http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/stor...marc&id=2147720 Wow, the rich get richer. Doesn't make it an easier for us, but I guess its better for us than him joining the Wolves. Cuban must feel sick at this point, financially it was a no brainer, but aiding a conference rival never feels good. Must be how LAC feels after we snagged Brunson and Moore
Was praying he would go East, but I agree it's better than him going to the Wolves. This pushes the Spurs back ahead of the Heat IMO.
Not sure how much Fin has left the tank but he's still capable of getting hot and playing in the Spurs offense with Timmy seems like it makes the game easier. What I'm really scared of though is Van Excellent. When motivated and on a winning team he can be devastating, especially in the playoffs. Amazing the defending champs can add these 2 guys in the offseason.
this not fair for the rest of us but before u say that theyre ahead of miami i think you should wait a few more days with finley gone the heat will prob re-sign jones which is better for the heat, i think so weel have to see! if they re-sign jones i think they end up the winner.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">Not sure how much Fin has left the tank but he's still capable of getting hot and playing in the Spurs offense with Timmy seems like it makes the game easier. What I'm really scared of though is Van Excellent. When motivated and on a winning team he can be devastating, especially in the playoffs. Amazing the defending champs can add these 2 guys in the offseason.</div> I agree about Van Exel..his signing seemed more crucial. Im glad he went to SA over Phoenix or Minnesota because im not sure hes going to have a big enough impact to change if were able to beat them or not. He may have had that impact in atleast Phoenix.
This is a huge pickup for the Spurs. I think Finley will come off the bench (there's no way Ginobili will lose his spot after his performance in the Finals and Bowen's defense is essential) which will help keep him from burning out too soon.
Now, what does this mean for Bones? I would think Pop would play a five guard rotation of Ginobili, Finley, Parker, Van Exel and Udrih with Finley seeing some SF, which may leave Brent the odd man out.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">Now, what does this mean for Bones? I would think Pop would play a five guard rotation of Ginobili, Finley, Parker, Van Exel and Udrih with Finley seeing some SF, which may leave Brent the odd man out.</div> Brent's on the trading block. No doubt about that. I have seen rumours about it all summer, but he ends up somewhere else in the next couple of weeks. I know that we aren't getting him back after taking them to six games in round 2 last year. He would be nice to have off the bench here and for his locker room hoo-haws. With Weiss having to be the tough guy boss, they need a new jokester.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">Now, what does this mean for Bones? I would think Pop would play a five guard rotation of Ginobili, Finley, Parker, Van Exel and Udrih with Finley seeing some SF, which may leave Brent the odd man out.</div> He has been on the block all summer. The main problem is teams aren't willing to give up alot for him due to his down season last year and at the same time the teams that really want up don't want to give up a good talent that will make the Spurs even better. I will actually be surprised If he is moved. Due to that reason. Then again Isiah may be interested. He likes improving the Spurs roster.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">The main problem is teams aren't willing to give up alot for him due to his down season last year and at the same time the teams that really want up don't want to give up a good talent that will make the Spurs even better.</div> Not to mention he still has three years left on his deal.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">Not to mention he still has three years left on his deal.</div> More reason for thomas to be all over that. But seriously i would relish the chance to get Barry back. He was always at his best when he was in Seattle and I think a return could very possibly help him out. But obviously we wouldnt offer much and if they do end up dealing him to a team that isnt offering much it sure wont be us.
I'm pissed that he went to the Spurs, but I'm also happy. I really wanted him to go to the Heat, thats why I'm pissed. But I'm happy because the Heat offered him more money, but with the Spurs he thinks he has a better chance at winning. So that shows me that we do still have players that just want to win, not ones that are just looking for money. Thats what the games all about: winning. And thats what he wants. This'll probably help his image.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hoops4life:</div><div class="quote_post">So that shows me that we do still have players that just want to win, not ones that are just looking for money. </div> Well he is still owed 50 odd million, but that will be paid in small installments.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">Well he is still owed 50 odd million, but that will be paid in small installments.</div> "small"
I agree with Ro Hood, Nick Van Exel signing is more important than the Spurs getting Mike Finley. Finley can't get to the basket like he used to. He's almost turned into an exclusive jump shooter. That is going to give Duncan a little more room to operate on the blocks but I'd be hard pressed to see Finley average what he even averaged his last season in Dallas--and he defense has declined dramatically as well. Nick Van Exel is probably the most clutch guard in the league right now (Sam Cassell is up there too). He was the only guard that I saw consistently bust Payton ass when Payton was in his prime defensively. He has been nursing injuries but when he is right he can be the most impactful bench player in the league. Does anyone remember how he torched the Spurs two season's ago in the playoffs? The Spurs definitely improved this offseason--but even if they would have stood pat I would have still considered them the favorites for the title. Miami looks good on paper but they have too many inconsistent players with a shoot first mentality in their rotation. R.C. Buford does it again.
Yes indeed Shiek. He lit up Gary for 40 once and probably 30+ several times. At the time I attributed it to Gary slumping off on Shaquille but I think it was Gary just pretending to help since he knew he couldn't guard Nicholas The guy is an absolute assassin on the court; I don't know how many times I've watched him pull up in a tough game and I'd say 'dagger' and the 3 drops through the hoop. He is getting up there in age and has had some knee issues. Then again he didn't play all that hard in Golden State so that probably saved some wear and tear Anyway, if anyone saw his 'Beyond the Glory' it really gives insight into why he is the way he is. Very good piece on him. And anyone who forearm shivers Ronnie Garrettson is A-OK in my book
Nick didn't look so hot last year. He still had a serviceable jumper, but his best quality, IMHO, was the speed he brought to both ends of the floor. He was never really a spot up shooter, he was very good at using his speed to create space and get off his shot or get into the lane. I think that is gone...I am betting his knees are just bone grinding on bone these days. I expect that he will put up some clutch threes for the Spurs as a rarely used, streaky shooting, bench player...nothing like his time in Dallas where he was brilliant off the bench. If his knees are in better shape than I am guessing, then I he will be huge for them...I just am not betting on it. I think Finley has more potential to fill the kind of role in SA that they wanted Barry for. They can insert him at the 2 or the 3 to inject some instant offense when they need it. He is not the player that he once was, but he has adjusted his game every year for the Mavs...from being the #1 option, to the #2, to the #3, to the fourth or fifth. He can fit in with what Pop does in San Antonio and, IMHO, has a good chance of having more impact than Nick and his grinding kneecaps.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">I think it was Gary just pretending to help since he knew he couldn't guard Nicholas</div> No one can guard me when I'm on mate. Anyway, it seems Pop was pretty blunt when trying to recruit Fin; didn't pull any punches, said he would be a bench guy and would fit into the offense, not have the offense fit around him. Fin has always been a team first guy, and my guess is he'll even mop practice courts if it gets him a ring to round out an underrated career.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting M_Cage89:</div><div class="quote_post">Cuban must feel sick at this point, financially it was a no brainer, but aiding a conference rival never feels good. Must be how LAC feels after we snagged Brunson and Moore </div> For some reason I highly doubt that Los Angeles is as sickened by Seattle "snagging" Brunson and Moore as Dallas is by Finley signing with Spurs. But maybe that's just me. Heh..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MaxBallin:</div><div class="quote_post">For some reason I highly doubt that Los Angeles is as sickened by Seattle "snagging" Brunson and Moore as Dallas is by Finley signing with Spurs. But maybe that's just me. Heh..</div> Hence the big smily face, its called sarcasm. Your very perceptive...wait a minute, there it is again!!! Anyways, like was mentioned before, Brent's role disappeared - but at least he got a ring. How close is SA to the tax threshold? With Ginobli/Parker/Duncan all making hefty amounts this season, can't be too far off. I wonder if Brent would have been an amnesty release if SA knew Michael was going to join, very well could have been if it would save a few million.
