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.