Spurs get Elson AND Butler..

[Kings113]

As possibly thought before.... damn, nice pick-ups by the Spurs to re-stock their center spot:

San Antonio Express-News - The Spurs received twice the good news on Thursday when the Denver Nuggets revealed they were not going to match the offer sheet signed by center Francisco Elson, allowing both Elson and ex-Knick big man Jackie Butler to officially join the Spurs organization.

The Spurs hope Elson and Butler, 21, can give them production at center at less than half the combined $12.5 million Nazr Mohammed (Detroit) and Rasho Nesterovic (Toronto) will make next season.

The third year of Butler's contract also is at the Spurs' option, so the team could conceivably have only Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili under contract after the 2007-08 season, allowing them significant salary-cap room to reshape the roster.

The Nuggets informed Elson's agent, Calvin Andrews, late Thursday afternoon they didn't plan to match the Spurs' offer unless an unexpected trade allowed the team to move another of its frontcourt players. When one didn't materialize, Denver simply allowed the 11:59 p.m. deadline to lapse.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...ies/MYSA072106.1C.BKNspurs.elson.18f4d87.html

 

[Bricklayer]

Like a cat always landing on its feet.

Of course also demonstrating the power of actually doing something and making an offer. Never know what might fall your way.

 

[walker60]

Big step back defensivley. Nazr is a solid defender and Rasho is actually quite good as well. Offensively they take a step forward. Butler has a lot of potential too. So they picked up 3 rotation players with the MLE and LLE. That's pretty good.

 

[Kings113]

Elson's a solid defensive big, he's a pretty good post defender, blocks shots with regularity, and is a good rebounder. Moblie and athletic guy as well, and plays with energy. Thought he was being hindered by the deep Denver front-court and erratic oppurtunities. He's definitely shown he can play as a starter when subbing for Camby/Martin 40+ times... game log: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?statsId=3364


Butler I'm not sure about other than he can play in the post and can rebound.

A lot better than possibly what they were looking at before in Jarron Collins and rookie Roberto Javtokas. Indeed...

 

[Sac.Kings]

Why can't the Spurs just suck sometimes in the offseason, they always have to go get better. However, some players on their roster are getting old.

 

[KingsFan93]

Why can't Petrie make such offers

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

He's holding out for another center that shoots threes... Rebounding? Shot blocking? Who needs that, right?

 

[Big Cuz 15]

He's holding out for another center that shoots threes... Rebounding? Shot blocking? Who needs that, right?

your sooo right slim. i keep forgetting petrie has a preference for shooters.

 

[nbrans]

I wouldn't have minded having Elson as a third stringer and I like the potential of Butler, but keep in mind that the Spurs have gone from Nazr and Rasho to Butler and Elson. That's a serious downgrade, especially on defense.

The Spurs haven't gotten better this offseason, and their bench is only getting older. Both with this and the Hornets, I think people are mistaking action for improvement.

 

[Kings113]

It's a downgrade for sure, much less talented, but it's the type of players they are that makes it a pretty good re-do of the center spot. Elson's not a third stringer.

 

[nbrans]

It's a downgrade for sure, much less talented, but it's the type of players they are that makes it a pretty good re-do of the center spot. Elson's not a third stringer.

It would be one thing if these guys were being brought in to be backups or backups-to-the-backups, but the Spurs are going to be depending on these guys to be regulars, one of them maybe even a starter. They're not starting caliber players -- maybe Butler will be one day, but the Spurs frontcourt just took a big step backwards.

 

[Kings113]

It would be one thing if these guys were being brought in to be backups or backups-to-the-backups, but the Spurs are going to be depending on these guys to be regulars, one of them maybe even a starter. They're not starting caliber players -- maybe Butler will be one day, but the Spurs frontcourt just took a big step backwards.

Elson can start fine next to Tim Duncan, Rasho Nesterovic did. Elso will hustle, score here and there, defend, bring energy and athleticism. Solid defensive big. Rasho's some bigger than Elson, and Elson has a better jumpshot with more range. But given what Elson's done when gotten good minutes or filled in for Camby/Martin with Denver 40+ times (from seeing and reading) last season, I'd say he'll be pretty good for them. And he will indeed get regular, consistent minutes and oppurtunities now with the Spurs, instead of generally inconsistent utilization behind Camby/Nene/K-Mart.

Butler's obviously gonna be a back-up, and when in likely will be a option sometimes to score down low while getting some boards and blocking some shots. And is young so can still develop.

Indeed a downgrade. But it's not medicore or bad or iffy like Jarron/Javtokas would of been, which they were looking at before as a good possibility.

 

[SacTownKid]

I don't know that just seems like a HUGE downgrade in talent from Rasho and Nazr.

 

[Kings113]

I wouldn't say huge, but it is a pretty significant downgrade. It's not a good center spot, but it's not bad or iffy like Jarron/Javtokas would of been.

 

[Bricklayer]

I don't know that just seems like a HUGE downgrade in talent from Rasho and Nazr.

Guess that depends if you actually think Rasho and Nazr are talented.

 

[Dave McNulla]

spurs got more flexibility. they unloaded malik rose's contract for nazr. they unloaded rasho's contract for eric williams (expiring contract) and bonner. they're under the lux tax (or at least a lot less in it).

i don't think the centers are as good, but could end up being as good. rasho just wasn't getting better - he needed to be more agressive but never did it in spite all the coaching. nazr wasn't catching on defensively, dropped a lot of great passes, and did too many pump fakes (again, not agressive enough). i'm trying to remember seeing butler and elson play, i can't. maybe they can develop. elson is kind of old to get better. butler isn't. eric williams has experience, but was never that good. bonner... i don't know what this kid will do defensively but he'll be able to get out of tim's way on offense with this 3 pt shooting.

i think it's a wait and see thing. spurs f.o. will always be able to work a deal in mid season if it's not entirely working out. the flexibility will be good for the team. they need it. horry can't play forever, even in short stints. bowen is still in great shape, but he can't play at that level for many years. they're only committed for 29 million in 2008/2009 (duncan/parker/ginobili). what could be better than that?

 

[GiG]

Spurs are loaded