Monday, May 10th, 2010 at 12:00 pm  |  26 responses

Fix-A-Team: The San Antonio Spurs

Remember The Alamo? Its time to blow that thang up.

by Eddie Maisonet, III / @edthesportsfan

Note: When each second round Playoff team bows out, we will feature a “Fix-a-Team” post, which identifies the team’s key strengths and weaknesses. Where are the opportunities to take this team to the next level and who are the key threats to their ascension? For my business colleagues, you will recognize this as a SWOT analysis. Today, we review the San Antonio Spurs.

In what is turning into a pandemic like what they were slanging on ‘The Wire,’ the almighty sweep hit the San Antonio Spurs first. If you would’ve asked mTim Duncan & Tony Parkere which series is most likely to not be a sweep, I easily pick Suns/Spurs. We all know the background; the Spurs have OWNED the Suns this decade. They’ve beaten them every way imaginable, they out-hustled them, they out-coached them, they out-cheated them (looking at you Robert Horry), and to have the Spurs fall on their proverbial backside in such a fashion is unimaginable.

With that being said, the season is over. You’ve got to move on to next year. How can the Spurs be fixed? I have an idea or two.

STRENGTHS
The “Big Three” of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker have been as solid of a core as the Association has ever seen. The Spurs have arguably one of the top-three coaches in the League in Gregg Popovich, and they have young talent in George Hill and DeJuan Blair. That brings some optimism to San Antonio. And the biggest strength of this team is their chemistry. They’ve been playing together for so long that it’s ridiculous.

WEAKNESSES
The problem of the “Big Three” is that they’ve been playing for an extremely long time. It has been eight years now (Ginobili came into the League in ‘02-03), and they are not getting any younger. When the ‘10-11 season starts, Duncan will be 34, Ginobili will be 33, and Parker will be 28. Plus, you’ve got to wonder how much spark Popovich is bringing to the bench nowadays. Bigger problem? How about cap space? Yeah, they don’t have any whatsoever. That horrendous signing of Richard Jefferson has them locked up with a core seven of: Duncan, Manu, Parker, RJ, McDyess, Hill, and Blair. Those seven players combined make up $66 million in payroll. The proposed ‘10-11 cap? $56 million. Yikes.

OPPORTUNITIES
Here’s where Spurs General Manager RC Buford earns his paycheck, because he’s already $10 million over the cap for next season and only has seven players guaranteed for next season. His team is horrendously old and got out-worked by the Phoenix Suns (kudos to the Suns for pulling off one of the biggest surprises of the season, but it’s still the Suns!). With that said, I have a couple of ideas that could change the outlook of the franchise. Some insane, but could potentially happen:

1. Do a Sign-and-Trade deal with Tony Parker to Atlanta for Joe Johnson – Parker’s six-year/$66 million contract is up after the ‘10-11 season and with a league lacking in available free agent point guards, Parker would be a quality catch. This becomes more realistic with the emergence of George Hill this season. Joe Johnson could be a great long term fit in San Antonio, and with his career careening into the abyss in Atlanta his value could be lessened just a bit. Playing in San Antonio would have him playing for a contender, something Atlanta’s proven they’re not ready to be at all. Giving up Parker would seem insane, but for as good as Parker is, he has flaws as well. Move him and see if you can upgrade. Atlanta’s been in serious need for a PG for years now, as the basketball gods are making them pay for passing on CP3 and Deron years ago. Parker would be a SIGNIFICANT upgrade.

2. Do a Sign-and-Trade deal with Tony Parker to Toronto for Chris Bosh – Similar premise as Joe Johnson, the difference would be more relatable to when David Robinson’s career was tapering off and Duncan was able to be a lead dog, 10 years ago. Bosh is a born and raised Texan (Lincoln HS, stand up) and San Antonio might not be a bad look for him. I think San Antonio’s biggest flaw was that Timmy can’t do it by himself anymore and that there is no real frontline depth behind him. Toronto would love to upgrade at PG after the failed experiment, known as Jose Calderon. Plus, it’s the most international team in the League; TP might enjoy himself in the T-Dot.

3. Sign A Deal with the Devil to get the No. 1 Pick – Even the devil might not sign that deal. Doesn’t hurt to at least call New Jersey and inquire about the inevitable No. 1 pick for John Wall right?

THREATS
Within their own division, we can somewhat predict improvement from Houston (Yao Ming returning plus the magic that is Daryl Morey), Memphis (pending what happens with Rudy Gay), and New Orleans (CP3 returning). The West will still be loaded, and with the “Summer of 2010” looming some of the Western powers are looking to make drastic improvements to their team. San Antonio is facing the similar closing window that Boston, Dallas, and Denver are looking at. Your players are getting older, no immediate ways to improve the team while others around you are getting better by the minute.

CONCLUSION
You’re going to see one of two things happen with the Spurs this off-season. Either San Antonio will be steadfast with their team and make minor tweaks to their engine, (finding better glue guys, drafting wisely, importing some of their foreign talent) or they’re going to make a drastic change in their personnel. Bringing in Bosh in a sign-and-trade to Toronto would change the entire game in the Alamo and would scare the living daylights out of any team preparing to face them in ‘10-11.

On a personal note, it’s kind of sad to see Timmy in the state he’s in now. He’s still very good, and I think he’s got some years left in him but…he’s almost in David Robinson mode for this team. If I’m RC Buford, I find a way to put Bosh next to Duncan and try to make a run for a title for 2010 and beyond.

Its time to make one last stand at the Alamo.

Eddie Maisonet is a freelance sports writer, blogger and big time hoops fan from Oklahoma who currently resides in Cincinnati. Keep up with Eddie at SLAMonline as well as his blog Ed The Sports Fan and on Twitter.

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  • http://slamonline.com/ Ryne Nelson

    The Spurs have been the closest thing to a constant over the past six or seven seasons. I’m confident they’ll draft well and be right back in it after a couple seasons.

  • http://Www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    ……

  • http://bugshots.info LeoneL

    How about Ian Mahinsomething?

  • http://shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ Tariqُُ

    Those deals don’t seem realistic. I can pretty much guarantee that Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh will not end up in San Antonio. I haven’t really looked at salaries, but I’d try to get rid of Duncan and/or Ginobili before TP strictly because of their age. But I think that San Antonio should be looking to get cap relief and a couple of good (young?) pieces as opposed to a big splash which they wouldn’t be able to pull off anyway.

  • http://milpo1_stl@cnrc.navy.mil kevin

    Ther are not going to get rid of Duncan. He will retire a spur. They still showed they had the nucleus of a championship team. All they really missed and missed it bad is a consistant 3 point chooter. they were in all those games, they lost. If they had a 3 man…phoenix would not have come close to beating the spurs. They need to get a 3 ball man. Everybody else can stay, except for duncan’s backup. he sucks!

  • Ben

    They are 2 good shooters away from being contenders again.

    Rasual Butler, Quentin Richardson or Anthony Marrow would be good fit.

  • http://milpo1_stl@cnrc.navy.mil kevin

    They are not going to get rid of Duncan. He will retire a spur. They still showed they had the nucleus of a championship team. All they really missed and missed it bad is a consistant 3 point chooter. they were in all those games, they lost. If they had a 3 man…phoenix would not have come close to beating the spurs. They need to get a 3 ball man. Everybody else can stay, except for duncan’s backup. he sucks!

  • http://www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com Tarzan Cooper

    Since portland signd camby and they hav to keep oden, it seems pyrzbilla is avail, exactly what spurs need, shot blocking 7 footer. Maybe a trade and get rudy fern too. Doesnt look like they can sign rudy gay, mmaybe a sign n trade. Gay would be a perfect fit with tony going forward. Tony is untouchable, cant be traded. Maybe someone would want rjs expiring contract for some good pieces. I expect changes but none that eddie said

  • http://www.slamonline.com/online/category/blogs/san-dova-speak-easy/ San Dova

    You took this column right out of my head! lol Good stuff, Ed!

  • http://www.edthesportsfan.com Ed The Sports Fan

    I like what all of you are saying, but again…they are $10M over the cap. Yes, they can pay the salary tax but why not think title instead of small fix? They were still a 7 seed, regardless of how tight the West was. You have depth in Tony Parker and George Hill, but you want to give Parker a raise (???) from his $11M/year? I don’t. I’d rather run with GHill and upgrade the frontline or a swingman. I like the idea of Rasual, Q-Rich, and Morrow, but they all played really well this year and the Spurs might get outbid for those players.

    @San Dova – Great minds think alike boss.

    -Ed.

  • http://wicketwarwick.com/blog fundamentals

    I agree with Kevin in what the Spurs are missing, is a SOLID 3pt shooter or two. I remember the championship runs with Bowen, Barry, and Horry (all three could be trusted to hit those 3 balls when the team really needed them to). It really spreads out the defense and allows Tim, Manu, and Tony a lot of more opportunities in the lane.

  • bill

    The spurs got lucky the last two drafts and got a Hill and Blair but the drafts before were just bad or bad luck .from Taigo splinter to drafting euro players and letting them stay in europe n the Spurs have done a bad job of drafting and need to draft better.

  • Shem

    Anyone that thinks that the Spurs are getting rid of Duncan is stupid. Duncan will retire a Spur on HIS own terms. Sign and trade for Joe Johnson seems beneficial for both sides, but what happens to Ginobli or Jefferson? One of the bench? I love George Hill’s game, but it was one season. Don’t hang your hat on him just yet. Parker to Toronto is something I would definetly want to see! (Im a raps fan) I think Bosh and Duncan would be an awesome combination. Parker to Toronto would be really cool and I’m guessing they’d trade either Jack or Calderon for a quality center of forward.

  • Tom Armstrong

    I agree that moving Parker for Joe or Chris is a possibility, but additional moves would have to be made also. I don’t see Mahinmi, Mason, Bogans or McDyess being there next season and Bonner is a big question mark also. Duncan,Ginobili,Hill and Blair I think are the only sure things. Hairston and Temple very likely to make the team again. Pryzbilla from Portland would help, I think!

  • max

    What about a trade with the Pistons for Tay Prince?
    Prince for Parker,and maybe a young player like austin daye or dejuan summers.

  • Blentzen

    Don’t worry. The Spurs will be back and stronger than ever. I BELIEVE!!!!! GO SPURS GO!!!!!

  • gani

    when will tiago splitter play for the spurs? don’t they still hold his draft rights?

  • 6marjons

    ive never thought about that bosh idea. its a long shot but damn it would be 2003 all over again. that would be awesome. and as sad as it is i think it would be tony parker that would have to be given up, unless we get rid of the failed richard jefferson (do love his game but didn’t fit in the system, like ever)

  • http://www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com Tarzan Cooper

    Parker must stay. Hill is not a pg. Hes just a guard, but not a pg. Doesnt distribute well. Mcdyess has to come back. Im sure some team would want rjs contract. Bonner has got to go. Tim needs help up front, and tall help. Come on rc!

  • Jim Southerland

    The Sun series made it very clear the Spurs must have a big–at least 7′ 250 lb.–center who can also jump and a 3-point shooter. If these 2 positions were in the line-up in the Sun play-off series, the outcome would have been different. I hope there is some way R C can work some of his magic to accomplish this.

    I’ve know Tim since he was just a kid on St. Croix & he is an increditable man but the years of banging bodies & hardwood floors do take their toll. He still has one to two years of good basketball left. I would like to see him & the spurs take one more championsip.

  • http://www.anwilson.blogspot.com rainman10

    When Miami loses D Wade they will be desperate for a player. When a team gets desperate, good GMs strike. A possible scenario could be the Spurs sending Richard Jefferson for a Haslem and Q combo. Or even some athleticism like Dorell Wright. Another guy the Spurs can look at is Jermaine Oneal, remember they don’t need stars, just some better depth up front.

    If they want to deal Parker, look at the Wizards. If Arenas somehow leaves or doesn’t play for that team, they will want a point guard. Sending him to Washington to somehow get Foye and Mike Miller in return would be great for both teams, considering the Wiz will have a high pick in the draft to replenish the talent.

    They won’t trade Duncan, and probably won’t trade Ginobili. If the Cavs blow up this summer, the Spurs and Cavs may look to each other for some deals. Always remember the GM connections when looking at what teams will deal. Remember Ainge and McHale?

  • http://na Audie C Gates

    I couldn’t have made a better estimate. You’re right on about Bosh. I 2nd the motion!

  • J

    the first thing to do is how to get rid of RJ. and find another guy to be alongside with TD. just like solution number two, why not try to make a deal with the raptors for bosh.. maybe RJ+george hill cause i think tony is still untouchable, cmon now the guy is injured its not that he is horrible this playoffs. a summer of rehab from injuries would make him fine and back to old form.

  • Dennis Lippy

    I like your speculation and can see those scenarios providing some help for Tim….Bosh on the inside would be a grand slam…With Pop’s offense, you need shooters who can hit the spot-up 3 or a defense that can play lock-down when you’re not making shots…It would be nice to have both…Also, I noticed that we were not nearly as physical with the Suns as we were with the Mavs and that killed us.

  • Pingback: Could Tony Parker be traded this summer? | FANTASY SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

  • http://bkirkham75@yahoo.com bryan

    bill Posted: May.10 at 5:04 pm
    The spurs got lucky the last two drafts and got a Hill and Blair but the drafts before were just bad or bad luck .from Taigo splinter to drafting euro players and letting them stay in europe n the Spurs have done a bad job of drafting and need to draft better

    how can yuo say the spurs cant draft, hill blair, parker, manu, scola, dragic, barbosa, beno udrith, splitter, salmons these are guys they have drafted in the last 10 years and all these guys play huge rolls on their team. drafting isnt the problem.

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