haha WTF. I really doubt that.

I doubt that. He's one ugly dude..

The Heat figured out how to cover Duncan, Parker, and the three point line. The Spurs' downfalls were that Duncan and Leonard are the only rebounders, there was no consistent 3rd scorer, and the Spurs three point shooters turn into butterfingered prancing nancies if they get chased off the line.

For next season, Green learning to make a ****ing layup would help immensely. Miami chose to give him the lane and he couldn't do anything with it. If he had converted even half of those drives, the Spurs would be holding number 5 right now.

The other big flaw is that Splitter has tiny little testicles. He looked terrified and his minutes and stats declined every game because of it. The Spurs desperately needed a third rebounder and a second post scorer; Splitter was supposed to be that guy but he vanished in the spotlight. For the SERIES he totaled 14 boards and 34 points. Not good enough. As good as Duncan still is, he's 37 and had to carry too much of the load. It showed at the end of games.


So, the Spurs' needs are:
Third rebounder. I call it third, but IMO Leonard should be the third rebounder. The Spurs need a center who can give 30 good minutes per game hammering the boards and being dependable on defense.

Third scorer. Again, Leonard stepped up as a third scorer, but game 7 of the finals was the first time all season that they ran plays for him, and that was because Parker was exhausted, hurt, and well-defended. Leonard could easily become a legit third option, but he hasn't been used like one yet. In any case, I would very much like to see Green become a shade more versatile and, if Leonard can't be a guy who can score off the dribble in the half court, find someone else who can. Leonard can't address the third problem, which is:

Offense off the bench. I don't want to overreact here because the Heat are tailor made to exploit a team without a backup PG. The Spurs convincingly won two series against good teams without a backup, but it's still a flaw that will become more glaring as Parker ages. Leonard has to start games, and so far has shown no inclination to run the offense. Green will never be more than a third wheel offensively. Maybe Joseph can improve, maybe they haven't given up on De Colo yet, but as of now Parker is the only guy who can be a dynamic offensive initiator. That's too much load to bear for anyone, let alone a PG hitting his 30s with a lot of miles on the odometer.

Spurs also need a back up SF behind Leonard.

What San Antonio does with the draft will tell us the direction they'll go with free agency. There are rumors they'll draft and stash Livio Jean-Charles, but there are some wing men who could be more immediate impacts and maybe some big men that could be available at 28. There's a chance that Rudy Gobert could be available at 28, and that would be a guy that could immediately help with rebounding and interior D. I'm also a big fan of Tony Snell, a 2/3 that at the very least is a 3 and D guy with more potential off the bounce than Green. If the Spurs are still looking for a big man in the second round, Mike Muscalla and Jeff Withey could be options. Muscalla is interesting because he has a pretty good offensive skill set and was a double double machine in college. However, he played at Bucknell and that big of a jump in competition could be too much for him. Withey isn't ever going to be great, but he's long and blocks shots. Of course, neither of those guys may stick.

If the Spurs draft and stash, they'll need to address their big man, back up SF, and ball handler needs all in free agency. I've stated several times that I think Tyreke Evans could really flourish off the bench taking over Manu's role in SA. The Spurs would have to outbid Sacramento for him, so he may be too expensive. For a back up SF, Al-Faruoq Aminu could be an interesting option. He's young with some good skills and should be cheap. He's a good rebounder and defender and with some work with Chip Engelland, could become a pretty good spot up shooter. Mike Dunleavy would be another route. He's not a great defender, but he's an excellent shooter and a pretty good passer with a good basketball IQ. As far as big men go, I think we should keep Splitter because he's still a good defender (especially against the pick and roll) and good at the PnR on offense. Adding Paul Millsap would be awesome to have off the bench. He's a but undersized, but is still an adequate defender and rebounder that can score. I'm no expert on how the salaries as cap space works or how realistic any of these options are, but they don't seem too far fetched IMO.

Edit: I just realized I was describing Millsap but wrote Al Jefferson, who I'm also not opposed to.

[This message has been edited by West texan (edited 6/24/2013 1:04a).]

I like some of the names you mentioned.


You mentioned draft and stash, but the Spurs already have a ton of guys stashed and they need to get some guys over to start playing. I hate talking about it, but Duncan won't be here forever, and as things stand when he goes the interior is going to be a huge hole.

Jeff Withey seems destined to play 12-14 solid years as a guy that is way more important to his team than people realize. He doesn't come anywhere close to replacing a Duncan, but he provides the complimentary big that will help pick up the slack. He makes Splitter instantly expendable.

Al Jefferson is a good, solid big who is a lot more proven and could lead an NBA contender's front court. Next year will be his 10th season so he isn't a long term fix, but for 3-4 years he can work to keep the Spurs in the mix.

Another big that comes to mind is Pekovic in Minnesota. You want a bruiser to hurt people down low, there's your guy. I don't know if they can pry him away from Minnesota though.
http://www.minnpost.com/sports/2013/04/don-t-break-wolves-exhibit-b-nikola-pekovic

quote:

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[Pekovic] led the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage last season... Pek ranks ninth in offensive rebounding percentage for the 2012-13 campaign.
...
He remembers and diligently executes the specific pick-and-roll defensive scheme concocted by the coaches each game, and has above-average recognition and anticipation of how an opponent’s pick-and-roll is developing.
...
his mien is regulated by his taciturn temperament and a puckish but sly sense of humor, creating the endearing impression of an impish gentle giant.

He is extremely coachable, adaptable to instruction, able to absorb complex content and quick to blame himself instead of teammates.

---

As I've mentioned before, Tyreke Evans is one of my top 2 FA choices along with Iguodala. He's probably a little undervalued right now, too. He would fill a lot of holes for the Spurs as a scorer, ball handler, passer, and with the size and athleticism to play the 2 or 3.

Aminu... I could see him working out, but my opinion is like his facial expression: meh.

You mentioned Snell. He looks and moves like an NBA player, he can shoot, and apparently he can defend. The one thing that keeps coming up with him is "questionable motor". You can teach a guy to shoot, but I'm not sure you can teach someone to have a motor, and constant effort is probably the number one Spurs characteristic.

I like Tyreke as well. He's probably the best option to take over that Manu role that we need. He's a RFA though and I'm not sure what Sacramento has planned for him. If they see the Spurs offer big money to him they would likely re-think there strategy there and other teams would also likely end up submitting a big.

It's just really hard for the Spurs to get RFA's.

Also, if Boston buys out Paul Pierce than that option is growing on me quick. He's obviously getting older but is still a very capable player. He can also create for others and create his own shot. Something the Spurs desperately need. Not sure if he would be willing to come depending on his role though.

Bonner is due close to $4 Million next season unless the Spurs cut him by July 1st. Then the Spurs only have to cut him a $1M check which would give them some more flexibility in the off-season. Not sure what to expect there. Probably Bonner to return.

As far as the draft goes here are the guys I like:

NCAA players:
Gorgui Dieng
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Tony Snell
Glen Rice Jr.
Erick Green and Lorenzo Brown are also players to look at out of the George Hill mold.

International Players:
Giannis Adetokunbo
Sergey Karasev
Lucas Nogueira

I've seen reports about the Spurs interested in Livio Jean Charles which is also a possibility.

I think what the Spurs will do Thursday can be sort of telling. If they go the foreign route with a draft and stash player than that could mean they want to save as much money as possible to spend in free agency. I have a hard time seeing them draft an american at this point unless somebody they really like falls to them or they somehow move up in the draft ala Leonard.



Another scenario which most people would probably be against is the Spurs pretty much standing pat this off-season for the most part. They have so many possibility I am not sure how they are going to play it. They will have even more money next off-season if they decide to go this route.

I don't think there's a chance that Gobert is still around at 28. Maybe if they trade up.

I love Jean-Charles' draft profile, but they need a backup SF next year or the year after at the latest, not 3 years from now. If they land a solid FA SG/SF, then drafting him makes more sense although you still haven't addressed the post question.

If Gorgui Dieng slides, he would be a good rim defender. He has a nice jump shot, too.

Ricky Ledo is also a very interesting prospect. Has so much potential but very raw and unproven.

Yeah, I don't see Gobert making it to 28.

quote:

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Yeah, I don't see Gobert making it to 28.

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Probably not, but if he falls into the 20s I could see SA trading up to get him possibly.

quote:

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Another scenario which most people would probably be against is the Spurs pretty much standing pat this off-season for the most part. They have so many possibility I am not sure how they are going to play it. They will have even more money next off-season if they decide to go this route.

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I don't like the idea of not getting a FA this year. The only way it makes sense is if they are planning to tank two years from now and then cash in on some Euros to go with a top draft pick.


Offensive depth chart:
PG: TP, De Colo

SG: Green, Neal, Manu (?), Mills, CoJo

SF: Leonard

PF: Duncan, Bonner, Blair (?), Diaw

C: Splitter, Baynes

I know, a lot of people aren't going to like that depth chart, and I haven't followed the official one at all. CoJo's will probably be the biggest objection, but his PG duties end when the ball gets over halfcourt, so I don't think of him like a PG. Manu plays PG sometimes, but nowadays he plays it like a cross between a SG and a drunken Rex Grossman. Neal is listed at PG, but any time he dribbles more than once it's a turnover. Diaw is listed at C, but he's not. De Colo doesn't appear to be in the mix to play PG.

That means the Spurs are thin at PG, especially since De Colo's future appears to be in doubt. Green will work in a pinch as a backup SF, but you'd like to have a bigger, stronger backup. They've got to find someone who can deliver a solid performance at C after April. This year's playoffs was a masterful coaching job to turn a bunch of wildly different role player PF/Cs into a respectable performance at C, but it would be nice to have one guy who can show up and play.

They came one play away from winning a title this year, but there are still a lot of things they can do to improve the roster and start transferring the burden from TP and Duncan.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 6/24/2013 1:11a).]

I think there's a lot of SF in Free Agency this year.

Francisco Garcia, Corey Brewer, Kyle Korver, Mike Dunleavy, Wesley Johnson to name a few.

I would also like to see the Spurs look into Thomas Robinson if the Rockets are wanting to just give him away. He's still worth a shot.

If Minnesota is still interested in dealing Derick Williams than that is also somebody I would like the Spurs to look into.

Andre Kirilenko, if he decides to opt out of his 1 year deal is also an interesting possibility.

Well I didn't mean not sign anyone. Just no major contracts if they go that route. We're talking about throwing major money at an FA this off-season (8-12M). Not sure the FO is willing to do that.



[This message has been edited by Sher Thing (edited 6/24/2013 1:14a).]

I had a long response typed out and my phone decided to reload the page.

Ledo is a very interesting prospect, but is a huge high risk/reward guy. One of his flaws is character issues, so that might keep him away from the Spurs. The biggest thing about SA, is they're very hard to predict in the draft, which makes it hard to figure out their plan for free agents. The only things I'm certain about is some kind of backup SF, a second ball handler be it a PG or combo guard, and figuring out the big man situation between Splitter and FAs.

(excuse my UM homerism) I think Tim Hardaway Jr migth fit the Ginobili spot well and has a realistic chance of falling to where the Spurs are drafting. He's a 2/3 tweener who can space the floor.

I would be content with Hardaway Jr. at that spot. Not sure I see him as a home run pick, but there aren't many players in the late first or second that really catch my eye like there were last year.

You could certainly do a lot worse than Hardaway Jr. I think there will be some guys available at 28 that will make solid NBA players. Maybe not studs, but guys that can stick around and contribute.

Marc Stein is reporting that the Jazz will probably let Al Jefferson Walk (no real surprise). I'm really not sure which other teams with cap space other than the Spurs would be a realistic fit. Maybe the Rox?

Also, Denver is strongly considering Brett Brown as their next head coach, depleting our bench even further. Also talk of Fab joining the Spurs staff at some capacity next year.

I've been kicking around this list of potentially interesting players. They haven't all officially thrown their hats in the ring and their teams have varying levels of commitment, but these are the guys who may be on the radar.

Tier 1
Tyreke Evans
Al Jefferson
Nik Pekovic (probably tough to pry away from MIN)
Andre Iguodala
JJ Hickson

Tier 2
Nate Robinson
CJ Watson
CJ Miles
JJ Redick
JR Smith (the fact that he makes less than 3mm is what gets him on my list)
Corey Brewer
Timofey Mozgov
Emeka Okafor
Paul Millsap

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 6/24/2013 10:58a).]

I'm starting to warm up to the Tyreke Evans idea.

As far as Iggy goes, I can't see us throwing the kind of money he will command at a 2/3, especially with Kawhi and DG already on our team. If we spend that kind of money, it's going to be for a Big for the beginning post-Duncan era, IMO.

I added a few bigs to the bottom of the list. One thing the Spurs have to offer some of these vets that most teams can't is that they are clearly title contenders. There aren't many title contenders, and I don't think any of them have space to make a good offer.

I think Corey Brewer would be an excellent bench piece. Milsap is kind of meh, to me. Just too damn undersized.

Agree on Millsap. He always seems to pop up when teams talk about making changes and I put him on there because he's a good player without any issues I can remember right now, but I'm not sure what he actually does for you.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 6/24/2013 11:05a).]

Millsap's value to San Antonio would be if we could keep a legit starting center (Splitter) and use him of the bench. Not many teams have any kind of a scoring punch from their bigs off the bench. He's undersized, but he still plays good D and rebounds. If we get Millsap and let Splitter walk and don't get a true center to play next to Timmy, then it's a down grade.

quote:

---

I've been kicking around this list of potentially interesting players. They haven't all officially thrown their hats in the ring and their teams have varying levels of commitment, but these are the guys who may be on the radar.

Tier 1
Tyreke Evans
Al Jefferson
Nik Pekovic (probably tough to pry away from MIN)
Andre Iguodala
JJ Hickson

Tier 2
Nate Robinson
CJ Watson
CJ Miles
JJ Redick
JR Smith (the fact that he makes less than 3mm is what gets him on my list)
Corey Brewer
Timofey Mozgov
Emeka Okafor
Paul Millsap

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 6/24/2013 10:58a).]

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I like this list. I'm a little higher on Millsap, but it's with the preface that we keep Splitter. I don't think Minnesota let's Pekovic go. He and Al Jefferson I think would both be good acquisitions, but their poor to mediocre defense worries me.

what about kg and paul pierce? they won't want to rebuild in baustin. can we get them on the cheap?

I think any move the Spurs make has to keep in mind the upcoming transition. Any new players should be expected to contribute for 4 years. Pierce or Garnett will mean more simultaneous retirements and lost production and the Spurs already have plenty of veteran leadership.

Pierce may have 3 good years left, but can't be considered part of a rebuild. If Duncan retires this offseason maybe Pierce makes sense as part of a stopgap measure while they retool, but I think he will retire in Boston.

The fact that Duncan can't stand Garnett is an automatic DQ, but aside from that Garnett fills the same position, is not as good, and is even closer to the end of his career.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 6/24/2013 1:51p).]

If we keep Splitter than Milsap becomes a better fit. People need to keep in mind that Duncan is 38 next year. Just think about that.

With the league moving away from the two traditional big man pairing up Tiago - Tim - Al Jeff and already having Baynes doesn't make much sense if it were to be able to work financially. Unless were playing the Grizz or Pacers every night.

I do like the Evans idea because I don't think he's even remotely close to tapping into his potential. Problem there is he is a RFA and I highly doubt the Spurs would be able to get him even if they were extremely interested.

Corey Brewer idea - I do like him also but I would be surprised to see him leave Denver and the only problem here is that he can't shoot the three with any consistency. That's a big part of the Spurs offense.

I still like Francisco Garcia at the backup 3 spot. He defended Durant pretty damn well in the first round this year and he can hit an open three. Can also get him fairly cheap IMO and I don't think he expects a huge role. Seems like a perfect fit.

I hope the Spurs decide to knock Bonner off the book by July 1 and get an extra three million to play with this Summer. The Spurs need to revamp there big men.


One thing still missing is another playmaker. Somebody else who can create for themselves or others. Somebody who can take the ball in ISO situations and be depended on to find a good shot or score himself.

Haven't seen any discussion on Jarrett Jack. Not sure he fits in that well here since he's more of a chucker than anything but he's out there.

He'd be okay, but his lack of defense would be a big concern.

He's probably going to be way overpayed anyway.

If the Spurs can carry Neal on defense, they can carry Jarret Jack. He'd be a great fit on offense. Sure is ugly though.