Mickael Pietrus

[SenorSpur]

I would not be surprised to see this begin to change this summer. Since securing the services of TD, TP, and Manu in 2003 and 2004, the Spurs entered every summer until 2008 with a reasonable expectation that the total production of the Big 3 would remain very high. TD would have a gentle decline from an absurdly high level, while TP and Manu would add to their games. Thus they could afford to be extremely conservative with their role player choices.

In the summer of 2008, the Spurs bet that Manu could play 60 games and a full postseason. They lost. This summer the uncertainties over TD and Manu mean that the Spurs can no longer reasonably assume anything about total Big 3 production. If they can clear enough room for a full MLE offer this summer, I think it is possible they will use it on player with great potential and a short resume. They might even target a financially stretched team like Orlando and go after Gortat.

If I'm the Spurs, this guy would one of my top FA targets, if not the top. That is, of course, assuming that Trevor Ariza is out of reach.

[Mel_13]

If I'm the Spurs, this guy would one of my top FA targets, if not the top. That is, of course, assuming that Trevor Ariza is out of reach.

If I was GM for a day, Gortat for the MLE on day 1 of free agency is my first decision. I assume Ariza is out of reach, but I would get help for Tim first anyway.

[Obstructed_View]

Cause he's dumb as a post.

/thread

I was going to post that some people worried about his basketball IQ while idiots like TPark repeat it to make themselves sound like they know what they're talking about.

Thanks to you, I now don't have to bother.

[E20]

The reason people said he has a low B-ball IQ was because he looks like Austrolapehticaus africanus or Cro-Magnon.

[Obstructed_View]

He doesn't always have the greatest shot selection. He played for Don Nelson, didn't he? Seems forgivable enough. If Mason didn't curl up into a ball in the playoffs, we probably aren't having this conversation. That said, at least Pop wouldn't have tried to force Pietrus to play backup point guard.

[montgod]

Alston however deserves the largest chunk of credit, he was simply magnificent. If I'm Jameer Nelson, I'm really starting to wonder if my job might be in jeapordy next year.

I doubt it. Didn't the Magic just lock him (Nelson) up with a long term deal as well?

I really don't see them being able to keep Hedo or Gortat with all these huge contracts on the books.

[urunobili]

We could have had this guy two seasons in a row...

[TDMVPDPOY]

I doubt it. Didn't the Magic just lock him (Nelson) up with a long term deal as well?

I really don't see them being able to keep Hedo or Gortat with all these huge contracts on the books.

i wonder how m uch hedo or gortat will be asking?

hedo = 10m-13m range?
gortat = someone is going to overpay him...MLE?

maybe magic do a sign and trade imo....lee looks like a keeper now...

[raspsa]

Congratulations to Pietrus and the Magic organization. I always root for the underdog. If Pietrus can pester Bryant and Dwight Howard has a few monster games, they have a pretty good chance at the le.

[SenorSpur]

He doesn't always have the greatest shot selection.

That's probably true. However, I still say that part of his game can be coached up. Besides, when has Pop gotten on guys for shooting too much. He's habitually gotten on guys for not shooting enough.

If Mason didn't curl up into a ball in the playoffs, we probably aren't having this conversation. That said, at least Pop wouldn't have tried to force Pietrus to play backup point guard.

Regardless of Mason's regular season or playoff contributions, he is what he is. A reliable, long-distance shooter, yet a very one-dimensional player. Still glad to have him on the team.

On the other hand, it's clear that Pietrus is the better athlete, is a superior rebounder and defender and there's no question that he is a better all-around player. He really came of age during these playoffs. Because this guy has the type of skills that the Spurs have so desparately lacked and could have so desparately used, this conversation is made even more compelling and would've have taken place regardless.

I wish we had them both. Yet, given the choice, I would've much rather had Pietrus - despite the claims of some who repeatedly called the kid dumb.

No. When analyzing the Spurs areas of weakness on the perimeter, at both ends of the floor, and watching the nightly contributions of Pietrus, the only thing that was dumb was the decision of the Spurs FO to pass over him.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

his bball IQ is so low, though!

[raspsa]

his bball IQ is so low, though!

His BBIQ was good enough to make a very significant impact on the series, specially defending James.. that's the ultimate judge of him as a player. People make their reps during playoffs and Pietrus' showed he's got game.

[MaNu4Tres]

Regardless of Mason's regular season or playoff contributions, he is what he is. A reliable, long-distance shooter, yet a very one-dimensional player. Still glad to have him on the team.

On the other hand, it's clear that Pietrus is the better athlete, is a superior rebounder and defender and there's no question that he is a better all-around player. He really came of age during these playoffs. Because this guy has the type of skills that the Spurs have so desparately lacked and could have so desparately used, this conversation is made even more compelling and would've have taken place regardless.

I wish we had them both. Yet, given the choice, I would've much rather had Pietrus - despite the claims of some who repeatedly called the kid dumb.

No. When analyzing the Spurs areas of weakness on the perimeter, at both ends of the floor, and watching the nightly contributions of Pietrus, the only thing that was dumb was the decision of the Spurs FO to pass over him.

Agreed 110 %

[Brazil]

We are so close to have a deadly French NT with a core of nba players: pietrus parker noah batum diaw turiaff...

[draft87]

hey guys, seriously what is the big fuss over gortat?

i'm not saying that a strong presence at the 5 spot isn't needed.

i'm saying he's not the guy to fill it.

yes, he's young. but he's not overwhelming at 6'11" 240


here's his stats


G MIN FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OFF DEF TOT STL BLK TO PF AST PTS Season6312.6106-187.5671-11.00026-45.5781.53.04.5.29.84.401.760.23.8Career6912.1114-204.5591-11.00028-48.5831.52.94.4.28.78.391.670.23.7

[draft87]

okay that looked like crap
minutes 12.6
fg% .567
ppg 3.8
ft% .578
tot rb 4.5
off rb 1.5
stl .29
blk .84
to .40
pf 1.76

[urunobili]

okay that looked like crap
minutes 12.6
fg% .567
ppg 3.8
ft% .578
tot rb 4.5
off rb 1.5
stl .29
blk .84
to .40
pf 1.76

This is Pietrus thread not Gortat's...

[Yuixafun]

Pietrus is still shook from Kobe's Olajuwon impersonation in game 1.

It should be illegal to do that to someones confidence.

[dastrey]

Pietrus has the swagger. He has turned into a better version of Steven Jackson.

[DPG21920]

Pietrus has the swagger. He has turned into a better version of Steven Jackson.

[Brazil]

I knew it lol every good game of Pietrus it will be a tradition to bump this thread. He played great tonight.

[xellos88330]

Pietrus is impressing me.

[TJastal]

Pietrus still makes those occassional bonehead mental miscues, like the double dribble (that didn't get called) Another one I recall was in game 2 on a one man fast break he came barrelling to the basket and ran over a stationary Derek Fisher (the one time Fisher didn't flop in his career)

In last night's game however, come crunch time Pietrus dug in and caused absolute havoc defensively against the lakers with his hands and found the laker passing lanes for a couple steals.

It was Pietrus that also supplied the offensive spark late, hitting clutch outside jumpshots and driving the ball right down the laker's throats and getting to the line when Orlando needed an "x-factor lift".

When its all said and done, I think the good has defenitely outweighed the bad when it comes to Pietrus. He has defenitely become one of my favorite players in the league.

[yavozerb]

I think this is the longest stretch of games this guy has played in without getting hurt this season...

[Chieflion]

We are so close to have a deadly French NT with a core of nba players: pietrus parker noah batum diaw turiaff...

That team will rule.