Spurs break out the Metamucil

[Cheesebeef]

cheese I was actually going to write something similar to this at the end of my post, but I got lazy. I do think the Mavericks were fortunate. However the point I was trying to make was that the San Antonio Spurs are far from done, and they can run.

I realize that in order to win a championship your team has to have a fair amount of luck as well as the depth to cover injuries.

Joe

gotcha.

And anyone that thinks the Spurs are done is incredibly naive. I mean losing Nasho and Mohammed is going to drop them from the elite? If they could replace a HOFer and still VERY GOOD C in David Robinson with that trash and continue being elite, they can replace the TRASH with something to keep them up there as well. And this doesn't even mention that Parker and Manu are still superior players, none of which have any serious injuries (much like our 2nd superstar).

 

[NugzFan]

The Flopping will eventually wear down Manu.

lol. hope so!

 

[Errntknght]

I have concerns that the system might play a role in the continuing injury problems. More possesions = more opportunities for injuries.

I think this is a more accurate equation:
More possessions = more time running the floor = less time banging bodies in the halfcourt = fewer injuries


I also agree about the Spurs continuing to be a force - in fact if they get Elson they could be just as well as off as having Nazy. (One could even say as well off as having Nazy and Marks back, if one were inclined to make jokes.) TD and several others will be a year older, which will help some.

 

[George O'Brien]

I know that Timmy, Manu, and Parker are very good and Bowen is a very good defender - but Elson as their starting center?

They almost traded their sixth man (in terms of minutes), Brent Barry, for JR Smith. Their big acquision is -- Bonner? Maybe they really know what they're doing, but with any other franchise I think the vultures would be circling.

 

[nowagimp]

I know that Timmy, Manu, and Parker are very good and Bowen is a very good defender - but Elson as their starting center?

Or, more like Tim Duncan is, by far, the best big man in the game, he's great, not very good. Tim Duncan will probably rate as the best PF of all time, when all is said and done. Manu and Tony Parker are very good. As I stated last year, the bench is too old. If they get one good young player on the bench and elston at C, the spurs will be the most potent team the suns will have to face in the western conference next year. All this talk of the spurs demise just ignores the fact that the core is intact, young and that elston is probably as good as Rasho or Muhammad in the spurs scheme. Tim Duncan shot 60% FG's in the playoffs, thats #1 in the NBA and it was often against double teams. He looked much more dominant in the playoffs than the regular season. If manu doesnt foul Dirk on the last play of game 7, we would probably be call the spurs the NBA champs.

 

[Mainstreet]

Or, more like Tim Duncan is, by far, the best big man in the game, he's great, not very good. Tim Duncan will probably rate as the best PF of all time, when all is said and done. Manu and Tony Parker are very good. As I stated last year, the bench is too old. If they get one good young player on the bench and elston at C, the spurs will be the most potent team the suns will have to face in the western conference next year. All this talk of the spurs demise just ignores the fact that the core is intact, young and that elston is probably as good as Rasho or Muhammad in the spurs scheme. Tim Duncan shot 60% FG's in the playoffs, thats #1 in the NBA and it was often against double teams. He looked much more dominant in the playoffs than the regular season. If manu doesnt foul Dirk on the last play of game 7, we would probably be call the spurs the NBA champs.

I think speaking of the Spurs demise is wishful thinking as well. I think Francisco Elson, although just a role player, provides what Rasho or Mohammed brought to their frontline. It will be hard taking the ball inside on the Spurs unless Amare is at full speed. I don't think the Spurs are worried about the loss of Sean Marks.

As long as the Spurs have Tim Duncan, they will be a force to be reckoned with unfortunately.

 

[Errntknght]

I know that Timmy, Manu, and Parker are very good and Bowen is a very good defender - but Elson as their starting center?

They almost traded their sixth man (in terms of minutes), Brent Barry, for JR Smith. Their big acquision is -- Bonner? Maybe they really know what they're doing, but with any other franchise I think the vultures would be circling.


Thats a big step up for Elson in terms of PT so we'll have to see how he holds up - he's 30 years old, which surprised me. He seems to be a good fit for the Spurs - decent defender in the paint, decent rebounder and plays within himself on the offensive end. Since Pops has seen him play a fair amount, he probably has a good idea what he's getting - and he doesn't make many major mistakes.

I'm a little more surprised at the Rasho for Bonner trade but there are probably some considerations that I'm not aware of. Bonner is tall but he's a perimeter shooter and not much of a rebounder. If he's not a much better defender than he is a rebounder this looks to be a bit of a mistake.

The Spurs bigs have gone from Duncan, Nazr, Rasho, Horry and Oberto to Duncan, Elson, Bonner, Horry and Oberto. Taking age into account I'd say it is somewhat of a downgrade.

 

[Joe Mama]

I know Tim Duncan plays power forward, but he is a center. They could easily move him into the middle and use someone else at power forward. I would agree that their frontline isn't AS strong as in years past, but they have enough to win another championship.

They traded Rasho for Bonner and Erik Williams because those two players have expiring contracts. Rasho still has several years left on his deal.

Joe

 

[George O'Brien]

Sarver gets banged for his alledged 'cheapness', but the Nesto deal was an obvious cap dump for a team that risked losing their starting center. Elson and Butler are both backup guys.

 

[F-Dog]

Butler scares me a little, as long as he's next to Duncan--he's the kind of player the Suns have had trouble with, a big guy with good hands who can overpower smaller players and put the ball in the basket. And Bonner should give them an interesting look at PF, although he's not close to being the defender Robert Horry used to be.

Still, there's no question they're in decline. I doubt they'll be able to ration their stars' minutes the way they have in the past.