I think draftexpress or maybe nbadraft.net had the Spurs taking Roy Hibbert with the 26th, just missing out on CDR and passing on Chalmers. So that would help with the low post scoring, not so much on defense, however.

I just dont think they can roll out the same 8-9 man rotation and expect different results, they just cant keep up anymore, and the West is loaded as always, bynum will be back, Oden will be joining a fearsome portland team….so the Spurs have got to do something to address the points you laid out.

My dream sequence: Trade up to the end of the lottery/and or the 15-17 range to get Donte Greene, hes a long term project, but hes athletic/long/quick enough to help to some degree right away.

More likely would be getting someone like courtney lee in the first, and maybe a bruiser of sorts with the second pick, then someone from some obscur eastern european nation with the last pick.

But I just shot myself in the dick reading how delusional you are. Anytime the words “Vaughn” or “Finley” were in the same sentence as “guys who might work,” I reloaded.

We need help. Everywhere. If I was an elderly couple in the Midwest and you were a traveling salesman, I would have just bought the 2008-09 San Antonio SPURS. But I’m not Mr. and Mrs. Robert Horry, I’m not a believer that we’re going to win without shedding dead weight, and I’m far more concerned than you seem to be.

I don’t think we need massive changes either (Redd, etc.), but definately think we need to be shedding some role players. In my ideal world RoHo, Fiiiinnnnnnndddddoooooogggg (don’t worry, we’ll find another player whose name lends itself to cool chants) and Jacque need to go. At all costs. Even if we pay Vaughn to leave. We could package him in a deal for a big with the pick, but only if we’re aggressively courting free agents to counter the draft loss. I’m fine with Bones and Bruce, but in gradually lesser roles. We need youth and athleticism, and I’m hoping the draft provides. I’m with Michael on Azuwhatever, and I like Childress for our system too. If we virtually stand pat, we’re not going to get through the 2nd round this year.

Why are we not talking about Okafur? CMoney and I have had many discussions about this, and I just don’t see how picking up Azuwhatever and Okafur and a solid developed draft pick wouldn’t be the wisest (and dreamiest) way to go. Plus it would give us complete control over the category, “Teams With Unpronouncable Names.”

All that said, it’s great to see you back. I’ve had a mojo candle lit all this time in the hope that you wouldn’t tarry, and now I can extinguish it.

Please please please :p You are correct in the case though, that we are having pipe-dreams regarding people in the 8 mil + range. That would require trading someone(s) with equal cap space, and no one would take a combo of Bonner/Vaughn etc. for someone of Redd’s or Brand’s, or even Okafor’s caliber.

From what I’ve heard, they are resigning Finley, but letting Horry go. So at least 1 of 2 that we asked for has happened, to this extent. Bowen’s key to longevity is probably simple…he never has had to work on offense, just defense. Having to work on offense all the time really tires you out more, since you have to go non-stop until you get to the basket or create…just look at Kobe in the Finals. By Game 5/6, he was really tired going into the 2nd half, and it really showed. Udoka might be 31 this year, but he’s 7 years younger than Bowen, and if they work him in the same way, he can last just as long and be just as great :)

Yes I know that the Lakers get Bynum back next year, and that might help them in banging down low, but they are S-O-F-T inside period, and no one knows how truely bad that knee injury was to him, it kept him out 3/4ths of the year. An injury like that can really screw up a player…not to mention that I do feel kinda sorry for the kid, I mean think about it—he’s thier “savior”, they guy that they will win a title with, supposedly. Yikes.

Anyways, my point is this, and I said it in another post….the Spurs had injury upon injury…Duncan was out, Parker, Ginobili, sometimes 2 of the 3 would miss significant games-remember Dallas and Utah when Ginobili went Ape-Snot? Finley was hurt, Barry was lost for 3/4th’s of the year, Bowen was out a few games…I think the only people that played the whole year from start to finish were Udoka and Oberto. AND YET, the Spurs were ONE game out of the top seed in the most competitive Western Conference in history, and went all the way to the WCF before the injuries became too much. That is how talented this team really is….and how good it is already. Seriously-remember back to last year with NO - Paul, West, and Peja all missed some games…it cost them 20 games and a shot at the post season. Dallas had some injuries this year (Dirk, etc.) and they went from having a shot at the first seed to barely making the playoffs. LA—Bynum went down….they had EVERYONE ELSE in that team, fully healthy, and yet thier season was lost, and they were going to barely make the playoffs.

All the Spurs need is some minor tooling, a bit younger options in places so that when the inevitable injury/quick turnaround happens they have some fresher legs, and the 09’ title is thiers to lose, not Bostons. And remember, we are 3-0 in odd years after winning a title!!

:D

Mid-level exception

A team is allowed to sign one player to a contract equal to the average NBA salary, even if the team is over the salary cap already, or if the signing would put them over the cap. This is known as the Mid-level exception. The Mid-Level Exception for the 2007-08 NBA season is $5.36 million. Only teams that are over the Salary Cap can use the mid-level exception to sign free agents.

An example would be the Detroit Pistons’ acquisition of forward Antonio McDyess during the 2004 off-season.

—SO—the Spurs would have to fill thier cap space already (if they have about 55 mil, the cap this last year was 59, it is expected to be around 62-63 mil for 08-09). Then they can use the full MLE.

Also : Luxury Tax—

According to the NBA, using the 05-06 Knicks as an example : While most NBA teams hold contracts valued in excess of the salary cap, few teams have payrolls at luxury tax levels. The tax threshold in 2005-06 was $61.7 million dollars. In 2005-06, the New York Knicks’ payroll was $124 million, putting them $74.5 million above the salary cap, and $62.3 million above the tax line, which Knicks owner James Dolan paid to the league.

The salary cap in 05-06 was 49.5 mil, which means that there is a “cushion” of about 12 million dollars that the team can go over before engaging the luxury tax. I put this in simply because when considering contracts, we know the Spurs won’t go above that thresh-hold, but it is good to know kinda what it is. So if the salary cap for 08-09 will be around 60 mil, we figure that the luxury tax area will be around 72 mil. With the Spurs at 55 mil, that leaves roughly 17 million total to play with.

I’m not a math genius, nor do I know really why I am putting this all out there with the exception that I hope this clears up some confusion regarding how the Spurs can use the MLE, and where they absolutely won’t go as well as give you guys some more “food for thought” when thinking about who the Spurs should get. It’s 1:30 AM and I’m actually tired, so right now I don’t know who they should go after….if they stayed healthy this year, the title would be thiers….end of story. So I don’t know (again) who can really fix it or what….I just have faith in RC/Pop to do it, and celebrate #5 next year :)

I don’t really follow the other NBA teams either. All I see of other teams players are those we happen to be playing against. That being said, GREAT POST. I agree with pretty much everything you said. The only thing that didn’t jive with me was Fin Dog still being a viable option. I’ve always liked him, even when my buddies didn’t, so everytime he had a good night I’d let them know it. Although not as far gone as Horry, he’ll be catching up with Big Gut sooner rather than later. Too bad. I do think with some draft day luck we could land an international gem that could provide nearly as much (3pt shooting/some D) with alot more upside. And your absolutely right, RC and Pop are in it to win NOW. The window for this particular group is starting to close and any drastic changes WON’T be happening. I think yours and SiMAS dicks will both be bullet free

Findawg plays some defense? Ahem. Is he really expected to rejoin the Spurs? Where are we getting this from? Is the source that other post on this blog? Knowing Pop, it wouldn’t surprise me, but it also wouldn’t surprise me if he realized that he now has the ability to atone for the Jaren Jackson re-signing. Finley is a free agent. The Spurs organization has no obligation to him…let him walk!

I disagree with the prioritization of needs for the team. I also think that some of those needs can be met by the same player. I think the highest priority should be an athletic wing who plays defense. If we can somehow pick up J-Chill with the MLE (please just let him leave Atlanta, you don’t need him since you have 4 other guys on the team just like him), then our off-season will have been an utter success. He could meet needs 3, 4, and 6 on his own, and if we go with a small lineup, could even handle need 2 (a need that I find somewhat questionable anyway).

As for a post banger, with Splitter’s no-show, that job falls neatly to KT. I could see some team like Dallas trying to drive up his price, but at his age he is probably only worth a couple of million per year. He really likes the Spurs organization, and is not poor at this point in his career. He might even sign on for the veteran’s minimum for a shot at a championship with the Spurs.

We do indeed need a backup PG. My top choice who I think might be possible is Carlos Arroyo. We might just be under the cap by a few million to allow the Spurs to sign him as a free agent. Then again, I might be underrating his salary potential.

For the draft, I really hope the Spurs manage to get Chris Douglas-Roberts in round one. I am not really sold on Hibbert. He could easily be a stiff at the next level. Do you covet David Harrison? If so, Hibbert is your man. In round 2 I hope the Spurs take J.R. Giddens, and some unknown foreign player who will probably never suit up in silver and black.

Ideal roster next season:

1: Tony, Arroyo, Vaughn
2: Manu, Bones, Giddens
3: Bowen, Childress, Udoka
4: Duncan, Mahinmi
5: KT, Oberto, Bonner

Udoka no matter how crazy it sounds is Bowen’s successor. He plays good defense and needs to learn to commit less fouls.

We need a backup for Manu a young drafted guard or Azubuike.

Parker Vaughn and Barry can survive us one more year. We can also draft a PG to shelve till Barry and Jacque are gone.

Duncan, Miahmini, Kurt, Oberto, and Bonner.

Wait till 2010 to make the big splash and we should be good from then on out. Would i like a title next year of course. But do i expect one? No. I know Timmy will get 1 or 2 more in the next 5 years.

LeBron in say town 2010

Pepe Sanchez is available now, he has ended with Barcelona.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz-SOWRjeLA

Could be a good option for Backup PG

This is by the executive editor of RealGM.com (not Giddens agent or anyone associated with him)

http://www.realgm.com/src_fromtherafters/202/20080620/draft_report_jr_giddens_of_new_mexico/

“Draft Report: JR Giddens Of New Mexico
Authored by Christopher Reina – 20th June, 2008 – 11:17 am

JR Giddens is one of the best athletes in this draft and uses that athleticism not just on dunks, but to make very pure basketball moves.

He has great confidence with the dribble and I believe he will be able to create his own shot in the NBA.

He has a great crossover dribble to get himself into the paint. He creates space for himself by being able to stop as quickly as he can start.

Giddens is also very good at using pre-dribble jab steps to get himself an extra edge into the lane. His jab step is not a token show move and if the defender doesn’t budge, he’ll simply take what is given and beat him off the dribble.

He has immaculate body control in the air, finishing mid-range jumpers off the glass.

When he does get into the paint, he is very conscious of the kick out and sets up his teammates with wide-open 3’s. Giddens has great court vision and will spot and deliver the ball to his teammates from across the floor or he’ll thread the needle on a drive and dish.

His post entry passes are superb and also does a great job passing out of the pick and roll.

If you could tilt the scale on assists to the passer or shooter based off who creates it, the vast majority of his assists are full tilt his way.

He makes great decisions in the air and his assist/turniover ratio went from .87 as a junior to 1.41 as a senior.

He is one of the best non-point guard distributors in this draft, right up there with Kevin Love in terms of both impact and talent.

The mechanics of his own shot are flawed, but passable. He has a high release and a good follow though; he also has an extremely wide stance, with his feet wider than his shoulders, but he gets good lift. There is a little hitch in his shot when he brings it to the top, but that can be ironed out.

He also seems to shoot better off the dribble because he doesn’t get the cleanest catch when he spots up and I honestly can’t figure out why that is.

But Giddens does move well without the ball, almost always moving and comes off screens hard.

Giddens might be the very best finisher in this entire draft. He is absurdly powerful in the air and will attack defenders and dunk on them with ease.

He is athletic enough to be a true stopper defensively. Giddens does a great job of staying in a defensive stance during the entire possession.

He uses his long arms to make life extremely difficult for his man whether it’s in the triple threat position or when he puts it on the floor. He defends against the pass extremely well, both on-ball and getting his arms into the passing lanes in help defense.

He also led the entire Mountain West Conference in rebounding with 8.3 per game. He elevates extremely well and has incredible reach with his arms. Giddens has a tremendous motor and innate desire to get after the ball.

He has a great work ethic, getting onto the floor for loose balls and always giving maximum effort.

Giddens is not the knock ‘em dead spot-up shooter you’d ideally like from a wing, but he is plenty athletic enough as a slasher and defender to make an immediate impact while his shot comes along.”