Guess who could be re-signing with the Spurs...

[Fabbs]

fwiw, the RealGM raptors board seems to range from fans wanting him for the minimum and fans not wanting him at all. There does however seem to be an undercurrent of a belief that Bonner was crucial to the Spurs success.
Not directing this at you objective and thanks for the info.

Wonder if they found Bonner more successful in the 1-4 1st Round 2009 loss to Dallas or the 0-4 buttstomping that the Phoenix Suns gave in 2010?

Would any other team and coach -even the Clippers, give Bonner the minutes that PopaStick has? Oh wait, yes, yes indeed. The New Jerser Nets would have as they were tanking on purpose to get more lottery balls. :rollin

[dbestpro]

Matt Bonner on Canadian radio 7-6-10 (http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20100706_172051_8260)

Is also asked a question where the host brings up inflated contracts, and Bonner answers plainly about luck and situation etc as well as what his own numbers are in comparison. I'm almost concerned that the Spurs could sign him the first-pitch contract that was offered to Channing Frye, 5/25. Almost.


If Bonner got Fry's contract I think I would join the dark side of the force.

[Flux451]

Ian has more potential than Bonner

[coyotes_geek]

Ian has more potential than Bonner

If that were true, the Spurs wouldn't have just used a draft pick on Ian's replacement.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

If that were true, the Spurs wouldn't have just used a draft pick on Ian's replacement.

And we all know the Spurs have never been wrong in their assessment of players :rolleyes

[slick'81]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/0210/nba_g_bonner_576.jpg

[EIC]

look people, Bonner provides something other big men don't...it's called spacing. When you have a dominant big men on the other team and you need to keep him out of the paint, you put in Bonner and let Parker and Manu drive. Obviously the key to this tactic is the kick out when said dominant big man rolls to the rim....and more to the point....Bonner hitting his outside shot.

Now I know Bonner struggled with his shot last season, but he was shooting alright before he broke his hand.

Having a guy like Bonner ON THE BENCH is not a bad thing, he adds depth to the team.

Also, name another big man for the same price that adds that kind of depth.

This whole theory fails when the other team does not respect Bonner as a shooter. After seeing him pass off of open looks, there was very little reason for anyone to go out on him. To have the ability to spread the floor, you must be a reliable shooter. Bonner is not only unreliable from an accuracy standpoint, he can't even be counted on to pull the trigger.

He is an epic failure of a player. And as others have said, Pop can't be trusted not to play him too much.

[coyotes_geek]

And we all know the Spurs have never been wrong in their assessment of players :rolleyes

Hmm, I wonder if this means that there's a chance that the Spurs were wrong in their assessment of Ian when they drafted him? Naw, can't be. The scenario where the Spurs draft a can't miss big and then spend the next several years intentionally stunting his development over a Bonner mancrush makes much more sense.

[cantthinkofanything]

This is all ridiculous speculation. Bonner isn't going anywhere until LeBron makes his decision. It wouldn't suprise me if Bonner has been part of the secret summits with LeBron, Wade, and Bosh.

I expect to either see a joint press conference with LeBron and Bonner or possibly Bonner announces immediately after LeBron in a separate PR.

[wut]

This whole theory fails when the other team does not respect Bonner as a shooter. After seeing him pass off of open looks, there was very little reason for anyone to go out on him. To have the ability to spread the floor, you must be a reliable shooter. Bonner is not only unreliable from an accuracy standpoint, he can't even be counted on to pull the trigger.

He is an epic failure of a player. And as others have said, Pop can't be trusted not to play him too much.
Well it's like I said, it relies on him to hit the shot, and I thought he did that up until he broke his hand. He started the season off slow, started getting his shot back and then broke his hand and it was all over after that. Bonner added a mid-range shot last year as well...he has a lot more depth and value than most here give him credit. Sure he doesn't fit in a lineup vs young players, but in certain lineups he's a real asset...and everyone needs to come to the sad realization that he's one of our best 3 point shooters...because frankly, we have next to none on our team.

At the end of the day Spurs are in DIRE need for anyone who can hit a 3 pointer; and if they can't resign RJ they'll be in need of a starting SF.

If I'm the Spurs, I'm content with Blair, Duncan, Splitter, McDyess bigs....my concern is a 3 point shooter and an athletic SF defender.

If Bonner is their only answer to fill our 3 point needs...we're all in trouble.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Hmm, I wonder if this means that there's a chance that the Spurs were wrong in their assessment of Ian when they drafted him? Naw, can't be. The scenario where the Spurs draft a can't miss big and then spend the next several years intentionally stunting his development over a Bonner mancrush makes much more sense.

Where did I say Ian was a can't miss big?

He never got a chance because he couldn't "stretch" the floor and shoot the three ball.

RC and Pop are both stuck on stupid wanting to find Robert Horry incarnate. Any big that can hit one out of ten threes from the corner automatically finds themselves next to Tim in the front court. :td

[SenorSpur]

This whole theory fails when the other team does not respect Bonner as a shooter. After seeing him pass off of open looks, there was very little reason for anyone to go out on him. To have the ability to spread the floor, you must be a reliable shooter. Bonner is not only unreliable from an accuracy standpoint, he can't even be counted on to pull the trigger.

He is an epic failure of a player. And as others have said, Pop can't be trusted not to play him too much.

^This.

That's a fine summation to counter the arguments of the many pro-Bonner posters and supporters. :toast

It's true. Spacing doesn't mean squat if said player is incapable of hitting shots. Consistently hitting perimeter shots is the key to keeping defenses honest. Otherwise, the term spacing is simply reduced to a concept in name only.

It doesn't matter what Bonner does in the regular season versus a team, like the Clipppers. There's no pressure there. It's the playoffs, where his performances have been left wanting. And not because he had a broken hand during the season. Bonner has been sucking the playoffs the past 2 postseasons.

We've all seen this movie before. By now, it should be obvious that Bonner is incapable of handling playoff pressure. Furthermore, it's also obvious that Pop cannot be trusted NOT to overexpose Bonner, to a point where his on-court presence becomes counterproductive.

[coyotes_geek]

Where did I say Ian was a can't miss big?

He never got a chance because he couldn't "stretch" the floor and shoot the three ball.

RC and Pop are both stuck on stupid wanting to find Robert Horry incarnate. Any big that can hit one out of ten threes from the corner automatically finds themselves next to Tim in the front court. :td

There's nothing stupid about wanting a big who can stretch the court. If there's someone else who the Spurs can afford who is better than Bonner, great, go get him. I'm all for it. Barring that, there's no harm in having him around as your 5th big. If you're worried about Pop playing ahead of the other bigs, then it's up to Blair, Dyess and Splitter to up their games to show Pop they're more deserving of those minutes. Not a bad thing IMHO.

The problem with Bonner the past two years was having to depend on him. That's a sign of a flawed roster. Bonner as depth, fine. Bonner as someone you've got to depend on, not fine. The addition of Splitter and the development of Blair greatly reduces the need to depend on Bonner.

[SenorSpur]

Where did I say Ian was a can't miss big?

He never got a chance because he couldn't "stretch" the floor and shoot the three ball.
RC and Pop are both stuck on stupid wanting to find Robert Horry incarnate. Any big that can hit one out of ten threes from the corner automatically finds themselves next to Tim in the front court. :td

Meanwhile, Duncan is STILL burdened with having to carry the lionshare of the load, at the 5 spot, at both ends of the court. All because the roster is devoid of another low post player than can replicate even some of the things that he can. There is no other rebounder, shotblocker or low-post scorer. Pop doesn't want that. Instead he wants a 6'10" big, who can only hit perimeter 3's during the regular season.

Despite the fact that Pop has limited Duncan's minutes during the regular season, it has meant nothing because the poor guy has been worn down in the playoffs from having played far too many minutes.

[ohmwrecker]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. McDyess and his 15' jumper is just as effective at spreading the floor as Bonner's 3pt shot. McDyess also plays defense and rebounds. Bonner is an unnecessary waste of space.

[SenorSpur]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. McDyess and his 15' jumper is just as effective at spreading the floor as Bonner's 3pt shot. McDyess also plays defense and rebounds. Bonner is an unnecessary waste of space.

Amen.

McDyess is a FAR more reliable.

[Mel_13]

Is also asked a question where the host brings up inflated contracts, and Bonner answers plainly about luck and situation etc as well as what his own numbers are in comparison.

Bonner's right about that. Every summer brings a different set of circumstances.

If Tony was a FA right now, he'd be in line for 100M dollar deal. Next summer, who knows?

[TJastal]

yeah, all the people excited about finley coming back last year were saying the same thing before the season started.

burn. Lol.

[ElNono]

There's nothing stupid about wanting a big who can stretch the court. If there's someone else who the Spurs can afford who is better than Bonner, great, go get him. I'm all for it. Barring that, there's no harm in having him around as your 5th big. If you're worried about Pop playing ahead of the other bigs, then it's up to Blair, Dyess and Splitter to up their games to show Pop they're more deserving of those minutes. Not a bad thing IMHO.

It has nothing to do with how much better Dice or Blair play. Just as it had nothing to do with Bowen being much better than Finley two seasons ago.
When you're stuck on stupid and keep trying to find Horry in somebody that's not Horry for 3 seasons, it has nothing to do with competition of talent.

[SenorSpur]

It has nothing to do with how much better Dice or Blair play. Just as it had nothing to do with Bowen being much better than Finley two seasons ago.
When you're stuck on stupid and keep trying to find Horry in somebody that's not Horry for 3 seasons, it has nothing to do with competition of talent.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

- Albert Einstein

[coyotes_geek]

It has nothing to do with how much better Dice or Blair play. Just as it had nothing to do with Bowen being much better than Finley two seasons ago.
When you're stuck on stupid and keep trying to find Horry in somebody that's not Horry for 3 seasons, it has nothing to do with competition of talent.

If you think it makes sense to deliberately thin out the roster to prevent Pop from playing certain players then that's fine. I respectfully disagree. Again I'll say if there's someone better than Bonner out there who's attainable, I'm all for it.

[TJastal]

Let's not forget either that Bonner has got to be one of (if not the most) singled-out player in the league as far as officiating goes. The guy is basically playing defense with an arm tied behind his back. As soon as he moves the officials blow their whistles and call a foul on the guy.

We've all witnessed this hateful treatment by the league's refs towards the guy .. Bonner hanging his head in shame, muttering obscenities under his breath, while he basically gets raped the other way and nothing is called.

I still remember vividly that ugly mohawked cock----er on the kings (can't recall his name) slapping down HARD on Bonner's arm (who was in the process of securing a crucial rebound), which jerked Bonner's arm so hard he not only lost control of the ball he ended up falling on his head and 3 refs just stood there watching and did nothing.

Point is, not only is Bonner a liability with his own choking tendencies come playoff time, the guy literally cannot play physical on the defensive side of the ball without accruing costly fouls. And with Blair becoming a fixture in the 2nd unit (and his defensive woes) we need players who can play defense (or in Bonner's case, are allowed to).

[HarlemHeat37]

Let's not forget either that Bonner has got to be one of (if not the most) singled-out player in the league as far as officiating goes. The guy is basically playing defense with an arm tied behind his back. As soon as he moves the officials blow their whistles and call a foul on the guy.

We've all witnessed this hateful treatment by the league's refs towards the guy .. Bonner hanging his head in shame, muttering obscenities under his breath, while he basically gets raped the other way and nothing is called.

I still remember vividly that ugly mohawked cock----er on the kings (can't recall his name) slapping down HARD on Bonner's arm (who was in the process of securing a crucial rebound), which jerked Bonner's arm so hard he not only lost control of the ball he ended up falling on his head and 3 refs just stood there watching and did nothing.

Point is, not only is Bonner a liability with his own choking tendencies come playoff time, the guy literally cannot play physical on the defensive side of the ball without accruing costly fouls. And with Blair becoming a fixture in the 2nd unit (and his defensive woes) we need players who can play defense (or in Bonner's case, are allowed to).

Great point..

These kind of arguments are always tricky since they would be difficult to prove(you would have to compile a lot of video evidence), but I think most people can agree with this one in particular..

Not only does Bonner get treated unfairly, but the opposing player always seems to gain a lot of confidence whenever they're being guarded by Bonner..the fact that he's this goofy looking ginger gives a perception about Bonner that translates negatively when it comes to officiating and the way opposing players view him..

Sometimes it's a positive, because the other team will occasionally force-feed their offense against Bonner's man, but it's usually a negative..

[ElNono]

If you think it makes sense to deliberately thin out the roster to prevent Pop from playing certain players then that's fine. I respectfully disagree.

And that's fine with me. :toast

[ElNono]

Let's not forget either that Bonner has got to be one of (if not the most) singled-out player in the league as far as officiating goes. The guy is basically playing defense with an arm tied behind his back. As soon as he moves the officials blow their whistles and call a foul on the guy.

We've all witnessed this hateful treatment by the league's refs towards the guy .. Bonner hanging his head in shame, muttering obscenities under his breath, while he basically gets raped the other way and nothing is called.

I still remember vividly that ugly mohawked cock----er on the kings (can't recall his name) slapping down HARD on Bonner's arm (who was in the process of securing a crucial rebound), which jerked Bonner's arm so hard he not only lost control of the ball he ended up falling on his head and 3 refs just stood there watching and did nothing.

Point is, not only is Bonner a liability with his own choking tendencies come playoff time, the guy literally cannot play physical on the defensive side of the ball without accruing costly fouls. And with Blair becoming a fixture in the 2nd unit (and his defensive woes) we need players who can play defense (or in Bonner's case, are allowed to).

Even if it would be demonstrably the case, what could you possibly do about it?

Ask him to dye his hair and grow a mullet and a mustache?

[Kindergarten Cop]

Let's not forget either that Bonner has got to be one of (if not the most) singled-out player in the league as far as officiating goes. The guy is basically playing defense with an arm tied behind his back. As soon as he moves the officials blow their whistles and call a foul on the guy.

We've all witnessed this hateful treatment by the league's refs towards the guy .. Bonner hanging his head in shame, muttering obscenities under his breath, while he basically gets raped the other way and nothing is called.

I still remember vividly that ugly mohawked cock----er on the kings (can't recall his name) slapping down HARD on Bonner's arm (who was in the process of securing a crucial rebound), which jerked Bonner's arm so hard he not only lost control of the ball he ended up falling on his head and 3 refs just stood there watching and did nothing.

Point is, not only is Bonner a liability with his own choking tendencies come playoff time, the guy literally cannot play physical on the defensive side of the ball without accruing costly fouls. And with Blair becoming a fixture in the 2nd unit (and his defensive woes) we need players who can play defense (or in Bonner's case, are allowed to).

I agree with this 100%. I remember noting this after a few games in April:


http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150496


I guess I am in the minority here, because I have been pleasantly surprised by Bonner's play this year - especially on defense. Last night's game was a great example of how he has improved and how much he hustles on defense. He will never be in the discussion as a great post defender but if he maintains what he does on offense (including his new baby sky hook :lol ) and continues to improve on the defensive end, I would LOVE for the Spurs to re-sign him and continue to bring him off the bench. As he continues to improve defensively, he will begin to get more respect from the officials also. He has had clean blocks in back to back games (that even the opposing play-by-play guys noted) that were called fouls simply because they are not used to seeing him play effective defense. Again, I realize that I am in the minority here but I just thought I'd chime in.:flag:

Unfortunately, this will always be the case and likely hurt the Spurs if they choose to bring him back. I am however, going to stick with my approval of bringing Bonner back as the 5th big off the bench because he would likely get much more respect from the refs (defensively) going up against the opposing team's bench than he would the starters - but I am not in favor of bringing him back if he's placed ahead of the top 4 bigs (of course, assuming Splitter signs).

[taps]

i am unequivocally against Bonner's return to Spurs but using a vaguely eugenic argument to justify the lack of respect he gets is a reach. It's about ability, not race

[AFBlue]

So has there actually been any news on this front in days, or has this thread devolved into another "I want him/I don't want him" argument thread?

[Obstructed_View]

i am unequivocally against Bonner's return to Spurs but using a vaguely eugenic argument to justify the lack of respect he gets is a reach. It's about ability, not race

It's about the fact that he's the first big off the bench when he should be a role player. It's about the fact that he's playing interior defense against first line players. It's about the fact that he commits fouls and doesn't get superstar calls.

[EIC]

Let's not forget either that Bonner has got to be one of (if not the most) singled-out player in the league as far as officiating goes. The guy is basically playing defense with an arm tied behind his back. As soon as he moves the officials blow their whistles and call a foul on the guy.

We've all witnessed this hateful treatment by the league's refs towards the guy .. Bonner hanging his head in shame, muttering obscenities under his breath, while he basically gets raped the other way and nothing is called.

I still remember vividly that ugly mohawked cock----er on the kings (can't recall his name) slapping down HARD on Bonner's arm (who was in the process of securing a crucial rebound), which jerked Bonner's arm so hard he not only lost control of the ball he ended up falling on his head and 3 refs just stood there watching and did nothing.

Point is, not only is Bonner a liability with his own choking tendencies come playoff time, the guy literally cannot play physical on the defensive side of the ball without accruing costly fouls. And with Blair becoming a fixture in the 2nd unit (and his defensive woes) we need players who can play defense (or in Bonner's case, are allowed to).

This is not a bad point and, when combined with his choke-artistry, may explain the uncanny momentum-killing effect he has when he steps on the court. When he checks in, it's like the other team are a bunch of Great White sharks and Pop has just dumped a bucket of chum in the water: it's a feeding frenzy for the other team.

[EIC]

So has there actually been any news on this front in days, or has this thread devolved into another "I want him/I don't want him" argument thread?

Neither, actually. It's about a 20:1 ratio in favor of Bonner haters. But for the most part, we've moved past just kicking him in the nuts and have now begun analyzing precisely why he is almost entirely worthless in a Spurs uni.

:toast

[TJastal]

This is not a bad point and, when combined with his choke-artistry, may explain the uncanny momentum-killing effect he has when he steps on the court. When he checks in, it's like the other team are a bunch of Great White sharks and Pop has just dumped a bucket of chum in the water: it's a feeding frenzy for the other team.

As funny as this analogy is, its eerily accurate. And with Bonner all it really takes is one of those typical touch/barely any contact type fouls in a crucial situation that they love to whistle him on to make him hang his head in shame and stop playing even his normal "matador" defense. And then the opposing team basically gets a confidence surge knowing that ref has their back and Bonner won't be playing anything resembling "defense" the rest of the game.

[TJastal]

i am unequivocally against Bonner's return to Spurs but using a vaguely eugenic argument to justify the lack of respect he gets is a reach. It's about ability, not race

Just looking at this from the POV of Matt Bonner, I would argue he has the ability to play fair defense (seen flashes of it). The ability is there but he is basically limited to playing "matador" defense (ie not attempting to hinder, block or otherwise stop an offensive player). And for a guy playing "matador" defense (which is to say, almost zero defense) he gets whistled well more than his fair share IMO.

[Chucho]

Let's not forget either that Bonner has got to be one of (if not the most) singled-out player in the league as far as officiating goes. The guy is basically playing defense with an arm tied behind his back. As soon as he moves the officials blow their whistles and call a foul on the guy.

We've all witnessed this hateful treatment by the league's refs towards the guy .. Bonner hanging his head in shame, muttering obscenities under his breath, while he basically gets raped the other way and nothing is called.


BWAHAHAHA...it's because he's a black superstar, right? Give me a friggin break.

[Russ]

I don't know where Bonner is signing.

All I know is that he is a free agent.

He's out there.

And rumor has it he's booked an hour of time on the Fly Fishing Channel tomorrow night . . .:whine:king