Ratliff Lands With The Spurs
Theo Ratliff, a 76ers unrestricted free agent, has signed with the San Antonio Spurs.
Ratliff Lands With The Spurs
Theo Ratliff has gone from backing up Samuel Dalembert to backing up Tim Duncan.
Ratliff, a 76ers' unrestricted free agent, has agreed to a one-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs for a little more more than $1.3 million, the minimum salary for players with at least 10 years of service in the NBA. He spent last season with the Sixers on a similar contract.
Ratliff, 36, who entered the league as a first-round draft choice with the Detroit Pistons in 1995-96, will be playing his 15th season.
''He had numerous offers, but decided San Antonio was the best place for him to be this season,'' said agent Joel Bell.
The 6-10 Ratliff averaged 3.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 46 games with the Sixers last season. He was critical of the coaching staff after the team was eliminated 114-89 by the Orlando Magic in Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs, then skipped his exit meeting.
The Sixers had no interest in re-signing him.
bummer 76ers
sniff-sniff...i'm gonna miss him canada51stSTATE
What does it say when an organization that is well-run takes a guy that the Sixers had no interest in? Spurs know talent and know he can help them in limited minutes. Theo made a great point about the coaching staff. This organization is poorly run. 76er
AMEN 76ER 76ers
reality check: Theo had no interest in the Sixers and they chose no to pursue him and get rejected in public phasor
Past his prime and really no value. Let's get some young and tough talent. psuwelsh
Past his prime and really no value. Let's get some young and tough talent. psuwelsh
Speights needs the floor time anyway bsaw
What now? Let's bring back Brian Skinner or Zendon Hamilton or Calvin (Shirley) Booth! Quick, someone check on Matt Geiger's status... bgdude18
Zendon with the Send In. cadilacjack
Ratliff serves no purpose on a bad team like the Sixers. On a good team like the Spurs he can play a few minutes to let Duncan rest and be surrounded by good players to overcome his short comings. JonKap- When STIFFanski sign him last year it was to help provide some veteran leadership. And possible help the young Sixers as they try to make it to the next level. Now he serves no purpose here, I agree. It's hard to believe how this team is falling before our eyes. Hopefully they can win in spite of STIFFanski's blundering.
Comment removed.
Always thouight Theo had class till his classless exit! Irish Frank
Theo was definitely right about DiLeo. The guy was like a deer in headlights. He turned to Jimmy Lynam for guidance at every critical juncture of the game. It was embarrassing and another poor decision by Stefanski to name DiLeo coach. He wanted to spend evenings with his family. He didn't realize how much time was involved in coaching. What was he sitting in a cubicle all these years? That boob Stan Van Gundy outcoached him. Shenkman3
Good luck Theo ClarkU
76er said - What does it say when an organization that is well-run takes a guy that the Sixers had no interest in? Spurs know talent and know he can help them in limited minutes. Theo made a great point about the coaching staff. This organization is poorly run. We've had SO many players that got NO playing time on the Sixers that ended up being key assets to the teams they went to after the Sixers. Bruce Bowen, Matt Barnes, John Salmons to name a few. Unreal. C-Bent
BigVil....enough with the "Stiffanski". It makes you sound even more moronic than you probably already are. Pseudonyms are funny MAYBE the first time you use them. I'll bet you are one of those idiots who talk about themselves in the 3rd person and think you're clever. The Sixers made the PLAYOFFS! They really only had one bad game in the series. Give them a chance. vandy123
and C-Bent..... it goes both ways. Joe Smith couldn't get on the floor with the Nuggetts, came here and was very valuable, and was very coveted this year at the trade deadline. vandy123
you idiots who think its a big mistake to let theo go are, well... idiots. maximus
WAY TO GO SHENKMAN--Theo was too much of a pro to stand for what stiff and dileo pulled in that last game. Andre Miller skipped out too, only quietly. This team`s weak Pearchair- Congratulations to Theo. He was one of the players who spoke the truth and spoke his mind. I respect that and him. I wish him the best. Horlet
"...Ratliff has gone from backing up Samuel Dalembert to backing up Tim Duncan." - Theo my man, you've made the big time! bboybeballin
all a vet really wants at the end of his career is to play for a professionally run organization with a chance to win. neither of those things were going to happen in Philly whether theo was here or not even if he had kept his mouth shut. barrywil
Ratliff is no good with a team with "no center" How can you back up a ghost! Makes sense to me! Oh, yes Shenkman, no coach either, Just wait until Cheeks gets another position, Sixers will be paying him one more year? Enjoy Miami Moe! don369



Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at