San Antonio Spurs Radoslav Nesterovic-02/03 stats, PPG:11.2 RPG, 6.50, 52% Rasho was a must signing for the Spurs in need of a replacement for the retiring David Robinson and Rasho was the best fit.Playing with Kevin Garnett Rasho's game improved each year...and last season had a career year in Points,rebounds and in blocks..Alot of players have improved their games while playing with Tim Duncan...Rasho gives Tim some help on offence as well..someone who can hit the 10-15 fot jump shot...his defence needs to improve...and I'm sure it will playing with the 2 time defending MVP...Rasho will be a key player for the Spurs this season...his job will be defending Shaq in the playoffs....that is no easy task..but he won't be alone..Spurs have alot of good defenders inside..Former Laker Robert Horry will be able to give him some tips as well.. Hedo Turkoglu-02/03 stats,PPG 6.7, 37% threes Hedo had a somewhat dissapointing year last season...His playing time dipped quite alot from a year ago when he had a great 2nd season in the league.Where he averaged well over 10.1 points per game..while shooting 36% from three-point land...He also played a great series v the Lakers replacing Peja Stojakovic in the starting line-up.With the right coaching and players Hedo has the potenial to become a 15 and 7 player...Although that won't happen on the Spurs because of the great depth this team has he can add more to this team than what he did a year ago...And again playing with Tim Duncan will make everyone better...Spurs and coach Pop will like to think that will happen..If Pop can make Hedo the player he was on 2001...Spurs will be in great shape when turning to their bench...Hedo will play behind Defensive star Bruce Bowen..but his playing time will increase as the season goes by if he can play to his talents...He only has 1 year left on his contract and I know he will be out to prove a point Robert Horry-02/03 Stats-PPG 6.5,RPG 6.40 Robert Horry joins the Spurs after he spend 7 years with the L.A Lakers..and he was on the Laker team that Spurs beat to end their 3 year reign as champions...He has always been known as "Mr clutch" didn't do the job in last years playoffs..struggled from three all year but shot 2-38 in the playoffs..He also missed a game winner three against the Spurs in game 5 of the western conference semi-finals..that would of given L.A a 3-2 lead...So Robert will be out to prove a point that he still has plenty left to help out the Spurs.He struggled last season mainly because of the minutes he had to play all season and all playoffs...It was too many minutes on his body which made his shot weaker..He didn't have the legs to play big minutes but he was forced too.This year it wil be different..He will not play anywhere near as many minutes in S.A as he did in L.A...He will be a important member of the Spurs bench....His experience will be a big factor....He will be able to come in when Duncan needs rest..and Spurs shouldn't miss a beat....This signing was a good one that improves the depth... Ron Mercer-02/03 Stats,PPG 7.7,RPG 2.1 Ron had a diffcult season with the Pacers...He can score and and attack the basket....He was in a tough situation with the Pacers last season...a team that had chemistry problems...And it was time for him to make a new start and be with a contender...He will be a good addition to the Spurs roster...Will likely back-up Emanuel Ginobili at the shooting guard spot...I expect him to have a improved year and will get quite alot of open looks when he comes into the game...He is a soild player from 15-18 feet...Weather he can be as consistant as Stephen Jackson was a year ago remains to be seen. Anthony Carter-02/03 Stats,PPG 4.1,APG,4.1 in 18 minutes per game Carter will replace Speedy Claxton as this years back-up to Tony Parker...AC got limited time in Miami but still got a decent amount of points and got over 4 assists per game which is pretty good considering the minutes he got.Although he should still be with the Heat..after his agent messed up after his contract he will be getting less money that he would of done..He should be a soild player...As I have said before should improve with the great players around with..more so Tim Duncan Key Subtractions: Stephen Jackson-02/03 Stats,PPG 11.8,RPG 3.6 Sjax was a very important player in the Spurs championship team...Hit alot of clutch shots in big games...In the playoffs more so..Against the Suns and the Mavs....big threes at key times..helped Spurs get the ring..Although he turned the ball over quite alot....He never lacked confidence at any time through the season...Time will tell if Ron Mercer and Hedo can replace the shooting/scoring what Jackson brought to the team David Robinson-PPG 8.5,RPG 7.90,BPG 1.73 D-rob was a factor from his size alone...everyone saw how good he was on defence in the finals..He is another big body to guard the top west players...and another guy to help Duncan on defence...He will be missed...A true legend of the game and a class act.Rasho will have to help full the gap left by Robinson..It will be interested to see...Robinson will be missed by everyone at the Spurs... Speedy Claxton-02/03 Stats,PPG 5.2,APG 2.5 Speedy who played a big part in game 6 of the NBA finals was a key player to the Spurs...he was a lighting quick PG...hit the 15-18 foot jump shot consistantly...and because of his play in the finals got a very good contract with the Golden State Warriors..Even though he was important to the team...He missed alot of games due to injury..which is why Spurs signing Anthony Carter was a very good decision and a good replacement for Speedy... So to sum it up..Spurs had a very good off-season even though many thought Jason Kidd would of been signed..he turned down the Spurs big money offer to re-sign with the Nets..while the other player that was targeted being Jermaine O'neal re-signed with the Indiana Pacers for 126 million....But Spurs added great bench depth in Robert Horry,Anthony Carter,Hedo,Ron Mercer..While bringing in Radoslav Nesterovic to replace David Robinson at the center spot...So overall the Spurs are looking good once again going in the new NBA season...Will Spurs re-peat as champions? hard to say..but this team will be right up there and has a great chance to hold that trophy up again... My overall grade for the San Antonio Spurs <font size="3">Grade A</font>
I think it has been a really interesting year for the Spurs. They didnt get the two players the really wanted however they made off like bandits when you sit back and see the big picture. Rasho fills the void left by Robinson. He doesnt have the leadership like Robinson has however Duncan does so it is ok in that aspect. Game style wise he is the perfect player for this team. Horry brings the leadership qualities that Rasho doesnt have. Along with the leadership he is clutch player and is a threat at the end of a game. Horry should take some of the weight off of Duncan's back at the end of the game. Like you said allnet, Turkoglu has something to prove and I think he will have a rebound season. Mercer is yet another offensive weapon that the Spurs can use along with Ginobli, Duncan, Horry, and Parker. The only real loss to this team is Stephen Jackson however, with the talent the Spurs have on thier bench they can easily make up for his absense.
i would give them a B, i don't think that they improved too much, but they have duncan so they will always be good.
Players that were added Rasho Mercer Hedo Horry Carter all good players that can score and play an all-round game..hell the Spurs bench could make the playoffs in the east SO an A grade was just right...If Kidd or JO was signed then a A+
I like how you put Jackson as the biggest subtraction even tho Robinson was. I think it should be an A- or B+ not an A.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kid Canada:</div><div class="quote_post">I like how you put Jackson as the biggest subtraction even tho Robinson was. .</div> If you must know smart guy...It wasn't in any order...And anyway Sjax was the guy who hit alot of big shots and was the Spurs 3rd top scoring..So I don't see why putting him first is out of the question even if it was in order...
if they didn't lose anyone i would have given them an A, but losing robinson and jackson are key. they were key members of the championship team.
