Spurs season analysis and trade ideas

[David_Robinson]

As a Spurs fan last nights loss was very hard to watch but as most Spurs fans will agree the game unfortunately, represents how poorly the Spurs have been playing this year and how they have lost their identity which led to success in the past. It is evident that Pop is not getting through to this group (especially Jefferson) and the Spurs signature defense is nowhere to be found. This is what Gregg had to say after the game last night, “We haven’t developed a trust, a communication, a camaraderie as far as executing on the court. Which is strange for us. We’ve never had this situation. For some reason, I’m not getting through to this group.” These comments by coach Popovich are very alarming and demonstrate that it will be very difficult to solve the Spurs problems this season internally. From watching games all season you can see Pop has shuffled lineups, trying desperately to find some chemistry but it just hasn't materialized. While the offense has been a problem this year as key reserves such as Mason and Bonner are not playing like they did last year and Jefferson is not driving to the basket like he should be doing if his shot is not falling! To compound the offensive dilemma Timmy is being leaned on too heavily and not receivng help from Manu and Parker, as the two guards seem to shoot more difficult shots than drive to the basket. However the primary reason for the Spurs woeful play is the team defensive commitment of lack thereof. It is very apparent that this is not a coaching problem as Gregg is know as one of the top defensive gurus in the NBA. So what it comes down too is the players not listening to the coach. Jefferson is one of the problems on defense as is being used as a scape goat for his disappointing all around play. One also wonders if the big three is to blame but they have been in the system under Pop for so long and played great D in the past. In the end it all comes down to the team, as a unit, five players on the floor, are not communicating, rotating and giving maximum effort of defense as we as Spurs fans are accustomed to seeing from the team.

I have briefly addressed the main problems that have resulted in the Spurs disappointing season and loss of identity, while pointing out that it looks like the problem will not be solved internally. So that leaves the other option of improving the team through a trade at the deadline, which the Spurs in the past, as a steady team built on the chemistry of a unit that has been together for a while have not experienced in a while. The good news is the responsibility of a deadline move is in the very capable hand of one of the top Gm's in the league, Mr. Buford.

As for trade targets Tim certainly needs defensive help in the front-court as Charles Barkley correctly pointed out after last night's game. Haywood and Camby come to to mind as big men who are rumored to be available and can help shore up the Spurs interior defense which clearly needs improvement as Tim needs help. It would seem like Camby would be the easier of the two to acquire in a trade as he has been traded before for simply cap relief and apparently that is what the Clippers are looking to get back. Haywood is also apparently available and the Bullets, I mean Wizards are also supposedly looking for cap relief. It will be difficult to get either player because many teams are rumored to be interested in both players. Both Camby and Haywood have expiring contracts. Haywood has a 6 mil. contract while Camby has a 7 mil. contract. According to CBS SPorts, "The Clips are a small deal away from clearing the $15-$16 million necessary to sign a max player. " What this quote tell us is that we are more likely to reach a deal with the Clips we could offer them the expiring deals of mason and Bonner or Finley and probably a pick.

The second need of the team through a trade is a wing who is athletic will play D and drive aggressively to the basket (what Jefferson was supposed to do ) While the team may have to wait and pray for Jefferson to become this type of player(as there is apparently no trade market for him), there are a few players we could trade for to fit a need. Tryus Thomas is apparently on the block, he rebounds well for a forward is very athletic, drives the the hoop, hustles and has the tools to play great D. Tyrus would be a bit of a gamble but could be a huge payoff as he is a young player with good potential and a change of scenery could greatly benefit him. As I was writing this article I stumbled upon and was delighted to find an article that said the Spurs are interested in Thomas! Here is an exceprt from the CBS Sports article: "Two Western Conference teams intrigued by Thomas are the Nuggets, patiently seeking a big man to contend with the Lakers, and the Spurs, who were characterized by two rival executives as desperate to acquire an athletic big man. “They feel like they have to do something, like they’re behind the eight ball a little bit,” one of the execs said. The Spurs have a full complement of expiring contracts that would intrigue the Bulls, who want to avoid losing a significant player with no compensation (see Ben Gordon) for the second straight summer. The Spurs, who dipped their toe across the luxury tax line this season, will have to decide before the end of their annual circus road trip – which continued Monday night against the Lakers – what they’re willing to give up to see that investment pay off."
You can read the full article here: http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/11838893/19986881

To finish off, While the Thomas deal is more likely and would solve one need, the Spurs also need to get a defensive rebounding big to help Timmy to compete with the size of the Lakers Nuggets and top team in the East. Hopefully some shakeups are made to revitalize the team and hopefully create team chemistry but at the end of the day no matter who they bring in the core of Manu Parker, Duncan and Jefferson will have to step up with the rest of the team to change the current course of the season because the Championship window is closing fast for the Spurs.

[batmana]

I'm not sure whether the Wizards will be willing to trade Haywood for expirings and nothing more but I'd rather have him here to play the C role and shift Timmy to PF. It would also help if we were able to get some confirmation from Haywood that he would stay in the summer since he will be unrestricted. Remember, on all championship teams we've had another big to play C alongside Timmy so McDyess and Blair aren't really options as they don't take the huge load off of his shoulders. Also, I believe we need a 3rd PG (and stop playing Mason at the point) and Antonio Daniels is available. He is a guy who won a title here so please, get him for the remainder of the season, he is a veteran and a great teammate and would not disappoint when his number is called.