5 Things To Note From Spurs Media Day
Project Spurs attended today's San Antonio Spurs' media day as the players gathered
to kick off the new season and push for title number five. There were new faces, familiar faces and of course a few surprises along the way.
Here are five things to note from media day:
- Eddy Curry. Perhaps the biggest surprise was to see Curry was on the training camp roster and is coming in in the best shape he has been in a while. Coach Popovich noted Curry looked slimmer than he expected him to see. It will be interesting to see if he does make the final squad considering the team is undersized heading into the new season.
- Series loss to the Thunder still fresh on the team's mind. From Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili to Coach Pop, losing to the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals still weighs on the team's mind. Parker admitted Pop made the team watch the playoff loss to OKC to serve as motivation. With the Spurs standing pat for the most part and OKC only going to improve, it will be interesting to see how the Spurs will adjust should these two powerhouse teams meet in the Western Conference Finals again.
- DeJuan Blair dropping weight and was curt with the media. When Blair made his way to the media huddle, there was no doubting he loss much weight. However, when he was questioned about his future with the team, he was curt and seemed surly. He clearly didn't want to be speaking with the media as his time was very short.
- Parker and Ginobili feel great despite Olympic play. After a long playoff run and Olympic play, Spurs fans might wonder if both TP and Manu were coming into camp exhausted. However, both Parker and Ginobili made it clear they are fully rested and ready to go. Even Coach Pop isn't worried about fatigued from the players who were at the London
- Tim Duncan is in shape and weighs in on the new-look Lakers. TD's time in the NBA may be drawing ever so closer to being done but he clearly is delaying any thoughts of retirement. Duncan looked slimmer and feels great. When asked about the new-look Lakers with the additions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, Duncan says LA has to make it work on the court first.
ryan richards is a bust no doubt about that, he has psychological problems he needs to address before he ever steps on an nba court. As for Curry, well its about time we find somebody with size and presence where the spurs need it most. Its kind of funny because I never thought of Eddy Curry as "the answer" and maybe he's not but its far and away one of the better accusitions if we decide to keep him, we've made the past few years i.e. richard jefferson?? (that richard jefferson comment was sarcasm) aka "dicky jeff" as the few in my circle like to call him. And this is just in my opinion and obviously we would need to find replacements but Matt Bonner and Dejuan Blair have got to go, there really is just no need for them. Send them off in a package maybe even with gary neal and see what you can get a first round pick next year to try and replace manu or some more quality players with size....
@chrismelendez42 Curious to know if your psyche explanation is based on something or just a general opinion...
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Hey, according to wikipedia, Curry has an excellent 3 point percentage, 100%! He has gone 2/2 for his career! Lol! I'm thinking for a 7 footer and will sign for less than $1 million, why the hell not as long as he shows promise during training camp. I bet he would even do a nonguaranteed contract to get back in the game. Spurs lately have had a knack for turning highly touted, but downfallen player's careers around (Jackson & Diaw) why shouldn't they try for Curry too? He's still young, he's back in shape, and he's hungry to prove that he can still contend in the league!
@spursfan80 lol ya..This may just be his last chance..I honestly hope he makes the most of it.
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If Curry makes the team, not sure what his salary will be, maybe $854k, then what a steal. I have not been a fan of Curry in the past, but looking at his career numbers (13 & 5 in 25mins) not bad for a 7ft, 10 year NBA veteran who was just a baby at ages 18-25. For good reason, now the NBA makes you wait a year after high school before you can play. Anything Curry has done after the age of 25, I consider a character flaw. Many a young men between the ages 18-25 have made mistakes. Genericaly speaking, the insurance on a car for a young man is cut in half at age 25 because of maturity issues. Looks like in 09 he had a major issue in his life (exwife and daughter murdered) and thats when his numbers dipped and he was out of the NBA, but the fact that he is coming to San Antonio where Pop is known as a no non sense coach through out the NBA is very surprising. I like that Curry is trying out and hopes he makes the team. I never saw this coming.
With respect to Ryan Richards, who needs to gain weight and get stronger, has potential, (another way of saying ain't done nothing yet), is not ready to contribute to the Spurs. Richards just has not proven that he is better than Bonner or Blair. But hypothetically speaking, if Curry can make the team, come in, average 13 and 5 in 25 mins, then Richards has a chance of making the team if Bonner and Blair are gone. With Richards slinder frame playing stretch 4 and his quickness on the perimeter in pick n roll situations, it would be good fit in Spurs system via an offset by Curry's massive body playing the 5 as offensive threat in post. Splitter is not an offensive threat in post. Curry and Richards has potential coming off the bench playing on the floor at the same time.
Blair, as an under size second round draft choice, has done a great job for the Spurs in the regular season, but by the way his interview went on media day, I'm sure Pop has told him that the Spurs are looking to trade him and want to get a first round or early second round for him, which will be very difficult to do considering Blair's talent and knees. So this will be a waiting game to see what team needs a player like Blair.
The Spurs are looking at another Big 12 guard (Sherron Collins), this time with a NCAA championship what is the deal? Is there something brewing?
@PopKat Good takes. Hopefully we will get RR to the Toros asap. It's time to get him some experience against better comp. And ya, pretty sure Curry would just get the minimum. I think it's going to be tough for him to beat out D Brown for spot #15 though imo. I think the only way Eddy makes it is if we trade/cut DJB, trade GN, or have a guard or multiple player deal on the table already. It does seem strange that SO many Guards have been looked at by spurs..Bo, Akognon, Collins, Tre Kelly etc.
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hahaha, did I not say that at this point, any sort of meat thrown to the ravenous Spurs fans clamoring for a big-man would be granted as a godsend? Even I thought "thank God we at least got someone" when I saw this story. Who knows? Maybe it is wishful thinking on our parts to hope Curry has a renaissance and turns into the big man we've always wanted. However, at this point, what do we have to lose by bringing him to camp? He's 7'0", can rebound and has post moves. Those three things sound like improvements over a certain someone who loves his burgers... Maybe Curry can show the waddling bear a what it's like to play with renewed passion.
Side note: to those of you saying "RYAN RICHARDS!" The guy was clearly not ready to play on the NBA stage. He was making bad turnovers, getting lost in the plays, and sometimes beat down low. I liked what I saw this summer, but he has to develop. Big men are usually slower to develop than guards anyway so give him some time, he's only 21. Curry can be a cost-efficient stopgap that can bang with Dwight.
@CraigThomas Agree on all counts. And RR just needs to find a COMPETITIVE league to play in and STAY there for a while so he can actually grow and learn. Crappy leagues/teams and jumping around from team to team is doing nothing for him. HUGE mistake to quit the GB Olympic team to go to a team that didnt even qualify. That move alone makes me seriously question him
@Spursfan66 Idk why he did that too? Hopefully he'll have enough sense to know that the Spurs have him pinned as the big of the future and be patient.
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Ugh, Dejuan Blair is starting to pout and act like a child.
Please trade him, immediately. Who needs a 6'7 CENTER?????????
@ajd21 Yup..that was just embarrassing...time to cut bait. No WAY that Pops saw that and just shrugged it off. lol Currys' chances of getting a spot MAY have just went up.(or wilkerson or powell or the kid) I'd be happy if we could get a 60th pick for him at this point, just to get him out.
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Absolutely ZERO risk, what do they lose? Nada! They had to fill their roster with big warm bodies to run camp. Let they guy come in and try to prove everyone wrong, doesn't hurt anyone and sure makes for a more exciting camp! Everyone did a triple take when they saw the roster, lol, PATFO strike again!
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The Eddy Curry appearance REALLY intrigues me. I've been the first to criticize the guy over the years for being overweight and lazy. But at the same time...when you really think about it, this is basically the lost shot he's gonna get. His game in Highschool was utterly dominant and people forget that even when he was playing "well" he was a liability on defense.....yet, he was surprisingly nimble for a guy his height and weight. He's only 29 or so and between 2004 and 2007 or 8 he was actually a fairly reliable offensive player.
It may not work out....but what if it does? Just saying. As I mentioned, what if he's working really hard cuz he knows it's his last chance he may get. Some reports say he's lost almost 100 pounds since his final New York days. 100 lbs??? You don't do that without self discipline. Give him a chance, fellow Spurs fans!
Yeah but offense is not the problem with us, it's defense. As an alternative to Bonner, of course I'd rather take my chances with Curry but his game never relied on defense and that's why his appearance at camp does nothing for me.
@jwalk415 Ya, I get you. Unfortunately athletic defensive minded bigs are rare and virtually none were available (that werent head cases anyway)
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@dannyholloway Stranger things have happened..Can't get much lower risk than a spot in camp.
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While I was at Spurs media day, the team didn't seemed worried about the lack of size on the squad. Instead they were really thinking about losing to OKC in WCF. If anything, Blair's surly press interview was awkward. Mike was there and should have Blair's video. It's cringe-worthy.
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@JeffProjectSpurs Thanks Jeff..That may be DJBs final nail in the coffin..frankly I hope so. His attitude obviously sucks and he needs to grow up and accept the fact that he is NOT as good as he thinks he is.
Side note..thought you might be interested to know this guy that CLAIMS to be a spurs insider (InsideHoops) is basically calling you and your bro liars in this thread.."Garcia put words into RC's mouth about DB being on the trading block and is VERY IRRESPONSIBLE in doing so...and ALSO reading into he has to come back with a 15 foot shot etc...." http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2012/09/27/ten-questions-for-the-2012-13-season/
@rtesoro440 @JeffProjectSpurs LMAO rt..I have been wanting him traded ALL YEAR and now according to you he's my favorite player?
And btw, it's a weak minded person that has to resort to flinging obscenities constantly, just because virtually no one ever agrees with them. But keep em coming, eventually the mods here will get tired of it and give you the boot..Then PS will be a pleasant place to visit again..
@JeffProjectSpurs No Jeff its there..follow the link and its the post he started that has 37 (lol) replies..He is dogging y'all on the 3rd page of replies...
I agree. invite a overweight guy who has never respected the NBA. he a never was has been, and Richards who can help defensively instantly didnt get invited. can someone help me understand this
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@nanaboomadie If they invited Richards and did NOT sign him to a roster spot, they would lose his draft rights. CLEARLY he is still not ready (as summer league definitely showed).
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@nanaboomadie It's this simple. They don't wanna waste the money and roster spot on somebody they're just gonna send to the d league. Read the article, it lays it out. Basically, the toros have to wait until the perfect time when they're guaranteed him. He definitely needs to grow first, and in the toros he will. If he got signed to our roster, and then played, he wouldn't get any good minutes or grow. The spurs are just playing smart.
The Spurs must be really desperate. They invited Eddy Curry to training camp. What is this bum doing in the Spurs' training camp? Comment, Spursfan66. Come out with your foolish lines SHITHEAD!
@rtesoro440 I read about Eddy last off season also, was intrigued by his before and after "fatness shots". He did spend the entire season on Miamis bench, hopefully working out in the process. I'm hoping he grew a hunger to contend and that this year he wants minutes on an NBA court.This could be good news.
@rtesoro440 lol rt, are you developing some sort of complex? Here is the most foolish thing I can come up with..
rtesoro440
@rtesoro440 lol HILARIOUS that you are whining about the LAST guy added to CAMP..then again when AREN'T you whining about something, like an 8 year old girl? What's funny is that you aren't even smart enough to realize how much it makes you look like a little weinee..LMFAO
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@rtesoro440 Well, it's no secret that the Spurs lack size. Curry is said to be in decent shape as well. He was on the Heat roster last year and was not really a factor. However, they didn't ever really need him to be honest. Is he a fit with his work ethic and history? Probably not on the surface. Can he resurrect his career and become serviceable? Possible. How probable remains to be seen. At any rate, he has to make the roster first and foremost. I will say that Pop likes veteran's. Diaw came in with a bad rap as well (not as extensive as Curry though). The change of scenery did him a world of good and the Spurs reaped the profits of his uniform change. When Curry was with the Knicks, the environment sucked, but they were also his best years. Averaging about 15 points over a 3 year span. It's a gamble, for sure, but low risk if he pans out. With 10 years of NBA, he's actually only about 30 since he came straight from High School. Again, depends if he makes the roster, but he fits a need and the environment can get no better than the Spurs locker room. We'll see.
