The point guard problem
A lot of attention has been paid to the issue of the San Antonio Spurs center position or power forward 
spot if you want to call Tim Duncan a center. With good reason, the Spurs, as we've covered in various articles, podcasts and writer's roundtables, are still smaller than everyone is comfortable with.
There's another problem though. The Spurs are even thinner at the point guard spot than they are at center. At least they have bodies at center, but at point guard, they don't have a whole lot past Tony Parker.
We know about the George Hill trade, but now Chris Quinn has flown the coupe. Say what you will about Quinn, and I don't have much to say about him, he was someone who knew how to play point guard and knew the Spurs' system. On top of that, have you seen the free agent crop for point guards? It's horrendous.
Zach Lowe, from SI's "The Point Forward," compiled a top 10 list of point guards and it's ugly. The guys who do intrigue you are restricted free agents and the guys who don't are past their primes or never had primes to begin with. Rodney Stuckey and Aaron Brooks would definitely be out of the Spurs' price range if they were unrestricted, much less with the restricted tag that will cost even more to pry them away from their current team. Mario Chalmers probably would cost a little less, but the Heat aren't going to let him go for nothing. J.J. Barea? Carlos Arroyo? Stop it. I'd put Mike Bibby lower on this list. T.J. Ford? Maybe because he'll probably be cheap, but you get the point, there's not much out there.
Internally, well there's Gary Neal who has been getting as much attention as Parker this summer, but for things that are actually related to basketball. We've featured Neal on Project Spurs three times in the last week alone because of the work he's doing out in D.C. in the famed Goodman League. Neal has pretty much become the Spurs' de facto back up point guard. Unless he's working on being a point guard this summer, which he could be, Neal is not a great option to be playing the point unless the Spurs are installing the Triangle Offense.
I tossed out the idea of starting James Anderson, so Manu Ginobili could be the second unit ball handler but if TP rolls an ankle or misses significant time like he has in two of the last three years then that's another problem. I should also mention I'm writing this assuming Cory Joseph is probably spending a year or at least half a season in Austin.
So what do the Spurs do? They could make another trade. Cleveland has Daniel Gibson and Ramon Sessions in addition to Baron Davis and Kyrie Irving. Would Orlando end their experiment with Chris Duhon for a little more size? I'm looking at you Matt Bonner.
And maybe Charlotte unloads DJ Augustine because they don't want to point guard controversy now that they have Kemba Walker. Maybe you can get Keyon Dooling or Shaun Livingston from Milwaukee for Bonner or Blair.
So what do you do Spurs fans? Do you hope Neal can turn himself into a point guard? Do you trade DeJuan Blair or Bonner for a back up point guard? Do you dip in to the putrid point guard crop in this year's free agent class? What say you?
Ryan Richard's got called up to Great Britan Senior Men's Squad coach dribble drive uploaded some video's of Richard's working out with Quinn Snyder -- http://www.youtube.com/user/coachdribbledrive -- Nando De Colo playing with Parker in France here's one link I found not sure if legit -- http://hoopshype.com/rumors/tag/nando_de_colo -- check it out RUMORS
Spurs should really look into getting G.Hill back next season if the pacers don't extend his contract trading Hill is a big loss more than some people may realize.I understand that Kawhi Leonard has crazy potential and athleticism but hill did some great things for the Spurs plus TP won't be around forever he'll get a little older and slower like every NBA player does.Maybe they should just sign some bum to a one year deal or bring up a guy from the Toros or or option3 Tracy Mcgrady he played well for the pistons at point guard for a stretch here and there Cory Joseph may not be ready to step in the role so quickly.With the way this team is currently built personally i don't see them winning a championship but the real deal is bigs I've been screaming that all year long and we saw what happen,I would without a doubt give up Bonner quick the verdict is still out on Blair whatever happens get some quality bigs that can help offensively and defensively a decent backup point guard and really,really look into getting G.Hill back.
(WHAT'S UP WITH RYAN RICHARDS AND NANDO DE COLO)
My vote goes to Curtis Jerrells who played what 2-3 season's with the Toro's Knows the SYSTEM would have been on the roster last year but got traded because the depth at that position with G-Hill played good in Pre Seanson, Once he left from Toro's no one ever replaced him. Carried them alot him and Alonzo Gee ------- Carlos Arroyo - Pooh Jeter (speed)- the SPURS should not TRADE for a PG but FOR A QUALITY BIG to take pressure off of Tim Duncan and not only the offensive end but the defensive end to or it's only going to be Splitter and Duncan all season long clogging the lane's and Dejuan Blair Bodying Up.
You must make Gary Neal the back up point guard. Then you can bring in Anderson to back-up Ginobli. Now that Hill is gone theres is alot of minutes available.
if your gonna get rid of one, get rid of blair (because he was the one not getting any playoff minutes) for sessions i like him as a penetrator like tp. also i wouldnt really care if they signed carlos arroyo i was surprised when heat waived him and i was hoping the spurs would get him when it was between them or celtics so chris quinn would be off the team like he is now thank goodness
Bonner and Blair both have very little defense to provide but Bonner can shoot the 3s and his shooting makes Timmy's life easier. I know that Bonner disappeared in the Playoffs, so did Blair. Blair played similar style to Dice but he can rarely shoot jumpers and a very poor defender. If the FO is gonna trade for a backup pg, then Blair is the one to leave.
Wow! So casual! Let's just trade Bonner or Blair for a back-up point guard????? Joseph will not be in Austin at all! He can come in and play NBA defense right now. He is more of a play maker in the mold of Avery (without the "Little General's" leadership just yet.) It will be a back up point guard by committee. Joseph will learn much from the aggressive offense first TP. After all that said....I'm not POP and he does likes veteran slow guys who demonstrate disciplined and consistent albeit limited play. Cleveland does appear to have possibilities.
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@Boo-J Yes, I would absolutely trade Matt Bonner for a 3rd guard. Tony has missed 10+ games in 2 of the last 3 seasons and let's not forget how he laid down against Memphis. Say what you want about RJ and whoever else, but the Spurs lost to Memphis because Manu's arm was broken and Tony Parker decided to not show up against Mike Conley Jr. That's my 2 cents anyways. I agree that Cory Joseph could become a rotation guy (I mean, if Jacques Vaughn can get regular minutes, any limited guard can right?), but Pop doesn't so much like the rookies if he can avoid it.
Confidence in the back-up spurs on the bench is needed. The only way you can establish confidence is to allow players to play regardles of mistakes made. I rather have lost to the Grizzlies with Blair, Anderson, Green Novak, Splitter on the floor. Play the Godamn back-ups.
@rogerbwil @yowhatupT @Boo-J I agree 100% They could have lose just the same but, imagine the confidence building and game improvement for next season. Somebody has to tell Pops they don't need 61 wins.
@yowhatupT @Boo-J Since you pointed a particular team, the spurs lose not so much because manu was injure or that TP was outplayed by conley rather, they can't hold their own against the taller and younger grizzlies. In fairness to Bonner is not a defender or rebounder but, a gunslinger - to shoot the ball. But the spurs were shorthanded in the middle so Bonner has to play inside. But you are right Pop does seem prejudice against rookies. He should make the rookies feel wanted and that he has confidence in them then, an only then will they grow and mature to be better players.Its time for the spurs to move on and their loss be a lesson. Jefferson is good but, too late to learn the spurs system. Its time to sign new, fresh faces who like a soft clay can be molded the way they like them to be.
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@rtesoro440 I agree they needed another big body but those game were all close. If TP shows up, don't the Spurs have enough to get past them? But yes, they need another big. Completely agree
Add C Jerrells to the list and Acie :Law, and R Price, etc. Not a big deal if you want someone to drive and distribute at an NBA level. If you want someone equal to G Hill, that another story, but look at what the heat had, or without Barrea, what the Mavs fielded. It takes a skilled, quickish guy who can pass and defend some. Quinn barely knew the system, Jerrells play in it 3 years and can shoot. My 2 cents !
@jojo707 If they have to enlist a back-up point guard, have a second look at Nando deColo who previously joined the spurs summer league, he is 6'5" with an NBA body, a pure point guard who can guard and shoot beyond the arc. See article on his games with the Frech team and TP. And, at 6'5" he can create mismatches. Being a rookie, the coaching staff can easily mold him to their system. If he is not available, consider R. Sessions.
This is an addendum to an earlier observation. I suggest the spurs consider the point guards not drafted. Of course, they could have done this at the draft night instead of picking a. hanga unless, they saw in him exceptional talent/ playing ability. Why dont, they see what these guys could do for them 1. Diante Garrett; 2. D. McCamey; 3. Kalin Lucas. They seem to have the knack of discovering unpolished diamonds.
I dont want to finger point at mgnt and the coaching staff for their problems but, its the truth. They are enamored to guys who play either shooting guard or small forward. Just look at their current line-up. If i were them i'd rather suffer some losses now by hiring a fresh face whom they can mold accordng to their system. Firtst, they have some games with nando deColo. He is big at 6'5". They took the risk with joseph so, embrace the risk. The problem with the spurs is their preference for older players. If they trade someone, trade r. jefferson for r. session, not bonner (despite his surname). At least he has height which they badly need and he can spread the floor. Not b. davis who hugs the ball and somewhat not young although, his age is attractive to the spurs. Bite the bullet spurs and develop your own point guards and power forwards and centers.
@rtesoro440 Well I think part of the problem is when you're drafting at the bottom of the draft routinely, you take the best available talent, not exactly the best fit. And last season I would argue they had too many guys on the roster who point guards and shooting guards and not enough guys who could play 3. Also, did you just suggest it was time for R.C. and Pop to go?
@yowhatupT NO, not at all. Just made some observations on their recruitment pracices. I guess you have point that the team just picks what is available. But this could be solve. The spurs may just stay at the middle of the pack; enough wins to make the playoff. I guess, there is also the financial consideration. Their market base is not as lucrative as say, LA or NY. But then again the organization appears to have sound philosophy that makes for loyalty to the players except, unfortunately in the case of G.Hill.And, i give my vote of confidence to c. joseph. NO d-league for him. For a 3rd pg i say, trade for r. sessions, send r. jefferson or sign nando deColo, if available.
