The San Antonio Spurs: What Could Have Been

This post has been a long time coming, but I’ve been delaying it out of not wanting to kick myself in the crotch.

So without further ado, here’s what the Spurs roster should look like, if it wasn’t for trades, complex buyouts, injuries, and the Spurs front office giving up to quickly on potentially good players that fit the system perfectly. Of course hindsight is always 20-20, but this is just for shits and giggles.

Now the bench roster is full of familiar names:

George Hill, G

Michael Finley, G/F

Ian Mahinmi, C

Kurt Thomas, F/C

Bruce Bowen, F

Roger Mason, Jr., G/F

Manu Ginobilli, G

But the starting lineup is where all the changes take place and where depression sinks in, as you notice how the Spurs roster could be shaped today.

*And now, introducing the starting lineup for your San Antonio Spurs! (crowd cheers half heartedly, while stuffing down nachos and beer).

- At guard, from France, number 9, Tony Parker! (graphic cuts to screenshot of Eva Longoria on the Lighthouse, all men in AT&T Center get erection).

- At the other guard, from Brazil, number 10, Leandro Barbosa! (Drafted 28th overall, in the ’03 draft, then traded to Phoenix for a future 1st round pick (2005) – which was then traded to the Knicks, along with the Spurs ’06 1st round pick and Malik Rose, for Nazr Mohammed and Jamison Brewer. The Knicks used those two picks to draft David Lee and Mardy Collins. Players the Spurs passed on to draft Barbosa: All-Star Josh Howard, Jason Kapono, Steve Blake, current hated Spur Matt Bonner, All-Star Mo Williams, and Kyle Korver).

- At forward, from the University of Miami, number 15, John Salmons! (Drafted 26th overall, in the ’02 draft, then immediately traded with Mark Bryant and Randy Holcomb, to the Sixers, for Speedy Claxton. Players the Spurs passed on to draft John Salmons: current Spur Roger Mason, Jr. and All-Star Carlos Boozer).

- At the other forward, from Argentina, number 4, Luis Scola! (Drafted 55th overall, in the ’02 draft, but a buyout kept Scola from coming over until the summer of 2007. Since the Spurs couldn’t afford the buyout, he was traded to the rival Rockets, along with Jackie Butler for Vasileios Spanoulis, cash, and the 53rd overall pick in the upcoming ’09 draft. Spanoulis was released by the Spurs, a month after being traded, citing that he wanted to return to Greece to be near his sick mother.)

- And, at center, from Wake Forest University, number 21, Tim Duncan! (somewhat of a louder cheer, everyone sits down to continue feeding face full of nachos, Whataburger, and beer.)

Notable players missing from roster, who can still have an impact on the Spurs franchise or the NBA: Tiago Splitter (drafted 28th overall in the ’07 draft, was eligible to come to San Antonio last summer, but decided to stay in Europe to receive more money. He can opt out of his deal in the summer of ’10, which holds out some hope for Spurs fans), James Gist (drafted 57th overall in the ’08 draft, played in the Spurs summer league and impressed, but decided to play in Italy for a year to earn more money. He did play very well in Europe and could very well be on the Spurs roster for the season opener, depending on this years draft and free agency), Marcus Williams (33rd overall in ’07 draft, played for the Spurs NBDL affiliate, Austin Toros. Was put on Spurs 15-man roster after Ginobilli was lost for the season.) and Robertas Javotokas (drafted 56th overall in ’01, stayed in the Euroleague and had a horrible motorcycle accident in 2002. He continues to play in Europe at an All-Star level and could eventually come to the NBA, even though he is already 29, the Spurs still own his rights if he chooses to go to the NBA).

Please, feel free to vent in the comments section.