Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Udonis Haslem all opt out

[Rockport]

The Spurs are a great franchise and anyone who doesn't respect them is silly.
But they do not have enough talent to rest on any laurels.
They'll face a very uphill battle to win the title next year and moving forward.
They always embrace the grind tho which is why they must be respected.

They aren't resting on their laurels. They've arguably made the best FA moves so far signing Diaw and Mills and still have the full MLE left.

 

[jterrell]

They aren't resting on their laurels. They've arguably made the best FA moves so far signing Diaw and Mills and still have the full MLE left.

No offense but that type of post is why a particular fan base was called dumb.
Mills is injured and out for months.
Diaw was zero threat to leave.

Maintaining the MLE is important and offers a nice carrot but until it is used on someone like Gasol or a legit top 7 rotation guy it is just a carrot most teams still have.

Up to this point the Spurs have rested on their laurels. --as have most teams this off-season so not a shot but merely a realistic observation.
They've added zero players of merit.

If OKC adds Gasol instead put the onus on the Spurs to add talent.

I wouldn't list SAS with the same 8 man rotation as NBA title favorites.
Not sure they'd be a top 3 seed in the West. Parker, Ginobli, Mills is a lot of injury concern at Guard.
IMHO they need to add something there and ideally something up front.

 

[Rockport]

No offense but that type of post is why a particular fan base was called dumb.
Mills is injured and out for months.
Diaw was zero threat to leave.

Maintaining the MLE is important and offers a nice carrot but until it is used on someone like Gasol or a legit top 7 rotation guy it is just a carrot most teams still have.

Up to this point the Spurs have rested on their laurels. --as have most teams this off-season so not a shot but merely a realistic observation.
They've added zero players of merit.

If OKC adds Gasol instead put the onus on the Spurs to add talent.

I wouldn't list SAS with the same 8 man rotation as NBA title favorites.
Not sure they'd be a top 3 seed in the West. Parker, Ginobli, Mills is a lot of injury concern at Guard.
IMHO they need to add something there and ideally something up front.

And I thought you knew what you were talking about. You obviously don't. The Spurs have signed 2 FA's. 2 players that could've gone anywhere they wanted in FA. Diaw was a top prize for several teams including Atlanta and Phoenix. Mills increased his stock with his playoff performance however if you followed the Spurs, you'd know that Mills played that way all year. He'll be out until around the Rodeo road trip which afterwards is the time the Spurs get ready for the playoffs. Vegas already has them pegged as the favorites. They have more cred than laymen like you and I.

 

[bounce]

I don't see how the Spurs wouldn't be the favorite with the same 8 man rotation, assuming health. It doesn't mean they're the CLEAR favorite, but not having them in the top 1-3 spots would be absurd. They absolutely dismantled teams last year, from start to finish. Their system isn't predicated on a superstar, and they can pretty much plug any guy into the system and have him produce results. I agree that they need to get better, just because every team does, - and adding Gasol with the MLE (however unlikely) would solidify them as the favorite.

But, not even a top 3 seed in the West? C'mon, man. If you're saying that solely on injury concerns, ok, but no team has done anything to make them BETTER than the Spurs so far.

 

[bounce]

I don't see any way that Miami could do a James/Anthony/Bosh deal with their cap situation. I think two of the three but not all three. JMO.

Well, obviously it would require huge pay cuts, I'm just talking player-wise of the FAs, since the talent level is similar to the talent level in 2010 FA.

 

[jterrell]

And I thought you knew what you were talking about. You obviously don't. The Spurs have signed 2 FA's. 2 players that could've gone anywhere they wanted in FA. Diaw was a top prize for several teams including Atlanta and Phoenix. Mills increased his stock with his playoff performance however if you followed the Spurs, you'd know that Mills played that way all year. He'll be out until around the Rodeo road trip which afterwards is the time the Spurs get ready for the playoffs. Vegas already has them pegged as the favorites. They have more cred than laymen like you and I.

ROFL. It is almost impossible to take people seriously if they fall into this homer act on a level of 1000.

Patty Mills is a solid young player with unlimited range. But he is seriously injured and was zero threat to go anywhere.
This is the WEST. You can't coast for 3 months than prepare for the playoffs.
The 8th seed Mavs beat the Spurs 3 times in round 1 of the playoffs with Diaw and Mills very present.

Diaw is 32. He averaged 9 ppg and 4 rpg. He got paid a fair deal but was no threat to leave and is no threat to start next year.
He got destroyed by DeJaun Blair(his former back up) against the Mavs.
His deal was right at or more than market value. The fact is he will be getting paid a lot at a very advanced age.
But he wasn't ever leaving there at his age.

Both are useful pieces for the Spurs but they are not additional pieces.
They don't add a friggin thing.
That is the VERY definition of status quo... of resting on laurels.

The Spurs have a guard rotation of Parker, Ginobli, Mills, Belinelli, Joseph:
With Parker needing more and more limited minute games, Ginobli likewise battling father time and now Mills injured that is a very serious issue for them.
Belinelli and Joseph just aren't very good. Green really can't play the 2 well.

The off-season hasn't even officially started and no one is insulting the Spurs but only a complete dolt considers what they have agreed to thus far equates with the best free agent moves in the league.
The Mavs getting Dirk to take a 10m paycut trumps these two moves by miles.

Vegas odds mean absolutely nothing before free agency even starts. Most sports books won't even take bets yet.
But if you find one that will put down 100 for me on Cleveland... if they'll honor those 60-1 odds.

 

[bounce]

Vegas odds mean absolutely nothing before free agency even starts. Most sports books won't even take bets yet.
But if you find one that will put down 100 for me on Cleveland... if they'll honor those 60-1 odds.

I don't know the legitimacy of this image, but here are some odds for you.

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/7/9/5883619/germany-brazil-bet-slip-reddit-image

 

[jterrell]

I don't see how the Spurs wouldn't be the favorite with the same 8 man rotation, assuming health. It doesn't mean they're the CLEAR favorite, but not having them in the top 1-3 spots would be absurd. They absolutely dismantled teams last year, from start to finish. Their system isn't predicated on a superstar, and they can pretty much plug any guy into the system and have him produce results. I agree that they need to get better, just because every team does, - and adding Gasol with the MLE (however unlikely) would solidify them as the favorite.

But, not even a top 3 seed in the West? C'mon, man. If you're saying that solely on injury concerns, ok, but no team has done anything to make them BETTER than the Spurs so far.

age, injuries and past results.
making a long playoff run is taxing.
losing your best young guard for 3 months really hurts.
parker and ginobli showed signs of wear and tear all playoffs.
the heat dominated sas in the finals two years ago and then both teams came back fairly intact and the spurs walloped them.
the grind on a champ is real.
if they add gasol they probably are the favorites but there are a lot of moves left to be made.

the west is not easy and the margins between 1-5 are razor thin.
48 wins missed the playoffs altogether in the west....
being the 4th or 5th best team in the West is hardly some insult. That's probably 50+ games.

teams:
hou has a chance to be the early favorite: sign bosh plus keep parsons, add vet PG depth. ---just missing a coach.
okc arguably better on paper than anyone and if they add gasol is loaded everywhere. ---just missing a coach
clips are a talented team with a talented coach could be a factor with a couple moves.
gsw turned over coaching duties and tweaked a team that is really fun to watch and can beat anyone. if they get Love???
dal could push past sas with a good off-season. they beat SAS up good in the playoffs before falling. already added chandler and could add a 10-12m starter plus a couple exception guys to the rotation. ---even sas admits dal has good coaching

 

[jterrell]

I don't know the legitimacy of this image, but here are some odds for you.

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/7/9/5883619/germany-brazil-bet-slip-reddit-image

went to that site and odds have changed now with CLE down to 8-1.. dangit!!!!

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I don't know the legitimacy of this image, but here are some odds for you.

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/7/9/5883619/germany-brazil-bet-slip-reddit-image

I think anybody who has a dominant Guard play can give the Spurs real trouble. The Heat didn't have that and it showed. I do, however, believe that the Spurs will be in the running again next season, barring any unforeseen injuries etc.

 

[jterrell]

btw these were my thought in a thread last year if anyone is looking for a "track record":
--------------------------------------------------------------
various:

calderon--let's talk about where he rates at all-star game time. his assts to turnover ratio is much better than virtually everyone listed above... and he lead the league in 3pt FG %.

bynum--bummer that he can't play but if the most he could get is 6m guaranteed, he's done.

mavs--mavs are just signing best values they can get amongst the leftovers in free agency. if they get dalembert they'll have a better team then last year but far from elite.
calderon/monta gives them the kidd/Jet look. obviously still without a center right now. they are basically going back to the 11 straight 50 wins model of asset mgmt.

nets--they have accumulated the all ancient and overpaid team. lots of names, not sure how much talent is left with some of those guys.

lakers--i've suggested they were in a bad way... perhaps now that becomes more apparent.

rockets--not sure how people equate an 8 seed plus DH to being a title contender but better them than me trying to live up to that nonsensical hype.

 

[jterrell]

I think anybody who has a dominant Guard play can give the Spurs real trouble. The Heat didn't have that and it showed. I do, however, believe that the Spurs will be in the running again next season, barring any unforeseen injuries etc.

Guards who can penetrate give them issues for sure as they lack a true rim protector.
Splitter was pretty good last year in may ways but no one on that Spurs front line has elite level mobility or shot blocking skills.
What they all do have is legit range and plus passing for big guys that spaces the floor and is a pain to defend.

If teams are targeted them all off-season it will be hard for them to repeat.
As coaches find the right answers others will steal them.
The Spurs acknowledged they were shocked Miami didn't copy some of what Dallas did to give them fits.

IF LJB goes ot CLE he gets a guard in Irving that can really trouble SAS.

 

[Rockport]

ROFL. It is almost impossible to take people seriously if they fall into this homer act on a level of 1000.

Patty Mills is a solid young player with unlimited range. But he is seriously injured and was zero threat to go anywhere.
This is the WEST. You can't coast for 3 months than prepare for the playoffs.
The 8th seed Mavs beat the Spurs 3 times in round 1 of the playoffs with Diaw and Mills very present.

Diaw is 32. He averaged 9 ppg and 4 rpg. He got paid a fair deal but was no threat to leave and is no threat to start next year.
He got destroyed by DeJaun Blair(his former back up) against the Mavs.
His deal was right at or more than market value. The fact is he will be getting paid a lot at a very advanced age.
But he wasn't ever leaving there at his age.

Both are useful pieces for the Spurs but they are not additional pieces.
They don't add a friggin thing.
That is the VERY definition of status quo... of resting on laurels.

The Spurs have a guard rotation of Parker, Ginobli, Mills, Belinelli, Joseph:
With Parker needing more and more limited minute games, Ginobli likewise battling father time and now Mills injured that is a very serious issue for them.
Belinelli and Joseph just aren't very good. Green really can't play the 2 well.

The off-season hasn't even officially started and no one is insulting the Spurs but only a complete dolt considers what they have agreed to thus far equates with the best free agent moves in the league.
The Mavs getting Dirk to take a 10m paycut trumps these two moves by miles.

Vegas odds mean absolutely nothing before free agency even starts. Most sports books won't even take bets yet.
But if you find one that will put down 100 for me on Cleveland... if they'll honor those 60-1 odds.

Sure I'm a homer, the Spurs are the champs. Why wouldn't I be? They have one of the best run organizations in THE WORLD.

And your remark about Mills and Diaw not being additional pieces shows your ignorance. They weren't part of the Spurs until the agreed in FA. So yes, they did add 2 pieces already. If you somehow think that's status quo, then sign me the players that give me the status quo that won the Championship.

It's obvious you didn't watch the Spurs much or you would know that Bellinelli carried the team from time to time during the regular season. And Josephs dunk over Ibaka in the Thunder series changed the game. You're really exposing your lack of knowledge.

 

[burmafrd]

Sure I'm a homer, the Spurs are the champs. Why wouldn't I be? They have one of the best run organizations in THE WORLD.

And your remark about Mills and Diaw not being additional pieces shows your ignorance. They weren't part of the Spurs until the agreed in FA. So yes, they did add 2 pieces already. If you somehow think that's status quo, then sign me the players that give me the status quo that won the Championship.

It's obvious you didn't watch the Spurs much or you would know that Bellinelli carried the team from time to time during the regular season. And Josephs dunk over Ibaka in the Thunder series changed the game. You're really exposing your lack of knowledge.

and this so called great team lost last year; and did not win it the year before either. You spurs homers are really funny in a pathetic sort of way.

 

[zrinkill]

You spurs homers are really funny in a pathetic sort of way.

And you Lebron James riders are just pathetic without being funny.

Better buy yourself a cavs jersey.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Guards who can penetrate give them issues for sure as they lack a true rim protector.
Splitter was pretty good last year in may ways but no one on that Spurs front line has elite level mobility or shot blocking skills.
What they all do have is legit range and plus passing for big guys that spaces the floor and is a pain to defend.

If teams are targeted them all off-season it will be hard for them to repeat.
As coaches find the right answers others will steal them.
The Spurs acknowledged they were shocked Miami didn't copy some of what Dallas did to give them fits.

IF LJB goes ot CLE he gets a guard in Irving that can really trouble SAS.

I agree. The Spurs are really good at spacing the floor, spotting up the J off the dump out from the post and then swinging the ball or allowing Parker to penetrate the interior and break down your offense off the double in the post. However, they are susceptible to the same thing.

San Antonio's guards are older and if they have to defend hard, it takes away from their offense, at this point in their respective careers, and that's probably the best way to defense them. It's going to be interesting this year, for sure.

 

[Rockport]

and this so called great team lost last year; and did not win it the year before either. You spurs homers are really funny in a pathetic sort of way.

The only thing pathetic is posts like the one you made. Must be jealousy.

 

[jterrell]

Sure I'm a homer, the Spurs are the champs. Why wouldn't I be? They have one of the best run organizations in THE WORLD.

And your remark about Mills and Diaw not being additional pieces shows your ignorance. They weren't part of the Spurs until the agreed in FA. So yes, they did add 2 pieces already. If you somehow think that's status quo, then sign me the players that give me the status quo that won the Championship.

It's obvious you didn't watch the Spurs much or you would know that Bellinelli carried the team from time to time during the regular season. And Josephs dunk over Ibaka in the Thunder series changed the game. You're really exposing your lack of knowledge.

various:
yes, diaw and mills were part of the organization.
they were never part of any other.
they were never free agents since they agreed to deals before free agency truly began... as everyone fully expected them too.
mills was injured before he signed and thus even less risk to leave.
diaw was 32 and got paid well.
neither is a great move but it is a typical spurs move.

the biggest move they made was the pop extension that was just announced.
that's far bigger than mills or diaw.

cory joseph played 87 minutes.... ALL playoffs. so get out of here with any nonsense about him.
plenty of spares have made A play.

the spurs lack quality guard depth. most teams do but most teams dont have their top 3 guys with serious injury concerns entering the year.

the spurs are a good org to be sure, but lets not be daft and homer out.
they have won one title the past 6 years, twice were out in the 1st round over the same period.
they arent the lebron heat with two titles and two finals losses over 4 years.

 

[Rockport]

various:
yes, diaw and mills were part of the organization.
they were never part of any other.
they were never free agents since they agreed to deals before free agency truly began... as everyone fully expected them too.
mills was injured before he signed and thus even less risk to leave.
diaw was 32 and got paid well.
neither is a great move but it is a typical spurs move.

the biggest move they made was the pop extension that was just announced.
that's far bigger than mills or diaw.

cory joseph played 87 minutes.... ALL playoffs. so get out of here with any nonsense about him.
plenty of spares have made A play.

the spurs lack quality guard depth. most teams do but most teams dont have their top 3 guys with serious injury concerns entering the year.

the spurs are a good org to be sure, but lets not be daft and homer out.
they have won one title the past 6 years, twice were out in the 1st round over the same period.
they arent the lebron heat with two titles and two finals losses over 4 years.

Spurs have probably the best point guard depth in the league with Parker, Mills and Joseph. Again, you're exposing your ignorance or you're just too proud or stubborn to admit you're wrong. So you must be a fan of some other team. Basketball people know that the Spurs play the right way, run their organization the right way and it's resulted in 5 NBA championships under the current leadership. All that in a small market town like San Antonio.

 

[bounce]

and this so called great team lost last year; and did not win it the year before either. You spurs homers are really funny in a pathetic sort of way.

Really? They were two made FTs and a lucky rebound away from winning last year. The Heat won the series, but the Spurs gave that game away and blew a shot. Trying to discount them as a great team (e.g. calling them a "so called great team").

There's a happy medium between Spurs homers saying they're God's gift to basketball and other teams fans trying to dismiss them, and nobody here has found it, yet.

cory joseph played 87 minutes.... ALL playoffs. so get out of here with any nonsense about him.
plenty of spares have made A play

Don't discount the importance of that play. For the previous two games (and all four regular seasons games) the Spurs had a mental block against Ibaka. They were afraid to attack the rim because he MIGHT block it or alter the shot. They totally changed their plan whenever he was in the game. But, in a game 4 blowout the 15th guy on the roster went right at the guy the vets were afraid of and put him on a poster. Games 5 and 6 were a totally different game plan. I'm not saying Cory Joseph as a player was important in the series, but that play lit a fire under the team for dang sure.