Spurs roster breakdown Web Posted: 05/24/2006 12:00 AM CDT Johnny Ludden Express-News Staff Writer Brent Barry Contract status: two years, $10.7 million What he did: Played well in second half of season and first round. Spurs might not have beaten Sacramento were it not for his 3-pointer to force OT in Game 2. Didn't contribute much offensively in second round with Mavs defenders staying at 3-point line. What's next: Spurs nearly traded him to New Orleans for J.R. Smith in February, so he'll be back on the market this summer. Smith is younger and more athletic, which is what Spurs want, but he's also extremely raw. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bruce Bowen Contract status: two years, $7.9 million (2007-08 season not fully guaranteed) What he did: Defensive Player of Year runner-up for second season in a row. Ranked ninth in league in 3-point shooting. Improved at putting ball on floor when defenders close out. Started every game since Feb. 26, 2002. What's next: Turns 35 soon, but still one of league's top perimeter defenders. Will try out for U.S. national team this summer. Figures to begin next season as starting small forward. Team still needs to find heir apparent. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tim Duncan Contract status: four years, $79.2 million (2008-09 and '09-10 seasons at his option) What he did: Bothered by plantar fasciitis in right foot for more than half of season. Averaged career lows in points (18.6), rebounds (11.0) and blocks (2.03) while shooting career-low 48.4 percent. Regained form in playoffs, averaging 32.3 points, 11.7 rebounds against Dallas. What's next: Will take some time off and let his right foot fully heal, if it hasn't already. Needs to regain confidence in his bank shot. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Finley Contract status: two years, $6 million (2007-08 season at his option) What he did: Adjusted to new team and new role, becoming full-time reserve for first time. Shot career-low 41.2 percent during the regular season, but hit big shots in the playoffs. Not a great defender, but worked hard to learn team's system. Played 47, 44, 45 and 47 minutes in last four games against Dallas. What's next: Figures to again be one of the team's top players off the bench. Turned 33 in March, but Spurs happy with what he gave them. Could take on more of a leadership role next season now that he's more comfortable with teammates. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manu Ginobili Contract status: four years, $38 million What he did: Missed 17 games because of injuries and struggled to find rhythm. With teams intent on keeping him from rim, made career-high 38.2 percent of 3-pointers. Once again, big-game performer in playoffs. Carried team in Game 6 against Dallas and nearly won Game 7. What's next: Expected to play for Argentina in World Championships this summer. If so, Spurs may reduce his workload at the start of season to keep him from tiring. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Horry Contract status: two years, $6.9 million How he did this season: Missed 19 games, most because of hip and abdominal injuries. Had his moments, but none in the playoffs. Decision to play small against Dallas primarily reduced his role to observer. What's ahead: Hopes to arrive at training camp in better shape. Needs to if he's going to survive in NBA's small-ball era. His minutes might drop though the team doesn't have a better alternative on its roster but there always will be room for a big-game shooter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sean Marks Contract status: free agent What he did: Appeared in a career-high 25 games. Helped beat Toronto with career-high 16 points. Displayed nice touch from midrange and quick trigger. Didn't play in the playoffs. What's next: May skip opportunity to play for New Zealand in the World Championships. Re-signing him isn't one of the team's top priorities, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him back next season. Can play when given the opportunity and well liked by teammates. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nazr Mohammed Contract status: free agent What he did: Lost his starting job in training camp, regained it after the All-Star break, then lost it again in the playoffs. He is an effective rebounder, but the coaches were not happy with his help defense. Poor hands also didn't help his cause. Scored career-high 30 points against Phoenix. What's next: Not expected to be back. Turned down a four-year extension before the start of the season and his role diminished in the playoffs. Should generate interest on the free-agent market. Hometown Chicago Bulls are a possible destination. Sign-and-trade a possibility. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rasho Nesterovic Contract status: three years, $23.5 million (2008-09 season at his option) What he did: Started in place of Nazr Mohammed for first half of season. Good position defender, but struggled against athletic foes. Wasn't a strong rebounder, particularly for a 7-footer. What's next: Expected to play for Slovenia in World Championships. Spurs will explore trade options for him, but they'll still need some type of center if Mohammed isn't re-signed. Not a bad defensive option given the right matchup most of which are in the Eastern Conference. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fabricio Oberto Contract status: two years, $5 million (2007-08 season at his option) What he did: Lacked the athleticism to be a high-minute guy and never really received the opportunity to show whether he could produce. Energy player, but sometimes ran into foul trouble. Spent much of season refining his shot. What's next: Hard to say. His role could increase if Mohammed and/or Nesterovic leave. Or he might be traded to a team willing to give him more playing time. His contract isn't much of a drag on the payroll. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tony Parker Contract status: five years, $57.5 million What he did: Became a first-time All-Star. Led team in scoring during regular season with 18.9 points per game. Despite battling injuries, much more consistent in playoffs than previous years. Became solid mid-range shooter and dependable free-throw shooter after working with shooting coach Chip Engelland. What's next: Will continue to work on his shooting. Would like to become a dependable 3-point threat. Coaches want to see his decision-making and leadership skills improve. Just 24, he has the talent to become an All-Star regular, if not an MVP candidate. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Melvin Sanders Contract status: free agent How he did this season: Bounced between the Spurs and NBDL. Signed and cut depending on health of other players. Decent defender, but received usual rookie treatment from officials. Left off playoff roster. Tore his right medial collateral ligament during practice last month. What's ahead: His knee should be healed by the start of summer league. Expected to play on the Spurs' Rocky Mountain Revue entry. No guarantees after that. Has the work ethic to stick in the league, but needs to polish his offensive skills. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beno Udrih Contract status: two years, $2.7 million (2007-08 season at team option) What he did: Relegated to third-string status, but filled in capably during brief stretches in the regular season. Talented, but his toughness still questioned by some. Didn't play much in the playoffs. What's next: Expected to play for Slovenia in the World Championships. Needs to earn Popovich's confidence if he wants a future with the team. Could be traded if team wants a tough-minded veteran to back up Parker. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nick Van Exel Contract status: free agent What he did: He did not show up in good shape and battled bone spurs in his left elbow for much of the season. He never was productive enough to cut into Tony Parker's playing time. By season's end, he was fortunate to still have the backup job. What's next: Possible surgery on his left elbow and a lot of golf. Has already said he's retiring and no one doubts him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spurs staff Status: As of Tuesday evening, Sacramento officials had yet to ask the Spurs for permission to speak with P.J. Carlesimo about their head-coaching vacancy, but that could soon change. The Kings' level of interest in Carlesimo is up for speculation, but the team's owners have made it clear they would prefer a defensive-minded coach. Denver also could have interest in Spurs assistant general manager Sam Presti, depending on which direction its search for a new general manager goes. The Spurs hope to avoid having to overhaul their staff for the second year in a row. Director of basketball operations Danny Ferry and director of scouting Lance Blanks left for Cleveland last summer and advance scout Joe Prunty joined Avery Johnson's coaching staff in Dallas.
