Yeah, I'm the guy that TOTALLY-seriously suggested that the Spurs tank the whole season when Parker and Ginobili were out, because I don't think the team as cons uted can win a le this year and have very little confidence in the front office to bring in an impact player.
Here's some updated thoughts at the Break (nothing Earth shattering, but honest feedback):
1. Matt Bonner has impressed me.
I regret dropping him from my Fantasy team. And he's been a lot more consistent in the past two months on the Spurs. I see less bone-headed plays and defensive lapses. His 3s have been spot on. Having said that, I just can't see him having the ice in his veins to hit that open 3 when counted on in the playoffs. It may be unfair, but I am having flashback to Danny Ferry and Hedo Turkoglu clanging iron for the Spurs when it mattered most.
2. Bruce Bowen still blows.
You can pretend that Pop is saving him for the playoffs, but the simple fact is that he's lost a step and his offensive game has gone from minimal to obsolete. Thank Pop for finally realizing that Bowen is a defensive specialist that should be used in key situations and/or when an opposing perimeter player needs cooling down.
3. Roger Mason is Stephen Jackson Lite.
I like Mason a lot. I feel like he is playing close to his ceiling, but that might just be all the Spurs need from him at his position. I admire his fearlessness and ability to hit the big shot. Even when he takes those bold 3s out of the rythym of the offense, I like how it keeps the other team off guard, pun intended.
4. George Hill has a future in this League.
Hill's potential may not be suprememly obvious, but he seems to listen well, play hard and keeps improving on defense. His large wingspan and physical attributes can make him a good commodity. Kudos to the front office for mining for this talent. The kid can score when called upon, too.
5. Mike Finley is two years past his expiration date.
Finley is a professional and can get hot in small bursts, but by and large, it's over. Not only should he not be starting, he probably does not see more than 15 MPG on most teams.
6. We need to savor Tim Duncan.
In my opinion, this is Duncan's finest season asa pro, for the stability he has given this team through injuries and a mini-rebuilding on the fly. He is the lone anchor down low on defense. His numbers are terrific and his leadership has never been better.
7. The Spurs are still one impact player away.
The key injuries to the Rockets, Jazz, Lakers and Hornets all help, but all things being equal, the Spurs are still one impact player away from a le run this year. Popovich even admitted it during the Celtics game last Sunday. In order to have a shot, the Spurs would have to be 100% healthy and catch some major breaks in the playoffs like in the last le win the season before last. I don't see it, because even if the other contenders are hampered by injuries, the Spurs age might show again in those best-of-sevens. The team is old and gets gassed. I like Mason starting, which gives them fresher legs, but this team needs a boost.
8. I am not sure what the Spurs have to offer.
The Spurs will not break up the Three Amigos and no one else on the team is worth trading for. The only hope is that a team would want some of our expiring contracts for the big 2010 free agent rush:
http://hoopshype.com/salaries/san_antonio.htm
I have zero interest in playing the 2010 sweepstakes, so I have no problem gambling on a veteran star like Vince Carter. I can even be persuaded to bring in a Rasheed Wallace, even though I don't trust him in big spots, because of his temper and propensity to jack up ill-advised 3s.
Note: Carter and Rasheed would both play hard for the Spurs, as those nagging injuries and disinterest seem to disappear when players are traded to contenders.
We still need a slashing swingman and shot-blocking big man.
I'm not saying that we need to replace Sean Elliott and David Robinson in their prime, but we can't seem to replace either of them since they retired!
I think the Carter and S. Williams proposed trade would take care of both.
Even the most conservative Spurs fan now must realize that with Duncan and Ginobili not getting any younger, now is the time to take a few calculated risks to win now
9. Popovich is a great coach.
I like his humor. He's good at calling timeouts and drawing up gamewinning plays. He lets the team figure out how to overcome challenges. His candor is amazing, as he admits the team is not there defensively and needs to make a deal, which is encouraging. At the very least, it's motivational to the current squad. I do not like how he says he will retire when Duncan does. I would like to see him win without Duncan to silence his detractors. But he's come a long way over the years and is earning his salary this season.
10. Tony Parker's assists per game is remarkable.
My biggest criticism of Parker was always his limited playmaking ability, because I like my PGs to make his teammates better. Well, this year with Parker dishing out around 7 dimes a game, I can't complain. One nitpick -- I know Parker's FG% has been outstanding since giving up the 3-point shot, but I wish he'd work on it more. If he could incorporate a trust trey ball, he'd be a killer like Chris Paul and Deron Williams.
All in all, I have to say that the Spurs have surprised me this year, given the team's overall age, lack of talent from top to bottom, injuries, and the level of compe ion in the West. Again, when the Three Amigos are all healthy and not fatigued, this team can beat anyone. I don't know if that will hold true in a long playoff series, though. The team needs a big boost. Now, more than ever, the front office needs to work some magic. I'm not asking for a Pau Gasol thievery or an ill-advised trade for a name like some of the other deadline deals we've seen. Just get one player that can shore up a weakness and make a real, positive impact. Duncan deserves it. And who knows when we as fans will ever have the stars align like this again, following a small market team from San Antonio.
The sense of urgency to squeak another le has never been more intense.
Leave that le window open just a crack.
Last edited by Ghost Writer; 02-14-2009 at 10:43 AM. Reason: Tweaked to say I was serious about tanking to prove my point that the front office can't attract star talent and to shut the simpleton homer detractors up, so they could focus on the thread content
Good take.
That about sums it up!
You want me to edit it to say "totally seriously"? I will if you'll promise to reply with something other than a emoticon.
When the front office proves that it can bring in someone other than a player that, quite frankly, no one else wants, then I will stop suggesting drastic moves like tanking a whole season.
Understand that I was the guy that also blew the whistle on the stupidity of the Holt-ing Pattern that resulted in blown opportunities to bring in talent leading up to Rasho Nesterovic in 2003.
Again, name one star that the Spurs have brought in during the Duncan era outside of the draft.
Not so funny now, huh?
nope, still ing hilarious...
Barry and Finley were somewhat coveted, weren't they? Other than them, I can't really think of any (and I suppose they were a little past their prime then anyway).
Really good analysis...I like that Pop admit we are one impact player away from championship. But i just know that Spurs will not get any impact player this year, that is the undeniable and uncontestable fact..a hard one actually. Dont trust me? Well,deadline is just around the corner...the only player that can be expected to get traded for Spurs is probably one of those Fransisco Elson type of player
Bruce Bowen still blows?
Pop is resting him, and you'll be more than happy to watch him do a great defensive job on the top offensive players in the playoffs
You were not half serious man. That alone is going to detract people from reading your entire post seriously.
is what I am thinking.
How could he lose a step that you never gave him any credit for ever having in the first place?
I say we pull a trade for vince and gamble on that for this season....
sign marbury to be parkers backup if his bought out by the knicks for this season.
if it doesnt work out this year? we can always sign sheed to the minimum/MLE. Then bring over gists or even splitter if he can negotiate a buyout.
i dont like the 2010 sweepstakes also, we wont land any big name player, maybe 2-3 players sharing the 10m capspace available....
I doubt the Spurs would spend their MLE if they were paying a fourth large contract with Carter on board; especially not in this economy when they can't sell games out and have needed to cap playoff tickets to regular-season prices. As much as I don't like Carter, I'd rather have him and his contract than hoard capspace for 2010. That's going to land us jack when New York, Brooklyn, and Miami will all have enormous money under the cap (NY is looking at having room for 2 max FAs, Brooklyn 1, and Miami 1 even after re-signing Wade).
vince carter might be a choke artists, a quitter.....
but he can do basically what mason/finely can do on the court,
vince carter gives us another scoring option on the court, who can either slash, jumpshoot, set players or even ISO if he wants to.
imagine havin 4 players on the court who can create for themselve or others, something alot of other teams dont have and many defenders to contained all 4 at once.
Nice reading ghost ! thanks
nice read, GW.
so the 'tank the season' idea is officially debunked.
let's hope the rush at trade deadline would offer up something that the Spurs could nab.8. I am not sure what the Spurs have to offer.
Pop playing Bowen less has GW as happy as I've seen him since that time the Spurs signed Tyrone Nesby to an offersheet.
What about Ginobili?
Why don't you read what I write and stop trying to tell me what I meant?
I even bolded my reason for suggesting the Spurs should tank the entire NBA season.
If you think that the Spurs or any team would or could lose games for an entire season on purpose, you are terribly naive.
My suggestion to tank was hyperbole, but my offer still stands to edit what I wrote to say "I was totally serious about tanking" if it makes you feel better.
The bottom line is that you can laugh at the suggestion all you want, but the simple fact is that the Spurs front office can't attract star talent to the team. We got lucky by winning two draft lotteries and even a blind squirrel can find a couple nuts (Manu and Parker).
So read between the lines, use your fvcking brain and respect people that have forgotten more about this sport and contributed to this board more than you ever will.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Captain Obvious Thread.
False.
No one can argue that Bowen was not one of the best peremiter defenders of the past 5 years. I've never taken that away from him.
His defense does not justify the liability he is on offense.
His advanced age makes this more clear.
Thank Pop that you Bowen Blowers are not the head coach this season.
I wish Popovich benched (or "saved") Bowen for defensive subs utions much earlier in his tenure.
Captain Obvious?
So you agree with everything I am saying?
That's a first for anyone in this homer-centric Forum.
Who are you anyway besides the dude with the d1ck in his mouth?
Contribute something or go back to fellating a fruit.
Ginobili?
I think he is coming along, but still is favoring his ankle mentally. What I mean is that I think he is physically just about all the way back, but he is not explosively driving and taking it to the rack like we need him to for fear of re-injury.
I think with time, he'll be back to the Ginobili of two seasons ago.
I know Duncan is the car and Parker is the engine, but Ginobili is the fuel for this team. We saw last year that the Spurs go as Ginobili goes.
We might've beaten the Lakers if Manu was closer to even 90%, which is saying something.
Hardee, har- har. Tell Bowen that I said "Hi" the next time you and the Mrs. have him over for ribs.
What you and my detractors fail to see in my over-the-top suggestions is the true desperation I feel in bringing talent to this team.
Trading a rookie Parker for Payton, taking a chance on Tyrone Nesby, tanking a season to hope for another franchise-changing lottery pick... I put my cards on the table.
I also was the guy who assured that the Spurs were making a mistake clearing cap for 2003,, first brought up the name Stephen Jackson when he was on the Nets, who said Derek Anderson was not a star and would walk, and suggested that Manu Ginobili might be better suited for this team coming off the bench.
I take my lumps. And I don't need you or anyone here to give me the credi that I'm due.
Instead of making smart @ss remarks, how about welcoming a veteran poster with some critical feedback to his post... you know, like how a discussion forum is supposed to work?
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