Just finishing watching tonight's game VS NOH. Came out so impressed with the depth of our team, I mean our second unit can no doubt compete with over half of the starting 5s in the League. Although the player I wanted to talk about is actually our 13th player, James Anderson. I'll just recap his early career, was drafted in the first round last year. Started very well before he got injured and when he returned from injury was burried on the bench due to the excellent play of Gary Neal. On all account James worked his butt off this last offseason during the lockout, playing a number of pickup games and working on his game. Tony Parker also mentioned that James definitely surpirsed him the most with his play when the team first got back together after the lockout. Once again Anderson was projected to be a major contributor for the team this year. As luck would have it for Spurs, the growth of the rookie Kawhi and the great play by Danny Green has left Anderson buried deep on the bench once again. I was very surprised when the Spurs FO did not pick up Anderson's team option. Now from what I understand, the Spurs did try find different avenues in trading Anderson but weren't able to find any suitable takers. Now I know Anderson hasn't been able to really show his stuff, so his percieved value is quite low around the league. So I ask myself, what were the Spurs trying to get for him? A late first round pick? I don't think a team would have bitten on that. Dare I say only a second round pick? Now that sounds pretty ludacris that the Spurs would even consider that, but let's see what the options are. The FO didn't pick up his option for next year so he can walk to another team. Can the FO offer Anderson a minimum contract (that can save the team on not picking up his option, as he is a first round pick with guranteed first round money?) Now I know I out of anyone shouldn't be questioning the Spurs FO, but will this come back and bite us?

I have only seen Anderson play in only a handful of games, so the sample size is very small I understand that, but from what I have seen thus far I have been impressed. We all knew coming out of college that Anderson was a scorer. His athletic, has a nice smooth jumpshot. Actually the best way for me to describe his play would be smooth and laid back. I would love at certain times for him to show some emotion, only because it comes across like his uninterested. So what do my fellow Spurs lovers think? I really don't want another player we drafted kill it with another team.

I've been a long time Spurs fan for a while now (ever since Jordan hung up his boots the first time, always just loved the way David Robinson use to play and present himself). I have been reading alot of blog/posts on PtR for the last couple of years now, let's just say it's been an experience. Anyways, let me jump to the point (or atleast try to). So far, I love what the FO has done with the roster, signing Splitter to that contract was pretty much daylight robbery and also the contract they gave RJ (now I know alot of you guys don't like this signing, but let's be honest we were never going to get anyone even close to RJ's potential/skillset if he left to another team).

    Now the way the Spurs got swept by PHO last season left a very sour taste in my mouth (Please no jokes!) Really, not in a million years I thought that in a 7 game series we could ever get swept (LA included). Now I understand beating DAL in the 1st round was good, but let me ask you this, what if we lost to DAL in 7 games and DAL then progressed to the WCF against LA and took them to 7 games losing against a last second Kobe fadeaway 93-92? Would that make you feel any better? Now I know PHO still took LA to 6 games but *sigh* just felt like we got our buts handed to us....

    Now with next season, I'm optimistic again. Before the season started last yr, I think everyone (including me) thought the Spurs would probably be a lock to face LA in the WCF. Now seriously, where do you see the Spurs next season? I like the additions of the new rookie Anderson and Splitter, now that by no means puts us over the top, but it's definately in the right direction. Tell me what you guys think....

Let me introduce myself first. I've been reading many posts on PtR for the last couple of months now, I have found many to be very informative and funny. One thing we all have in common is our undeniable love for the Spurs. So like everyone, I was so exciting with the signings of RJ and Dice in the off season. Sadly the team is 50 games into this season and I am losing faith... The last game against the Lakers was the last straw for me, I knew it (If we couldn't even beat Portland with Roy out, how the hell are we gonna beat LA??) I watched the game live on the internet. The game was shocking. Nothing makes any sense to me anymore, clearly even with Bynum out it was obvious that LA were much more bigger and physical. Pop's fascination with playing so much small ball has befuddled me, to only play Dice for under 20mins is a crime. I know our shooters atm couldn't hit a outside shot of their lives depended on it, but it was our "famous" defense that was totally lacking. I don't understand why Pop wouldn't even consider putting Ratliff in, even for 10 mins! It was getting to a point where it was plain embarrassing, 5-6 OFF Rebs on one position alone? C'mon You gotta be kidding! I know there have been numerous articles bashing RJ lately, but I have to put my 2 cents in as well. It is so painfully obvious that he hasn't grasped the Spurs playbook yet, his confidence is shot to pieces. If I was Pop, I would let him blow up (Look at Carter he was playing probably poorer than RJ, its funny what a couple of decent games can do for confidence, last game, he explodes for 48pts pure vintage Carter). I know RJ is not as talented as Vince, but sooner or later don't you think Pop has to just let the leash of him? He doesn't know how to be a third or fourth option. Earlier in the year when we had injuries, he responded well with a couple of +20pts games. Omg, atm I would settle with him just getting over 10pts! Put Manu back into the starting 5. He is our X factor. If needed, bring RJ off the bench, atleast then he would become the 1st option in Offense. Like I said, I'm losing faith day by day but I haven't lost all of it. We don't need a trade, what's a trade going to do for us? The team has had more than half the season playing together and there's still no chemistry. So after I finish my rant, I'm going to take 2-3 deep breaths and say that Pop knows what his doing and that we will come good sooner or later. I just hope that it's sometime this year!