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Ok the Isreali kid is good and dandy, but what's the plan to add depth to the team? Finley, Bowen, Vaughn are all done and dusted. I'did like to hear a strategy from Spurs first.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 09:58 AM ET  05.30 by ESPN

Ok the Isreali kid is good and dandy, but what's the plan to add depth to the team? Finley, Bowen, Vaughn are all done and dusted. I'did like to hear a strategy from Spurs first.

What position does he play? The Spurs need a make over. They should explore trading Tim Duncan for Blake Griffin. I know it will hurt TD's feelings cos he's been very loyal to the Spurs... but hey its business!

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 10:23 AM ET  05.30 by Lostwill

What position does he play? The Spurs need a make over. They should explore trading Tim Duncan for Blake Griffin. I know it will hurt TD's feelings cos he's been very loyal to the Spurs... but hey its business!

A team trading for TD would have to be on the cusp of challenging for a championship. Since the Clips are light years away from this, it would make no sense. Then again, these are the Clips we're talking about ...

"Strengths: Since last year Casspi has improved his game both offensively and defensively ... He attacks the basket more. On top of his scoring mentality he has became more aggressive and tough under the rim (his body has not improved that much since last year, but his game definitely has) ... Very long and athletic player with excellent frame, plus leaping and slashing ability ... It???s very difficult to guard him due to his size and ability to play inside/outside ... Casspi will beat bigger opponents off the dribble due to his quickness and take advantage of smaller opponents by posting them up inside ... Improved his shooting ability since last year; Casspi is dangerous from outside and can hit open jump-shots from 16-17 feet (he is much quicker getting his shot off) ... Solid 3 point shooter who does not hesitate to shoot 3???s if he is open (45% 3PT)... His combination of skills and quick first step allows him to beat defenders off the dribble anytime ... Casspi possesses great body control when driving to the basket ... Good finisher under the basket 70.8 FG% (loves finishing with dunks at the rim if possible). Not afraid of contact and draws many fouls (solid free-throw shooter at 76.1 FT%). Very quick at running the transition game and beating his opponents for layups or dunks (he scored many baskets in transition this year). In rebounding, he improved going from 3.2 RPG last year to 4.6 RPG ... Casspi improved his ability to box out and use his long arms when going for rebounds ... His toughness and size makes him solid at the defensive end ... He does a good job at the SF position and staying in front of his man ... His lateral quickness is solid. Competitive player who plays with a great amount of energy every time he steps on the court ..." From NBADraft.net

Think of Hedo Turkoglu, would be a good pick for the spurs

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 10:23 AM ET  05.30 by Lostwill

What position does he play? The Spurs need a make over. They should explore trading Tim Duncan for Blake Griffin. I know it will hurt TD's feelings cos he's been very loyal to the Spurs... but hey its business!

That would never happen...sorry.

What they need is to make Tony Parker the star, and surround him with good role players.

Nick Collison
Travis Outlaw
Earl Watson
Steve Blake
Udonis Haslem

These are all good options for San Antonio to look at...Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan are past their prime.

This would be a good pick that only question I have is if Cassipi plans on coming over to the U.S. this year or if he stays like Tiago Splitter did two years ago, and like Luis Scola did earlier this decade, the Spurs need to make sure he is coming this year before drafting him otherwise it may be wise to draft someone esle who can have an immiediate impact.

never heard of the guy- but you can be SURE if the spurs
are interested he is a quality player !

thanks for the info rayray

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 11:17 AM ET  05.30 by Eaglenation1991

the Spurs need to make sure he is coming this year before drafting him otherwise it may be wise to draft someone esle who can have an immiediate impact

at where the spurs are/have been picking....there really isn't
such thing as an imediate impact-
Only way theres an 'immediate' impact is through a trade or FA

The Timberwolves have 5 picks (3 in the first round), I won't be surprised if they sell their #28 pick to the Spurs for cash granted Minnesota doesn't trade up.

I have been waiting for some Casspi news!

AND IN OTHER NEWS: THE LAKERS PARADE ROUTE IS CLEAR FOR LANDING!

texasmade, is it LOVELY IN LAKERLAND???

The other side to the coin from NBADraftNet:
"Weaknesses: Appears to play for himself ... Seems to have a problematic character, at the youth level he often did whatever he pleased having a number of incidents and clashes. Failed to win the Israeli HS league despite being in the most talented team and ended up leaving the school after disagreements with his coach. He got his youth coach fired after the team failed to win the national title. Never was able to take the junior national team to any remarkable achievements and this year's euro-championship was a real fiasco, despite Casspi's great numbers. Often shows a great deal of arrogance and ego. Often not aggressive enough, even in the Israeli youth league where he was taller then 95% of the guys, and easily the most coordinated and athletic at his size. Doesn't go hard for boards, not fond of the "dirty work" on the court Settles for the outside shot too much, has a too much penetration skill and finishing touch for that Senior level experience, seriously needs floor time, does a lot of things well but still is in a need for "real" game time, unlike the garbage time he was getting in Maccabi. Lacks tremendous foot speed .

the weaknesses-department doesn't make him look like the typical spurs player, but you can bet on Pop to make sure thats either untrue or he is sure to change those things! since the rodman ero, the club never made a run at weak character players.

I like the kid and he should be nice for the Spurs.

right now its not sure which direction the club really is going, but I there wont be something like a sellout...TD never is going to play for another team, as are Manu and Bruce...they will try to make the best out of the next few years just to make timmys last few seasons as pleasant as they can be...after that they might just be a club with Tony as the star + some guys like Ian, Hill and Casspi (hey, maybe even splitter, which I sadly doubt)...could be fun to watch them, but it wont earn them much in terms of wins!

hard times lay ahead of the spurs...but hey, we (spursfans) had enough to celebrate for the next two lifes!
and maybe...only maybe...we will land another lottery jackpot in a few years...maybe the next admiral or big fundamental just right now is doing his first few dribblings in some backyard!

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 02:04 PM ET  05.30 by Dioscuri

The other side to the coin from NBADraftNet:"Weaknesses: Appears to play for himself ... Seems to have a problematic character, at the youth level he often did whatever he pleased having a number of incidents and clashes. Failed to win the Israeli HS league despite being in the most talented team and ended up leaving the school after disagreements with his coach. He got his youth coach fired after the team failed to win the national title. Never was able to take the junior national team to any remarkable achievements and this year's euro-championship was a real fiasco, despite Casspi's great numbers. Often shows a great deal of arrogance and ego. Often not aggressive enough, even in the Israeli youth league where he was taller then 95% of the guys, and easily the most coordinated and athletic at his size. Doesn't go hard for boards, not fond of the "dirty work" on the court Settles for the outside shot too much, has a too much penetration skill and finishing touch for that Senior level experience, seriously needs floor time, does a lot of things well but still is in a need for "real" game time, unlike the garbage time he was getting in Maccabi. Lacks tremendous foot speed .

I thought the Spurs wanted this guy, not the Suns

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 11:07 AM ET  05.30 by Denis24

That would never happen...sorry.What they need is to make Tony Parker the star, and surround him with good role players.Nick CollisonTravis OutlawEarl WatsonSteve BlakeUdonis HaslemThese are all good options for San Antonio to look at...Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan are past their prime.

If Kobe, Wade and Lebron are not good enough to win a ring without another bona fide all-star (not a playoffs invisible man like Mo Williams) imagine Parker.

Don't get me wrong Parker is the best PG in the game (yes better than Chris Paul who is great during the regular season but have not proven anything yet in the playoffs), but him + role players = 1st or 2nd round exit.

Duncan and Ginobili are "past their prime" only in terms of durability not in terms of ability when healthy. If the big three reach the playoffs healthy next year (a huge if I agree) and the Spurs add one young athlete and one clutch shooter in the off-season they will be a top title contender.

Same thing with the Celtics. KG and Powe back and they are back on top, even with a "past their prime" big three. The thing is these two teams being title contender with such great leadership on the floor (fully united big three) and off the floor (great management) they are the best magnets for veteran free-agents missing a ring.

They are the two teams with the best basketball fundamentals, mental attitude and winners' strength in the league. Thibodeau is a genius. Last year he managed to coach the Celtics how to consistently shut down BOTH Lebron and Kobe, a feat that no team has been nowhere near to accomplish this year, not even defense ace Houston.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 09:58 AM ET  05.30 by ESPN

Ok the Isreali kid is good and dandy, but what's the plan to add depth to the team? Finley, Bowen, Vaughn are all done and dusted. I'did like to hear a strategy from Spurs first.

I agree sadly because I love Bowen and Finley but they are so over their prime there is no coming back, like last offseason the Spurs realized Horry was done and let him go:Bowen,Finley,Vaughn,Thomas and Oberto need to be moved if possible, and get some athletic young wings like this Israeli kid,Rudy Fernandez or even Artest he would be awesome as a SF along with Bonner and Duncan in the front court and parker and mason in the backcourt with this Israeli kid,Manu,Gooden,Hill and Odoka off the bench....

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 10:56 AM ET  05.30 by Cheesy Texan

A team trading for TD would have to be on the cusp of challenging for a championship. Since the Clips are light years away from this, it would make no sense. Then again, these are the Clips we're talking about ...

20 ppg, 11 rpg, almost 2 blks per game, those numbers are better than Gasol's and the Lakers have way better players on the court with him...Duncan with adequate rest has 2-3 more years as a top PF...

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 11:05 AM ET  05.30 by rayray52

"Strengths: Since last year Casspi has improved his game both offensively and defensively ... He attacks the basket more. On top of his scoring mentality he has became more aggressive and tough under the rim (his body has not improved that much since last year, but his game definitely has) ... Very long and athletic player with excellent frame, plus leaping and slashing ability ... It???s very difficult to guard him due to his size and ability to play inside/outside ... Casspi will beat bigger opponents off the dribble due to his quickness and take advantage of smaller opponents by posting them up inside ... Improved his shooting ability since last year; Casspi is dangerous from outside and can hit open jump-shots from 16-17 feet (he is much quicker getting his shot off) ... Solid 3 point shooter who does not hesitate to shoot 3???s if he is open (45% 3PT)... His combination of skills and quick first step allows him to beat defenders off the dribble anytime ... Casspi possesses great body control when driving to the basket ... Good finisher under the basket 70.8 FG% (loves finishing with dunks at the rim if possible). Not afraid of contact and draws many fouls (solid free-throw shooter at 76.1 FT%). Very quick at running the transition game and beating his opponents for layups or dunks (he scored many baskets in transition this year). In rebounding, he improved going from 3.2 RPG last year to 4.6 RPG ... Casspi improved his ability to box out and use his long arms when going for rebounds ... His toughness and size makes him solid at the defensive end ... He does a good job at the SF position and staying in front of his man ... His lateral quickness is solid. Competitive player who plays with a great amount of energy every time he steps on the court ..." From NBADraft.netThink of Hedo Turkoglu, would be a good pick for the spurs

I agree perfect player for them young,aggressive,multi-dimensional,defensively proficient and above all a smart team player....

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 11:07 AM ET  05.30 by Denis24

That would never happen...sorry.What they need is to make Tony Parker the star, and surround him with good role players.Nick CollisonTravis OutlawEarl WatsonSteve BlakeUdonis HaslemThese are all good options for San Antonio to look at...Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan are past their prime.

Tony Parker is already a star...arguably the best or second best PG in the league with Chris Paul, second Manu and Duncan are past their prime yes but so is Kobe but he is healthy so he is still one of the best right....that is all this is about health....seriously even past their prime who would you want to go the the playoffs with Gasol and Odom as is right now or a healthy Manu and Duncan???Unless your a laker homer everyone would take the latter....