Summer league game one notes:

It would have been easier to get a sense of the Spurs guys if the announcers would talk about anything but Okafor. Spending way too much time looking up the name of the guy who just made a play because they're busy drooling about 270 lbs of man.

Dairis Bertans (not the good Bertans) looks the most comfortable on offense by far, but he also looks slow. Quick release off the pivot, smooth shot, but can't handle the ball.

Will Cherry looks good defensively. Quick feet, good base, stays locked in.

Lalanne has a nice midrange set shot, as long as he is wide open. Ugly when he hurries though. Huge wingspan as advertised. Looks like he could be a player, but it does seem like by the time he makes it to regular rotation quality he'll be at least 26.

Jean-Charles took a few minutes to get his legs under him. No offense other than flushing lobs, but he is a menace defensively.

Treveon Graham looks the second most comfortable on offense. His shot looked clean and he's decisive without being out of control. Could be a find.

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Gonne miss these guys. I won't miss Splitter's injuries, but he was a great fit for this team and was fun to watch when he decided to play like a big man.

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I get that David West wants to win a championship, but damn... $12m player option and he goes for the $1.4m from the Spurs. That is a huge difference. It isn't like he is going from $12m to $5m.

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My dad and I were talking about the pay cut West took to come here. We're still shocked. I get that he wants to win, but that's a HUGE pay cut, and there were other "championship-vying" teams that were probably willing to pay him more.

Need a PG/ backup SG/SF and another big body/hopefully true Center to fill out roster.

Would love for them to get Jammer Nelson to replace CoJo, either Tayshaun Prince/Rasual Butler/Alan Anderson for Marcos spot and Cole Aldrich for size down low.

I think the thinking here was that there was a unique situation here, in that he gets to play with Duncan and Ginobili in maybe their last hurrah, and has a VERY good shot at a ring, and then get paid elsewhere, or stay here and take over after they've left, along with Aldridge.

I saw this morning that he's already made 87 or 88 million during his career in salary alone. So maybe he feels like he's already doing ok in the money department.

He is going to be 35 this year. I suppose he can show his role and production to the Spurs, and as you said, get resigned if Duncan retires. However, having said that, there are no guarantees.

I loved the Aldridge pick-up, but the guys flocking to the team for minimal pay reminds me of the failed attempt by Karl Malone and Gary Payton when they went to the Lakers.

That didn't work then...so this whole talk about the Spurs being the strong favorites is a bit concerning to me. The expectations are VERY high right now.

Ehh the excitement will wear down. Spurs were title favorites going into the season last year as well with most experts picking them to repeat. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter.

Aldridge coming to SA should result in excitement from the fan base. For years, people have thought that once Duncan hangs it up we will fall into obscurity and maybe be a borderline playoff team. We have also thought that Manu/TD and Pop will all ride out together and never look back. Now that Pop has committed for another 4 years and we have this added talent things are truly looking bright for the first time Post-Duncan era. This sets up the franchise for another strong 5+ years being able to pair Aldridge with Leonard/Green. Really remarkable what our FO as been able to do and great for the fans and season ticket holders.

The Spurs still wont be media darlings throughout this. As far as West goes, he's 35 years old and wants to win. There was more too it then just winning. He did not like the way Indiana treated one of his good friends in Roy Hibbert and was done playing for them. He could have gone to another team like Washington for $5M but at that point he wanted to win. Plus, with the cap number going up significantly, the Spurs could elect to pay him his true market value next season. West also realizes he's now the 4th big on the team and will still get good minutes on the court compared to some other contenders.

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He is going to be 35 this year. I suppose he can show his role and production to the Spurs, and as you said, get resigned if Duncan retires. However, having said that, there are no guarantees.

I loved the Aldridge pick-up, but the guys flocking to the team for minimal pay reminds me of the failed attempt by Karl Malone and Gary Payton when they went to the Lakers.

That didn't work then...so this whole talk about the Spurs being the strong favorites is a bit concerning to me. The expectations are VERY high right now.

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Especially when Payton and Malone were at the tail end of their careers.

The Spurs have an excellent front court now with the addition of West, and Aldridge. But lets be fair, Aldridge hasn't necessarily won anything so to expect the same production out of him as Duncan is absurd. Duncan is a once in a lifetime player and it's going to take more players to replace him alone.

I thought the Spurs would be best to acquire a speedy PG/SG. I'm not sold on their aging back court. They're one Parker injury from not having much of a back court because while Green is good, he disappeared against the Clippers when they needed him most.

The biggest difference maker in all this in my opinion is Poppovich's continued interest to remain the coach of the team past the Duncan/Ginobili/Parker era.

Agreed; the excitement from the fanbase is more about the prospect of having a solid core to keep the team competitive as it transitions into the post-Duncan era. The prospect of being favorites for one more trophy for the "big three" (in quotes because Manu is now 8th or 9th in importance to the team, and Tony probably doesn't crack the top three anymore, either) is probably secondary to the longer term impact, but I think most fans know how close the Spurs were this year so having one more legit chance for those guys is awesome as well.

Manu's deal is $5.7 million two year deal with a 2nd year player option.

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He is going to be 35 this year. I suppose he can show his role and production to the Spurs, and as you said, get resigned if Duncan retires. However, having said that, there are no guarantees.

I loved the Aldridge pick-up, but the guys flocking to the team for minimal pay reminds me of the failed attempt by Karl Malone and Gary Payton when they went to the Lakers.

That didn't work then...so this whole talk about the Spurs being the strong favorites is a bit concerning to me. The expectations are VERY high right now.

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Especially when Payton and Malone were at the tail end of their careers.

The Spurs have an excellent front court now with the addition of West, and Aldridge. But lets be fair, Aldridge hasn't necessarily won anything so to expect the same production out of him as Duncan is absurd. Duncan is a once in a lifetime player and it's going to take more players to replace him alone.

I thought the Spurs would be best to acquire a speedy PG/SG. I'm not sold on their aging back court. They're one Parker injury from not having much of a back court because while Green is good, he disappeared against the Clippers when they needed him most.

The biggest difference maker in all this in my opinion is Poppovich's continued interest to remain the coach of the team past the Duncan/Ginobili/Parker era.

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Who ever said Aldridge would be as good as Duncan? Haven't seen that from any Spurs fan.

Spurs are missing a guard and aren't done in free agency yet. This does allow for Leonard to finally start playing 35+ MPG and he will be relied upon more and more, especially this upcoming season.

Parker had arguably the worst season of his career last year, no denying it. He was dealing with nagging injuries and never got in game shape. He can still be a great PG though and will have bounce back year. In fact, Spurs.com released a recent interview with him where he's already appeared to drop 10 pounds or so. He's taking this off-season extremely seriously.

Green is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. Top 5 perimeter defender and one of the, if not the best pure shooter in the league. Guy struggles to put the ball on the floor and create a shot for himself or others but that's why he's getting paid $11M/yr and not $20M/yr. Astonishing how this guys takes a pay cut to stay and his own fan base continues to underrate him.

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Manu's deal is $5.7 million two year deal with a 2nd year player option.

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2 year deal for the room exception as expected. Doesn't eat into cap room.

I would expect Duncan to have something similar. 2 year deal worth $8-10M (depending on final cap #) fully guaranteed with a PO on year 2.

Mo Williams considered the Spurs, but decided to go with Cleveland.

I'm still on the Wayne Ellington train. Would like to see this guy end up in a Spurs uniform. Also intrigued with Dorrell Wright or a rejuvenated Tayshaun Prince for added wing depth.

Andre Miller is interesting if he's willing to come take a very minor role.

As far as bigs go the Spurs need a true center. Taking a chance on a vet like Okafor might not be bad but bringing in a young guy like Aldrich or Withey would be good as well.

I liked the idea of Hansbrough but he just doesn't fit with all the PFs we already have after the West signing.

Boozer is narrowed down to Clips, Spurs, Mavs and Raptors.

I don't see Boozer happening after the West news. Spurs need a Center.

I'm surprised Gerald Green hasn't gotten a contract yet. Would be shocked to see him sign for the minimum somewhere but obviously he would be a great pick up. Pipe dream though.

Looking at how the Spurs play from a guy that doesn't do the X's & O's of basketball... just simply looking at when they have dominated and when they have been beatable... I think this is why most of us are so excited.

When the Spurs were on a roll in last years (14) playoffs we would frustrate teams by playing great team basketball and Splitter was actually finishing. Teams adjusted slightly to help down low and then here came the 3's. Let's be honest, it was a nice surprise when Splitter actually looked athletic and was a finisher, because there were lots of times the guy simply crapped the bed after a beautiful setup to get him the ball near the rim.

LA isn't Duncan, but man is he a STUD compared to Splitter. We were a championship team when Splitter played his best (or wasn't hurt). "You serious Clark!?" West & LA mixed into a rotation with a little Diaw and guys like Patty & Green hanging out in 3 point land. I hope that doesn't scare teams too bad because I haven't even said anything yet about Kawhi, Duncan, Parker, Ginobili. Friggin A that's salty!

if boozer wants to come and we can make it happen and still get a PG/SG we should do it I mean why the hell not

Is Tony playing in France this summer?

I agree on Boozer. I don't see it happening after West agreed to come here. I'm not really sure who you look at as another big body outside of Red Rocket who obviously knows the system and can eat up regular season minutes for you.

I like Ellington and Miller as well. Agree Green is a pipe dream.


Here's a great snippet on the Spurs with LA and West in the fold -

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nba-free-agency-winners-and-losers/

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This team is going to be ridiculous.

Remember when the Spurs benched Splitter against speedy postseason defenses who strangled their spacing? THEY JUST REPLACED THAT DUDE WITH LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE.

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Depth on the wing might be an issue, but Manu Ginobili, Boris Diaw, David West, and Patty Mills make for a nice first four off the bench.

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He's on the French roster for EuroBasket 2015.

Last I heard, yes.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2015/05/04/parker-diaw-on-frances-preliminary-roster-for-eurobasket-2015/

GD it Tony.

Durant voicing support for LA's decision to leave Portland.

He's a FA next year, who knows? Would we have the cap room?

Tony will play with France and it has been reported that he's going to be playing limited minutes. I think this is a good thing for him. Last year he took the summer completely off and came back out of shape and awful. Never recovered.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nba-free-agency-winners-and-losers/?ex_cid=GrantlandFB

Zach Lowe: Winners and losers of Free Agency

Tim Duncan career watch:

last year numbers:
1070 points
704 rebounds
151 blocks

Career:
25975 points, 14th.
973 more points and he is 10th all time

14644 rebounds, 8th
325 more rebounds and he is 6th all time (needs 1569 rebounds to move to top 5)

2942 blocks, 6th
123 more blocks and he is 4th all time

One more All-NBA team and he has 16, which would put him alone for most. He is currently tied for most with Kobe and Kareem.

Duncan has 15 All-Defense teams. He has 3 more than any other player.

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Green is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. Top 5 perimeter defender and one of the, if not the best pure shooter in the league. Guy struggles to put the ball on the floor and create a shot for himself or others but that's why he's getting paid $11M/yr and not $20M/yr. Astonishing how this guys takes a pay cut to stay and his own fan base continues to underrate him.

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Strongly agree with this. During the regular season, TD and Green were our two most consistent players last year while everyone was injured. He has had some trouble staying consistent with his offense in the playoffs, but he still plays stifling defense when he's on the floor and that's worth a pretty penny in its own right.

When you take into account him playing alongside Kawhi, which could be one of the strongest defensive duos currently in the NBA, I don't know how one isn't over the moon happy we were able to keep Danny for a bargain.

And he was older when he came into the league than a lot of guys.