Ed Helicopter Jones
11-02-2012, 02:28 PM
Well, kiddos, it's been fun lurking for the better part of a year now. But it's time to get back to posting...I'd like to hit 10,000 before my 10th year as a forum member.
A few thoughts on the new season thus far:
The bench play has me worried. Ok, so Manu's out, and we all know that even if you stuck SuperManu on the floor with a group of 4 randomly selected Spurstalkers he'd even make us look good, but the bench play so far has me concerned. Our bench has been outscored in both games so far, is struggling to hit shots (under 40% from the floor) is off from 3 (2 for 13, or 15.4%), not rebounding or playing great D, with the exception of Stephen Jackson. For a team that is supposedly so deep, that's not encouraging. Take SJax out of the equation and the Spurs essentially have no bench play to speak of. Of course, you re-insert Manu, and suddenly we're probably having a different conversation about the bench. Smoke and mirrors? Anyone want to play the backup 4 next to Ginobili and look like a 6th man of the year?
Too many minutes for Tim and Tony. Yes, they looked great in back-to-back appearances, but the Spurs can't expect Duncan and Parker to shoulder the load throughout the season. If either of those two were running on fumes these last two games, we'd be 0-2 right now. I'd expect Pop to back Tim's minutes down once the team has established itself a bit, but right now any reduction in minutes to Duncan or Parker would have equaled a pair of losses to open the year.
We won't win in the playoffs with the big men we currently have. Yes, earth-shatteringly shocking news. The Spurs will have to make a change at some point this season unless they are willing to go into the post season knowing they don't stand a chance of making the finals. Tim Duncan is really it in terms of any sort of big man interior presence. The dropoff is dramatic after TD. Diaw is serviceable and would be a great backup big. Splitter has to step up, big-time, but at this point hasn't shown he's in full-on game mode, and the two-headed montster that is Blonner needs to go. Tim Duncan will get worn out by the playoffs having to shoulder the entire interior duty for the Spurs. It's all on Mr. Duncan, and we know how well that scenario plays out in the post season. Welcome to Mr. Robinson's neighborhood prior to your arrival Tim! The big man core looks the weakest it's been since Robinson's retirement. How much is Bonner slated to make this year?
Nando de Colo. "We need more Nando!" <-- Future Gregg Popovich timeout quote during the 2013 Western Conference Finals. I'd like to see what this kid can do in a regular season game, and hope he plays soon.
Kawhi Leonard. I fully expect him to emerge from his slump soon. The kid works too hard for his game not to turn around, and in a big way. He needs to quit thinking. Thinking is bad. Leave the thinking to the white players who have no game. I was known as a smart player. Look at me now Kawhi...it's just sad. Quit thinking and just play, or you'll end up living in a van down by the river.
The future. Right now the Spurs look a little vulnerable. Thankfully Parker and Duncan are playing at a high level. Either of those guys slump, and without a healthy Manu, the Spurs are in for some rough stretches. I think a trade/addtion/change to the current roster is mandatory at some point in the season and I'd be shocked if we don't make at least a couple of roster changes this year. IMO, we are not a team capable of pushing into the late rounds of the playoffs. Of course, once Manu is back he'll elevate everyone's game...my concern is that he's already had a couple of injuries and the season is just getting started. Without Manu this team is good, but not great. His absence exposes the fact that this team is not as deep as it usually appears.
A few thoughts on the new season thus far:
The bench play has me worried. Ok, so Manu's out, and we all know that even if you stuck SuperManu on the floor with a group of 4 randomly selected Spurstalkers he'd even make us look good, but the bench play so far has me concerned. Our bench has been outscored in both games so far, is struggling to hit shots (under 40% from the floor) is off from 3 (2 for 13, or 15.4%), not rebounding or playing great D, with the exception of Stephen Jackson. For a team that is supposedly so deep, that's not encouraging. Take SJax out of the equation and the Spurs essentially have no bench play to speak of. Of course, you re-insert Manu, and suddenly we're probably having a different conversation about the bench. Smoke and mirrors? Anyone want to play the backup 4 next to Ginobili and look like a 6th man of the year?
Too many minutes for Tim and Tony. Yes, they looked great in back-to-back appearances, but the Spurs can't expect Duncan and Parker to shoulder the load throughout the season. If either of those two were running on fumes these last two games, we'd be 0-2 right now. I'd expect Pop to back Tim's minutes down once the team has established itself a bit, but right now any reduction in minutes to Duncan or Parker would have equaled a pair of losses to open the year.
We won't win in the playoffs with the big men we currently have. Yes, earth-shatteringly shocking news. The Spurs will have to make a change at some point this season unless they are willing to go into the post season knowing they don't stand a chance of making the finals. Tim Duncan is really it in terms of any sort of big man interior presence. The dropoff is dramatic after TD. Diaw is serviceable and would be a great backup big. Splitter has to step up, big-time, but at this point hasn't shown he's in full-on game mode, and the two-headed montster that is Blonner needs to go. Tim Duncan will get worn out by the playoffs having to shoulder the entire interior duty for the Spurs. It's all on Mr. Duncan, and we know how well that scenario plays out in the post season. Welcome to Mr. Robinson's neighborhood prior to your arrival Tim! The big man core looks the weakest it's been since Robinson's retirement. How much is Bonner slated to make this year?
Nando de Colo. "We need more Nando!" <-- Future Gregg Popovich timeout quote during the 2013 Western Conference Finals. I'd like to see what this kid can do in a regular season game, and hope he plays soon.
Kawhi Leonard. I fully expect him to emerge from his slump soon. The kid works too hard for his game not to turn around, and in a big way. He needs to quit thinking. Thinking is bad. Leave the thinking to the white players who have no game. I was known as a smart player. Look at me now Kawhi...it's just sad. Quit thinking and just play, or you'll end up living in a van down by the river.
The future. Right now the Spurs look a little vulnerable. Thankfully Parker and Duncan are playing at a high level. Either of those guys slump, and without a healthy Manu, the Spurs are in for some rough stretches. I think a trade/addtion/change to the current roster is mandatory at some point in the season and I'd be shocked if we don't make at least a couple of roster changes this year. IMO, we are not a team capable of pushing into the late rounds of the playoffs. Of course, once Manu is back he'll elevate everyone's game...my concern is that he's already had a couple of injuries and the season is just getting started. Without Manu this team is good, but not great. His absence exposes the fact that this team is not as deep as it usually appears.