Next Moves

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I think, realistically, Parker bolts for LA as soon as Duncan leaves. He will be fondly remembered in SATown.

Duncan retires at the end of 2011-12, TP's contract is up in 2010-11 along with RJ, Dice (and Battier). What TP does when his contract is up is a complete mystery to me, although I'll also point out that he'll be turning 29 during the 2010-11 playoffs. As a guy who relies on his quickness, and will have been in the NBA 11 years by then, isn't that about the time he's going to start to slow down?

What I'm getting at is we have 2009-10 and 2010-11 to challenge for the le, and given the moves the FO has already made, it's time to lay it all on the line.

But I still like Diaw on this team. I think the leadership both on and off the court can help Diaw thrive. Can you imagine Diaw and Gino coming off the bench to take over the scoring for Parker and Duncan when they for a rest?

Why would they give Diaw to us, and where's the 9mil you need to trade for him coming from? Also, he's more a 4 than a 3, and a defensive wing is what we need.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Diaw fan, but I just don't see how he fits here.

Um, no. Battier didn't do other than put his hand in Kobe's face while he was shooting.

Battier's defense of Kobe is such a myth. Let's take a look at the first two rounds of the playoffs for Kobe this year (vs. Utah, then vs. Houston and the 'great' Shane Battier):

vs. Utah: 40.6 MPG, .466 FG%, 27.4 PPG, 3.8 TO/G.

vs. Hous: 38 MPG, .453, 27.4 PPG, 1.57 TO/G.

So, in two less minutes per game than what he played against Utah, he was able to match his scoring average from round 1, and cut his turnovers per game by more than half. His shooting percentages went down a whopping 1.3%.

Yep, Kobe stopper indeed!

And let's not even get into regular season (okay, let's!):

Teams Kobe had a lower shooting percentage against in the regular season than Houston (I only included teams that he played 4 times to make it a true, fair comparison - larger sample size):

Denver, Golden State, Clippers, Minnesota, New Orleans, Phoenix, Portland. Out of ten teams the Lakers played four times this past regular season, SEVEN of the teams held Kobe to lower FG% than Houston and the great Shane Battier.

In short, pass.

There is no such thing as Kobe stopper. It takes a solid team defense to truly contain him.

AHF, how does House's observation fit with yours? Surely Battier would be able to be more effective in the Spurs system?

Question to all - at this point in their careers, who is the better defender of elite wings: Battier or Bell?

[Vic Petro]

Battier isn't happening. There is no chance that Morey trades him to the Spurs, and I think somebody would beat our cap relief offer anyway.

I also don't think they commit money to Anthony Carter or trade for a backup point. It's only a big problem if Tony gets hurt. Otherwise Hill and Ginobili can handle it, and you know Pop thinks Mason can handle it too. He can get by with what he has on the roster now. They can always sign a DLeague PG like Blake Ahearn if the need arises. Other than Carter, I don't think a street FA would be markedly worse than what's available now anyway.

The most likely scenario, IMO, is Finley and Bonner get shipped out for the best big the team can acquire. The 2 for 1 opens up a spot for Bruce, who comes back for defense/continuity sake.

Parker-Hill
Mason-Ginobili-McClinton-Hairston
Jefferson-Bowen-Gist
McDyess-Haislip-Blair
Duncan-{BIG}-Mahinmi

*fixed

[mudyez]

Kobe has scored 45 or more points on Battier six times. Kobe has scored 53 or more points on Battier three times. To compare, Kobe has never scored more than 45 on Bowen and only once against Bell.

if someone runs hot, he runs hot...aside from some unfair stuff, there isn't much more you can do if Kobe gets hot! I don't think you can tell a good defender by these stats coz its mor like having luck not playing him that night. overall I think defense can't be messured in any stat. Battier is a great defender. in terms of Bowen great? No! but as far as you can get at this moment!

[Darkwaters]

Kobe has scored 45 or more points on Battier six times. Kobe has scored 53 or more points on Battier three times. To compare, Kobe has never scored more than 45 on Bowen and only once against Bell.

Scratch that idea of sending Splitter and a pick for Battier. Bell is cheaper and has a much better history of not getting curbstomped by Kobe.

Realistically, what do you send to get Bell? Expirings? Is that all Larry Brown will want?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I'm going to sound like a broken record to some, but how bout some Tayshaun Prince? He's like a Battier clone at a much lower premium.

I've been looking at Prince for a long time too. His height and those long arms make for a great small ball line up. Not to mention he's an amazing defender.

Detroit just signed Villanueva, so I'd imagine Prince may be had for the right price.

Huh? Prince is due 22mil over the next two years, Battier 13mi.

We've already brought in RJ to be the SF, where are we finding time and money for Tayshaun from?

The beauty of Battier is that he's reasonably priced and doesn't mind coming off the bench. Prince doesn't fit that at all.

[will_spurs]

I would love to se Diaw (or Noah) in a Spurs jersey but I don't feel like it's going to happen.

However I thought Chicago wanted to "get rid" of Tyrus Thomas and Finley+Bonner vs Thomas works. That's 2 expiring contracts for Chicago to get in a better spot in 2010.

[Darkwaters]

Tyrus Thomas sucks. Period.

[timvp]

Realistically, what do you send to get Bell? Expirings? Is that all Larry Brown will want?

I'm not sure what it'd take. The Bobcats have been trying to use his expiring contract to get players other teams may want to salary dump. It'd be tricky because both teams would be offering expiring contracts

Maybe send a pick? The best hope is probably Bell telling the Bobcats that he wants a legit chance at a championship and LB liking Bonner and Finley for some whatever reason. Sometimes LB likes to trade just to trade so there's a chance . . .

[mudyez]

btw.:
why expect anything more to happen?
we have done great!

now just lets see how its working and come trade deadline explore our needs and chances!
its not like we are a big market team...these expirings could be nice for us, just to save some money! especially if the team looks good come february.

so basically all I want to see is bringing back Bruce (and maybe Kurt)

(I know, its fun doing trades and so on...but the Spurs never were one of these fantasy league type of teams)

[timvp]

I think Diaw sticks with the Bobcats. He's a big favorite of LB and he fits perfectly next to Okafor.

[phxspurfan]

if someone runs hot, he runs hot...aside from some unfair stuff, there isn't much more you can do if Kobe gets hot! I don't think you can tell a good defender by these stats coz its mor like having luck not playing him that night. overall I think defense can't be messured in any stat. Battier is a great defender. in terms of Bowen great? No! but as far as you can get at this moment!

Ok, then there's too much to give up (as proposed) for this type of contribution from Battier.

[MaNu4Tres]

We stand pat til we get close to the trading deadline.

If our young big men don't live up to the bill, Camby would make a lot of sense.

If your young bigs do live up to the bill, then we could turn our attention towards a wing like Raja Bell.

Our team doesn't need a 3rd string point guard. That would just eat up a roster spot.

[weebo]

Duncan retires at the end of 2011-12, TP's contract is up in 2010-11 along with RJ, Dice (and Battier). What TP does when his contract is up is a complete mystery to me, although I'll also point out that he'll be turning 29 during the 2010-11 playoffs. As a guy who relies on his quickness, and will have been in the NBA 11 years by then, isn't that about the time he's going to start to slow down?

What I'm getting at is we have 2009-10 and 2010-11 to challenge for the le, and given the moves the FO has already made, it's time to lay it all on the line.



Why would they give Diaw to us, and where's the 9mil you need to trade for him coming from? Also, he's more a 4 than a 3, and a defensive wing is what we need.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Diaw fan, but I just don't see how he fits here.





AHF, how does House's observation fit with yours? Surely Battier would be able to be more effective in the Spurs system?

Question to all - at this point in their careers, who is the better defender of elite wings: Battier or Bell?

On this current Spurs team? Bowen.

[Thompson]

I'm not sure what it'd take. The Bobcats have been trying to use his expiring contract to get players other teams may want to salary dump. It'd be tricky because both teams would be offering expiring contracts

Maybe send a pick? The best hope is probably Bell telling the Bobcats that he wants a legit chance at a championship and LB liking Bonner and Finley for some whatever reason. Sometimes LB likes to trade just to trade so there's a chance . . .

Plus that #*@[email protected] owes us for the Jackie Butler signing and all the garbage that resulted from it.

[phxspurfan]

I wonder if Buford has staff reading this site for ideas...

[Nathan Explosion]

Why would they give Diaw to us, and where's the 9mil you need to trade for him coming from? Also, he's more a 4 than a 3, and a defensive wing is what we need.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Diaw fan, but I just don't see how he fits here.

If Charlotte is out of the playoff race, offering them cap space for the summer might be a good jumping off point.

Pop has a good rapport with Larry Brown, so there's also a start. I never said it was likely, but we were talking about targets we would like to see with the team.

But if I'm the Spurs, I'm calling the Bobcats almost every day starting in December/January asking them what they want for Diaw or Bell.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Kobe has scored 45 or more points on Battier six times. Kobe has scored 53 or more points on Battier three times. To compare, Kobe has never scored more than 45 on Bowen and only once against Bell.

Scratch that idea of sending Splitter and a pick for Battier. Bell is cheaper and has a much better history of not getting curbstomped by Kobe.

Okay, you (and Kori and AHF) have sold me, no Battier. Them's some pretty damning numbers.

Bell's only earning 5.25 mil, so Finley and Bonner works. Has Bell got much left in the tank though?

[timvp]

Looking at it, I'd take Bell over Battier. Battier is a good defender but not that good of a defender against Kobe. Bell shoots much better and scores almost twice as many points per minute as Battier. Battier's scoring has dipped down into Bowen range.

Bell is also with a team that will work with the Spurs. Battier is on a team that will require the Spurs to overpay. Plus, you could start Bell at shooting guard and keep RJ at small forward to form one of a defensive tandem.

I'm not sure how to do it but Bell sounds like a damn good fit now that I think about it.

[poeticism707]

Okay, you (and Kori and AHF) have sold me, no Battier. Them's some pretty damning numbers.

Bell's only earning 5.25 mil, so Finley and Bonner works. Has Bell got much left in the tank though?

Yeah, those numbers are tough to argue with.

However, with the Spurs team backing him up, as Bowen has throughout his illustrious career, I still think Battier could fare MUCH BETTER.

In essence, Battier is being underrated because of the teams he played on.

Nonetheless, Bell might still be a better pickup.

[Russ]

Plus that #*@[email protected] owes us for the Jackie Butler signing and all the garbage that resulted from it.

Yep, Pop layed a dime on LB when he steered Raja Bell his way for nothing. His repayment -- Little Jackie Papers.

[murpjf88]

what ever we can do to unload Bonner, I would be greatful.

[MaNu4Tres]

Question to all - at this point in their careers, who is the better defender of elite wings: Battier or Bell?

Bell is a better defender against quicker wings. Battier is a better defender against bigger wings.

Bell has been through more wars than Battier and always has performed and is aggressive. Battier is more of a passive defender than Bell. ( If that makes any sense).

You can't go wrong with either. Both would be an upgrade to Finley/ Mason.

I just think Bell is the more realistic solution and he has been to Normandy, Gettisburg, Bunker Hill, ect. With his battles against Lakers/ Spurs/ Mavs.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

If Charlotte is out of the playoff race, offering them cap space for the summer might be a good jumping off point.

Pop has a good rapport with Larry Brown, so there's also a start. I never said it was likely, but we were talking about targets we would like to see with the team.

But if I'm the Spurs, I'm calling the Bobcats almost every day starting in December/January asking them what they want for Diaw or Bell.

We don't have enough capspace that I can see. We can't give up Bonner, Fin AND Mason (we actually need to keep a shooter or two!), and beyond that we'd have to give up Bonner, Fin and two of Hill/Mahinmi/Williams which just isn't happening. Besides, Diaw was fantastic for the Bobcats last year - he finally looked like the guy he'd always threatened to be.

Bell I can see, Diaw not so much.

[jcrod]

No way on Shane, I really like the Bell idea. As mentioned, better scorer and better defender.

And don't forget ex-spur traning campie who Pop recommend to Larry Brown in Philly.

[Darkwaters]

I'm not sure what it'd take. The Bobcats have been trying to use his expiring contract to get players other teams may want to salary dump. It'd be tricky because both teams would be offering expiring contracts

Maybe send a pick? The best hope is probably Bell telling the Bobcats that he wants a legit chance at a championship and LB liking Bonner and Finley for some whatever reason. Sometimes LB likes to trade just to trade so there's a chance . . .

Ahh, I just saw that. So why did Marcus post a bunch of expirings on his write-up? They're not really good targets for us. Better targets would be guys with 2-3 years left so that we could give immediate cap relief to the team giving the player up.