Jesse BlanchardSpurs Move Signals the End for Duncan
June 27th 2009 21:30
Combine a (questionably) big name trade and yet another apparent draft fleecing, and the Spurs are clearly the winners of a very active week in the NBA.
There is understandably a feeling of excitement circling around here with San Antonio picking up their first offseason “splash” since Derek Anderson was signed. And while I was among the many who celebrated the move, I cannot help but read into the Spurs biggest gambit with the realization that Tim Duncan is almost done.
And that being said, is Richard Jefferson enough to send him out with a bang?
Acquiring Richard Jefferson for little more than expiring contracts and sentimental value was, in basketball terms, a steal. There is little doubt in my mind he will fit in seamlessly. Still, the trade ventures out so far from the Spurs usual operating model it reeks of (calculated) desperation.
March and April’s rumors of Duncan’s demise were greatly exaggerated as we saw in the playoffs. Another post All-Star break swoon led to yet another typical Duncan playoff performance. At least statistically.
The Big Fundamental still remains as a franchise level player, and still the best low post big man in the league, but he has noticeably lost something. That he was able to put up the numbers and shooting percentages against the Mavericks was more a testament to his great touch than his usual dominance.
Sure, he hit shots. But they were, for the most part, the type of shots you can live with someone hitting as opposed to the previous layups and dunks a younger Duncan previously slept walked through. The result: the Mavs were less inclined to double team Duncan which bled down to less open shots for our role players.
While still one of the top five-to-10 players in the league, it remains to be seen whether Duncan remains a player that can entirely dominate an entire series or just one or two games. And then there’s the previously mentioned second half swoon.
Getting back to the Jefferson deal. While everyone is rightfully pleased with Jefferson in black and silver, did you really expect to see all the years of frugal spending and maneuvering for financial flexibility payoff in merely an overpriced “solid” player?
I think most of us, Spurs management included, had our eyes set on the 2010 free agent market like everyone else. But the injuries to Duncan (and Ginobili) have changed the Spurs timeline. The inability to wait one more year seems to tip off what the Spurs feel that timeline was.
And now that the Spurs are luxury tax payers, I am almost positive that the Spurs have one more big move up their sleeves. After years of avoiding the tax threshold I don’t see how the Spurs slam through it without knowing it was competing for a title.
With our now depleted front court and lingering questions about Ginobili’s health, I’m not sure that Jefferson is enough. And if you’re going to put yourself in this position, why not go for broke?
Bring on Wallace. Or Camby. Or whatever big name pops up between now and training camp. If this is truly the last two or three years of Duncan, this opening shot leaves me looking forward to what the Spurs will do to close it on top.
There is understandably a feeling of excitement circling around here with San Antonio picking up their first offseason “splash” since Derek Anderson was signed. And while I was among the many who celebrated the move, I cannot help but read into the Spurs biggest gambit with the realization that Tim Duncan is almost done.
And that being said, is Richard Jefferson enough to send him out with a bang?
Acquiring Richard Jefferson for little more than expiring contracts and sentimental value was, in basketball terms, a steal. There is little doubt in my mind he will fit in seamlessly. Still, the trade ventures out so far from the Spurs usual operating model it reeks of (calculated) desperation.
March and April’s rumors of Duncan’s demise were greatly exaggerated as we saw in the playoffs. Another post All-Star break swoon led to yet another typical Duncan playoff performance. At least statistically.
The Big Fundamental still remains as a franchise level player, and still the best low post big man in the league, but he has noticeably lost something. That he was able to put up the numbers and shooting percentages against the Mavericks was more a testament to his great touch than his usual dominance.
Sure, he hit shots. But they were, for the most part, the type of shots you can live with someone hitting as opposed to the previous layups and dunks a younger Duncan previously slept walked through. The result: the Mavs were less inclined to double team Duncan which bled down to less open shots for our role players.
While still one of the top five-to-10 players in the league, it remains to be seen whether Duncan remains a player that can entirely dominate an entire series or just one or two games. And then there’s the previously mentioned second half swoon.
Getting back to the Jefferson deal. While everyone is rightfully pleased with Jefferson in black and silver, did you really expect to see all the years of frugal spending and maneuvering for financial flexibility payoff in merely an overpriced “solid” player?
I think most of us, Spurs management included, had our eyes set on the 2010 free agent market like everyone else. But the injuries to Duncan (and Ginobili) have changed the Spurs timeline. The inability to wait one more year seems to tip off what the Spurs feel that timeline was.
And now that the Spurs are luxury tax payers, I am almost positive that the Spurs have one more big move up their sleeves. After years of avoiding the tax threshold I don’t see how the Spurs slam through it without knowing it was competing for a title.
With our now depleted front court and lingering questions about Ginobili’s health, I’m not sure that Jefferson is enough. And if you’re going to put yourself in this position, why not go for broke?
Bring on Wallace. Or Camby. Or whatever big name pops up between now and training camp. If this is truly the last two or three years of Duncan, this opening shot leaves me looking forward to what the Spurs will do to close it on top.
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