Elson not expected to be matched- ESPN

[T Park]

So, we replaced our sucky center with a another sucky center that isn't as soft for less money? I can handle that.

Thats the way I've looked at it.

But, thats not a good thing to do this summer.

[Mr. Body]

Athletic, has ok size, decent 3pt shooter, decent defender, above-average rebounder for a perimeter guy, can steal the ball, can play PF when needed. Racked up a respectable 10 and 5 last year. No areas of the game that he dominates, but he's a pretty effective jack of all trades.

He's not a superstar and he's probably not going to get much better than he is now, but that seems like a pretty useful guy to me. He's 7 years younger than Barry, and should cost markedly less. What's the problem?

I'm just not thrilled with him. If we can get him while retaining Barry, I'd be happy. Barry's a much smarter player.

I could be talked into it. I wouldn't mind JJ off the bench and will have to check his contract level.

[T Park]

People act like Brent Barry actually did anything worth a last year.

[strangeweather]

I'm just not thrilled with him. If we can get him while retaining Barry, I'd be happy. Barry's a much smarter player.

I like Barry, but we could stand to get younger, and we could stand to have someone with a little more size than he brings since our other sub in the swing positions is Finley, who's also more of a true SG.

I certainly wouldn't complain about trading Williams or Oberto for him.

I could be talked into it. I wouldn't mind JJ off the bench and will have to check his contract level.

He's an unrestricted free agent, and would have to be a sign and trade. I think he made $3M or so last year, and I doubt he has outplayed that figure.

[timvp]

So, we replaced our sucky center with a another sucky center that isn't as soft for less money? I can handle that.

My problem is that there were better centers out there. Some of which could even be had for cheaper.

And plus, having sucky centers cost the Spurs last season. Unless you are fine with losing to the Mavs, I'd think you'd be for improving instead of status quo.

Link on the Spurs thinking it was unlikely?

Check the Express-News around the time the Spurs gave Butler the offer sheet. Every indication was that the Knicks were going to match.

Why would they make the offer if they felt it was unlikely?

A) Butler is worth the risk. He's the type of talent you are willing to wait on.

B) There really wasn't much else out there. The seven days you have to wait wasn't too huge considering the players the Spurs were looking at. I turns out that they only missed one, Jarron Collins, in the time it took for Denver and New York to decide.

I always felt that the Spurs knew something thanks to Larry Brown and Butler had stated that he wanted out of NY.

Link to where Butler said that? He never did.

The Spurs had a good scouting reports from LB and Dell Demps and they knew that perhaps the Knicks would let their third string center go, but there's no way that they could have been confident that they were going to get Butler. At best, they probably thought they had a 50/50 shot.

I gave you props on that. I'm excited about Butler.

Yeah so is my "pessimistic" azz.

We'll just have to see. I would have been upset with just Elson, but I think the combination of the 2 will be just as good and probably better than Rasho and Nazr for MUCH cheaper. That's all we really needed.

I said I can live with Elson if the Spurs also get Butler. Spurs got 'em so now I think it was a good pull.

Now we just need to go get a long 3 because I'm not confident that Melzer can just immediately step into that role.

Good luck with that. Sounds like the Spurs see Richard Melzer as the answer.

[Russ]

One question about Elson -- can he guard Nowitski? That seems to be the new benchmark.

Otherwise, he'll be like Nazr, Rasho and Oberto against Dallas -- on the bench.

And we all know that neither Oberto nor Butler can guard him.

[T Park]

ood luck with that. Sounds like the Spurs see Richard Melzer as the answer.

Actually it looks like they are gonna look next year in the draft and FA, for that wing or long 3.


Williams looks to be a stop gap till then.