This really should be the easiest decision of Aldridge's life and he's taking his

[lilteapot]

sweet time.

You want to go play in a dump of a state in Arizona where you have little chance of winning the title, or you want to play in big ol' Texas, your home state, alongside the greatest coach + power forward ever? Make a decision, idiot.

[DMAVS41]

At this point he really must be just scared of the expectations/pressure that will come and he obviously has serious issues ever playing center

As I said earlier...any team contending will want to be able to go small with him from time to time...and if he doesn't want to do that....it's a problem

I can't believe Pop even came back for a 2nd meeting...talk about the ultimate sign of respect. Pop isn't doing that in many situations...

[lilteapot]

At this point he really must be just scared of the expectations/pressure that will come and he obviously has serious issues ever playing center

As I said earlier...any team contending will want to be able to go small with him from time to time...and if he doesn't want to do that....it's a problem

I can't believe Pop even came back for a 2nd meeting...talk about the ultimate sign of respect. Pop isn't doing that in many situations...

Which center in the league today should he reasonably be afraid of? Cousins, Dwight are the only ones that can physically dominate him.

The PF position is deeper than the 5. If anything he should want to play at the 5.

[Rocketswin2013]

Which center in the league today should he reasonably be afraid of? Cousins, Dwight are the only ones that can physically dominate him.

The PF position is deeper than the 5. If anything he should want to play at the 5.
Team defense/rim protection is the part he's probably shook about.

[Rose'sACL]

He should have gone with the spurs on the first day.

[lilteapot]

Team defense/rim protection is the part he's probably shook about.

Well that's going to be one of his responsibilities, no matter if he's playing the 4 or the 5.

[DMAVS41]

Which center in the league today should he reasonably be afraid of? Cousins, Dwight are the only ones that can physically dominate him.

The PF position is deeper than the 5. If anything he should want to play at the 5.

It's the banging and rim protection he doesn't like....

And I get that...for anyone that has played ball and doesn't like that...it's not fun, but it's necessary given where the game is going.

I'm just not sold on LMA as much as others. I think this is a home run for the Spurs if they get him, but I also would worry about his efficiency...it's been trending poorly for 3 years now and getting even worse in the playoffs.

If he's not willing to do what a team/coach like Spurs/Pop want him to do...I'd worry even more.

[PejaNowitzki]

Which center in the league today should he reasonably be afraid of? Cousins, Dwight are the only ones that can physically dominate him.

The PF position is deeper than the 5. If anything he should want to play at the 5.


But he doesn't want to play center.


It all depends on what he is favoring. If he wants to be a short term title contender, San Antonio is the answer. If he wants stability, Phoenix, where all the key players are signed long term, is the answer.



To say that it is an "easy decision" is ridiculous. Both San Antonio and Phoenix have plenty to offer him. He can get things with one team that he can't get with the other. In San Antonio he can be home, back in Texas, playing on a successful team with HOF talent and a tremendous head coach. The question is what happens when that talent starts to retire and will that tremendous head coach leave when Duncan does, essentially putting him back in a situation equal or worse to what he had in Portland.


If this was the Spurs of 5 years ago, I'd agree that it should be a no-brainer but now you've got the guys most responsible for their success on the way out the door in a season or two and while its fun to say "well, they'll be okay, they have cap space", San Antonio is still a really small market and isn't known for bringing in big name free agents. They could be looking at some time in the lottery if Duncan, Ginobili and Popovich all happen to leave, hardly the ideal situation for Aldridge, hence I can understand him hesitating.



In Phoenix he doesn't have to play center with Chandler and Len already there. He can play out more on the perimeter and has quality guards to get the ball to him. The backcourt is young with Bledsoe and Knight, they have a good head coach and its an overall respected organization that has one of the best winning percentages in NBA history. In addition, he gets to be "the man", the guy that a team will feature in all their marketing, the franchise player on a playoff roster. He also knows that roster is largely set for a few seasons.

If he ended up winning a title while in Phoenix, they'd basically rename the arena and possibly the city after him, Suns fans are so starved for a championship that Aldridge would have statues built of him across every town in the Valley.





San Antonio is definitely the favorite but Phoenix has closed the gap considerably. Even if they don't get Aldridge, I do think this will help them with recruiting free agents in the future.

[DMAVS41]

But he doesn't want to play center.


It all depends on what he is favoring. If he wants to be a short term title contender, San Antonio is the answer. If he wants stability, Phoenix, where all the key players are signed long term, is the answer.



To say that it is an "easy decision" is ridiculous. Both San Antonio and Phoenix have plenty to offer him. He can get things with one team that he can't get with the other. In San Antonio he can be home, back in Texas, playing on a successful team with HOF talent and a tremendous head coach. The question is what happens when that talent starts to retire and will that tremendous head coach leave when Duncan does, essentially putting him back in a situation equal or worse to what he had in Portland.



In Phoenix he doesn't have to play center with Chandler and Len already there. He can play out more on the perimeter and has quality guards to get the ball to him. The backcourt is young with Bledsoe and Knight, they have a good head coach and its an overall respected organization that has one of the best winning percentages in NBA history. In addition, he gets to be "the man", the guy that a team will feature in all their marketing, the franchise player on a playoff roster. He also knows that roster is largely set for a few seasons.

If he ended up winning a title while in Phoenix, they'd basically rename the arena and possibly the city after him, Suns fans are so starved for a championship that Aldridge would have statues built of him across every town in the Valley.





San Antonio is definitely the favorite but Phoenix has closed the gap considerably. Even if they don't get Aldridge, I do think this will help them with recruiting free agents in the future.


Short term Spurs? What?

Leonard/Green/LMA alone is an amazing core in this league for years to come.

The Spurs organization is absolutely not a "short term" contender. They've been elite for like 18 years now...and have the players and foundation in place to continue that if LMA signs.

:wtf:

[LA_Showtime]

Aldridge will end up with the Spurs, Suns, Rockets, or Blazers.

[PejaNowitzki]

Short term Spurs? What?

Leonard/Green/LMA alone is an amazing core in this league for years to come.

The Spurs organization is absolutely not a "short term" contender. They've been elite for like 18 years now...and have the players and foundation in place to continue that if LMA signs.

:wtf:



Leonard is a quality All-Star, not a franchise player as he showed versus the Clippers in the playoffs. Without Duncan and Ginobili, I don't think he'll be nearly as effective. Green is a quality role player, add LMA to that group and you might be looking at a 40 win team in the West.



Also, the biggest loss by far would be Popovich, I think when he leaves, the Spurs might be on to some rough times. He's been a phenomenal coach with the way he has been able to get the best out of guys who go elsewhere and often fall off dramatically.






They've been elite for like 18 years now.




They've had 26 years of elite HOF level players after winding up with the 1st pick in the draft and selecting David Robinson and Tim Duncan. To think that they'll wind up with a third straight HOF player to carry the team might be stretching it a bit.


The Spurs are the short term choice but may struggle without Duncan, Ginobili and Popovich as well as an aging Tony Parker. The Suns don't have the immediate title chances that the Spurs would but have more longer term stability on their roster and 2 quality centers.




I don't think its unreasonable to state that the likely reason for Aldridge having not yet signed on the bottom line with San Antonio is the thought of what happens in years 2 and beyond of his contract. It certainly is worth thinking over if you're about to sign the biggest deal of your career and likely last major contract.

[DMAVS41]

Leonard is a quality All-Star, not a franchise player. Green is a quality role player, add LMA to that group and you might be looking at a 40 win team in the West.



Also, the biggest loss by far would be Popovich, I think when he leaves, the Spurs might be on to some rough times. He's been a phenomenal coach with the way he has been able to get the best out of guys who go elsewhere and often fall off dramatically.







They've had 26 years of elite HOF level players after winding up with the 1st pick in the draft and selecting David Robinson and Tim Duncan. To think that they'll wind up with a third straight HOF player to carry the team might be stretching it a bit.


In anycase, its the unknown vs the known. The Spurs are the short term choice butmay struggle without Duncan, Ginobili and Popovich as well as an aging Tony Parker. The Suns don't have the immediate title chances that the Spurs would but have more longer term stability on their roster and 2 quality centers.

Leonard is better than you say....like a lot better.

And you do realize that they will have other players as well...when I talked about those 3 I was just pointing out that on those 3 alone they have 2 all nba type players and the 3rd guy is one of the best role players in the game.

They got both Green and Leonard on discounts.

They'll have loads of cap room once Parker retires (Parker is still a good player) as well.

There is absolutely no reason to think the Spurs have some short term outlook.

[icewill36]

duncan and ginobili are on their way out. id be surprised if either plays more than 1 more year.

houston is the best option going forward IMO.

[PejaNowitzki]

[quote]
They'll have loads of cap room once Parker retires (Parker is still a good player) as well.

There is absolutely no reason to think the Spurs have some short term outlook.



Look, I'm not going to argue with you back and forth over the merits of the Spurs, you think they'll be just fine because Kawhi Leonard will dominate the NBA, I think they'll take a step back, eitherway my point which stands is that there is long-term uncertainty.


They might just be fine, or they might fall apart and wind up in the lottery. Maybe they'll keep on winning, maybe they won't but the "maybe's" exist when you consider that 2 of the team's 3 best players over the past decade are on the way out and potentially the only head coach that they've ever won titles with. That's certainly a lot to ponder over for Aldridge. Duncan, Ginobili and possibly Popovich will be gone within a season or two, Ginobili might already have clocked out, they traded away a quality center in Splitter and basically would require Aldridge to play a considerable amount of time at a position that he doesn't want to play as a result.


Certainly you can argue that there are questions with Phoenix but you can look at the roster and have a better idea of who should be around a few years from now. You also know that with Chandler and Len, Aldridge could expect to play the 4 the vast majority of the time.

[LA_Showtime]

If this drags out much longer, I wouldn't be surprised if the Spurs take themselves out of the running. They offer championship experience, the best front office and coach in the league, a young superstar who just signed a long-term contract, and Aldridge is from Texas.

[PejaNowitzki]

If this drags out much longer, I wouldn't be surprised if the Spurs take themselves out of the running. They offer championship experience, the best front office and coach in the league, a young superstar who just signed a long-term contract, and Aldridge is from Texas.



Yeah I don't see that happening at all. This isn't 10 years ago, they've got an aging team which has lost quite a bit of depth already this offseason. Splitter, Baynes and Belinelli are all gone. Ginobili appears likely to be gone.


They aren't in any position to turn down an All-Star level player. I think Aldridge is the difference between them being a legit title contender and just another playoff team.

[DMAVS41]

[QUOTE=DMAVS41]






Look, I'm not going to argue with you back and forth over the merits of the Spurs, you think they'll be just fine because Kawhi Leonard will dominate the NBA, I think they'll take a step back, eitherway my point which stands is that there is long-term uncertainty.


They might just be fine, or they might fall apart and wind up in the lottery. Maybe they'll keep on winning, maybe they won't but the "maybe's" exist when you consider that 2 of the team's 3 best players over the past decade are on the way out and potentially the only head coach that they've ever won titles with. That's certainly a lot to ponder over for Aldridge.


Certainly you can argue that there are questions with Phoenix but you can look at the roster and have a better idea of who should be around a few years from now.

Leonard is going to dominate the league? I didn't say that...I merely said he's better than you are giving him credit for.

He's easily better than any player on the Suns right now and he's on a discounted contract.

The Suns just signed Tyson Chandler and Brandon Knight to long term contracts. They'll have to trade assets to fit LMA in as well.

There is absolutely nothing "special" about the future of the Suns compared to the future of the Spurs. In fact, the Spurs are just clearly better now and seem more ripe to stay that way with their superior franchise and players.

The Suns have been kind of a mess actually...they tried to tank and turned into a good team...then traded away IT on a great contract (huge mistake)...

There is absolutely no reason to think the Suns have a bright future and the Spurs don't.

Why? Because of Knight on a questionable contract? Bledsoe? Just no.

[LA_Showtime]

I would trade the entire Suns franchise minus their training staff for Popovich.

[PejaNowitzki]

[QUOTE=PejaNowitzki]

Leonard is going to dominate the league? I didn't say that...I merely said he's better than you are giving him credit for.

He's easily better than any player on the Suns right now and he's on a discounted contract.

The Suns just signed Tyson Chandler and Brandon Knight to long term contracts. They'll have to trade assets to fit LMA in as well.

There is absolutely nothing "special" about the future of the Suns compared to the future of the Spurs. In fact, the Spurs are just clearly better now and seem more ripe to stay that way with their superior franchise and players.

The Suns have been kind of a mess actually...they tried to tank and turned into a good team...then traded away IT on a great contract (huge mistake)...

There is absolutely no reason to think the Suns have a bright future.

Why? Because of Knight on a questionable contract? Bledsoe? Just no.


I'll take Bledsoe, Knight, Chandler and young players such as Booker, Len, Warren and Goodwin over the Spurs roster without Duncan and Ginobili, but let's just agree to disagree because I don't see this being productive at all.

[christian1923]

It's a life changing decision. He should be allowed to think about for more then 3 days. And Phoenix is a great city for a rich black guy who likes white hoes. Rumor has it all girls do in San Antonio is double fist churros

[PejaNowitzki]

It's a life changing decision. He should be allowed to think about for more then 3 days. And Phoenix is a great city for a rich black guy who likes white hoes.




http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/blogs/local-knowledge/blog-charles-barkley-0323.jpg

[DMAVS41]

[QUOTE=DMAVS41]


I'll take Bledsoe, Knight, Chandler and young players such as Booker, Len, Warren and Goodwin over the Spurs roster without Duncan and Ginobili, but let's just agree to disagree because I don't see this being productive at all.

Why without Duncan though?

He's playing this year, Manu likely is as well....

You might as well not include Chandler on the Suns then.

Duncan was better than Tyson last year and will be better again this year unless something changes (it could)...

But again, this is about your claim that the Spurs are short term contenders.

What makes you think the Spurs couldn't build quality teams around Leonard/LMA...two all nba type players?

Given their franchise history...questioning that just seems really silly.

It's the Suns history and ability that should be questioned here...not the best franchise in all of sports over the last 20 years.

And I'm not saying the Suns won't be great with LMA...they will...I'm simply refuting your claim that the Spurs should be viewed as a short term contender.

[PejaNowitzki]

[QUOTE=PejaNowitzki]

Why without Duncan though?

He's playing this year, Manu likely is as well....

Because that is the reality for the Spurs going forward. Duncan is 39, this is his last season most likely. Ginobili might already be done, if not this year then next. That's 2 of the very best players in your franchise's history walking out the door in a year.




You might as well not include Chandler on the Suns then.


One guy is 32, one guy is 39....makes sense.




Duncan was better than Tyson last year and will be better again this year unless something changes (it could)...

That remains to be seen, Chandler is coming off one of his best seasons of his career.




teams around Leonard/LMA...two all nba type players?

I'm saying there is uncertainty, there is no guarantee that they will be able to fill up the roster like you seem to expect.




Given their franchise history...questioning that just seems really silly.

People said the same thing about the Celtics as well. Times change, unless you are arguing that the Spurs are going to find another HOF caliber player like Robinson and Duncan have been, its all just conjecture. They could have the bottom fall out on their franchise considering that Popovich and Duncan are the two people that they've had the most success with. Maybe they will continue to thrive, maybe not, at some point, they are due for a downturn, it happens to every team.




It's the Suns history and ability that should be questioned here...not the best franchise in all of sports over the last 20 years.


You act like the Suns are the Toronto Raptors. They have the 4th best win percentage in NBA history. I think they went through some rough years recently, particularly with Blanks as GM but appear to have the right people in charge to be successful again.




Anyways as I said before, I don't see continuing this discussion further being productive. You have your opinions, I have mine, neither of us are changing anything. Feel free to have the last word.

[LA_Showtime]

[QUOTE=DMAVS41]



[quote]
Given their franchise history...questioning that just seems really silly. [quote]





You act like the Suns are the Toronto Raptors. They have the 4th best win percentage in NBA history. I think they went through some rough years recently, particularly with Blanks as GM but appear to have the right people in charge to be successful again.




Anyways, I have a feeling that you're one of those people who has to have the last word in everything so have at it, I don't see this being productive. You have your opinions, I have mine, neither of us are changing anything.

Their pitch to Aldridge was basically: "We suck and have never won a championship. If you sign with us and help us win a ring, you will be a God."

[PejaNowitzki]

[QUOTE=PejaNowitzki][QUOTE=DMAVS41]



[quote]
Given their franchise history...questioning that just seems really silly.

Their pitch to Aldridge was basically: "We suck and have never won a championship. If you sign with us and help us win a ring, you will be a God."



That pretty much would be the pitch to any major free agent if you're one of the most consistently winning teams in NBA history but haven't won a title. Whoever gets them over the top ends up with local GOAT status, never has to pay for a drink or a lapdance again.

[DMAVS41]

[QUOTE=DMAVS41]

Because that is the reality for the Spurs going forward. Duncan is 39, this is his last season most likely. Ginobili might already be done, if not this year then next. That's 2 of the very best players in your franchise's history walking out the door in a year.





One guy is 32, one guy is 39....makes sense.




That remains to be seen, Chandler is coming off one of his best seasons of his career.




I'm saying there is uncertainty, there is no guarantee that they will be able to fill up the roster like you seem to expect.




People said the same thing about the Celtics as well. Times change, unless you are arguing that the Spurs are going to find another HOF caliber player like Robinson and Duncan have been, its all just conjecture. They could have the bottom fall out on their franchise considering that Popovich and Duncan are the two people that they've had the most success with. Maybe they will continue to thrive, maybe not, at some point, they are due for a downturn, it happens to every team.





You act like the Suns are the Toronto Raptors. They have the 4th best win percentage in NBA history. I think they went through some rough years recently, particularly with Blanks as GM but appear to have the right people in charge to be successful again.




Anyways as I said before, I don't see continuing this discussion further being productive. You have your opinions, I have mine, neither of us are changing anything. Feel free to have the last word.



I don't have to have the last word.

I just don't see you supporting your assertion that the Spurs are a short term contender.

You do realize they can add players once Duncan and others are done...right?

Again, the Spurs have the better roster right now...that isn't remotely debatable. What happens in the future is up for debate, but the Suns don't have some great roster or proven track record to warrant saying they have a brighter future than the Spurs.

Tyson is a fine player, but he's also been injury prone throughout this career...he's been tossed to the curb twice in the last 6 years....literally nobody in the league wanted him in 11...and the Knicks basically gave him away last summer.

I'd be very weary of placing certainty on a team heavily relying on Tyson...with unproven players like Knight and Bledsoe that haven't ever really played a playoff game in a large role.

To me, that seems extremely uncertain long term...especially for a player that is 30 next year like LMA

[keep-itreal]

so this is dragging out because LMA doesn't want to play center?

What the fck, he wants to play shooting guard instead? :mad:

[magictricked]

so this is dragging out because LMA doesn't want to play center?

What the fck, he wants to play shooting guard instead? :mad:More than that

He's got some teams that are not contenders next year and one that is, but the non contenders have more promising long term outlook

The one that is a contender will have to do some more tricky maneuvering to clear the cap space to bring him on board so there goes some talent plus the big names on the team including the coach have been hinting at retirement for the last 3 years so he has to wonder how long the window is open. It won't be long

[DMAVS41]

More than that

He's got some teams that are not contenders next year and one that is, but the non contenders have more promising long term outlook

The one that is a contender will have to do some more tricky maneuvering to clear the cap space to bring him on board so there goes some talent plus the big names on the team including the coach have been hinting at retirement for the last 3 years so he has to wonder how long the window is open. It won't be long

The Spurs have the space to sign him now.

They already traded Splitter.

They don't have to do anything else.

[Timmy D for MVP]

More than that

He's got some teams that are not contenders next year and one that is, but the non contenders have more promising long term outlook

The one that is a contender will have to do some more tricky maneuvering to clear the cap space to bring him on board so there goes some talent plus the big names on the team including the coach have been hinting at retirement for the last 3 years so he has to wonder how long the window is open. It won't be long

Which non-contending teams have a better outlook than the Spurs?

[Collie]

https://twitter.com/2_Awesomee/status/617173219494113280/photo/1

[Spurs m8]

I'd be selling a Ginobliless Spurs if I were them, dude is cooked as, can't believe everyones willing to let this happen to the team for another season.

[Sarcastic]

Which non-contending teams have a better outlook than the Spurs?

I'd say the Lakers do. Once Pop and Duncan are gone, I'd put money on the Lakers winning before the Spurs do again.

[CarlosBoozer]

I'd say the Lakers do. Once Pop and Duncan are gone, I'd put money on the Lakers winning before the Spurs do again.
:eek:

[Sarcastic]

:eek:

The Lakers are the top franchise in the NBA. They won't be down for too long.

[CarlosBoozer]

The Lakers are the top franchise in the NBA. They won't be down for too long.
What big names do you think they could add next summer?

[KyrieTheFuture]

The suns will literally never make it to the finals with that roster. He shouldn't be considering them unless he only wants to enjoy playing and doesn't care about a title