Spurs Waive Darius Washington

The Spurs waived Darius Washington today, the D-League beast who played in 18 games for the Spurs while Tony Parker and Jacque Vaughn were out with injuries. If he clears waivers, the Toros can retain him. One source suggests that the Spurs wanted Washington's Austin Toros teammate Keith Langford (pictured) all along:

"Mike Schmidt an NBDL, NCAA scout says that while the Spurs called up Marcus Williams from the Toros, they had originally wanted to sign Langford instead. Langford had been out the previous 10 days with an injury, and San Antonio needed somebody to step in and play right away, so they were forced to sign Williams. Spurs GM RC Buford went to watch Keith Langford play against Tulsa, though, his first game back, where they saw him shut down Dallas Mavericks assignee Maurice Ager."

If that has any truth to it, Langford (23.2 points a game on 53% shooting) will probably be called up relatively soon. He's more of a combo guard, but is a bonafide D-Leauge All-Star candidate and apparently good on the defensive end. Washington was a decent prospect, but wasn't always focused on defense (I remember a few lapses and dumb fouls on his part). Unfortunately, Langford falls way short of Washington in beard growth. Farewell, grizzly bear.

The Infirmary Ward

AP Photo/Eric Gay

- Ginobili missed tonight's game with Chicago (a 94-79 victory) and may miss a few more with his sprained index finger. To be honest, I don't mind him missing time. He needs the rest, especially after admitting to being worn out.

- Francisco Elson returned from his ankle injury. Normally I'd plug in a snide remark about how Butterfingers Elson will drag down the team...but neh, he's been playing well this year. Until next time, Cisco.

- Marcus Williams was released, resigned, and actually played for the Spurs tonight thanks to all the injuries (0-1, 0 pts, 1 blocked shot in 2 minutes of garbage time). I think I owe someone money for my "Hell will freeze over before he ever steps foot in the NBA" prediction. Whatever, he still blows until further notice. But hey, he's awesome in D-league!

- Another one bites the dust...Brent Barry sprained his left calf with 3:20 left in the first quarter. With Manu already out, Ime Udoka needs to pick up some slack.

Update: Barry will miss around 2 weeks with a torn left calf muscle. With Barry and Ginobili out, Finley and Udoka are the only experienced wing options, unless Popovich decides to play Bonner at the SF.

Losing to Win

New Spurs article posted at Realgm.com.

This Is Really, Really Stupid

I take pride in the semi-professionalism of this blog. Not a lot of swearing, no pop culture jokes, few mentions of Stephen Jackson or strip clubs. (This may also mean less visits to the humble little blog, but I digress.)

However, I guess it's unavoidable that this is going to become a major issue, maybe along the lines of the T.O.-Jessica Simpson fiasco. So I might as well address it now...if you ignore this completely, I respect you entirely....here is the entire saga to this point (deep breath):

Tony Parker....MARRIED!......CHEATING?.......MET SUPERMODEL AT WEDDING?.....NOT CHEATING.....TIMMY DOESN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.....BUT SHE HAS PROOF!.....THE PROOF IS RIDICULOUSLY STUPID....TONY SUES FOR $20 MILLION!

To be honest, I really don't care about any of this. It's stupid. I want his ankle to heal. Now.

But, for the sake of....well, for the hell of it, really, I'll jump on board.

The website that is fueling it is one of those "celebrity hunting" sites. I won't link them because it's trash and I don't want to perpetuate this type of crap. They have "proof" that could be created easily by any 6th grader with a knowledge of Photoshop. I'm sure they are paying this model nicely. Also, this same girl did this with Ronaldinho (the futbol/soccer star) a couple of years ago until he threatened to sue. If nothing else, it's obvious that Parker's high-profile inevitably puts a target on his back.

On a good note, the Spurs are too unfriendly with the media to be distracted or caught up in this at all. Except for you, Jacque Vaughn. I can tell you're the gossipy sort...you're not fooling anyone.

Ime Udoka: Part Baller, Part Ninja

From the WTF files...
By: Gabe Muoneke, Hoopshype blogger and teammate of Ime's on the Nigerian National Team

THE IME UDOKA STORY

It’s a trip when you get to know people. Ime was so quiet and I figured he was just some guy who could play with a Nigerian father. Well, folks in S.A., don’t be fooled. That dude in an Afr-I-CAN! I mean damn! The only thing non-African about him is his accent. We went to Nigeria, man… When they brought out the food I figured uh oh… He aint eatin’ th… What the?! Ime was tearing that Fu-fu (thank Jay-Z for everyone knowing what that is now) to shreads. I asked him about his adornment of the vittles. He said that’s all he ate growing up. Imagine my surprise when I saw he must have grown up doing the African ju-jitsu too.

When the National Team went to Algeria for the African Championships in Algiers, every team was on edge because the Top 3 squads got the invite to the World Championships. So after we lost to Angola in the semis and had to play Algeria for the third spot, they knew, we knew, everyone knew they had no shot. First quarter… Tactics. African ball, man. Trust me: as corrupt as can be. Despite all the cheating from the three-man (North African) refereeing crew they just couldn’t beat us. So the coach sent in their best player, who was injured but came in with a purpose. I think his name was Ali Bidane or something. We had the ball out of bounce under. He guarded me. As the ref handed us the ball, he turned, looked at me as if there was not a game going on. And pop! Not an elbow, not even a signature yours truly gutter. He decked me right in the jaw. I couldn’t believe it. And come on. I freely admit when I throw cheap shots. I wouldn’t hide it if I started to. I mean, I’m in the middle of basically middle eastern country playing the local team. I know better (read on to see my contradiction). He nailed me, we turned it over, and yes, my Rodman 101 class did well. I looked up court, saw both refs back and calmly asked him in by most polite French, “Pardon me sir, I object to you striking me.” Next thing you know… Both teams on the court going at it. Wow.

Imagine my surprise! (My cheeks hurt). That wasn’t the real brawl. After we won was the real issue. After the game, they were waiting for us to come out of the locker room. And seriously, I didn’t start it. Kingsley Ogwudire was in front of our team in an all-out tirade in his best Arabic. The next thing you know, there were three Algerian players on him. Everyone was engaged in combat save me, if you can believe it. And lo and ehold… Ime! He was taking people out like in Mortal Kombat. Finish him! Incredible. I was so out of it as I had five guys I was fighting (oh yeah, the crowd jumped in as the fight spilled over to the court of the championship game of Senegal and Angola).

In the middle of the whole thing I heard Ime, literally in mid-swing of another opponent say,”Watch back, Gabe” and he calmly, I mean calmly, smeared a guy who, as I turned to see his warning, jumped from the stands with a chair to probably kill me or knock me out to where the crowd would have. I mean, Ime caught the guy in mid air with a fist and calmly continued his dispacthing of oncoming people. He and other guys (yes, me too) were whoopin’ so many people the crowd backed up. True to the letter! But Ime had the most notches by far. As we retreated to the locker room to kind chants of, “You cudly blackies! We highly doubt your ability to leave this gym with lives intact” in French, (it might have been a bad translation) all I could do was marvel at Ime. This guy, I thought, was a quiet American guy was standing there – all his stuff gone (gym bag, wallet, shoes, jersey) – with a stick in his hand we tore off the walls of the locker room in the middle of North Africa quite literally with our lives on the line… laughing. All the while I was texting my wife that I loved her and might have a hard time seeing her again while she was watching the whole incident on BBC News. And Ime… laughing. He is and always will be my 9ja broda. Ime… Wetin happen bros? Abi na notin. Notin dey happen. To this day I don’t know how we got out of there. But that night we ate like kings at the Nigerian Embassy. And Ime was with us… Killing his Fu-fu.

Tell me how I could have seen a thing like that if I had made the NBA out of college! You just can’t make this stuff up.

Link: Gabe Muoneke's blog on Hoopshype

Injuries Galore for Spurs' Big Three

Timmy Duncan continues to miss games after his knee and ankle issues, but the Spurs have been a respectable 2-1 without him heading into their road game with the Lakeshow. Ginobili's back-to-back 37 point games have carried the offense, but it turns out he's had a bum thumb since Portland.

News coming out of SA is that Parker has been banged up as well. Duncan is reportedly ready to return, but Parker will miss at least one game because of a sprained right ankle he's endured since a late November game with the Timberwolves.

It may cost them a few games, but better to get them healthy now then try to play for homecourt advantage in December. The injuries have also opened up opportunities for role players to get some confidence. Darius Washington was brought back up from Austin after tearing up the D-League and Matt Bonner had a career game of 25 points and 17 rebounds against the Warriors.

Sigh Of Relief, Duncan's Injury "Minor"

From ESPN: Duncan out vs. Mavs; knee treated as 'short-term' injury

The San Antonio Spurs received some encouraging news Monday afternoon when an MRI exam came back negative on Tim Duncan's right knee and right ankle, both injured in the first half of Sunday's home victory over Portland.

Duncan has been ruled out of Wednesday's showdown with San Antonio's longstanding rivals from Dallas, but Spurs spokesman Tom James said that a firm diagnosis on how long Duncan will be out is at least a day or two away.

The Spurs say they want to see how Duncan responds to treatment before putting an estimate on his return date. But they are treating it as a short-term injury, which naturally comes as a great relief to the defending champs. Things didn't look especially promising when Duncan went down hard after tangling with Portland's James Jones in the second quarter Sunday, with the two-time MVP requiring the help of teammates to leave the floor.

"It's not a big deal at all," Spurs spokesman Tom James said.

"It's more scary than anything else -- at least that's what I'm hoping," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said initially.

Although Duncan's right knee is still sore, he'll be listed as inactive with a sprained right ankle Wednesday when the Mavericks visit the AT&T Center for the first time season. The Mavs won the teams' first meeting in Dallas on Nov. 15.

Even if Duncan winds up missing a week or two, San Antonio has a favorable schedule in December to cope with his absence. The Spurs are one of only two teams in the league still unbeaten at home this season at 10-0 -- Boston is the other at 9-0 -- and will be on the road for only three of their 12 games this month.

Timmy NOOOOOoOOOooo!

Duncan sprains right ankle, bruises knee; will have MRI Monday

SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan bruised his right knee and sprained his right ankle Sunday in the second quarter of their game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The team said all of Duncan's ligaments appeared stable but that he would have an MRI on Monday. He was not to return to Sunday's game and the team said he would miss some playing time.

Duncan got caught up with Portland's James Jones and fell to the floor near the Spurs' basket with 7:40 left in the half. He was clutching his knee and had to be helped off the floor by two of his teammates.

Hopefully, he's fine long-term. In fact, it could have been a lot worse, but we'll know more on Monday. He'll probably miss a week or two. In case you were wondering, it's not the same knee that he had surgery on in 2000.

Austin Toros Roster Updates

Ian Mahinmi and Darius Washington were both sent to Austin over the course of the last couple of weeks. Washington tore it up in his first game with the Toros: 32 points (28 in the second half). If he develops, he could be the heir apparent to Jacque Vaughn rather than just the guy who helped make Beno expendable.


Mahinmi, on the other hand, has been up and down. He's averaging a respectable 13 points and 7 rebounds a game in the D-league (which is far more guard-oriented than the NBA). Unfortunately, he's also a foul and turnover machine. He's a freak athlete, but still a work in progress. Of course, just because he can dunk, some Spurs fans think he should be starting today (see: White, James).

Perhaps the weirdest roster update is the re-acquisition of Marcus Williams. He scored 12 points against Sioux Falls in his first game. Someone still has hope for the guy, but I'd be fairly amazed if he ever works his way onto the Spurs roster.

The Return Of Small Ball

Prior to their 112-99 collapse against Sacramento Monday night (a.k.a. Beno’s wrathful revenge), the Spurs had set a franchise record for best start to a season at 12-2. Sure, they’ve had a cakewalk schedule, but they’ve also been taking care of business. So take every critical statement with a grain of salt, because the Spurs are winning.

But recent trends in playing time have brought forth a resurfacing of sorts: the dreaded small ball.

For the more dedicated of Spurs fans, you recognize the lineup immediately. Duncan mans the center, flanked by any group of Ginobili, Parker, Bowen, Barry, or Finley (with Finley generally manning the power forward position).

When it works, the Spurs play magnificent finesse basketball. The lane opens up for Duncan, and opposing teams sag off of the plethora of shooters. Recently, the Spurs won a high scoring affair with Orlando by predominantly playing small ball, matching up against a Magic team that plays Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis at the power forward.

Other times, it backfires, like it did against the Kings. Fabricio Oberto tore up the Kings on the interior for 13 points on 6-7 shooting in the first half, but received little playing time as the Spurs started falling behind.

Statistically, the recent pension for small ball has been most readily reflected in Francisco Elson's minutes. Through their first 11 games, Elson averaged 20.1 minutes a game, all off the bench. In the last 4 games he's averaged 8.3 minutes a game, sacrificing minutes (mostly) to Brent Barry. Barry hadn't registered more than 22 minutes in a game all season, but is averaging slightly over 22.1 in the last 6.

The lingering question is whether this style of play best suits the Spurs (or, more specifically, if they can win in the playoffs this way).

Spurs fans remember small ball not stacking up against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006 playoffs. We also saw it work, albeit inconsistently, against the Phoenix Suns in 2007. According to 82games.com, the lineup of Barry, Finley, Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan was actually one of the better lineups the Spurs put out in '06-07, with a +26 point differential. Statistically, small ball isn't necessarily a bad things for the Spurs.

But stats don't show everything. By playing small, the Spurs often buy into another team's style of play. It generally means that they've been taken out of their traditional two-big lineup. The Kings and Mavs both did they by getting double-digit leads on the Spurs. The Magic also forced the Spurs to play small, but the Spurs managed to hit their shots and eventually put the defensive clamps down.

The Spurs love their flexibility. They can run with the Suns or slug with the Rockets. But small ball isn't usually a tactical strategy by Pop, it's a last ditch effort when his team is struggling.

Like I said, the Spurs are winning, so this may all be trivial. But if other teams (namely Dallas) can force the Spurs to adjust to the small style of play, the Spurs may find themselves sacrificing their defensive foundation for a game of catch up.

Marcus Williams Waived By Toros

Talk about a bust. Picked 33rd in the draft after coming out of college early, Williams was waived by the Spurs after a pathetic summer league and preseason (3.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.2 bonehead plays a game). I don't know if there is any other player in the league selected higher in this year's draft that is not on any sort of roster right now.

So, to sum up, Marcus Williams not worthy of the Austin Toros roster, where tattooed West Virginia boy Kevin Pittsnogle was the 12th overall pick. Just putting things in perspective.

Ten Reasons I Hate The Dallas Mavericks

1. They have the worst fans in the NBA. Spoiled rich kids all around. Did you see the planned "green out" last night? It was a miserable failure. Nobody wore the shirts because they didn't want to change out of their collared polos or sports coats. And it was supposed to support the troops. Embarrassing.

2. I hate everything about the wannabe-pot-smoking-thug Josh Howard. Way to punch someone in the back of the head during preseason, by the way.

3. Jason Terry punched Michael Finley in the man parts. I knew not to do that by middle school.

4. I hate everything about cocky-rat-boy Devin Harris.

5. The fans actually have the audacity to boo Finley after all the years he put in there. He was released by the organization, he didn't ask for a trade or Marbury his way out of town. Yet they boo him. Amazing. Watch Spurs fans cheer for Avery Johnson when his number is retired this December, and you'll learn something about loyalty.

6. They are, collectively, the ugliest team in basketball, and the camera continues to zoom in on free throw attempts. Jason Terry looks like a rodent, Stackhouse looks like he should be in Geico commercials, and Howard needs a lot more than braces to fix that mess.

7. Dirk Nowitzki just kills the Spurs. He's pretty damn good, and it pisses me off.

8. They could only win with a Spur as their head coach.

9. The whole "muddy River Walk" thing. You know, it is an actual river. It's on mud. It also generates millions in tourism for the city. As opposed to Dallas, which has...uh....banks. Nice going, Cuban.

10. They are the image of the "new" NBA...tons of finesse play, isolation plays, and high scores. They are the embodiment of how the league has become wimpier.


Anyways, now that I've vented, I'll try to sum up the game in a paragraph or so. Devin Harris looks like an All-Star when he plays against the Spurs, probably because he's compared to Tony Parker every day. Parker, in case nobody noticed, single-handedly blew the first quarter for the Spurs with a sequence of turnovers. He looked banged up, too. Not good. Manu, Duncan, Vaughn and Barry (both of whom returned from injury) were the only Spurs that came to play. Oh well, it's November. Hopefully they figure the Mavs out by playoff time.

The Week In Video (11/4-11/11)

Manu slings it in to Oberto:


Manu on Yao...again.


Parker scoop against Hilton Armstrong:


Francisco Elson on 78-year-old Penny Hardaway:

The Buck Stops Here

(I need to make a habit of cheesy titles).

From the Spurs' 25 point rout of the Milwaukee Bucks:

- Manu is playing the best basketball he's played since the 2005 playoffs. 21 points in 18 minutes. Thankfully, he didn't have to play much tonight. He already has a tight quad and it flared up on him against New Orleans. The fewer minutes he has to play right now, the better.

- The Spurs outscored the Bucks by 31 points while Duncan was in the game.

- Jake Voskuhl (Bucks backup center) is balding but still sucks, disproving the theory that Manu's alopecia is directly tied to his ridiculous awesomeness.

- Barry missed his second straight game with a bum ankle, so Ime Udoka got to see some minutes....sorta. He played 27 minutes, but didn't do much of anything and only had one field goal.

- Finley caught fire, his first good game of the season. 7-12 for 17 points. He and Ginobili almost had as many points as the entire Bucks team in the first quarter.

- Ian Mahinmi could be really, really good someday. Just a beast. He's like Dwight Howard (as a rook) without the muscle. He's also really hard to tell apart from Elson on the TV...it's annoying.

- Matt Bonner is a total spaz. Darius Washington is tough as nails. Fransico Elson is playing great despite having monster butterfingers syndrome.

Duncan Arrives, Stings Hornets

From the Spurs 97-85 victory over the Hornets:

- After a few paltry performances, it was good to see Duncan back to form. Duncan had 24 and 12 with 4 blocks while dominating the Hornets' frontcourt.

- Everyone talks about how fast Parker is, but Chris Paul is pretty quick, too. Parker torched him by playing smarter that Paul did (27 points and 8 assists, including a few miracle layups that he makes seem pedestrian). Sniffle....he's all grown up.

- Ginobili keeps making plays. Not just scoring, but just plays. In one sequence, he made a three, got a steal, made an amazing pass to Parker, and swiped a rebound. He had 10 boards tonight. He's just kinda nuts. Look at that picture. Nobody would do that unless something was sincerely wrong with their mental wellbeing. I love this guy.

- Michael Finley looks old. Really, really old. He gets no separation from his defender and is mastering the Malik Rose "pump fake the shot you take 3 times" routine. He shot 1-6 tonight and only got 17 minutes of run. Not saying he's done by any stretch, but he's not in form yet.

- Darius Washington looked like a rookie at the beginning of the year, but made some smart plays. He's aggressive, to say the least. 7 points and 0 turnovers for him.

- Peja Stojakovic got Bowened: 1-6, 2 points. Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce.

Manu Reigns Supreme, Carries Spurs

Last season, I wrote about Manu Ginobili's slow start. Ultimately, he was able to return to form by the 2007 playoffs, offering timely shooting and his usual competitive fire.

This year? Ginobili's reminding everyone what a summer of rest will do for you.

Through five games, Ginobili is averaging a team-high 20.8 points a game in a modest 30 minutes a night. He's shooting 45.8% from the three point line, and perhaps most importantly, getting to the line 9 times (considerably higher than his 5 attempts a game last season). His 5.6 assists and 2.6 steals per a game are also indicative of his do-everything style.

But, as always is the case with Manu, the numbers don't tell the whole story. The fact of the matter is that Ginobili is carrying the Spurs whenever he's on the court. Through 5 games, he's their central playmaker, their best outside shooter, and, above all else, their best competitor. He tears away rebounds from bigger players (like he did against Miami) and steals outlet passes (like he did in Houston, leading to the vicious dunk on Yao). In the embarrassing loss to the Houston Rockets, Ginobili single-handedly kept the Spurs in the game with pure competitiveness.

Against Miami, Ginobili looked like his 2005 self; an unstoppable slasher with an array of floaters, fadeaways, and methods of dribble penetration.

And in case anyone forgot, he's doing it from the bench.

While Duncan quietly struggles to regain form (16 points a game on 47.5% shooting), Parker and Ginobili have carried the load. Bowen, Finley, Barry, and Oberto have all struggled to find their offensive rhythm. Each player is averaging fewer points than last season, and while early, it's obvious that the Spurs need someone to be their go-to-guy while they round into form.

Ginobili is the guy, and if he plays at this level for the next few months, the leading candidate for 6th man of the year may find himself on the All-Star team as well.

Spurs Start 3-0, Rotation Unsettled

The Spurs played their best game of the season Friday night, granted they beat up a hapless Sacramento team 96-80. For the first time this season, the defense actually showed up.

We'll give Bowen and company a mulligan for the closer-than-it-should-have-been Portland game on opening night because of the emotions of the ring ceremony. The win in Memphis, while close, was good stuff considering that the Spurs beat a running team on the second night of a back-to-back.

The one uncertainty with the Spurs at this point is their rotation. Robert Horry is returning next week after missing the last 3 to deal with "personal business". Matt Bonner has gotten good playing time in his absence and has been adequate. Elson has been getting minutes but still shows that the things he's best at are dunking and disappearing from the game...and he doesn't get to dunk a whole lot.

Ime Udoka, the only Spur that hadn't seen action after two games, tore it up in garbage time against Sacramento. Udoka had 14 points (3-4 from downtown) and 6 rebounds in just 24 minutes. He also showed surprising quickness. Popovich claimed that Udokawas "down the line" but "will get his chance".

Oh, and Beno got his ring after signing with the Kings. Good for Beno, since he'll play in a more open offense in Sac-town.

2007-2008 Spurs Season Preview

This article originally published at Realgm.com.

Dynastic? Maybe. Boring? To the casual fan, sure. Winners? Undoubtedly.

The firm of Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich has picked up four rings in the last nine years, winning the 2005 and 2007 Finals by being the most methodical, reliable, and versatile team in the NBA. They can win a war of attrition by scoring 80 a game (ask the Cavs) as quickly as they’ll win by dropping 100 (ask the Suns). That versatility, paired with three All-Star talents and a myriad of high character specialists, has made the Spurs the premier franchise in sports.

The Spurs don’t just beat you, they watch you beat yourself. The Spurs allowed a league low 90.2 points per a game last season. They are also one of the most efficient offensive teams in the league, scoring a very respectable 98.5 a contest despite being 27th in the league in pace factor (number of possessions per 48 minutes).

The Spurs aren’t getting any younger, but they were written off for that reason last year. The team is graying around the edges (literally); Michael Finley (34), Brent Barry (35), and Bruce Bowen (36) probably have two more years in them. Robert Horry (37) may be entering his final NBA season.

Despite their collective ages, the Spurs machine has shown no immediate signs of slowing. They make up for their lack of athleticism with defensive chemistry and savvy veteran play. The starting backcourt of Manu Ginobili and an ever-improving Tony Parker is the fastest in the league, and, in case anyone forgot, their power forward may be the best…not just in the league, but ever.

Unlike the other Western Conference powers, the Spurs face no real questions coming into the 2007-2008 season. Their core roster is intact, and they’ve added some subtle pieces, most notably Ime Udoka from Portland. Their biggest loss in the offseason comes in the form of P.J. Carlesimo (now coaching Kevin Durant in Seattle), but the Spurs have shown a pension for choosing the right personnel to elevate within the organization (Mike Budenholzer will take his play alongside coach Pop).

As has been the case for the past decade, the Spurs are primed for championship contention, and whether anyone outside of Texas wants to watch is incidental.

POINT GUARD

In case you hadn’t heard, the kid grew up fast. In fact, everything about Tony Parker is fast. An NBA point guard at 19, a champion in his second season, and a married All-Star by 25, Parker uses that same quickness to race by opposing guards with regularity.

While an All-Star, Parker didn’t become one of the best point guards in the game until he learned how to slow down a bit. In 2007, he saw the game better, limiting his turnovers (3.1 per 40 from 3.7 the previous season) and developing a keen sense of when to run and when to set up the half court offense.

Parker’s vastly improved jumper made him virtually unstoppable. He was judicious with his three point shooting, but when open, hit at a respectable 39.5% clip. He consistently hit from the 18-20 foot range and upped his free throw shooting to 78.7%, about 8% higher than his career average. Parker, while not a ballhawk, is an underrated defender who is able to stay in front of anyone, despite getting muscled out of the way by bigger guards like Baron Davis or Chauncey Billups.

The backup position is a little hazy. Jacque Vaughn (calf) is limited by injuries and a lack of talent. As I’m typing this, the Spurs have announced that they have traded Beno Udrih to Minnesota for a future second round pick. Darius Washington is a rookie, so the Spurs may have to rely on Brent Barry or Manu Ginobili to play some point unless the 32 year old Vaughn heals quickly.

SHOOTING GUARD

Few players, if any, are more competitive than Manu Ginobili. The veritable Renaissance man for the Spurs can do it all and is undoubtedly the heart of a team that is generally described as “robotic”.

Ginobili is an absolute star, but his numbers suggest otherwise. His averages of 16.5 points and 3.5 assists per a game seem modest until you look at his minutes played (27.5 a game). Few All-Star caliber players play under 30 minutes a game, but Ginobili’s hectic, physical style of play and age (30) led to a reduction in his regular season minutes.

Stretch his numbers over 40 minutes, and you have an absolute monster. Ginobili’s averages of 24.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.1 steals per 40 legitimize his status as an absolute stud. He is one of the best thieves and rebounders at his position, and has reconstructed his midrange game to avoid taking so many hits at the rim (his free throws per a game dipped from 5.5 to 5.0 a game). In addition, he’s a proven winner at every level, and a genuine “team first” guy that’s willing to come off the bench.

The only problem with Ginobili is that he consistently puts himself at risk of injury with his style of play. For the Spurs, that means that 34 year old Michael Finley will continue to see over 20 minutes a game. Finley has become a jump shooter instead of a slasher from the wing, but he’ll continue to get open looks from Parker and Duncan.

As if the Spurs weren’t already stacked at the position, rumor around camp is that Brent Barry (coming off his best year as a Spur) is shooting lights out. Bones Barry shot a ridiculous 44.6% from three in 2007, up almost 5% from his respectable career average. Like Finley, his age dictates that he’ll be utilized as little more than a spot up shooter.

SMALL FORWARD

Bruce Bowen can only do two things: defend and shoot corner threes. The thing is, he does them really, really well. His 38.4% from three in 2006-2007 was down from his 42.4% the previous season, but Bowen, an underrated clutch shooter, hit 44.6% in the playoffs.

His greatest value is on the defensive end, where he consistently makes life difficult on the likes of Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. Bowen isn’t a shutdown defender by any stretch of the imagination (there is no such thing in the NBA anymore), but he definitely makes life hard on the opposition. He may be losing a step at 36, but his endurance and preparation is still top notch.

Ime Udoka was signed from Portland over the summer to be the Spurs’ baby-Bruce. A tough, but not overly athletic, wing player, Ime has also shown a pension for hitting the corner shot (over 40% last season). Unlike Bowen, he has limited ball handling abilities, adding even more versatility to the roster.

POWER FORWARD

Tim Duncan doesn’t have the touch of Dirk Nowitzki or the attitude of Kevin Garnett. He can’t jump 40 inches like Amare and can’t race around defenders like Chris Bosh. But he’s still better than them all.

One of the last consistent low post threats in the game, Duncan remains the fulcrum of the Spurs’ system on both ends of the floor. The mere threat of Duncan’s post up game makes everyone on the court better. It opens up lanes for Parker and Ginobili, it makes shots for Bowen and Finley, and it creates easy cuts for Fabricio Oberto. Along with Jason Kidd and Steve Nash, Duncan is the pinnacle for making his teammates better.

At 31, Duncan is in the second phase of his career. He’s seldom relied upon to put up 30 points a game, instead deferring to his teammates. Duncan took fewer shots a game (14.1) than his entire career but upped his assists per a game (4.0 per 40) to match his career high. Suspiciously, Duncan’s turnovers were his highest since 1999-2000, which is either the sign of a loss of quickness or making more risky passes, if not both.

If teams dare to single cover him, he’ll burn them, as shown by his 26.8 points a game against the Phoenix Suns in the Western Semis. When teams double, he distributes, like he did by dishing out 5.4 dimes a game against the Nuggets in the opening round of the playoffs. The only team that did put the clamps on Duncan was Cleveland, and they did so by letting Tony Parker get open paths to the bucket at will.

Duncan is also arguably the best positional defending big man in the league. He is a legitimate shot blocker and manages to stay out of foul trouble on most occasions. When he does pick up fouls, it helps to have Robert Horry coming off the bench. Known for his clutch shooting, his leadership and defense are also integral to the Spurs.

CENTER

The center position has been in flux since the departure of David Robinson, but 2007-2008 shows a little stability. Fabricio Oberto and Francisco Elson will compete for time, with Elson probably getting more time early to prove himself.

Elson is the more athletic of the two centers. While a decent rebounder (10.1 per 40), he’s easily muscled out of the lane. He’s more of a shotblocking force than Oberto, but also finds himself out of position more often. Oberto has an incredibly high basketball IQ and plays with guts, but is limited athletically. Ian Mahinmi, the nimble 20 year old from France, shouldn’t be seeing the court much this year.

As in the case with the Dallas Mavericks, the Spurs ask that their centers play great defense, set screens, and make smart cuts on offense…anything else is gravy.

2007-2008 Projected Record: 59-23
Playoffs: NBA Finals (champs until someone proves otherwise)

Elliot Cole maintains a San Antonio Spurs blog at www.thesilverandblack.blogspot.com and can be reached at elliot.cole@yahoo.com.

Duncan Takes Less Money in 2 year, $40 million Extension

From Johnny Ludden at Yahoo.com (we'll miss you Johnny):

With NBA commissioner David Stern set to present Tim Duncan his fourth championship ring on Tuesday, the San Antonio Spurs forward has made it clear he has no plans to leave the court – or San Antonio – anytime soon.

Duncan has reached agreement with the Spurs on a two-year, $40 million extension that figures to give the team enough salary-cap flexibility to continue to surround him with a competitive support cast in the waning seasons of his career, two sources with knowledge of the deal said Monday.

By signing the extension, which is expected to be finalized within the next few days, Duncan forfeits his option to become a free agent after this season. He will be under contract with the Spurs until the summer of 2012.

The article goes on to elaborate on the cap figures, and it's worth checking out. Timmy took $40 million over two years (no paltry sum), but he could have had $51 million under cap rules.

Got that? He gave up $11 million. So the Spurs could spend it elsewhere.

It's not unprecedented...Kevin Garnett just did the same thing in Boston. But it is another example of Duncan's priorities. The extension will kick in during the 2009-2010 season, when Duncan and Parker will be the only Spurs under contract. This gives the organization a few more dollars and cents to throw at free agents to surrounding the stars during Duncan's waning years.

Honestly, this news is better than Beno being traded.

Beno Udrih Traded, Parade Scheduled for Thursday.

"SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have traded guard Beno Udrih to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for a protected 2008 second round draft pick.

The 6-3 Udrih was selected by the Spurs in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft, with the 28th overall pick. In three seasons in San Antonio he appeared in 207 regular season games, averaging 5.2 points and 1.8 assists in 13.0 minutes"

From: Spurs.com.

We waited and waited on Beno to be Tony Parker's backup, but he seemed to regress after an impressive rookie season. His inconsistency, coupled with the fact that he had lived in Pop's doghouse longer than his actual pets, had telegrammed his way out of San Antonio over the past year. Still, I'll miss that smug, pretty boy smile. Here's to the good times, Beno...don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Marcus Williams Out, Darius Washington In

Last week, I posted about 2nd round draft pick Marcus Williams stinkin’ up the joint in summer league and preseason. He looked lost on the court, couldn’t shoot to save his life, and showed a rock-like basketball IQ.

Undrafted Darius Washington didn’t have those problems, but, unlike Williams, he may have a roster spot. The disappointing Williams was cut to make way for Washington, who seems to have landed the 15th and final roster spot.

While the Spurs likely wasted their second round pick on Williams (it was a surprising pick in the first place…an unpolished domestic player who left college early isn’t the forte of the organization), Washington will provide better insurance at the point guard position. The Spurs point guards are struggling with various injuries or possible fatigue: Jacque Vaughn (calf), Tony Parker (heavy minutes), and Beno Udrih (generally sucktitude…er, broken finger) made another point guard more valuable than a young wing that wouldn’t playing a minute all season.

So, as the season nears (two days til’ opening night), here’s the 2007-2008 Spurs depth chart, from 1-15.

PG: Tony Parker, Jacque Vaughn, Beno Udrih, Darius Washington
SG: Manu Ginobili, Michael Finley, Brent Barry
SF: Bruce Bowen, Ime Udoka
PF: Tim Duncan, Robert Horry, Matt Bonner
C: Fabricio Oberto, Francisco Elson, Ian Mahinmi

Playing Catch Up

Long time since I posted about Ime Udoka's signing, so we're playing catch up on all the details:

- Francisco Elson broke his face, but he's back now, granted he looks like the Phantom of the Opera.

- Manu Ginobili is apparently murdering everyone in practice. A full summer of rest will do that for you.

- San Antonio signed their usual group of "summer league/preseason invite" just to fill up the roster and give Timmy and the like a rest. While the odds of anyone making the Spurs roster in preseason is slim to none, Darius Washington at least made people notice him.

- Beno Udrih broke his finger,meaning...well, absolutely nothing, actually.

- Ian Mahinmi is kind of a freak.

- Marcus Williams (second round selection) hasn't done much to impress anyone. He'll be playing minor league ball with the Toros.

- Mike Budenholzer, who has graduated to Pop's right hand man after the departure of P.J. Carlesimo to Seattle, has gotten the chance to coach a few preseason gamesand he's done quite admirably. Smart move by Pop.

- Avery Johnson will have his number 6 retired by the San Antonio Spurs. Not everyone like it, but if you don't cheer for AJ on December 22nd, you have no business being at the game in the first place.

Spurs Sign Udoka....Finally

The more neurotic of Spurs fans had a good time waiting for this one, but it's official that the Spurs have inked Ime to be Bowen's mini me in the upcoming years. Terms were not disclosed, but the contract is 2 years for around $2 million, which is a bargain.

I assume my readers know the Spurs inside and out, so I won't go into detail about what Udoka offers the Spurs (for that, check out a decent article here). . What a lot of people missed out on is that he's also a character guy, winning the NBDL's Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award. Spurs guy all the way.

Now, we go into the barren wasteland of the offseason lull...no free agent drama, no summer games, no draft. All there is to do is bask in the glory of four championships. Tough, I know.

White Released, Roster Stands at 12

Not long ago I wrote of James White's miserable showing in summer league play. Sure enough, the Spurs saw fit to release the athletic White, bringing to an end the immediate hope of a young, dynamic small forward with length.

Unfortunately, he's also selfish, and doesn't know basketball very well. It's amazing they stuck with him this long, really.

By cutting White Monday, the Spurs saved a $100,000 roster bonus they would have owed him, bringing the Spurs ever closer to sub-luxury tax level (and more importantly giving them a few extra dollars in the free agent market). This essentially reduces the team roster to 12 when taking into account the inevitable release of Vassilis Spanoulis, the guard acquired in the Luis Scola/Jackie Butler trade with the Rockets.

The Spurs have yet to sign Marcus Williams, their second round pick from Arizona. Other than free agent Ime Udoka, a likely candidate for taking a spot on the Spurs' bench is Frenchman Ian Mahinmi, the 2005 first round pick of the Spurs.

Spurs Targeting Ime Udoka?

In the aftermath of the Luis Scola/Jackie Butler trade to Houston, the Spurs have a few extra bucks to spend. According to the ever-reliable Marc Stein, the Spurs saved an estimated $7 million in the trade.

Upon hearing about the trade, Vassilis Spanoulis still insists he won't be coming to the NBA. Luis Scola, on the other hand, has reached a 3 years, $10 million dollar deal with the Rockets. Based on how quickly the deal was reached with Houston, it was safe to assume he would never have signed with the Spurs had they held his rights (justifying the trade).

So where do the Spurs turn their attention with their extra money? A Blazers insider firmly believes the Spurs have made Udoka an offer. At 29, he's a tough, mature defensive-minded player capable of hitting the three (he hit at a 40.6% clip last year). Udoka was a journeyman until last year, when he finally became a regular starter in his first full season in the NBA.

There are still a few other attractive wing players left on the market ( Golden State's Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes, amongst others), but few within the Spurs price range. A journeyman defender who can hit a few threes? Should sound pretty familiar already in San Antonio.

Butler and Scola Traded (Finally)

From Johnny Ludden at MYSA.com:

The Spurs have agreed to trade center Jackie Butler and Argentine forward Luis Scola to the Houston Rockets for guard Vassilis Spanoulis, a future second-round pick and cash considerations, an NBA source said Thursday evening.

Spanoulis, who played sparingly for the Rockets last season, is expected to remain in Europe.

So after all the hype about trading the rights to Luis Scola, this is what it comes down to? Saving a few bucks with the hope that it can be spent elsewhere?

I suppose it's smart from an economic standpoint, but not sexy at all. At the very least, the Spurs pried away a draft pick from someone. My guess is Houston wanted either Butler or Scola, and the Spurs would only agree to a deal if the other was included, thereby getting rid of Butler's $2.4 million dollar contract. (If I had to guess, I would imagine Houston would be coveting Scola, a guy that can help at Yao). Rest assured the Spurs have little interest in Spanoulis. He may never play in the NBA again after a sour experience with the Rockets (he was guaranteed playing time by the management, but Van Gundy had other plans...this after Spanoulis took less money to come to Houston).

However, the Spurs usually save cash with the intention of spending it on other players (Holt isn't afraid to go a little into the luxury tax), so here's to hoping they have their sights set on a free agent. This could very well mean that Ian Mahinmi, the young French center, finds his way onto the Spurs' roster this upcoming year. He wouldn't play at all, but I doubt it would do him any harm to start getting acclomated to the NBA and San Antonio, so it's probably a good decision.

Still, it's bittersweet. Bringing Scola over held so much promise, and yet Spurs fans will get so little in his place. The Spurs front office must have known he would never be a contributor in San Antonio (I'm sure the drafting of Tiago Splitter made him expendable as well). On the surface, a pretty lousy trade, but I would be amiss to neglect the fact that R.C. Buford and company know what they're doing 99% of the time and probably have plans for spending that moolah.

James "Flight" White's Summer Struggles

For a team commonly labeled "boring" James White is a departure from the norm. His youth, athleticism, and freakish dunks (take a look at this one for starters) show glimmers of his potential, and the Spurs took a flyer on the guy last season, burying him deep on the bench.

Over the season, it was expected that White would learn the system and perhaps even be able to contribute in the 2007-2008 season.

Now, he's fighting for a roster spot.

Henry Abbott over at True Hoop writes: "I have a feeling that James White won't make it big as a Spur. He has been marinating in their culture for several months now, and he's still calling for the ball all the time. playing only OK defense, and shaking his head every time a teammate fails to send him an alley-oop lob. I'm no expert on Spurs culture, but from what I have seen in the regular season, that is not it."

ESPN's Marc Stein echoes similar sentiments:"The champs still hope to inject their rotation with athleticism and White is getting a prime shot to impress them after basically spending a year as an apprentice, learning the team's culture. There is a great deal of curiosity in San Antonio, given White's dunking reputation, about what he can do in game situations and what he has learned.

The answer, sadly, appears to be not much."

Jonny Ludden of the Express-News has seen the same: "White, meanwhile, hasn't looked as if he learned much during his rookie season with the Spurs. While the 6-foot-7 guard is amazingly athletic, he's struggled to finish at the rim after absorbing contact. His defense has been lacking, at best.

If White doesn't improve in Utah, where coach Gregg Popovich is expected to attend games, the Spurs could decide to waive him before Aug. 1 when his contract will guarantee him $100,000."

A "me first" guy that doesn't like contact or defense? Good luck finding your way onto the Spurs. With rumors swirling about trading Butler and Barry, the organization won't be handing out roster spots to promising young guys if those players don't respond with noticeable improvement. White still has a chance to be a rotation player in this league, but unless he starts playing the game the right way, the only flight he'll be taking is out of San Antonio.

Spurs Offseason Comes Into Focus

The free agency period started on July 1st, and while the league is wheeling and dealing ($40 million for Anderson Varejao???), the Spurs seem to be content standing pat. Finley opted to exercise his player option early on, and over the last week the Spurs have resigned Jacque Vaugh and Fabricio Oberto, while agreeing to terms with free agent Matt Bonner today.

Contracts:
Fabricio Oberto – 3 years/$10.5 million. (Unofficial, verbal agreement). Oberto Reaches Agreement

Matt Bonner – 3 years/$9 million.
Bonner Resigns With Spurs

Jacque Vaughn – 2 years/$2.5 million
Vaughn Resigns

What do the signings tell us?

That the Spurs are playing it safe (and why the hell not?). Other than the departure of Melvin Ely, the 2008 Spurs will look very similar to the 2007 Spurs. But another indication of their plans may be that they got these deals done extremely quickly, signaling that they were committed to these 3 guys, or that they didn’t land one of the guys they were looking at (Matt Carroll was supposedly on their radar, but has reached a verbal agreement to remain in Charlotte).

Vaughn comes in at the veteran’s minimum, so it’s a no-brainer. He has the selflessness, hustle, and defensive prowess that symbolizes the Spurs. Plus, he found his jumper in the playoffs.

Bonner is probably the most surprising resigning, but he’s not overly expensive and should be coming into his prime. Plus, with Horry possibly in his last season, he’s the only other big that can spread the floor. Not a bank-breaker, and the organization loves him.

Possible Trades:

The Spurs don’t have many moveable assets at this point. They have been looking to deal Udrih for some time, but they may be content to let him play out the last year of his contract. Brent Barry is in the last year of his 4 year, $21 million dollar deal, and his expiring contract may be appealing to some teams. Jackie Butler has 2 years left on his deal, but the last is a team option (meaning he is, essentially, in the last year of his deal). He hasn’t fit in well with the Spurs, so he could get dealt if the right deal comes.

Current Spurs Contracts total to roughly $70 million, meaning the team is right on the cusp of the luxury tax. I’ll spare you the number crunching, but the result is simple: the Spurs probably won’t be spending any money unless they move someone. They have their full MLE (it’ll be around $5 million), but few players in the market warrant them at that price (have a look for yourself).

Marcus Williams probably will not be on the roster this year, and Tiago Splitter will spend the season in Spain (meaning neither player counts against the cap). Ian Mahinmi may join James White and Jackie Butler in summer league play, but won’t come to the NBA for a few more years.

As it stands, the Spurs have only one open roster spot. The constant variable is Luis Scola, who looks less and less likely to ever be a Spur. If the Spurs do choose to trade his rights (Chicago has recently expressed interest), they could fill that extra roster spot. Otherwise, they may sign a veteran for a one year deal (Grant Hill or a cheap big man) or use the extra spot for versatility in the trade market.

Final Verdict:

Don’t expect much to change in Spurs land (and that’s a good thing), but you’ll continue to hear Butler/Beno/Barry trade rumors until a deal is done.

Splitting Open the Draft

#28 Tiago Splitter, Brazil, TAU Ceramica. (PF/C, 22 years old, 6’11” 240)

Scouting Report:
(+) Splitter is, by all accounts, a skilled low post player with soft hands and all the tools to succeed. He has strong footwork, understands the game well, and gets easy buckets by running the floor well. Splitter is able to use his long arms and athleticism to get a lot of easy tips and put backs and possesses great speed at his position. Good court vision for a guy his size, enabling him to play the high post. Good overall defender with long arms and quick feet (Draft Express calls him one of the best defensive big men in Europe). He should be growing accustomed to upper level basketball, having spent the past season at TAU Ceramica of the Spanish ACB league (Luis Scola’s club).

(-) Not quite the bully you want a guy his size to be. Although he plays with intensity, he has yet to show consistent physical and mental aggressiveness. Could improve on his mid range shooting, something that has held him back considerably. Has a history of mild injuries, a red flag for a guy that is only 22.

How He Fits on the Spurs:
Splitter is a prototypical “dirty work” guy for TAU, and that won’t change in the NBA. Playing alongside the likes of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, Splitter should find a place by just working hard, making cuts, and playing off of the All-Stars in San Antonio. If he can ever learn the game the way Fabricio Oberto has, than the Spurs are in great shape.

Splitter has played the high post and low post, and his versatility should help him play alongside Duncan. If he ever develops a midrange jumper it would do a lot to free up Timmy down low.

Unfortunately, the Spurs could be flirting with Scola version 2.0. Splitter is stuck in a buyout situation and won’t come to the NBA anytime soon. Spurs director of media services Tom James has already announced Splitter won’t come over this season and will not be part of the Spurs’ training camp.

He can develop into a scorer over time, but for the moment he’ll be asked to be a defensive presence, run the floor, and work the boards.


#33 Marcus Williams, Arizona (SG/SF, 20 years old, 6”7” 210)

Scouting Report:
(+) At 6’7” and a 7 foot wingspan, he’s got excellent size for a SG/SF. Like most rookies, he’ll need to put on some muscle, but the Spurs don’t exactly focus on bodybuilding-type wing guys. Great ballhandler and individual talent (several sites claim that he shined in 1-on-1 workouts). Very smooth with the ball, able to make his own shot off a solid crossover or create shots for others with his court vision. Instinctive type of player who improved his attitude from one year to the next at Arizona. Has put in a lot of effort to improve himself in the “hustle” parts of the game, working without the ball and getting out on the break.

(-) Williams may have a big upside, but he’s not as NBA ready as wing players the Spurs passed on such as Alando Tucker or Derrick Byars. He’s got a funky release on his shot, giving him an inconsistent and slow jumper. Despite his length, he isn’t extremely quick, and isn’t as solid a defender as he probably should be. More of a finesse guy who doesn’t show much toughness. He also tends to make questionable decisions in the clutch.

How He Fits on the Spurs:
At only 20 years old, he’s a project, but youth is definitely served on the perimeter. If he has the maturity and patience to learn from professionals like Michael Finley and Bruce Bowen, he could turn out to be a starter-type player down the road. More than anything, he has to learn that defense comes first with Popovich and company, and he’ll be a role player in the Spurs’ system.

He’ll have to work himself onto the roster in training camp and over the summer. Alongside James White, the Spurs suddenly have two long, finesse wing guys that could be key components 2-3 years down the line, but Williams will definitely have to earn his place. He’s shown the willingness and effort to improve, which is probably why the Spurs chose him over other talented wing players in the draft.


#58 Giorgos Printezis, Greece (SF/PF, 22 years old, 6’8” 210)

(Traded to Toronto for a 2008 second round pick).

Most of the information for the scouting reports came from NBAdraft.net and Draft Express. Both are worth checking out for more info.

Spurs Draft Preview

(The post below is an expanded version of a draft preview published at RealGM.com.)

Even championship teams need to reload, and the Spurs are no exception. The Spurs are the oldest team in the NBA, and have to start looking towards a youth movement, especially on the perimeter. Backup point guard Beno Udrih was never able to find a groove with the Spurs coaching staff, averaging a career-low 37% shooting in mostly mop up duties. Jacque Vaughn isn’t the long term answer as Parker’s backup, and their wing players are mostly in their twilight years, including Brent Barry (35), Bruce Bowen (36) and Michael Finley (34). (Of course, we said the same thing last year, and they benefitted from not pulling the trigger on a midseason trade.)

Retaining the services of Michael Finley and Oberto (who just opted out but is expected to return) in free agency is a must, but the Spurs have to become younger and more athletic through the draft. While they’ve proven that they can win with their current formula, the Spurs’ front office is well aware that they need a young, bullish 3-4 hybrid player to put out on the floor when they want to go small (rumors had circled about the Spurs trading for Corey Maggette all season). Bowen and Ginobili have difficulties guarding bigger small forwards such as Carmelo Anthony and Bonzi Wells, but the Spurs are usually able to overcome the size mismatches with team defense.

Rookie James White, a highlight reel type of player picked up midseason of 06-07, could be the long term answer at the small forward slot, but the Spurs need more than one player to mold for the future. The list below is compiled taking into consideration how likely the player is to be available around the 28th pick, so Oden and Durant won't be on there (it's not a wish list, but a practicality one). Most fill positions of need and have intangibles the Spurs organization would like. So, without further ado...

The Silver and Black's Top Ten 2007 Draft Prospects

1.) Marco Belinelli, Italy >
It would be a surprise if Belinelli got by Phoenix at no. 24, but if he drops the Spurs shouldn’t pass him up. He could ultimately supplant Brent Barry in the lineup with his outside shooting and heady playmaking abilities. He’ll probably play more off guard in the NBA, but has the ballhandling and passing savvy of a point guard. Maybe the best sniper the draft has to offer (the Spurs love long distance shooters), but he’s also a solid athlete who will take it to the rim. Probably won't contribute immediately, but could be a solid 6th man two seasons from now.

Watch Belinelli Video

2.) Morris Almond, Rice

Almond is a pure scorer, but his high basketball IQ is what could help him fit in nicely on the Spurs. He gets to the line, finishes at the basket, and knocks down contested shots. If he can adjust to being a role player rather than “the man”, he could be a steal at #28. Having an explosive scorer like Almond could allow the Spurs to move Ginobili back into the starting lineup over time, a role Ginobili performs better in. Almond’s off-court characteristics…he’s intelligent, well spoken, and a team player…make him a great candidate to pair with the likes of Duncan and Popovich.

3.) Rudy Fernandez, Spain

Everyone is looking for the next Manu Ginobili, and Fernandez is only this far down the list because the odds are he'll be snagged around 19-24. A solid overall talent with a great first step, Fernandez is well liked for his ability to improve in almost every facet of his game. A great 1-on-1 and open court player, so the Warriors (pick 18) and Suns (pick 24) could have a lot of interest. Fundamentally sound, but still uses his explosive athleticism and offensive creativity to get around defenders. Can be a little careless at times, but so was Manu coming into the league.

Watch Fernandez Video

4.) Petteri Koponen, Finland

A crafty, tall point guard with eyes in the back of his head, Koponen could be everything that Spurs have been missing in the backup PG slot. Originally slated to be a second round pick, Koponen has apparently dazzled scouts at workouts and camps, perhaps warranting a late first round pick (if he does drop, the Spurs own pick #33 as well). Even though slight of frame, Koponen has got guts, and should be receptive to the tough attitude of the Spurs’ coaching staff. Whether he or Gabe Pruitt is drafted will dictate the fate of current backups Beno Udrih and Jacque Vaughn.

Watch Koponen Video 1
Watch Koponen Video 2

5.) Alando Tucker, Wisconsin

Tough, rugged perimeter guy that could contribute right away (not that the Spurs would need him to). Tucker's a mature player that could develop a great NBA midrange game over time, and has potential to be a decent three point shooter. He won't be the scorer he was in college, but he's the type of guy that can adapt to become a defensive specialist in the NBA, like a Lindsay Hunter or Raja Bell. There will never be a Bruce Bowen-like talent coming out of the draft, which makes it hard to replace a guy like Bowen. Bowen's skill set is built on work ethic, desire, and practice, not simply talent. That being said, Tucker seems to have the drive and tools to become a good defender in the NBA, and he's already worked out with the Spurs.

Watch Tucker Video

6.) Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt

He'll probably come off the board before the Spurs pick, but he could slide. A "total package" kind of guy with a nice touch from the perimeter and a great ability to get to the rim, Byars was the SEC player of the year in a league that featured a few notable guys from Florida. Has a high IQ and is a great ballhandler. Coach Popovich and company would need to instill some defensive discipline in him to make sure he's more than just a scorer at the next level. Lanky, athletic wing guys are all the rage in the league right now, abd Byars fits the bill.

Watch Byars Video

7.) Jared Dudley, Boston College

Slow as mud on the perimeter, so he could be a defensive liability. He's tough as nails inside though, and plays with heart night in night out. He could be the 3-4 Bonzi, Carmelo, Josh Howard type of guy the Spurs could use in their small lineups, taking pressure off of the likes of Bowen, Manu, and Finley. The only question is whether his defensive shortcomings would nullify his interior presence on a team this defensive-minded.

8.) Aaron Afflalo, UCLA

Like Tucker, Afflalo is an experienced player that will look towards defense to find his place in the league. Also, like Tucker, Afflalo should be around in the mid to late 20's and has already worked out for the Spurs. He is a smart, tough player that can easily transition from being a star in college to being a role player on an NBA club. Not a great 1-on-1 talent, so he'll have to invest some time in his jump shot to be a good offensive contributor. That being said, he's shown every indication that he'll do what it takes to improve.

Watch Afflalo Video

9.) Reyshawn Terry, North Carolina

People have been very high on Terry as of late, but the Spurs will always be tentative to draft a guy who has trouble keeping his head in the game. Despite his focus issues, Terry is a defensive gem: long, instinctive, tough and quick. He won't contribute much offensively, despite his athleticism, but could carve himself a place in the league on his defensive talents alone. That being said, he'll have to make sure he can do it for a full 48 minutes, rather than showing up from time to time.

Watch Terry Video

10.) Gabe Pruitt, USC

If the Spurs look for a backup PG, rumors are that it will be Koponen or Pruitt. Pruitt is more NBA ready, while Koponen may not even come over from Europe this coming year. However, the Spurs still have Beno Udrih on the roster for another year, and could bring back Jacque Vaughn, who was consistent on both ends of the court on their way to the 2007 championship this season. If they choose to bring Vaughn back, they won't want a 4th point guard on their roster, and may decide to draft Koponen. Otherwise, they could draft Pruitt, a quick, smart point, to fill in behind Parker immediately. Pruitt isn't a "true" point guard yet, but should be able to adapt to become a playmaker at the next level. His jumper is questionable and he needs to work on his point guard instincts, rather than penetrating at every opportunity.

Watch Pruitt Video

Submit your own list under the comments section, or email at elliot.cole@yahoo.com

The New Style of a Dynasty

(Article Published at Realgm.com)

The Spurs dynasty has been the topic of debate since the Spurs took down the overmatched Cleveland Cavaliers to earn their 4th title in 9 years. Could a team be a dynasty if it had never repeated? Can a team be a true dynasty in the modern era, or has expansion changed the dynamic of the idiom?

Maybe labeling the Spurs “team” as a dynasty is misleading in the first place.

Yes, the San Antonio Spurs are a modern day dynasty, akin to the Yankees, Patriots, or Red Wings. Champions transcendent of the ebb and flow of the free agent market or the ever-changing style of play in the NBA, an organization capable of maintaining a winning pedigree despite changes in league rules, their competition, and their roster.

But it’s not a singular team that has garnered the “dynasty” identity for the Spurs. And perhaps that last part is what separates the Spurs from other NBA dynasties (no doubt the Celtics of the 60’s and 80’s, MJ’s Bulls or the Showtime Lakers). The Spurs dynasty is really as much a testament to an organization as it is a spectacular group of players.

Whereas Kobe and Shaq formed a great core, and the MJ/Pippen tandem held several great teammates, every dynastic team to this point has been just that; a dominant team, a group of players simply better than everyone else. Those teams would have several holdovers each offseason and maintain their stars. The teams would only lose their stride by outside influences (retirement, age, in-team fighting).

But the Spurs have reshaped the dynasty image, most notably because they haven’t won 4 championships in the last 9 years through one dominant team. Instead, the Spurs have been ever-versatile, reacting to the unpredictable free agent market that has forever altered the shape of the NBA. The 1999 Spurs share little in common with the 2007 version, which is no mirror image of the 2003 or 2005 teams. In fact, every subsequent Spurs team has been drastically different from the previous incarnation, something no other dynasty can claim. Here’s a breakdown of the Spurs’ 4 championship teams, and a few of the differences in each, including the starting lineups):

1999 (Avery Johnson, Mario Elie, Sean Elliott, Tim Duncan, David Robinson): The ‘99 Spurs were a defensive monster with little offensive prowess outside of Tim Duncan and David Robinson. A team built around aging veterans like Sean Elliott and Mario Elie to flank the All-Star centers, the Spurs featured little slashing perimeter play, instead opting to dump it inside on nearly every possession. They allowed…ready for this?....84.7 points per a game on 42% shooting, making them not only the best defensive team of that year, but arguably the best defensive team of the last decade. They went 15-2 during the playoffs with their slow style, sweeping the powerful Lakers and Trailblazers. While Spurs teams had certain inalienable themes (Duncan, defense, and discipline), this team took their defensive play to a new level, masking their offensive limitations.

2003 (Tony Parker, Stephen Jackson, Bruce Bowen, Duncan, Robinson): The era of David Robinson had come to an end, and in his final year he was no more than a solid role player for the Spurs. Duncan was the MVP of the league, but the entire team had changed around him. Other than Robinson, Malik Rose and little used Steve Kerr were the only holdovers from the 1999 team. Out were Elie, Elliott, and mini-coach Avery Johnson, in were young inexperienced players like Stephen Jackson, Tony Parker, and rookie Manu Ginobili…the last two still adjusting to the league. Again, the Spurs won with defense, but a younger core led to more fast break opportunities and a different style of play.

2005 (Parker, Manu Ginobili, Bowen, Duncan, Nazr Mohammed): The first championship without Robinson featured another huge change for the Spurs: Manu Ginobili became a star. The inconsistent rookie of 2003 was an unstoppable force in the playoffs, and earned a trip to the All-Star game during the regular season. The ’05 Spurs were versatile, and held only 1 carryover from 1999: Tim Duncan, who suddenly was looking his age, but a dominant player nonetheless. For the first time, Duncan had a perimeter star to play with, and a veteran core of shooters like Robert Horry and Brent Barry served to replace departed players like Jackson. The Spurs had become more flexible than ever, able to run with the Suns or body up with the Pistons en route to a championship.

2007: (Parker, Michael Finley, Bowen, Duncan, Fabricio Oberto): Again, a new ripple in the Spurs’ lineup. Aside from free agent additions and subtractions, Tony Parker emerged as a two time All-Star, winning the Finals MVP and becoming a consistent force in the playoffs after struggling in the clutch in previous years. The Spurs had reshaped themselves yet again, utilizing a new starting center (Fabricio Oberto) and a new starting two guard (Michael Finley) while bringing Ginobili off the bench. Duncan was still the core of the firepower-laden team, but they didn’t need him to score 20 points to win…an attribute the Spurs had never previously had.

(So which team is better? If I had to choose an order, the recent 2007 team would take top honors, followed by the 1999, 2005 and 2003 teams, respectively.)

But the point is that each team is considerably different. No team had the same starting lineup as the previous championship team did, and the Spurs have featured a revolving door of bench players over the years, from Terry Porter and Malik Rose to Brent Barry and Fransico Elson. Whether a new star emerged (Ginobili, Parker) or an older star departed (David Robinson), the Spurs’ front office has been versatile in their roster decisions, reshaping their core through foreign draft picks and veteran free agents to react to the changes of style in the NBA. The 1999 team couldn’t run with the 2007 NBA, but during that time the Spurs have adjusted appropriately, and made subtle alterations to an extent that no other NBA dynasty had to.

That’s what makes the Spurs dynasty so unique (and, in turn, so hotly contested), they haven’t had one identifiable team take over the last 9 years of the NBA. Outside of Duncan, no player that started the Spurs’ championship run has been on the roster since the beginning of 2005. The 2007 Spurs aren’t a version of any of their other previous championship teams, but rather an independent reflection of the perfect organization, constantly remaking themselves and restructuring their style of play around Duncan, creating different paths to the same result: the Larry O’Brien trophy.