Beggars can't be choosers?

by muwu on Sep 6, 2010 12:05 PM CDT

To the Spurs, team chemistry is everything. It is one of the foundations of everything that the Spurs have achieved has been built upon. We have always looked at players through the lens of, "how will it affect team chemistry?". Often the Spurs have opted for the low reward player with his head in the right place than the high reward player who could be a little bit of trouble. But one has to think, in the twilight of the Duncan Spurs era, does this thinking need a little more leeway?

One of the players available right now, perhaps cheaply, is JR Smith. He's young, athletic, and a good three point shooter. An expiring contract to boot. A guy with a bit of a rap sheet, yes. Would you take him on?

The knee-jerk reaction to this would be pretty much a straight no. It wouldn't be the greatest thing for team chemistry. But at the same time you have to think, the Spurs only have so many good championship contender years left. Duncan isn't the same Duncan from 5 years ago anymore, he's needing more and more help around him. Once he's gone, the whole dynamic of the team completely changes because Duncan IS the Spurs. At this point, can you be very picky when it comes to getting talent?

There's nothing wrong with the "don't mess with chemistry thinking". Of course not. But it's infinitely easier to do that when you have a 25 year old Duncan, not a 34 year old one. The window is shrinking, as good as the pieces we are adding in are. Because Tim Duncan IS the window. Unless we add a bonafide allstar, the hopes and dreams of the Spurs still rest with him. And he isn't a spring chicken anymore.

Consider that the current champion Lakers only improved themselves by adding in Matt Barnes, Steve Blake, and retaining all their significant pieces. The Heat are looking like a formidable challenge to any team that doesn't have multiple defensive stoppers. Dallas added Tyson Chandler. With so much talent pooling on solid teams, can you still afford to do it with 3 stars and role players? The Celtics and Lakers ushered in the 4 star era to replace the Spurs 3 star era. Teams are now so stacked, can we afford to be say no upgrades in talent because of chemistry issues?

Tweet Comment 37 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Unless you’re giving a very broad definition of “chemistry”, it seems like Smith has problems that go beyond how his personality fits in with the remainder of the team. The Spurs were about to trade for him a few years back despite “chemistry”. Then if you saw him in the playoffs that year, weren’t you happy that the Spurs didn’t trade Barry for him with all of his errors in judgment on the court? George Karl benched him at the time, and still doesn’t seem to happy about having him on the team. Doesn’t have much of a reputation for playing defense. His main strengths would seem running on the break and shooting 3’s. I don’t think he would be an improvement there over Gary Neal or James Anderson.

To add Smith to the roster would pretty much require trading away McDyess (who has a trade kicker in his contract) and another player or two. I don’t see that happening.

by Alamo on Sep 6, 2010 1:47 PM CDT reply actions

I think that by 1 Dec we will know the following things:

1. If Blair has progressed and developed a 10-18 foot shot.
2. If Blair has improved on his defense.
3. If RJ has improved from his 1 year of experience and off season work
4. If Hill has continued to grow and develop.
5. If Anderson, Neal, and Temple are worth the effort to have them on the team.
6. If Splitter is all that we think he is.
7. If TP has recovered from last seasons injuries.

IF 2 of these things are NO, then look to see TP traded at the deadline. If more than 2 are no, expect Parker to go for prospects/high draft choices.

by FoldCatOne on Sep 6, 2010 2:24 PM CDT reply actions

You are Itching

to trade Tony. LOL

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

by gunnin' gervin on Sep 6, 2010 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions

if 7 is no who would want him, we wouldn’t get much so what would be the point

if any major injury hits this year might be a wash so that could spark a rebuild at this point and if thats the case and hill or any of the anderson/neal/temple trifecta are worth it, that might make it even more likely if tony gets shipped.

front office is smart and loyal…i still think short of tony going into pop’s office and telling him he wants out or going to the press bragging about how he is more important to the team then Timmy he isn’t going anywhere

by spurs fan on Sep 7, 2010 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions

I think early December is way too early a benchmark.

I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 8, 2010 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Trade deadline

Unless all hell breaks loose and we suffer multiple injuries to key players. Key players named Manu and Tim that is. I think Tony will get resigned unless the injury scenario I just stated ,he doesn’t play that great or one of the new guys plays so well that they fill comfortable making the trade. I just hope Tony doesn’t try to clean the team out as far as salary demands.

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

by gunnin' gervin on Sep 8, 2010 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Even if we’re “beggars”, I don’t think we’ll ever be THAT desperate. Smith would make this team worse, not better.

Tony apologist since 2010.

by Tim C. on Sep 6, 2010 3:11 PM CDT reply actions

The problem with JR Smith isn’t that he’s a headcase (which he is) or would mess with the chemistry (the team wouldn’t allow it). The problem with JR Smith is that he’s uncoachable. That’s a fatal flaw. What’s the point of bringing someone aboard who would essentially be a DNP-CD every night?

by CapHill on Sep 6, 2010 4:37 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

What’s the point of bringing someone aboard who would essentially be a DNP-CD every night?

Can I volunteer for that role? I’ll gladly play for the league minimum

I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 8, 2010 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Can you look silly while cheering for the team from the end of the bench? We do need a new HVC.

by CapHill on Sep 8, 2010 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes I Can.

I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 8, 2010 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, maybe Pop could use a ‘victory cigar’ player? (cf. Larry Brown’s victory cigar, Darko M.)

Rec’d

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

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 8, 2010 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Overrated

J.R. Smith is an overrated player. Career 42% Field goal shooter 37% from three and 74% from the line. So the one attribute he supposedly is good at actually he turns out to only be decent at and he doesn’t do anything else on the court and he makes dumb decisions off the court. No thanks I’ll pass on the guy. LOL. We have a few guys who on paper look like they should be decent to good three point shooters and they will come with a cheaper price tag and no drama. That is how a smart front office works, they don’t panic and make bad trades or over pay for one dimensional free agents

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

by gunnin' gervin on Sep 6, 2010 8:00 PM CDT reply actions

I Agree with all the above and just wanted to add

If JR Smith has a fit anywhere on the basketball court it’s as a sixth-man/spark-plug kind of player who runs the offense for the second team.

We already have the sixth man of the decade and at the same position. If he fits anywhere it’s elsewhere.

by greyberger on Sep 6, 2010 8:47 PM CDT reply actions

JR Smith needs to stay as far away from the Spurs as possible. He is a cancer.

by Ed (dfjmed) on Sep 6, 2010 10:03 PM CDT reply actions

Chicken

“And he isn’t a spring chicken anymore.” Why isn’t the opposite ever used as a description for someone who is young? Like: Is J Anderson a srping chicken?

Just wondering.

Go Spurs Go!!

by COrozco21 on Sep 7, 2010 2:03 PM CDT reply actions

by CapHill on Sep 7, 2010 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Fummy

Go Spurs Go!!

by COrozco21 on Sep 7, 2010 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Anderson will be special. Temple could be. Neal at best will be another Mason Jr.

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

by Joseph Parkes on Sep 7, 2010 8:29 PM CDT reply actions

nothing wrong with that at all

better then JR who isn’t good for the team and pop would kill him or have a stroke by week 3

by spurs fan on Sep 7, 2010 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions

and Neal is costing us 500K this year instead of the 3.5 million Mason cost last year

by BlaseE on Sep 8, 2010 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions

This is the ~~gangbanger~~ guy you want wearing the Silver and Black?!

Yeah, right.

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

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 8, 2010 4:30 PM CDT reply actions 5 recs

This is priceless

The Spurs = Not your granddaddies 7th seed !

by alamobro on Sep 8, 2010 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions

tuna, you get my vote for PtRocker of the week for this reply. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an argument or discussion won so decisively with a single image.

Somebody please turn this green ASAP.

CD, if you’re still collecting items for a VisiLex, then this would be one to keep for sure.

I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 9, 2010 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions

That’s a gangbangers sign? Down in NZ, its called the funky chicken.

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

by Joseph Parkes on Sep 10, 2010 1:26 AM CDT up reply actions

The gang related activity isn’t the pose he’s striking, it’s the way he was replacing his c‘s with k’s in the text of his tweet.

The pose just shows what a showboating fool he is; nothing more.

I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 10, 2010 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

He is a fake blood

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

by gunnin' gervin on Sep 10, 2010 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions

I just saw your sig. It almost inspired me to write a paragraph.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Sep 10, 2010 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions

It’s not all that obvious that you can end up inspiring yourself. Guess you gotta take your moments as they come, eh?

I look forward to seeing you around more often as you’re able.

I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 12, 2010 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions

make that

“more often, when you’re able”

I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 12, 2010 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m trying. Life 1, David 0.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Sep 14, 2010 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Don’t worry.

There’s plenty of time for a comeback.

I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 15, 2010 2:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Here’s another one… not as funny as the first one, but it did make me wonder: “Does he plan to volunteer?” I doubt he’d last a day in the Army…

Anyway, the (new) Denver F.O. is saying that they’re trying to trade him…. of course, this is the same F.O. that’s having to deal with the ’Melo situation, and is rumored to be pissing off potential trade partner New Jersey by delaying pulling the trigger while entertaining competing deals.

Personally, I’d love it if the ‘Melo-drama continues through the year… it’ll give the New York press a non-Knick to write about other than Tony Parker, and I suspect the distraction will shatter an already shaky Nuggets team psyche.

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

by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 27, 2010 8:54 PM CDT reply actions