Do You Hear That?
That is the sound of the rest of the NBA crying. The Spurs added Michael Finley to an already stacked roster. And they think they can still re-sign Devin Brown for cheap. The only question is, which player is going to win the 6th Man of the Year Award?
Starters:
1. Parker
2. Ginobili
3. Bowen
4. Duncan
5. Nazr
Bench:
1. Finley
2. Van Exel
3. Oberto
4. Udrih
5. Rasho
6. Horry
7. Possibly Devin Brown
8. Romain Sato
9. Sean Marks
Um. Well, that’s fantastic. I’m so elated by this news that I will forget the fact that the Baltimore Orioles have completely ripped my heart out by going in the tank for the second half of the season. Needless to say, there is VERY little room on the repeat bandwagon right now.
Posted by
at
02:55:40
Once again, I guess the Spurs will be invincible. Pop excels at maximizing the most out of a sub par lineup, shown when the Spurs won their first championship in their " Duncan Era, " and now that he’s been given a few all stars, we are in the midst of a NBA dynasty.
I ‘ve glance at some of you postings and they seem rather interesting. . . . I think I’ll read a few!
No way any Spur will win a 6th man of the year award unless ginobilli comes off the bench. I can say that with pure finality. Its an impossibilty.
For one, their best bench player now is Horry, he wont bother showing up in the regular season, Pop knows it, expects it and doesn’t care as long as he keeps doing his thang when the real season starts, the postseason, playoff time baby. As for Finley, he’s never come off the bench in his life, it’ll be a huge adjustment - most players cant find their rythm when they’re cold - ginobilli is the ultimate exception, never mind the fact that even when he is playing that he’ll be in a completely different system which doesn’t allow his freelancing offense. Sure his defense will improve with less offensive onus, but how many bench players get credit for D? Earl Watson, emmm…….????Not many anyway. Finley will average about 12ppg 4rpg and 2apg, great sub, solid guy, but Jerry Stackhouses, the Ricky Davises, these guys will get more time and more shots to prove their mantle and they will be top gunners for this award. As for Nick the Quick, he’ll be a gunslinging inconsistent but downright scary streak shooting additon. But in no way is he even capabale of challenging for enough playing time to warrant due consideration. Considering their offense, their best sub may be Oberto but even then, until I see him perform I can’t guarentee a foreign center aged 30 having that type of impact (speed of the game will likely be his biggest problem - hindering him from his most effective but he should have enough skill to still impact).
This may be the deepest team the NBA has seen since the Lakers of the mid - 80’s but they still have weaknesses, in mind i haven’t even conceded proclaiming them favourites yet (ex-spurs fan - it takes time for me to admit such things). AS for the 6th man award, not in San An, ain’t happening, Pop needs Bruce for his system to work (33mpg), he knows what ginobilli can bring (35mpg) and understands Tony is already a top point who needs more game experience (his consistency really is getting better each year) so thats another 35mpg. You got what 13mpg for Nick (and Nicks a rythm shooter, he wont like being taken out when he’s hot but under Pop in the regular season, he will). Then about another 18mpg for Finley, remember Barry will get a couple and Horry plays some 3, Oberto will claim around 20mpg with rasho getting ummm, like 5mpg. There is just no Spur backup who will claim more minutes than a starter, other teams have that and thats why their teams have a better shot of winning that award.
Spurs will have more problems than our analysts are predicting - such as - free throw shooting - calmness in the end of game situations - no player ouside of ginobilli who can create his own shot in the waning moments (horry may be Big Shot Bob but he relies on his teammates) - Duncan’s toughness when hit which I feel not nearly enough teams are capitalizing on (portland in the auld days used to double with size and elbows, thsi trouble Dunc, plus Seattle and Detroit found ways to frustrate him with active bruisers and bangers - If Nick is fit that removes the ballhandling issues which engulfed the entire second unit. There are weaknesses. The only question is how to stop Ginobilli, he’s the only unstoppable Spur (finley may add to that since no one can double him aymore but then again maybe not)
You are very very professional.I dream i could do such a great job as you do.