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
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 cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
