Was Aldridge worth it, tbh?

[midnightpulp]

Now you're making sense. I should bump that westbrook thread. Lot of gold in there.

I've always made sense. I don't know why you drew the conclusion that me saying a Kevin Love-type player helps create spacing for wings to post means I want a Kevin Love.

Our front court isn't the problem. Kawhi touches aren't the problem. Perimeter inconsistency outside of Kawhi is our problem. And Danny getting hot won't solve any of that. We need an attacker or two, basically prime Manu and Tony.

[dabom]

You went back to talking trash dude.

[SAGirl]

I have said after the spurs won 5 they were playing with house money. There is nothing left to prove for Duncan,Manu there legacies are set regardless of whether or not they win another le. That is why these losses don't get to me unlike most people on this board. I just enjoy watching them play and don't care about the losses.

This is a good point. Makes them enjoyable to watch even in these blowouts.
I have started to enjoy just watching guys develop. It makes watching Kawhi still fun, aside from all these arguments of touches or what not. He's come a long way, and he's still growing. It is maybe an unhealthy fandom I have with Anderson, but I do enjoy watching him play, specially with Boban, who I also enjoy. I thought in preseason and early season Anderson and Boban had developed a kind of chemistry, very rudimentary but similar to Manu/Tiago and I still find them fun to watch. Who knows? They are both cringeworthy at times, Anderson very. But they have their good moments and flashes and there is a hope with young guys that they will get better. Whereas watching vets like Danny/LMA struggle gets boring quickly.

[ceperez]

That is still a red alert bc this might very well be TD's last season. I know some ppl are in denial, and it's not a certain thing. But we can say it is at least 50-50%.
If he needs Timmy to hold his hand we are in trouble in the long run.
Somehow I didn't expect him to show up, but I hoped he did.

Same here, I saw all the ugly signs earlier, warned everyone not to keep their hopes up, was wishing for the best.

The guy now needs to be traded.

[ceperez]

I think this is Timmy/Manu's last season. As great as they look still it has to end sometime, and you have to end it in a good note feeling satisfied that you helped the team and played well. These guys are not the kind to be a cadaver on the court and collect a paycheck. They compete hard, and I don't think either will want to retire/quit in the middle of the season, despite Pop making that sarcastic comment. He was trolling us. Just like Pop trolled us when he said he would retire with Tim. No, Timmy might not retire midseason bc he's not going to quit midseason on the team, he will do it quietly in the summer and one of these summers is it.

Manu said when he was ready he would not announce it ahead of time either. They can still play, but not dominate like they used to, and it has been an alarm for me since early season that the team depended on Manu so often to rescue games. I thought Pop played him too long in a blow out. Yea I am fangirl, but to me f*ck it. Anderson was terrible 3 minutes but he's 22, and Pop has shielded him from tough compe ion. It might wake him up, maybe you give him some experience and a wake up call to work on that shot, maybe he turns into someone you can keep or trade later on. Why play Manu in a 22 pt blowout? Bench Kawhi? Makes no sense, unless its Manu's last season and lets just let him do whatever he wants. Pop basically said Manu told the assistants he was not resting back to back and that was that.

I don't know, I am overreacting, but I see them as this is their last season.

I guess the only reason to play Manu is for him to probe and figure out GS weaknesses. However, the entire team needs to become familiar with how GS plays. They were being beat defensively and it just seems the Spurs were too surprised with the kind of intense play. Maybe it is too much time off and playing two weak teams previously.

[SAGirl]

I guess the only reason to play Manu is for him to probe and figure out GS weaknesses. However, the entire team needs to become familiar with how GS plays. They were being beat defensively and it just seems the Spurs were too surprised with the kind of intense play. Maybe it is too much time off and playing two weak teams previously.

You could say in a way they coasted here. The previously challenging team was Cavs and they were blown out by GSW as well. The ball pressure was intense.

[ceperez]

You could say in a way they coasted here. The previously challenging team was Cavs and they were blown out by GSW as well. The ball pressure was intense.

What I've always worried about the Spurs is that although they can play with a high intensity and efficiency during regular season play, I worry if they can take it up a gear. They did so against the Cavs but not the Warriors. The Warriors just have more offensive threats that are exposing the Spurs.

[DenialTwist]

Maybe the Spurs should have just gotten someone like JJ Hickson? He was cheaper anyway. Then they could have signed someone like Markieff Morris? Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea for LMA to go to the Suns lol

[ceperez]

Maybe the Spurs should have just gotten someone like JJ Hickson? He was cheaper anyway. Then they could have signed someone like Markieff Morris? Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea for LMA to go to the Suns lol

Let's put this in perspective, Duncan and Manu took major paycuts to get LMA on board. He absolutely has to play like an all-star and not like just some other player.

He has had half a season to develop his game, yet he's still playing badly!

This is RJ 2.0 and I honestly am not thrilled that it is happening. I just happened to see this happening while everyone else was in denial.

[99 Problems]

At least Boogie is coming good for us.

[ceperez]

LMA is the second coming of RJ.

24/2 = 12

A failed experiment that needs to be traded.

[sasaint]

Maybe the Spurs should have just gotten someone like JJ Hickson? He was cheaper anyway. Then they could have signed someone like Markieff Morris? Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea for LMA to go to the Suns lol

Surely you jest! Spurs do not want anything to do with any cancer named Morris.

It is hindsight now, but the Blazer I wanted was LMA's teammate, Robin Lopez - better defender, better rim protector, better rebounder and cheaper than his brother. Then this offseason go after Al Horford to replace Tim, who I believe is playing his last season. Plus signing Lopez might have given us an opportunity to pick up a good guard.

[ceperez]

Surely you jest! Spurs do not want anything to do with any cancer named Morris.

It is hindsight now, but the Blazer I wanted was LMA's teammate, Robin Lopez - better defender, better rim protector, better rebounder and cheaper than his brother. Then this offseason go after Al Horford to replace Tim, who I believe is playing his last season. Plus signing Lopez might have given us an opportunity to pick up a good guard.

The LMA contract is like the RJ contract. It gives very little flexibility.

This is really sad that Spurs thought they got an all-star in his prime only to find a player that's not engaged and is declining physically at age 30.

[Chinook]

I mean, he has to step up. That's all there is to it. And if Tim has to show him the way, that's just how it's going to be. People forget how Lebron folded in 2011 and Wade had to push him to play to his potential afterwards. Before that, James was a career choker in the biggest moments. Now the dude is pretty much unstoppable in the Finals. I hope it doesn't take the Spurs losing the WCF for Aldridge to wake up, but it's possible that he has to really see what being tentative costs him before he can get his head straight.

[sasaint]

Let's put this in perspective, Duncan and Manu took major paycuts to get LMA on board. He absolutely has to play like an all-star and not like just some other player.

He has had half a season to develop his game, yet he's still playing badly!

This is RJ 2.0 and I honestly am not thrilled that it is happening. I just happened to see this happening while everyone else was in denial.

As you know from our exchanges, I have kind of been holding my breath about LMA. But I am afraid you are right. I have noted for weeks that, although I was pleasantly surprised by his D, I thought LMA did not play with any passion or intensity. Last night, without Tim, we needed LMA to man up. He wilted, instead. I don't believe we will trade him or anybody else this season. I believe we will stand pat, and whether we lose in the first round or the Western Conference Finals, we will not get a whiff of a championship. Worse, going forward, in signing LMA for Timmy to pass the torch to in order to perpetuate our dominance, we have seriously miscalculated. LMA apparently lacks the heart and the skill set necessary to be anything remotely resembling an adequate successor to Tim. Perhaps he will retain enough value for us to still be able to trade him in the coming offseason for a valuable asset.

[ceperez]

As you know from our exchanges, I have kind of been holding my breath about LMA. But I am afraid you are right. I have noted for weeks that, although I was pleasantly surprised by his D, I thought LMA did not play with any passion or intensity. Last night, without Tim, we needed LMA to man up. He wilted, instead. I don't believe we will trade him or anybody else this season. I believe we will stand pat, and whether we lose in the first round or the Western Conference Finals, we will not get a whiff of a championship. Worse, going forward, in signing LMA for Timmy to pass the torch to in order to perpetuate our dominance, we have seriously miscalculated. LMA apparently lacks the heart and the skill set necessary to be anything remotely resembling an adequate successor to Tim. Perhaps he will retain enough value for us to still be able to trade him in the coming offseason for a valuable asset.

Spurs need to fail and fail fast. Tim and Manu are on their last legs. Parker is only capable half of the games.

The league is also changing in that you need more mobile centers. That's why I'm saying that PATFO needs to dump Aldridge for more FLEXIBILITY. There are a couple of quicker bigs coming out into free agency that Spurs need flexibility to bid for.

Spurs are in *MAJOR* trouble if Aldridge isn't an all-star calibre player. Spurs can't get pass GSW without Aldridge delivering.

[sasaint]

The LMA contract is like the RJ contract. It gives very little flexibility.

This is really sad that Spurs thought they got an all-star in his prime only to find a player that's not engaged and is declining physically at age 30.

With the salary cap going up, the LMA contract may not be horrible as it may seem right now.

[ceperez]

Just in case people forget, Aldridge scored 5 points (2-9 shooting 22%) with 3 rebounds in 25 minutes of play.

To add insult to injury, he had as many turn-overs as he had rebounds!

That is f*cking pathetic.

[SpursBig3s]

Just in case people forget, Aldridge scored 5 points (2-9 shooting 22%) with 3 rebounds in 25 minutes of play.

To add insult to injury, he had as many turn-overs as he had rebounds!

That is f*cking pathetic.

I'll eat my crow for now, you have a legitimate argument. Aldridge was terrible last night. He hasn't been as bad as you say he's been all season. For the most part, he's been good. But last night was awful. Can't deny that

[ElNono]

TD21 already diagnosed the problem with this team: Lack of perimeter firepower, explosive 3 point shooting, and the inability to get to the line (which is a big weakness if you're not a team that can volume shoot 3 pointers at a good percentage).

As much as I love Kawhi, I think my fears are coming true that his peak scoring ability (while maintaining good efficiency) just might be around the 18ppg-20ppg mark. Sure, he could average 25+ on a ty team where he can volume shoot, but for his efficiency to remain solid, he's a player who needs to pick his spots carefully and score within the offense. He's not Curry, Durant, Harden, Lebron, one of those players who can create spots for himself off the dribble. He's got a nice post game, and that's about it. I want him to become a dribble-drive beast, but I just don't think he has the ability (relatively low vertical, average, at best, ball handling, and seemingly low confidence). This is not a criticism. It's amazing that Kawhi has turned into the scoring threat he has despite those limitations, but it illustrates that he can't carry the perimeter scoring himself (like Curry did tonight, for example. We held the rest of their starters in check, but Curry broke out backs).

So Kawhi's perimeter running mates are:

Tony Parker. Has had a resurgence, but all of us sense the wheels are about to come off soon. It's just improbable that a 34 year old PG with that many miles can average 16-18 points on good shooting.

Danny Green: Lol. No one is holding this guy back. Not LMA, adjusting to the offense, etc. He's a d-league level talent that worked very hard to get where he is, but ultimately, he's a role player who will always be limited. Essentially Bruce Bowen, who would unfortunately be a liability (his offensive limitations wouldn't make up for his defensive contributions) in today's league.

Manu. Same thing as Parker. Too old and worn to be consistent.

And the rest are role players. Mills, Simmons, Anderson, Butler, etc. All the other elite teams in the league have at least 2 perimeter studs and star/fringe star big(s). The Spurs really are a team by committee. As much as that kind of overall depth can be an advantage, it can also be a detriment since there's so many moving parts.

LMA is a very, very small of the overall picture, and I will still argue that he's contributed more than he has taken, much more. Golden State is beating the out of everyone. Was up 40 at Cleveland and then went into Chicago and beat them by 30., so to decry his signing because the Spurs have the unfortunate luck of playing in a year that just might feature the best team pro basketball has ever seen is a bit knee-jerky.

And that said, there was really no other choice than to roll the dice. Standing pat and developing a bunch of 2nd round picks and Euro projects wasn't going to win anything.

Yet the Spurs are better than everyone but the Dubs, who are a more established team at this point in time. The Spurs improvement will have to come from within, becoming an "established" team themselves, with the new guys meshing into the system. That takes time, and while they're obviously trying to make it work by the end of the season, it might not happen until next season... but we all knew these things when the season started. We just are a bit spoiled because this team vastly exceeded expectations so far (last night's game notwithstanding).

[ElNono]

That is still a red alert bc this might very well be TD's last season. I know some ppl are in denial, and it's not a certain thing. But we can say it is at least 50-50%.
If he needs Timmy to hold his hand we are in trouble in the long run.
Somehow I didn't expect him to show up, but I hoped he did.

Well, this tied to that other thread "how many rings the Spurs will win when Tim/Manu hang them up".... you know my opinion on det one...

[SAGirl]

Well, this tied to that other thread "how many rings the Spurs will win when Tim/Manu hang them up".... you know my opinion on det one...

Yes I see your point. A team without an elite big is a sham.
Raymond is a deuce, really Curry is a star but w/o Raymond they are not at this level. And there are many young elite true bigs (as Raymond is short for a forward, he just has cojones) coming up in the league. We will make the playoffs bc of Kawhi, but when the two retire, we will be one piece away from true contention, like so many other teams out there.

[ElNono]

Yes I see your point. A team without an elite big is a sham.
Raymond is a deuce, really Curry is a star but w/o Raymond they are not at this level. And there are many young elite true bigs (as Raymond is short for a forward, he just has cojones) coming up in the league. We will make the playoffs bc of Kawhi, but when the two retire, we will be one piece away from true contention, like so many other teams out there.

It all starts and ends with Curry if you ask me, then there's the system that fits the personnel like a glove, and you have players really buying into it and executing really well, you have the 'seasons together' storyline too. Obviously, the way they're performing and winning makes much easier to be a believer. We've been there before. It takes time and it's not easy, much less maintain it. They're historically great, there's no doubt about it.

[Johnny RIngo]

Spurs had the most dominant run in playoff history in 2014. Seems strange to change that system and offense in order to accommodate a beta big man that couldn't even hack it in Portland.

[RD2191]

Spurs had the most dominant run in playoff history in 2014. Seems strange to change that system and offense in order to accommodate a beta big man that couldn't even hack it in Portland.

Tbh