San Antonio's Last Ditch Effort

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

On June 23, 2009 the San Antonio Spurs and their odd year dynasties will never be the same again.  It was officially announced that the former New Jersey Net and Milwaukee Buck Richard Jefferson will become the newest member of a team that has captured the hearts of one city for over 36 years (excluding the Dallas Chaparrals). 

This acquisition will finally fit the context of the many words used to describe what San Antonio has in recent seasons lacked such as youth, athleticism, scorer, and versatile wing man.  Jefferson just a couple of years removed from his most prime career years is still fitting of those words.  At 29 years of age he will no doubt be a compliment for the Texas trio in Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili. 

Richard Jefferson comes into his ninth season in the NBA spending seven with the Nets and the 2008-2009 season with the Bucks.  By judging his career in total it has been solid but not All-Star caliber.  Judgment of players tends to look at the whole scale of a career but Jefferson’s last two seasons have been some of his most productive. 

The spurs typically acquire players not just with talent but character which is what they are really giving up in saying goodbye to Oberto, Thomas, and most importantly Bowen.

Saying Goodbye?

Bruce Bowen gave eight hard fought, gritty, and/or dirty defensive minded years to San Antonio.  Bowen always described as someone whose effect on a game would not show up in the box scores and runner up for defensive player of the year many times over.

His defensive persistence labeled him “THE KOBE STOPPER,” something spurs fans continued to sermonize throughout his career.  Offensively he was never an option until developing his patented corner three that every team never seemed to defend well.  As a leader people followed.  As a teammate people listened. 

As a person people respected.  Losing Bruce seemed more likely after many analysts and fans were counting the days of his defensive demise.  This past season much of that came from Greg Popovich's new scheme and the arrival of Roger Mason.  San Antonio might have themselves underestimated his worth and legacy. 

With him the spurs never tried to bring in any other defensive minded forwards such as Bruce until Ime Udoka who has yet to pan out and typically we saw shooters like Michael Finley and at one time Hedo Turkoglu.  Now here comes the good part. 

It is possible that the Milwaukee Bucks may buy out Bowen's contract and that would give him the opportunity to re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs if he chooses to.

Fabricio Oberto is in a tough position.  Originally Oberto was the Argentinean “Robin” to Manu Ginobili's “Batman.”  As a thirty year old rookie in 2005 he was part of a great championship run which lead to a title in a game seven battle against the Detroit Pistons which is now his current team. 

Oberto also played a key role in the 2007 season in which he won a second ring against the Cleveland Cavaliers.  The last two seasons for Fab have been difficult due to his heart problems that lead him to being an invisible man playing a limited role in 54 games.

  Detroit though has proclaimed that they will waive him to clear cap space and that leaves him in the same possible place it does for Bowen with the ability to sign with a team of his choosing but with close ties to the spurs.

Whether Kurt Thomas becomes a part of the Milwaukee Bucks re-building program and gets any real playing time is unknown.  His presence would be beneficial for young players like Andrew Bogut who play the center position at a smaller size.  Kurt was a battler and best known tough guy for the spurs. 

That was the one guy that would commit hard fouls with intentions on that team.  At age 36 his days in the NBA are dwindling but still his mental experience of how to survive 14 seasons is a value that money can’t buy. 

Economic Decisions

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