Bonner

[Leetonidas]

So let me ask you guys a question. If the Spurs are able to sign Splitter and resign Mahinmi on the cheap, remember I said IF, would you welcome Bonner staying?

I honestly would. If the above scenario happens then we will have a very stacked front court. Tim, a grizzled vet in Dice, the best euro big man in Splitter, a promising young talent in Blair, a prospect in Mahinmi, and a stretch 4 in Bonner.

Thoughts? And yeah I know he would suck balls in the playoffs but I doubt he would play that much with Splitter here.

[Muser]

No, I just want him gone.

[bobby4germany]

No, I just want him gone.

:toast

[PDXSpursFan]

So let me ask you guys a question. If the Spurs are able to sign Splitter and resign Mahinmi on the cheap, remember I said IF, would you welcome Bonner staying?

I honestly would. If the above scenario happens then we will have a very stacked front court. Tim, a grizzled vet in Dice, the best euro big man in Splitter, a promising young talent in Blair, a prospect in Mahinmi, and a stretch 4 in Bonner.

Thoughts? And yeah I know he would suck balls in the playoffs but I doubt he would play that much with Splitter here.

No Bonner... and no Mahinmi. Next please.

[dbestpro]

For me it is about Pop not the player. Pop will use Bonner too much and Ian not enough. So, because of Pop they both need to go. We need players that fit Pop's vision and can perform at the same time.

[stnick2261]

Bonner is serviceable for a few minutes off the bench if he can hit his shots.... but I'd be afraid Pop would continue to play him over better bigs, so I'd prefer him gone

[lurker23]

I'm fine with bringing him back as a 5th or 6th big, assuming that's the role he's expected to play. Instead of repeating myself, I'll just quote part of my thoughts on Bonner from another thread:



After watching him for several years, I think this sums up my opinion of Matt Bonner as a player:

5. He can be the 5th best big man on a championship team.
4. He can be the 4th best big man on a great team.
3. He can be the 3rd best big man on a decent to good team.
2. He can be the 2nd best big man on a decent to bad team.
1. He can be the best big man on a very bad team.

If the Spurs want to bring him back and expect him to be #5 on that list (perhaps #4 when injuries occur), then I'm all for it. However, there are two potential problems with this: a.) Bonner's familiarity with the system may cause Pop to play him as one of the first two big men off the bench on a regular basis, which could hurt the team, and b.) With Bonner's skill set, it's very possible that he gets more money from another team to be #2, #3, or #4 on the above list. (For what it's worth, I believe #1 on the list would probably only happen in the NBA due to injuries.)

[4>0rings]

Fuck Bonner. If he's on this team next year, fuck the Spurs. I wouldn't keep him if he was free.

[objective]

I've posted it before but I'll post it again. If the Spurs are so stupid that they re-sign Bonner, I'll cease to be a Spurs fan for the duration of his contract and root against them during that time.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Bonner is the second best big on the team.

[AFBlue]

Spurs are trying to cut costs given their already-high payroll is going up again this year. I expect the Spurs will look for cheaper replacements of both Bonner and Mason.

[4>0rings]

I've posted it before but I'll post it again. If the Spurs are so stupid that they re-sign Bonner, I'll cease to be a Spurs fan for the duration of his contract and root against them during that time.
+ a billion

[objective]

Half the posters here if asked to choose between Bonner and Splitter would eagerly pledge their allegience to Bonner, swearing that he knows the system, spreads the floor, and that the Spurs shouldn't set a precedent of making Splitter the highest paid 1st rounder after sitting out his 3 years in the history of the league.

These people would then be glistening with excited sweat after news broke that the Spurs gave up Splitter to get out from the 100k they owe Gee to get him in summer league.

[Dex]

No more. I tried to justify it last season, and it just bit us in the ass.

I appreciate what Bonner can bring to the equation, but I'm going with my gut on this one. Last year, I didn't mind Bonner being around as long as it was in a small capacity. Instead, Bonner ended up being the first big off the bench, if not in the starting lineup...again.

Pop obviously cannot resist trying the Shooting 4 to stretch the floor, and I don't ever want to see Bonner on the floor in crunch time again. Those two things seem to be mutually exclusive. So I'd rather avoid the problem altogether and leave him off the bench.

That being said...I bet he comes back. :(

[ElNono]

You know how I feel about this one... :td

[cd98]

If the Spurs sign a quality three point shooting player, i.e. Mike Miller, Bonner is gone.

If not, they may keep him around as a low-paid specialist.

I'm obviously hoping that we can get a better shooter, but if not, he's more reliable than Mason.

[SCdac]

"Bonner" and "reliable" shouldn't be in the same sentence, unless of course we're talking about how he isn't. If we've talked ourselves into thinking "well, he'd be decent as a 5th or 6th big" then at that point we're just giving him the benefit of the doubt. Yeah, he was on our 07 championship team, but he had a role closer to Josh Powell's or Adam Morrison's from the Lakers, basically garbage minutes. I'd rather give garbage minutes to somebody else, somebody who's more of a "gamer", at least guys like Kevin Willis, Tony Massenburg even at an old age could block a shot or two, give some hard fouls, in limited minutes. With Bonner, game changing plays can happen, but are too few and far between. Reduced minutes won't necessarily help that IMO, if anything just puts more pressure on him, which he seems to perpetually battle with (lot's of pressure to make long range generally low % baskets, doesn't seem to have alot of self confidence at times).... Simply put, we should cut him loose.

[DesignatedT]

no.

[Juanobili]

maybe if he made some damn shots in the postseason

[cd98]

"Bonner" and "reliable" shouldn't be in the same sentence, unless of course we're talking about how he isn't. If we've talked ourselves into thinking "well, he'd be decent as a 5th or 6th big" then at that point we're just giving him the benefit of the doubt. Yeah, he was on our 07 championship team, but he had a role closer to Josh Powell's or Adam Morrison's from the Lakers, basically garbage minutes. I'd rather give garbage minutes to somebody else, somebody who's more of a "gamer", at least guys like Kevin Willis, Tony Massenburg even at an old age could block a shot or two, give some hard fouls, in limited minutes. With Bonner, game changing plays can happen, but are too few and far between. Reduced minutes won't necessarily help that IMO, if anything just puts more pressure on him, which he seems to perpetually battle with (lot's of pressure to make long range generally low % baskets, doesn't seem to have alot of self confidence at times).... Simply put, we should cut him loose.

He was a better three point shooter than Mason, although admittedly that's not saying much. Still, his ability as a three point threat has some use and he did make a few threes in the playoffs against the Suns (as opposed to Mason who sucked throughout). I'm not advocating his return unless we have absolutely no one that we can pick up that is a better shooter.

[thekingrobert]

Bonner is a cancer

[spursfan1000]

Spurs should let go of Bonner and Mahammi. Duncan Splitter Blair Mcdyess is straight

[easy7]

One word - NO. Two words - Hell NO!!!! :nope

[ohmwrecker]

If there is a Bonner on this team next season, his name better be Luke.

[Mel_13]

Time to move on from Bonner and Mason.

[Fabbs]

For me it is about Pop not the player. Pop will use Bonner too much and Ian not enough. So, because of Pop they both need to go. We need players that fit Pop's vision and can perform at the same time.
Exacty.
Send em both packing.

[baseline bum]

No, Bonner sucks. Give all his minutes to someone who can rebound and play some level of defense. Then pray someone is stupid enough to trade a wing who can shoot and play defense for Jefferson's expiring.

[benefactor]

Time to move on from Bonner and Mason.
:tu

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Pop 'needs' a stretch 4 for the system, so we have to assume we're going to get one, whether it is Bonner or not. Who else is available? I'd love Irsan Ilyasova as a Spur, but the Bucks locked him up until 2013 on a very reasonable contract. :depressed

[Seventyniner]

Bonner for the minimum (or even ~$1.5M; we have his Bird rights and can pay more than the minimum) as a 5th big man would be great. Cheap depth is hard to come by. Also, he knows the system and can eat up some minutes in the regular season, allowing Tim and Dyess to rest. Then give him 3 MPG or less in the playoffs.

[Chomag]

I have a question to those that want to have Bonner on the team because he is stretches stretch floor. What good is all of that when come playoff time he doesn't provide any of that?

Anyway once again so many are in love of 3pt shooting bigs. You know there was a time not long ago when your bigs weren't supposed to be 3pt specialists. If you honestly want to have a floor stretching big then perhaps at Tim's age he should be the outside shooting big and be the floor stretcher? I heard he can actually stroke the 3 very well.

[SenorSpur]

So let me ask you guys a question. If the Spurs are able to sign Splitter and resign Mahinmi on the cheap, remember I said IF, would you welcome Bonner staying?

I honestly would. If the above scenario happens then we will have a very stacked front court. Tim, a grizzled vet in Dice, the best euro big man in Splitter, a promising young talent in Blair, a prospect in Mahinmi, and a stretch 4 in Bonner.

Thoughts? And yeah I know he would suck balls in the playoffs but I doubt he would play that much with Splitter here.

Like the elder told the lad, during the intro to the old Kung Fu series, "When you can take the pebble from my hand, it will be time for you to leave."

Bonner has "taken the pebbles" and choked on playoff pressure for two seasons now. It's time for him to leave.

[objective]

Like the elder told the lad, during the intro to the old Kung Fu series, "When you can take the pebble from my hand, it will be time for you to leave."

Bonner has "taken the pebbles" and choked on playoff pressure for two seasons now. It's time for him to leave.

:lol

Spurs fans need to prepare themselves for more Bonner. I can see a replay of last time, bidding against themselves to get him a new three year deal.

And after that . . . make room in the rafters. The Bonner jersey-retirement can't be far behind. He was a marginally key member of some 50 win teams you know.

[ElNono]

Pop 'needs' a stretch 4 for the system, so we have to assume we're going to get one, whether it is Bonner or not. Who else is available? I'd love Irsan Ilyasova as a Spur, but the Bucks locked him up until 2013 on a very reasonable contract. :depressed

I thought 'the system' predates Horry? Who was the 'stretch 4' before him?

[slick'81]

unless he is the last big in the rotation god no.Besides if hes on the roster hell find his way on that court :bang

[TIMMYD!]

Like the elder told the lad, during the intro to the old Kung Fu series, "When you can take the pebble from my hand, it will be time for you to leave."

Bonner has "taken the pebbles" and choked on playoff pressure for two seasons now. It's time for him to leave.

Bonner doesn't have pebbles.

[KuntryDude]

Bonner has no place in this league. Absolutely NO PLACE!!!

[bdictjames]

Heck no, please..

[hater]

fuck Bonner get his ass out ASAP

[Cheddz]

No Bonner.

[baseline bum]

Pop 'needs' a stretch 4 for the system, so we have to assume we're going to get one, whether it is Bonner or not. Who else is available? I'd love Irsan Ilyasova as a Spur, but the Bucks locked him up until 2013 on a very reasonable contract. :depressed

Pop's system requires a 4 who can play defense and grab a board. Duncan, Horry, Rose, and so on.

[SenorSpur]

Pop's system requires a 4 who can play defense and grab a board. Duncan, Horry, Rose, and so on.

Then Pop and RC should be looking at Anthony Randolph

[SenorSpur]

Pop's system requires a 4 who can play defense and grab a board. Duncan, Horry, Rose, and so on.

Then Pop and RC should be looking at Anthony Randolph.

Bonner has clearly run his course with this team. He must go.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I like his hustle.

[silverblk mystix]

if the spurs keep bonner that means they are continuing with mediocrity

[ploto]

The 2 teams in the NBA Finals started 4 guys 6'11" or taller and a single 3-pointer was taken by all of them combined. I am sick of hearing about 3-point shooting big men.

[greyforest]

i don't hate bonner, and he plays well enough during the regular season. he just doesn't deserve much money and doesn't deserve playoff minutes.

[Agloco]

I honestly would. If the above scenario happens then we will have a very stacked front court. Tim, a grizzled vet in Dice, the best euro big man in Splitter, a promising young talent in Blair, a prospect in Mahinmi, and a stretch 4 in Bonner.


Sorry to break it to you, but Timmy, Dice, Blair, Splitter and Bonner aren't inspiring the same level of fear as you might think.

If Timmy and Dice are 5 years younger, then perhaps you have a point. Now? It's just an above average frontcourt, but still second tier.

[Agloco]

Oh, and Bonner: GTFO

[easy7]

I like his hustle.

He might be a hell of a disco dancer but he can't play basketball worth a damn, specially in the playoffs. :hat

[4>0rings]

If you can't beat the backcourt of Bynum and Gasol then forget about reloading.

[SenorSpur]

I have a question to those that want to have Bonner on the team because he is stretches stretch floor. What good is all of that when come playoff time he doesn't provide any of that?

Amen!

In order to be able to stretch the floor, you have to make shots - consistently - even in the playoffs. Otherwise, you become a liability on the floor - which is exactly what Bonner has become in the playoffs.

[CGD]

With the Lakers' ascendence, I think the NBA is shifting back to the interior power game. Wouldn't be surprised if the Spurs ditch the shooting big concept (e.g., Bonner) in favor of power down low.