Spurs Roster Analysis

I have been somewhat bored with the Spurs offseason so far, likely because there are no new faces in San Antonio yet. Yet as I look at the potential lineup I see much potential for success, especially with the rumored moves. There were such player such as Anthony Morrow, Kyle Korver, Travis Outlaw and Mike Miller who I secretly coveted, but landed elsewhere. However, here are my thoughts on our likely roster for this year.

Tony Parker- Spurs are apparently convinced trading him is not the option, and I agree. He was the most consisten Spur in the Phoenix series, and is still the most active and consistent player we have in my book.

George Hill- Showed last year, especially against Dallas, that he was a draft steal. He should start at the 2 in my book along with Parker, and Manu should retain his place as 6th man.

Richard Jefferson - I believed if they can resign Jefferson for a lower price, it is a a steal. He is the best SF available in Free Agency, and if we let him go there are no upgrades available. Also, I see him fitting in well in his 2nd year, hopefully after some work with Chip Engelland on his jumpshot.

Tim Duncan - still consistent as ever, but simply needs minutes monitored.

Antonio McDyess - I still think he was a solid pickup for SA. He is probably the best offensive rebounder on the team, and most consistent jumpshooter. He is solid for 20-25 minutes a night, and is a perfect fit when hitting the midrange jumper

James Anderson - from what I have seen, he was a steal. He is a knockdown shooter and that is all we need from him. If he can sit in the corner and hit his shot, he is already a perfect fit.

Manu Ginobili - Hopefully not wearing out. He showed signs of amazing play last year, and was rewarded with a contract extension, much to my delight. He likely will finish his career in San Antonio. And has shown that he will likely not slow down much, and can stay healthy for a year.

Dejuan Blair - Blair is a beast and will only get better as he gets older. If SA can somehow get him to develop a mid range shot and some more consistent post moves, could very well be a double double every night. Spurs should do what they can to keep him.

Matt Bonner - I honestly am a Bonner fan, I think the Spurs were smart to keep him, as Bonner is a very flexible option on offense, and is a great threat on the floor when hitting his 3. I also believe that he has progressed in his ability to score inside, especially with the running floaters. Also has an underrated knack for rebounding.

Tiago Splitter - I hope he comes over, and if so, provides the Spurs with a niceb big man to complement Duncan and take major minutes when needed.

Malik Hairston, Alonzo Gee, Ian Mahinmi, Curtis Jerrels - I think the Spurs should plan on Hairston being a constant in the rotation if possible, taking the place of Bogans. Hairston is very athletic and energetic, and looks like a solid rotation player when given the minutes. Gee and Jerrels have not shown enough for me to make a case for them. Mahinmi I think is worth a shot, however if Splitter, Bonner, Blair, Duncan, McDyess and maybe even Shaq are cloggin the middle, he obviously will have no minutes available.

SHAQ????? - Honestly, despite my criticism of him last year, I would love to have Shaq as a VERY capable backup at center, and able to take 15-20 minutes a night. if Blair and Shaq were on the court together, there would be some major clogs in the middle. I think if he agrees to sign for the MLE, you take him.






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The issue with playing Hill at the two for long minutes taxes the team he is too short and gives us a really small back court. Hill plays great defense overall something Tony lacks but playing Hill as the starting two is part of the issue with the Spurs they already lack enough length on the floor last year and starting Hill does not help that issue.

Teams have gotten long and they will just over the top of the back court their are times when that is effective and can be done for short stretches but over the long haul of the season and the playoffs that is asking for disaster.

Bonner coming back I see as a wasted roster I am not a fan and Bonner is not an underrated on rebounds his numbers say other wise he is below the Mendoza line in other words he is slightly below average on everything but his 3 point shot which disappears on in the playoffs. Yes I am that pissed over the ridiculous contract not so much they brought him back but for 4 years when at most they should have gave him a two year deal with a team option for year two.


Harriston should have played more last year but Pop gets but hurt over young players and has gone Larry Brown look for the young players continue to rot on the bench despite when a vet is clearly sucking cough cough Mason being run out there over and over again. Failure to play Ian when we had nothing to lose because Bonner was getting abused on the boards and low post and we need more size.

I loved the draft pick but the odds of Pop playing him and him getting to play much in the Playoffs are zero to none with Pop unless he changes this year because the last two years Pop stuck with crappy vets until the series is basically over see Dallas on hills rookie year . Then the Spurs getting swept because he kept running out Mason on the floor to get destroyed on defense and miss wide open shots instead of trying Harriston

Yea we will see and Jefferson at 7 Million a year for 4-5 years for playing uninsipred ball and does not fit the teams offense or defense when a guy like Gomes can put up his numbers for like 1 million a year call me worried.

In fact the only thing I am excited about is seeing Splitter and Pop may play him more than most rookies because he played overseason

Mike, I like the way you think. I have my doubts about Shaq though. Too old. He hasn't won a championship for the last 2 teams he was on.

Kangaroo, Hill is shorter than the average 2, but can guard any 2 that is on the floor. He has good length and sticky hands. I think he is better as a starter, and Parker is the starting PG. Manu, in my opinion should come off the bench. I agree about Hairston. He is a solid defender, and an extremely athletic wing player. There has to be something Pop doesn't like. And RJ is our best option, I don't think letting him go helps. He doesn't deserve all the hate he gets. Just give him more time to mesh, he had to play with all kinds of weird starting groups. If we let RJ go, who replaces him? James Gist? He is hands down our best bet at SF.

MikesMagicShip wrote:Kangaroo, Hill is shorter than the average 2, but can guard any 2 that is on the floor. He has good length and sticky hands. I think he is better as a starter, and Parker is the starting PG. Manu, in my opinion should come off the bench. I agree about Hairston. He is a solid defender, and an extremely athletic wing player. There has to be something Pop doesn't like. And RJ is our best option, I don't think letting him go helps. He doesn't deserve all the hate he gets. Just give him more time to mesh, he had to play with all kinds of weird starting groups. If we let RJ go, who replaces him? James Gist? He is hands down our best bet at SF.

I like Hill I just think over a long term and playoffs it hurts the team him being the starting two i rather start the rookie and have Hill and Manu coming off the bench since they can both handle the ball. RJ under performed and I feel like giving him a long term contract hurts the team. He gets hate because he did nothing at all when his offense struggled the rest of his game disappeared he showed maybe a handful of games of flashes overall he was a ghost. I rather start Harriston at the 3 and someone else cheap. before tying up longterm cap space to RJ

I agree that James Anderson could start, that's. A point I hadn't thought about. Hill and Manu would be a solid tandem off the bench. I still am not sold on RJ needing the boot, I just think that regardless of last year, his potential is a steal if he takes a paycut. And if he does, it means that he is committed to being here and improving. But I think we both agree that Hairston needs a longer leash. As far as Shaq is concerned, I hope the Spurs sign him, if not only for some media excitement. Shaq, although old, is still a presence in the middle, and surprisingly good on defense. I just don't see the Spurs draining money on Splitter and Shaq, with Duncan and McDyess already capable bigs. I still wish we had looked into getting Mike Miller or Travis Outlaw

Mike Miller from all accounts wants to play in Miami. And Outlaw got a contract for more than he's worth in NJ. Cleveland now has lots more cap space than us, and will be wanting a SF. So, although I am thoroughly disappointed in RJ, I agree that keeping him is, regrettably, the best thing we can do. Good and affordable SFs will be hard to find. Hopefully Anderson will be just what we need when it comes to scoring, and hopefully Pop plays him.

Ya, I knew Miller and Outlaw were gone, but I would have loved one of them. But RJ is our best option, and what a stud for taking such a potential paycut. Now that we Have Tiago coming (supposedly), I wonder who the odd man out of the bigs will be. Bonner just got a payraise, so he's obviously gonna get minutes, and we know Blair and Duncan will get theirs. So either McDyess or Splitter will get a time cut. I wonder if we don't try trade McDyess to like Utah or Denver, and get a smaller player. Also, I wish I could see more James Anderson. I was very in the dark on him coming to the draft. And people have got to stop hating on Bonnner. He's funny as hell and is a deadly shooter. I think he was a good signing. Plus he's a pesky defender. Also, new rumor has it thatt New York wants to send Felton/Chandler for Parker during the year?? Crazy