Monroe: Bonner Earns Start, Then Loses His Aim

[duncan228]

Some new here.

Bonner earns start, then loses his aim (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_Ginobili_has_home_in_starting_lineup.html)
By Mike Monroe

About an hour before sending his eighth different starting lineup of the young season out for Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons at AT&T Center, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Matt Bonner’s play — mostly his 3-point shooting accuracy — had earned him additional court time.

In fact, it earned Bonner a spot in the starting lineup, with Fabricio Oberto going to the bench.

“Matt has really taken advantage of the minutes he’s gotten in the absence of Robert Horry,” Popovich said before tipoff. “He’s had a fine year and played very, very well, which was really welcome for us, because he was someone we needed for that shooting (power forward). He’s done a wonderful job.”

After missing 4 of 5 3-point attempts Tuesday, Bonner wonders if he has squandered his coach’s confidence.

“I had good looks, and I took them with confidence,” he said. They were just in and out. I wasn’t alone. We needed one of us to get hot, and nobody could.”

Indeed, the Spurs had one of their worst 3-point shooting games of the season, making only 6 of 24 from beyond the arc. Only a 2-for-17 3-point performance (in a home loss to the Nuggets on Nov. 19) was worse.

Bonner was as disappointed as any of his teammates about the Spurs’ meek response to the Pistons’ physical play in the second half, but retained some perspective about his shooting.

“I’d like to say it’s disappointing, but some nights, the shot just doesn’t go in,” he said. I can’t beat myself up because I had an off shooting night. The important thing is to stay with it, and we’ve got another game in two days.

“You have to remember: They can’t go in if you don’t take them.”

Mahinmi recalled: The Spurs brought second-year big man Ian Mahinmi up from their Austin Toros NBA Development League team, but don’t expect to see him in uniform for a while.

“I don’t even think about working Ian into the lineup,” Popovich said. “He’ll be in street clothes. He’s only here to monitor his rehab.”

Mahinmi missed the entire preseason with a badly sprained right ankle, and was sent to Austin for conditioning. He played in two of the Toros’ preseason games and Friday’s regular-season opener, but rolled his left ankle.

Rookie forward Anthony Tolliver was assigned to the Toros.

Oh, my darling: Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace, who holds the NBA record for technical fouls in a season, with 41, earned his fourth technical of this season in the third quarter.

Later, Wallace suggested his technical fired up his teammates, and there seemed to be little question it inspired him. He scored 11 of his 19 points in the final period.

Wallace suggested the referees were feeding the Spurs some “home cooking” with their call of the game.

“I knew how it was going to be,” he said. “I didn’t want our team to fall into that. We know how the game is going to go against the darlings of the league.”

[whottt]

Oh, my darling: Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace, who holds the NBA record for technical fouls in a season, with 41, earned his fourth technical of this season in the third quarter.

Later, Wallace suggested his technical fired up his teammates, and there seemed to be little question it inspired him. He scored 11 of his 19 points in the final period.

Wallace suggested the referees were feeding the Spurs some “home cooking” with their call of the game.

“I knew how it was going to be,” he said. “I didn’t want our team to fall into that. We know how the game is going to go against the darlings of the league.”

Asshat.

[Blackjack]

“I knew how it was going to be,” he said. “I didn’t want our team to fall into that. We know how the game is going to go against the darlings of the league.”

Now I know the dude's certifiable. :lmao

[SenorSpur]

Live by the 3-ball, die by the three-ball. Have to have a backup plan.

[ShoogarBear]

Live by the 3-ball, die by the three-ball. Have to have a backup plan.

Another low-post option would be a good backup plan.

[SenorSpur]

Another low-post option would be a good backup plan.

Amen

[Blackjack]

Amen

Udoka for Diogu? :stirpot:

[Anti.Hero]

lol darlings ftmfw.

[benefactor]

Looks like shipping away Bonner's motivation to play well wasn't such a great idea after all.

[Brazil]

that's so truth.
The thing is: With TD being the ONLY scoring threath in the paint, there's no plan B.
Mahinmi wont be a plan B,if that's what you're all thinking, so think more.

TP is a threat in the paint : he scores a lot in the paint, same for Manu. We need Ian grab rebounds, blocks some shot, hustle, efforts that's all. We have won titles without two bigs scoring in a consistent way in the paint.

[Bender]

last night at the beginning of the game when I saw Bonner was starting, I knew Pop jinxed him...

[SenorSpur]

TP is a threat in the paint : he scores a lot in the paint, same for Manu. We need Ian grab rebounds, blocks some shot, hustle, efforts that's all. We have won titles without two bigs scoring in a consistent way in the paint.

I'm talking about a backup player, who can go down on the block, with his back to the basket, turn and score from inside. Or pass out to the perimieter shooters for open looks. The offensive flow was poor, even with Duncan on the court. It's was exceedingly worse when he sat the bench.

[Solid D]

Another low-post option would be a good backup plan.

For some reason, Pop forsook substituting Timmy out for the first 13 or 14 minutes of the game. Pop could have brought in Kurt Thomas. He didn't...and so Timmy missed his usual 'rest shift" and pulled double duty for a whole quarter plus a couple of minutes. Or should I say Pop skipped it?

Why, I'm not sure, but it made for a nice first half for Duncan.

When the Spurs didn't knock down their shots, it became easy to double Timmy in the second half. As for Kurt, was he injured or being punished?

So, I agree with Shoog that another low-post option would be good, however, Pop has to use him.

[remingtonbo2001]

that's so truth.
The thing is: With TD being the ONLY scoring threath in the paint, there's no plan B.
Mahinmi wont be a plan B,if that's what you're all thinking, so think more.

Plan B was supposed to be Splitter. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. It's not like low post scoring options are just lying around to be picked up on waivers.

[SenorSpur]

Plan B was supposed to be Splitter. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. It's not like low post scoring options are just lying around to be picked up on waivers.

That's true, but this isn't the first season the Spurs have had only 1 low post scoring option. It's almost as though Pop isn't that concerned with having Duncan as the single point of low post offense.

[Brazil]

I'm talking about a backup player, who can go down on the block, with his back to the basket, turn and score from inside. Or pass out to the perimieter shooters for open looks. The offensive flow was poor, even with Duncan on the court. It's was exceedingly worse when he sat the bench.

Well I don't know for me the B plan for another big scoring option is not so crucial. IMO what we need is Ian rebounds, blocks and energy, for the rest we have TP, Manu and Hill that can provide us points in the paint. This the reason why the being aggressive thing for the our guards is so important. Besides one of the other positive thing of this group is that it seems that we are going to shoot more FTs than last years.
The risk of course is when TD has an off night or an injury but it's quite unusual to see TD with two bad straight games and for the injury well I guess that in this case our chances will be anyway near 0 with or without a B plan.

[hater]

so everytime Bonner has a good game he wil be starting for Spurs next game?????

this is fucking bullshit. Bonner is not NBA material, much less starting NBA material. how the fuck he got so many minutes last night????

this team has no chance vs. anyone if Bonner plays that many minutes

[hater]

plan B???

we are on plan F! and now need a plan G :pctoss

splitter = fail
scola = fail
Ian = fail
Bonner, Udoka, Thomas = fail

[Dex]

Mahinmi missed the entire preseason with a badly sprained right ankle, and was sent to Austin for conditioning. He played in two of the Toros’ preseason games and Friday’s regular-season opener, but rolled his left ankle.

:pctoss

This dude is not a basketball player. He is a 7 foot faberge egg.

[Indazone]

Two Words

SCOLA THREAD!!

[YODA]

Gonna give pop some bad press on this game.

Ok, Im sure Pop new Detroit would be physical or noticed it duruing game..hello..dont we have a physical guy in Thomas???? and he get the DNP.

Some of the lineups at end of game concerned me too. Jacque, bowen, bonner, oberto, manu. Yikes, Saw one play where all 5 werearound basket and only one piston and they still didnt get the rebound.

Im still one to think we need a physical inside presence or will be a short playoffs.
If thomas is hurt, I wish they would post it or something, I just dont understand whats up with him.

Oberto Still has good rotations, but dam, look to score when you get the ball a few times.

I would have liked to seen
Hill more then 6 min. Why not give him Jacques min?? That would have at least givem him 11 min.

One last thought. Spurs basketball isnot jacking up 24 3 point attempts a game. If were over 12 attempts a game, its to much. currently, were jacking up 3's and a crazy pace.

Just Yodas Observations

[Solid D]

One last thought. Spurs basketball isnot jacking up 24 3 point attempts a game. If were over 12 attempts a game, its to much. currently, were jacking up 3's and a crazy pace.

Just Yodas Observations

Twelve 3-point attempts would be extremely low and very non-Spurs.

I'm not sure if you realize this, Yoda, but the Spurs averaged 19.6 3-point attempts in 2007-08. They launched 19 per game in their last championship season.

[T Park]

That's true, but this isn't the first season the Spurs have had only 1 low post scoring option. It's almost as though Pop isn't that concerned with having Duncan as the single point of low post offense.

Find him one thats available and I'm sure he'd get one.

You armchair GMs act like its so goddamn easy to go out and just find these fucking players.

[T Park]

so everytime Bonner has a good game he wil be starting for Spurs next game?????

this is fucking bullshit. Bonner is not NBA material, much less starting NBA material. how the fuck he got so many minutes last night????

this team has no chance vs. anyone if Bonner plays that many minutes


So that 17 points he put up against the Rockets wasn't any good?

Have you been paying one fucking bit of attention lately to how well Bonner has played?

Dude also pulled down 9 rebounds and played good defense as well last night.


Get a clue.

[benefactor]

So that 17 points he put up against the Rockets wasn't any good?

Have you been paying one fucking bit of attention lately to how well Bonner has played?

Dude also pulled down 9 rebounds and played good defense as well last night.


Get a clue.
Except when he missed a critical rotation...leaving a shooter open...late in game when it really matters.

[SenorSpur]

Find him one thats available and I'm sure he'd get one.

You armchair GMs act like its so goddamn easy to go out and just find these fucking players.

Spurs went from potentially adding two bigs this offseason, to no bigs to date. There is an obvious deficiency on the frontline. Even you should be able to see that. You're the biggest goddamn FO defender on here. Open your eyes. :sleep

[benefactor]

I am still trying to figure out how all these other teams have wound up with decent backup bigs over the past several seasons and we are still stuck with Oberto the Anti-Rebound, Old Man Kurt, Ian "The Never Ending and Oft Injured Prospect" Mahimni and Matt "I Think I Can" Bonner.

[SenorSpur]

I am still trying to figure out how all these other teams have wound up with decent backup bigs over the past several seasons and we are still stuck with Oberto the Anti-Rebound, Old Man Kurt, Ian "The Never Ending and Oft Injured Prospect" Mahimni and Matt "I Think I Can" Bonner.

Your point is well taken. Some of the existing Western Conference frontlines have gotten better. Blazers (Oden), Suns (Lopez), Fakers (Bynum). Meanwhile the Spurs are getting diminished performances from a frontline of supporting players, who were only average at best, around Duncan last season.

[024]

Live by the 3-ball, die by the three-ball. Have to have a backup plan.

this is more evident than ever. without another interior presence, other teams can double duncan and force him to pass it out to the perimeter. then the defense just needs to rotate enough for the ball to land in the hands of bonner, bowen, or finley. the opposing team will force those three players to beat them. spurs have good three point shooters in mason and ginobili but extremely all or nothing streaky shooters in finley, bonner, and bowen. when guards can't score at the rim due to a strong interior defense, the problem is even worse.

[ploto]

this team has no chance vs. anyone if Bonner plays that many minutes

Ask Raptor fans how it worked out with Bonner as their starting center. Better yet- ask Chris Bosh what he thought of it.

[T Park]

Spurs went from potentially adding two bigs this offseason, to no bigs to date. There is an obvious deficiency on the frontline. Even you should be able to see that. You're the biggest goddamn FO defender on here. Open your eyes. :sleep

Who said there wasn't?

I never said there wasn't.

My point was your bitching like they never did anything, when in fact they've always actively searched for a big next to Duncan and it just hasn't worked out.

Open your eyes clown.

[T Park]

Except when he missed a critical rotation...leaving a shooter open...late in game when it really matters.


So one missed rotation= horrible defense the whole game.


Great take :tu

[T Park]

Ask Raptor fans how it worked out with Bonner as their starting center. Better yet- ask Chris Bosh what he thought of it.

Probobly prefered it over a blue lipped 7 foot overpaid white stiff.

[z0sa]

Twelve 3-point attempts would be extremely low and very non-Spurs.

I'm not sure if you realize this, Yoda, but the Spurs averaged 19.6 3-point attempts in 2007-08. They launched 19 per game in their last championship season.

I don't think he watches the game - about two weeks ago, he complained about Bonner's rebounding after he grabbed 4 offensive the very night before.

Fact is, Bonner's a good rebounder, at this point, the second best in a Spurs Uni. Get it through your idiotic skulls.

[SenorSpur]

Who said there wasn't?

I never said there wasn't.

My point was your bitching like they never did anything, when in fact they've always actively searched for a big next to Duncan and it just hasn't worked out.

Open your eyes clown.

I'm referencing this offseason. I'm certainly not going to entertain your revisionist history, lil' boy. Now go change your diaper.

[YODA]

I don't think he watches the game - about two weeks ago, he complained about Bonner's rebounding after he grabbed 4 offensive the very night before.

Fact is, Bonner's a good rebounder, at this point, the second best in a Spurs Uni. Get it through your idiotic skulls.



OMg,,,,,I guess Bonner is the rebounding D front line man we need.

Good lord, His Rotations are still slow and most times always late on interior D.
He physically cant hand with most centers or PF's. He is only useful versus small soft big men. What games are you watching?

[Manufan909]

So that 17 points he put up against the Rockets wasn't any good?

Have you been paying one fucking bit of attention lately to how well Bonner has played?

Dude also pulled down 9 rebounds and played good defense as well last night.


Get a clue.

+1

You never hear him bitch when Fab plays alot, even though Bonner 3x as efficient as any big not numbered 21 right now. He deserves to start.

[zepn]

heh, I misread the title as Bonner earns start, then loses his arm

[Manufan909]

OMg,,,,,I guess Bonner is the rebounding D front line man we need.

Good lord, His Rotations are still slow and most times always late on interior D.
He physically cant hand with most centers or PF's. He is only useful versus small soft big men. What games are you watching?

Hmm, yet he's the 2nd best big on the team right now. He can grab his share of boards AND score. Fab can't do either, and KT(when he's back) will only be able to D and rebound. Fab can pass... oh yeah, he can get 60% on WIDE OPEN 1 FT AWAY LAYUPS!!! Of which he is curently below 50%. Not saying bonner is awesome, but because of McDyess not wanting to be anywhere else, the Scola debacle, Ian constantly fucking up one of his ankles, and the rookie pay anally raping the Spurs when it came to Splitter, he's the best they got to back Duncan. Oh yeah, and Gist. That was almost as bad as Scola. If he isn't 4x as good after his seasoning in Italy, and bumps KT AND Fab out of the rotation, I will go on a rampage, GTA syle. But I'll only kill guys named Jaque, Kurt, Fabricio, Finley, and Buford.:bang

EDIT: Damn, I'm so worked up right now I want to go kick a dog, a la mystar.

[benefactor]

So one missed rotation= horrible defense the whole game.


Great take :tu
You are missing the point. At a time in the game when we needed it the most he failed and wound up back on the pine. One missed rotation late in the game=potentially nullifying anything good you have done.

[z0sa]

OMg,,,,,I guess Bonner is the rebounding D front line man we need.

He's actually better than some of the more athletic players in the L because he has something called Heart and Hustle. Which you have zero gauge for apparently.

Even someone who only goes off the box score (like you) can see he's definitely contributing in the rebounding department, minimum. example: those 9 boards he grabbed last night.


Good lord, His Rotations are still slow and most times always late on interior D.

His rotations have been phenomenal lately, and if you haven't noticed, the other spurs big men are doing 2-3x worse. Again I wonder if you have watched a single game in the last 10.


He physically cant hand with most centers or PF's. He is only useful versus small soft big men. What games are you watching?

:lmao :lmao :lmao ... oh God ... thanks. I needed that. Work is really sucking today.

Bonner is playing better man defense than I've seen most players in the L. His screen and roll D has been especially notable - the hardest D for a big man to succeed at.

To say different, you'd have to have not watched any games. I mean, its really that simple.

[z0sa]

The good news is that Bonner did a fine job defensively and on the boards. He was one of the few Spurs players that was physical down low and it was great to see him rebounding the ball well.

Timvp's very own gamethoughts.

Let me continue to say, Bonner's not perfect, and he ain't the athletic center we've been needing since DRob called it a day so long ago now. He's a complimentary player, who will make people pay with his shooting, while not being a (total) defensive liability on the other end. He won't be blocking 3 shots a game any time soon, so why expect something like it from him?

I don't think he's the be all end all, but I really like the role he fulfills on this team. I just don't understand who you think could succeed better as a replacement. You really think just anyone's going to be better?

[T Park]

You are missing the point. At a time in the game when we needed it the most he failed and wound up back on the pine. One missed rotation late in the game=potentially nullifying anything good you have done.

He wound up on the pine because they went to 4 guards and one big.

[T Park]

I'm referencing this offseason. I'm certainly not going to entertain your revisionist history, lil' boy. Now go change your diaper.


Fine then kiddo.

Who was available that they should've traded for or signed?

Names please.

[timvp]

Another low-post option would be a good backup plan.I'd hold out hope for a second low-post option if I thought Pop would ever utilize one. He's had some players with low post games over the years and almost never went to them. Especially on this team with the option of running pick-and-rolls with Manu and TP, Pop isn't going to forgo that unless the second post up option was Hakeem.


Except when he missed a critical rotation...leaving a shooter open...late in game when it really matters.What game was this? Against the Rockets, he didn't get to play in the fourth. Against the Pistons, he was taken out of the game because the Pistons went small.


Fact is, Bonner's a good rebounder, at this point, the second best in a Spurs Uni. Get it through your idiotic skulls.Duncan and KT are both vastly superior rebounders. Bonner hadn't been rebounding well lately until last night.

Hopefully he can become a good rebounder because then he could possibly be the solution as the starting bigman next to Duncan. Oberto wasn't doing enough, KT is too slow and Mahinmi is apparently too fragile.

[benefactor]

He wound up on the pine because they went to 4 guards and one big.
Not from what I saw. I saw him miss the rotation and the man he was supposed to cover score. He was taken out of the game immediately after that. But interpret it how you like...

[z0sa]

Duncan and KT are both vastly superior rebounders. Bonner hadn't been rebounding well lately until last night.

I agree ... but KT didn't even see the floor last night. "At this point, Bonner is the second best rebounder in a spurs uni."


Hopefully he can become a good rebounder because then he could possibly be the solution as the starting bigman next to Duncan. Oberto wasn't doing enough, KT is too slow and Mahinmi is apparently too fragile.

I think he has the ability to average 7-8 boards a game (I think he could average 10 if he consistently played 32 mins a night - but thats probably me just being me). However, don't call me blind - I remember the horrible posterizing Nene gave him last Nuggets contest. I still think he's more than solid on the boards.

[Bruno]

Knowing a little how Ian works, he should be nearly devastated by all these injuries. I hope he will keep the morale and catch a break.

And fuck people trashing him. :td

[Biernutz]

Does KT still has a hamstring problem? It could be why he looks even slower this year. Is Pop limiting his court time like he did for Horry, for the run after the all-star game?

[Manufan909]

Knowing a little how Ian works, he should be nearly devastated by all these injuries. I hope he will keep the morale and catch a break.

And fuck people trashing him. :td

We can't help it. He screws up one ankle, starts to rehab, then rolls the other one. He needs to prove something, ANYTHING. I think it would have been best for Pop to throw him in the fire last year, and given him 15 minutes a game, no less, and more if he played better. Idk, hopefully by New Years he makes us all eat our words, but right now he has a huge target on his chest. Don't worry, I still believe... in him getting serious minutes by February. I've lowered my standards ALOT, hope he can make them now.

[benefactor]

Knowing a little how Ian works, he should be nearly devastated by all these injuries. I hope he will keep the morale and catch a break.

And fuck people trashing him. :td
It's not a personal thing at all. I am sure he is trying his best to get back and has caught a few tough breaks. That's part of the game. The reality of the situation is that we don't have a lot of time to waste. He didn't look overly impressive during the summer league and he has played next to nothing anywhere this season. So now we not only have to wait for him to be healthy, but we also have to get him playing in meaningful minutes to see if he truly is going to be the patch for the hole in our front line that is closer to sinking than floating right now.

He either gets healthy and gets it together or we gotta make some tough decisions. Our chances in the playoffs this year are riding on it.

[ShoogarBear]

I'd hold out hope for a second low-post option if I thought Pop would ever utilize one. He's had some players with low post games over the years and almost never went to them. Especially on this team with the option of running pick-and-rolls with Manu and TP, Pop isn't going to forgo that unless the second post up option was Hakeem.

Are you forgetting all those money Finley post-ups?

I know what you mean. But they used to get some production from Nazr and, once a blue moon, Rasho in the paint. And they were planning on bringing Splitter over.

[itzsoweezee]

Bonner has a tendency to wilt when the pressure's on.

[SenorSpur]

I'd hold out hope for a second low-post option if I thought Pop would ever utilize one. He's had some players with low post games over the years and almost never went to them. Especially on this team with the option of running pick-and-rolls with Manu and TP, Pop isn't going to forgo that unless the second post up option was Hakeem.


So is it your opinion that Pop doesn't want or feels that he needs another low post option besides Duncan?

[superbigtime]

So that 17 points he put up against the Rockets wasn't any good?

Have you been paying one fucking bit of attention lately to how well Bonner has played?

Dude also pulled down 9 rebounds and played good defense as well last night.


Get a clue.

Yes Bonner has been playing his most consistent basketball that I can recall.....AS A RESERVE. By 'rewarding' him with a starting role with the big 3, Bonner had no real role and was completely lacking rhythm. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Quit mucking with the damn lineups, Pop...he accidentally stumbled on a working starting 5 with TD, TP, Fab, Fin, and Mason, but I guess Pop didn't notice. So he benches Mason for no reason, starts Manu for no reason, benches Fab, and starts Matt. Makes NO SENSE !

[mrspurs]

Yes Bonner has been playing his most consistent basketball that I can recall.....AS A RESERVE. By 'rewarding' him with a starting role with the big 3, Bonner had no real role and was completely lacking rhythm. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Quit mucking with the damn lineups, Pop...he accidentally stumbled on a working starting 5 with TD, TP, Fab, Fin, and Mason, but I guess Pop didn't notice. So he benches Mason for no reason, starts Manu for no reason, benches Fab, and starts Matt. Makes NO SENSE !

Maybe just maybe our problem is we dont have a starting 5. We have 3 maybe 4 great players. The rest are scrubs. And with the league getting better every night. Our scrubs get worse every night. Maybe Pop has no choice but to try his usual gimmicks in order to compete.