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It would be nice to see him in silver and black, but the only way I see that happening is if the Spurs don't re-sign Manu or they learn for sure that Splitter isn't coming.
Travis Outlaw | F
Born: Sep 18, 1984
Height: 6-9 / 2.06
Weight: 207 lbs. / 93.9 kg.
High School: Starkville HS (MS)
Years Pro: 6
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It would be nice to see him in silver and black, but the only way I see that happening is if the Spurs don't re-sign Manu or they learn for sure that Splitter isn't coming.
I will def. take splitter over this guy if i had to choose. Nice consolation prize though
im a secret mini blazer fan (dont tell tlong).
And Outlaw was my favorite player on the team. I definitely want this guy. We can avoid small ball if we sign him.
This guy would really solve a lot of the team's issues at the back-up 3/4. I wonder what his asking price would be?
I think the Spurs should still make a run at him with his combination of length, athleticism, three-point shooting and defense. He also wouldn't be afraid of taking the big shots in crunch time.
I would have liked the idea 2 years ago, but I cooled down on Outlaw. he can score a bit and hit the 3 ball, right, but he isn't efficient overall on offense.
and I don't agree about his defense. it is totally overrated. (like often, when guys occasionally block a shot) and he is a really bad rebounder for a guy of his length and athleticism.
if he signs for about half MLE to play a 7th-9th man in your rotation, then ok, he's worth consideration.
I agree whole-heartedly. I am not sold on him at all. He is decent but not the player people around here make him out to be.
I don't think his D is overrated, because everybody knows it's weak..his own coach said he tries on D but doesn't have the instincts to be a good defender..I don't think he would be a good fit here..
I would take him for the right price, but I think he might get overpaid..
I'm not sure Spurs will add a major perimeter player via FA this summer.
If Spurs do nothing fancy this summer, they will have 4 perimeter players who will are locks to be in the rotation: Parker, Hill, Ginobili and Jefferson. Behind them, only one player can get consistent playing time.
If Spurs like Hairston enough, he could be that 5th perimeter player. If Spurs draft a SG or a SF with their first round pick , they could also give a shot at this player. Spurs could sign a cheap vet as insurance in case the young players failed.
Given their financial situation and their needs, I don't really see Spurs spending significant money on a player like Outlaw. IMO, the money will be spend on Ginobili and Splitter.
Do you think this is smart? Is this enough to make them a true contender?
Yes, I think it's smart and it's the best Spurs can realistically do. Re-signing Ginobili is a no-brainer and Splitter is the best bigman Spurs can get with the MLE. What else do you want to do?
I think the Spurs will at least shop RJ's contract and see if anybody has some interest in it..very unlikely that somebody takes it, but I wouldn't say it's impossible..that will probably dictate the off-season..
Signing Manu and Splitter should be the 2 main priorities though, and I would be happy with those moves being the main moves..
A rotation of Parker/Ginobili/Jefferson/Duncan/Splitter/Hill/Blair/McDyess/Hairston/1st round pick would be fine with me and would give us a SHOT at being a contender if TP can regain his form(which he will IMO)..I still hope that they can trade Jefferson though, that would be my 3rd wish after signing Manu and Splitter..
I agree with the realistic part, but I think they need to explore more via the trade route.
My point is, does re-signing Manu and bringing in Tiago make them significantly better? If not, and the goal is to win a le, what can you do?
I should be the one asking you "what can you do?".
Saying "they need to explore more via the trade route." is easy. It's harder to come with a trade that makes sense for Spurs and the other team.
I think that re-signing Manu, signing Splitter and filling the roster with cheap players is likely the best Spurs can do this summer. If you disagree with that, what do you propose like alternative off-season plan?
I am playing devils advocate. I am not sure what the Spurs should do and it largely depends on what their goal is.
It is also quite easy to say "the Spurs signing Manu and Tiago is the easiest thing to do and the best the Spurs can do". Does that make it right? Is the goal to win a le or just be good? Is it to rebuild? Is it somewhere in between?
If the goal is to win a le, and the Spurs sign Manu and Tiago, does that truly help them reach their goal of legitimately competing for a le? If not, why do it? Would that not make you re-evaluate your goal or the means to reach your goal?
I don't know if Tiago would essentially bridge the gap between the Spurs and LA/CLE/ORL. Because re-signing Manu and adding Tiago would leave the Spurs in the same boat as this year with regards to the core + Tiago.
Do you just go the easy route (signing Manu and Tiago) and hope that is enough? Do you try and do something major in order to shake things up (sign and trade Manu, move TP, shop RJ and bring in someone like Iguodala?)
Do you start to rebuild? I don't have the answers, but I was wondering what the thought process is and where the FO stands with regards to what is needed in order to legitimately compete.
I think a healthy TP, Manu & Tim with RJ (playing like he has lately) plus a guy like Tiago (if he adjusts quickly) is pretty good and could have a shot. But what I think is not important.
Well, it's just my opinion and the difference is that I'm proposing something precise and quite realistic.
The goal of these moves will to be good. I highly doubt Spurs could do a move(s) that put them back in the "true contender" category.
I guess it will depend on what happen in the playoffs.
I agree that is the likely course of action, I was trying to get into the "why". I guess they don't want to go into full rebuild mode, but they might not have enough to make the moves to give them a legit shot at a le either. Tough spot.
I feel ya, DPG, and have had many the same question myself.
Really, if we're to talk bottom line, they've got to make a significant move. Ideally RJ, and they've got to be open to seeing what Parker can bring; Duncan's going nowhere and Manu couldn't fetch the talent needed.
Mel said something a while back that was just so plain, simple and obvious ... and, yet, so utterly true: the nature of an 'all-in' bet is that you're 'all-in' (paraphrasing).
They pushed their chips in with RJ ... and unless they can find someone to bankroll them (giving them a favorable trade that involves RJ, Tony or both -- highly, highly unlikely) to get themselves back in the game, I'm afraid their only option is to simply make due.
I believe they can be a pretty good team next year with essentially the addition of Splitter to this group, probably a 50+ win team, I just don't see a championship (unless RJ brings over the right talent at the trade deadline).
You're right. It's a tough spot (made all the tougher because of Tim and the looming CBA).
I agree, we can speculate how a major trade will push us back to contender status as much as we want, as long as this didn't happen, we have to go with what we have.
and what we have is Manu's bird rights, Splitter's rights and the 2010 1st round and 2nd round pick.
(ok, we also have Bonner's bird rights and Mason's early bird rights, but I would consider this a minor question).
the question if the Spurs still believe they are contenders and they are still willing to do whatever possible to win another le will be answered by the Manu re signing or not re signing. period.
if they let Manu go, they officially end the dynasty and start the re building process. IMO it's that easy.
so, what potential do we have?
we must not ignore the upside and downside potential within the roster.
(compared to this season)
Spurs face a huge downside potential in Tim.
best case: he is pretty much the same like this season.
realistic case: he shows the typical decline most players show every year once they are over 30.
worst case: he is hit by the age wall, something we also often see, when a player seems to have aged 3 years within one and his numbers go down 30% or more. (like for example Hakeem between 34 and 35).
in the worst case for Tim, Spurs are out, no matter what the other factors bring in.
scenarios for Manu look pretty much the same.
upside scenarios:
Tiago
comes in and surprises by immediately adjusting to NBA play and starter quality production. (something like 12 and 8 in 30MPG. similar to Marc Gasol in his first year)
even decent regular rotation production from Tiago could be rated as upgrade. (like 10 and 7 in 24 minutes. see Scola's first year)
Blair
developes in all areas (especially on defense) and becomes the 3rd big in the rotation and delivers 11 and 8 in 24 MPG.
Hill
plays more constantly on the level we have seen in several games and improves playmaking and defense. starts the whole season and delivers 14PPG and 4APG in 33 MPG.
Tony
full healthy and rested, comes back at the 2008-09 level and plays another all star season. (20 and 6)
RJ
in the worst case he is as bad as this year, because worse almost isn't possible. so, there is a realistic chance that with another year under his belt and the contract year factor he will be a bit better. maybe not even his numbers, but his overall impact.
Dice
gives decent veteran production as the 4th man in the big rotation.
Hairston
finally becomes part of the regular rotation and delivers what Bogans does, plus the much better offense he is capable to play.
1st rounder
Spurs were quite lucky in the last 2 years, Blair and hill are regular rotation players. chance is there they find another productive player, who will produce immediately.
a combo forward with good defense (like Pondexter or James), or a mobile and shotblocking big (like Sanders or Udoh) might immediately be able to impact the game and so the overall quality of the Spurs.
free agency
Spurs can sign a decent (best case two) veteran for the vet. min., likely a back up PG and/or a perimeter defensive specialist.
(like Raja Bell and/or Steve Blake)
all those upside scenario's are of course only little steps. but if we are lucky and let's say 6 of this 10 materialize, while Tim and Manu are still playing well, then there is hope the Spurs can compete with the Lakers.
(who of course must not improve significantely in the same time.)
Last edited by mountainballer; 03-24-2010 at 04:29 AM.
? Am I missing something?
Quite simply, hilarious.
Well put, mountainballer, and, per the usual, we agree.
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