Ludden: Spurs' roster may stay intact

[timvp]

Spurs' roster may stay intact for another le run
Johnny Ludden
Express-News

The Spurs cleaned out their lockers Saturday afternoon, one final bit of housekeeping before they share the franchise's fourth championship with more than 200,000 of their closest friends. They have tonight's river parade to look forward to, as well as Tony Parker's wedding in France in three weeks, then they will scatter to vacation with family and friends.

The Spurs likely won't gather again en masse until they return to their practice facility in three months to begin preparing for their le defense. Most of the nameplates in the locker room likely will read the same as they did Saturday.

The Spurs don't plan to overhaul their roster as much as tweak it. With Tim Duncan healthy again, Parker having just carried home the NBA Finals MVP trophy and Manu Ginobili still playing his best in the biggest moments, Spurs chairman Peter Holt said he would like to keep the team intact as much as possible.

"What I saw happen in Chicago taught me a lot of things," Holt said, referencing the former Bulls' dynasty. "Why do you dismantle a team? I don't get it. It's so hard."

The Spurs might not have to do much retooling this summer. Jacque Vaughn, Matt Bonner and Melvin Ely are the only certain free agents, though Michael Finley and Fabricio Oberto could join them if they decide to opt out of their contracts.

The contracts of Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry aren't fully guaranteed yet, but that seems to be a mere formality. Horry, who turns 37 in August, has already said he wants to put off his retirement plans to return for one more season, and Holt and coach Gregg Popovich both sounded like they want him back.

"Robert Horry has been a wonderful Spur," Popovich said, "and hopefully, that will continue."

For now, Finley appears to be the team's biggest wild card. He said he has yet to decide whether to opt out of the final $3.1 million of his contract to test the free-agent market.

While Finley has relished his time with the Spurs — he plans to celebrate the first championship of his career by not sleeping until after Parker's wedding — it might behoove him to seek one final multiyear contract while his stock is valued after a successful playoff run.

"I'm not going to stress out on the decision," Finley said. "I'm still going to enjoy this. No matter what happens, I'll still be considered a champion."

Oberto has to make the same decision. He might be able to get a multiyear deal from another team, but the opportunity to continue playing alongside Ginobili and help him defend the championship also is strong incentive to stay.

If Finley and Oberto come back, the biggest holes could be in the team's front office and coaching staffs. Spurs general manager R.C. Buford has interviewed Houston vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey for the assistant general manager job that became open when Sam Presti left to run the Seattle SuperSonics.

Spurs officials also are bracing for the possibility of losing assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo, who appears to be the frontrunner to become Seattle's head coach.

"R.C. and I always keep lists on who the new head coach should be, who the new GM should be, who the assistant GM should be, who the new assistant coach should be and who the new scout should be, the new film guy," Popovich said. "We have lists for everything."

The Spurs were criticized early in the season for not doing enough to make their roster younger. While Popovich dismissed the criticism, he said Saturday team officials also can't ignore the franchise's future.

"If we kept this same team, at some point, it will be too old and unathletic," Popovich said. "It's difficult to find out exactly when is that point. If you don't do some things in a proactive manner, then all of a sudden, you're too darn old, and you waited too long."

The Spurs will continue their search to find an athletic swingman, preferably someone big enough to play either forward position against teams that play small.

James White, who showed some potential late in the season, will make his bid to stay with the team during the summer league in Las Vegas. The Spurs also will have three picks (Nos. 28, 33 and 58) in the June 28 draft, as well as the $5 million midlevel exception to use to fill needs.

Team officials will evaluate Ian Mahinmi, their 2005 first-round pick, in the summer leagues to determine whether he is worthy of a roster spot next season. They also have the rights to Argentine forward Luis Scola, who remains one of the best players in Europe, but they might not have room for him if Oberto and Horry return.

"We're accused of being too old, yet we seem to always be there," Holt said. "That's because R.C. particularly is so good at bringing in that right mix of players, and Pop is so good at managing their minutes. I'm damn glad we have Robert Horry and Finley and Bowen and (Brent) Barry and those kind of guys."

Holt also is particularly happy to have Duncan, which is why the team is expected to discuss offering him a two-year extension that will approach $50 million. Signing an extension would prevent Duncan from opting out of his contract after next season and keep him with the team through 2011-12.

"I want Tim to stay here as long as Tim wants to stay here," Holt said. "I mean that sincerely. Just like David (Robinson). I want him to retire with us."

Duncan said before the Finals he hopes to play as long as possible and appears to be willing to at least discuss such a deal.

"The flame has certainly not burned out for Tim," Popovich said. "He is just as compe ive as he was the day he came in.

"In a way, we enjoyed this (championship) together more than the previous ones because as you go through it, you realize how hard it is, how many things have to go your way, and the fact that it happened again just stuns us both."

Duncan's agent, Lon Babby, also represents Bowen, who could seek his own extension this summer. Bowen is coming off a season in which his defense on LeBron James in the Finals was a significant factor in the Spurs' success.

But the Spurs also currently have only Duncan, Ginobili and Parker under contract after next season and could want to keep that flexibility.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Parker said, "but we're definitely going to be right there every year, at least for the next two or three years."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.35d986a.html

[timvp]

Nothing too outrageous in this article. The Spurs need to eventually get younger but don't want to do so in a way that would hurt their chances next year.

Bowen and Horry need to be brought back. Oberto needs to be kept. It'd be a pretty huge step back if the Spurs let him walk in free agency.

Finley and Vaughn should be brought back. However, if either of them holds the Spurs hostage for more money, I wouldn't be too sad to see them go. Both are in good positions and shouldn't really be looking for greener pastures.

Bonner should be brought back as long as the financial commitment isn't too much. Ian Mahinmi can grow more in Austin than France, I think. Luis Scola probably stays in Spain.

James White and Jackie Butler (along with Mahinmi and the draft picks) play in summer league. Keep those who show the most potential and willingness to work.

The hardest part will be finding the young Long Three that this team has needed for years. The Spurs risked it by not addressing that need last summer. Hopefully this is the summer that finally happens.

[PM5K]

It's getting close.

Brent and Bruce are both old, Michael plays older than he is, and Robert only has one year left. I know if we re-sign Bonner he'll get a lot of minutes next year during the regular season while Robert does Ancira commercials...

[whottt]

IT's really not as close as it seems, just at the SF and back up 2...

We are good at PG. We are good at PF and C, we are good at starting SG. 30 is not old...that's still considered prime. We have some young prospects at PF, C and 2 guard.

Outside of Horry it's really jus about Bruce and the guys backing Bruce and Manu up.


And there is no way in I let Bruce go after what he just did against LeBron...he was our MVP. If he does not make LeBron normal...it changes the entire complexion of this series...the only reason Cleveland was easy, was because Bruce shut LeBron down. So age or not...we can't replace him...or we haven't yet. So replacing him is kind of a moot point. We'd love to...how?


Add a long SF, that can defend bigger SFs, hit open threes, and rebound...somehow someway...and we good to go. It can be done with the MLE...there is a glut of good long SF in the NBA. And we also have 3 draft picks to find one with as well.

[Mr. Body]

The hardest part will be finding the young Long Three that this team has needed for years. The Spurs risked it by not addressing that need last summer. Hopefully this is the summer that finally happens.

I don't see anything on the horizon that fills this role.

[whottt]

Matt Barnes
James Posey
Possibly Noccioni(IF the Bulls trade for Kobe, it's going to eat their cap, and they can't sign Nocioni just to trade him immediately if they are matching a RFA offer)
Pietrus


The Warriors have a huge payroll...I am not sure they can just match to their hearts content.

No way they can keep Barnes and Pietrus IMO.

[timvp]

I don't see anything on the horizon that fills this role.

Me neither. I don't see Nocioni, Barnes or SJax happening this summer. Posey and Pietrus are possible but both will probably be too expensive and neither one excites me too much.

There are some players in the draft who could fit that mold but they'll be gone before the Spurs pick.

[whottt]

What's not to like about Posey?

Mentored by Riley(like a certain current Spur).
Plays Dirk well.
More talented than Bruce.
Technically in his prime.
Championship experience.

[medstudent]

Posey fits in with us... he's dirty

[timvp]

What's not to like about Posey?

-his price tag is going to be close to full MLE
-isn't said to have the greatest of at udes
-a little overrated defensively
-is actually a dirty player
-recently got a DUI

Yeah, it'd take him if the price were right but he just doesn't strike me as exactly the Long Three the Spurs need.

[whottt]

-
-recently got a DUI

.

Damn...like that Boston Globe article said...the Spurs have more NBA les the past 9 years than they do arrests...that's probably some kind of record. I wasn't aware Posey had a DUI. That's not the kind of badboy team I want the Spurs to be.

[Bruno]

There is too an article about Spurs future in the french newspaper :

Une fois encore, comme les Spurs ont des choix lointains dans la draft (numéros 28, 33 et 58), les renforts devraient venir de l’étranger, avec l’habituel serpent de mer de Vitoria, l’Argentin Luis Scola, et le jeune international Ian Mahinmi. Selon les derniers bruits de la finale, le Palois était prévu pour rejoindre la NBA cette saison. Et dans sa dernière année de contrat en Espagne, l’heure semblait arrivée pour les dirigeants de Vitoria de négocier et de laisser filer Scola – avec un prix de départ fixé désormais à 2,5 millions de dollars – et éviter ainsi de ne rien recevoir en retour dans un an. Aux Spurs de choisir alors d’accueillir le talentueux ailier argentin ou de l’utiliser comme monnaie d’échange lors de la prochaine draft…

Tranlatation :
One more time, as Spurs don't have a high draft pick (28, 33 and 58), help should come from overseas with the neverending story of Tau, Argentinian player Luis Scola and the young french NT player, Ian Mahinmi. According to the last rumors during the finals, Mahinmi should go in nba next season. And in the last year of his contract in Spain, Tau staff should let Scola go, with a buyout of $2.5M, instead of getting nothing for him in one year. It's up to the Spurs to decide to sign him with them or to use him as a trading asset during the draft...

[whottt]

-
-is actually a dirty player

Compared to who? Besides, you have to be dirty to play for Riley if Magic and Kareem aren't around. He legislates it.

[timvp]

Posey Meets With NBA Concerning His DUI
Written by Scott Cosby

Miami Heat forward James Posey recently met with NBA officials in New York to discuss his DUI arrest.

NBA officials summoned Posey to their headquarters to talk about the details of his DUI incident.

Posey was arrested in Miami Beach after he stopped his car in the middle of a traffic lane and began talking to pedestrians and other drivers.

NBA policy is to make player decisions after the legal decision have been determined.

http://www.duidaily.com/news/latest/...01-145-33.html

I'd still take him for a decent contract but the Spurs might have already crossed him off their list.

[T Park]

One more time, as Spurs don't have a high draft pick (28, 33 and 58), help should come from overseas with the neverending story of Tau, Argentinian player Luis Scola and the young french NT player, Ian Mahinmi. According to the last rumors during the finals, Mahinmi should go in nba next season. And in the last year of his contract in Spain, Tau staff should let Scola go, with a buyout of $2.5M, instead of getting nothing for him in one year. It's up to the Spurs to decide to sign him with them or to use him as a trading asset during the draft...

2.5?

Adios, Luis.

[timvp]

Tranlatation :
One more time, as Spurs don't have a high draft pick (28, 33 and 58), help should come from overseas with the neverending story of Tau, Argentinian player Luis Scola and the young french NT player, Ian Mahinmi. According to the last rumors during the finals, Mahinmi should go in nba next season. And in the last year of his contract in Spain, Tau staff should let Scola go, with a buyout of $2.5M, instead of getting nothing for him in one year. It's up to the Spurs to decide to sign him with them or to use him as a trading asset during the draft...

Would you trade Mahinmi to Seattle for Mickael Gelabale? Presti could get his boy and the Spurs can get a small forward.

Although Gelabale is perhaps the skinniest player I've ever seen in the NBA and would need to bulk up to play the Long Three.

[timvp]

Compared to who?

Any player in the league. I don't know a perimeter player who is dirtier.

[T Park]

doesn't Presti already have like 50 centers on the roster?

[timvp]

doesn't Presti already have like 50 centers on the roster?

Mahinmi is supposedly more power forward than center. Oh and with Kevin Durant coming to town, that'd make Gelabale that much more expendable. The question is whether Gelable is worth anything.

He looked pretty good when I saw him play but he's way too skinny to put on a LeBron James or Ron Artest right now.

[Bruno]

Would you trade Mahinmi to Seattle for Mickael Gelabale? Presti could get his boy and the Spurs can get a small forward.

Although Gelabale is perhaps the skinniest player I've ever seen in the NBA and would need to bulk up to play the Long Three.

No, Mahinmi has way more upside than Gelabale.
At 28 or 33, Spurs should be able to get a player with a better chance than Gelabale to be Spurs future long SF.

[timvp]

No, Mahinmi has way more upside than Gelabale.
At 28 or 33, Spurs should be able to get a player with a better chance than Gelabale to be Spurs future long SF.

Thanks for the French inside scoop.

I'm sure Presti will go after Mahinmi. He was by far the most pro-Mahinmi person on the Spurs. Gelabale is the only player on their roster who even halfway makes sense. But you've followed him for than I have so I'll trust your judgment.

Hopefully Mahinmi explodes in summer league and forces the Spurs to hold onto him.

[spurscenter]

Here is how I look at the spurs roster for next season

Here is my 2008 Spurs Roster


PG
1. TONY PARKER
2. Alejandro Montecchia

SG
1. MANU GINOBILI
2. MICHAEL FINLEY

SF
1. BRUCE BOWEN
2. JAMES WHITE
3. FA or Mid Level Exception Signee

PF
1. TIM DUNCAN
2. ROBERT HORRY
3. LUIS SCOLA

C
1. FABRICIO OBERTO
2. FRANCISCO ELSON

3 INJURED RESERVES
1. IAN MAHIMI
2. Robertas Javtokas (monster)
3. US Draft Pick from this year or Butler

GONE
Udrich, Barry, Vaughn, Butler, Bonner

[Bruno]

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/EdicionIm...nota_id=918200

A argentinian interview of Pop with a lot of interesting things.

@ the argentinian reporter bringing Nocioni name on the table and Pop first reaction : " Isn't he very expensive ?"
It's quite interesting to see what Pop say about Scola situation : Scola wants to go in SA, Spurs wants him, Pop is tired about the buyout thing, Scola could be traded for a draft pick but offers Spurs have received are stupid.

Please, could an argentinian poster translate this interview and post it in a new thread ?

[timvp]

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/EdicionIm...nota_id=918200

A argentinian interview of Pop with a lot of interesting things.

@ the argentinian reporter bringing Nocioni name on the table and Pop first reaction : " Isn't he very expensive ?"
It's quite interesting to see what Pop say about Scola situation : Scola wants to go in SA, Spurs wants him, Pop is tired about the buyout thing, Scola could be traded for a draft pick but offers Spurs have received are stupid.

Please, could an argentinian poster translate this interview and post it in a new thread ?

That does look like a great interview. Even with a babelfish translation.

[spurscenter]

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/EdicionIm...nota_id=918200

A argentinian interview of Pop with a lot of interesting things.

@ the argentinian reporter bringing Nocioni name on the table and Pop first reaction : " Isn't he very expensive ?"
It's quite interesting to see what Pop say about Scola situation : Scola wants to go in SA, Spurs wants him, Pop is tired about the buyout thing, Scola could be traded for a draft pick but offers Spurs have received are stupid.

Please, could an argentinian poster translate this interview and post it in a new thread ?

This is a quick translation by me. not babelfish, so bare with me.


Writer says, pop is one of the greatest coaches.

pop, "manu best in 30 years of coaching"

Pop, would love to go back to argentina for exhibition game.

Pop, " Tim loves to play next to oberto"



Why did you get mad at Manu?
pop, that was embarrasing that it was caught on tv. lol
He wasnt manging the time of the game right.
Not where I wanted him.
Manu gets mad when not playing well , he needs to relax.

Why Manu not allowed to play for ARG
hes 30, we want him rested, we pay too much to him. Parker is only 25, not too many miles, he can play for france.

Olmpyics games are you going to let Manu play?
YES , for sure.


how is your relationship with manu off court
he comes over for dinner, his wife and my wife share cooking tips. he is a grea guy.


what are you doing this ummer pop
Im going to Tony wedding then going to turkey. then visitng vlade divac , he invited me to a basketball museum.

What is your similarities to argentina style of play.
pop, "alot, about half the players, lol. "
Would love to bring over, Alejandro Montecchia? http://www.nba.com/espanol/columna_m...as_040811.html
We run some ARG plays.


Nacioni?
we cant talk about him until july 1. isnt he too expensive?


Argentina has the heart to win, i love that.
Pop would assist the arg team for free. lol



no good offers for Scola, we want to bring him but I hate the buyout situation. Tired of it.