Bigman Prototype

[SPARKY]

As the Spurs' frontcourt will undoubtedly see some changes this summer, I think it's best to look at the rotation bigs who played upfront with TD during the 3 le runs. Doing so should provide a profile of who would cons ute the ideal bigman to target this summer.

1999
4 TD/Rose
5 Robinson/Perdue

2003
4 TD/Rose
5 Robinson/Willis

2005
4 TD/Horry
5 Mohammed/Nesterovic

Player Profile

David Robinson - excellent baseline to baseline speed, probably the fastest of any big up until his retirement. Ability to play strong man to man defense, transition D, block shots, and rebound well. Not tentative near the basket. Decent 15 foot jumper. Vision to throw lob to TD from top of key. Finishes well on breaks.

Malik Rose - ability to play inside and outside the paint. Rebounds well. Ability to run the floor on breaks. Can defend on the perimeter or inside, almost any position. Aggressive.

Kevin Willis - runs the floor well for a bigman. Rebounds well. Sets picks fine.

Robert Horry - best shooting range of any big to play alongside TD. Savvy. Rebounds decently. History of clutch performances.

Nazr Mohammed - aggressive. Will block shots and rebound. Not the surest with his hands or his defensive placement.

Rasho Nesterovic - passive. Will block shots and rebound once every other game.


Overall, I've identified 4 common areas for the ideal Spurs' playoff bigman teammate for TD:

- baseline to baseline quickness. Be it DRob, Malik, Willis, or Horry, the bigs who have helped the Spurs the most have been those with above average to awesome footspeed. Downcourt speed means a greater likelihood of successful breaks and also of solid defensive recovery.

- rebounding. Those who have done well alongside TD have helped him significantly on the glass. This is of special import and concern up front as spacing is a big issue for TD in the post.

- defense DRob, Rose, and Horry each played team defense solidly as well as had the ability to play man defense when needed. As often the Spurs will keep TD from covering the opponent's best big to help him avoid foul trouble, this is quite important.

- scoring DRob, Rose and Horry each were able to put up points during their le runs. There are scoring opportunities there for a big playing alongside TD. This is not to say they have to be prolific, but they have to be efficient in converting the opportunities they do get.

[ShoogarBear]

I think Javtokas' best chances at making any impact, fitting in your categories, is quickness and defense. Although I actually have no idea how good a defender he will pan out to be, he certainly has the tools.

Seeing as how I can't think of a single Euro big man who was a great rebounder in the NBA (Sabonis had his moments), his ability to make a significant impact rebounding is a very long shot. And I just cannot see him as any kind of scorer unless he can get offensive rebounds at the same rate as Nazr.

[SPARKY]

Javtokas might not be the complete answer. In '03 Pop leaned on DRob, Rose and Willis at times to give the team what it needed up front. '05 was much more of a one man show.

[SPARKY]

2k Dre speaks but can't be heard. Sad.

[picnroll]

Seeing as how I can't think of a single Euro big man who was a great rebounder in the NBA (Sabonis had his moments), his ability to make a significant impact rebounding is a very long shot. And I just cannot see him as any kind of scorer unless he can get offensive rebounds at the same rate as Nazr.

Udonis Haslem averaged 6.6 rebounds and .7 blocks for Elan Chalon in 2002 -03 and is averaging over 9 rebounds/game for Miami. Nocioni, while not a big man, is a uva rebounder, rebounding as well in the NBA as he did for Tau, maybe better.

[Spurologist]

The bar is set pretty high for Javtokas based on Obero's showing.

[SPARKY]

The conclusion I've reached is that the Spurs are best served and more likely to be able to follow the 'multi-headed' approach to supporting TD up front. The starting center has to be able to follow the basic DRob form: rebounding, blocked shots, run the floor and space well with TD. I guess Javtokas is the prospect there. Beyond that, I think you need to find that big who can play small ball. This will perhaps be the trickiest acquisition. Maybe that's a Reggie Evans or Luis Scola. After that you still have Horry, Oberto, and Nesterovic on your bench.

[ShoogarBear]

Udonis Haslem averaged 6.6 rebounds and .7 blocks for Elan Chalon in 2002 -03 and is averaging over 9 rebounds/game for Miami. Nocioni, while not a big man, is a uva rebounder, rebounding as well in the NBA as he did for Tau, maybe better.

Haslem is not European, and, as you said, Nocioini is not a big.

[picnroll]

True Haslem is not Europena but he was less successful of a rebounder in a lesser league in Europe. Given Javtokas, size, srtength, decent jumpig ability and apparent sense of position I'd be real surprised if he can't be a solid rebounder in the NBA. Foul problems initially probably and offense will likely be his limitations

[Bruno]

Udonis Haslem averaged 6.6 rebounds and .7 blocks for Elan Chalon in 2002 -03 and is averaging over 9 rebounds/game for Miami. Nocioni, while not a big man, is a uva rebounder, rebounding as well in the NBA as he did for Tau, maybe better.

Haslem stats with Chalon in 02-03 were : 16.1 pts, 9.4 rbds, 0.5 blocks in 30.8 minutes.

[picnroll]

I must have seen the wrong stats. What I saw was around 6 rebounds.

[picnroll]

Stats I found were from he 2002-2003 season where Haslam played in France with Chalon, a bad team (finished 13th out of 16) .

The ULEB cup equivalent to Javtokas Haslam's stats were 13.5ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.4 apg. His stats in the French League : 27mpg, 16ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1apg

[Mr. Body]

I hope he can handle some heavy rebounding duties. If he can get 8.0 a game, that would be terrific.

One thing about him is he has a great motor. Also, a nasty streak. Those two things will help as much as anything. He has the size, strength, and leaping to get his boards. The question is, can Pop sell rebounding as a primary duty? Can he consume himself with the task?

I wonder how coachable he is. He'll pick up a lot of fouls early in his career, but at least from the highlights, his timing and feel seem pretty good.