Slam Online: Spurs Preview

[Man In Black]

The article ain't that bad but after reading your responses here well...

YOU ARE 1 DENSE DUDE.

It's called fitting a role. It's a team game but your highlighting of individuals makes you the perfect candidate to push away the team aspect. SLAM, ESPN, DIME all of that meant to praise the individual when we all know that TEAM HOOPS wins it more so than individual stars. Bruce plays a role to the letter as defined by Pop.

as far as your list - alvin robertson and sidney moncrief gave it to you on the other end of the court too and I played against Alvin and his defense wasn't that great - saw my boy dwight govan light him up in city league for 40.

The big question is WHEN? And if your boy Dwight was such the man, then why is it do I not see his name in the NBA register?

I once took Swen Nater to the hole once but since he was less mobile than Jabba the Hut, at his later age, that wasn't very impressive to me. You said take any coach. I gave you the one that I had access to. You can't comprehend the word BALANCE. Tell me genius, if you bring "Shuttlesworth" in, how many shots is he going to get? Seriously, how many? Everywhere he has been he has gotten the bulk of the work.

Does he deserve more shots than Manu? How about Tim? I know you're going to turn TP into a pass-first PG right? BULL . You want to talk hoops. Bring it.

Just because you luckily got chosen to rep the Spurs doesn't mean you rep them well. It just means that you got luckily chosen.

Truth? Bruce is 1 -of-a-defender...Check. Rasho doesn't score a lot...Check. Jerome James is literally garbage and now he has fleeced James Dolan of more cash than he should be en led to. He sucks, just like Suckmywokandi. Same type of game, same waste of cash.

[implacable44]

Actually I could care less about the individual but if you don't think Ray could fit in with the Spurs then I would question your concept. You know a lot of the Spurd go play ball during the summer on the west side at a local high school - monty williams will show up too - some other guys and Tim has even been in there and I promise you he would love to play alongside Ray Alllen. Ray can get his own shot and get shots for TIm freeing up the middle because he would be the best deep threat the Spurs have ever had. - yes he shoots better than Kerr.

Bruce does play a role to the T and he is also 35 years old. I don't know many 35 year old guys that are able to stay with the younger guys - not even Jordan could do it.

You telling me that you don't have friends who can play that aren't in the L for one reason or another ? San Antonio is full of players who could play that didn't make it - Ski Jones was a bad man but he didnt make it to the L - Artie Griffin can play - I have seen him light up just about every one on the Spurs whenever he went to camp -- he used to light up del negro and devin brown but he didnt make it either -and I have played with cats that are in the league who I dont think are all that great - played with andre at utah - and he is not that good - played with b-russ, jamie watson, monty williams, britten johnsen, david benoit, hornacek, danny ainge, bunch of people who played in the league who were just not overly impressive. You play ball and you don't know any body like that ? You havent ever played with people in the NBA and thought - that dude isnt that great ?

How many shots does Shuttlesworth need? would I give him more shots than Manu ? - yes I would - and I would give him more shots than anybody but Tim - not that Tim would care either way --as long as they were winning - which they would be -= and I dont care what Tony Parker thought about it - he should be a pass first point guard with that screwball that he considers a jump shot =- dude is quick as but that J is broke.

Bruce has been a dang good defender - but I am telling you he is 35 and this season we will see how he does and how many minutes he gets with more productive people on that sideline to start the season -- finley - bones - etc.

you want to talk hoops or play them - - bring it.

[xcoriate]

word up to that G-unit.

What the is with talking a like a ?

Let me take a quick moment to point out some flaws....

Anyway whats with this hypothetical question anyway? Rasho and Bruce for Ray Allen and Jerome James? I got another proposal Beno for LeBron talk about pointless.

Jerome James is a knick.

Rasho >>> James

Bruce is a better fit for our system than Ray Ray. He is a cornerstone of the defence.

Bruce is a virtually universal choice amongst coaches as one of the top perimeter defenders, along with psycho boy out in Indiana.

Manu is better than Bruce, but on D Bruce owns Manu.

Bruce had a career year least season, thats right he is peaking and while I agree that a replacement needs to be found we are ok for the time being it would seem.

I don't care who you've played against, but I hope you enjoyed dropping all those names to make yourself feel good. I can assure you we're really impressed

[coopdogg3]

If being able to take people to the hole was a good indication of a GM's skills then Isiah Thomas would be the best GM in the NBA, instead of being the worst. I could care less who played and who and did what, the point is the article was decent, but a lot of posters disagreed with part of it. Not a big deal, it happens a lot. And while a few players might occasionally put up a good game on Bruce, he mostly shuts people down. Players who average a lot of points on Bruce (Kobe, Allen) usually have a very low field goal % to go with that 20+ ppg.

coopdogg3

[FromWayDowntown]

I think the point here is that since implacable has occasionally played ball with these guys, we should all bow down to his expertise and not question any of his conclusions. I mean, what on Earth could any of the rest of us know, since unlike implacable we can't drop ambiguous references to having played hoops with NBA players and assert (without any corroboration) what those guys think. (oh, and by the way, implacable, the next time you hoop it up with Ski, you might ask him about those games he played for the T'Wolves, buddy.)

I mean, what do stats and understandings of philosophy have anything to do with talent evaluation when you can vaguely refer to some pickup games that you played and assert dominion over all who post after you?

[ambchang]

childish - childish - childish - bowen is 35. - allen does not need any screens to get open - are you an idiot ? dude can and does create his own shots at will and the fact that a select group of people disagree with me doesn't affect me at all. that is the beauty of an opinion - especially one based on basketball talents of individual players - purely hyupothetical = besides - how can i respect your opinion when i would be busting your ase all day if we were to ever play ball ?

http://www.nba.com/step_up/seattle_double_trouble.html
Yeah, just read this, watch the video, and tell me if Ray Allen needs any screens.
And what does Bowen being 35 have to do with him playing great defense? It's not even a related topic.
And as for the on the court comment ... this is probably the most immature thing I have heard, even if it was a face-to-face comment. Let's see, I am a great basketball mind because I play great basketball. Have you heard of Elgin Baylor? How long did Magic last as a coach? What about Isiah Thomas? He is doing a bang up job in NY, isn't he (Yes according to you, because he landed superstar Jerome James for $30 mil, ). Second, this is over the Internet, buddy guess what? I busted Kobe Bryant and Micheal Jordan's ass playing one of two, beating both of them 15-2, and then proceeded to beat the whole Sonics team playing them 1 on 12. Just typing it does make it a reality. I was also the president of United States and Uganda at the same time for 13 years in a row while I lead the world to eternal peace and stunted a Martian attack. . Man, you crack me up.

[ambchang]

Actually I could care less about the individual but if you don't think Ray could fit in with the Spurs then I would question your concept. You know a lot of the Spurd go play ball during the summer on the west side at a local high school - monty williams will show up too - some other guys and Tim has even been in there and I promise you he would love to play alongside Ray Alllen. Ray can get his own shot and get shots for TIm freeing up the middle because he would be the best deep threat the Spurs have ever had. - yes he shoots better than Kerr.

You promise me/us that blah blah blah would love playing with Allen? What about Bruce? I don't need a promise, because I already KNOW that everybody loves playing with him, and has won two rings with him being the main defensive force.
I would love to see the offense run through Allen, how he could create his own shots, and then get shots for Tim, please, please please take the offense away from Tim, and have a guy who can be a better offensive player than Steve Kerr, an NBA superstar who managed to average 6 ppg in his career run the Spurs offense. I am just salivating at that idea. Come to think of it, I have always HATED Tim running the offense and surrounding him with shooters, then add in a drive to the hole maniac like Manu. What has come out of it other than getting a bunch of championships and the most successful team in major league sports for the last 7 years? It could be better, give the offense to Ray Allen! Who managed to lead his team to the PLAYOFFS last year.

Bruce does play a role to the T and he is also 35 years old. I don't know many 35 year old guys that are able to stay with the younger guys - not even Jordan could do it.

Of course he couldn't, because Jordan retired for the second time when he was 34. And even though he was 34, Jordan was All-D 1st team. Why talk about what Jordan did, let's talk about what Bruce did. 2001 to 2003, All-D 2nd team. 2004 to 2005, All-D 1st team. he actually got better when he aged. I am not saying that he is going to be a defensive force at age 89, but please explain to me how him being 35, or one year older than 34 (I thought I have to make it clear for you), an age where he just finished 2nd in DPoY, and with no major injuries (knock on wood), that he would suddenly not be able to keep up with his man?

[Man In Black]

I realize that Bowen is 35. But having said that, as early as last year he did what Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen, Shawn Marion & Rip Hamilton? Rendered them less effective. You saw the statistics. They scored more when playing against others. Scored less when playing against Bruce & the Spurs.

You telling me that you don't have friends who can play that aren't in the L for one reason or another ? San Antonio is full of players who could play that didn't make it - Ski Jones was a bad man but he didnt make it to the L - Artie Griffin can play - I have seen him light up just about every one on the Spurs whenever he went to camp -- he used to light up del negro and devin brown but he didnt make it either -and I have played with cats that are in the league who I dont think are all that great - played with andre at utah - and he is not that good - played with b-russ, jamie watson, monty williams, britten johnsen, david benoit, hornacek, danny ainge, bunch of people who played in the league who were just not overly impressive. You play ball and you don't know any body like that ? You havent ever played with people in the NBA and thought - that dude isnt that great ?

The question is when DID YOU PLAY THESE GUYS? Look at 1 time Danny Ainge was an ALL-WAC player along with Tony Gwynn of the Padres. At 1 time he was a stone-faced killer oh about TWENTY YEARS AGO. I played against Jim Paxson and Chris Dudley out here in California and I could get a shot off on those guys but still, does that mean I'm ready for the NBA? Umm..no.

Your list of who's who:
Andre once led the L in assists; BRuss-not a bad defender,kind of Bruce real light;Britten J, David Beniot, chronic end of the bench guys-Fringe players;Hornacek could shoot the lights out and for about 5 years, was a triple-threat player who could shoot, pass, and get to the line. All we can truly say, is that while there are a bunch of guys who can play ball, and many of them don't make it to the L for one reason or another. You have to make yourself standout in some way and many of your boys did not. Not saying it's a bad thing but it is what it is.

[implacable44]

ambchang - you are irrelevant - when i say " dont question me" - i am joking -it is humor - albeit difficult to comprehend in an email - and your logic is stupid - I didnt say he was a better offensive player than steve kerr, I said he was a better shooter and anyone who watches any ball - knows ray can get his own shot off and does all the time against anyone. again ray is a guy who's game i appreciate and who i think would fit in nicely with the spurs - an opinion - go get one instead of regurgitating what everyone else thinks or what you read - see that yellow line- follow it all the way to the wizard and get your own opinion

my point was not to say I have played with so and so - or this and that guy - and ski didnt last 1 year in the L - and I know he was with the T-wolves -.
my point was to in black talking about dwight asking why he wasnt in the L - and I told him there are plenty of folks who could play ball that dont make it - folks better than people actually playing in the league/.

[samikeyp]

Ski is playing in Venezuela and was playing for Venezuela's national team of late.

link

[samikeyp]

Artie Griffin can play - I have seen him light up just about every one on the Spurs whenever he went to camp -- he used to light up del negro and devin brown

Del Negro left in 98 and DBrown didn't come in until 02.

[implacable44]

Ski has been in Venezuela for more than a decade playing. he used to play with my boy bryon from utah --- Ski has been MVP a few times and another kid from San Antonio i--roger favela - is playing down in Belize - on thier national team.

[FromWayDowntown]

an opinion - go get one instead of regurgitating what everyone else thinks or what you read - see that yellow line- follow it all the way to the wizard and get your own opinion

I have an opinion -- my opinion is that you have absolutely no understanding whatsoever concerning what makes the Spurs who they are. How's that?

[samikeyp]

I watched Ski in HS. I think he graduated in 89 or 90....Taft used to whack him!

[implacable44]

taft didnt whack ski - are you sick - nobody could hold ski back in the day - who was at taft then ? - mike grimes ? -- you went to taft -- did you know laura and wayne stewart?

[implacable44]

it is your opinion and you are more than en led to it. --

artie has been to spurs camp numerous times - -same with Jerald Reiner.

[samikeyp]

taft didnt whack ski - are you sick - nobody could hold ski back in the day - who was at taft then ? - mike grimes ? -- you went to taft -- did you know laura and wayne stewart?

yes I was and yes I do...ok let me rephrase...Taft used to whack Marshall. Ski yes, got his numbers...I meant team victories.

Yes Artie was in camp with the Spurs but never with Del Negro and Brown because they were not in camp together. I am pretty sure that Artie was not in Spurs camp in 2002...I may be wrong and if you have proof I will gladly defer to that.

[FromWayDowntown]

I watched Ski in HS. I think he graduated in 89 or 90....Taft used to whack him!

I went to HS with Ski. I can assure you that his days at Marshall were the high point for Rams basketball. Jay, with Bo Outlaw and Calvin Thomas, was the biggest nemesis, IIRC. Ski was good enough by himself to get the Rams to the 1989 Regional Semi-Finals with a bunch of really average guys around him -- the best player to play with Ski back then was Chris Doyal, who ended up at Princeton. But Doyal was a freshman in Ski's senior season. Sean Laissle was a nice shooter and we had a few other players, but it pretty much began and ended with Ski.

[FromWayDowntown]

yes I was and yes I do...ok let me rephrase...Taft used to whack Marshall. Ski yes, got his numbers...I meant team victories.

I'lkl have to find proof of that, mikey.

I know Marshall and Jay were in the playoffs in 89 (Ski's senior season), and I thought that both teams were in the playoffs in 1988 (Ski's junior season). If Taft was beating Marshall, the Raiders weren't beating many other teams and we were beating everyone else, since we ended up no worse than 2nd in the district.

We can go on with Taft/Marshall if you'd like, though.

[samikeyp]

They were beating Marshall but it they were always tight....an 2 OT game comes to mind. Taft had a knack for beating Marshall then going out and losing to Eagle Pass! 89 or 90 was the year that they added a third team to the playoffs and Taft went in there as #3 I think in 89. Yes, Jay was tough....I played pickup ball with Outlaw and Thomas....damn they were good.

But no doubt Ski was awesome....I remember watching him in a Freshman game and it was incredible! I was hoping he would have stuck in the NBA.

[samikeyp]

I'lkl have to find proof of that, mikey.

if you can bro, do it. It is incredibly likely that I got all my dates wrong...the late 80's are a little fuzzy for me!!

[implacable44]

ski had a pretty decent team - Doyal was a beast - I remember when he broke a backboard in AAU ball - big white boy. -
Wayne still in San Antonio ? _ Last I heard Laura was in Alabama or something as a reporter. - that was like a year or so ago though -

Jay was nice - Bo and Calvin (over-rated) but they had a nice backcourt too - those dudes couldnt score but they played defense and passed the ball to bo and calvin all day. - I still would have taken Sidney Kimball over just about anyone but ski in 89 - sidney could play. Jay had a good squad though.

Artie was definitely in camp with Del Negro and I never said Del NEgro and Brown were in camp together?? - I said he lit Brown up - Artie works out with the Spurs every summer -- well did up until '03 or '04 I think.

[samikeyp]

Artie Griffin can play - I have seen him light up just about every one on the Spurs whenever he went to camp -- he used to light up del negro and devin brown

[implacable44]

okay ?would you like me to break it down for you and help you understand -- as I stated Artie has been in camp more than once and he works out with them every year up until a year or two ago - and at one point del negro was there and at another point devin brown was there. I never said they were in camp together - - Is this a result of that Taft education ?

[samikeyp]

hey...all you had to do is clarify. You don't have to be a .