(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
Every day in the 2008-2009 season all after discussions of who is the best Wad, James, or Bryant the talk turned to free agency. So many players so little cash. San Antonio thanks to that character quality in their players was supposed to be one of those teams gunning for a big name due to Tim Duncan moving cap space from his own contract.
With only a few years left on those Hall of Fame knees and an early first round exit the biological clock on the spurs franchise became ticking a bit louder.
The spurs dump just over 11 million for the upcoming season. If Oberto and Bowen decide to come back their contracts may not be as similar as before. What the spurs pick up is Richard Jefferson and two years of just under thirty million dollars.
This may be the last stand. With this type of money tied up it will be near impossible to go after any of those big name free agents in 2010. Jefferson will have plenty of pressure on his shoulders and not just to fit in and learn the extravagant defensive schemes.
He becomes the move that will make or break Tim Duncan’s final legacy. No Bosh. No James. No Wade. Only Jefferson.
Moving On Up
No not to the east side but the south west division. His new neighbors consist of Ron Artest, Josh Howard, and Rudy Gay to name a few. San Antonio will now be able to clear up those scoring droughts that made the Sahara look inviting.
No doubt Jefferson will start along with Parker and Roger mason in the backcourt and joining Duncan and Bonner in the front court. With Manu more than likely coming off the bench there should be no scorer left behind as they can have at minimum to solid offensive players on the floor at all times.
What still awaits is the supporting cast for those four. George Hill will have to take those back up point guard reigns. Drew Gooden who was a brief but not stable relief for Duncan along with Jacque Vaughn and Ime Udoka are all free agents. It is a nervous time for the spurs franchise. Ginobili will be entering his final contract year.
Duncan only has so much left to give. and those savior names may no longer be our final stand for Tim. Jefferson can solve plenty of offensive problems but can he get involved on the defensive end? He will have to in order to thrive in this system.
After many fruitful seasons in the NBA hopefully he is still hungering more than ever for that championship like his new teammates who always have the Finals or bust state of mind. Anything less and Jefferson will forever be known as the last ditch effort that came up short.
Draft Notes
Overall the spurs draft maybe a good sign of what to expect. Away with filling holes with aging veterans and instead letting the young talents get their feet wet. All three second round picks have a good chance at making the team if they have strong training camps. Of course thanks to the Austin Toros affiliation it would not be surprising to see them end up in the NBDL.
DeJaun Blair: Weight: 277 Height: 6-7 Position: Forward
College: Pittsburgh Analysis: Lengthy for 6-7 and extremely talented rebounder.
Jack McClinton: Weight: 185 Height: 6-1 Position: Guard
College: Miami Analysis: Three point assassin.
Nando De Colo: Weight: 185 Height: 6-5 Position: Guard
College: France Analysis: Not to familiar with this player but all I need to hear is foreign talent and France. The spurs have a good track record with these types of picks.
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