Ginobli news - Phoenix not listed? Q blurb here, too!

[Yuma]

Rocky Mountain News

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URL: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_3013292,00.html
Free-agent Ginobili in hurry to choose
Guard to make pick between Nuggets, Spurs, Jazz, Hawks

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
July 5, 2004

Manu Ginobili is quick on the court and wants to be quick in figuring out where he'll play next season.

The San Antonio restricted free-agent shooting guard returned to his native Argentina on Sunday after visiting Denver on Friday and Utah on Saturday. His agent, Herb Rudoy, will interview officials this week with Atlanta, the other team Ginobili is considering.

"He wants to make up his mind," Rudoy said Sunday. "He wants to get this moving."

Rudoy said he will have "serious conversations" with Denver Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe and assistant general manager Jeff Weltman today or Tuesday. Vandeweghe said the Nuggets will "probably reach out" to Rudoy today.

Vandeweghe declined to say whether Denver is ready to make an offer. If one is made, it figures to come soon.

Ginobili, who is getting married Saturday, wants to make a decision by the end of the week. He plans to sign an offer sheet or re-sign with the Spurs, the team he says he prefers, July 14, the first day possible.

"Yes, I tend to gather there's a sense (of urgency)," Vandeweghe said. "We obviously like him. There's no question about that."

Rudoy said he doesn't know if

Ginobili has a preference yet between Denver and Utah.

The Spurs, who would have 15 days to match an offer, are much more of a concern for the Nuggets. If San Antonio doesn't go after Kobe Bryant, Ginobili will be hard to snare. It might take a long-term deal starting at more than $9 million.

Considering the Clippers definitely are going after Bryant, Clippers restricted free-agent shooting guard Quentin Richardson might be easier to get. Richardson and Portland restricted free-agent forward Darius Miles visited Thursday, and Vandeweghe said he has continued conversations with their agent, Jeff Wechsler.

If the Nuggets sign a shooting guard, it might hamper their chances to get New Jersey restricted free-agent power forward Kenyon Martin. He's expected to visit Denver this week, although Vandeweghe said a day hasn't been set.

After locking up center Marcus Camby, the most the Nuggets could have left under the salary cap is $15 million. And that's if they buy out the contract of guard Voshon Lenard by July 14.

The Nuggets would have enough money to land a top shooting guard and Martin if they went the sign-and-trade route with Martin. The Nets offered to trade Martin last month to Denver for forward Nene, but were turned down.

If that deal were done after July 14 and Martin signed for the maximum of just more than $11 million, there would be an $8 million difference in salaries since Nene will make $3.04 million. That could leave Denver with about $7 million for a shooting guard.

ETC.: Vandeweghe said former NBA guard Michael Cooper is "somebody I really like," but stopped short of calling him the leading candidate for an assistant's job . . . Asked Sunday if he's close to landing a job with the Nuggets, Cooper, coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, said, "I'll make all my comments on Tuesday." . . . Vandeweghe said nothing has been set up, but it's possible several more free agents could visit this week. Seattle shooting guard Brett Barry said he's willing to visit, if invited.





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Copyright 2004, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved.

Ginobli might be out, but if we balk at a big guy, Q is intriguing. I think if we get Q, then JJ is expendable. I just mention Q because some guys on the board wanted us to pursue him. Personally, I'd rather keep JJ, if it was a choice between the two. Less baggage and less money with JJ.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

At this point, between JJ and Q, I would take JJ hands down.

I really don't have an interest in anymore of the guards. Our back court is pretty solid.

 

[hafey2]

I agree. I don't really see the appeal of Q. What makes him a significant upgrade to JJ? Nothing I can see.

 

[elindholm]

Richardson has a superior post game, but since the Suns refuse to put guards in the post, this would be irrelevant.

 

[SunsTzu]

Richardson has a superior post game, but since the Suns refuse to put guards in the post, this would be irrelevant.

I actually think JJ's post game is better, but like you said the Suns normally don't have their guards in the post so we don't see it much. Only thing Q does better IMO is rebound. Personally I'd much rather have JJ.

 

[hafey2]

I agree he has a very nice post game but I don't see how a 6'5 post-up guard helps the Suns....especially considering Q would cost 2-3 times as much as JJ.

 

[NugzFan]

I actually think JJ's post game is better, but like you said the Suns normally don't have their guards in the post so we don't see it much. Only thing Q does better IMO is rebound. Personally I'd much rather have JJ.

comeon. jj is nice but Q is one of the best post up SGs in the game today. give credit where its due.

 

[PhxGametime]

For being such a good post up threat - doesn't he shoot .39 Pct? I'd rather have Joe Johnson - I wouldn't mind Q or Turkoglu as 6th man but I'd take JJ over both of them. I do like Ginobili and he would've been a good backcourt mate with JJ but I'd take JJ over him as well. Suns always go for Skillball and might go after 1 of these players but I doubt to replace JJ...

 

[NugzFan]

For being such a good post up threat - doesn't he shoot .39 Pct? I'd rather have Joe Johnson - I wouldn't mind Q or Turkoglu as 6th man but I'd take JJ over both of them. I do like Ginobili and he would've been a good backcourt mate with JJ but I'd take JJ over him as well. Suns always go for Skillball and might go after 1 of these players but I doubt to replace JJ...

the dude cant shoot very well on Js but his post up game is damn good for a guard.

i dont think either Q or manu would sign to come off the bench (but you never know if you give them enough cash)

 

[PhxGametime]

He'd fit well with Nuggets but I just don't think post up ability (.41 Pct on 2PTers) would bench JJ... but I'm a Suns fan

 

[George O'Brien]

One of the reasons that the Suns focused in on Nash is that he is very good shooter. The Suns have several guys who can take the ball to the rack, but the Suns need to be able to keep opponents honest and not put all five guys in the paint.

Q is a terrible shooter 39.8% and 35.2% for three. Ginobili is a much better player than Q, but he is another guy who is not an especially good shooter - 41.8% and 34.4% for three.

 

[SunsTzu]

comeon. jj is nice but Q is one of the best post up SGs in the game today. give credit where its due.

I didn't say Q was not a good post post up guard. I said JJ is better he just doesn't get the chance to do it as often. JJ is 2-3 inches taller has better handling and is a better scorer around the hoop.

 

[Gaddabout]

Ginobili was off the table Friday. He and his agent cancelled the invite from the Colangelos and took off for SLC instead. This was due to Nash's signing and the Suns inability to approach the money Manu was asking for.