent with, or disingenious about, the facts at hand then the rest of what they have to provide is diminished. Thanks for playing.

[timvp]

Dude showed total for about 15 games total this entire season, and not the most important ones.

Game 1 against Phoenix I think was the most important game of the season. Without that game, the Spurs get eliminated by the Suns.

In that game, Finley had 19.

[whottt]

C) Barry had a couple good games during the playoffs. I don't want him to be traded simply for the sake of being traded. However, eventually the Spurs have to get younger and if that means trading Barry to make salaries match, you'd probably have to do it.

Fine...but just who that is matters.

If we trade him for some dude that is going to be a project, on the quest for a repeat, that is a bad move.

It wasn't that long ago we had shooter woes year in and year out...that problem hasn't been on the radar since Barry signed...even when he doesn't shoot it...he draws defensive attention on the perimeter and cannot be doubled off of..and isn't except in extreme cir stances.


You trade Barry for some project 3...

That leaves us with Finley and James White to come off the bench and shoot....that should scare the out of you. Because Finley is showing signs of something....

[whottt]

Game 1 against Phoenix I think was the most important game of the season. Without that game, the Spurs get eliminated by the Suns.

In that game, Finley had 19.

I'd say it was game 3 of the Finals...no telling what happens if Cleveland gets confident...

[medstudent]

I still dont understand why Pop doesnt use Barry as a back up PG so he doesnt have to fight with Finley for minutes. The only reason I can think of is cause he doesnt trust him guarding the opponent's pg

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

That leaves us with Finley and James White to come off the bench and shoot....

You forgot about Beno.

[whottt]

I'll go on record as saying the 07 NBA Finals was the worst playoff performance of Finley's career. That is cause for alarm, no matter how you slice it. If this was the easiest team we faced...Finley sure did suck.


And Smitty was a great guy too....

[whottt]

You guys are so full of ...if Barry ever had series like this you guys would crucify his kids.

Finley gets a complete and total free pass...after sucking worse in the finals than Barry ever has...in any series.


After sucking worse in the regular season than Barry ever has.

[timvp]

Fine...but just who that is matters.

If we trade him for some dude that is going to be a project, on the quest for a repeat, that is a bad move.

It wasn't that long ago we had shooter woes year in and year out...that problem hasn't been on the radar since Barry signed...even when he doesn't shoot it...he draws defensive attention on the perimeter and cannot be doubled off of..and isn't except in extreme cir stances.


You trade Barry for some project 3...

That leaves us with Finley and James White to come off the bench and shoot....that should scare the out of you. Because Finley is showing signs of something....

To be fair, Barry also had back issues this year. That's how Finley ended up starting in the first place.

Finley and Barry are both breaking down. And that's not counting Bowen who should start slowing down one of these years.

What is more dangerous ... going into the season with Bowen and two old vets with back issues or trading away Barry for a young guy who might not be ready for the limelight? I think it's equally as dangerous.

Another option would be signing a young swing (Devin Brown? ) and then demoting Barry to Kerr's 2003 role. That might be the best of both worlds.

[timvp]

I'd say it was game 3 of the Finals...no telling what happens if Cleveland gets confident...

Cleveland was the worst team the Spurs faced in the playoffs.

[timvp]

I'll go on record as saying the 07 NBA Finals was the worst playoff performance of Finley's career.

Finley, Ginobili, Horry, Bowen and Barry all shot less than 37% from the field in the Finals. The only perimeter player who consistently made shots was Parker.

Finley was far from being alone in his bricklaying.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Another option would be signing a young swing (Devin Brown? ) and then demoting Barry to Kerr's 2003 role. That might be the best of both worlds.

Would you replace Devin with Marco Belinelli or Rudy Fernandez if we draft him?

[timvp]

Would you replace Devin with Marco Belinelli or Rudy Fernandez if we draft him?

Possibly, but good point. If the Spurs can find a player in the draft that can play the 10-15 minute a game role the Spurs need at the swing position, that'd be progress in the right direction.

Barry as Kerr in the 2008 playoffs would be pretty decent. Come in, play a couple minutes, hit a few shots and become a legend. If Finley breaks down, then you can extend Barry's role.

[whottt]

Finley, Ginobili, Horry, Bowen and Barry all shot less than 37% from the field in the Finals. The only perimeter player who consistently made shots was Parker.

Finley was far from being alone in his bricklaying.

Yeah well...Pop cut his minutes....beoucoup. You decide why...


You know...we can debate this all we want, but I gurantee you someone on the Spurs took notice of that.

Devin was like a son to Pop...until he got back problems.

[ducks]

I'd say it was game 3 of the Finals...no telling what happens if Cleveland gets confident...

spurs own cavs
tp owns james

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Michael Born and Chad Buchanan -- These are the two domestic scouts for the Portland Trailblazers. The Blazers have made some nice selections in the last couple drafts. Jarrett Jack and Sergio Rodriguez were two nice picks. Ime Udoka was a nice free agent addition. Joel Przybilla off the trash heap was nice. One of these guys could help the Spurs find domestic talent.

This is where we should start. Our domestic scouting sucks.