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马刺中文论坛 » 环球刺讯 » Mike Monroe :West just got tougher, and Spurs may gain

 
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 2008-11-04 19:40  #1
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Mike Monroe :West just got tougher, and Spurs may gain

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/West_just_got_tougher_and_Spurs_may_gain.html

Mike Monroe - EXPRESS-NEWS COMMENTARY

As if the Western Conference weren't tough enough already, the race for playoff berths got decidedly more difficult Monday afternoon.

With the trade that sent Allen Iverson from Denver to Detroit, in exchange for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb, the Nuggets got back in the playoff mix after a summer of doing their best to land in next summer's draft lottery.

Billups is an All-Star point guard, one of the best backcourt defenders in the league. For the first time since he arrived in Denver in 2003, Carmelo Anthony has an All-Star setup man who can lead a fast break, consistently make 3-point shots and keep the Chris Pauls and Tony Parkers of the league from driving without getting bruised.

Suddenly, the team that gave its best defender to the Clippers and allowed its best defensive forward to sign with the 76ers has solved its inability to match up with taller opposing backcourts.

Now the Nuggets match up nicely with any backcourt, with Billups at the point and the athletic, maturing J.R. Smith at shooting guard.

The Nuggets may even be better off offensively. Iverson averaged 26 points and seven assists last season, but that just meant opponents didn't have to concern themselves as often with Anthony.

Iverson never has been a legitimate point guard. He is the classic combo guard, a shooting guard in a point guard's body. Nobody ever has questioned Billups' role, or his emphasis on defense.

Monday's blockbuster trade had every NBA fan buzzing trying to figure it out. Most of the confusion centered on McDyess, the 6-foot-9 forward-center who has been both an All-Star and an Olympic champion. According to a report in The Denver Post, the Nuggets will buy out his contract, making him a free agent with leeway to sign a veteran minimum contract.

Conversations with many front-office types, including some in Denver, lead me to believe the buyout is coming.

If he is cut loose by the Nuggets, will McDyess return there after sitting out for 30 days, as Brent Barry did after the Spurs traded him to the Sonics last spring?

Or would McDyess — keenly aware that Pistons general manager Joe Dumars sees Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell as his frontcourt of the future — find a title contender for whom to play the final two seasons of his contract?

That deal likely would still be worth at least $10 million to him; that would be paid by Denver owner Stan Kroenke.

And, if McDyess is available as a free agent already owed millions, wouldn't the Spurs be one of the teams he would have to consider?

After a two-loss opening week marred by a shortage of big men, the Spurs' bosses must be holding their breath awaiting confirmation of McDyess' buyout.

If he is available, the Spurs would be foolish not to make a hard run at him. They easily could clear a roster spot.

They have two first-year players, Anthony Tolliver and Desmon Farmer, whose contracts won't be fully guaranteed until late December. While the Spurs believe both players have futures in the NBA, waiving one to make room for McDyess would be painful, but cost-free.

McDyess would be an ideal Spur, too. He is humble and hard-working; standout defender and rebounder, and a solid citizen. I'm sure he would even enjoy yoga.

There would be other contending teams interested, of course. The Celtics may be one of them, and the Cavaliers certainly will be. Larry Brown's Bobcats may also be an option.

But the Spurs would have a couple of advantages, including proximity to Houston, where McDyess makes his summer home. Plus, he doesn't care much for cold weather.

Gregg Popovich made a quick flight to Memphis last season to convince Damon Stoudamire to sign with the Spurs after the Grizzlies bought him out of his deal. He would be nuts not to make a similar trip for McDyess.
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 2008-11-04 20:11  #2
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回复: Mike Monroe :West just got tougher, and Spurs may gain

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2012,马刺遭遇史上最偏黑哨,没有之一!
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