Missing Big Guys (where is my bench ass 4-5)?

by Joe deLarios on Jul 17, 2010 7:01 PM CDT

So, Wayne brought up the point of needing another big guy or two to make the team. I was hoping Gist could do it but I am not so sure. Looking around the league for available players left me thinking of a few guys who could make the grade. We even have a few from days gone by.

Ok, you're still with me. Well here we go.

Theo Ratliff - had him last year, wanted more minutes, went to Charlotte. Touted as a big time shot blocker, Theo has aged decently. Did I say aged? Wow, the guy is also 37! He still averaged 1.5 blocks per game with Charlotte when clocking in at a 22 minute per game avg. He contributed 5pts, 6 rebounds and had a 50% fg shooting. Not a bad pick up at $850k a year. Grade: C+

So, you're not a Theo Ratliff fan? ok, let me show you an oldie but a goodie (whatever the hell that means)

Rasho Nesterovic - did I say a goodie? well, that could be a bit of a stretch. We all remember Rasho right? Big body, a real 7 footer. Can play pick and roll, though don't expect quick feet. Good at setting picks and picking up garbage rebounds. Knows the system. Also, he is known to be a healthy specimen, which is rare among big guys. We are talking back up C or PF here. Maybe good for a start to let Timmy rest. IDK - just putting that out there. His price tag is on the higher end at $2 mil a year. Grade: B+

Steven Hunter - Never heard of him? Why? The big guy makes over $4mil a year! He makes more than all of PtR combined. Puts up a decent rebound per minute stat. A true 7 footer who can clog the lane. Too expensive? Maybe but it pays to have a quality back up guy. Did I mention this guy has not completed a season his entire NBA career? Oh, oops. Plus his knees are totally shot. Grade: F

* Remember that I mentioned the health factor with big guys

Joel Anthony - decently young, decently healthy and French! The guy played for Miami as a back up Center. Undersized at 6'9 (haha only in NBA can you say that) he still clogs up the middle. He is a very good interior defender - which is what is needed. Two questions, can he stay healthy and can Pop teach him? The cheapest guy on the list at $820k a season. Grade: B Sorry he was signed on Friday.

Fabricio Oberto - Old Fab is available, I know Manu would like to see it. Fabricio moves better than Rasho. He set the Spurs club record by going 11 for 11 again PHO. He is sitting out there for slightly less than $2mil a season. Isn't time he is invited back home. Come home Fabricio, you can still play. Grade: A (though I admit, a lot of sentimental value here)

There you have it. There are a couple of old Spurs out there waiting to be let back in the door. All Pop and RC have to do is open it. If anyone else has any ideas on any big guys, I would love to here them.

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Fab. He knows the system, low chance of him disrupting ~~ubuntu~~ team chemistry, not too expensive.

'What color do you want?" (Tim Duncan)

by swgeek on Jul 17, 2010 7:13 PM CDT reply actions

Looking at the Yahoo free agent tracker for available PFs and Cs, I’d almost rather bring back MadEyes or take a run at Amundson. He’s the intangibles/energy type of guy that could fit in with the Spurs.

by CapHill on Jul 17, 2010 7:24 PM CDT reply actions

Oooh. Forgot about CrazyEyes. Hmmm. Touch choce between him and Fab, Kurt is probably the better player, but Fab is still a sentimental favorite. Wish we could have swung Chandler somehow.

'What color do you want?" (Tim Duncan)

by swgeek on Jul 17, 2010 7:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I didn’t even mention crazy eyes ’cause of his price tag @ $3.8 million

"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html

by Joe deLarios on Jul 17, 2010 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions

3.8 million? isn’t he like 53 years old?

'What color do you want?" (Tim Duncan)

by swgeek on Jul 17, 2010 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions

57, actually.

Rim Rockin' Red Rocket -silverandblack_davis

by SpursfanSteve on Jul 17, 2010 11:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Not 100% certain the Spurs need another big, now that Splitter has signed, but I’d love to see Kurt Thomas or Fabulous Fab back wearing the Silver and Black again.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Jul 18, 2010 3:07 AM CDT reply actions

Rasho would be better than Oberto for the Laker matchups against Gasol and Bynum.

by grego21 on Jul 18, 2010 5:16 AM CDT reply actions

Thomas would be better than either.

Rim Rockin' Red Rocket -silverandblack_davis

by SpursfanSteve on Jul 18, 2010 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions

In physicality, yes.

by grego21 on Jul 18, 2010 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Fab and Kurt no…

Rasho,why not…

Didnt Rasho play with San Antonio at one point??

by kingjaffe on Jul 18, 2010 9:35 AM CDT reply actions

three seasons 03-06 and two championships

"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html

by Joe deLarios on Jul 18, 2010 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Hey, Scalabrine is available. Double the ginger, Double the fun!

"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html

by Joe deLarios on Jul 18, 2010 10:50 AM CDT reply actions

Gingerriffic!

Yo, I’m 6-11, but I just want to dribble through my legs and shoot jumpshots like a guard. - Marc Blucas on Tim Duncan

by TDzilla! on Jul 18, 2010 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions

they could eat sandwiches together

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jul 18, 2010 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions

What blatant prejudice, assuming you know everything about an individual’s dietary habits based entirely on their appearance!

by doggydogworld on Jul 18, 2010 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

I thought red heads feasted on the joy of their family

Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.

by KA1Z3R on Jul 18, 2010 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions

ouch! wait, how do you mean that?

"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html

by Joe deLarios on Jul 19, 2010 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Im not sure we need another big. Yes it would be nice to have some insurance but still we have five bigs already I mean if we get a 6th they would basically have Yawn’s role and not get any playing time unless they just want to be on a contender. Just look at Ratliff we let him go and Haislip.

by cartoonspurs on Jul 18, 2010 2:56 PM CDT reply actions

What about trading with the Rockets for either Andersen or Hayes? They would be paying the Luxury Tax next year and have too many bigs so they might be willing to trade either for our not guaranteed contracts. Andersen is a 7ft version of Bonner and Hayes is a great post defender, though undersized. If the Spurs decide not to keep some of the Toros guys something like this might work:
Hairston, Jerrells and Gee for Andersen
Jerrels and Hairston/Gee for Hayes
When the Rockets waive them the Spurs could resign them.
I’m not saying this is a great idea but just wanted to throw it out there.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell

by Edg5 on Jul 19, 2010 8:30 AM CDT reply actions

I dont like that idea. Andersen is a 7ft version of bonner….if bonner shoot a lot worse from 3pt….. basically he looked crappy on his first year. Yao went down and he couldt win the starting job or meaningful minutes.
Chuck Hayes is th defensive version of Blair, but crappier. What’s the point in trading for him?

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jul 19, 2010 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

He probably has ACLs?

"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG

by LasEspuelas on Jul 19, 2010 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions

It’s just a creative way to get a big. It doesn’t have to be with the Rockets. It could work with any team over the tax. I don’t necessarily think this is a good idea but I wanted to throw it out there as an alternative, considering that the list of good available bigs is short and the list of the Spurs tradeable assets is shorter.

Now onto the players. Andersen has a post game, unlike Bonner. He can guard bigger guys better than Bonner.He looked bad because he kept fouling since he wasn’t used to how the NBA game is called (let’s pray this doesn’t happen to Tiago). I probably shouldn’t have described him as a taller Bonner. What I meant is that he can shoot the 3.

Hayes and Blair are nothing alike other than both being undersized. Hayes is a great post defender. The best you are going to find for the money. And he is versatile too. I remember him guarding Paul Pierce for a stint in a game.

That being said, yeah it’s probably not worth trading for those guys. Especially if the Spurs think any of the Toros guys could earn significant playing time next season. But if the spurs resign Jefferson and sign a wing with the rest of the MLE I don’t see it happening.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell

by Edg5 on Jul 19, 2010 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I dont get why the desperation of getting a big. We have 5 guys, each one with very unique skillsets, and every one of them has their uses on a championship team. Duncan, Tiago, MCdyess, Blair, Bonner. We dont need more bigs. Anything more would be just for practices and for the rare 5 minute stint on a regular season game where duncan sits. If you want that, I think there’s no better option than Oberto or Kurt Thomas. They know the system and both seem to be good guys.

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jul 19, 2010 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Desperation? Where do you get desperation from what I posted? I suggested an alternative to signing a veteran. To trade away guys we were not going to use for a big that the other team wasn’t going to use. I’m perfectly fine with Gee as the backup SF and Thomas as a backup C.
But don’t fool yourself. The Spurs need another big. You have to limit Duncan’s and McDyess’ minutes and be ready in case there’s an injury. If that 6th big is Thomas, fine. But if there’s another, more versatile guy out there the Spurs should definitely look into it.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell

by Edg5 on Jul 19, 2010 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I was talking about the original post by artis…but yeah, I dont think the 6th big on a team is very important.

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Jul 20, 2010 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Duncan needs all the rest he can get during the regular season and Pop will make sure that happens. Ditto for Dyess. Blair is too short to play the C for sure and Bonner, well Bonner is Bonner and can’t defend well by himself. That leaves Tiago picking up all the minutes. Who is going to be the 4? Blair, yes, but who will give those two a break? That is why you need another 4/5, not even counting possible injuries.

"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html

by Joe deLarios on Jul 21, 2010 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe Gary Neal can play center.

Seriously, even if Duncan only plays 70 games @ 28 minutes and McDyess plays 60 @ 15 minutes you barely have enough minutes for Splitter, Blair and Bonner. Not to mention small ball, which by rule we must play for at least one quarter every game.

by doggydogworld on Jul 21, 2010 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions

TD 28 min on avg
McDyess 15 mpg
leaves 53 mpg to be distributed by Splitter, Blair and Bonner

Splitter prob somewhere around 34?
Blair with 15
Bonner 5-10

You’re right – not a lot of magazines left over but TD will not be playing 28 on avg in the beginning of the season and prob will sit out a number of games. That is an additional 28 minutes that needs to be filled. Yes, you can split the minutes with Blair and Bonner but this is barring any injury. With one injury the system is in series trouble with a gap of 15 -20 minutes either stretching player(s) or having a player not normally used to playing that spot filling it. Thus, the need for another big man

"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html

by Joe deLarios on Jul 22, 2010 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Splitter 30
Duncan 28
Blair 22
McDyess 14
Bonner 14

That’s 108 total because players miss games. I think Duncan will sit many back-to-backs. He was supposed to last year but we were at risk of missing the playoffs.

by doggydogworld on Jul 22, 2010 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Need for a big.

The Spurs need for a solid big is real, but none of the guys mentioned will fill the bill. I don’t see where you can figure 7 as a number of bigs available. By that I mean people that can play the center position. Bonner and Blair can’t because of their inability to defend true bigs in the league. McDyess is borderline, because he is to slight to handle the likes of Bynum and a host of other true centers in the league. The Spurs should keep McDyess though because he has shown he can do a good shop of defending Nowitski. The only true centers available to the Spurs roster now are Duncan and Splitter. I can’t see the Spurs getting any decent centers now because of $$$. If they did it would have to be through the trade route. The Spurs have an abundance of people who play the two guard and power forward positions. Depth wise they are a bit weak at point guard and center. I think Gee and Anderson will be pretty good backups for Jefferson if the Spurs ever sign him. Artis is right though, another player who can rebound and defend at the rim against big power centers is the area the Spurs need help the most.

by jimjule on Jul 19, 2010 4:04 PM CDT reply actions

The only true centers available to the Spurs roster now are Duncan and Splitter.

Don’t let Timmeh see this. :)

Personally, I’d love to see Kurt Thomas in Silver and Black again, if the numbers can be worked out. Solid, tough defense, good work ethic, decent jumper and post play… a pro’s pro. He’d be my first choice.

Oberto would be my next choice (but be sure to tell Manu I picked Fab first). Good defense esp. when paired with Timmy, great energy, and maybe one of the best garbage collectors I’ve seen around the rim (this is meant as a compliment). Yes, he’s the sentimental favorite.

Is Malik Rose still in shape? If we could get the same Malik back as the one we sent to New York (?), I’d be sooooo happy. Not just because of the energy and other intangibles he brings. It would just be the right thing to do for him to let him retire as a Spur.

Elson might be worth a look, but I don’t think he brings the same things to the table that Kurt or Fab would. I kinda feel the same way about Rasho… come to think of it, I’d pick Rasho over Elson, though I’m sure I can’t articulate why.

Amundson might be a fun pickup, if only to irritate the Suns. He had some good games against us in the playoffs, and I like his energy.

I would mind taking an inexpensive flier on Ike Diogu — he’s a high-energy guy I like, and though he may be a little undersized for our needs, it would be a kindness to save him from the hell-hole that the Hornets look like they’re turning into…

Ratliff? No. Didn’t we deal him because he was unhappy with his minutes? We don’t need that on the team, especially coming from the 6th big on the depth chart.

Hmmmm… I see that Joe Smith is still available. Same age as Sean Marks, Rasho, and Elson, a year younger than Fab, three years younger than Kurt. I wonder if he still has his game… is it worth $800K and a roster spot to find out?

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Jul 22, 2010 4:09 AM CDT up reply actions

May as well prop up a cardboard cutout of the admiral in the paint, and save a few bucks. Most of the guys you named are done, and Amundson is no more a center than Blair. Elson never began. Diogu, I don’t know much about.

The Spurs = Not your granddaddies 7th seed !

by alamobro on Jul 22, 2010 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions