Start Mason?

[iilluzioN]

We wont even get passed the first round if we have Finley starting.

We need to send a message to pop and start Mason

[in2deep]

I think McDyess and Mason/Ginobili must start soon.

[ElNono]

We need to send a message to pop and start Mason

I LOL'ed... :lmao

[SamoanTD]

I like mason starting 2 dat dude got ice in his veins

[flox]

Yeah- he's so cold that he can't even hit the rim right now.

[SamoanTD]

finley would do better against second string players anyways

[urunobili]

Hairston is a better defender than both Finley and Mason... we don't really need their scoring...

[SamoanTD]

Yeah- he's so cold that he can't even hit the rim right now.
yea bt he can shoot lights out man he jus need sum time in da starting line up YA DIGG!!

[SamoanTD]

Hairston is a better defender than both Finley and Mason... we don't really need their scoring...
true true and he can finish at the rim POP Y CANT U SEE WAT WE SEE LOL

[Flux451]

Mason isn't looking comfortable yet. maybe starting him next game would help his rhythm along side parker who drives and dishes. It's a different game when he is paired with gino and/or hill.

[PDXSpursFan]

i think mcdyess and mason/ginobili must start soon.

+1

[Agloco]

We wont even get passed the first round if we have Finley starting.

We need to send a message to pop and start Mason

Finley = Ass when coming off the bench.

Mason was 0-4 last night.....just FYI

[Agloco]

Hairston is a better defender than both Finley and Mason... we don't really need their scoring...

We scored 85 last night.....

[urunobili]

We scored 85 last night.....

How many points did Mason and Finley get in between them? :wakeup

[SamoanTD]

Finley = Ass when coming off the bench.

Mason was 0-4 last night.....just FYI
well findog is ass starting the game 2 lol mason needs to get hot early nt come cold off the bench.

[spurspokesman]

Hairston is a better defender than both Finley and Mason... we don't really need their scoring...
Exactly

[SpuronyourFace]

Finley needs to NOT be starting either way.

[HarlemHeat37]

The Bulls shot around 48% in the 2nd half last night, so defense was a problem..

Mason's defense has looked significantly better than last year IMO, but he didn't shoot well last night, so it wouldn't have made a huge difference..he's still not a good enough defender to make a difference on the floor when his shot isn't going..

Mason and Finley are virtually the same player..as a lot of us have been saying all Summer, there's no point of having them both in the rotation..it really doesn't make any sense to have 2 offensive specialists as huge parts of the rotation on the wing when we don't even have 1 athletic/defensive specialist type of player..

Last night they were both missing their shots and not contributing offensively, so where was Bogans?..they signed the guy to stop people..his flaw is that he can't contribute offensively, but that should be ignored when the guys ahead of him are struggling with their shots on that night..

Hairston is a significantly better defender than both Mason and Finley..he also rebounds better, drives better, and finishes a lot better at the rim..hopefully he'll get a shot to help our perimeter D..

[Sobe_Kucks]

It's early but if this is the season that we are "trying to get back to playing Spurs Defense" can we do that with defensive liabilites like Fin and Bonner in the starting line up? Spurs can't win games that they don't score over 90 pts anymore. That is a huge problem. With older legs the Spurs are not going to run most teams out of the gym, it starts with D. Hopefully Pop can figure out rotations and our new additions (specifically Jeff, Dyess, Ratliff and Blair) can fit into the system. I'm not pressing the panic button after only two games but we need to see some progress in the next month for sure. These games became all too common last year when Pop rested starters midway through the 4th conserving their legs for the next game.

[spurspokesman]

The Bulls shot around 48% in the 2nd half last night, so defense was a problem..

Mason's defense has looked significantly better than last year IMO, but he didn't shoot well last night, so it wouldn't have made a huge difference..he's still not a good enough defender to make a difference on the floor when his shot isn't going..

Mason and Finley are virtually the same player..as a lot of us have been saying all Summer, there's no point of having them both in the rotation..it really doesn't make any sense to have 2 offensive specialists as huge parts of the rotation on the wing when we don't even have 1 athletic/defensive specialist type of player..

Last night they were both missing their shots and not contributing offensively, so where was Bogans?..they signed the guy to stop people..his flaw is that he can't contribute offensively, but that should be ignored when the guys ahead of him are struggling with their shots on that night..

Hairston is a significantly better defender than both Mason and Finley..he also rebounds better, drives better, and finishes a lot better at the rim..hopefully he'll get a shot to help our perimeter D..

Couldnt explain it better myself

[xtremesteven33]

The Spurs are is still in Pre-season mode...

[galvatron3000]

Bonner and Finley in the starting lineup look we tried Bonner in the start last year, enuff. Let's get some tougher guys in there and Finley starting is just ridiculous. He played well in game one because he shot well but seriously who thought that was wise. Finley is this team's Steve Smith from 2003, let's get some new blood in there so they can get accustom to things, I'd rather see Haiston in there he is familiar with the system and young.

I was hoping to see Haislip play looks like he would have been useful last night but I haven't seen him play yet, I'm talking size. Rebounding was definately a problem that could have been address had Timmy had help on the glass.

[Agloco]

How many points did Mason and Finley get in between them? :wakeup

Sooooo....

You're saying that Hairston probably goes for more than 6 last night? I might buy that......

Are you also saying that he goes for more than 21 against the Hornets? :wow

I disconnect when the team scores 85 and you chime in with "We dont really need their scoring....." :rolleyes

[Agloco]

well findog is ass starting the game 2 lol mason needs to get hot early nt come cold off the bench.

So after one game, you're ready to pull the plug on Finley?

Keep in mind that RMJ went for 0 last night. The big goose egg. Playing him against starters is supposed to help that in some way?

[superjames1992]

Mason was scoreless last night. I've never been a huge fan of his. I don't care for him starting much.

[portnoy1]

Part of the problem was they werent hitting 3's. Thats a problem that still hasnt been addressed that much. The spurs shot alot of 3's in game 1 and they hit. They shot alot of 3's in game 2 and they missed. This so called motion offense we were going to see is non existent. Its basically one guy (Parker) drive and kick out to a a 3pt shooter ( Finley/Bonner ). Same gameplan from last year, just different faces. What ever happen to RJ posting up, huh? or Parker distributing? Game 1/2 I seen Parker dribble around like he usually does and kick out to an open 3pt shooter. Thats not the way motion offense works. Guys are cutting, coming off screens and setting screens which allows the PG to see if there are any options before he even makes his move. Didnt see that in game 1 or 2. I did however see this "Motion Offense" and RJ post up when George Hill was running the Point. Bottom line is they're taking to many 3's and need to start looking for open elbow jumpers, that pretty much everyone on the team that should be playing can hit ( Mcdyess/Mason/RJ ).

[SamoanTD]

So after one game, you're ready to pull the plug on Finley?

Keep in mind that RMJ went for 0 last night. The big goose egg. Playing him against starters is supposed to help that in some way?

Hes quiker than finley and his passes go to his teamates im jus sayin i like finley and all bt mason will do better if u get him hot early it will benefit u the rest of the game. Findog is clutch bt im nt crazy about him starting mason knws the system 2 its nt like he got here this year.

P.S who cares if he went for 0 last nite we all knw wat he can do frm behind the arc nt like finley is hittin every single shot he gets out there.

[objective]

It's early but if this is the season that we are "trying to get back to playing Spurs Defense" can we do that with defensive liabilites like Fin and Bonner in the starting line up?

It's not too early.

They can't win a title with Finley and Bonner having big roles in the rotation, especially starting. Bonner maybe could have use as a utility 10-15 minute guy depending on match-ups. But not every day.

It's so frustrating that it finally seemed over the summer that it dawned on Pop that they didn't have enough talent to contend last year.

So why on earth is he rolling out the same un-talented lineup + RJ and reserve stints with McD and Blair? Finley with 28 minutes a game? I made a post in a Finley option thread in June pointing out that Pop played Finley 28 minutes a game in the regular season and playoffs, with Manu or without. History repeats itself : more Finley, more losses.

If Pop doesn't quickly learn from this and fix it, the Spurs will minimize their chances. Right now it's 50/50 that he just goes Pop and eventually doghouses Blair and Hairston like Hill last year until it's too late. Meanwhile he'll go small with Finley getting his 28 per and using McD like KT and Oberto while Bonner does his 'homeless man's Ryan Anderson' routine. And of course Pop 'Stephen Jacksons' with Mahinmi and Haislip, meaning keeping them inactive a whole season without finding out if they can play while there's still regular season learning time available.

This isn't over-reacting, it's the way it is.

[AFBlue]

I'm an advocate for Mason over Fin for matchup reasons. I saw two things yesterday that I didn't like in that regard. First, Fin matched up against the opposing SG as opposed to the SF. Defensively he's a much better matchup against SFs. Two, Ginobili and Mason on the floor together for an extended period of time, causing a poor matchup against a bigger SF (Deng). The two are SGs and shouldn't be played at both 2 and 3 for extended stretches.

Ideally, I would have Mason in the starting lineup with Jefferson, bring Manu off the bench for Mason and Fin off the bench for Jefferson. That way you're pairing a slasher and shooter together with the right size to matchup defensively against a SG and SF.

As a side note, I'd also have McDyess starting alongside Duncan, bring Bonner in for McDyess and Blair in for Duncan. That way you have a good compliment of inside/outside bigs.

This is the way I see it logically shaking out long term.

[quentin_compson]

Mason and Finley are virtually the same player..as a lot of us have been saying all Summer, there's no point of having them both in the rotation..it really doesn't make any sense to have 2 offensive specialists as huge parts of the rotation on the wing when we don't even have 1 athletic/defensive specialist type of player..



Spot on. :tu

But I'd still go with Mason Jr. defensively as he at least has got the potential to be a better defender than Finley at this point of his career.

I'm also surprised that Bogans didn't get a chance last night.

I think starting Mason Jr. would be a good thing, though. Better than starting Finley, anyway.

[SamoanTD]

As a side note, I'd also have McDyess starting alongside Duncan, bring Bonner in for McDyess and Blair in for Duncan. That way you have a good compliment of inside/outside bigs.
.

idk knw about that with bonner and blair in u have NO defensive presence on the inside so i think for nw pop dnt wanna bring mahinmi or haislip we stik with this big line up. At least in the second unit you will have dyess who can play D on the inside with blair.

[angelbelow]

I think it is just a matter of time.

I actually don't mind them starting Finley, I just wasn't too thrilled with Finley playing 28 minutes.

[portnoy1]

I think it is just a matter of time.

I actually don't mind them starting Finley, I just wasn't too thrilled with Finley playing 28 minutes.
But unlike how the spurs used Oberto, If Finley/Bonner starts they have to get at least 24minutes a game.

[kobyz]

Mason is worst than Finley, on offense and on defense, you need to find other solution!

[iilluzioN]

The starting Lineup is designed for Tony Parker to Dominate


Once Tony Parker Dominates, and RJ starts to click, everything should be ok...

I think pop needs to start Mason tho, and let Finley be in the Bench

[SamoanTD]

The starting Lineup is designed for Tony Parker to Dominate


Once Tony Parker Dominates, and RJ starts to click, everything should be ok...

I think pop needs to start Mason tho, and let Finley be in the Bench
the thing is tony has to start dominating lol come on drp 30 tony

[portnoy1]

the thing is tony has to start dominating lol come on drp 30 tonyThat right there is the problem.
Tony is a scorer first and a distributor ( if you can even call him that ) second. His distributing the basketball must improve by leaps and bounds. Everyone likes to say that he didnt have enough help and all that junk. However he has a better squad to work with and he still holds the ball alot. This is gonna piss everyone here off, but it merits some consideration. Most of yall like to say that Deron Williams is NOT better than Tony Parker. However Parker has similiar pieces now and he still cant get the other guys involved. He can only get them 3pt shots. When he has the ball 1 guy will set a screen for him while the other 3 wait behind the 3pt line. If he cant get into the lane, then he tries another time and another time and....... till he can get a layup/floater or get a 3pt shot for someone. With Deron Williams and the "REAL MOTION OFFENSE" while D-Will is running Pick n roll with the (C) the other guys ( SF) is coming off a screen for an elbow jumper. The (SG)is coming off a screen for a 3pt shot. The (PF) is backcutting for a possible layup. Thats how its suppose to work. Not a PG going 1 on 5 and kickin out when he is doubled. Hear me out, I'm not complaining about the loss. Thats gonna happen. The Bulls are very athetic as well. However i'm dissapointed in how we loss as well as how we won wednesday against New Orleans. Alot of 3pts shots and not enough motion for easy / higher percentage buckets. And If Pop is not calling that many plays, then part of the blame for the offense goes to Parker. If guys cant hit shots its not his fault. But if guys arent moving then he can run plays that force motion and that will give him more options. But then again, does he want those options or does he wanna be the guy and have the ball all the time?

[bless1187]

I'm one of the few on the board that don't really consider R. Mason Jr a superior player than M. Finley.

On offense, they both are great jump shooters, but if people complain about M. Finley being too inconsistent; R. Mason Jr has proven to be just as or maybe even more inconsistent than M. Finley; And one thing going in M. Finley's favor is that he has made more big shots in the PLAYOFF for the Spurs than R. Mason Jr has.

On defense, they both aren't really quick at moving there feet, but M. Finley at least have the size and strength; and from one thing i have observed about R. Mason Jr last year is that he has got to be one of the worst rebounder in this whole league; and i rarely see him getting any 50/50 loose ball. And the thing with starting M. Finley over R. Mason Jr is that, the defensive match up between the SG and SF can be more interchangeable, if we were matched up against the Lakers, i would much rather have M. Finley guarding R. Artest rather than R. Mason Jr.

With all said, i really think, R. Mason Jr and M. Finley are two very similar players, and i really do believe that R. Mason Jr will be traded at some point during the season.

[objective]

start Hairston, and use Ginobili and Hill at the wings off the bench. Use Mason sparingly. Inactive list for Finley.

Hairston can defend, hustle, finish, and shoot a little bit. Give the Spurs someone who can hold his own defensivley on the perimeter, please.

[HarlemHeat37]

The problem with starting Hairston would be our perimeter shooting..Parker/Hairston/Jefferson can't punish teams from the outside at all..RJ and Malik are inconsistent from 3, and Parker just isn't a 3-point shooter..

I don't mind Finley or Mason starting, it's just the lack of adjustments when they're struggling..we don't have a guy that can come in and do something different, Hairston does do that..even with that, Finley probably wouldn't get benched anyways..

[spurtech09]

how about sit bogans out and add Ian to the line-up.....starting line up duncan,ian,parker,rj,mason.....maybe sit ratliff and add hairston to the line up