Simmons on the Spurs Training Camp Roster

[co_laper]

I really doubt any of Gee, Gist, or Simmons will end up getting consistent rotation minutes by season end, but if it happens, Simmons is my best guess. He's a veteran and he can shoot the ball. I don't think Gist's defense will be good enough in limited minutes to really impact the game beyond energy plays. Simmons will help the offense by spreading the floor.

If the Spurs don't think Simmons can crack the rotation (not just some bench guy), then I think he's kept. Otherwise, the Spurs will be better off keeping Gist and let him learn, watch, and be around the guys.

[Bucksfans1and2]

He punches Hookers.

[Donald Kaufman]

Let the Lakers have him then.

[co_laper]

Looks like Simmons will make the team but I wonder if he got the backup SF job. I was expecting James Anderson to win the backup SG position but that title probably belongs to Gary Neal now who I thought was going to be 3rd string SG. I haven't watch the Preseason other than our first game so I really don't know where we've been playing James Anderson so far. Has it been SF or SG? I'm thinking SG because the fight for SF has been more about Gist, Simmons, or Gee.

[Ruzious]

What's the likelihood Gee makes the team. Speaking for Wiz fans, there are a lot of us who'd like to have him back. He was very impressive at the end of last season and showed surprising shooting range.

[Frankie23]

James Anderson played mainly as a SF, he was the first subtitute of RJ. Pop make different teams during pre season. Yesturday he played with Tony, Manu, Anderson and then he changed them for Hill, Neil, Jefferson. And a couple of minutes with Temple..
Gee didn't play much these preseason. Simmons did it mainly as a small PF and Gist played as a PF, never a SF.
I really like what i've seen of Anderson. His scoring ability is very good though he is playing shy (as a rookie behind so much vets and coming from an injury should btw). He shoot great and is doing an evolution in attacking the rim..not a very good passer, but he is young and maybe nervous so far..
Neil started to played better in the last games and i think he earn to play in NBA. Everybody knows about his shooting, but he also can dribble..

I'm worried about defense..

[Nolan]

^
Ya the defense has me worried too. We don't have a legit perimeter defender and our interior defense has looked pretty weak so far too. But when Splitter gets healthy he'll help improve our interior defense, which should take some of the pressure off our perimeter defenders.

I really wish we would of held onto Bogans or went after Matt Barnes this offseason.

[TAI8]

^
Ya the defense has me worried too. We don't have a legit perimeter defender and our interior defense has looked pretty weak so far too. But when Splitter gets healthy he'll help improve our interior defense, which should take some of the pressure off our perimeter defenders.

I really wish we would of held onto Bogans or went after Matt Barnes this offseason.

Manu's a solid defender and Jefferson used to be one back in New Jersey. I got the impression from last year that Jefferson didn't give it all on the defensive end. I think he could be a decent defender at least if he put more effort into it. I don't think his defensive woes last year had anything to do with inability. And remember our team last year was still top 10 defensive (8th to be precise) with basically Bogans (pretty good defender) and Mason (horrible) the only ones to leave this season. Pop and Duncan have the power to make players look better than they really are defensively.

[Donald Kaufman]

Since Bowen left we lost our identity on D. Simple truth is that as a team we're a shadow of our former selves, particularly on the defensive end. Our D used to win games (and chips).

Pop and TD make players look better, but Timmy's D is noticeably regressing, more so than his offensive game, so it gets harder to cover other's shortcomings in that area. Never mind that Bonner and Blair are bad defensively. Parker has improved on D but is far from an elite defender. Manu is solid.

[SApuro_]

The loss of Bowen and the aging of TD has slowed our defense for sure. Hopefully with some additional size in Splitter and board hungry Blair we can alter some shots and prevent 2nd and 3rd chance opportunities.

I love how the young kid Anderson gets introduced to the Spurs and if he wants to get playing time he has to show he can play D. Thats one of the best things I like about Pop. He is a defense wins championship coach.

[Nolan]

^
Ya the defense has me worried too. We don't have a legit perimeter defender and our interior defense has looked pretty weak so far too. But when Splitter gets healthy he'll help improve our interior defense, which should take some of the pressure off our perimeter defenders.

I really wish we would of held onto Bogans or went after Matt Barnes this offseason.

Manu's a solid defender and Jefferson used to be one back in New Jersey. I got the impression from last year that Jefferson didn't give it all on the defensive end. I think he could be a decent defender at least if he put more effort into it. I don't think his defensive woes last year had anything to do with inability. And remember our team last year was still top 10 defensive (8th to be precise) with basically Bogans (pretty good defender) and Mason (horrible) the only ones to leave this season. Pop and Duncan have the power to make players look better than they really are defensively.

Jefferson's never been a good defender, even with the Nets.

[Donald Kaufman]

^^^ I think it's because he was athletic when he was with NJ. People often get fooled into thinking players are good defensively if they're athletic.

[co_laper]

I don't know about that.. IMO the 2003 Richard Jefferson was atleast an average to solid defensive player. Sure, he pales in comparison to Bowen, but who doesn't? He certainly wasn't some weak ass defensive player who couldn't guard a chair.

[Nolan]

I don't know about that.. IMO the 2003 Richard Jefferson was atleast an average to solid defensive player. Sure, he pales in comparison to Bowen, but who doesn't? He certainly wasn't some weak ass defensive player who couldn't guard a chair.

Yes he was. He played on a team with Kidd, Mutombo, Kenyon Martin and a few other very good defensive players. They covered up his weaknesses and let him get away with alot of sub par defense.