http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...cbee.htmlSpurs Mailbag: Fans have answers for struggling team
Web Posted: 01/29/2008 02:04 PM CST
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
The natives are certainly getting restless in Spursland. With losses coming as frequently as victories these days, with a team from New Orleans of all places pacing the Southwest Division, with the Spurs in fifth place in the Western Conference – well, fans in San Antonio are getting righteously nervous.
One peek at this week’s inbox tells us as much.
There is panic. There is dread. There is much gloom and doom.
But, thankfully, there are also plenty of suggestions about how to shake the Spurs from their recent doldrums.
To the Spurs faithful, success seems to be only one starting lineup shuffle, rotation tweak or free-agent acquisition away.
The turning of the calendar page to February might help, too. It always seems to.
Read on …
What about a combo of Ime (Udoka) and (Bruce) Bowen playing at the same time? I'm not suggesting that this should be a regular thing, but what about come playoff time when the Spurs are up with five minutes to play and start trying to lock people down?
-- Jeff, Austin
Actually, Udoka and Bowen have already begun to see the floor simultaneously at times this season. Certainly, it gives the Spurs’ lineup a defensive bent. The fact that Udoka’s offense seems to be coming along of late makes such a lineup a little more viable. The Spurs don’t have to sacrifice points to make it happen.
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Should the Spurs consider starting Ime? He seems to play well along side Tony (Parker) and Bruce.
-- Kevin, Lincoln, Neb.
Udoka has been playing well, but it’s difficult to see him in the starting lineup. Who does he replace? Michael Finley? Bruce Bowen?
The best bet for Udoka to see the starting lineup right now is when the Spurs decide to open small. He would seem to be the top option to replace Fabricio Oberto in such an instance, especially with Brent Barry on the shelf with a bum calf.
Until then, there are ways to get Udoka minutes without starting him. He’s played his way into the rotation, and looks like he’s going to stick.
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I will quote Jerry Seinfeld's famous question: "What's the deal with Parker? Is he still living in his Finals MVP realm or is there any sort of chemistry issues between him and Manu? He seems to have become a ball hogger and shoot-first point guard.”
-- Noe, Lima
I don’t remember that episode. Is that the one with the Soup Nazi?
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Are Tony's feet doing any better?
-- Ed Holmes, Farmerville, La.
It probably depends on what day you ask him. He’s got a bone spur in his left foot, which tends to flare up without notice. He can be pain-free for several days, then wake up one morning in agony. So far, he’s playing through it, but there are going to be some games in which he doesn’t have that explosion for which he is so famous. Those are the games it’s going to be tough for the Spurs to win.
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Will the Spurs make any moves? Have you heard any specific names mentioned to come or to go?
-- Wesley, Mechanicsville, Va.
There are growing signs that the Spurs aren’t content to sit pat in the face of their recent slow stretch. One name that has come up: Damon Stoudamire. Recently released from Southwest Division purgatory (Memphis), Stoudamire is looking for a gig for the rest of the season. Boston and San Antonio have been mentioned as possible destinations.
With Parker’s health an issue, the Spurs certainly could use a bit of additional scoring punch at the point-guard position. Stoudamire, conceivably, could give them that.
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Are Matt Bonner and Francisco Elson in Pop's doghouse? I would think that Horry's poor showing thus far would give Bonner more playing time.
-- John Brown, San Antonio
It appears the Spurs really, really want Horry to be what he once was, and lock down a spot as the third big man in the rotation. It just isn’t happening so far. If Horry doesn’t begin to show signs of breaking out on the rodeo trip, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Bonner or Elson begin to take some of his minutes.
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Does anyone notice that the jersey numbers of the Spurs' Big Three - 21, 9, 20 - total 50, David Robinson's jersey number?
-- Perla Manapol, Camarillo, Calif.
Freaky. Somebody call Mulder and Scully.
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Do you ever get tired of all the “geniuses” who advocate trading Tony Parker and firing Gregg Popovich? Last I checked, there were only three other people on the planet who coached four or more NBA le teams (one other has passed on), and Tony has done nothing but win three rings and get better every year. Not bad for a guy who is still a “kid” by NBA age standards. Must be nice to be smart enough to see through those two hackers. Good thing Peter Holt and R. C. Buford aren't that smart, huh?
-- Mike Wells, Houston
In the interest of full disclosure, it should be mentioned that the Spurs have a scout named Mike Wells. We’re assuming this isn’t him.
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Thanks for posting!
It's interesting how no questions ever really get answered...instead sarcasm is all over the place...I wonder what is the point of the Spurs Mailbag in the first place if no answers will be provided, and bad questions are chosen anyway...It seems to be used to make fun of all the fans, basically.
If we end up picking Stoudamire, I think Parker should get the bone spur removed and deal with the month long rest - it will give him time to heal.
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