Spurs Training Camp: The Newcomers
http://www.woai.com/spurs/story.aspx...7-46545BF1833B
By Kori Ellis
SpursZONE.com
Nine players from the 2003-04 San Antonio Spurs remain on this season's roster. The projected starting five -- Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Bruce Bowen and Rasho Nesterovic, as well as reserves Malik Rose, Robert Horry, Devin Brown and Sean Marks make up the returnees.
Draft picks Beno Udrih and Romain Sato join veterans Brent Barry and Tony Massenburg along with five other hopefuls on the Spurs' training camp roster.
Let's take a look at the newcomers, their strengths, and what it will take for some of them to make the final cut.
The Newcomers
Brent Barry
Barry is best known for being one of the purest shooters in the game. He can hit from any spot on the floor and has deadly range. His intangibles are almost as impressive as his shooting percentages. Barry is an excellent passer, adequate defender and is known as a great lockerroom presence.
Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje
Though he's never been much of a scorer, Boumtje-Boumtje has potential as a rebounder who can block shots. He has a sturdy frame, long arms and good instincts for the ball. Offensively, he's rather poor. He doesn't have a post game to speak of and is a below average passer. If he can improve his O, he could make it in the league.
Linton Johnson III
Johnson is a tenacious defender at the small forward position who also has a knack for hitting the glass. He has the footspeed and the strength to guard just about anybody on the court. Offensively, however, it's a different story. He will need to develop a three-point shot and use better shot selection around the basket to stick in the NBA.
Tony Massenburg
The definition of a journeyman, Massenburg has been on 12 different teams in his 14 year career. He's made his mark as a strong post defender who isn't afraid to mix it up. He'll throw his body around down low. On offense, he scores off power moves and offensive rebounds. Most likely, he'll fill the Kevin Willis role.
Valter Monteiro
Monteiro, who played on the Angolan Olympic team, is a hired gun. As a three-point specialist, he has nice form and quick release. Though he lacks the size of a shooting guard and the ballhandling ability of a point guard, he has a chance to make it based on his shooting prowess alone.
Marque Perry
Perry played for both of the Spurs' summer league teams. His play improved as he adjusted to how the Spurs wanted him to run their teams. As a point guard, he's a streaky scorer with an above average midrange jumper. His playmaking ability has improved since his college days but will need to continue to improve to make it.
Romain Sato
Even though he's only 6-foot-4 on a good day, Sato has a chance to make up for his vertical shortcomings. He has incredibly long arms (6-foot-11 wingspan) and an impressive vertical leap that allows him to grab rebounds at an impressive rate. His stock fell during his senior year at Xavier, allowing the Spurs to snag him in the second round.
James Thomas
Thomas is a little undersized but is an extremely strong and active interior force. He rebounds well and can block a few shots. He's still raw offensively but is relentless on the offensive glass. Thomas suffered through back problems as a senior at the University of Texas, though he has seemed to have regained his mobility.
Beno Udrih
While he's going into camp with a bruised knee, the Spurs have high hopes for their first round draft pick. Udrih is a crafty point guard with a deadly midrange jumper and the ability to find the open man. At times in summer league contests he forced it on offense and committed turnovers in bundles, however his talent level is unquestioned.
Ladies and gentlemen, it seems that Marcus Bryant's strategy of saving caproom for the 2003 offseason is still paying dividends as our Spurs have ac ulated yet another star-studded collection of talent in 2004.
Are we supposed to be excited about these players?
Who are you man?
The Spurs are probably the top pick to win the le this year. And you're still being a cynic?
Get out of here jerkoff.
I've been posting on Spurs forums for over four years now, first on SpursReport.com, then on FullSportPress.com (and I don't seem to remember you being around nearly that long). You should not be so rude to people who share different opinions from your own. The real world, once you're old enough to enter it, will be a much easier place to live in once you realize that everyone doesn't see things exactly the way you do.Who are you man?
The Spurs are probably the top pick to win the le this year. And you're still being a cynic?
Get out of here jerkoff. -The Writer
So yeah, I guess I am a cynic. I said last year that we wouldn't win the le, and all of the homers let me have it. But I was right. On the flip side, in 2003 I said that we would win it all (despite people saying that it wouldn't happen) and we did. I've been wrong a lot too, but the point is that I would rather state my opinion, whether other people like it or not, than be a blind cheerleader and never admit when my team isn't the best.
Think about that, "jerkoff," before you post again.
I posted at SpursReport.com since 2000, and FSP since it started so stfu jerkoff.
Dumb kids.
Well according to the article the Spurs will focus again on defense as their famous "trademark" while being a terrible offensive team.
Don't get me wrong but what the Spurs need is a little more offense to be a fan favorite, defense is good but is too boring.
Says who that defence is boring? It's part of the game basketball... you know what were talking about.
Anyone who has ever played the game understands this, I could go on and on about its importance and why its required, but its not that hard to work it out.
I mean sure dunks are spectacular but so are blocked shots, you need a balance one I think the spurs have.
Tim is as deadly offensively as anyone in the league.
Manu is as exciting as it comes on both D and offence.
Tony has been known to light it up, though his D could use some work.
Bowen.... you got me here :P
Nersterovic can score when required and not foccused solely on getting out of TD's way, look at his numbers while he was out.
Barry off the bench,shoyuld score at a high percentage.
The spurs have offence but they have D too.
Remember Defence wins championships.
Yeah, Brent won't add any Offense.
And I'd rather "WIN" playing great D then "LOSE" being some fan favorite.
No wonder why the NBA Finals in 2003 had the worst ratings in NBA history, please don't feel bad but do you really think the NBA/ABC would allow the Spurs again in the NBA Finals?
Defense is good but add some offense and you will have the right formula for success.
I just explained our offence capabilities...
Read again.
Yeah! you've just said Brent Barry will be your saviour this coming season.
Bravo!
Let's hand the trophy to the San Antonio Spurs!
Their savoir has arrived!
You are a ing moron. Bottomline.
Enjoy a upper teen pick next summer.
Also, isn't it against the rules to post under more than one name?
How did I say Barry will be the saviour... I asid he should shoot at a high percentage. Thats hardly a stretch. He has shot at high percentage over his career. Go yourself.
This from a guy who thinks Karl Malone, a 42 yr old, coming off of major knee surgery is the missing ingredient for LA to win the le. I can't believe some Laker fans think they're still an upper echelon team.Yeah! you've just said Brent Barry will be your saviour this coming season.
Bravo!
Let's hand the trophy to the San Antonio Spurs!
Their savoir has arrived!
Apparently you missed the part where the Spurs were able to re-sign Ginobili this summer thanks to that cap flexibility. They also were able, for better or worse, to sign a center who can walk and chew gum at the same time the summer prior when David the Messiah retired. Are you suggesting the Spurs would have been better off with Derek Anderson? With a Gary Payton at the max for the next 3 seasons? That's dumb.Ladies and gentlemen, it seems that Marcus Bryant's strategy of saving caproom for the 2003 offseason is still paying dividends as our Spurs have ac ulated yet another star-studded collection of talent in 2004.
If the Spurs didn't have such cap flexibility this summer they wouldn't have been able to land even Barry.
I know you are mad because I've shredded your myth of David Robinson the big game player and hardass, but damn, at least come with a real complaint.
Last edited by Marcus Bryant; 10-05-2004 at 09:35 AM.
If no one else is going to, I'll vouch for Admiral as a respected old-timer on the pessimistic side. I don't recall him predicting the 2003 le, though. Seems out of character.
It's good to see some old arguments pop up though, NO LIMIT 2003 is a good start, but don't forget NO LIMIT 2001. We need GW back to argue about Payton and Sprewell to make it complete.
As for forum rules, I remember glancing at them when I signed up, but where do I find them now? I'll have to create a new handle just to read them again.
You don't appear to know Admiral very well, Writer.Dumb kids.
Hey Admiral, I haven't seen you in a while. You've been mia so long that the newer posters don't even know you anymore.
Anyhow, I'll go on record as disagreeing with you about not being optimistic about this season. The continued development of Parker and Manu alone should prove formidable this season notwithstanding the addition of Barry which I think you're underestimating. Barry matched Parker's assist numbers last year if I'm not mistaken aside from his talents at spreading the floor. He's also the most capable backup to Parker since Speedy if need be.
I'm not enamored with our frontcourt aside from Tim but with the Lakers in the toilet for the forseeable future, Rasho should be more than serviceable in the west now.
The Lakers and Dallas have taken huge steps backwards and the Wolves are going to have age issues as well as chemistry problems it seems. Right now, only Detroit looks worthy and honestly, I think Pop is a better coach than Brown.
I think things are looking up right about now.
And you're like 18 now, right? or 19?
I love ironic people.
Not posting under more than one handle rule
Oh, that's a classic.
this admiral is the same as the other admiral?
no way.....GW just decided it was time for a change....
I honestly cannot see why Anyone would be complaining or skeptical about the offseason the Spurs had. Sure a few of the names mentioned above are questionable at best but there wasn't alot of improvement needed. We got exactly what we NEEDED, maybe not exactly who we WANTED, but that's the name of the off-season game.
I also can't wait to see what else the distraught laker fans will be throwing our way. "terrible offense"... "lack of excitement".... "defense is boring".. lol
Don't worry fellas, at least you have Brian Grant now.
The Spurs had a way more successful offseason than last year. Re-Signing Ginobili was a success in itself. Not only that but they bring in proven multi-dimensional Brent Barry and some very good proven role players. The Championship is for the Spurs to take I believe. As long as they stay healthy and play good defense no one can knock them down. Not even the Lakers who their big man is VLADE DIVAC.
I would be wise not to underestimate the Lakers... Kobe seems to be on a mission to prove to everyone that he is capable of leading a team to the promised land.
His logic is, "If Jordan won all of those les without a dominant big man, why can't I; I'm just as good a player, and when he wants to play D, Lamar has the potential to be a Scottie-like player. Plus, I have a better center than Jordan ever had as a teammate in Vlade. And though we have no Rodman-like workhorse on the glass... we have the advantage of people thinking we aren't a good team... we have a perfect dark horse scenario to sneak up on those who underestimate us."
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