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yes, this is sweet
Shakeup could be in store for Spurs: Team is pondering changes to its rotation, thinking about trades
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Separated from Dallas in both standing and confidence, the Spurs began the rest of their season Saturday morning by confronting the considerable amount of work in front of them, not all of it limited to the court.
The Spurs carry a three-game losing streak into this afternoon's meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies, barely clinging onto a playoff seed that would allow them to open the postseason on their own floor. Coaches and players alike continue to applaud the team's effort but also realize effort alone isn't going to lift them to where they want to go.
"These are the situations that make or break teams," coach Gregg Popovich said. "We've always used the trying times to test our character in the sense of looking at what we can improve so we're a more disciplined, better executing team ... at playoff time.
"When you're in a little bit of a slump and not winning as many games as you'd like to, it has to be looked at as a great opportunity to get back to all the basics. That's what we try to do. It's been our goal every year, even in championship years.
"We've always had these periods and we've always dealt with them so we can be better come playoff time. We'll see if this group can do the same thing as past groups have."
To hasten that process, the Spurs are considering changes to their lineup and roster. Among the possible moves:
Giving Matt Bonner more, if not all, of Robert Horry's minutes.
The Spurs acquired Bonner for his shooting, but his rebounding and hustle have been infectious. Team officials also are concerned about making the same mistake they did last season when they stuck with another aging veteran, point guard Nick Van Exel, too long.
Shortening the rotation at the two wing positions from four players to three.
Manu Ginobili and Bruce Bowen would continue to start, but some of the coaches think that dividing the backup minutes between Brent Barry and Michael Finley has made it difficult for either reserve to settle into a rhythm.
If Popovich decides to use only one player in that role, Barry could get the nod given that he has ranked among the NBA's leaders in 3-point accuracy most of the season. But Finley is the more active defender of the two and Barry has struggled with his shot since the league switched to the leather ball, making just 1 of 11 attempts.
Asking Tony Parker to assume a larger workload.
Popovich returned Beno Udrih to the backup point guard role the past three games, but Udrih hasn't done much to prove he deserves to keep the job. He missed all six of his shots Friday and passed up other open looks, once again causing team officials to question whether he is capable of performing in pressure situations.
The Spurs continue to pursue trade possibilities. Friday's loss also further exposed the difficulties the Spurs have in matching up with the Mavericks, given their lack of athleticism at some positions.
Team officials continue to speak with the Clippers about swingman Corey Maggette. The Spurs have been hesitant about parting with both Barry and Udrih in a possible deal, but that could change. Bonner's name also has come up in talks with the Clippers.
The Clippers, according to a Western Conference official, are in talks with at least three other teams, and might not feel as pressured to move Maggette given that they also have fielded offers for Cuttino Mobley.
The Spurs have inquired about Toronto forward Morris Peterson, but those conversations haven't yielded much.
In the meantime, the Spurs can only try to improve their on-court performance. That includes Tim Duncan, who has performed at a steady, but not dominant level, even though he doesn't have the health concerns he did a year ago.
Duncan apologized to teammates and coaches for his role in Friday's loss. He scored only five of his 18 points after halftime and seemed reluctant to attack, even on one possession when he had only 6-foot-8 forward Devean George guarding him.
"You have to go through ups and downs in a season to build character in a team," Duncan said. "This is just our down time, and hopefully we can cut it off at this."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...s.3079208.html
yes, this is sweet
This is a great article.
A lot of positives.
1. More Bonner, less Horry.
2. One of Finley or Barry out of the rotation.
3. More Tony, less Beno/Vaughn.
4. Hopefully a trade.
Trading Bonner would probably be a mistake if we don't get another big with some range.
I'm fine with the rest.
Dude, just ing do it. All three of those guys - send them. Get back Quentin Ross, too.
1) Hopefully we get a Maggette trade coming through the pipes soon, or someone as talented.
2) This is great news.
3) Ludden reads this forum, especially your posts LJ.
There are only two real concrete things in there:
1) Fewer Horry minutes. This seemed obvious after Bonner played well, though we saw little vs. Dallas.
2) A trade. Even that is somewhat unlikely.
Shortening Finley or Barry minutes? Big deal. Neither has been producing much, and I'm sure it'll take two weeks to figure out which one to bench.
Playing Parker extended minutes sounds fine, but will burn him up a bit more. Push.
Giving Bonner more minutes
Yeah, this was obvious. Outside of Tim Duncan, Bonner has been playing better than any big. The more minutes you give him, the better. And if it has to come in place of Horry, so be it. The Spurs need to get him on the floor.
Shortening the swingman rotation
yes. Bench Finley a la Steve Smith in '03. I've been calling for that recently and it's the right move. Finley is done. He gave all he could in last year's playoffs but his tank is empty.
Tony Parker to play more
Good idea. Parker is young enough to play more minutes. A 24-year-old players shouldn't have his minutes monitored. Duncan was playing 40 minutes per game at that age. Parker can and should play more. And really, Duncan and Manu can play more too. Manu should be closer to 30 than 25 ... and Duncan needs to be playing around 35-36.
Trades?
Got damn you stupid azz front office. SpursTalk was telling you to pull the trigger on the trade back when Barry and Beno had some sort of trade value. Instead you held out and now both are close to worthless. I seriously doubt that the Spurs can get Maggette now without giving up Barry, Beno and picks. Seven to ten days ago, they could have gotten Maggette for Barry and Beno straight up. Now the Clippers could ask for Bonner instead of Beno. And although I like Bonner, you still got to do it. Spurs screwed themselves by trying to be hard asses and didn't take the trade when Barry's stock was at its apex. Oh and no thank you in regards to Morris Peterson. He's another Finley/Barry.
If they are doing as much as actually talking about it to Ludden that could mean it's already done. Usually there isn't even the whisperings of a trade when it happens with this team.
It's f'ed up now because the Spurs thought giving up two freakin' scrubs was too much because they didn't want to "give up ballhandling". Barry and Beno for Maggette should have been done by now.
I can't believe the Spurs waited until now when Barry's trade value is lower than ever and Beno has negative value. Now they have to give up a first round pick this year or Matt Bonner most likely.
Does this front office even watch basketball?
AFAIK we're not sure it was just Barry+Udrih. And a week won't make much difference in their value. It's not like they just materialized in the basketball-playing universe. They remain the players now they were on 12/31, as the Clippers well-know.
Why would the Clippers want Bonner, with Wilcox, Brand, and Kaman. It's not like Bonner can play the 3?
/on edit- meant Tim Thomas. Not Wilcox.
Last edited by SilverPlayer; 01-07-2007 at 12:38 AM.
Bonner played two minutes and Maggette didn't play tonight. Hmmmm....
I can't believe how bad the Spurs front office screwed up. Barry a few weeks ago was playing at such a high level that to a team like the Clippers, he was a perfect fit. Beno wasn't playing so he was a mystery player with nice looking stats the last couple of years.
Since then both players have sucked horribly and now the Spurs have to give up their best looking bench prospect in Bonner to get Maggette. I'd still do it but it sucks.
They need shooting.
These are GMs, not day traders. I doubt their opinions on vets change that drastically over a week.
As a Spurs fan in Toronto i STRONGLY urge the Spurs to stay away from Morris Peterson Dude can hit shots now and again, but even in SA, he'll just jack up a load of shots and hit a low percentage. He's like a poor man's Stephen Jackson.
Now, of course an environment like SA can improve him, but depending on what they'd have to give up I'd say leave Peterson out of this.
Also, as bad as I want Maggette on this team, I feel kinda bad if we were to lose Bonner
anyways, this is a huge plus just knowing that the team is finally doing something about this, especially head office as oppose to just the players saying what they need to do.
Very good signs
If they do trade 3 guys for Maggette, that leaves roster spots to pick up a promising big guy like Justin Williams. Oh, wait...
Have you watch Barry and Beno play the last week. They've looked horrid. You don't think the Clippers had scouts at the games?
How can you not think Barry shooting at a record pace vs. Barry looking like a washed up 35 year old while making no difference in a pivotal game can effect trade value?
Thank you. The point I was trying to make.
They need to do something, while their record is fairly good, they've consistently been unable to beat the best teams in the league and those are the teams they'll face in the playoffs...
Wilcox got traded from the Clippers last season. Just FYI.
Have you watch Barry and Beno play the last week. They've looked horrid. You don't think the Clippers had scouts at the games?
How can you not think Barry shooting at a record pace vs. Barry looking like a washed up 35 year old while making no difference in a pivotal game can effect trade value?
I've always been a huge fan of Barry.
But I agree with you timvp
despite having hot shooting in the past few months (or at least with the old ball) I think this team has to pull the trigger on a Maggette trade. Also, Udrih has to go no matter what. I'd rather have Oberton running the point as a backup to TP over Udrih.
I know
It's that bad
The Clippers wanted Barry for his "basketball IQ" in hopes that it'd help them in the playoffs. Last night's game was a playoff type game. Barry played like garbage.
It's human nature to want the guy shooting 55% on threes compared to the guy who went 1-11 in the last three games and did nothing in the biggest game of the year.
Yeah I caught that I meant Tim Thomas.
Yeah Peterson is Finley a couple years younger with herpes.
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