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Great.
What was all that about Horry "Not being about the money"
classic..........
Majority of the Spurs' core players should be back
Web Posted: 06/26/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.aa8723f.html
Introduced one by one, sun-baked from a River Walk parade, the Spurs soaked up the roar of their fans. Together, they celebrated the franchise's third NBA championship long into Saturday night.
For the second time in three years, the Spurs' season led them to the center of the Alamodome. If they are to return another 12 months from now — an event that could confirm their status as a dynasty — they will, for the most part, do so together.
Of the seven players who played significant minutes in the seventh game of the NBA Finals, only Robert Horry will become a free agent this week.
"In years past, we've lost six, seven, eight, nine guys and rebuilt," Tim Duncan said. "I think we've really got a core here that we're in love with.
"We have a team that will be able, in years to come, to try to continue to get back to this point."
Duncan, the core of the Spurs' core, is under contract for at least three and, up to, five more seasons. Manu Ginobili just completed the first season of a six-year, $52 million deal. Tony Parker is about to begin a six-year, $66 million extension.
Bruce Bowen and Brent Barry have three more seasons left on their contracts. Nazr Mohammed, who became the team's starting center during the playoffs after being acquired midseason from New York, has one year remaining.
"Now we know who we want to establish the future," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "It's a matter of continuing to fit pieces around them."
The Spurs hope to keep Horry as one of those pieces. Though Horry will turn 35 in August, he had enough spring in his legs to average 9.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in the playoffs. He made 44.7 percent of his 3-pointers, none more important than the winning one with 5.8 seconds left in overtime of Game 5.
Having earned a raise, either from the Spurs or someone else, Horry is expected to decline the $1.1 million option in his contract.
Devin Brown, one of the team's most productive reserves until he injured his back in late March, will be a restricted free agent, allowing the Spurs to match any offer he receives up to the midlevel exception. Brown would like to return, though his health will determine his value.
The Spurs will try to make Argentina's Luis Scola, a second-round pick from 2002 who is playing for Spain's Tau Ceramica, one of their significant additions this summer. A physical, 6-foot-9 forward, the 24-year-old Scola would like to join the Spurs. Money will determine whether their partnership becomes a reality.
Unlike previous summers, the Spurs don't have salary-cap room. To re-sign Horry and add Scola or any free agents, they will be limited to using the $4.9 million mid-level exception and $1.6 million exception. The exact value of the two exceptions won't be determined until the league finalizes its new collective bargaining agreement on July 22.
The Spurs have until Thursday to decide whether to pick up Linton Johnson III's $700,000 option. Johnson spent almost the entire season on the injured list while recovering from a stress fracture in his left foot. If the Spurs don't keep him, they hope to find another young, athletic small forward for Bowen to mentor.
Whether through Tuesday's draft (the team has the No. 28 pick), free agency or via a trade, the Spurs also may try to improve their depth at point guard. Beno Udrih, last year's first-round pick, did little to win the faith of his coaches with his play during the Finals. Mike Wilks, who lacks Udrih's shooting touch and size, but is tougher, will be a free agent. If the Spurs choose not to re-sign him, he likely won't have to look long for a job.
Rasho Nesterovic, who has four years and almost $30 million remaining on his contract, lost his starting position to Mohammed after he sprained his left ankle near the end of the season. If team officials decide Mohammed is skilled enough to keep the position — and Scola is signed — they might try to assess Nesterovic's trade value.
Sean Marks, popular among his teammates and coaches, might be asked back. Well-traveled veteran Tony Massenburg, like Marks, is a free agent.
Popovich and Spurs general manager R.C. Buford also may have a couple of holes to fill on their staffs. Danny Ferry, the team's director of basketball operations, has spent the past two days negotiating whether to become one of Cleveland's top executives. Avery Johnson phoned Popovich on Saturday to discuss adding Spurs scout Joe Prunty to his coaching staff.
"Each summer brings its own challenges and opportunities," Buford said, "so we still have plenty of work left."
After playing for Team USA the previous two summers, Duncan will spend the next three months resting, or as much as someone can rest with a newborn in his house. Duncan and his wife, Amy, are expecting their first child soon. The wives of Bowen, Mohammed and Marks also have children due.
Parker will play for France in the European Championships. Nesterovic will represent Slovenia. Udrih could end up on one of the Spurs' summer-league teams if he decides not to join Nesterovic.
Ginobili will return to Argentina this week. Like Duncan, he hopes to get some rest. Though Ginobili established himself as an All-Star this season, the Spurs believe he will only get better.
"I don't think we've even scratched the surface with him," Duncan said. "He's got so much to him. He just plays with reckless abandon. He doesn't care the time or the situation. He doesn't care if it's a preseason game or it's a Finals game. He plays the same way.
"He's going to continue to grow and we're going to continue to grow around him."
In the past 12 months, Ginobili has gotten married, signed a lucrative contract and won an Olympic gold medal. On Saturday night, he celebrated his second NBA championship.
"It's been an unbelievable year," Ginobili said. "But, you know, this continues, and we're going to try to repeat it."
Great.
What was all that about Horry "Not being about the money"
classic..........
Tell Avery to get ed Pop.Avery Johnson phoned Popovich on Saturday to discuss adding Spurs scout Joe Prunty to his coaching staff
Horry deserves to get paid.
Don't be a hater.
So in other words, His word is no good?
The guy has the rest of his life to worry about, too. Ingrate.Great.
What was all that about Horry "Not being about the money"
he was makin 5 mill a year for about 4 or 5 years before he came to the Spurs....The guy has the rest of his life to worry about, too
Whatever.
The Spurs dont have much to give him.
So if hes looking for more than 2 or 3 a year, hes more than likely gone.
Horry will be back. You can be such a judgemental son of a sometimes, Tpark. The man just gave you another ring, cut him some slack. He's not going to demand a huge amount, but I think he deserves to get paid.
I'm wondering why the article had absolutely no input on Glen Robinson, he's a pretty big free agent we have.
First off,You can be such a judgemental son of a sometimes, Tpark.
someone last night said what I said
"He wont want bigger money"
I agree, give him a 2 or 3 million dollar deal, wich is what the Spurs may offer.
So slow the down.
I wonder what the status is on Alex Garcia. He's an extremely athletic pointguard, if only he has healed up yet.
I expect to see Beno and Rasho in trade talks, and I will not be disappointed to see either of them leave. Mike Wilks is a strong, defensively-minded pointguard. Hopefully they'll tag him before someone else does.
Untrue. The Spurs have Early-Bird rights for Horry, which could get him a contract equal to the MLE without using it.To re-sign Horry and add Scola or any free agents, they will be limited to using the $4.9 million mid-level exception and $1.6 million exception.
The Spurs signed Danny Ferry to a full early Bird deal guaranteed for one season; they'll do the same for Horry -- maybe with a team option on year two..
Yeah, I mean screw giving Joe Prunty a chance to advance his career or anything. That would be pure class from Popovich and the Spurs.
Lighten up, man. The Spurs have routinely allowed coaches and scouts to seek better opportunities in other cities (Paul Pressey, Mario Elie, Mike Brown, Kevin Pritchard, etc. . .) and somehow, have stayed right at the top of the league for 7 seasons.
hes got a bad knee, and wasn't that great to begin with.I wonder what the status is on Alex Garcia.
Mike Wilks is what he is, a mediocre to below mediocre point guard, who is undersized, and is a bad shooter.Mike Wilks is a strong, defensively-minded pointguard. Hopefully they'll tag him before someone else does.
Those are a dime a dozen, no need to worry about "bringing him back"
Yeah, i mean, lose one of your best guys to a interdivision rival.Yeah, I mean screw giving Joe Prunty a chance to advance his career or anything.
, promote him to assistant coach if thats all it takes, add a guy to the bench then.
What difference does it make that the Mavericks are a division rival (what the is an "interdivision" rival)? By that logic, the Spurs should deny access to any team in the West, too. This isn't some run-of-the-mill business where opportunities will open up all of the time; there are a limited number of jobs and fewer openings. If you want to maintain your status as an organization that does things the right way, you allow guys to explore their options to seek better positions.
Besides, if Pop denied permission, Prunty could just resign his position and go talk to Dallas anyway.
Just don't ever let Budenholzer walk.
BTW, when someone scores 18 points after the beginning of the fourth in game 5 of the NBA Finals while hitting the game-winner I'd say he's worth a lot more than $1.1 million.
I agree 100%, it depends on what the Spurs give him though.BTW, when someone scores 18 points after the beginning of the fourth in game 5 of the NBA Finals while hitting the game-winner I'd say he's worth a lot more than $1.1 million.
no question but this is a slippery slope to keep losing your good guys.What difference does it make that the Mavericks are a division rival (what the is an "interdivision" rival)? By that logic, the Spurs should deny access to any team in the West, too. This isn't some run-of-the-mill business where opportunities will open up all of the time; there are a limited number of jobs and fewer openings. If you want to maintain your status as an organization that does things the right way, you allow guys to explore their options to seek better positions.
Promote prunty and give him a raise, keep your guys and keep the vultures away.
I betcha the Patriots loved losing their defensive head guy and their offensive head guy in one shot...
Why do you think that Prunty is one of their best guys? It's not like he's Sam Presti. Prunty was a video tape guy for the Spurs just like two years ago. I say let him go if he wants to go.
The two guys that the Spurs should never let go are Presti and Mike Bud.
How come you never hear anyone asking for Budenholzer????
Seriously,
you hear about Newman and Denver
PJ and head coaching.
Now prunty.
You also never hear about Presti.
Presti I agree, was he not the one that suggested Beno?
I hate Joe Prunty. I used to play basketball with him and he was a little biotch. He always called fouls and whined all the time. One time I blocked his three-pointer and he said I tried to undercut him
Cuban can have him.
Mike Bud is Pop's right hand man. I don't think he'd ever leave unless he got a head coaching gig, which is unlikely because I think he's kept under the radar on purpose.
On the other hand, it seems like Pop does all he can to get PJ a head job.
Teams would die to get Presti. Presti is the genius behind all the Spurs moves. Presti is the one that brought the tape of Tony Parker to Pop/RC and forced them to give him a look. He also had a lot to do with many of the Spurs latest drafts and free agent pickups. Presti will probably end up replacing RC as GM eventually. He's a prodigy.You also never hear about Presti.
Presti I agree, was he not the one that suggested Beno?
thats suprising.Mike Bud is Pop's right hand man. I don't think he'd ever leave unless he got a head coaching gig, which is unlikely because I think he's kept under the radar on purpose.
But he does run the summer league teams.
If he is pop's right hand guy, he is kept WAYYYYY under the radar.
Spurs oughtta offer him a good size contract.Teams would die to get Presti. Presti is the genius behind all the Spurs moves. Presti is the one that brought the tape of Tony Parker to Pop/RC and forced them to give him a look. He also had a lot to do with many of the Spurs latest drafts and free agent pickups. Presti will probably end up replacing RC as GM eventually. He's a prodigy.
Spurs keep winning, other teams are gonna want to go after guys like Bud, and Presti, thats what has me worried.
lolI hate Joe Prunty. I used to play basketball with him and he was a little biotch. He always called fouls and whined all the time. One time I blocked his three-pointer and he said I tried to undercut him
Cuban can have him.
notice TIMVP judges guys by how he plays ball with em.
TJ Parker stinks
Prunty is a stooge
no offense TIMVP i just found that funny...
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