played really, really well for the Toros last year. His game really improved as the year went on, and he went from handling the ball on 25-30 percent of Austin’s possessions to being their primary point guard at the end of the season (though he did it from the forward position). He’s also a good scorer, though his shooting form is a little off. He occasionally settles for jumpers even though he’s matched up against a mediocre defender, but he’s developed a good sense of when to push the break and when to wait for his teammates, and he was the team’s leader without being overbearing about it.

AWESOME picture and text of it. just AWESOME!

Of the 14 guys that you put to make the team (and I think we can all agree with all those guys being there by now), only 7 were there in last year’s opening roster. That’s 7 new players. Do you think that maybe the spurs have gotten to young too quickly? What about the last spot, should we keep it open or sign Bowen if we get a chance? If we sign Bowen, and want to keep a spot open, who should leave? I feel like it should be either Bonner (I like the red rocket though) or Haislip (we just signed him though). I think Haislip was signed as a sort of defensive specialist (I know I’m using the word loosely) in order to be able to put him against the tough 4 match ups. Haislip can also shoot the 3 but can’t rebound. . Bonner on the other hand, can’t defend, but he can shoot the 3 better and rebound. It’d be tough, but I would let Bonner go in order to sign Bowen if we get a chance. It would probably be Williams though.

I see the spurs trading Bonner before the season starts. They just want to make sure that Haislip can play.

Also, of the 14 listed, 10 of them have Spurs/Toros experience…so that might mitigate the “newness” somewhat…

I’m not a big fan of Matt Bonner’s play on the court but he strikes me as a very hard worker in practice and elsewhere off the court. This could be very valuable for the development of Blair and Mahinmi because we know Pop won’t hesitate to give a vet playing time over youger guys. Blair and Mahinmi will really be forced to prove themselves every day if Bonner is practicing with them.

Our last roster spot should be filled by Ime Udoka. Even though I hope we won’t need to play small ball he gives us the versitility to do so with him at the 4. Also with Bruce gone he would be the only wing capable of being physical with stronger SF’s and SG’s. His skill doesn’t merit a lot of playing time but if we were in a tight game against the Lakers and Artest was having a stellar game Udoka would be perfect to cool him off.

i really do see the spurs making another trade this season…like bonner for a futre late round pick or maybe evan mason for cash or something like that i dunno but it will be intrseting to see what we pull off…and heres a crazy thought what if we slide haislip to backup SF he defends well he can shoot the 3 really all it sounds like is a bigger bowen who knows he might play well and wed have a really tall frontcourt…what do yall think

he looks pretty good i mean yea i know thats europe but he really does look like he can play the sf position

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyiK5nf95Cs

I dont see that theyre mutually exclusive, especially given Duncan’s age and increasing injury woes, small and nagging as they may be, the fact that Blair is no safe bet for a long career and McDyess is also ancient by NBA standards, so the need for two young athletic big men is still there, and will only increase in the near future. And who knows what can be reasonably expected from Haislip.

Bonner is off the books next year and Splitter will replace his spot.

Hairston is a SF and I’ve read Finley is likely to see time at SG.

Williams should be listed at SF eventhough he can run the offense from that position. I’m thinking Williams brings the ball up with Timmy in his spot. Mason and Hill , two natural SG’s, in the back court and any other big in the front court depending on the situation/match-ups. That is a good line up if Tony and Manu need rest at the same time.

Part of me would like to see Ian start some games with Tim at PF depending on the 4 TD/Ian would have to guard. Dice, Manu and Hill come in for Parker, Mason, and Mahinmi, and we have a team that will eat up another teams subs.

Our team is going to be ill. I can’t fucking wait.

If there are no further trades, I think you have it absolutely right.

You could slot Williams at PG or SF, because he’ll fill both roles at one time…but either way I think they’ll leave a spot open to stay flexible in case of injury (knock on wood). As for Gist and McClinton, I think they should be handled as seperate cases…

Gist – Waive his rights and invite him to join the Toros. The year in Europe was good for his skill development, but he looks lost trying to figure out his role with the SL team. If he comes over to Austin, he can begin to learn the Spurs’ system and just how he fits within it. Yes, there is a risk that he plays very well and is snatched up by another team, but for his long-term development I think it’s worth the risk.

McClinton – We know the guy can shoot. All McClinton needs is to get his confidence back….and he can do that against slower, less athletic competition in Europe. If he agrees to go, I think he could do well in Europe and come back across the pond in a year to have a second go at it.

Again, I think your roster assessment is absolutely right…down to the part about Finley starting out ahead of Hairston on the depth chart at the beginning of the season with it possible flip-flopping by the end.

Good post!

it is too early to speculate – but i do tend to agree with most of the roster spots. there is still a long way to go……which is good news for jack mack, i suppose.

also – not that we are doing this, but let’s not get too carried away with what BFO (blair force one) and yawn are doing in vegas. hairston too for that matter. these guys all look really good to us right now…in the summer league….against a lower level of competition.

the transition up to regular season NBA games is a big one in terms of skills and confidence needed to contribute. again, these guys looks good and it is right to be excited about that they can bring. just remember its can right now instead of will.

I am very interested to see what Haislip can bring to this team. He is much maligned for his lack of rebounding ability, but that does not concern me too much. 5.2 rebounds in 28 minutes is definitely not great for a PF, but it is a similar per minute amount to what Kenyon Martin tallies (6.0 rebounds in 32 minutes). I don’t think that he is like Bruce Bowen (somone who seems to have an allergy for rebounds), but just that he is not a rebounding specialist.

On offense it will be very interesting to play him at either forward spot, where he is likely to find a mismatch at both positions. When he is at the 4, he will often be quicker than his defender, and he can use his solid jumpshooting and driving ability to score or get to the line. When he is at the 3, he will often be taller than his defender and he can shoot over or overpower his foe inside.

Other than his wild bloks he is not known for his defense, but he has all of the tools to be an outstanding and versatile defender. It will be fasciniating to see if Pop can get him to buy into the Spurs defensive philosophy. If so, he could prove very useful in bothering players like Dirk Nowitzki and Lamar Odom, and maybe using his length to pester some of the 3s in the league.

A late-game lineup of:
Duncan
Haislip
RJ
Manu
Tony

would be able to score at will on practically anyone, and should not be too shabby on D either.

Jefferson would be the tallest small forward the Spurs have had in years. So in that sense, they can get away with starting McDyess and Duncan. They’ll probably list McDyess as the C, just so Timmy has another season a forward.

I can’t see Blair starting. I’m pretty sure by bringing in Dice they promised him a starting job.

I see these 11 guys getting the most time early in the season. (nickname style)

Dice/Red Rocket/
Timmy/Grizzly/Yawn
RJ/Findog
Mace/Sickness
Frenchie/Cubits

And I can’t see Marcus Williams making the team. I don’t think there is room for him and Hairston to share.

Good post, rik, and good comments throughout. It’s great how we end up forming an idea of what the team is, should be and will be by discussing among ourselves. I wish Pop posted here. :)

Change Finley and Bonner in to a poor man’s Steve Kerr, have them come in to make a couple of threes, but you could always use another backup to Jefferson. I don’t know if Marcus Williams is the answer, or if there’s someone else to be had.