Breaking News... Thomas to SA per ESPN

[SD2042]

It's a good move for the Spurs. Not only they have an expiring in KT. He brings tough defense, mid-range shot, and some rebounding prowess to the Spurs to help TD down in the post. I just hope the age thing doesn't bite the Spurs during their playoff run.

[Blame Rasho]

I think he can be a starter....

[SD2042]

I'm not questioning whether he can be a starter. More on the age deal with the majority of the roster being over 32. Hope that doesnt take it's toll since they have more older than mix of young and experience.

[Donald Kaufman]

Assuming KT starts, the average age of our starters is 32.4 yo.

To compare, Phx's starters avg age is now 32.2 yo. They've got more youth on their bench than us, but Dantoni is not one to utilise the bench much anyway, so the point is kind of moot.

I loved the move to get Thomas. But we can't ignore the fact that we do need to get some young talent on the team.

[Blame Rasho]

I say this offseason we give the MLE to Childress to get younger...

[UptownPhilly]

Of all the blockbuster trades made out west this season, I still have the Spurs winning the Championship.

Congrats on acquiring KT!

[co_laper]

The good thing?

againts Phoenix, Kurt can help us on what Phoenix is running offensively (like Sean Marks did for them) and Kurt has gone up againts Amare in practice so i think he'd be our best Amare defender.

againts Dallas, Dirk has had trouble with quick players like Sjax. Kurt is no Sjax, but Dirk also had trouble againts Miami 2 years ago when they knock him on the floor a couple of times. Kurt Thomas is by far the toughest guy we have on this roster. He might not shut Dirk down, but i think he can frustrate Dirk more than anyone else.

againts Lakers, Gasol is a finesse guy. i think the key to guarding a finesse guy is again being tough on him. lke what Baby Davis did to Duncan. get low and push him out and stuff. Gasol is more of a face up player now but still Kurt is a better Gasol defender than anyone else we have. Unless ofcourse you wanna risk Duncan getting into foul trouble guarding Pau Gasol.

LOVE THE DEAL.

[Ballings7]

againts Dallas, Dirk has had trouble with quick players like Sjax. Kurt is no Sjax, but Dirk also had trouble againts Miami 2 years ago when they knock him on the floor a couple of times. Kurt Thomas is by far the toughest guy we have on this roster. He might not shut Dirk down, but i think he can frustrate Dirk more than anyone else.

Agreed.

I think a group of Kurt, Horry, Bonner (if he'd play, he does battle defensively, is a mobile big man, and has strength), Udoka, and Bowen, plus Duncan at the basket, and our team defense would be enough against Dirk.

About Miami, they defended him well with Haslem/Posey + Zo/Shaq away and at the basket.

[Tiga]

Getting Kurt Thomas is a bonanza for the Spurs. Even at the advanced age of 35, he still has enough left of exactly what the Spurs need. He's a rugged big man with great hands, a deadly mid-range jumper, veteran smarts, and the ability to play exceptional low-post defense. Thomas' presence will relieve Tim Duncan of some disadvantageous mano-a-mano defensive matchups while permitting TD to do more of what he does best: provide defensive help from the weak side.

Losing Brent Barry is painless because his 36-year-old body is breaking down and Ime Udoka is younger, paid less, plays defense, can hit treys, and is primed and ready for big-time minutes.

Francisco Elson is a runner and a mid-range shooter whose finesse game never really fit into the Spurs' scheme of things.

Unless the Spurs unexpectedly fall on hard times, their top pick in the 2009 draft won't be particularly valuable

Sure he's right about Thomas, but IMO Udoka doesn't exactly play ball like Barry does. He is indeed ready for more minutes...

[LakersSquad]

Good trade for the spurs.

[Ballings7]

I say this offseason we give the MLE to Childress to get younger...

I'm beginning to like Childress now, from recent months... before I didn't dislike him or like him, just didn't quite know what kind of player he was and what he could do effectively and consistently. Albeit the majority of seeing and reading about him was random. Always liked his size and athleticism, though.

[co_laper]

he's like a shawn marion clone (but worse)

[Ballings7]

Childress from what I've gathered has better ball-handling, passing skills than Marion.

[co_laper]

yeah, but he's nowhere near the athlete Shawn Marion is nor is he as quick or as strong a defensive player. And Marion's a far better rebounder can guard just about every position while Childress is more of a G/F type. Obviously, there are things that Childress is better at (thou i don't know how much better) but the other things Childress do well, Marion do great.

[Ballings7]

Yes, I know. I can see what you're saying about the comparision, I was just pointing out a noticeable difference between the two.

[the southern dandy]

I may be a bit late on this but.............ZOMG!!!!! We have a big outside of Duncan who can defend and rebound.

Some would say speed is an issue with a Duncan and Thomas front court. Duncan's quickness is really underated, he does a solid if unspectacular job against the quick bigs. Our team defense will also help mask any mobility issues. I look foward to seeing Duncan and Thomas owning the boards.

[crackjack]

Spurs have always done a good job of rotating on defense.

The speed of the big men have never really been an issue with that.

Thomas is one of the smarter defensive players in the league. I don't think he'll have a problem with it either.

Big man speed becomes an issue against fast break teams. There's not that many fast break teams out there.