Spurs contact Pau Gasol reportedly

[Malik Hairston]

I understand the whole "international" and style of play appeal argument for the Spurs, but Gasol has been very vocal about his role and touches in the past..if he chooses the Bulls, he'll be one of only 2 legit offensive options for their team, and his lack of defense will be masked by the supporting cast and Thibs' system..

Also, the only other contender in the East is the Cavs, unlike the West, where the Spurs will still have to battle OKC/Clippers and maybe Houston/GS..

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

He did. And he seems to be most comfortable speaking that language, if I recall correctly reports from 2010.

I know, just being sarcastic to the guys saying Splitter doesn't speak Spanish.

[Big Empty]

Pao is probably taking a nap somewhere and im refreshing this screen like a game is playing and im getting live updates smh lol

[Dex]

I'm just amused to see the Spurs in the running for something interesting.

I'm still not getting my hopes up yet, though. Spurs have been positioned many times for FA posterity.

[xmas1997]

Like someone else said: if you can get Gasol for the MLE, you do it iland figure out how to use him later.

Even though I wanted other players here over Gasol (those players have signed elsewhere), I have to admit that if the Spurs are still pursuing him then surely they have a plan, they know how best to use him.
The Spurs don't usually make mistakes when it comes to this, and those mistakes they do make like RJ and SJax are rare.

[Dex]

Pao is probably taking a nap somewhere and im refreshing this screen like a game is playing and im getting live updates smh lol

Well, if he is in Spain, its 2 in the morning, so.....

[Big Empty]

I'm just amused to see the Spurs in the running for something interesting.

I'm still not getting my hopes up yet, though. Spurs have been positioned many times for FA posterity.

we got 5. its ok to get your hopes up now

[Chinook]

I see your point about Pau fitting in, but if the Spurs want him they must have a role in mind. They also have assuredly communicated that role to Pau.

About the Spanish/Portugese thing, a Spainiard (sp?) once told me that if two people are having a conversation, one person speaking Spanish and the other Portugese, they can understand each other. Picking up one of those two languages once you know the other is probably almost trivial.

Yeah, even as a non-native Spanish speaker, I can understand a fair bit of Portuguese, especially if written. Spoken is tricky, since I'm weak understanding rapid spoken Spanish, and because Portuguese reminds me of Romanian when I hear it.

[SpursFan86]

No one. Liked McRoberts. But that ships sailed and has already hit an iceberg.

I see. For the record, I have questions about Pau as well...primarily the mobility of a Pau/Duncan frontcourt and the idea of Duncan guarding the toughest assignment more regularly. But like others have said, you can't pass up on Pau for the MLE IMO. Just too good of a deal. I'm confident we'll find a way to make it work.

Would a Pau/Duncan/Diaw/Splitter frontcourt be the best passing big rotation ever?

[Dex]

we got 5. its ok to get your hopes up now

[Obstructed_View]

Pao is probably taking a nap somewhere and im refreshing this screen like a game is playing and im getting live updates smh lol

Yeah, someone should ask him if "very close to deciding" means "don't go make a sandwich or take a leak".

[Robz4000]

I understand the whole "international" and style of play appeal argument for the Spurs, but Gasol has been very vocal about his role and touches in the past..if he chooses the Bulls, he'll be one of only 2 legit offensive options for their team, and his lack of defense will be masked by the supporting cast and Thibs' system..

Also, the only other contender in the East is the Cavs, unlike the West, where the Spurs will still have to battle OKC/Clippers and maybe Houston/GS..

Clippers starting to worry you as a potential playoff opponent? Only legitimate threat I see is Meth atm.

[szkorhetz]

I see. For the record, I have questions about Pau as well...primarily the mobility of a Pau/Duncan frontcourt and the idea of Duncan guarding the toughest assignment more regularly. But like others have said, you can't pass up on Pau for the MLE IMO. Just too good of a deal. I'm confident we'll find a way to make it work.

Would a Pau/Duncan/Diaw/Splitter frontcourt be the best passing big rotation ever?

It would be Duncan-Diaw/Splitter-Gasol.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

I understand the whole "international" and style of play appeal argument for the Spurs, but Gasol has been very vocal about his role and touches in the past..if he chooses the Bulls, he'll be one of only 2 legit offensive options for their team, and his lack of defense will be masked by the supporting cast and Thibs' system..

Also, the only other contender in the East is the Cavs, unlike the West, where the Spurs will still have to battle OKC/Clippers and maybe Houston/GS..

do hear any Spur player complaining about touches. 75% of their possessions in the half court at least everyone touches the ball once. Pau will get share, believe me or just go watch the Finals again for proof.

[Malik Hairston]

I see. For the record, I have questions about Pau as well...primarily the mobility of a Pau/Duncan frontcourt and the idea of Duncan guarding the toughest assignment more regularly. But like others have said, you can't pass up on Pau for the MLE IMO. Just too good of a deal. I'm confident we'll find a way to make it work.

Would a Pau/Duncan/Diaw/Splitter frontcourt be the best passing big rotation ever?

Considering that Duncan/Diaw/Splitter is already the best passing big rotation ever, then yes..

[Chinook]

What I'm saying is that there's a difference between a native spanish speaker and one who speaks the language fluently.

Manu can speak English fluently.... but on occasion a lot of stuff (particularly jokes) gets lots in translation.

I get what you're saying. What I'm saying is that I think Splitter knew Spanish before going abroad. I think he learned it as a kid.

[ceperez]

Pau turns down $10m / year deal with Lakers:

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-...us-lakers-deal

[callo1]

I see. For the record, I have questions about Pau as well...primarily the mobility of a Pau/Duncan frontcourt and the idea of Duncan guarding the toughest assignment more regularly. But like others have said, you can't pass up on Pau for the MLE IMO. Just too good of a deal. I'm confident we'll find a way to make it work.

Would a Pau/Duncan/Diaw/Splitter frontcourt be the best passing big rotation ever?

Traditional Pop would be that the rotation would be set on an as needed basis. It would depend upon who the Spurs are playing.

[SpursFan86]

Considering that Duncan/Diaw/Splitter is already the best passing big rotation ever, then yes..

I was thinking McHale/Parish/Walton, but you're probably right tbh. Adding Pau would solidify it though

[Malik Hairston]

do hear any Spur player complaining about touches. 75% of their possessions in the half court at least everyone touches the ball once. Pau will get share, believe me or just go watch the Finals again for proof.

That's fine, but none of the current Spurs players had a history of complaining about touches and role, even prior to these playoffs..the last Spurs player to complain(Jackson) was cut..

Gasol has been very vocal about touches, in the past..sure, he'll get the ball in San Antonio, everybody does, but in Chicago, he would get a huge share of the plays for himself..

[Obstructed_View]

By the way, this is the first time (and possibly the last) that I've ever given a about Pau Gasol, what he thinks or what he has to say.

[Chinook]

I have to disagree

Confused the out of me there...

[Obstructed_View]

That's fine, but none of the current Spurs players had a history of complaining about touches and role

I don't think Pau had a history of doing that prior to being on a team with the ultimate ballhog.

[slick'81]

By the way, this is the first time (and possibly the last) that I've ever given a about Pau Gasol, what he thinks or what he has to say.

no I actually started following him on twitter lol.never gave a about big bird one way or the other until this fa period

[Malik Hairston]

Clippers starting to worry you as a potential playoff opponent? Only legitimate threat I see is Meth atm.

If they can acquire a legit wing defender, then yes..at the moment, they don't scare me, though, their perimeter play is way too poor..