VCoug wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:

callmened wrote:Dont BLOW up the core...just throw away the old pieces that are on the bench rotting. Get rid of White, Cope, Prigs, Sheed, KMart, and Kurt. Replace them with younger talent (AJ Price, DCunningham). THe problem is they cant afford anything else but vet minimums

Exactly. So how do you propose they accomplish this without blowing it up?

It's called being creative. Look at the Spurs with Green, Neal, Blair, etc. Stockpile late draft picks and select players with transferable skills, and search for diamonds in the bargain bin. It's hard but a lot easier than rebuilding. You can't find superstars this way but can definitely find good players. There will be plenty of players drafted in the 2nd round that become quality role players each year.

You mean like Papanikolaou who we traded to Portland in the Felton deal for some reason?

Yes but a player who is actually expected to play in the NBA within the next couple of years. I doubt we ever see him in the league. We don't need euro players in the draft, we need proven college players who will get passed up higher in the draft for lack of upside. This is where you find the Dejaun Blairs, David Lee's, etc.

Knixkik wrote:

VCoug wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:

callmened wrote:Dont BLOW up the core...just throw away the old pieces that are on the bench rotting. Get rid of White, Cope, Prigs, Sheed, KMart, and Kurt. Replace them with younger talent (AJ Price, DCunningham). THe problem is they cant afford anything else but vet minimums

Exactly. So how do you propose they accomplish this without blowing it up?

It's called being creative. Look at the Spurs with Green, Neal, Blair, etc. Stockpile late draft picks and select players with transferable skills, and search for diamonds in the bargain bin. It's hard but a lot easier than rebuilding. You can't find superstars this way but can definitely find good players. There will be plenty of players drafted in the 2nd round that become quality role players each year.

You mean like Papanikolaou who we traded to Portland in the Felton deal for some reason?

Yes but a player who is actually expected to play in the NBA within the next couple of years. I doubt we ever see him in the league. We don't need euro players in the draft, we need proven college players who will get passed up higher in the draft for lack of upside. This is where you find the Dejaun Blairs, David Lee's, etc.

Drafting foreign players in the 2nd round and stashing them overseas to mature is one of the ways San Antonio has been able to stay competitive during Duncan's 15 year career. They drafted guys like Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter and had them play overseas for three years before bringing them here. Meanwhile, we're giving away foreign prospects in sign-and-trades for guys that no one else in the league wants. And I was just looking up some info on Papanikoloau and the reports were that he was coming over next season anyway.

Knixkik wrote:

VCoug wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

VCoug wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:

callmened wrote:Dont BLOW up the core...just throw away the old pieces that are on the bench rotting. Get rid of White, Cope, Prigs, Sheed, KMart, and Kurt. Replace them with younger talent (AJ Price, DCunningham). THe problem is they cant afford anything else but vet minimums

Exactly. So how do you propose they accomplish this without blowing it up?

It's called being creative. Look at the Spurs with Green, Neal, Blair, etc. Stockpile late draft picks and select players with transferable skills, and search for diamonds in the bargain bin. It's hard but a lot easier than rebuilding. You can't find superstars this way but can definitely find good players. There will be plenty of players drafted in the 2nd round that become quality role players each year.

You mean like Papanikolaou who we traded to Portland in the Felton deal for some reason?

Yes but a player who is actually expected to play in the NBA within the next couple of years. I doubt we ever see him in the league. We don't need euro players in the draft, we need proven college players who will get passed up higher in the draft for lack of upside. This is where you find the Dejaun Blairs, David Lee's, etc.

Drafting foreign players in the 2nd round and stashing them overseas to mature is one of the ways San Antonio has been able to stay competitive during Duncan's 15 year career. They drafted guys like Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter and had them play overseas for three years before bringing them here. Meanwhile, we're giving away foreign prospects in sign-and-trades for guys that no one else in the league wants. And I was just looking up some info on Papanikoloau and the reports were that he was coming over next season anyway.

You are absolutely right but i feel like it is more of an outdated method. Spurs were one of the first to do it successfully because their scouting was more advanced for overseas and this doesn't work like it did in the early/mid 2000s. Also, we need guys who can contribute sooner rather than later, and each year you can always find these players from college. The salary cap restrictions really prevent the draft and stash to work like it used to as well.

Why would the new salary cap restriction affect it? If a foreign player is drafted and stays overseas the drafting team keeps his draft rights until he comes over and he doesn't count against the cap.

VCoug wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

VCoug wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

VCoug wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:

callmened wrote:Dont BLOW up the core...just throw away the old pieces that are on the bench rotting. Get rid of White, Cope, Prigs, Sheed, KMart, and Kurt. Replace them with younger talent (AJ Price, DCunningham). THe problem is they cant afford anything else but vet minimums

Exactly. So how do you propose they accomplish this without blowing it up?

It's called being creative. Look at the Spurs with Green, Neal, Blair, etc. Stockpile late draft picks and select players with transferable skills, and search for diamonds in the bargain bin. It's hard but a lot easier than rebuilding. You can't find superstars this way but can definitely find good players. There will be plenty of players drafted in the 2nd round that become quality role players each year.

You mean like Papanikolaou who we traded to Portland in the Felton deal for some reason?

Yes but a player who is actually expected to play in the NBA within the next couple of years. I doubt we ever see him in the league. We don't need euro players in the draft, we need proven college players who will get passed up higher in the draft for lack of upside. This is where you find the Dejaun Blairs, David Lee's, etc.

Drafting foreign players in the 2nd round and stashing them overseas to mature is one of the ways San Antonio has been able to stay competitive during Duncan's 15 year career. They drafted guys like Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter and had them play overseas for three years before bringing them here. Meanwhile, we're giving away foreign prospects in sign-and-trades for guys that no one else in the league wants. And I was just looking up some info on Papanikoloau and the reports were that he was coming over next season anyway.

You are absolutely right but i feel like it is more of an outdated method. Spurs were one of the first to do it successfully because their scouting was more advanced for overseas and this doesn't work like it did in the early/mid 2000s. Also, we need guys who can contribute sooner rather than later, and each year you can always find these players from college. The salary cap restrictions really prevent the draft and stash to work like it used to as well.

Why would the new salary cap restriction affect it? If a foreign player is drafted and stays overseas the drafting team keeps his draft rights until he comes over and he doesn't count against the cap.

The cap restricts paying these guys as much as they used to when trying to bring them over. These guys make too much overseas to come over for a minimum contract. There are more restrictions than before.