Can the season start already?

by bj1der on Jul 27, 2009 1:42 AM CDT

This offseason has been one of the greatest in recent memory. So many great additions to the Spurs roster. So much promise for next season. It's been a while since I have seen the Spurs at a point where everyone - not just Spurs fans - but everyone sees the Spurs as a contender. This is an exciting time to be a Spurs fan. There have been a lot of recent threads about a Spurs championship in 2010 (I'm guilty of that myself) and a whole bunch of talk about the new roster and expectations. All this is great but all I really want is for the season to start. I want to see a game already. It's been months since I've seen a basketball game, and even longer since I've seen the Spurs play. The only game I've seen since the Playoffs ended has been an old recording of a Knicks/Nets game. (Knicks won) We can sit here and talk about all our expectations for the upcoming season but I'm about ready to get it started. As a basketball fan I can't help but be excited to see how the season will turn out, for every team.

Poll

What are you most excited to see in this upcoming season?

How the new guys mesh

21 votes

How far the Spurs go

17 votes

Manu's triumphant return

39 votes

Does Timmy have anything left

3 votes

DeJaun Blair and his hitlist

7 votes

Other (explain)

2 votes

89 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 37 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Great question bj.

I got 13 minutes to kill on my second 8 hour shift of the day. Im feeling moderatley delirious but ill attempt to make this glimpse into the season as accurate as possible..

1. The playoff starting five. This turns out to be

Duncan
Mcdyess
Jefferson
Mason
Parker

The postseason second unit turns out to be….

Mahinmi
Blair
Haisip
Gino
Hill

( yes , we actually end up finding minutes for ALL of the guys depending on the matchup.Haislip manages to highjack hairstons minutes via his height and three ball hot hand)

1st round.
We crush the suns in the first round 3 games to none ( Yes, im aware you have to win 4 games in the nba, but that how ugly this series is)

2nd round.

We manhandle the more athletic but woefully unprepared blazers in 5 semi-close games.

3rd round

The one you all came to see, Spurs Vs LA…….Ivan drago versus Rocky…..MOtley crue versus guns n roses….Al gore versus Georgie Bush … YOU -GET -THE -PICTURE..

The spurs win game six in san antonio , destroying the Lakers by 18. Ensuring they dont have to go back to The staples center. Manu is happy. Vujacic dies in a horrible drunken binge induced car wreck . All rejoice ( note: just kidding about Vujabich)

The spurs then take on ( Insert clevland , Boston or ORlando here ) beating them in a ( insert adjective here) series that goes ( insert number 6 or 7 here), regaining theyre rightful place in the league. AT- THE – TOP.

Complaints? Comments? PLease forward these to spursgonnapistolwhipyouin2010.@yahoo.com

by alamobro on Jul 27, 2009 2:02 AM CDT reply actions

No Findog in the second unit? You’re aware that Pop is still coaching, right? You’re on the right track, but I see the lineups a little differently.

Let me set the table by saying that the Spurs seem to have a certain formula they like to use for maximum results: two slashers, one long-range shooter, one post player and another big body in the middle, usually for defense and rebounding(Bonner being the obvious exception, but Duncan can handle some of those duties as well as being a post-up player). Let’s take that formula and see how it plays out with the new roster

First unit

Duncan(post player)
McDyess(rebounder/defender)
Jefferson(slasher)
Mason(shooter)
Parker(slasher)

Second unit

Mahinmi(post player)
Blair(rebounder/defender)
Finley(shooter)
Ginobili(slasher)
Hill(slasher)

Those would be the “normal” lineups, but the Spurs have a versatile set of players on the bench this year, so most of the remaining players should see some minutes depending on how the opposing team matches up with them. Additionally, some of the players bring multiple skills to the table(Manu and Jefferson can shoot 3’s and slash)

Specialists(used to compensate for various matchups)

Bonner(perimeter-shooting big man)
Haislip(slashing big man who can shoot – I see him as an attempted answer to Lamar Odom)
Ratliff(shot-blocking, rebounding, nothing else)
Williams(long wing player with passing ability)
Hairston(bulky yet athletic wing player with solid outside shot, and tremendous potential on defensive end)

I’m still not buying Haislip at the 3, unless he goes up against Lamar Odom types at the 3. Bonner could still be useful if he’s a better shooter/defender than Haislip. I guess what I’m saying is that Haislip’s role is pretty unclear to me, though I’m sure the Spurs signed him for a reason. Marcus Williams is pretty unclear too, though he may get cut – I don’t think he can return to the Toros, for the same reasons Ian can’t. Hairston’s jump-shooting really impressed me in summer league, and I can forsee him filling the Bruce Bowen role in a year or two, if he keeps working on his D.

LD’s not gonna like the length of this comment. ;P

I used to be a c+x kind of guy, but nowadays I just go nuts with my z. - LatinD
Retire Bowen's #12!

by Tim C. on Jul 27, 2009 2:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Maybe I’m being overly optimistic, but I really like what I saw from Hairston this summer and from his limited play with the Spurs last year. I envision him in the Bruce role as the defensive gnat. Will he be as good and play as many minutes? Obviously no, but he does bring more of an offensive skill set. Plus, his experience with the Toros means he’s not starting from square one.

I really like your lineup, rikiddo. I have no problems with Findog on the second unit, just as long as he’s not playing starter minutes.

My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri

by CapHill on Jul 27, 2009 5:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Really? In my mind Hairston played like a better version of Udoka. A strong, tall wing who can defend and shoot from deep. The differences were that Hairston can also finish strong at the rim and actually made a high percentage of his triples.

Too bad he doesn’t have any exciting fight stories.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Jul 27, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Im tired of Finley and I dont buy that nonsense of Haislip at the 3. Me likes Hairydog as our backup 3.

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jul 27, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Eh, i am with you that hairston will probably be the main SF backup, and not haislip. But i had to just throw in a wrinkle…

by alamobro on Jul 27, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Hairston might eventually take over the backup SF spot, but you know that Finley is going to start in that role. Even though we have gotten younger and more ath-u-letic, Pop is going to have to actually play the young guys. I have no idea how that transition is going to occur.

My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri

by CapHill on Jul 27, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

I see Finley in the Steve Smith-Kerr role ( 2003 ). I expect Finley to be a part of the rotation early on but I see Haislip playing his way up in the rotation, taking Finley’s spot or Mason if he does not shoot well.

Starting line up:
Duncan
Mcdyess
RJ
Mason
Parker ( stop playing international basketball, learn from manu)

2nd unit:

Ian
Blair
Haislip
Manu
Hill

11-12th man:
Finley
Ratliff

Reserve:
Bonner
Hairston
Williams

by spursfan87 on Jul 27, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Disclaimer:

Alamobro wrote his previous comment while on nyquil for his sinus and tonsil infection, and on the tail end of his second eight hour shift at about midnight. Thus, he is completely absolved of any comments that may have ruffled anyones feathers.

End Disclaimer……

note: alamobro reserves the right to use this excuse to post other comments that may or may not be in agreeance with fans of other teams. Specially Laker fans.

by alamobro on Jul 27, 2009 9:00 AM CDT reply actions

Lol, I like your style, ’bro! Your disclaimer will be shamelessly plagiarized by yours truly.

"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton

by spursfan4ever on Jul 27, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

What I look most forward to

I want to see what our young bench guys can do. Call me weird, but I’m actually more excited about the Great Transition than our last hoorah in the Duncan-Manu era. All the youth, the athleticism, it’ll all be so very different and so very marvelous. When that awful day comes that Duncan bids adieu, the Spurs will become a very Portlandish team. I mean imagine what that roster would be like.

C: Healthy and further developed Yawn probably reaching his full potential
PF: Splitter may or may not be here. But if he is, he’ll have probably been in the NBA a couple years by this point in time and will either be a great PF or a decent starter. Most likely the former. Throw in a much developed Blair who at this point should have great offensive and defensive abilities.
SF: Hairston to me will be a great SF. He can score from anywhere. 3-point arc, slashing into the paint, or just a simple mid-range shot. By this point he should have become a decent defender.
SG: unknown. for some reason, I can’t picture Manu here at this point in time. I think by the time the Great Transition rolls around his injury problems will have escalated over the years and have become severely worse to the point he’ll have been traded. De Colo might be here
PG: either Parker will still be here as a savvy veteran PG a la Chauncey Billups role, or Hill will have taken the reigns. My guess is Parker will start with Hill getting a lot of minutes.

I know there’s a lot of variables to this kind of roster. But I think this a very viable future lineup. I can’t wait to see players like Blair, Mahinmi, Hill, and Hairston displaying that young talent. In all actuality, the Spurs have created both a long-term and short-term success plan for themselves. Something teams like Boston and the Lakers can’t say about their teams. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Spurs of the future be a top-team in the NBA if development, roster moves, and health of players go accordingly.

"You'll take my life but I'll take yours too. You'll fire you musket but I'll run you through. So when your waiting for the next attack. You'd better stand there's no turning back"- "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden

by KA1Z3R on Jul 27, 2009 9:38 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I like the thinking. Still you cant blame Boston and LA. They have the big market. They can reload on the blink of an eye without much of a plan.

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jul 27, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions

true

but we’ve put ourselves in place to win a championship this year and still be a top team in the West after the departure of Duncan. And since we’ve done it so early on, chemistry can form with these young guns. Boston and LA would have to bring in a lot of new players and have to rebuild that chemistry and have to get the new players basketball IQ’s up-to-par. San Antonio has the youngsters on roster or in Europe developing, they have great veteran mentors in place, and with these being aged players, the young players will get plenty of minutes to hone their skills and chemistry even more. Call me optimistic, but I think the next-gen Spurs will already be a championship team when the time comes.

by KA1Z3R on Jul 27, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions

you’re optimistic

"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich

by bj1der on Jul 27, 2009 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

word. when duncan leaves the spurs will be fighting for a playoff spot. and don’t forget, when timmay leaves doesn’t that mean popp leaves too?

BLAIR FORCE ONE

by FreshmakerDTM on Jul 27, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions

maybe not fighting but definitely not championship quality

"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich

by bj1der on Jul 27, 2009 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Splitter would start at center with Yawn as his backup. RJ either just turned 30 or is about to. You could be on the time in the Finley role for years to come potentially or at least until 2017 when Parker goes to retire in France on his own team. Manu is such a competitor that I could see him playing until he is 36 or 37 as well. I don’t think the transition will be quite as sharp as you make it out to be but I love your optimism. Recc’ed

by BlaseE on Jul 28, 2009 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions

any chance Hairston gets the back up spot over Finley?

"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich

by bj1der on Jul 27, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions

I hope so

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jul 27, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I think he'll get every chance to

he can score from everywhere and do so consistently, plays good D, and has the athleticism and energy to play quite a few minutes. I think Finely will see more time playing backup SG instead of SF.

by KA1Z3R on Jul 27, 2009 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I think both Manu and Mason will get more minutes than Hairston so if Finley does play SG he would get less than if he played SF.

"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich

by bj1der on Jul 27, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions

true

but I can’t see him getting the backup spot with how impressive Hairston is. Granted that was summer league, but that one game where the big 3 sat, Hairston got like 20 points against the Nuggets.

by KA1Z3R on Jul 28, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

well he just plays third string behind Hairston. It’s his last year in the league (I don’t think he’s coming back next year) so he’ll be fine with these minutes unless he still is better than Hairston.

"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich

by bj1der on Jul 28, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

agreed he'll be third string SF

but he’ll also be a third string-SG and in many cases second string with Manu hopefully resting on unimportant games this year.

by KA1Z3R on Jul 28, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions

does Manu really need all that rest? He’s only 32 and he’s healthy right?

"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich

by bj1der on Jul 28, 2009 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, because he plays manu-speed, all the time. 20 minutes for Manu is like 45 minutes of playtime for any other player. He is one of the top hustle players ever. We are lucky to get 28 minutes a game from him as hard as he plays.

by BlaseE on Jul 28, 2009 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions

he’s like overflowing with energy tho. I mean he can dish out extra energy to the entire team and still be fresh enough to drop 40, or is that the Manu of old?

"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich

by bj1der on Jul 28, 2009 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions

yes he does need that extra rest. We need as much depth as we can get on the bench, this team need to be healthy and fresh for the playoffs.

by spursfan87 on Jul 28, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions

i pretty much want to see all of the options in that poll. but i guess what i want to see the most is MANU play again. even though he did play last year, it still seemed like he didn’t at all. and i just want a whole season of seeing him play, and hopefully that’s at a very high level.

the second thing i want to see is all the new pieces and how they mesh. it will probably take a few weeks/months to see it all come together, but when it does it will be really awesome. the two players that i want to see earn minutes in our roster are mahinmi and hairston, so i hope they prove themselves in camp.

by znimrod on Jul 27, 2009 10:53 AM CDT reply actions

I’m looking forward to glory being resotred in 2010, and hoisting up trophy number 5.

Hi, my name is Ed, and I despise the Lakers.

by Ed (dfjmed) on Jul 27, 2009 11:09 AM CDT reply actions

Given that this is the longest offseason in the era of the Big 3, all I want to see is the reemergence of the Spurs’ team that would get into opponents’ heads as games wore on. That unspoken, but palpable fear of enduring 48 minutes of a Silver and Black siege—that’s what I want to see!

by spursfan4ever on Jul 27, 2009 2:50 PM CDT reply actions