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sasaint · 04-29-2008, 09:33 AM

Portland is on the right track with a bunch of young guys who all have a great team concept. If nothing else, Oden will improve the defense and rebounding. AI would be the worst kind of disruption for a bunch of young, TEAM-oriented guys. I would rather pursue Devin Harris, if possible.

sasaint · 04-29-2008, 09:42 AM

From another board:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schilly
"I'm going on a limb here, but I think San Antonio is a team that could see some pretty significant Shakeup... Mostly because they have several players who would likely be looking at retirement soon.

To start next season
Barry 36 (37 in december)
Bowen 37
Finley 35
Horry 38
Damon 35
Thomas 36"

You aren't out on any limb there! Age may be the most important factor, but contract status will also dictate a number of changes in San Antonio. I think a number of those guys have contracts that are expiring.

As a Spurs fan, I personally thought it was a bad idea to re-sign Horry before last season. Even though he had some good moments last year, this year he has been useless. Worse, he has taken up a roster spot and payroll. I think that the Spurs would have been better off both years by replacing him with a younger guy to bring along. Matt Bonner seems pretty much a waste of a roster spot and payroll, too. The only Spurs that you can count on returning are Tim, Tony, Manu and Udoka - possibly Jacques Vaughn, who really seems like a good fit with Pop. Who knows when age will finally catch up with Bowen? Without a serious make-over, the Spurs are about to drop from the upper echelons of the NBA. (That will make the league office and the rest of the league's fans happy!)

If the Suns are just patient for one more year, they will surpass the slipping Spurs by standing pat. Their focus shouldn't be on the Spurs, but the Lakers, the Hornets, the Jazz and the Blazers. The Lakers seem set for some time to come. The Hornets are for real. Utah is always good, but will they ever get to the top? Oden may turn Portland into a real contender. The way their big 3 have played, the Celtics have another year or two. Orlando is one player from being a top team. Maybe Atlanta is finally getting it together. Toronto still needs a player or two. Philly could make some noise.

Besides the bottom-dwellers, Cleveland, Washington, Dallas, Denver, GS, Chicago, and possibly Detroit all need to do something different. Cleveland, Dallas, Denver and Detroit will all fade along with the Spurs. This offseason will be interesting, and it will mark a serious changing of the guard.