Why the Spurs don't sign big name free agents and other random musings

Due to a carp load of work, I have been MIA from PTR the last several weeks. After catching up with the goings on at PTR, our fearless leader and I chatted about free agency so far. I'm usually disrespectful and he usually talks a lot of smack. For once, we were nice to each other, which is why you get to read the following:

CapHill

So bossman, are you as upset with PATFO as everyone else?

J.R. Wilco

Not at all. I wasn't expecting any big splash, not when corporate knowledge is so important. Why bring in a new piece when it'd take him who knows how long to learn the system and get comfortable with everybody? Unless Timmy falls off a cliff production wise or defense wise, the team will be better next year than this year. Green will be better. Kawhi will certainly be better. Manu will hopefully not be hurt as often.

CapHill

KOOL AID DRINKER!

J.R. Wilco

Never! I'm a Kool Aid MIXER! And a Kool Aid SERVER!

I might sample a small sip from time to time, but it's only to check for taste. I don't NEED to drink the Kool Aid, because this is how I already think. Hopefully, that answers your question.

CapHill

Just a wee bit wordy, but yes.

The sense I get is that PATFO is done. Jes?

J.R. Wilco

I'm nothing if not wordy. I have no idea whether they're done - none at all. I'm just nowhere near thinking that I know enough to be upset that they didn't do one thing or another.

Maybe they TRIED to pull a particular trade off. Maybe they TRIED to sign a certain guy, and it didn't come off. Well, ok - I know I'll never hear about it. So why get all upset about it when they've proved that they know what they're doing?

Look at that Marco Belinelli signing. It came from out of the blue. NO ONE knew it was even being discussed until it happened. Woj tweeted 15 minutes before it was announced. That's NOTHING. That's a courtesy call before making it official, so that he's not embarrassed at not saying it's happening beforehand.

If PATFO can pull that off, it stands to reason that they're trying to do other things that don't quite work out. That's why it makes me so upset to read comments from people saying stuff like "Why didn't they even try for ___?" How do you know they didn't? Just because it's not on the front page of ESPN doesn't mean they didn't make a try for it. Not everyone wants to play in San Antonio, and even guys who might, some of them might need more $ than we have to offer.

And just because a name gets bounced around (AK47) doesn't mean he'd really be that good of a fit.

CapHill

Seriously, I'm on your side. But now I'm going to have to create the male counterpoint to the Chatty Cathy persona - Windy Wilco. Wow!

And part of the problem is that you have some fans who don't understand the business side of life. Both parties have to negotiate for an agreement to be reached, but in the NBA, rarely do both parties even step up to the same table.

But I'm glad to know that I'm not the only sane Spurs fan out there. Plus, I really like the Italian signing.

I have no idea what to think of Pendergraph signing, but he's an end of the bench guy, so I don't really care.

J.R. Wilco

I've got a commitment from the guy who runs Indy Cornrows that he'll send me a writeup on Pendy soon. But he admitted he "loves the guy". So ... that's nice.

CapHill

That's good news. Indy fans are generally pretty knowledgeable basketball people.

J.R. Wilco

And Tom is no fool.

CapHill

So is Matty gone?

J.R. Wilco

I dunno. Probably not. Why do you ask?

CapHill

Just wondering. Seems like there won't be many minutes for Winter Shoes next season.

J.R. Wilco

We thought that going into last year and look how much he played in the WCF.

CapHill

He's the only trade chip that's left.

J.R. Wilco

Besides the Big Four, you mean?

CapHill

You funny.

J.R. Wilco

What? You don't think Kawhi deserves to be mentioned with TD, TP and MG?

CapHill

No, silly. Just that none of the Big Four are going to be traded. I hope Danny isn't either.

J.R. Wilco

NOW you're getting to something that I think has been bandied about a bit too much.

CapHill

It took me awhile, but all of my limbs are now completely inside the Verde train. Now if he can just learn to finish at the rim, this Cappy will be happy!

J.R. Wilco

A happy Cappy on the Verde Train!!! I can't wait!