Spurs Official Pre-Season Thread

[Magz50]

Seeing none of you lazy asses have started one yet. I had to make one!

Blair looked great vs Houston. Tonight is a big one vs Miami, I doubt pop will play the big 3 much, so I won't take much stock in how we go up against Lebron and co.

Will be nice to see Anderson get some more minutes. He's still a grey area for me.

[Nolan]

Blair played well once again and Anderson played well too.

[TaiLs21]

The Heat got scared of you guys and protected LBJ and Bosh from embarrassment by letting them only play one quarter. Spurs FTW.

[Frankie23]

Spurs waive Kirk Panney.

Great shooter, bad luck he didn't make it..

[co_laper]

With the guys we have, the odds wasn't in his favor. I think the same goes with Jerrells. The competition is between Gist and Simmons IMO. I think Gee makes the roster but continues to be buried on the bench. Gist plays the best defense and Simmons shoots the ball best.

[franktony]

I'd like to know why Gee is not playing. He hasn't played a single minute since the beginning of the pre-season. It's really weird.

Pop should be playing him, since the SF backup is the only position that we lack atm.

[co_laper]

Pop just said in an article that he's looking for a defender and a shooter for that backup SF. There lies the problem with Gee. Between Gee, Gist, and Simmons, Gist is obviously the best defender. He hustle, rebounds, block shots and has excellent size. Problem is, he's raw. And then you got Simmons, a shooter but hasn't shown anything defensively yet. And then you got Gee... what does he offer? He's the most athletic, have the biggest potential, and the best slasher. He's basically a poor version of RJ. He doesn't provide Pop with the defense he wants nor does he provide the shooting he wants. So he gets buried.

I think Gee is kept on the team simply because he has the best potential. But the way this team is constructed, he's not a good fit right now. Either way, I truly doubt any of those 3 guys get consistent rotation minutes once we get closer to the playoffs. Most likely, Manu plays that backup SF like he did last year.

[Nolan]

I really hope we don't try to play zone during the regular season because that was just painful to watch last night.

[Frankie23]

Temple is sucking so bad..It's a pity..
Btw, Jerrels is playing well. Good shooting skills as well as leadership from the point.
If i have to choose a PG now, give me Jerrels with no hesitation.

Gist didn't play much. Cousin is a interesting prospect to develop. He should be stronger in the paint, but his 6-11 are usefull and he shoots the ball ok. Cousin should make it to the Toros!

Great to see Simmons and Neil clutch shots..hopefully this make their confidence grow a little bit since they are not playing very good and they will make the team.

Someone said last night: "Manu is clutch even as a coach.." lol

For this year: Not that zone, and no Matt Bonner handling the ball.. (or no Matt Bonner!)

[Nolan]

^
Ya Temple has looked horrible so far, so many unforced turnovers and poor decisions. Jerrels is looking much better, he's playing under control and he's making better decisions out there.

Cousins has been a pleasant suprise so far. The kid's got some potential.

[Kaiser9]

And then you got Gee... what does he offer? He's the most athletic, have the biggest potential, and the best slasher. He's basically a poor version of RJ. He doesn't provide Pop with the defense he wants nor does he provide the shooting he wants. So he gets buried.

Agreed. I love the athleticism that Gee brings to the table but everyone knows that even if you are earning 14 million like RJ was earning last season, Pop will bring you out of the game for someone who actually plays defense.

[Frankie23]

Dejuan Blair twitter:

@manuginobili way to draw that play up genius!! S/O to my man Manu Ginobili !!!

[batmana]

I also liked Jerrells a lot but Temple had a very good spell with us last season and I really like what he gives us. His style resembles George Hill a bit but he's also bigger (SG size) and could be a very tough defender. That's where Temple is better than Jerrells. And Temple is a good slasher, especially for a backup so I'd say he makes the team. I figure we hold on to Jerrells until the deadline for guaranteeing contracts and then we probably let him go. As for the SF position, Simmons is an OK guy to have as a backup (especially with his experience) but I think our best defender at the position could be James Anderson. I really like his size and I also like how he is not just looking to be a long-range shooter but can also take it down low. It would be really great if he turns out to be a good post-up player. The zone was a weird thing against the Clippers but it could be something we turn to at times, especially to keep our guys fresh. I was really surprised how Richard Jefferson played top of the zone which meant he almost always matched up with the opposing ballhandler/playmaker. It could be a way to discourage opposing PGs from taking shots over such a bigger defender.

[co_laper]

Honestly, I don't see how Temple is a PG. He looks to be a SG. His game looks like a SG too.

He's 6'6'', average ball handler, don't see anything special with his ballhandling, passing, court vision, or any ability to control the tempo. His best attribute is his defense and he looks like he's more of a slasher. Not much of a shooter. As a SG, all this isn't really a problem. But it is if he's out there playing PG.

Jerrells obviously is more of a true PG. He's steady, seems to be able to control the tempo of the game, looks to be comfortable shooting and running the pick and roll, good ballhandling.

The one thing Temple got going for him is that he's not a playmaker. And that's good if he's out there using his 6'6'' frame playing defense next to real playmakers such as Manu and Tony. But if he's out there actually running the PG position with no playmaker next to him, it doesn't look good.

Honestly I think Jerrells is outplaying Temple, Gee, Simmons, and Neal (other than the game winner, he's struggling badly shooting the ball), but if I have to guess on who gets the next cut, I'm thinking it's Jerrells.

[batmana]

Anyone have any idea what are the terms on that 2nd round pick we got from NO in return for Jerrells? Not that it matters that much but I'd like to know...

[co_laper]

Spurs waived Gist. I think right now it's a lock that Simmons is our backup SF. He's clearly a better fit than Gee right now. We have 15 players, I'm pretty sure Cousins will get released too. Question is whether the Spurs keep Gee because of his potential (and summer league performance) or let him go too.

[franktony]

I don't think we're gonna keep Gee. He barely play in the pre-season.

We can only keep 13 players in order to stay below the luxury tax.

I think Simmons is our backup SF and Cousins and Gee will be waived.

and GL to Gist. I think he will play in Europe this season

[Frankie23]

Cousins should be going to the Toros. Would be our back up big if someone gets injured.
Gee could be a good chip for a trade like we did with Jerrels.. And we are keeping Temple? OMG..

It seems like defense, as far as the training camp is going, is not a priority. We won't have a chance if we are not a top 5 defensive league IMO..

[Nolan]

Jerrells just got traded to the Hornets for a future second.

We now have 15 players on our roster and the plan is for us to have 13 players on opening day. Cousins should end up in the D-league, that means its going to come down too Gee and Temple for the last roster spot. I personally think we should keep Gee, but it looks like he's the odd man out.

[Nolan]

Looks like we're going to start the season with 14 players on the roster. So that means Gee, Temple and Simmons will all be on the opening day roster.