http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Tony-Parker-thinks-the-Spurs-are-no-longer-playi?urn=nba-wp3554

Spurs are either a lottery team this coming year or the next depending on whether or not they are too proud to admit it's over and cling to that last ray of hope and get the 7 or 8 seed next year

Since he is probably trade bait for the next season, he is probably saving face...but I dont dispute anything he said.

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whether or not they are too proud to admit it's over and cling to that last ray of hope and get the 7 or 8 seed next year

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I will bet you right now, without seeing any offseason moves, that the Spurs finish better than the 8 seed. wanna go?

It has to be frustrating to watch damn near every other contender in the league make moves to put themselves in position for a title. OKC acquiring Perkins. Orlando acquiring everyone. Miami grabbing Lebron and Bosh. New York building around Amare and Carmelo. The Spurs have never sold out for a FA that would put them over the top. They've basically relied on home-grown talent and rolled the dice on some draft picks. It worked great when TD was in his prime because you had wiggle room. Now that he's over the hill, you have to make every move count.

Richard Jefferson was the one "splash" move they've made and he hasn't panned out. As much as I hate him, sometimes I wish Mark Cuban owned the Spurs. I'd like to see what Pop could do with a blank check.

I'm guessing Tony's frustration has something to do with that. If they had the ability to go out and acquire youth and talent, the Spurs would be okay. But between their fear of the luxury tax and Pop's dogged reliance on 10-year veterans, it'll never happen.

[This message has been edited by MassAggie97 (edited 5/20/2011 8:29a).]

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The Spurs have never sold out for a FA that would put them over the top.

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And how many A-list free agents do you think consider San Antonio to be a premiere destination city? Sadly, Dallas hasn't been able to lure any during the Cuban era, either.

They win 60 games and lose to arguably the hottest team in the first round and they are a lottery team? Give me a break. They still have the ability to finish in the top 4. But I agree 100% with what Parker has said. Unless they shore up that front line, they won't be able to contend. What he failed to mention, however, is how HE is part of the problem.

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I will bet you right now, without seeing any offseason moves, that the Spurs finish better than the 8 seed. wanna go?

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You'll "bet" me over the internet? That's cute.

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And how many A-list free agents do you think consider San Antonio to be a premiere destination city? Sadly, Dallas hasn't been able to lure any during the Cuban era, either.

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Cuban has tried. He tried to get Kobe. He tried to get Amare. He tried to get Lebron and Bosh. He tried and he would've signed the check if he could've. My point is that he tried, and he's shown he is willing to spend money on his team.

I'm not so sure that attitude wouldn't have played differently in San Antonio. The Spurs have the champion pedigree, and for 4 years now they have seemed like they are 1 player away. If they had a chance at Amare or one of the other big names last summer, even just Bosh, who knows what the Spurs would look like now.

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You'll "bet" me over the internet? That's cute.

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you're new here aren't you. soon you'll be called a poosay for not taking these "bets."

I just don't see the Lebron/Anthony/Wade/Amare type player/person wanting to go to anywhere but New York, LA, Miami, etc... A place where they can be a celebrity and not just a bball player.

I wouldn't include San Antonio or Dallas as one of those cities that can turn players into celebrities.

SA is not. Dallas has a better shot because Cuban is viewed as a good owner. this is the same reason why the Clippers will never be good.

SA's only hope is to draft another top 15 all time player whose personality just happens to fit ownership and coaching of the Spurs.

aka....it's not happening.

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you're new here aren't you. soon you'll be called a poosay for not taking these "bets."

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That's true. I remember you calling me that when I wouldn't take your little internet bets.

just trying to fit in my man! trying things out the idiotic spurs fan style

How is anyone so pathetic and degenerate that they've stooped to the level of internet "bets"?

Because you clearly are a coward and a whimp and wrong and don't mean what you say all at the same time unless you make internet bets.

thus endeth the spurstalk/texags spurs fan lesson

Simple, you were trying to pass off those bets to me years ago- before I saw someone try to do the same to you this year.

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How is anyone so pathetic and degenerate that they've stooped to the level of internet "bets"?

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If you really feel this way about it, I encourage you to leave this forum immediately and never return.

The whole "betting" thing is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ridiculous behavior on this forum.

Simplygay ruining another Spurs thread. And life goes on.

Returning from the recent hijack....

Parker is correct. We all said this was it. Next year, Dice won't be there and Tim will be a year older.

Suddenly, the bow of the ship has gotten even weaker. The front line looks weak. You've got Duncan who can give you a good 30 minutes. Splitter who can maybe give you a good 30 minutes. Then you've got Bonner--worthless. And Blair --a prettier version of Malik Rose who, like Malik, will always be in Pop's doghouse. Blair's offense also shrunk a lot at the end of the year when he went up against taller players.

Unless there is some diamond PF/C in the rough willing to come to SA, the Spurs are done no matter how well Tony and Manu play.

Manu is old also. Not by age, but by mileage alone. He has been injured in the playoffs every year except once since the last championship. He's done as the team's lead player.

If the Spurs do not trade Parker this summer, they will definitely be in the lottery in 2 years--though probably around 10-14th. If they can get a young big for Parker, they might have a shot at catching lightning in a bottle before Duncan crumbles apart.

Parker is 100% the reason the spurs crapped out this year-

he wants to be in NY- f him- give the Knicks him and his fellow tosser Jefferson and build around hill and blair

please build around hill and blair...

Hill can be a solid starter, but Blair will probably never be more than an efficient energy guy.

Tony is the Spurs best trade bait and he seems to want out, so trade him.

The Spurs ran into a bad matchup with one of their key players injured.

They might be a 5-8 seed next year, but I think Splitter will follow the Marc Gasol path of development and take a big step next year.

Also, a shortened season because of the lockout might help.

the rockets have been on the strategy with scola and brooks and now lowry. it wont go anywhere

this league is run by superstars. if you dont have a superstar in his prime on your team, you are probably not going to contend

yes, there is a difference between a superstar, a star and a good player.

splitter is a good player. not a star or a superstar.

duncan is old now. manu is also. parker is a star, but does not have enough on the front line.

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Parker is 100% the reason the spurs crapped out this year-

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I don't think you're giving enough negative credit to the Spurs' frontcourt. Gasol and Randolph had their way with us.

I have to say that Simple is right when comparing LA to SA. The Lakers aren't going to be contenders for the next year or two because of salaries, but after that (and like always) they'll be able to get their pick of free agents.

Southern California, great weather, beaches, movie stars. All players want to be there and it's always going to be that way. It honestly makes what Pop and Bufford put together over the last 10-15 years even more impressive. It'd be like if Butler continued to make it to the Sweet 16 or better every year for the next 9-10 (and brought home a championship or two).

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this league is run by superstars. if you dont have a superstar in his prime on your team, you are probably not going to contend

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Agreed.

>>They win 60 games and lose to arguably the hottest team in the first round and they are a lottery team?<<

I don't agree with the second part of this much, but the overall question is a good one. I think the Spurs are about where the Mavs were in and around 2007.

Of course, I thought the Mavs were where the Mavs were in 2007 just earlier in this playoff season.

Who knows how things are going to end up.

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Tony is the Spurs best trade bait and he seems to want out, so trade him.

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Hate to see him go, but if he doesn't want to be around then might as well trade him. Maybe they could finally find that late-career David Robinson replacement they've been looking for going on 9 years now.

I don't think the Spurs would be as good without Parker, but if they are "done" as he says, it would be better to dump some salaries and begin retooling now.