De Colo speaks on possibly joining Spurs next season
The last we heard of San Antonio Spurs draftee Nando De Colo was from Valenica's Vice President 
saying De Colo was determined to go to the NBA. Now two French reports have quotes from De Colo himself that both have the same message - all signs are pointing to De Colo joining San Antonio this coming season, even though no contract has been negotiated.
The site BasketUSA.com has De Colo telling the French site L'Equipe there will be a place for him on the Spurs' 2012 roster and that everything is on track for him to come to San Antonio.
The report says that if nothing is done early in the free agency period, it's because re-signing Tim Duncan is the Spurs' main priority when free agency begins on July 1. The report also has De Colo saying he knows things can change with the Spurs between now and until he negotiates a contract, but he'll be ultimately happen if he's playing in San Antonio next season.
Another French site, Lavoixdurnord.fr, also caught up with De Colo recently, and again he says the Spurs have a place for him, and reiterates the team must first come to a new deal with Duncan.
"It is still under discussion, he says, but I cannot say at the moment, so we'll see.The Spurs just finished the playoffs, and they must settle contract negotiations with Tim Duncan. I get emails of encouragement and telling me next year, I have a place (with Spurs)."
Then the report has De Colo's agent saying that the Spurs are looking to bring him over.
"The Spurs are willing to bring him, his agent says. Nando is part of all projections of Dennis Lindsey (assistant general manager). But in the NBA, things change quickly, like a summer storm."
So as of right now, the indication is that the Spurs will be looking to bring in De Colo this coming season. With these new reports being surfacing, the questions become will the Spurs look to re-sign restricted free agent Danny Green, and if Patty Mills opts out of his contract by June 25, will they be looking to re-sign him as well?
I don't Green is replaceable with DeColo. Green is athletic and shoots 3's DeColo is a much better ball handler but won't stretch the floor, block shot, run down fast breaks. Neither he nor Joseph can defend the E Gordons or Hardens. Joseph is too short, DeColo too slow. Lorbek could help, but isn't gona help block shot from all the guards that get into the paint. This team has very specific needs, not just useful players. Why not get what we need, more athleticism at the 4 with size and ability to slash to the rim. This is as hard as we keep making it. Pop may have other wishes, but the holes are obvious and we should have the money to fix them. If we loose Green, we will need some help, but there are a number of options that can provide the same skills as Green.
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If Green is offered too much money from Celtics or other team, the Spurs may choose not to match and resign Green. Then what? De Colo is a creator offensively and is getting better as a shooter. He is tall, but definitely is a down grade on defense from Green, but he can improve there. Cory Joseph can be be our defensive go to guy at point then. As a tandem Joseph and De Colo could be even more effective than just a Danny Green. That being said I hope we keep Danny and still bring in De Colo. Lorbek IS an upgrade in that he gives us more versatility in a single body than DeJuan and Bonner together. He will bang and defend better, he will pass better and his basketball IQ is definitely an upgrade, not to mention he is a better and more consistent shooting threat inside and out overall. I still want Kaman too! Go Spurs!!!
Incidentally, Mill hasn't either directly stated he is opting out nor has he filed or notified the Spurs. He may, but before that time, let give the guy break. He came cheap and may stay.
I don't think either DeColo or Lorbek will be disasters, but are they real upgrades ? The money spent should both improve the team and improve the teams options. The great part about last years team was the versatility. Green could and did block shots, run guys down, extend into passing lanes, etc. Diaw gave us more ball movement and active defense, KL gave us a little bit of everything. Manu was a star before he came to SA. He has an iron will and does more with less than probably any plauer in the league. DeColo, is not even close to what Manu is. We can't hold that against the guy, but why pay $3mil to have an average PG ? Pass 1st pgs may be a dying breed and out offense is no longer predicated on the slow down game. Save the money and roster spot for someone who can grow to be special, and who can keep up with players who will determine if another title is in the cards.
I don't think De Colo will be a star in his first year in the NBA (if he comes here of course) but I don't think he'll suck like some people are saying. The main concern for most spurs fans is that De Colo is not quick or really athletic. In this league dominated by super athletic players, especially at the point guard position (Westbrook, Rose, Rondo, Williams, Irving, Parker, Lebron James at times), it is good to be athletic yourself so you won't get burned. But we all know that's not always the case. From what I've seen, De Colo is obviously a pass first PG. He looks for teammates and areas to throw the ball instead of attacking the basket or going to his sweet spot and making a jumpshot. Pass first point guards always seem to be slow and unathletic because they slow things down and are always scanning the field. Think Steve Nash. No I'm not saying De Colo is Steve Nash okay. Steve Nash was never this super athletic, super quick guy, because he was pass first and score second. Sure he would score if he had to or if he was wide open, but his main priority was finding open guys, I think that's mostly De Colo's game. De Colo can score, he's had a fair amount of 20+ point games in his career overseas, so it's not like he CAN'T score if he has to. Ginobili was never super quick or athletic but his work ethic, hustle, and basketball IQ made up for it. Hell, James Harden isn't athletic at all he's actually pretty slow himself, but he makes crazy plays, drives in and makes layups in traffic, and can drain clutch shots. So just because De Colo isn't fast or quick as Parker, it doesn't mean he can't do other great things on the court. If you watch his film, he does have pretty good court vision and he is a pretty solid passer. Some of the passes he makes, I can't help but think of Manu. The only thing that would hold him back the most is experience. Of course, being foreign he has no clue how to play against NBA players on a consistent basis. He has to adapt to NBA style of play and NBA rules. So If he does come over I certainly won't expect him to be all great and already doing big things for us. If he does, then even better.
@ajd21 He better get more minutes than poor Splitter. You know how that worked out. Let's hope the Blair witch project is over during the regular season and for Bonner as well and let Splitter get the bulk of the minutes like he's supposed too. And Diaw didn't fair any better against OKC. I am not impressed with an undersized PF again and pretending to be a PT guard.
De Colo is a bigger PG, and quicker (more elusive like Manu) than some of ya'll think. I really like Patty as well however, and think it's a smart move and would strengthen/tighten our rotation to package some of our bench guys with our late draft pick to move into the first round. Its a deep draft and worth it. My only real concern with the strategy is the learning curve of Lorbek and De Colo. Historically it takes a season or two for the Spurs system to be relatively instincive, and we don't have that much time left with Duncan (or Manu). I would be fine going the other way, and 'trimming the fat' somewhat, returning most of bench... and adding De Colo and Lorbek to it. Resign Patty and Neal, don't match a strong Green offer, trade Blair, Bonner (if possible) and the pick for a first rounder. If Tiago stays, Chip needs to work overtime on his FT this offseason. If we can confidently play three big men (Duncan, Tiago and Lorbek) in next year's playoffs, along with Neal's maturation hitting playoff 3s, with Patty and Nando off the bench... we can beat the Thunder.
In your dreams, man. Splitter and Lorbek came from the same team. It is not farfetch that they play gthe same brand of game.
@rtesoro440 @Ironwill71 The reality is Splitter had to take a back seat to Bonner and Blair and didn't get the real minutes during the regular season which in my opinion is the developing part of the season. All those bigs on that team are inter changeable but in in Blair's case he needed to be with Timmy all season long or we would get waxed with that Bonner, Blair pairing. If we had a 6"10 big or better instead of Blair that could rebounded well we could have interchanged all our bigs as seen fit but we were limited to what we could do with Blair so Splitter's minutes suffered in result. Pop stuck with it again and then ditched Blair in the playoffs. By then it was hardly enough development for Splitter to come in and take significant minutes in the playoffs and magically become Tim Duncan. Ridiculous. This dude needs to play a shit load in order to see any value. He did well when Timmy was out in spurts and when Manu was gone during that stretch but still Pop elected to stay with Blair until the last few weeks of the season. If you don't want him then why don't they send him to a contender he's still a good big off the bench. Miami would love him. I'd like to see Splitter rolling with those guys.
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@rtesoro440 @Ironwill71 Hey Tesoro, I've noticed you have been very very negative about how the Spurs are trying to tweak their line up. Have you seen Lorbek play or you are just under the assumption that all euro players play the same? We haven't seen the best from Tiago yet but some guys here are crucifying him already. Just because the guy didn't handle the pressure of a WCF doesn't mean he's not good enough. It's his first time to reach that deep in the play offs. Just leave the transactions from the team itself. And give the young guns a chance. What the Spurs needs is to ditch Blair(I like him but he's too small to help Timmy), Bonner(I hate to include him because he gets better when everybody's playing good) and then let go of Mills. That guy haven't spend a full season yet and is now opting out and wants to test his value at the free agency. Guys like him looks more on earning money than to win championships. Earn your stripes first and be thankful that the Spurs signed you up because when nobody gave a damn about you and then here he is trying to earn more money via FA. What a crappy thing to do. De Colo may not be as quick as what people expects him to be but what he has is the intangibles that points to a young Manu. All around player who plays with heart and not just all money.
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@rtesoro440 And study yours too. You judge them through that 4 straight games? An out of this world lucky game by Ibaka(11/11FG) and Sefolosha(126 points when he can barely drop 10). Before that they 20 games. Half of that during the pllayoffs. And you want an overhaul of that line - up. Don't go preaching about being the usaul fan BOY!Well, if you don't have anything good to say about the team though and it's possible deals, just stick to playstation. maybe your 'Spurs' there will win against OKC.
@rtesoro440 @AlvinPatacsil @Ironwill71 Yeah because Parker, Manu, and Timmy had shitty games in that series. Don't blame Tiago for the 5 minutes he averaged in that series. Man state the obvious.
@AlvinPatacsil @rtesoro440 @Ironwill71 Finally someone who knows basketball and potential.
Tweak? How much tweakingg do the Spurs need? Yeah, birds of the same feather . . . Study your history boy. They lost 4 straight games to the thunder! Doesn't this show you anything?
@rtesoro440 You are obviously still distraught over the Spurs elimination if you don't think it's possible for us to beat the Thunder. We could've had a much better chance if just Danny Green had shot his season avg from 3. If we have a reliable sniper or two, and our big men make their free throws, its an entirely different series. Lorbek doesn't have to be a starter if he can contribute off the bench (and make free throws). Tiago and Lorbek are different players. Watch some tape.
Your presentation is full fo "IF". Sure , he will play backup. always backing up! ha ha ha.
He is as good as he is going to get. Think a slower G. Dragic. Not worth the money, if you ask me. These guys usually get 2-3mil to sign with SA, and Lorbek will be even more. II still doubt this will happen, as there are many options for the Spurs to evaluate and he is just one. His view is going to be by nature more hopeful than the situation likely is. We will all no in less than a week. Paul seems to think these slower Euro player will help, I hope he is right, but can't see how, as of now.
If he and Lorbek are coming, I guess it's in Pop's intent to trade it's secondary assets in the draft. Maybe a package to return to the first round, or maybe get a multiple 2nd rounders. I think Tiago,Neal,Bonner and Blair are in the mix for a new place of living.
@sa2ny2004 @projectspurs @24writer What do you think of his addition to the @spurs? Possibly @manuginobili & @tp9network understudy?
With Mills a UFA and opted to test free agency, the Spurs need a pg. But is deColo pg? It appears to be so. He played in the French team behind TP. Or is he a sg? Is Manu on his way out?
