<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Unrestricted free agent guard Brent Barry will sign a four-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs for between $22 and $24 million, a source told ESPN's David Aldridge. The 32-year-old Barry chose the Spurs over a four-year offer for the full mid-level exception from the Portland Trail Blazers, in part because he thought the Spurs were closer to contending for a championship. Barry also turned down a three-year offer worth $18 million from his former team, the Seattle Sonics, wanting a four-year offer. Barry's signing completes a strong 48-hour period for the Spurs; they agreed to terms on Thursday with guard Manu Ginobili. The Spurs will now have a three-guard rotation of Tony Parker, Ginobili and Barry, who can play both guard positions.</div> <font size="1">Full Story courtesy of ESPN.</font> The inevitable seems to have materialised. At least he's going to a team I can stand (and even admire), and at least it wasn't solely about money. This will be the best thing to happen to Tim Duncan since Tony Parker. Thanks for the memories, Bones.
With Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Barry, Nesterovic and Bowen, the Spurs reclaim their title as the best team in basketball. Great signing, hope he can land a ring or two.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RiverspoonJones:</div><div class="quote_post">Great signing, hope he can land a ring or two.</div> I couldn't agree more. Obviously the Sonics stand little to no chance at a title next year, so I'll be rooting for the Spurs as soon as we drop out of contention.
Sad to see Brent go... but he made the right decision. He's one of the most respected players in the league and I'm going to miss watching him play in a Seattle uni.
Sucks to see Brent gone. I took him for granted, he was no doubt IMO the best player the Sonics had. When he wasn't on the team, the Sonics had a 40 something winning percentage. But like what someone said above me, I'd rather have him on a team I respect (the Spurs) than a team I hate.
What happened to the supposed 4 year, $24 million offer from the Rockets? I thought that Barry would sign with Houston all this time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">What happened to the supposed 4 year, $24 million offer from the Rockets? I thought that Barry would sign with Houston all this time.</div> He probably thought the Spurs had a better chance at winning the title.
Sorry to see Brent go. He is probably the smartest and the most witty player in the game right now. To be honest I am anxious to hear him do either color commentary or coach, but in the meantime I hope that he does well in San Antonio. This leaves our point guard spot wide open. Any advocates of starting Luke Ridnour are fans that could care less whether or not the Sonics win next season. Luke Ridnour needs to prove that he can out play journeyman NBA summer leaguers before anyone can even imagine him as our open day starter at point guard.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">This leaves our point guard spot wide open. Any advocates of starting Luke Ridnour are fans that could care less whether or not the Sonics win next season. Luke Ridnour needs to prove that he can out play journeyman NBA summer leaguers before anyone can even imagine him as our open day starter at point guard.</div> Didn't I read you say you wanted to see Flip start at the point? With all due respect, I don't think he has proven himself as an NBA POINT guard anymore than Luke has, perhaps less. Unless we make big changes to the roster, this team isn't going anywhere next season anyway, and I'd like to see Luke given plenty of opportunity to prove he can start at this level. Maybe opening night is a stretch, but by the All-Star break I would hope that he is starting, or at least playing 25-30 minutes each night.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">Didn't I read you say you wanted to see Flip start at the point? With all due respect, I don't think he has proven himself as an NBA POINT guard anymore than Luke has, perhaps less. Unless we make big changes to the roster, this team isn't going anywhere next season anyway, and I'd like to see Luke given plenty of opportunity to prove he can start at this level.</div> I did say that I would want Flip to start at the point. For whatever reason I think that Ridnour is getting the benefit of the doubt when I don't think that he deserves it. Albeit it was the Division II level, Flip averaged almost seven assists a game and was ninth in the nation. In one of the games last year when Nate gave Flip the ball against the Mavericks he had a double double w/ a career high 11 assists. Another game vs. Denver when he started at the point he had 24 points and 10 assists (not to mention the Rookie Game where he had 25 points and 10 assists). Just b/c you can score doesn't mean that you don't know how to get your teammates involved. I do remember not too long ago there was a player on our roster who averaged well over 20 points while also handing out eight to nine assists. He (Payton) just happen to play 43 minutes a night for us. Give Flip those same minutes and see how much he gets other players involved. I'm shocked to hear you say that you don't think that the Supes are going anywhere next year. As of right now (if everyone remains healthy) we have all key players from last year returning w/ the exception of Bones and have added two promising front court players. Considering that we would have made a strong push for the postseason last year had it not been for injuries (and inconsistent coaching) why wouldn't you be optimistic that we would improve from our 37-45 record last season?
Winning percentage with Barry: ~.500 Winning percentage without Barry: ~.300 The Sonics depend on three point shooting. Our best three point shooter is gone. The captains will likely be poor choices for leaders, but since they are the marquee players, will be the captains. The star player is no longer happy with management.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Just b/c you can score doesn't mean that you don't know how to get your teammates involved. I do remember not too long ago there was a player on our roster who averaged well over 20 points while also handing out eight to nine assists. He (Payton) just happen to play 43 minutes a night for us. Give Flip those same minutes and see how much he gets other players involved.</div> I don't doubt that Flip can play point guard, but I still prefer him as a scorer. No doubt he can pass, but Luke's made a successful college career as a pass first point guard which translated into a lottery pick. Obviously that doesn't assure anything, but with the added bonus of him being in the gym working hard to bulk up all summer, I would like to see him given the first opportunity to try and establish himself at the point. If he plays badly or isn't up to it, by all means give Flip his chances, but I'm just saying I'd like to see Luke given first shot. In regards to GP, I seem to remember he started his career as a pass first point guard who's scoring average went up slowly as he gained experience. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm shocked to hear you say that you don't think that the Supes are going anywhere next year. As of right now (if everyone remains healthy) we have all key players from last year returning w/ the exception of Bones and have added two promising front court players. Considering that we would have made a strong push for the postseason last year had it not been for injuries (and inconsistent coaching) why wouldn't you be optimistic that we would improve from our 37-45 record last season?</div> By not 'going anywhere' I mean that at the very best, we're going to be a 7th or 8th seed and likely out in the first round of the playoffs. Even if we are fit, I don't like our chances in the West; except the Lakers, all the playoff teams are still strong, while teams that just missed out like Utah and Phoenix have strengthened considerably. If K-Mart goes to Denver, do you really like our chances of doing anything this season? I don't want to sacrifice the development of a guy like Luke for a pipedream of success that is unlikely to come.
