Post by idle on Mar 7, 2009 16:38:48 GMT -5
SAN ANTONIO--A preview of the 1992-1993 season.
RECAP LAST SEASON:[/b]
--48-34 regular season record
--won Midwest Division title for 2nd year in a row
--5th best record overall
--defeated #7 Jazz 4-3 in 1st round
--defeated #3 SuperSonics 4-3 in conference semifinals
--defeated #1 Warriors 4-3 in conference finals
--defeated defending champions #1 Braves 4-3 in finals
--won 1991 UOSLR Championship
ADDITIONS:[/b]
C Eric Leckner - signed to LLE
C Eddie Lee Wilkins - traded for from Grizzlies
PF Antoine Carr - traded for from Grizzlies
SG Ledell Eackles - claimed after training camp
PG Isiah Thomas - traded for from Grizzlies
PG Darrick Martin - drafted 32nd Overall out of UCLA
SUBTRACTIONS:[/b]
C Moses Malone - retired 17 year veteran - starting C, 3rd option
C Steve Johnson - unsigned free agent - IR
C Greg Kite - - traded to Grizzlies - IR
PF Mike Smrek - traded to Grizzlies - 5th big man
PF Larry Stewart - traded to Grizzlies - 11th man
SF Ron Anderson - unsigned free agent - 12th man
SG Craig Hodges - traded to Grizzlies - 5th guard
CENTER:[/b]
Patrick Ewing 30 7'0'' 240 A- C- C- A+ B+ A[/b]
Ewing moved to PF to bring Moses Malone in at last season's trade deadline for the championship run. He returns to his natural position with Malone's retirement. Ewing was hurt during All-Star Weekend last year and missed 20 games so was left off the end of season awards but won a more important award, the Playoffs MVP. He rehabbed this summer and is feeling healthy to return to his 1990 season form and defend his championship.
Eric Leckner 26 6'11'' 265 C+ D+ D B B- D[/b]
Leckner was the team's only new player signed during free agency. He accepted the LLE to backup Ewing for 12-13 mpg. He averaged 16 minutes, 5 points, 5 rebounds, .7 blocks, and shot 44% in 2 seasons with the Raptors. He had a rough training camp with his defense and rebounding both declining.
Danny Schayes C 33 6'11'' 235 C+ C C- B C+ C[/b]
Schayes was brought in before the trade deadline last season for a 2nd round pick and resigned to a 1 year deal this offseason. At 33, his role is to be the team's 5th big man - to fill in if the team has an injury or in foul trouble. Much less responsibility than with the Magic when he started and averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds. The Spurs have his Birds and may look to resign him again.
POWER FORWARD:[/b]
Antoine Carr 31 6'9'' 225 B+ C- C C+ C- B[/b]
The Spurs made a trade before Opening Day to bring in some veteran role players - acquiring Carr, Isiah Thomas, and Eddie Lee Wilkins from the Grizzlies for Mike Smrek, Greg Kite, Craig Hodges, Larry Stewart, and the teams' 1995 first. The team hopes Carr can assume Malone's starting role in the frontcourt and be the 3rd option on offense. The Big Dog can't hope to match the defense or rebounding Moses provided but averaged 16 points and shot 45% in 2 seasons starting for the Grizzlies.
Eddie Lee Wilkins 30 6'10'' 220 C+ D+ D B+ C+ C[/b]
Wilkins came over in the trade and must feel completely lost - after playing against the Spurs in the conference finals as a backup for the Warriors, he signed for the minimum with the Clippers yesterday. He was included in a trade to the Grizzlies 9 hours later before the Spurs acquired him in a trade 10 hours after that. He played well for the Warriors last season, averaging 4 points (45%) and 4 rebounds in 12 minutes. He should see more minutes here behind the Big Dog if he can defend other PFs.
SMALL FORWARD:[/b]
Hotrod Williams 30 6'11'' 215 B D+ C A- C+ C[/b]
Hotrod is the consummate team player, doing whatever his team asks of him to win. He's very versatile - he can defend 3s, 4s, and 5s. While not a natural SF, the Spurs run an inside offense and need his size and rebuilding to compensate for Carr. Hotrod made the All-League Defense Team in 1990 and averaged 10 points, 8 rebounds, and a block the past 2 seasons with the Spurs.
Anthony Avent 22 6'9'' 235 B- C- C- B+ C+ D[/b]
The Spurs drafted Avent with the 20th Overall pick last year. He had a good rookie season - playing in all 82 games, starting some, and moving between the 3 and 4. He averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes and improved his defense during training camp. The team has improved its' rotation with the Grizzlies deal and he will be the 10th man - 3rd string at SF and PF.
SHOOTING GUARD:[/b]
Reggie Lewis 26 6'7'' 199 B+ B C A C C[/b]
Lewis has become 1 of the league's bright young stars - All-League 3rd Team at 24 and an All-Star at 25. He's been a terrific scorer because of his natural talent but over the last 2 offseason's he has worked hard to become a lockdown defender too. He's a great inside-outside 2nd option to Ewing down low in the post.
Otis Smith 28 6'5'' 210 B C C B C C[/b]
Otis was another player brought in for before the trade deadline last season for a future 2nd round pick. He started for a while before the Moses trade and he became the 6th man. The Spurs knew he'd be tough to keep because they didn't have Bird rights for him. He agreed to stay for the MLE. He fits in well with the inside offense but lacks any perimeter game and will be the 6th man again this season.
Ledell Eackles 25 6'5'' 220 B- B- C B D+ C[/b]
Eackles wasn't on anyone's radar until after training camp when he improved his outside shooting and defense. He spent the past 2 seasons with the Grizzlies so he should know Carr and Thomas well. He's on the active roster as the 3rd string SG but may see more time if Otis gets off to a poor start.
POINT GUARD:[/b]
Mark Jackson 27 6'1'' 180 C+ C+ A A- C- B[/b]
What would an inside team be without a pass-first point guard leading the way? Jackson can get the ball exactly where Ewing and Lewis want the ball to score. He averaged 8.8 assists against 2.3 turnovers last season - close to a 4:1 assist/turnover ratio. His outside shooting and defense improved during training camp so he will only be more effective now.
Isiah Thomas 31 6'1'' 180 C+ C+ A- A- D+ F[/b]
The Spurs won't skip a beat when Jackson goes to the bench this season - part of the Grizzlies trade was veteran Isiah Thomas. He struggled last season but he is in the last year of his contract and will need to accept the reserve role if he's looking to cash in next offseason at 32. He may get some time at the 2 to see if he can be effective as a 6th man.
Darrick Martin 21 5'11'' 170 C B B- C+ C- C[/b]
The Spurs traded into the top of the 2nd round to select Martin with the 32nd Overall pick. The team is high on him and he responded with a nice training camp. His contract is guaranteed for 3 seasons so he will have time to develop and maybe replace Thomas in a few years. He will start this season on the IR and won't see active duty unless Thomas or Jackson are injured.
Johnny Dawkins 29 6'2'' 165 C C B+ B- D+ D[/b]
The backup PG the past 2 seasons, Dawkins is seeing his role greatly diminished as the 4th string PG. He will join Martin on the injured reserve list. The Spurs do have his Bird rights after this season but he may want to find playing time with a new team via free agency.
DEPTH CHART:[/b]
C :: Patrick Ewing :: Erick Leckner :: Danny Schayes
PF :: Antoine Carr :: Eddie Lee Wilkins :: Anthony Avent
SF :: Hotrod Williams :: Otis Smith :: Anthony Avent
SG :: Reggie Lewis :: Otis Smith :: Ledell Eackles
PG :: Mark Jackson :: Isiah Thomas :: Isiah Thomas
IR :: Johnny Dawkins :: Darrick Martin
RECAP LAST SEASON:[/b]
--48-34 regular season record
--won Midwest Division title for 2nd year in a row
--5th best record overall
--defeated #7 Jazz 4-3 in 1st round
--defeated #3 SuperSonics 4-3 in conference semifinals
--defeated #1 Warriors 4-3 in conference finals
--defeated defending champions #1 Braves 4-3 in finals
--won 1991 UOSLR Championship
ADDITIONS:[/b]
C Eric Leckner - signed to LLE
C Eddie Lee Wilkins - traded for from Grizzlies
PF Antoine Carr - traded for from Grizzlies
SG Ledell Eackles - claimed after training camp
PG Isiah Thomas - traded for from Grizzlies
PG Darrick Martin - drafted 32nd Overall out of UCLA
SUBTRACTIONS:[/b]
C Moses Malone - retired 17 year veteran - starting C, 3rd option
C Steve Johnson - unsigned free agent - IR
C Greg Kite - - traded to Grizzlies - IR
PF Mike Smrek - traded to Grizzlies - 5th big man
PF Larry Stewart - traded to Grizzlies - 11th man
SF Ron Anderson - unsigned free agent - 12th man
SG Craig Hodges - traded to Grizzlies - 5th guard
CENTER:[/b]
Patrick Ewing 30 7'0'' 240 A- C- C- A+ B+ A[/b]
Ewing moved to PF to bring Moses Malone in at last season's trade deadline for the championship run. He returns to his natural position with Malone's retirement. Ewing was hurt during All-Star Weekend last year and missed 20 games so was left off the end of season awards but won a more important award, the Playoffs MVP. He rehabbed this summer and is feeling healthy to return to his 1990 season form and defend his championship.
Eric Leckner 26 6'11'' 265 C+ D+ D B B- D[/b]
Leckner was the team's only new player signed during free agency. He accepted the LLE to backup Ewing for 12-13 mpg. He averaged 16 minutes, 5 points, 5 rebounds, .7 blocks, and shot 44% in 2 seasons with the Raptors. He had a rough training camp with his defense and rebounding both declining.
Danny Schayes C 33 6'11'' 235 C+ C C- B C+ C[/b]
Schayes was brought in before the trade deadline last season for a 2nd round pick and resigned to a 1 year deal this offseason. At 33, his role is to be the team's 5th big man - to fill in if the team has an injury or in foul trouble. Much less responsibility than with the Magic when he started and averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds. The Spurs have his Birds and may look to resign him again.
POWER FORWARD:[/b]
Antoine Carr 31 6'9'' 225 B+ C- C C+ C- B[/b]
The Spurs made a trade before Opening Day to bring in some veteran role players - acquiring Carr, Isiah Thomas, and Eddie Lee Wilkins from the Grizzlies for Mike Smrek, Greg Kite, Craig Hodges, Larry Stewart, and the teams' 1995 first. The team hopes Carr can assume Malone's starting role in the frontcourt and be the 3rd option on offense. The Big Dog can't hope to match the defense or rebounding Moses provided but averaged 16 points and shot 45% in 2 seasons starting for the Grizzlies.
Eddie Lee Wilkins 30 6'10'' 220 C+ D+ D B+ C+ C[/b]
Wilkins came over in the trade and must feel completely lost - after playing against the Spurs in the conference finals as a backup for the Warriors, he signed for the minimum with the Clippers yesterday. He was included in a trade to the Grizzlies 9 hours later before the Spurs acquired him in a trade 10 hours after that. He played well for the Warriors last season, averaging 4 points (45%) and 4 rebounds in 12 minutes. He should see more minutes here behind the Big Dog if he can defend other PFs.
SMALL FORWARD:[/b]
Hotrod Williams 30 6'11'' 215 B D+ C A- C+ C[/b]
Hotrod is the consummate team player, doing whatever his team asks of him to win. He's very versatile - he can defend 3s, 4s, and 5s. While not a natural SF, the Spurs run an inside offense and need his size and rebuilding to compensate for Carr. Hotrod made the All-League Defense Team in 1990 and averaged 10 points, 8 rebounds, and a block the past 2 seasons with the Spurs.
Anthony Avent 22 6'9'' 235 B- C- C- B+ C+ D[/b]
The Spurs drafted Avent with the 20th Overall pick last year. He had a good rookie season - playing in all 82 games, starting some, and moving between the 3 and 4. He averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes and improved his defense during training camp. The team has improved its' rotation with the Grizzlies deal and he will be the 10th man - 3rd string at SF and PF.
SHOOTING GUARD:[/b]
Reggie Lewis 26 6'7'' 199 B+ B C A C C[/b]
Lewis has become 1 of the league's bright young stars - All-League 3rd Team at 24 and an All-Star at 25. He's been a terrific scorer because of his natural talent but over the last 2 offseason's he has worked hard to become a lockdown defender too. He's a great inside-outside 2nd option to Ewing down low in the post.
Otis Smith 28 6'5'' 210 B C C B C C[/b]
Otis was another player brought in for before the trade deadline last season for a future 2nd round pick. He started for a while before the Moses trade and he became the 6th man. The Spurs knew he'd be tough to keep because they didn't have Bird rights for him. He agreed to stay for the MLE. He fits in well with the inside offense but lacks any perimeter game and will be the 6th man again this season.
Ledell Eackles 25 6'5'' 220 B- B- C B D+ C[/b]
Eackles wasn't on anyone's radar until after training camp when he improved his outside shooting and defense. He spent the past 2 seasons with the Grizzlies so he should know Carr and Thomas well. He's on the active roster as the 3rd string SG but may see more time if Otis gets off to a poor start.
POINT GUARD:[/b]
Mark Jackson 27 6'1'' 180 C+ C+ A A- C- B[/b]
What would an inside team be without a pass-first point guard leading the way? Jackson can get the ball exactly where Ewing and Lewis want the ball to score. He averaged 8.8 assists against 2.3 turnovers last season - close to a 4:1 assist/turnover ratio. His outside shooting and defense improved during training camp so he will only be more effective now.
Isiah Thomas 31 6'1'' 180 C+ C+ A- A- D+ F[/b]
The Spurs won't skip a beat when Jackson goes to the bench this season - part of the Grizzlies trade was veteran Isiah Thomas. He struggled last season but he is in the last year of his contract and will need to accept the reserve role if he's looking to cash in next offseason at 32. He may get some time at the 2 to see if he can be effective as a 6th man.
Darrick Martin 21 5'11'' 170 C B B- C+ C- C[/b]
The Spurs traded into the top of the 2nd round to select Martin with the 32nd Overall pick. The team is high on him and he responded with a nice training camp. His contract is guaranteed for 3 seasons so he will have time to develop and maybe replace Thomas in a few years. He will start this season on the IR and won't see active duty unless Thomas or Jackson are injured.
Johnny Dawkins 29 6'2'' 165 C C B+ B- D+ D[/b]
The backup PG the past 2 seasons, Dawkins is seeing his role greatly diminished as the 4th string PG. He will join Martin on the injured reserve list. The Spurs do have his Bird rights after this season but he may want to find playing time with a new team via free agency.
DEPTH CHART:[/b]
C :: Patrick Ewing :: Erick Leckner :: Danny Schayes
PF :: Antoine Carr :: Eddie Lee Wilkins :: Anthony Avent
SF :: Hotrod Williams :: Otis Smith :: Anthony Avent
SG :: Reggie Lewis :: Otis Smith :: Ledell Eackles
PG :: Mark Jackson :: Isiah Thomas :: Isiah Thomas
IR :: Johnny Dawkins :: Darrick Martin
