Author: katadmin

Spurs roster analysis

Spurs beat writer Jeff McDonald breaks down the team’s assets heading into the offseason:

Tim Duncan, forward
Age: 35
Contract status: One year, $21.2 million
Future: Still vital piece of franchise despite producing career-low numbers. Could exercise early-termination option this summer and sign longer-term deal for less money to give Spurs financial flexibility. No player in NBA stands to lose more money during potential lockout than him.

Manu Ginobili, guard
Age: 33
Contract status: Two years, $27 million
Future: Survived season relatively healthy, except for sprained elbow he took into playoffs. Getting older, but remains one of league’s toughest covers.

Tony Parker, guard
Age: 28
Contract status: Four years, $50 million (final season non- guaranteed)
Future: Approached All-Star form again after signing big contract extension in October. Stands as Spurs’ most viable trade chip entering offseason, though it is unlikely team would go that route.

Richard Jefferson, forward
Age: 30
Contract status: Three years, $30.3 million
Future: Enjoyed a better second season in San Antonio than first, but again faded during playoffs. Long-term deal inked last summer likely to keep him in Spurs uniform for foreseeable future.

Antonio McDyess, center/forward
Age: 36
Contract status: One year, $5.2 million (partially guaranteed)
Future: A rocking chair. Though he has a year left on his deal, McDyess has announced plans to retire after 15 seasons. Spurs will miss his toughness and veteran voice in locker room.

Matt Bonner, center/forward
Age: 31
Contract status: Three years, $11.3 million (final season partially guaranteed)
Future: Emerged as NBA’s most accurate 3-point shooter this season. Likely to remain a part of team’s plans as a coveted “spread-four” man.

George Hill, guard
Age: 24
Contract status: One year, $1.5 million
Future: Continued to play key role at both guard spots in third NBA season. Entering final season of rookie-scale contract. Under current guidelines, Spurs have until Oct. 31 to sign Hill to an extension or he becomes restricted free agent in 2012.

DeJuan Blair, center/forward
Age: 22
Contract status: Two years, $2 million (next season partially guaranteed, final season non- guaranteed)
Future: Started first 63 games before being replaced in starting lineup by McDyess. Best used as situational player against smaller frontcourts. Cheap contract makes him payroll-friendly.

Gary Neal, guard
Age: 26
Contract status: Two years, $1.75 million (both seasons non- guaranteed)
Future: One of NBA’s most compelling storylines after emerging from European League obscurity to set Spurs’ rookie 3-point records. Though contract is not guaranteed, he’s a lock to return next season.

Tiago Splitter, center
Age: 26
Contract status: Two years, $7.61 million
Future: Much-anticipated Brazilian never quite found his place as rookie but remains an integral part of the future. Offseason development will be imperative, but could be hampered by lockout.

James Anderson, guard
Age: 22
Contract status: Three years, $5.5 million (final two seasons at team option)
Future: Promising rookie was swallowed up by foot fracture that cost him 39 games. His development could be another casualty of labor strife, especially if there is no summer league.

Danny Green, guard/forward
Age: 23
Contract status: Free agent
Future: A raw but versatile defender who showed promise in separate stints with team and was active for every playoff game. A probable training camp invitee with a chance to stick.

Steve Novak, forward
Age: 27
Contract status: Free agent
Future: A deadly outside shooter the Spurs have been charting since before 2006 draft. Could be invited to training camp if he doesn’t hook on elsewhere.

Chris Quinn, guard
Age: 27
Contract status: Free agent
Future: Little-used as emergency option at point guard. Could return for camp, though Spurs could just as easily look elsewhere to fill role.

Da’Sean Butler, forward
Age: 23
Contract status: One year, $788,972 (non- guaranteed)
Future: Easily most intriguing name at bottom of roster. Will have a chance to make team out of camp if fully recovered from knee injury suffered in 2010 Final Four with West Virginia.

CP3′s monster game leads Hornets to series split, paces Sunday’s S&Ds

A slow start and a cut about his right eye couldn’t stop Chris Paul.

And neither could the Los Angeles Lakers.

Paul rebounded after finally scoring in the final 63 seconds of the first half to produce his first triple-double of the season with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists in the Hornets’ 93-88 Game 4 victory over the defending NBA champions.

“He’s maybe 6 feet and he had 13 rebounds,” New Orleans forward Trevor Ariza told reporters after the game. “He played unbelievable. He’s made our team go all year. He’s carried us when we were down.”

Paul played with his left hand tightly wrapped because of a jammed thumb. Later in the game, he received a cut above his right eye. But it couldn’t stop Paul’s big game as he became only the third player in the last 20 years to produce at least 25 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists in a playoff game. It was his second career playoff triple-double.

“Chris Paul—that was one of the better performances I’ve seen in the playoffs,” New Orleans coach Monty Williams told reporters after the game. “A lot of guys score. He scored. He assisted. He rebounded.”

Paul’s big effort enabled him to lead Sunday’s Studs and Duds of the top NBA performers.

“It was cool,” Paul told reporters. “Fun.”

STUDS

New Orleans G Chris Paul: Notched his first triple-double of the season with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists and was plus-9 in the Hornets’ 93-88  Game 4 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.  

Boston F Kevin Garnett: Went for 26 points, 10 rebounds, two blocked shots and was plus-8 in the Celtics’ series-closing Game 4 101-89 triumph at New York.

Atlanta G Jamal Crawford: Came off the bench to score a team-high 25 points, provide six assists and was plus-5 in the Hawks’ 88-85 Game 4 victory over Orlando.

Boston G Rajon Rondo: Notched 21 points, five rebounds, 12 assists and was plus-6 in the Celtics’ victory at New York.  

Atlanta G Joe Johnson: Produced 20 points and nine rebounds and was plus-2 in the Hawks’ victory over the Magic.

New Orleans F Trevor Ariza: Went for 19 points, six rebounds and three assists in the Hornets’ triumph over the Lakers.

Philadelphia G Lou Williams: Hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds left, leading Philadelphia to oan 86-82 Game 4 victory over Miami. Williams shared team scoring honors with 17 points.

Philadelphia G Evan Turner: Scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and was plus-4 off the bench to pace the 76ers’ victory over  the Heat.

Philadelphia F Andre Iguodala: Went for 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in the 76ers’ victory over Miami.

Atlanta F Al Horford: Tallied 14 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and was plus-5 in the Hawks’ triumph over the Magic.

New York F Carmelo Anthony: Produced 32 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the Knicks’ loss to Boston.

Miami F LeBron James: Tallied 31 points, seven rebounds, six assists, a steal and a blocked shot in the Heat’s loss at Philadelphia.

Orlando C Dwight Howard: Notched 29 points, 17 rebounds, two blocked shots and was plus-6 in the Magic’s loss at  Atlanta.

Miami G Dwyane Wade: Filled the stat sheet with 22 points, eight rebounds, five blocked shots, four assists and three steals in the Heat’s loss to the 76ers.  

Orlando G Gilbert Arenas: Came off the bench to score 20 points, grab five rebounds and dished off two assists in the Magic’s loss to Atlanta.

DUDS

Los Angeles Lakers G Kobe Bryant: Was shut out in the first half — the first time in a playoff game since May 25, 2004 — in the Lakers’ loss at New Orleans. Bryant finished with 17 points, six rebounds and eight assists, but clanked through a 5-for-18 shooting effort and was minus-1.

Orlando F Hedo Turkoglu: Went 2-for-12 in field-goal attempts, including missing all six 3-point attempts, in the Magic’s loss at Atlanta. Turkoglu missed a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer, had three turnovers and was limited to six points.

Orlando G J.J. Redick: Missed all six field-goal attempts, scoring two points and was minus-7 in the Magic’s loss at Atlanta.

Los Angeles Lakers F Lamar Odom: Went 1-for-7 from the field with two turnovers and was a team-worst minus-8 in the Lakers’ loss to the Hornets.  

Miami G Mike Bibby: Missed all six-field goal attempts was shut out and was minus-15 in the Heat’s loss to the 76ers.

New York F Amar’e Stoudemire: Went for 19 points and 12 rebounds, but struggled through a 5-for-20 effort from the field with five turnovers in the Knicks’ loss to the Celtics.

New York G Toney Douglas: Clanked through a 3-for-11 shooting effort and was a team-worst minus-14 in the Knicks’ loss to the Celtics.

New Orleans G Marco Belinelli: Went 3-for-11 from the field and was minus-2 in the Hornets’ victory over the Lakers.

Which free agents would Spurs Nation covet?

The NBA playoffs will continue over the next five weeks or so.

Most of Spurs Nation wishes the league’s champion was determined yesterday.

Even with the impending player lockout hanging over the off season like an ominous black cloud,  there remains much excitement among the Spurs’ fans as they speculate about ways to retool after the 61-win regular season that ended so abruptly in the playoffs.

The way that Memphis took the Spurs apart shows the team’s biggest needs will be a likely replacement for Antonio McDyess to add depth inside and help outside on the wing after Richard Jefferson’s playoff struggles.

The team’s biggest free-agent task will be resigning Tim Duncan, who is ranked as the No. 1 potential free agent in the class. Even though he could opt out for another deal, it’s almost inconceivable that Duncan will finish his career for any team but the Spurs.

Some of the need at small forward might be lessened if rookie James Anderson develops if he can remain injury-free. His career at Oklahoma State and his early playing in San Antonio showed he could make steps in that direction.

Even if Duncan returns, the Spurs needed to add somebody else inside. The possibility that players like Denver forward/center Nene, Memphis center Marc Gasol, New Orleans power forward David West, New Jersey power forward Kris Humphries  and Dallas center Tyson Chandler could move from their current teams could shake up the balance of power in the Southwest Division and the NBA.

It might be hard for the Spurs to be able to afford any of the top available players if they keep Duncan. If he remains on the roster, it might be impossible. But their championship hopes will depend on upgrading their current roster for a league that appears to be wide open after the lockout ends.

And the 2012 free agent class might be one of the strongest in history with Dwight Howard and Deron Williams hitting the open market along with 2008 draftees like Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook and Brook Lopez becoming restricted free agents.

Of course, we don’t know how free agency will be restructured if and when the lockout is settled. But the Spurs need to be active players because there likely will be little immediate talent available in the college draft.

So let’s put Spurs Nation in charge. Which players among this list of 2011 free agents would look the best in Silver and Black?

Playing fantasy general manager, how would you restructure the Spurs roster to be able to contend with teams like Dallas, Oklahoma City, Chicago the Lakers and Miami?

Here’s a list of top potential free agents heading into the summer, as ranked by the Bleacher Report.com.

1. , San Antonio (early termination option)

2. , Denver (early termination option)

3. , Boston (player option)

4. , Memphis (unrestricted)

5. , New Orleans (early termination option)

6. , Denver (restricted)

7., Dallas (unrestricted)

8. , Boston (restricted)

9., Detroit (restricted)

10. , Detroit (unrestricted)

11. , New Jersey (unrestricted)

12. , Washington (restricted)

13. , Phoenix (restricted)

14. , Denver (team option)

15. , Orlando (unrestricted)

16., Atlanta (unrestricted)

17. , Denver (restricted)

18. , Memphis (unrestricted)

19. , Sacramento (unrestricted)

20. ,  New Orleans (unrestricted)

21. , Dallas (unrestricted)

22. , Houston (unrestricted)

23. , Utah (unrestricted)

24., Boston (unrestricted)

25. , Denver (unrestricted)