<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Spurs received twice the good news on Thursday when the Denver Nuggets revealed they were not going to match the offer sheet signed by center Francisco Elson, allowing both Elson and ex-Knick big man Jackie Butler to officially join the Spurs organization. The Spurs hope Elson and Butler, 21, can give them production at center at less than half the combined $12.5 million Nazr Mohammed (Detroit) and Rasho Nesterovic (Toronto) will make next season. The third year of Butler's contract also is at the Spurs' option, so the team could conceivably have only Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili under contract after the 2007-08 season, allowing them significant salary-cap room to reshape the roster. The Nuggets informed Elson's agent, Calvin Andrews, late Thursday afternoon they didn't plan to match the Spurs' offer unless an unexpected trade allowed the team to move another of its frontcourt players. When one didn't materialize, Denver simply allowed the 11:59 p.m. deadline to lapse.</div> Source
man, just when you think the Spurs are in trouble for losing their two big men, they find younger, cheaper ones, these guys sure know how to stay on top, quite an organization... I hate that fact! lol
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pittsn0gle:</div><div class="quote_post">man, just when you think the Spurs are in trouble for losing their two big men, they find younger, cheaper ones, these guys sure know how to stay on top, quite an organization... I hate that fact! lol</div> Co-sign. The Spurs acquired too capable centers at bargain basement prices. Playing alongside Tim Duncan is going to make their jobs easier because of all the attention Duncan draws. Jackie Butler is already a solid shotblocker, and Elson has some range for a center.
Jackie Butler and Fransisco Elson are great pickups in my thoughts. Just like shape said, playing with Timmy Duncan on their side will improve their games to the best they can be. Elson, wow, I loved this guy ever since I saw him with the Nuggets. Just think of when Duncan and Pop get ahold of him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TimmyDMVP:</div><div class="quote_post">like my sig says WE'RE TAKING IT BACK!!!</div> lol, I'm okay with that, its better than Miami winning it... that is unless the Lake Show comes up with some miracle.
Butler showed some real promise last season, even though it was with the Knicks. Remember that he's only 21 years old and is still rough around the edges with room for improvement. Still, he never really holds his position on the block and I've noticed that his weight yo-yo's. He was a really trim player back when he played for McComb H.S. (a local high school near me), and he averaged a triple double with over ten blocks per game because he was so quick and yet so bulky. All the fat his body has added has to take away that quickness. With the guidance of a great like Tim Duncan though, Butler could turn out to be the next Jermaine O'Neal, in terms of being a late-bloomer on the NBA level.
I think Jackie Butler is being vastly overrated here. He definitely has potential to be a decent NBA prospect, but he won't be able to contribute consistently at a high level. Remember, he only played 55 games and 13 minutes last season, which was basically his rookie season. Butler was a good pickup in terms of the Spurs getting a young big with some potential, but remember that he's playing meaningful minutes in a signifficantly harder division with better big men. I like his rebounding and shotblocking, but he also has the tendency to lose his position and bite on too many fakes, making him prone to foul trouble. Still, while the Spurs might have gotten these big men without overpaying them, there's still a gaping hole at that center position. I think it's something to be concerned about coming into this season.
