What Will Be The "Surprise" Of This Year's Training Camp?

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 22, 2010 12:04 AM CDT

Training camp begins soon, players have already started coming back to San Antonio and working out, and I can't wait! So to pass the time until we get some real news about the Spurs, let's play a game based on something Coach Pop said the other day, something to the effect that there's always surprises at training camp. What "surprises" do you think will be revealed at this year's camp? Here's a few (wild?) speculations to get y'all started...

* Someone not mentioned here before -- a total under-the-radar walk-on -- will play himself into a roster spot.

* TP will impress with the 3 pt. shot he's been working on all summer.

* Anderson will impress by playing good defense on players taller than him, securing the backup 3 role for himself.

* Hill will show off his new teardrop and rain down 3's from every possible spot around the arc.

* RJ will play terrific shut-down one-on-one D, earning himself a new moniker.

* Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen will show up looking for roster spots. :)

* The Spurs will sign Oberto to be their new "big-man" player-coach.

* Bonner will have the honor of another new sandwich named after him AND get a Schlotzsky's endorsement deal.

* Everyone will fall in love with Manu's twins.

* Timmy will reveal that he discovered the Fountain of Youth and turn back the clock.

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falling in love with Manu’s twins will not be a surprise

Oberto making a come back would be a mild surprise, either as coach or player/coach

Timmy coming in and looking like 2005 Timmy will be a surprise – i’m going with that one b/c Pop already mentioned how slim TD is looking

"The A-Train 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 Sep 22, 2010 9:12 AM CDT reply actions

Timmy coming in and looking like 2005 Timmy will be a surprise – i’m going with that one b/c Pop already mentioned how slim TD is looking

It’s funny but I wrote this after watching the 4th quarter of Game 7 of the 2005 Finals and almost wrote “turns back the clock to 2005.” Scary how we’re thinking alike…. :)

Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 22, 2010 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

It wouldn’t be a walk on, but I’d be pleasantly surprised to see Ryan Richards play well enough to get a roster spot. Maybe become a D-League All-Star this year and then take over McDyess spot in the rotation next year.

by Alamo on Sep 22, 2010 9:24 AM CDT reply actions

He’s under contract with Gran Canaria.

Tony apologist since 2010.

by Tim C. on Sep 22, 2010 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I just noticed that’s what RC said in his interview a couple of days ago. Did they convince Richards that was the case, since he seems anxious to join the Spurs or play in the D-league? I do think it would be better if he stayed put for a while longer so as to not require the use of a spot on the roster.

by Alamo on Sep 22, 2010 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

He’ll develop better in the Spanish league(not sure if they’re ACB or relegated) anyway.

Tony apologist since 2010.

by Tim C. on Sep 22, 2010 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions

ACB

I think in one of Ryan Richards interviews he said Gran Canaria is in the ACB. The thing about him returning, is I truly don’t think he will get any better because he might not get playing time. He was pretty saying the same thing Brandon Jennings was saying about being overseas. Those leagues are not really trying to help you get better as much as they are trying to win games. So if they got an older guy in front of you who the coach favors then he isn’t going to get playing time. At least in the D-League he would learn the teams offensive and defensive sets while getting one on one coaching and playing against NBA caliber athletes.

One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.

by gunnin' gervin on Sep 23, 2010 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Blair defies modern medical wisdom and grows healthy new ACLs

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

by LasEspuelas on Sep 22, 2010 10:46 AM CDT reply actions

Blair proceeds to play poorly, owing his new found suckitude to his new connective tissue. By November, Dejuan decides to have the ACLs surgically removed, consequently returning better than ever…

The Spurs = Not your granddaddies 7th seed !

by alamobro on Sep 22, 2010 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Just thought of another one:

Coach Pop discovers the refreshing qualities of beer, gives up wine, and signs a Shiner Bock endorsement deal.

Tasting notes for Coach Pop’s Bock: Very assertive brew, slightly bitter (even sarcastic?) first impression masking an underlying mellow sweetness, finishes smoothly with a lingering aftertaste that leaves you wanting more. A champion in its class. Not recommended for lightweights or milquetoasts.

Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 22, 2010 1:06 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

i love beer and i like Pop. It’s amazing how we’re thinking alike .) <— Xiahou Dun lost his eye in battle. An arrow was fired directly into it. After pulling out the arrow, Xiahou Dun, instead of throwing the eye away, decided to eat it instead.

"The A-Train 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 Sep 22, 2010 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe we should write tasting notes for a beer made specifically for each of the Spurs’ players? :)

Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 22, 2010 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

sorry, that should be beers, not “a beer”

Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 22, 2010 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh, and GOOMTA

Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 22, 2010 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions

totally, GOOMTA and yes Beers for players – we should work on that

"The A-Train 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 Sep 23, 2010 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions

and yes Beers for players – we should work on that

Hmmm… OK. Do you want to start a FP for it, or shall I? :)

Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 23, 2010 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions

WOW

you sound like a pro! I think I would like to try this Shiner Bock beer now!

One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.

by gunnin' gervin on Sep 23, 2010 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m amazed that this never turned green.

Brillian, fresh. Truly.

I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 28, 2010 12:22 AM CDT up reply actions

{blushing} ty

Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 28, 2010 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions

You’re welcome.

And check you email, please.

I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 28, 2010 12:30 AM CDT up reply actions

*your

I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 28, 2010 12:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Tim Varner just tweeted that Kirk Penney will be at our training camp. I didn’t feel like doing a fan shot for a tweet but Project Spurs has a good article up on it.

by BlaseE on Sep 22, 2010 4:15 PM CDT reply actions

Whoa, I would LOVE to have a Kiwi on the Spurs.

Tony apologist since 2010.

by Tim C. on Sep 22, 2010 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions

THE kirk penney? wow, the spurs sure watched the world championship. He seems a bit like Gary Neal, but the latter has a contraact so…

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Sep 22, 2010 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Possibly an even deadlier spot-up shooter from behind the arc than Neal….

Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 22, 2010 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions

For now, this is just hearsay, but Bruno from SpursTalk found this.

Tony apologist since 2010.

by Tim C. on Sep 22, 2010 7:29 PM CDT reply actions

Whoa…..didn’t see that coming. I can’t wait to see if that is true or not.

by JSMOOTH0320 on Sep 22, 2010 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Link is dead. What did it say?

"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on DeJuan Blair

by Manu ex Machina on Sep 23, 2010 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Spurs are supposedly signing Gist tomorrow. Probably mostly unguaranteed, but still good for James that he’s actually going to be in training camp this year.

Tony apologist since 2010.

by Tim C. on Sep 23, 2010 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Awesome, at the very least, now we should have someone to take Mahinmi’s spot. =)

"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on DeJuan Blair

by Manu ex Machina on Sep 23, 2010 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh, that’s a low blow. Who would wish that on any player? (Even Yawn himself)

Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 23, 2010 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Could he finally be persuaded to play at the 3?

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

by bj1der on Sep 24, 2010 2:15 AM CDT up reply actions

I most certainly hope not. It might be OK in some situations(like say, defense vs. Artest), but I’d want James playing the role of 6th big rather than trying to be something he’s not.

Tony apologist since 2010.

by Tim C. on Sep 24, 2010 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Penney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That would be awesome. Dude will play his heart out.

"Are you gunna bite all day little doggie, or are you gunna bite?"

by Joseph Parkes on Sep 22, 2010 10:09 PM CDT reply actions

Not much new here in this article, pretty much says what’s been posted and discussed here for weeks (or is it months, now? lol)

Man, I can’t wait for training camp to begin.

Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 23, 2010 1:14 PM CDT reply actions

+1

on training camp starting. I would like to see Blair’s whole game improve exponentially. That would be a very welcome surprise for this training camp if he has figured out how to use his size to make taller post players work hard to get offensive positioning. While also being able to knock down the 15 foot jumpers with precision and adding a little dribble move to hit mobile bigs with who come out to respect the range on his new found “J”! One can dream right?

One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.

by gunnin' gervin on Sep 23, 2010 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Surprise of training camp (not a real news story). Antonio McDyess is a no show while contemplating retirement. He’s decided at his age that he is not ready to go through another training camp and all of those regular season games. Released from his contract, he eventually signs on with the Celtics in early January.

The Spurs trade the draft pick they acquired for Theo Ratliff to the Celtics for Turkish center Semeh Erdin. The Celtics have decided to go with the O’Neals, and Erdin is too young for their plans.

by Alamo on Sep 24, 2010 8:57 AM CDT reply actions

Erdin is too young for their plans.

Too young for the team, you mean, as the Celtics seem intent on setting the record for the oldest championship roster.

Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 24, 2010 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions

My surprise will be just how fast Splitter is able to learn the Spurs system with two dedicated teachers in TD and Dice. Splitter will be better than anyone thought.

by FoldCatOne on Sep 29, 2010 10:00 PM CDT reply actions

/crosses fingers!

by spurs fan on Sep 29, 2010 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree that Splitter will surprise a lot of people with how good he plays. As far as how good he will be is still unknown but he will surely turn some heads.

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

by bj1der on Sep 30, 2010 12:34 AM CDT up reply actions