Time to think about down the line time (Spurs)

[MasterShredder]

I realize Manu did not play in these playoffs. I realize this series would have been much closer with him. However, the support cast around the big 3 just isn't good enough anymore. Most of us fans have known this for awhile. I'm not gonna sit here and list who has fallen off - that's obvious.

What do the Spurs need?

 

[CadetHorn]

As a Mavs fan, I would say they need someone else to stretch the D. Spurs were at their best when TP could be himself and people like Horry, Bowen, and whoever else would hit their shots when needed. That hasn't happened on a consistent basis and it certainly didn't happen against the Mavs. With a great scoring PG like Parker and a future Hall of Famer in Duncan, they need a shell around that core and offensively they need the Bowen of a couple years ago (in terms of production) and someone to help Duncan rebound the ball....so essentially a 2 and another 4 player.

 

[wadster]

It wasn't just the offense. You just can't put Finley out on Dirk and think that is going to work. Either you double him and leave others open, or you get scored on. Or you put Finley on Howard and he blows past him. Spurs have to get younger next year. Not like the Mavs are a young team.

 

[Markstanco]

As a Mavs fan, the Spurs looked old this series, if not old tired. How many times did the Mavs get to set their feet on 3 pointers? 8 times a game? Nothing to hang your head about AT ALL Spurs fans, you had a helluva run.... a run ANY franchise would dream about.

 

[Hpslugga]

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[bierce]

Looked old? How about ARE old -- very old.

The Spurs had only 5 players contributing significant minutes who were under 30--both of the point guards, Mason, Bonner, and Gooden. Other than the back up point guard, none of them are under 27 in three weeks.

With Finley, Bowen, and Thomas all over 35, with Oberto reaching 35 during the playoffs next year, and Duncan hitting 34 at the same time, the Spurs really need to get younger.

 

[longhrnfan]

Dwayne Wade.

 

[Ramathorn]

Maybe Pop thought he would get more lottery balls by tanking?



Don't think Wade will play in a small, low profile city.

 

[El Torito]

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[GHoward]

Torito, look up the definition of joke and/or sarcasm.

Spurs definitely need to get younger, but it won't happen this offseason, especially since Isiah Thompson isn't a GM anymore. Most of their guys are on contract through next season. They could buy them out, but they'd still only be able to afford minimum salary players. Their best chance is Making a trade before the trade deadline, when teams might be looking for expiring contracts.

 

[Statalyzer]

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[Tommy_Grand]

I expect the Spurs to cut Bowen and Oberto. Finley's San Antonio era may be done & they dont need J.Vaughn on the books either.

Who the hell is Isiah Thompson?

Next year, I'm guessing they'll start Parker, Manu, Duncan, Bonner, and (i think) Udoka, backed up by Hill, Mason, Jr., Gooden, Thomas, and either Marcus Williams or a free agent. I might start mason and play manu off the bench. When healthy, MG is the league's best 6th man.

That roster is easily good enough to make the playoffs (again), but not quite good enough for a title. I'd love to see Mahini rise up and take 37-year-old Thomas' minutes. Or maybe Tiago Splitter decides to come to the US and play against some real competition. Either could make the Spurs a bigger threat.

 

[ToxicShock]

I think mason was misused in this series- he got most of his minutes as the back up PG. He's a shooting guard and that's it. I think Hill has proven he is a capable back up PG. I agree, I wish mason would've gotten more meaningful minutes off the bench as a shooting guard.

 

[EPThorn]

Hill, Mason, and Udoka are ok players but if Pop has to rely on those guys more then the window is officially closed.
Parker is young, Duncan has about 3 good all stars years in him, but Manu needs to stay healthy.
And even if they all stay healthy i dont think they will be strong enough to challenge the Lakers in the west and will probably be in dog fights with the rest of the Western Conference.

I think the loss of Tiago Splitter hurts alot. He was going to be the next great foreigner to flurish in Pops system but he chose to sign overseas.
Now they have to rely on free agent pick ups which will be hard to get top notch talent in a small market with little money compared to other teams