Well this came way too soon. The last 3 games highlighted some major problems to address this offseason, despite a stellar regular season.
Some interesting story lines this offseason:
The end of the Big 3: Will Timmy and/or Manu return for yet another run?
The summer of Durant: Is he really leaving OKC and do the Spurs have a chance.
Spending Spree: The salary cap increase will leave some room to make some moves.
Beautiful game or slow and iso: I think we tried a hybrid of the two this year and it just didn't work.
So here are my thoughts by position in priority order. I don't follow free agency as much as some, so y'all experts tell me what I am missing.
PG:
Status: Parker is looking every bit of the 34 years old he is about to turn. Mills no-showed in the playoffs and really hasn't been himself since the shoulder injury. The lack of PG production has directly led to the death of the beautiful game style of basketball, imo. We saw this with some of the PG free lineups Pop used in the OKC series. Spurs have to increase production here as Curry, Westbrook, Paul and Lilliard lead a loaded West and will be there for a long while. Front office might have made a mistake in letting Joseph walk.
Move: I think the Spurs have to make a run at Mike Conley if they want to get even close to the beautiful game style back and that might mean moving Mills or even Parker. Not much else out there that can provide a game changer here. If Conley doesn't happen, then I think the Beautiful Game offense is dead and the Spurs need to stick with Parker and Mills' limitations and try to become the Grizzlies on steroids, that are tough, with great rebounding, defense and post play which brings me to the post position.
Posts (4/5):
Status: Aldridge is an all star player that had a very good first year, but he couldn't carry the load in the end, especially when his shooting faltered. He is still a bit too reliant on his jump shot and often goes as that goes. I would like to see him get a bit more physical as well. West is probably still a bargain, but played closer to his minimum salary than most were expecting. Duncan was still productive and provides a great value, but does he still want to play with an ever decreasing roll? Diaw is getting older and softer by the day. Rebounding killed the Spurs this past series. Have to get better at rebounding.
Move: If the beautiful game is gone, then Diaw's value isn't what it could/should be and we probably need to look at moving him. He went from such a huge part of the Spurs offense a couple years back to not even logging a minute last night. I think the move here is Pau Gasol. Pair Gasol with LMA and you have the makings of the twin towers part two for a couple years. Gasol will help with the rebounds and is a very good passer and a veteran presence. I still think the Spurs should try to bring back Duncan off the bench for a low salary, but does he want that roll. Boban is a depth guy, but not worth much more than the minimum.
Guard/Forward (2/3):
Status: Leonard is already a super star, but can still work on his consistency a bit on offense to become one of the best to ever play the game. Green had a rough year. His shooting was off all year. I think the lack of ball movement really hurt him especially with the PG play decline. Manu still has heart, but is a shell of himself. Anderson showed flashes at times, but does he really fit into the future plans? Martin might be worth the minimum but not any more. I am still hopeful Simmons might emerge here as a contributor.
Moves: Manu can play as long as he want for the vet minimum, but my guess is he hangs them up. Besides Leonard, everyone else should be on the block for a trade or an upgrade to include Green. We need someone besides Leonard that can drive the basketball and consistently hit an open 3. I don't know who I like here. Maybe Batum if he isn't too expensive. I think the Spurs front office has to find a serviceable player here for depth and scoring help.
So in order of Free Agency priority:
1. Durant (pipe dream)
2. Conley
3. Gasol
4. An athletic slasher at SG/SF
Thoughts? Where do you see the Spurs going from here, after another great regular season and another early 2nd round playoff exit?
Some interesting story lines this offseason:
The end of the Big 3: Will Timmy and/or Manu return for yet another run?
The summer of Durant: Is he really leaving OKC and do the Spurs have a chance.
Spending Spree: The salary cap increase will leave some room to make some moves.
Beautiful game or slow and iso: I think we tried a hybrid of the two this year and it just didn't work.
So here are my thoughts by position in priority order. I don't follow free agency as much as some, so y'all experts tell me what I am missing.
PG:
Status: Parker is looking every bit of the 34 years old he is about to turn. Mills no-showed in the playoffs and really hasn't been himself since the shoulder injury. The lack of PG production has directly led to the death of the beautiful game style of basketball, imo. We saw this with some of the PG free lineups Pop used in the OKC series. Spurs have to increase production here as Curry, Westbrook, Paul and Lilliard lead a loaded West and will be there for a long while. Front office might have made a mistake in letting Joseph walk.
Move: I think the Spurs have to make a run at Mike Conley if they want to get even close to the beautiful game style back and that might mean moving Mills or even Parker. Not much else out there that can provide a game changer here. If Conley doesn't happen, then I think the Beautiful Game offense is dead and the Spurs need to stick with Parker and Mills' limitations and try to become the Grizzlies on steroids, that are tough, with great rebounding, defense and post play which brings me to the post position.
Posts (4/5):
Status: Aldridge is an all star player that had a very good first year, but he couldn't carry the load in the end, especially when his shooting faltered. He is still a bit too reliant on his jump shot and often goes as that goes. I would like to see him get a bit more physical as well. West is probably still a bargain, but played closer to his minimum salary than most were expecting. Duncan was still productive and provides a great value, but does he still want to play with an ever decreasing roll? Diaw is getting older and softer by the day. Rebounding killed the Spurs this past series. Have to get better at rebounding.
Move: If the beautiful game is gone, then Diaw's value isn't what it could/should be and we probably need to look at moving him. He went from such a huge part of the Spurs offense a couple years back to not even logging a minute last night. I think the move here is Pau Gasol. Pair Gasol with LMA and you have the makings of the twin towers part two for a couple years. Gasol will help with the rebounds and is a very good passer and a veteran presence. I still think the Spurs should try to bring back Duncan off the bench for a low salary, but does he want that roll. Boban is a depth guy, but not worth much more than the minimum.
Guard/Forward (2/3):
Status: Leonard is already a super star, but can still work on his consistency a bit on offense to become one of the best to ever play the game. Green had a rough year. His shooting was off all year. I think the lack of ball movement really hurt him especially with the PG play decline. Manu still has heart, but is a shell of himself. Anderson showed flashes at times, but does he really fit into the future plans? Martin might be worth the minimum but not any more. I am still hopeful Simmons might emerge here as a contributor.
Moves: Manu can play as long as he want for the vet minimum, but my guess is he hangs them up. Besides Leonard, everyone else should be on the block for a trade or an upgrade to include Green. We need someone besides Leonard that can drive the basketball and consistently hit an open 3. I don't know who I like here. Maybe Batum if he isn't too expensive. I think the Spurs front office has to find a serviceable player here for depth and scoring help.
So in order of Free Agency priority:
1. Durant (pipe dream)
2. Conley
3. Gasol
4. An athletic slasher at SG/SF
Thoughts? Where do you see the Spurs going from here, after another great regular season and another early 2nd round playoff exit?
