I thought his knees were causing him havoc. If they are shot then wouldn't his ability to score be hindered alot. I hope mike james is working on his three point shot. There is no other team besides the mavs I would love the Rockets stick it to than the Spurs. I have a feeling that if NVE was still decent the Rockets would have found a way to pick him up instead of keeping guys like moochie and ward. The spurs sure do know how to pick em though... picking manu duncan and parker... wow...besides duncan ididn't think any of the other players would have been anything special.
It's funny that when the Spurs pick up NVE, it's a good move by them, but had we picked him up it would be a cancerous locker room chemistry breaker? I'm assuming you guys are saying Popovich is a great coach and can utilize NVE to his potential. I think if NVE was in Houston JVG would have been able to utilize NVE just as well as GP in SA.
Scary good pick up for the Spurs. Their weak link in the last couple of years has been Parker's flaky play (was benched in 4th quarters in deference of Speedy Claxton during their Finals against Kidd, total disappearing act against the Lakers in '04, was murdered by Billups in this past Finals). Udrih has got potential, but I don't think I'd describe him as a saavy veteran PG - got exposed by more than one pressure defense. NVE could give them fairly smart, clutch play late in big games when Parker's got his mind on Eva and not on the game (seemed to happen a bunch this spring). Evan
I love it. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. And I can say this because I was there before. "Oh, Nick's turned over a new leaf. He won't cause problems." It's always that way with Nick at first, then BAM, he starts acting like himself and it's nothing but problems. Enjoy the honeymoon San Antonio. He's going to be walking away with your TV, your couch and your dog in the divorce.
No way with Pop there. NVE will be an ex-Spur in a hurry if/when he starts flaking out and whining. They won without him and can do it again and Pop will make sure NVE knows that from the beginning.
As bad as his Denver tenure was, you shouldn't forget his time in Dallas. He's repeatedly on record about wanting to contend, and as a Mav he was more than solid in the locker room. IMO, he handled being in Portland extremely well. If you were going to kick someone off that roster for being a maligner, it wouldn't have been him. Evan
This move makes this Spurs much better, having VanExel and Horry in the 4th quarter of games makes this team extremely dangerous. Also Nick will make his free throws when it counts and that is one of the Spurs biggest weaknesses.
EXACTLY what I was thinking...down two with one shot left lineup: Duncan Ginobilli Van Excel Horry Barry (or if you want penetration - Parker here) Options, fire-power & clutch players
Looks like a 1 year deal, either for the vet min or part of the 1.67mil LLE--only 1 year was definetly the correct route with a guy his age and with his knees. A reasonable deal and solid insurance by the Spurs, but I'd give it 50/50 at best Van Exel is able to secure minutes away from Parker/Barry/Udrih in the 1 spot and be a major part of the rotation. He isn't much of a defender and his shooting %s have never been all that great. He is going to have to shoot a min of 40% from 3 land to be usefull. Reasonable signing, but it is very unlikely he is going to be a difference maker in any respects. Finley is the real prize.
I agree finley is the real prize. NVE I am not even really worried about now at his age. If he was 3-4 yrs younger I would be like hmmm but now.... I think the spurs are going to be happy that he makes his free throws,
