T21

I keep seeing predictions on how bad or good the Hawks will be now or in a few years. The one thing that keeps me from joining in the fun is Bud. We don't know what we have. Perfect example Chicago. Thibs took that team from a mid-tier to a Championship quality team in one year. Yes, he had Rose, but Rose without Thibs is AI on the Sixers. Small guards don't win titles alone. Now lets just say Bud is an A coach. His trickle down effect could make us special. Not just this year, but in the future. If he develops the young guys, tweaks the vets, and game plans us to even and equal status on most nights the benefit is exponential. The best thing about the Spurs is the clearly defined roles players have. If we get that here and stop celebrating this jack of all/master of none intellect the proliferated during the Woody/Drew era we might be on to something. Thibs went 62>50>45 over the last 3 years. The 3 years prior 41>41>33. His downfall last year wasn't so much Rose, but Deng and Noah. If those guys were healthy I thik he sees anothe 50+ year without Rose. Coaching makes a difference.

I feel very confident about our direction... We can already see the rough sketches of what Danny and Bud are trying to accomplish.

We'll surely build new identity and style of basketball, and let's remember that this is just the beginning... we are still work in progress.

On top of that, we have some cap-friendly contracts and pieces to make trades down the road and potential to be a real player in next year's free agency...

You have well pointed out Chicago and Thibbs, who built the system which have shown to work well even without it's superstar. The system is based on strong D and organised, fundamental team basketball... Once you build that, you can work on improving other details and facets of the game...

So with Pero official, this appears to be our 2nd Unit:SchröderSweet LouJunkyard DawgPeroBrandThat's not bad. Scrappy. And Pero and Brand make a ton of sense with Al talking about how the 4-5 are interchangeable in the offense.Then we have Jenkins, Scott, Noguera, maybe Cunningham developing, pushing for minutes and enjoying garbage time.Yeah, I'm ignoring the biggest mystery:TeagueKorver??????????MillsapHorfordBut otherwise, I'm happy.

I think that starting lineup with Jenkins and Korver at 2 & 3 would hurt us defensively. Our wing defense would be compromised and make life difficult for already undersized front-court.

Anyway, Bud will have some depth to work with and create a decent rotation and units that could work well together on the court...

BS!

Either 87-88 or the 93-94 flame out.

I agree! It's hard to tell...

Back in 1988 Detroit was also established contender, but I guess that we had a slight edge... then, there were Lakers.

In 1994 we were screwed by Lenny and Stan, period! I believe that we would have gone to the Finals if Nique was still around, and then who knows...

T21, just wanted to give you props for your valuable insights. much appreciated. (unless you're making it all up lol)

I've seen this guy play on so many occasions.

However, you never know how it will work in real life... Obviously, DF selected him for a reason and as I've said before Al's supporting cast was selected to complement his game, as our franchise player.

He is likely Ivan's replacement. Most Euros are saying he isn't a center at all.

We'll, he's got height and strength surely. I think Bud will use him as a back-up center for up to 15mpg.

The fact that he can knock down mid to long range shots, obviously tells us that our offense will run through Al in the post, or PnR with Al who's our number 1 option right now. Basically, the support staff has been cast to fit that bill... We'll see how it will work...

I read that he can board very well. So he starts with AL, right? And Brand backs up Pero (and Paul backs up AL)?

Guess this means no Oden.

We've got to manufacture a wing form somewhere. Stevenson is the fall back plan i guess :/

He's not a rebounding machine, but he can hold his own... I don't see him as a starter, but rather a decent back-up who can allow Bud to extend his rotations and have a couple of extra fouls off the bench.

I hope that he'll be able to contribute, because he's got experience from Euroleague and International basketball... I'd say that his stat line would look like this: 15 - 20 mpg, 7-8 ppg, 5-6 rpg.

The way he's jacking up 3's reminds me of a someone. If they go in, fine. If not, looks like he's the White Brick.

Don't let highlight mix reel fool you. He's a team-first player, who always knows his role. He a solid defender in the post, because he's got strength and experience, just don't expect him to block a lot of shots, 'cause he ain't a shot-blocker.

Pero Antić is a Serbian player, with FYROM citizenship.

He's C/F, with lot's of experience... He can play in the post and also hit mid-range J... I've been following his career for quite some time now, and there's one thing that stands out about him, he always works hard and improves his game year in and year out. When he first came up, he was a promising big, but he was never able to get into Serbian national team, so he opted to play for FYROM... However, he's one of those late bloomers, as he was able to elevate his game and establish himself as a solid big man with very important role on 2-time Euroleague champs Olympiakos...

I think this is a nice pick-up to add to our front-court depth and another flexible stop-gap contract.

Cousins would be a great addition... I think that he already showed some signs of maturing and if our coaches get the chance to further develop him (both as a person and a player), he could be a dominant center for the next decade.

I also believe that he would be more disciplined and team-oriented with Al as his wing-man, demanding the right attitude and respect.

How'bout ASPIRIN (Bayer Pharm)!?

Hes a euro jump shooter, chances are he doesnt play defense.

In Europe, teams emphases on D more than in the NBA, period (especially team D).

NBA is about one-on-one D, and that's what should be the question here.

Papanikolau is a very good player, who's able to play both 2 and 3. He's played under some very good coaches and for a team that won Euroleague for the last two years in succession, that should speak for itself.

I hope there's some truth to these rumors...

Realistically, we don't have anything to offer (Al isn't going anywhere) and it would have to be a 3-way deal...

I'd love to get Aldridge, because I believe that him and Al would work well together, especially with our new coach.

It's looking more and more obvious that we'll probably rotate Jenkins, Lou and Korver at the 2...

P.S. It's not just the 2 spot, we desperately need front-court depth (a true center).

Someone on here from Serbia called him a bum

Boban is a good player. However, he's had injury problems throughout his career (his knees on top of the long list) and he never realized projected potential... He surely has skills, from post-up game to mid range J, plus his length... Right now, he's basically a decent back-up even by Euro-standards... Occasionally, on his good days, he's able to put on good performances and remind everyone why he was once regarded as very talented big.

I wouldn't mind acquiring Jennings...

I remember a couple years ago, before he came into the league, he played one season in Europe and he was hyped as one of the greatest talents... I believe that he's got better play-making skills than JT and has agressive scoring mentality... He's still very young and with proper and discipline coaching he could very well realize his potentials!

I agree Saric looks awful. Reminds me if how ESPN pumped up Darko so much back in the day.Do you live in Europe? I've seen you mention seeing a few if these guys now so I'm guessing you live over there?

Seriously, I've seen him in action in at least 10 games... He's got size and some skills, but nothing controlled (as most young players) and it would take 2-3 years to properly develop him (without any guarantee that he'll turn out to be an NBA player)... Anyway, even though we'll need wing players (Draft or FA), I think we should look elsewhere.

Saric is way overrated!

I've seen the kid play on many occasions and, even though I'll admit that he's got some talent and size, he's nowhere near what he's been advertised for...

P.S. This year's draft as far as SF's are concerned looks kind of thin...

Kid's gonna be a beast... all I'm saying is that we should get him with one of our second round picks.

P.S. He's better than most of projected first round bigs!

They're all we got!

I'd be surprised if they wouldn't. The Love/Pekovic frontcourt can't defend well but it rebounds and scores with the best of them.

Pekovic is limited in a good way. He rebounds, plays solid defense in the post, and finishes inside thanks to ridiculous strength and a handful of postmoves. He also runs the floor well. He's not much of a help-defender or passer, but he plays to his strengths. Also seems to be a cool guy and is pretty hilarious to boot all things considered.

You pretty much nailed it.

Pekovic played for my favorite team in Europe (Partizan Belgrade) and then for Panathinaikos Athens (Greece) before moving to the NBA.

He was always well coached and disciplined to play to his strenghts as you mentioned. He's also a hard worker who constantly works on his game... It took him some time to adjust to the NBA, but I had no doubts that he would have success!

I truly expect him to average 20 & 10 and dominate in the paint, plus he'll surely improve his D (he'll work on it).

A cool refreshment!

Splitter only does well because he plays for Popovich. $10 mm for him is absolutely crazy. You thought the JJ deal was bad, that's much much worse.

Splitter is a solid player, who can surely average 10 boards, but he doesn't have an offensive repertoire to average 17... He's basically excellent back-up/decent starter, not worthy more than 7 mil/per...

The Spurs, Celtics, and Bulls coaches say HI

I get your comment, but Messina's not the answer or someone we're looking for.