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I guess people can stop blaming Pop. It seems like he's really going to bat for Tony.
Popovich pops off on contract
Web Posted: 10/30/2004 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...r.7686ea8.html
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Friday he is in disagreement with chairman Peter Holt's apparent refusal to increase the franchise's $64 million contract extension offer to Tony Parker.
Two days after Parker's agent said he was ending negotiations because of the Spurs' hard-line stance, Popovich said he made another unsuccessful attempt to get the team's owners to reconsider their position.
The Spurs have until Sunday to reach agreement with Parker or he will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
"At this particular point we've been told by ownership that they are not going to go beyond the number that's been offered to Tony, and I'm disappointed in that decision," Popovich said before the Spurs' 102-86 victory over New Orleans at the SBC Center in their preseason finale.
"I understand the reasons why and the concerns on the part of ownership, but at the same time over the years we've operated in the (fiscal) arena very successfully. I think Tony Parker has been very fair in understanding the situation and appreciating the situation he's in, while at the same time looking for a contract that shows him the respect that he deserves."
Holt could not be reached for comment.
Though Parker's agent, Marc Fleisher, has continued to seek a minimum of $70 million for the six-year extension, Parker has privately asked for $68 million while telling others he might settle for $66 million if the team compromised.
The Spurs' $64 million offer would be the third-largest contract in the franchise's history, but is substantially less than what some other members of Parker's rookie class recently received. Memphis forward Pau Gasol and Utah forward Andrei Kirilenko each have agreed to deals worth about $86 million, the maximum allowed under the league's collective bargaining agreement. New Jersey gave forward Richard Jefferson $76 million.
Said Popovich: "I have no problem with Tony's desires and wishes to this point."
Though Parker and the team do not appear to be too far apart on the financial terms of the contract, the franchise's ownership group thinks it might be able to get a better deal this summer when the league's bargaining agreement expires. NBA commissioner David Stern has said he wants to reduce the maximum length of guaranteed contracts in the new agreement. The league also is expected to try to reduce the maximum annual raise a player may receive. The players union likely will fight any significant changes depending on what concessions the league makes.
Fleisher said he thinks Parker will be able to command a maximum offer next summer. Though the Spurs would have the right to match any offer sheet Parker signs, Popovich and other management officials have told Holt they think it is probably more cost effective to do a deal now.
"If we don't do this contract, I feel there are probably only two choices next summer, all things being equal," Popovich said. "Either we're going to have to pay him considerably more or we're going to lose him. The chance of the rules changing in such a way that you end up paying him less is not realistic in today's world."
Popovich, who has maintained a lower profile in contract negotiations since R.C. Buford became general manager two years ago, has spoken frequently with Parker over the past few weeks, making sure to keep him updated about any significant changes in the talks.
"There's no arguing that anybody that has watched the kid play has got to believe he's in the top five, six, seven point guards in the league already," Popovich said. "And he's only going to rise in that crowd.
"Anyone who rates him lower is just looking at stats and doesn't really have an eye for who can play and who can't."
In recent seasons, the Spurs have ranked at or near the top of the league in payroll efficiency. After winning the NBA championship two seasons ago, they received a luxury-tax rebate check of about $13 million from the league because of their payroll's modest size. They received another similar rebate this summer.
Holt, however, has said in the past he does not want to have to pay the league's luxury tax, which currently assesses a dollar-for-dollar penalty to teams that greatly exceed the salary cap. The Spurs' payroll will start to escalate significantly in the coming years, particularly if Parker is re-signed.
The Spurs signed Tim Duncan to a seven-year, $122 million contract two summers ago. In July, they gave Manu Ginobili a six-year, $52 million deal.
Popovich wants to make sure Parker remains part of the team's core. He told Holt he thinks the team is making a mistake if it does not improve its current offer.
"I will certainly live with the decision," Popovich said. "Our ownership group has been and remains the best in the league, as far as I'm concerned. But I think it's important to ensure that we can keep this basketball team together."
I guess people can stop blaming Pop. It seems like he's really going to bat for Tony.
Time to sell the damn team Holt. Your time here is up. GTFO.
Sounds like Good Cop-Bad Cop to me.
Strange part is Pop playing Good Cop.
Holt's trying to be a hard ass so he can go to the owner's meetings and preach how the league is going under. He can't say those things if he is spending money right and left and is over the luxury tax.
Stop playing the politics, Holt. You already raped Duncan of more than $100M dollars. Just sell a damn Cat and get this over with.
Unless Red wants back in the NBA, who the would Holt sell to, exactly?
It sounds like Pop knows the score...and you can bet Duncan wants Parker signed as well. What's changed is that Duncan no longer has the leverage of leaving for another team to impose his will on this franchise.
Holt is being stupid to lowball Tony over that small amount and it could end up really hurting this franchise.
Major props to Pop for making the right call.
Jesus H. Christ, we are talking about $250,000 a year. That comes out to raising ticket prices at the SBC (assuming all games sold out) a whopping 35 ing cents. Pay the man.
I agree with Pop, pay the man already!!
for real.... He wants us to pay for the new arena, so he can be a cheap ass and not spend extra coin, to keep us a contender for years to come?
if this deal doesnt get done today, i will be very dissapointed, and i wouldnt be suprised to see holt get boo'd
Good move by Pop. Major props in standing up for his man. Holt is going to blow this one. I mentioned it earlier in another thread - in the long run, this will cost he Spurs more than $4 million.
Its not like the spurs to air there dirty laundry out in public.... i think pop might know what he's doing, maybe he's putting the pressure on Holt, if thats what he's doing, hopefully its not too late
Yeah agreed, major props to Pop.
For him to go to the media is an attempt to pressure Holt into collpasing.
Props to Mr. Holt for standing with his believes.
The Spurs got where they are with his standpoints to not go over the cap.
Why would he give Tony the 3rd highest contract in franchise history?
Just because his agent has made it his conquest to get all his players the max?
Spurs are not to be played like the Jazz.
Ask Derek Anderson.
Oh well, that will be great when next summer he earns a max or close to max contract from another team, and holt doesn't match.
If the spurs let TP walk we're screwed, we've no cap room and we don't stand a chance of attracting free agents.
Unless Holt pays up we'll be compe ive, but ultimately never make the final again.
Definitely a bit of the good/bad cop routine going on. What is most clear is that at least a part of the ownership group is trying to protect their cash cow or perhaps they are mourning its demise. They've enjoyed the fact that over the last couple of years they have received $10+ mil twice due to luxury tax payments. They've enjoyed the fact that they have had Parker on a rookie contract for the last 3 years. This wasn't going to last forever.
This franchise has offered max deals to Webber, Kidd, and Bryant over the last 3 years. Clearly they have the capacity to take on some rather substantial long term contracts if they wish.
At this point I think Holt Cat is simply trying to squeeze every last buck he can out of Parker, which makes sense for his position. But Spurs fans need to get wise to the Spurs' game. Holt is the front man for the Spurs, he gives ownership the image of being just a bunch of good old boys who are getting screwed over by these greedy pampered ungrateful crack rock smoking athletes. Yet the truth is that Holt leads an ownership group comprised of some rather major and sophisticated members and the Spurs have enjoyed relatively few long term major salary commitments over the last 5 years, a sweetheart arena deal which provided a nice punch to their top line, and of course the luxury tax payments. But all good things must end.
Considering that the CBA is going to be on the table next summer one can't look at this situation and think about how the Spurs will use it in that context. Will they use this as an alleged instance of how things have gotten out of control? That they can't afford to keep Parker because they can't commit to another long term deal? It's total BS but it plays well in sleepy San Antonio de Bexar at least.
Last edited by Marcus Bryant; 10-30-2004 at 06:17 AM. Reason: because its 6AM and i drank a lot last night
if were only taslking a few million what does this say to parker about his importance tot he team
Have to say that this has made me reconsider my criticism of Pop. I always thought that Pop undervalued Parker, but looks like it may be coming from elsewhere in the Spurs organization.
I hope Holt isn't turning into Donald Sterling. And it does piss me off that like Marcus said, the Spurs have been willing to offer max contract to guys like Kidd, Webber, and Bryant, and try to screw over their own guys.
Who exactly does he sell the team to.
Henry Cisneros?
Were lucky the team is still here.
So what does this say about Buford's role in this? Does that mean he is merely a lapdog with no real power as a gm? Is he at odds with Pop? He is not mentioned but once in reference to his position but nothing doing with the supposed job that is his to do.
I am very surprised the Spurs mgmt disregarded their usual stance to not discuss internal affairs. Are these signs of an impending shakeup at the top?
This is pretty extraordinary for Pop. You can bet an asswad of phone calls are being made this weekend.
did pop go public to help parker feel wanted by pop after what they did to him with kidd.
Parker needs to feel that the coach is 110% behind him, because his confidence was badly shaken last year by the whole Kidd thing.
As always, you're either half stupid or half idiot. I expect that from Holland boys.
Dude, the Spurs got where they are by the man you stalk on a daily basis. David Robinson was always brainwashed to take one for the team. And his soft ass did. Duncan was ranked 25 in salary last year from what I saw. THAT IS ING LUDICROUS.
The Spurs ownership has been gettin over players for a long time coming. They play the cap... big ing deal.... The Spurs win because of Tim Duncan and/or Robinson previously. THEY DON'T WIN BECAUSE THEY PLAY THE ING CAP.
The Spurs over recent years have turned up dog in free agency and/or trades. They have been lucky to get Manu, Parker, Duncan and others through the draft and they have been patient.
Holland boy, management making cap decisions is not scoreboard, you dumb ass. Teams winning championships is scoreboard.
Go away.
Oh, and props to Pop for speaking up. It's about time.
*fingers crossed.
if they can offer max to a old kidd, an injured webber, (a player who fails in fourth)
the max why not parker close to the max
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