One more parade?

[Garza]

One more parade?

February 16, 2009 @ 3:42 pm · Filed under John Salmons, Manu Ginobili, Roger Mason, San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker


When the San Antonio Spurs got off to a 2-5 start and were hobbled with some key injuries, it was open game for the skeptics. One nitwit even suggested that if things didn’t improve that the Spurs faced the real prospect of missing the postseason for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

Sadly, the person who wrote that forgettable sentence was yours truly in an article for HoopsHype.com during the second week of November.

Fast forward to the post NBA all-star break portion of the season and the Spurs are in their accustomed position of challenging for an NBA title.

Two points should be made of the situation.

One, you shouldn’t believe everything you read. And second, it’s both unwise and premature to begin doubting the capability of San Antonio.

In fairness to the skeptics (i.e. me) Manu Ginobili still hadn’t played early in the season while recovering from ankle surgery. Adding to the Spurs woes, Tony Parker had just suffered a sprained ankle on Nov. 7 in a 99-83 loss to Miami that dropped their record to 1-4.

So the Spurs faced the prospect of competing without two of the Big Three, while the third member of that trio, Tim Duncan was forced to play extended minutes early in the season.

Of course doom didn’t appear on the Spurs’ doorstep. Ginobili’s return provided the expected major spark. In his first 38 games back, the Spurs were 29-9.

Parker missed nine games and the Spurs still managed to go 7-2 in those contests.
Duncan, who was averaging nearly 40 minutes per game early in the season, now has his season average to a manageable 35.3 per game. Look for that total to drop over the final 31 games of the season.

Nobody does a better job of getting his team ready for the postseason than coach Gregg Popovich.

So what happened?

The Spurs have received better than expected production from Roger Mason, who is averaging 11.9 points per game and shooting 44.9 percent from beyond the arc. Plus, as the Phoenix Suns will attest to, Mason has shown a penchant for hitting one big shot after another.

Duncan has in his own quiet way continued to be a 20 and 10 machine. When Parker and Ginobili were both out of the lineup, he carried the team.

Both before and after his injury, Parker has been a dominant point guard and a deserving all-star selection and Ginobili remains as one of the top clutch performers in the NBA.
It has all added up to earning the Spurs the second best record in the Western Conference at the all-star break (35-16).

The Spurs have answered the question of being an NBA title contender. The bigger question is can they win with the team intact or do they have to make a move by the trade deadline?
Good question.

The Spurs can no doubt contend, but contending and winning it all are two different things.

It would appear as if the Spurs would have to add an extra piece if they have designs of winning their fifth NBA title since 1999.

Of course the Spurs have been among the teams rumored to have interest in New Jersey’s Vince Carter. And there is no doubt that adding Carter would move the Spurs right into Laker territory.

However, from this vantage point, it would be a surprise if the Spurs would be able to pull this off.

The Nets would seem to want a potential starter and a possible huge expiring contract and the Spurs don’t seem like a fit here.

Of course there could be other additions that are less expensive that could help the Spurs. For instance Sacramento’s John Salmons has been mentioned as being available and somebody like that who plays good defense and is quietly averaging 18.3 points per game, would be a welcome addition.

Of course, Salmons is scoring a lot of points on a bad Kings team, but the fact remains that he would provide the Spurs with the type of depth they need.

One problem is that the Spurs don’t have a lot to offer other teams. Dangling a player like Bruce Bowen isn’t going to bring a hefty return.

If San Antonio could add a piece, then the Spurs would be awfully dangerous. As it is now, they still will be a difficult team in the playoffs.

Still, one would have to worry about the Spurs depth unless players such as Michael Finley and Kurt Thomas suddenly find the fountain of youth.

And Duncan has carried such a big load this year, that one has to wonder if a player who turns 33 in April will wear down at all when the postseason rolls along.

Keep in mind that there are other teams that would like to have the Spurs so-called problems. With three players who are as dangerous as any trio in the Western Conference, the Spurs have the capability to beat anybody.

Whether changes are made or not, one sure bet is that nobody will relish facing the Spurs in the postseason.




HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Marc Narducci

[spurscrazed]

Last night Rose said at the NBA FAST Break that teams who would he expect to do a move before the deadline is the SPURS.

And David Aldridge said on the inside the NBA last night that SAC Town will move several players including Brad and Salmon before deadline as he heard it.

What I like about Brad that he have great court vision besides blocking shots and grabbing several rebounds and hitting some jump shots. I don't know if the Spurs can do a three team deal or use that Horry card and get on one of those two. Let's hope so.

[ALSPURS]

Great article...

[Grego]

Well some teams are willing to trade even more just for luxury tax relief. Firesales are good for buyers.

[crospur]

Originally Posted by Grego

Well some teams are willing to trade even more just for luxury tax relief. Firesales are good for buyers.

What makes you think the Spurs could not use some tax relief as well? I know now they're bellow the line, but it looks like it's going down the next season...

[Grego]

Originally Posted by crospur

What makes you think the Spurs could not use some tax relief as well? I know now they're bellow the line, but it looks like it's going down the next season...

They can, I said that more in general. The only question is whether the Spurs think they can score a better deal than usual. Probably not because the Spurs don't have a lot to offer in a mixed package.

[crospur]

You do have a point about fire sale, that gives the Spurs a chance. That being said, I think the Spurs are watching their payroll as closely as anyone else, and that could be the biggest factor to consider in any potential deal. That's why (amongst other more obvious reasons) I don't see the Spurs making a run Carter, Rasheed or anyone with similar contract.

[Grego]

Originally Posted by crospur

You do have a point about fire sale, that gives the Spurs a chance. That being said, I think the Spurs are watching their payroll as closely as anyone else, and that could be the biggest factor to consider in any potential deal. That's why (amongst other more obvious reasons) I don't see the Spurs making a run Carter, Rasheed or anyone with similar contract.

Well Carter has many reasons. However, Rasheed is 1 year, so its actually not as bad to suck it up this year. Obviously that would never happen. If Rasheed were ever a Spur it would be from this offseason, when he is free to do what he wants.

All I'm going to say is the window for the Spurs closes once Duncan is gone. So you try to do something this year or next year in my mind.

[theinswes]

Originally Posted by Grego

Well Carter has many reasons. However, Rasheed is 1 year, so its actually not as bad to suck it up this year. Obviously that would never happen. If Rasheed were ever a Spur it would be from this offseason, when he is free to do what he wants.

All I'm going to say is the window for the Spurs closes once Duncan is gone. So you try to do something this year or next year in my mind.

AMEN! i agree with you wholeheartedly on the need to milk the tim duncan era for all we got!

[spursfan9]

Brad Miller!!!
Tim Duncan!!!

poor Boner, he's worked so hard.... what to do?

[mckennaspur1]

I've thought that Bonner has been trade bait all season long. The fact that he's been playng so well (particularly on nat'l TV in Boston) only makes him more attractive to trade partners.

Piece him together with JVaughn (a very serviceable PG) and the possibility of Bruce going out to be brought back via waivers, and the Spurs have room to make a move or two.

[Guapo]

If the Lakers go a modest 20-10 down the stretch, San Antonio would have to go 27-4 to tie them for the best record in the Western Conference. In other words, the Lakers look like solid picks to take the West's No. 1 playoff seeing.

[Grego]

Originally Posted by mckennaspur1

I've thought that Bonner has been trade bait all season long. The fact that he's been playng so well (particularly on nat'l TV in Boston) only makes him more attractive to trade partners.

Piece him together with JVaughn (a very serviceable PG) and the possibility of Bruce going out to be brought back via waivers, and the Spurs have room to make a move or two.

Doesn't a great scout to know he's limited in his game and isn't the best defender. Teams need a similar inside/outside half court game to take full advantage of Bonner. His value is at its highest, but that's still not that high.

[bossu]

Originally Posted by spursfan9

poor Boner, he's worked so hard.... what to do?

How nice it is to be twelve again.

[djraygsa]

i hope there is one more parade