New York Post Post columnist Peter Vecsey writes that if the Spurs sign a free agent this summer, Tim Duncan is hoping that it is a big man rather than a point guard. Duncan suggested that Jermaine O'Neal, Brad Miller, P.J. Brown and Elton Brand would be good fits in San Antonio. http://foxsports.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=1457498 For goodness sake. Not only are the Spurs about to clinch another NBA Championship, they are looking to solidify themselves for the next 5 years if they acquire Jermaine O'Neal or Elton Brand. How is it that the Rockets can't get it together and pull these type of deals? The Texas rivalry is just going to blow the rest of the league away!
Yeah, that's the smart way to go. Upgrade the C position ... since that's who's leaving anyway. Um ... Go Rockets?
How can the Spurs be championship caliber (even if it is ugly), have a bench loaded with veterans, and be in good shape capwise? But the Rockets miss the playoffs, are tight with the cap, and have a bunch of youthful exhuberance getting them nowhere. Is it just that Robinson is retiring? Hats off to them if it's more than that...
Its called having a plan. When the Rockets were in a position to have this grand plan, they blew it. Let me rewind you to what i implied the rockets to do. It was the summer of 2001, the team had just missed the playoffs despite winning 45 games. The Rockets had some tough decisions to make. Do we bring back this team that won 45 games but had a piss poor record in the conference or do we let the free agents walk, except Hakeem and be ready for the big class this yr. My suggestion back then was this and a lot of people frowned on me for this one. I said the Rockets should let Anderson,Norris,and Taylor walk. Resign Hakeem for 2 yrs at 8mill per. My reason? The Rockets should have known the guys coming up in the free agent class of 2003. The Hakeem signing was kinda like the David Robinson signing, out of respect and for future cap room and keepng the icon. Anderson,Tayor and Norris had player like Williams,Thomas and the soon tobe traded for Griffin, and Tierre Brown as backups. Hakeem played ok in 2001-2002 , but with the injuries they had, theyprobably wouldn't have won anymore games than they did. This yr, he would have been there to help Ming out in the pivot, but we would have be minus Nachbar, which he didn't play anyway. After this season, the Rockets would have Hakeems 8mill plus the other money. Even after the season we had, we would have enough money to get a max type player. This is pretty much the plan the Spurs have followed. They brought back Dave, traded Anderson for Steve Smith and his expiring contract and as a result will have enough for a max typ player or 2-8mill per yr type players. They can either offer Brand or O'Neal the max or offer Brad Miller and Odom 8mill each.. Its called forward thinking even though they were still expecting to be a yr out of contention this yr.
Maybe this is just my view. But why would J. Oneal want to go to the spurs? They are most likely the NBA champs. Most players want to have their own legacy not jump on somebody elses (Duncan) And if the Spurs dont win it all whomever they sign will get most of the blame. I think "star" players such as a Elton Brand, Jason Kidd, J. O'neal, would like to win by a team built around them. All 3 teams are built around those particular players. Not to mention that their orginal teams can offer them more money. Dont be surprised if SA fails to land any superstar and lands a marginal player such as PJ Brown or a Brad Miller.
Most of this was caused by Jermaine himself. Knowing that he can get the most money by staying with the Pacers, I am going to take his word for it...unlike players who use other teams as bargaining tools. O'Neal Includes Pacers on List of Three Options
Stern is going to have a talk with Duncan about tampering. He's not supposed to be mentioning players under contract.
Actually, I don't think that had much to do with it. Obviously, they wouldn't be in this spot if it were not for a shrewd GM. But, I think Tim Duncan is really the one responsible. I think he is much like Jason Kidd in that he makes all his teammates look great. So, the Spurs were able to grab a lot of scrubs and make them vital cogs in a championship team after they were cut by former teams. Did anyone think the Spurs were getting much when they signed guys like Stephen Jackson or Bruce Bowen? Would 28th pick Tony Parker look nearly as good in, say, Milwaukee? Is Malik Rose any better than Kenny Thomas? They managed to get a lot of guys cheaply because they didn't need any more talent with Tim Duncan; they just needed some guys who could fill roles. The Rockets had done the same around Hakeem Olajuwon, getting CBA players like Elie, Chucky Brown, Matt Maloney, and a slew of others and making them effective by virtue of Olajuwon's low-post game.
