Starting Five |
Player
Rating |
C |
Rasho Nesterovic |
6.5 |
PF |
Tim Duncan |
10 |
SF |
Bruce Bowen |
6 |
SG |
Manu Ginobli |
7.5 |
PG |
Tony Parker |
7.5 |
| |
|
37.5 |
* Player Rating on a 1 to 10 Scale. 10
denotes best at position in the NBA with no weaknesses, 5 would be average
player who holds his own etc.
Reserves |
Position
Rating |
C |
Sergei Karaulov |
5 |
PF |
Malik Rose / Tony Massenburg / Robert Horry |
6 |
SF |
Devin Brown / Viktor Sanikidze |
6 |
SG |
Brent Barry / Romain Sato / Alex Garcia |
8 |
PG |
Jason Hart / Beno Udrih |
6 |
| |
|
31** |
* Ratings based on ability of bench to
fill in a position. More than one backup at a position would influence
the rating as would one player's ability to play multiple positions.
Brent Barry influences both guard spots for eg.
** This is one team where the whole is the greater than
the sum of the parts. So even though the total points may be low, this
is one of the top 3 teams in the NBA, along with the Wolves and the
Pistons.
Sep '04
Derek Fisher's shot hurt Tim Duncan as much as anyone.
He thought he'd won the game on an incredible shot, then got upstaged.
He wasn't the same after that. The Olympics didn't do much to boost
his confidence either. And there's the injury worry with the extra games.
On the plus side, Barry and a confident, experienced Ginobili
should make this team tougher than ever. Parker should also be a year
older and wiser. Devin Brown should a lot of promise in the playoffs
and will get substantial playing time this year. Expect this team to
score more than they did last year.
This team needs a banger to backup Rasho. Duncan will
have to play more Center too. Massenburg and Horry don't bring much
to the table. Willis will really be missed if Rasho goes down with an
injury.
I expect this team to win the most games (caveat: Duncan
stays healthy) in the entire league. Their only real weakness last year
was with scoring and they addressed that well. 60 plus wins are a possibility.
Old Post -- July '04
Needs:
Amazing how this team has more holes to fill than Denver, as much cap
space and a chance to contend but you don't hear about them much in
FA talk. I have a feeling someone is going to overpay Ginobli and Bowen
and now the Hawks are looking at Turkoglu as is Phoenix. So we could
so a whole new Spurs team this year. Brent Barry is said to be interested
in signing and if Denver goes after Manu, the Spurs should give Q-Rich
a look. A back-up Center and point guard are also desperately needed.
Look for them to bring back Ageless Willis for another season.
Note: Spurs are making a serious run at Kobe. Spurs
would dominate the league for the next 5 years. None of the rest of
this page would even be relevant...(I'm babbling but this I would love
to see!)
Shooting Guard
First choice would be to resign Ginobli and bring in Brent
Barry to back him up. If they lose both Manu and Bowen, how about bringing
in Q-Rich and D-Miles to liven up one of the league's most boring teams?
Devin Brown is likely to be the backup for the near future.
Potential Candidates: Brent Barry, Quentin Richardson, Cuttino Mobley?
* Looks like the Spurs are going to keep Bowen and sign Barry.
That's great for them 'cos Barry also provides back-up at the point.
Parker/Barry/Ginobli will be very difficult for opponents to handle
especially with that Duncan guy up front.
Small Forward
Looks like Bowen is coming back though Hedo will be a goner.
Kukoc would be a great fit but he seems happy in Milwaukee and they
are keen to keep him.
Potential Candidates: Darius Miles, Toni Kukoc, Bob Sura
Backup Point Guard
They tried Charlie Ward last year and he turned out to be a
failure. Hart was ok in spurts but the Spurs need more. Barry could
see minutes at this spot if they successfully sign him. Another experienced
but not too old PG would help.
Potential Candidates: Damon Jones, Lindsey Hunter
Backup Center
Kevin Willis will probably be resigned but the Spurs could
be looking for a young, quick shot blocker too.
Potential Candidates: Etan Thomas
Prediction: For a team that could really
shake up the league in terms of a trade or FA signing, they have made
no noise so far. Popovich is probably waiting to see the kind of offers
Manu, Hedo and Bowen get before they decide whether to match or go after
someone else. Question is, will the players they want still be available?
With Duncan around, the Spurs will always win 50 games. The signings
between now and the start of the season can take that number to 60+.
More likely that the Spurs stay conservative and end up with their second
choice player and 55 wins.
Update: Spurs got the players they wanted in Manu,
Barry and Bowen. This team is now locked up for the next three years
(stability was an issue last year -- the press ignored it but Pop harped
on it) and should be a title contender every year.