Spurs stacked with guards
The San Antonio Spurs are definitely set at the guard spot. After an MVP-caliber season from Tony Parker and with Cory Joseph and Patty Mills maturing, their depth at the position is hard to match.
On top of that, they drafted Marcus Denmon, a guard out of Missouri and they’re finally getting Nando De Colo to join the squad after drafting him in 2009.
The problem that the Spurs have, which isn’t really a problem, is that Tony Parker is only 30 and his minutes don’t have to decrease yet. The role of the backup point guard isn’t as important as it is on some other teams. Of course, TP will get older so it’s important to have a strong backup waiting in the wings. It will be a tough balance getting experience and still having the best five guys on the floor.
So with these five guys all battling for playing time, the Spurs have to make some adjustments.
I imagine Denmon will spend some time with the Toros. He’s got a lot of talent but his game isn’t quite ready for the NBA. The same might be said for Cory Joseph. He spent most of last season in Austin and he may need a little bit more time to improve.
I’d like to see De Colo on the roster next season. I haven’t seen him play much but I’ve heard good things and he has a lot of professional basketball experience. He can also add depth at shooting guard as well if the Spurs want to try out a smaller lineup, but as we all know the team is just as deep at SG as they are at PG.
The same can be said for Mills. I think he has a lot of potential to be a solid backup point guard for the Spurs and maybe a starter for another team somewhere down the line. Spurs fans should keep an eye on all their international players during the upcoming Olympics to get a preview of next season.
As long as the Spurs keep all these guys within the organization, which it appears they intend to do, they’ll have some time to try everyone out and find where they best fit. It’s truly a win-win situation.
Interesting that we have many guards..and rockets have nearly ALL PF..seriously, it looks like rox have around 8 bigs 6'9' or taller..lol hmmmmm
I've actually seen jerome jordan play in person, i live in austin and I have seen the him against the toros in the playoffs... this guy can shoot the ball! I swear it didint seem like he missed a single shot ( i think he missed 2 shots the whole game including freethrows which he missed none). I like that idea if he's out there.
Intriguing cheap big man came on the market today... the Rockets released Leuer and Jordan to make room for Asik. While Leuer is just a Bonner clone... Jerome Jordan is a 2nd year player from Jamaica, 7', 240 lb. Wingspan of 7'6". He has more agility than you'd typically see with a big man his size, good rebounder, blocks shots, and good shooting %. He has some post moves as well. However, he's got another one of those laid back/island personalities and has been branded as too passive. Who better than TD to bring the beast out to play? JJ is much more fundamentally sound and farther along than Richards, mobile and physically imposing. Last year was his rookie year... he could have a great future in SA. Sounds like a good fit for our backup big man on a budget.
Must the Spurs talk about budget? But I agree, they should try some of these young players who are long. They have not taken anyone from the free agency and other teams took advantage of it.
@Spursfan66 @rtesoro440 @Ironwill71 Jerome Jordan wasn't claimed by anyone under the cap and is now a FA... hope our Spurs are talking to him, or bringing him in for a workout.
@Ironwill71 I just watched some video of Jordan, and I see what you mean. He has some skill and blocks shots. He seems to work hard and be intelligent. He lacks a left hand and any variety of post moves but seems to be a low post player more than Richards will ever be. I still think Richards is worth keeping and if we could get someone to take Bonner's salary, I'd even be happier with Leurer for his wider range of skills. RC needs to find a way to move Blair and Bonner and try out some of these guys for a year like Jordan. At this point it cost very little to sign these guys, but we need roster space, so MB, DB, CJ, DeColo, are all useful to the right team. Bonner is more useful than Novak, Blair more useful than Reggie Evans, and there a re a number of teams that need a passing pg like DeColo.
Glad you agree JoJo... if he clears waivers (anticipated) I think we should nab JeJo... hope Spurs brass agree.
@Ironwill71 Thanks for the info. I'll look him up and see what he can do. He sounds really good but I wonder why he didn't stick in 2 places in less than a year.
Unless there is a deal for DB, MB, or one of these pg's, we will probably not sign Denmon. The roster is at 14 before Denmon and Richards, I believe has to be either signed or we lose his rights. CJ is further along and could be used in a trade as could DeColo. TP and Mills are critical, obviously, but DeColo, CJ, GN are not essential or the difference makers of the future. If we are building for the future, we need young guys with a high upside and none of these guys fit that profile, so why not packege a few with Blair or MB for some raw potential. Richards still fits that, but really needs time to play, Hanga, might be a good one, and then it really thin as to where the future difference makers will come form. MG has a few years, along with TD, but then what ? No one on the horizon that has these traits beside KL ? It is also clear that we aren't a lock to get to the WCF again, so what is the long term plan to get significantly better as the main guys get older. It ain't MB, or DB, or TS. KL and bunch of other guys, looks like LBJ on the Cav's and we know how that played out.
@jojo707 Pretty sure that we can only lose RR's rights if he is invited to camp, but THEN isn't signed
