How good will the Spurs frontcourt be: make your predictions

[DespЏrado]

Tired of the Scola threads?
Projecting the Spurs front-court there are very few teams that have had a set of four post players all capable of going 10-10 on any given night.

Duncan is a given to give the most consistent double doubles over the course of the season. Mcdyess will probably end up with the fewest of his career as it is winding down, but there is no doubt he will be there if given the minutes and when called upon. Blair is likely to experience some explosive games where he could show up for 30 plus points and 15 plus rebounds, but for the Spurs to do well a lot more is riding on Blair doing it every night. Tiago is going to be a huge upgrade for the Spurs. He's going to be like Duncan quietly filling up stat sheets and before you know it the night is over with another win and Splitter will exit the floor with another double double.

If I were to guess I would project the big men to average about the following:
Duncan 18 ppg 10 rpg (~19ppg 10rpg last year)
Blair 12 ppg 7 rpg (~8ppg 6rpg last year)
Tiago 12 ppg 8 rpg
McDyess 7pp 7 rpg (~6ppg and 6 rpg last year)

Total from the frontcourt:
49 ppg 32 rpg :wow

For comparison the Lakers Front court trio +1 did this last year:
Gasol 18ppg 11rpg
Bynum 15ppg 8.rpg
Odom 10ppg 10rpg
Mbenga 2ppg 2 rpg

Total : 45 ppg 31 rpg

For fun here is an old ranking of the league's best bigman combo's, always nice to dig out:

5.Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson
At his peak, Olajuwon averaged 33 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in the Finals against Shaq in one of the best Finals matchups for big men. He outplayed his competition
Sampson: He recorded 7,039 points (15.4), grabbed 4,011 boards (8.8) and blocked 1,363 shots (1.6) in the regular season. In the playoffs,he recorded 18.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.


4. Willis Reed and Dave DeBusschere
DeBusschere:He has tailed 14,053 points (16.1 ppg),grabbed 9,618 rebounds (11.0 rpg) and dished out 2,497 assists (2.9 apg) in his 11 year career.
Reed tailed 12,183 points (18.7), grabbed 8,414 rebounds (12.9), and dished out 1,186 assists (1.8) for his career.


3.Robert Parish and Kevin McHale
Parish: He has tailed 23,334 points (14.5),grabbed 14,715 rebounds (9.1) and blocked 2,361 shots (1.5) in 1611 games(NBA record).
McHale: He has tailed 17,335 points (17.9 ppg),grabbed 7,122 rebounds (7.3 rpg) and blocked 1,690 blocks (1.7 bpg) during the regular season.


2.Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes
Unseld: He has tailed 10,624 points (10.8),grabbed 13,769 rebounds (14.0) and dished out 3,822 assists (3.9) in the regular season.
Hayes: He has tailed 27,313 points, grabbed 16,279 rebounds, and blocked 1,771 shots (2.0 bpg) in the regular season. Keep in mind his number of blocks, which for most of his career, were not tallied.


1.Tim Duncan and David Robinson
Robinson: He tallied 20,790 points (21.1), grabbed 10,497 rebounds(10.6), blocked 2,954 shots (3.0) for his career.
So far, Duncan has tailed 20,641 points (21.1 ppg),grabbed 11,335 rebounds and blocked 2,235 shots (2.3 bpg) during the regular season.

[Waps1980]

It will be a big night in San Antonio when Duncan takes Robinsons spurs scoring title.
Should happen about 7 games into the season.

[Cane]

Does Bonner not count for the OP? ;)

[DespЏrado]

Does Bonner not count for the OP? ;)

When Bonner can be counted upon then Matt Bonner can be counted, until then he is just a red headed figment of Pop's senility.

[ajh18]

Even trying to temper expectations and be as realistic as possible, there's no way I see the 4-big rotation getting anything less than 43 and 30. Which is pretty damn awesome.

Duncan: 19 pts, 9 rebs
Splitter: 9 pts 7 rebs
Blair: 9 pts, 8 rebs
McDyess: 6 pts, 6 rebs

And the potential is there for even better numbers of Splitter or Blair has a breakout year.

[spectator]

firstly, i would like to see a minute per game analysis before we do the points. also, is there a way we can petition the spurs NOT to play duncan on a b2b during the 2nd part of the regular season? that way duncan can average 32 min/game while resting plenty for the PO. IIRC the spurs have 14 b2b; maybe go as far as play duncan in the first 4, then rest him for the season. that way he can be more efficient and still be in consideration for all-star, all-nba, all-defense, all-that crap.

moreover, this move would give the opportunity for the other players to log important minutes and create more chemistry with the second team. i trust splitter-mcdyess-blair to carry the front-line for us 10 games/season. any thoughts?

[DJ Mbenga]

splitter will do 8 and 8 at best. his minutes will be shard with bonner and blair.

[Blackjack]

Bonner's gonna poop on Mbenga, tbh.

[ElNono]

Regular season...

Duncan: 16 pts, 8 rebs
Splitter: 6 pts 5 rebs
Blair: 8 pts, 10 rebs
McDyess: 4 pts, 2 rebs
Bonner: 5 pts, 3 rebs

[spectator]

i'm going to venture a guess and predict duncan/splitter 32 min each; the other 32 will be shared between mcdyess/blair 10/22; welcome to no 5 big man mr. bonner. we ran out of minutes. please recharge your card at another provider.

duncan 17/10
splitter 13/7
blair 7/7
mcdyess 3/4

[DespЏrado]

splitter will do 8 and 8 at best. his minutes will be shard with bonner and blair.

It depends. I think Splitter will be starting very quickly for a couple of reasons: 1) he's that good. 2) Splitter can guard Odom like players. 3) The rotation makes the most sense with him starting. Blair can be used as the engine of beastliness off the bench. Mcdyess can be relegated to a support role where he plays when Blair is off his game. And Bonner can eat his hoagie.

And here's the crux of the argument how many times this year are we going to see the second string of Hill, Blair, Splitter, Anderson, Neal, and Manu or Tony start lighting up the other teams second unit in the second quarter?

They did it all of the time last year without Splitter. How many times is that going to turn into a blowout in which Duncan sits out the entire second quarter?

[MaNu4Tres]

Duncan 16 and 9
Splitter 10 and 7
Blair 9 and 9
Bonner 5 and 3
McDyess 4 and 3

[DrSteffo]

Duncan 18 and 9
Splitter 12 and 7
Blair 8 and 7
Dice 4 and 4
Bonner 5 and 2

[Leonard Curse]

firstly, i would like to see a minute per game analysis before we do the points. also, is there a way we can petition the spurs NOT to play duncan on a b2b during the 2nd part of the regular season? that way duncan can average 32 min/game while resting plenty for the PO. IIRC the spurs have 14 b2b; maybe go as far as play duncan in the first 4, then rest him for the season. that way he can be more efficient and still be in consideration for all-star, all-nba, all-defense, all-that crap.

moreover, this move would give the opportunity for the other players to log important minutes and create more chemistry with the second team. i trust splitter-mcdyess-blair to carry the front-line for us 10 games/season. any thoughts?


i seriously agree with this i couldnt bare to watch the playoffs as we were getting pounded inside i know thats not going to happen this year for sure but it would be nice to have timmy full throttle in the post season

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Duncan 20 ppg 11 rpg
Blair 7 ppg 7 rpg
Tiago 8 ppg 6 rpg
McDyess 4 ppg 5 rpg

[ezau]

Duncan 19/10
Splitter 11/8
Blair 10/8
Dice 6/5
Bonner __________

[Leonard Curse]

Duncan 18/10reb
Splitter 11/6reb
Dice 7/8reb
Blair 10/10reb
Bonner the P.o.S ill go with 6/3reb only cause pop will of course overplay that loser

oh and the reason dice is 7/and8 is cause dice looked totally lost out there for a while last year and he looked solid for us later on once he memorized the plays and i think this year hell be alot more comfortable

[20beastie45]

Nice Thread!!!

Dunacn 17/9
Splitter 12/7
Blair 10/7
McDyess 4/3
Bonner Traded for Carmelo!!!!!:king

Dunacn, Splitter and Blair are going to be rotating fourth quarter min. IMO.(Blair/Splitter whoever is having a better game or for match up purposes)

I can see Blair and Splitter wrecking the front court together. If Tony is healthy and has an all star year.......FORGET ABOUT IT!:flag:

[silverblk mystix]

When Bonner can be counted upon then Matt Bonner can be counted, until then he is just a red headed figment of Pop's senility.

:toast:toast:toast:toast:toast:toast:toast

I don't think anyone has ever put the pop/bonner phenomenon

quite as well.

a red headed figment of pop's senility.

I like it.

[TD 21]

Regular season...

Duncan: 16 pts, 8 rebs
Splitter: 6 pts 5 rebs
Blair: 8 pts, 10 rebs
McDyess: 4 pts, 2 rebs
Bonner: 5 pts, 3 rebs

Finally someone with realistic averages for Splitter.

People are setting themselves up for disappointment if they think he's going to average in the vicinity of a double double. Then it's inevitably going to be talked about ad nauseam how he's a bust and received way too much hype, even though in actuality his numbers will most likely be more of a product and a reflection of his role on this team than his talent and capabilities.

Duncan: 16 ppg, 9 rpg
Blair: 9 ppg, 8 rpg
McDyess: 4 ppg, 5 rpg
Splitter: 7 ppg, 5 rpg
Bonner: 6 ppg, 3 rpg

[Samr]

Duncan: 16 pts, 8 rebs
Splitter: 7-8 pts, 4-5 rebs
Blair: 10 pts, 8 rebs
McD: 4 pts, 2 rebs
Bonner: 4-5 pts, 2 rebs

Even with below-expectations production, that rotation is solid. Even your fifth man (McD or Bonner) can come in, produce, and start if need me.

I like that the Spurs will be able to rest Duncan and McD more for the post-season (using Blair, Bonner, Splitter to take up more of their minutes), and a future front-court of Blair and Splitter means exciting Spurs basketball for a while longer.

Say what you will, but I like the fact that the Spurs wrapped up Bonner for a few more years (though not at that price, but whatever, not my money). He'll be a solid, regular-season minutes-eater for a while. Good locker room presence, good practice guy, and good dude to stretch the floor as the games of Blair and Splitter become more refined and defined in the upcoming years.

[Libri]

Regular season...

Duncan: 16 pts, 8 rebs
Splitter: 6 pts 5 rebs
Blair: 8 pts, 10 rebs
McDyess: 4 pts, 2 rebs
Bonner: 5 pts, 3 rebs

I would be intersting to see if Blair becomes the Spurs leading rebounder.

[Killakobe81]

I know Im not a spur fan but, some of you rate him (Tiago) too high ...and some too low. If he gets the mins I do think he can be a 12 and 8 guy ESPECIALLY if you play more uptempo like you did in the playoffs. And even though I wish the Spurs were more like their grind it out offense defend like hell selves ...My guess since they dont have a Bowen and tim is older they will continue to score more and splitter will put up numbers.

also blair is meant to be a milsap type energy guy, not a heavy minutes guy. The longer he plays the less effective he will be. Not saying if he is rolling dont play him but the spurs wll be better with splitter playing than with Blair ...Blair's defense sucked last year.

Just my 2 cents I hope to see the spurs in the playoffs this year ...good luck Spur fans!

[ezau]

I would be intersting to see if Blair becomes the Spurs leading rebounder.

I think this is gonna be the first time that a man not named David Robinson will average more rebounds than Duncan. This is cool

[Solid D]

Player.......PPG RPG
Duncan.......17.5 10.0
Splitter.......10.5 6.0
Blair............9.5 7.5
McDyess..... 4.2 3.8
Bonner........6.0 3.0

[Phenomanul]

It will be a big night in San Antonio when Duncan takes Robinsons spurs scoring title.
Should happen about 7 games into the season.

This would be a sweeter scenario:

If before the game that this feat was likely to transpire, Robinson was signed to a 10 day contract, and subbed in just before Duncan was about to topple his mark... let them have fun at the expense of the opposition... gnomes wkould be on order, of course.

[silverblackfan]

This would be a sweeter scenario:

If before the game that this feat was likely to transpire, Robinson was signed to a 10 day contract, and subbed in just before Duncan was about to topple his mark... let them have fun at the expense of the opposition... gnomes wkould be on order, of course.

:lol
I would pay for that game, and I am in Seattle.

[Man In Black]

Player.......PPG RPG
Duncan........18.0 9.0
Splitter........10.0 7.0
Blair.............9.0 8.0
McDyess...... 7.0 5.0
Bonner.........6.0 2.0

I think it'll be more of a reflection of how much less Tim plays and how effective the regular season front court can be. It's not so much a decline for Tim but an understanding that with a much improved front court, that Tim needn't do as much until the playoffs.

The front court play should be more balanced now. Tiago has a great understanding of the game and will get chances to create with his back to the basket game. Since it's an experienced Tiago as opposed to a less experienced DeJuan or a less physical Bonner, the Spurs could actually slow the pace and just run multiple set attack pick and rolls. That requires patience and fundamental understanding. I can't help but think that Manu's knowledge of the Flex-Cut Offense as taught to him by 04 Gold Coach, Ruben Magnano, some of which Pop had implemented in the past when Fabricio Oberto was here, can be of great benefit for Tiago because of what he's learning now with current Brazil coach, the same Ruben Magnano. Oh the possibilities of ball movement are a beautiful thing if it results in an easy made basket.

[ynh]

I think they will be decent but not great.. slightly above average. You have a rookie that you aren't sure how he will translate to the nba and will hit a wall at some point.. and Dice's best (well more productive years) were two years behind him. Duncan is great of course.. I don't think he is going to slip as much as the numbers I see on here are.. Blair is a very good backup.. as another person mentioned he is a 20-25 min player.

[#2!]

The backup PF duo of Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair allows for two distinctively different pairs of backup bigs (Splitter, due to his superior height, will most likely play Center whenever not paired with Tim Duncan).

Matt Bonner, while not mine, or anyones, favorite signing of the offseason, may be a comfortable pairing with Splitter because perimeter shooting big men are a more common fixture in European basketball, and Splitter will need plenty of space to operate both in the 4down set, and working the pick and roll. DeJuan Blair has spent the summer working on his midrange jumpshot, and for the Spurs' sake hopefully significant progress was made. Without a respectable jumpshot the pairing of Blair with Splitter may clog the lane with defenders.

This would be an unfortunate scenario because Blair's rebounding offsets one of Splitter's alleged weaknesses (defensive rebounding), and the two would also create an unstoppable offensive rebounding unit (where both accell). The PF spot was a bit crowded last season with fans arguing over whether or not Blair deserved more minutes, and if so, at who's expense?


Here's my (useless) numbers predictions:
TD- 18/9
McD-4/4
Splitter-11/5
DeJuan-7/9
Bonner-6/3

Total: 45/30
Last season's totals: 41.4/26.8

[007nites]

Regular season...

Duncan: 16 pts, 8 rebs
Splitter: 6 pts 5 rebs
Blair: 8 pts, 10 rebs
McDyess: 4 pts, 2 rebs
Bonner: 5 pts, 3 rebs

Your stats there look realistic but I would be really dissapointed if Splitter averaged only 6 points a game or less. He should be capable of averaging at least 8 points considering he's 25 and has a lot of experience playing basketball at a high level. I don't expect him to average 10 but 8 points should be more like it. I agree with you of him averaging 5 rebounds though.

Duncan: 16.6ppg, 9.7rpg
Blair: 8.9ppg, 8.1rpg
Splitter: 8.0ppg, 5.2rpg
McDyess: 4.2ppg, 3.2rpg
Bonner: 5.4ppg, 2.9rpg