By Shawn Kirsch | March 19, 2008 | Print Print

I know that the off season is still a few months off, but I can’t help but wonder what moves will be made. I wrote on my personal blog several months ago about the need to get younger, and if you recall, just a couple years ago, San Antonio made a play for J.R. Smith at the deadline, but didn’t get the paperwork through in time. The big reminder for us today, is that Smith is a restricted free agent soon. As I’m sure we all remember, from a recent loss, Smith can play. His defense is slowly improving, he’s becoming a better team player, he loves the 3 ball, and he isn’t afraid to to play above the rim. As the Spurs get up in age, I feel there are some expendable players on the roster, not that they aren’t valuable to us, but their spot could be better used.

My key target with this is Finley. He’s been around for awhile, he knows the game, and he’s still got some gas in the tank, but with some of the new blood stepping up, namely Udoka, it’s time for some changes. I think Finley would be attractive to Denver in a sign and trade. They would get an experienced vet, we would get fresh legs. With Smith’s newfound defensive skills, and a solid perimeter shot, Popovich can use him. This allows Ginobili to start every night, while we still have a spark from the bench.

Bringing in Smith’s 3 pointer would also improve the flexibility with Barry. I love his court sense, his clutch 3s, but I don’t think he’ll be here much longer. Smith would negate our need for Barry, and Udoka pushes it over the top.

Smith has also demonstrated the ability, numerous times, to hit big shots in the clutch. This helps us as Horry approaches retirement, which could quite possibly be this year. With Horry leaving, a spot is freed up for either Mahinmi or Splitter, as I see no situation where Pop will spend an entire season working two young bigs into the system. It will be one at a time, so as not to disrupt things too much.

Finally, the single biggest advantage I see to bringing in Smith this summer, is the Olympics. Tim will stay at home, take some time off, Manu and Tony won’t. Smith can give us 30 minutes a night until the All Star Break, giving our two guards some extra bench time while they get their legs back under them.

And with that, I leave you with the 12 men I want to see on the court next year.

Tony Parker
Manu Ginobili
Bruce Bowen
Tim Duncan
Fabricio Oberto
Damon Stoudamire
J.R. Smith
Ime Udoka
Matt Bonner
Kurt Thomas
Jacque Vaughn
Ian Mahinmi

Comments

11 Comments so far

Robert Kleeman on March 23, 2008 6:28 pm
Good post, Shawn. I must admit, with the Wild Western Conference becoming much more so with each week, it is hard to think about next season. I would like to offer a few comments on the roster you propose.

J.R. Smith can play - no question. I still question his attitude problems and how he would fit with The Spurs. Not every player the team targets or thinks it wants ends up a positive match (see Dennis Rodman). His skill set works in theory with the Spurs system, but I don’t see it working on the court. Remember that this guy has been temporarily disowned by two coaches in the last three years, and while I agree he has matured, those arrogant, amateurish mistakes still hang on him.

I have been watching both Tiago Splitter and Ian Mahimni (he’s a bit easier to watch because he plays in Austin) to monitor their respective developments.

When I watch Ian, I say, “damn is that guy athletic. Damn he could be somebody in a few years.”

Then he loses his man, gets dunked on and/or heaves a bad pass out of bounds and I remember why he is playing in the D-League. I am optimistic that Mahimni can apprentice next season to fill the Robert Horry role. His potential would make any coach salivate, but his window for stardom, if it ever opens, is years away.

I think Tiago Splitter will end up being a more NBA-ready player than Mahimni. He might turn out to be better in his first season than Rockets’ forward Luis Scola–which is saying a lot (The guy has yet to wear an NBA uniform, so I should probably wait until then to make rash judgments).

Scola has thrown himself into the Rookie of the Year discussion, helping the Rockets win 22 straight with his heart, hustle and low post skill. Splitter, like Mahimni, has youth working in his favor (Scola is 22 and Mahimni and Splitter are 21 and 22 respectively.

I love Robert Horry, and have dared to say he deserves Hall of Fame consideration, but he needs to be shown the door after this season. If the Spurs manage at least a Western Conference Finals berth, he should go out on top and never return. How much longer can the guy get away with not giving a damn until after the All-Star Break?

Michael Finley should do what suits him next season. His clang-y, inconsistent has not suited the offensive-handicapped Spurs of late. He is another guy I would hate to see go, but if his departure lands a younger star here, I have no problem with that.

Brent Barry will likely be back as will Jacque Vaughn, Fabricio Oberto, Matt Bonner, Ime Udoka, Kurt Thomas (and do I need to mention Bowen and the Big Three?).

I know I have rambled, but let me throw some names out of players I would love to see in a silver and black uniform. Some of these names will not be free agents or would be unattainable given the roster situation, so this is all wishful thinking.

Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats), Ike Diogu (Indiana Pacers), Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies), Francisco Garcia (Sacramento Kings), Walter Herrmann (Detroit Pistons), Juan Carlos Navarro (Memphis Grizzlies) …

And for the never going to happen in a million years picks…

Andres Nocioni (Chicago Bulls), Eduardo Najera (Denver Nuggets), Monta Ellis (Golden State Warriors–I think he could still be one hell of a young player in a halfcourt game).

For now, I will enjoy the season. I’ll save worrying about next season’s roster next season.
Robert Kleeman on March 23, 2008 6:30 pm
Damn, spelled Ian’s name wrong, again. Mahinmi, not Mahimni.
Shawn K on March 25, 2008 11:53 pm
@Robert K.

There is a player I didn’t put in the list, who I’d like to see play for us, and actually have a chance to get, but with the emergence of Udoka I don’t feel as strongly as I once did, and that is Maggette. Of course, he’s also nearly 30, so I still prefer Smith. Despite his history, he is becoming more mature, and I think a lot of his problems have had a little to do with the people around him, which won’t be a problem in San Antonio. Mahinmi is raw, yes, but he’s also had a year to begin learning the system, that’s why I give him the edge over Splitter, who I think will have a tremendous impact after a year in the D-League. Pop likes to bring them along slow and steady, and continuing that philosophy, by not rushing young guys into the rotation, San Antonio will maintain their edge in the West.
Jordan on March 27, 2008 8:45 pm
You are absolutely insane. The Spurs are just getting old and gray. One young player will not help the Spurs do anything. They still have an average age of about 47. If you want to talk about a successful team. you must talk about the Miami Heat. They have all the pieces to make a great team unlike the spurs who have a great chance to win a pie eating contest.
Shawn Kirsch on March 27, 2008 9:21 pm
@Jordan

Actually, the average age in San Antonio is about 33. And the Miami Heat were successful about a decade ago, when they had the annual brawl against the Knicks. Thanks for playing though!
Doc on March 28, 2008 6:19 pm
Nice idea, but Denver is not going to let Smith go, especially to the Spurs. You have to include Splitter on the roster next year. Pop is not going to make the Scola mistake again. The Spurs will definitely be a different team next year, but I doubt Stoudemire will be on it. I cannot believe they took him as he does not add much and cannot play with the new athletic guards in the NBA. Along with Horry, he is at retirement stage. As for Miami, that was an insane post.
????????? on April 1, 2008 9:17 pm
believe what you want the spurs are hopeless.
Jordan on April 9, 2008 7:45 pm
the spurs are like blondes…. if they shot an arrow in the air… they would miss.
?????????? on April 11, 2008 10:58 am
Who ever this shawn k needs a job.
ronnie on April 11, 2008 5:01 pm
I agree with this jordan guy.
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