Wizards interested in Blair, looking at a S&T.

[Raven]

Three-point percentage is literally the only thing that matters in this equation. No one should care if your small-forward is great at shooting from inside 10 feet. There's no question that Ariza's shooting skills would be more valuable on this team that Kirilenko's.



The Spurs' lineup advantage is that they can play both big and small. They're at their best playing big, but if a team goes small, they have the horses to match up. That shouldn't their default line-up, though, unless they really want to play Leonard at the four more often. If that's the case, the team would really only need someone who can be a competent three so they could leave Green at the two. Enter Ariza. Make no mistake, the Spurs already have their preferred small-ball four on the roster.

Ariza would be offensively at a disadvantage againt pretty much every stretch 4, so if he can barely defend them, i don't see the upside in the move. Kirilenko on the other hand, could shut down every stretch 4 and rape them around the rim too.

[024]

Ariza would be the ideal pick up. I'll just be happy with any value the Spurs get back from Blair.

[Chinook]

Ariza would be offensively at a disadvantage againt pretty much every stretch 4, so if he can barely defend them, i don't see the upside in the move. Kirilenko on the other hand, could shut down every stretch 4 and rape them around the rim too.

I think you're massively overrating Kirilenko's recent defense. He didn't shut down anyone last season, let alone small-ball fours like Durant and James. Ariza plays competent defense against those guys, and he stretches the floor better, which is the most important thing when he's on the floor with Parker, Ginobili, Duncan, Green and Leonard.

Also, there really aren't many stretch-fours in the league, and most of them are not really in a position to "rape" anybody who doesn't constantly leave them open. I mean, are you seriously suggesting Bargnani and Antwan Jamison are going to be destroying Ariza?

[Raven]

I think you're massively overrating Kirilenko's recent defense. He didn't shut down anyone last season, let alone small-ball fours like Durant and James. Ariza plays competent defense against those guys, and he stretches the floor better, which is the most important thing when he's on the floor with Parker, Ginobili, Duncan, Green and Leonard.

Also, there really aren't many stretch-fours in the league, and most of them are not really in a position to "rape" anybody who doesn't constantly leave them open. I mean, are you seriously suggesting Bargnani and Antwan Jamison are going to be destroying Ariza?

i don't think ariza stretches the floor in any way, he's being challenged to shoot tbh, which is not the case with ak. also the discussion is pointless, ak isn't coming and most likely ariza is not either.

[Chinook]

also the discussion is pointless, ak isn't coming and most likely ariza is not either.

Agreed. It's not like the team was picking between them. I just don't see getting another big becoming a priority if the Spurs get rid of Bonner.

[coachmac87]

Are people ignoring the fact the tweet said we didn't have interest?? Or has there been an update that I missed? Lol

[xmas1997]

i don't think ariza stretches the floor in any way, he's being challenged to shoot tbh, which is not the case with ak. also the discussion is pointless, ak isn't coming and most likely ariza is not either.

Thus probably why the Spurs were unmoved by what they were offering for Blair.

[Bruno]

Are people ignoring the fact the tweet said we didn't have interest?? Or has there been an update that I missed? Lol

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--wi...170127120.html

The Spurs have shown a willingness to assist Blair in finding a team without the salary-cap space to sign him, but it's unclear if any Wizards assets appeal to San Antonio.

Woj isn't saying that Spurs aren't interested in what Wizards could offer for Blair. He says he doesn't know.

[Libri]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--wi...170127120.html



Woj isn't saying that Spurs aren't interested in what Wizards could offer for Blair. He says he doesn't know.

So you think that in this case the ball is in the Spurs court? In other words, that it is up to the Spurs to make this deal happen or not. We usually here of SA having interest in other players but rarely of a team interested in what the Spurs have.

[Strategic]

My perfect S&T scenario with Washington would be Bonner + De Colo + Blair for Ariza +Vesely.
To make it work it would require Blair being paid $4M per year. If Washington isn't ready to pay him that much, Mills or Baynes could be added to match salaries.

I would hate to see the Spurs give up De Colo and Mills.

[Strategic]

Would rather add Baynes and then go big time for Oden to replace him.

Giving up Blair, Bonner and Baynes? That's giving up all the front court depth.

[raybies]

Wizards playing on Summer league right Now....

[Bruno]

So you think that in this case the ball is in the Spurs court? In other words, that it is up to the Spurs to make this deal happen or not. We usually here of SA having interest in other players but rarely of a team interested in what the Spurs have.

I wouldn't say the ball in a team's court. Spurs and Wizards just need to find a deal that please both teams. Wizards might be willing to give up certain players to get Blair while Spurs might be interested only in getting certain players. The question is if there is a player in common on both lists.

Now, what is clear is that Wizards are interested in Blair and are the team that made the first step to do a S&T.

[Strategic]

I'm curious to see what Pittman can do during the the course of the summer league. He's in the best condition of his life right now

He might be a reindeer but he still cannot make a free throw or a layup.

[Strategic]

Quan y wise, it's fine but the issue is with the quality. As flawed and bad that Bonner/Blair were, I'm not sold on Pendergraph and Baynes being able to be as productive as them.

Yeah, regular season production is often overlooked. Bonner has the ability to hit two or three treys in a short period. I've often thought that he is a better 3 than a 4 on offense, but he doesn't get used as a small forward.

[playblair]

vesely @ pf ........................ vesely admitted to being afraid of contact ..................................

[Strategic]

Looks like a positive vote on Ariza, Now who has that blank check?

[mudyez]

Spurs and Wizards just need to find a deal that please both teams. Wizards might be willing to give up certain players to get Blair while Spurs might be interested only in getting certain players. The question is if there is a player in common on both lists.

[slick'81]

Ariza or seraphin would b ok

[timvp]

Meh, after more research, I just can't find anything about Vesely that's worth the hassle. He wasn't that good in Europe (PER around 15 in Euroleague). He's relatively fast and athletic and that alone can help in Europe. But compared to players in the NBA, he's nothing special in either regard. Add in no jumper to speak of, no rebounding ability and a pretty damn large contract and I'd pass. I don't see how he's worth a roster spot.

Singleton is basically in the same boat. His most famous moment in the league was when he bought $10,000 worth of lottery tickets because "he would blow it at the strip club anyways" or whatever he said. A small forward with no perimeter game on offense doesn't fit on the Spurs. That's especially true coming off the bench because Ginobili and company rely on spacing.

I'd take Seraphin even though he makes less sense with the acquisition of Pendergraph.

Blair in a trade for Ariza is the current dream.

A grounded Ariza who is willing to play a role may very well be better than Kirilenko. Better shooter, younger and actually has a history of showing up in the playoffs....

[cd021]

the wiz had like a top 5 D last year from some point on..

How does that affect my comment?

[TD 21]

Ariza's not Kirilenko obviously, but they possess enough of the same attributes that, when combined with Ariza's expiring contract, you'd think they'd be interested in him, too. Sure, the shooting would diminish by going from Bonner to Ariza (though Ariza shot surprisingly well from the corners last season and he'd only get better looks on the Spurs), but the increased lineup flexibility would make it more than worth it. Besides, between Diaw, Leonard, Ariza and Pendergraph, there should be enough shooting at PF. If, for some reason, they weren't comfortable enough with that though, they could always sign a minimal type such as Radmanovic.

And let's face it: They've been trying to, as timvp put it, ween themselves off of Bonner for a year now. As Bruno pointed out, it may have seemed like he played a lot in the playoffs, but much of that came early, when Diaw and Splitter were out. Plus, he can't play against the two biggest obstacles between them and a championship, whereas Ariza would come in handy against both.

[Raven]

How does that affect my comment?

well it was with ariza on the floor.

[Bruno]

If Spurs do a Bonner+Blair for Ariza with Washington, a way to add another big would be to do another S&T with Neal to Milwaukee, that is rumored to be after him. Bucks have a lot of bigmen and Udoh or Ayon should be available.

[playblair]