Lorbek: Spurs looking for a Center

[Wesley33177]

Lorbek valora la segona oferta del Bar

This is the Google translation I got:


According Lorbek, the Spurs' first choice right now is a more physical center that plays 5. Depending if the Texas team is successful, there will be a place for the Slovenian.

Is that accurate?

A physical center? That doesn't make much sense unless Splitter is traded. And what physical centers are on the market other than Kaman? Camby's a center but he's anything but physical . . .

[grizzly_bexar]

I think Camby fits in the sense of being able to play larger, although he is obviously not a banger.

[Uwe Blab]

So basically that's what I've been saying all along...he looks soft.

[JuanCaca]

lets trade bonner for a pick in 2020 draft, and blair for something...

to get lorbek and that physical(needed) center :-)

[InegoMontoya]

so im just starting to realize that the spurs are a complete off season enigma... we will never know what they want or what they are going to do. every player fans want goes to another team, players we dont even think about end up coming here and playing well. who will be this years gary neal or danny green? who will be this years stephen or jaren jackson? can we pick up another michael finley or a boris diaw at any point in the season? what about a past his prime steve kerr or brent barry? we have a knack for signing players nobody was clamoring for and getting them to fit well into our system, we will do it again... but the question is who is the next player we will drag from obscurity to the river walk?

[Jose_TheGenius]

really Spurs? so Duncan is still gonna go 4 Down just because Duncan apparently doesn't want to be a 5? this would only be good if Duncan could still create his own shot on a consistent basis.

but oh well, "In Pop We Trust" when crap seems idiotic but only the mastermind knows what he's doing. can't wait for another postseason where Duncan looks pathetic and can't get around Kendrick Perkins, just because TD didn't want to patrol the paint.

[Uwe Blab]

Originally Posted by Jose_TheGenius

really Spurs? so Duncan is still gonna go 4 Down just because Duncan apparently doesn't want to be a 5? this would only be good if Duncan could still create his own shot on a consistent basis.

but oh well, "In Pop We Trust" when crap seems idiotic but only the mastermind knows what he's doing. can't wait for another postseason where Duncan looks pathetic and can't get around Kendrick Perkins, just because TD didn't want to patrol the paint.

So Lorbek supposedly can create his own shot? Not in the NBA.

[Jose_TheGenius]

Originally Posted by Uwe Blab

So Lorbek supposedly can create his own shot? Not in the NBA.

creating their own shot isn't as hard as posting guys down like Splitter does in the Euros. it'd be easier for Lorbek because you can always set a screen for him, go pick and roll, do some sets. he may even be able to take his opponents off the dribble.

of course instead of trying that out, we're looking for a guy who can't score (probably not even shoot) and will then see Duncan struggle to get by the slowest bigs in the NBA because of his knees.

[Wesley33177]

Not an encouraging article.

Lorbek wants to come over but he's the Spurs second choice?

Wish it meant Blair and Bonner were on the way out but it's most likely Splitter.

[Uwe Blab]

Originally Posted by Jose_TheGenius

creating their own shot isn't as hard as posting guys down like Splitter does in the Euros. it'd be easier for Lorbek because you can always set a screen for him, go pick and roll, do some sets. he may even be able to take his opponents off the dribble.

of course instead of trying that out, we're looking for a guy who can't score (probably not even shoot) and will then see Duncan struggle to get by the slowest bigs in the NBA because of his knees.

Lorbek isn't going to be what Duncan used to be. He won't even be what Duncan is now. He's not athletic enough to take anyone off the dribble (from what I can see), and the pick and roll is easily guarded by the elite teams unless you have a stud doing the pick and rolling. And that's not even getting into his defense, which I can tell is going to be lacking.

I guess they are in the frame of mind that they need defensive bigs, and you can generate offense from the other guys. Of course, none of this matters because there's only one star on the team that makes things go (Tony) and he can be stopped. They need another stud.

[BehaviorDisorder]

That's stupid. It's like drafting a player for need vs taking the best available

[Jose_TheGenius]

Originally Posted by BehaviorDisorder

That's stupid. It's like drafting a player for need vs taking the best available

agreed.

either way though, he'd be both. if Duncan would just play defense and be our Tyson Chandler/Marcus Camby/(add name of guy who only plays defense and occasionally scores every now and then), then he'd be a necessity.

if we go with best available big man, i don't know what big that's a free agent i would take over Lorbek from what he's shown in Europe (for the price we can afford)

[SilverSpur]

The hilighted ones may be worth a shot(?) (Also highlighted the French guys since that seems to be an area of focus, lately.) #10 Is a guy the Spurs expressed an interest in years ago.

Top 15 Free agent Centers

1. DWIGHT HOWARD – What, he’s not available? Rent-to-own? Nets or bust? Contact Rob Hennigan.

2. ROY HIBBERT – Will they or won’t they? Indiana has a replacement lined up in Chris Kaman, but could also match a max deal (4 years, $58 million) to keep a 7-foot-2 25-year-old entering his prime as the pillar of the franchise.

3. JAVALE MCGEE – He’s been a knucklehead, but had a national coming-out party against the Lakers in the playoffs, teasing suitors with his potential. Denver wants him back, but isn’t interested in breaking the bank to do it.

4. CHRIS KAMAN – Handled a difficult situation in New Orleans professionally, which is why the Pacers are confident he can adequately replace Hibbert if called upon and others are anxiously hoping Indy matches and they’ll get their shot at impressing the Caveman.

5. OMER ASIK – It seems like I’m in the minority in appreciating his value, even if the Rockets are over-paying (3 years, $25 million) to try and steal him from Chicago. Still, his impact on the defensive end is monumental, and you’ve got to think the 26-year-old Turk won’t be as huge an offensive liability as he has been once he gets more comfortable as a starting center.

6. SPENCER HAWES – The Sixers were at their best last season when he was, so while it was disappointing that he couldn’t raise his game to help them upset Boston when it mattered most, spending $13 million over two years on a skilled 24-year-old 7-footer is a good buy.

7. MARCUS CAMBY – At 38 years old, it’s hard to believe he hasn’t played in more than a single playoff series in the same postseason since his Knicks days. Winning is important to him, which is why it will be interesting to see where he ultimately ends up. Miami would be an ideal fit.

8. IAN MAHINMI – For starters, the Spurs found him, so you know he can probably play. He had some great games last season and disappeared in others despite getting regular minutes, but did shoot 64 percent against the Thunder. He knows his limitations. Strikes me as a spot starter with upside considering he’s still just 25.

9. ROBIN LOPEZ – His best game last season was his first: 21 points, seven boards, brimming with confidence. That he struggled so much the rest of the way makes it likely that no one will overpay to try and steal him from Phoenix.

10. NENAD KRSTIC – Since he can ink a buyout with CSKA Moscow, he’s out there. A truly gifted offensive center who can help a team — 20 minutes a night.

11. HASHEEM THABEET – The 7-2 bust can resurrect his career helping the Thunder win titles. It’s why Sam Presti applied a quick and effective full-court press, netting the former No. 2 pick to a two-year deal believed to be for the minimum. Playing with Serge Ibaka could be inspirational.

12. KWAME BROWN – He might join his seventh NBA team this offseason, which tells you that 7-foot busts can still earn a living.

13. GREG ODEN – The line for his services won’t be out the door, but it only takes one. It’s understandable people forget what he did when he was healthy enough to play, but in his final full game, he corralled 20 rebounds. Sadly, that was on Dec. 10, 2009.

14. JOEL PRZYBILLA – He’s as big as a house, so considering he’s still got a few years left where he can lean on smaller centers for 15 minutes, he’ll be employed.

15. JERMAINE O’NEAL – You can’t go to Germany for that gimmicky knee surgery and not make this list. Plus, I love J.O. He’s been through a lot and still willing to fight. That goes a long way,

REST OF THE CROP: NAZR MOHAMMED, AARON GRAY, SHELDEN WILLIAMS, RONNY TURIAF, KYRYLO FESENKO, HAMED HADDADI, RYAN HOLLINS, MICKELL GLADNESS, DANIEL ORTON, DJ MBENGA, PRIMOZ BREZEC, JASON COLLINS, JAMAAL MAGLOIRE, ERICK DAMPIER, TONY BATTIE, DAVID ANDERSEN, ALEXIS AJINCA, ETAN THOMAS, SOLOMON ALABI, HILTON ARMSTRONG, SEAN WILLIAMS, RANDOLPH MORRIS, KEITH BENSON, PATRICK O’BRYANT, GARRETT SILER, HAMADY N’DIAYE.