Posted by fishmike:
the reason you dont remember any bad personal moves by the Spurs is because their good ones are great. Duncan, Manu, Parker were so good everything else is gravy. That being said they have just as many dubious moves as other teams.
Jackie Butler is a good example.
The Spurs drafted Barbosa with the 28th pick in the first round. He was then traded to the Suns where he had much success winning the 2006-2007 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award
The Spurs drafted Salmons with the 26th pick in the first round. He was soon traded to the Sixers for Speedy Claxton. He had a slow start to his NBA career but came on late with the Kings and now helping the Bulls especially in their series against the Celtics this past playoffs.
The Spurs drafted Scola in the 2nd round with the 55th pick. After years of negotiation for a buyout of Scola's contract, things eventually broke down and he was traded to the Rockets for Vassilis Spanoulis and a 2009 2nd round pick which turned into Nando DeColo. Of all the past draft picks
in 2005 Spurs drafted Ian Mahinmi with David Lee, Monta Ellis, Lois Williams, Ryan Gomes, Blatche, Amir Johnson still on the board
Spurs have swung and missed as much as anyone else. Its pretty easy to look smart when you have one of the best big men who's ever played
I get what you're saying, but don't either. They have given up talent, yes. But take the Scola trade. First, the Spurs recognized he was a talented player and got him late in the second round. Second, they traded him to avoid sour grapes over playing time (my parents live in Houston and the explanation for how they got Scola was chemistry). Third, they always seem to draft a replacement. Fourth, they have salary cap constraints. That team is always well balanced and players have specific roles. It's not as though Salmons and Claxton play the same position and that trade was made for PG depth, and Speedy played a big role in the Sixers Finals run.
All that said I'm not exactly wishing the Knicks signed Keith Bogans
