Biggest surprise for the Spurs for the 2015-2016 season

[Old School 44]

What do you think will be the biggest surprise for the Spurs this season?

I think it will be the development and the contributions of Boban Marjanovic. I see a lot of comments about him being slow, but at that size who's not. I actually see a more of a north and south lumbering player. Once he's down the court, I like his quickness and his footwork. Not saying he's going to dominate or anything like that, I just think he will work his way into a solid rotation player.

[Old School 44]

are the refs going to call him for moving screens?
Do they call anybody for moving screens?

[Kuestmaster]

Apo not being a player fan.

[Fireball]

I hope for Boban to be a revelation as well, but I put my money on Ray ...

[tmtcsc]

I would be surprised if Boban averaged more than 3 minutes a game this season. He and Bonner are going to be bench buddies for the most part.

Where are his minutes supposed to come from?

Duncan
Aldridge
Parker
Green
Leonard

Ginobili
McCallum, Jr.
West
Diaw
Mills

Simmons
Anderson
Bonner
Boban
Butler / Fredette / Williams (?)

[Old School 44]

I hope for Boban to be a revelation as well, but I put my money on Ray ...

Ray's a good choice as well, especially with Tony and Manu slowing down.

[Fireball]

Ray's a good choice as well, especially with Tony and Manu slowing down.

yeah, I just think he will be the one getting playing time ...

[Brian Windhorst]

Simmons! His game reminds me a lot of Jeremy Lin, but Simmons is 3 inches taller. Lin is a better passes but I think Simmons can be a better finisher at the rim.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYr4L3woLyY

Compare to


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOGsj9OiBmM

[itzsoweezee]

Parker's minutes drop off. Both per game and overall. He'll probably average about 25 minutes a game and play in less than 70 games.

[Old School 44]

I would be surprised if Boban averaged more than 3 minutes a game this season. He and Bonner are going to be bench buddies for the most part.

Where are his minutes supposed to come from?

Duncan
Aldridge
Parker
Green
Leonard

Ginobili
McCallum, Jr.
West
Diaw
Mills

Simmons
Anderson
Bonner
Boban
Butler / Fredette / Williams (?)

For most of the season, I only see Leonard and Aldridge as the only front court players with regular minutes per game. And even they will be rested on occasion, especially if the Spurs have a lot of blowout wins. Everybody else is going to be situational based on Pop choosing to rest players, who the Spurs are playing etc. Maybe Pop can squeeze out 8-12 min for Boban if things are going well.

[YGWHI]

I just think he will work his way into a solid rotation player.
The team will need a true center in one or two years, free agent big men are too expensive, acquire a young center through the draft and developing him take time, if Marjanovic becomes into a decent center...that would be huge for the Spurs.

[benefactor]

Simmons, tbh.

[SAGirl]

There are any number of possible surprises.

Kawhi making good on his MVP talk and showing up with huge games and consistency will be a gigantic turn for him. I want to see him do well. It's not so much a big surprise, as we all know his potential, but he hasn't maintained that potential through the season, having very up and down performances. He needs to be reliable. Seeing that from him, will be huge for the team.

Of the new guys, it would really be a shot in the dark as I have not watched play from Ray, Boban, Jimmer, even West. If Boban turns out to be a player this year that would be the biggest surprise of all, because everyone has downplayed him. European big men notoriously take their time adapting and Manu already said he needs time. Its basically Manu who told me to chill about Boban.

Just because I have watched a lot of Kyle Anderson, and I am a fan I am going to say he's going to surprise. Simmons having some good games will surprise ppl too as he's truly and unknown d'leaguer. I can't pick anyone in particular in the end. I will give you my prediction once we have preseason games. :lmao But then it will not be much of a prediction, so you got me.

[benefactor]

I don't think Anderson playing well would be much of a surprise. As a first round pick, he's expected to break out and become a nice role player eventually. I think the label is reserved for the fringe guys(Simmons, McCallum, Boban, etc.).

[Kidd K]

Do they call anybody for moving screens?

They do when you're on the Spurs and playing the Thunder in the 2012 WCF, but not when you're Ibaka or Perkins on the Thunder during the same series and doing it 10x as often as the entire Spurs team is combined. You're also allowed to goaltend a dozen times if your name is Ibaka and you're playing the Spurs too.

[Joseph Kony]

Patty Mills wins 6MOY

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Simmons being cut.

[NASpurs]

Simmons being cut.

Riiiight, they signed him on a 2-year deal during the summer to cut his ass later on.

[Chinook]

Riiiight, they signed him on a 2-year deal during the summer to cut his ass later on.

Um, that's not remotely rare. They signed Malcolm Thomas to a two-year deal a couple of years ago only to cut him a few days after his first year became guaranteed.

I mean, I don't think Simmons is getting cut. But his contract isn't a huge deterrent.

[BillMc]

What do you think will be the biggest surprise for the Spurs this season?

I think it will be the development and the contributions of Boban Marjanovic. I see a lot of comments about him being slow, but at that size who's not. I actually see a more of a north and south lumbering player. Once he's down the court, I like his quickness and his footwork. Not saying he's going to dominate or anything like that, I just think he will work his way into a solid rotation player.

I think Boban may get some starts actually. Pop often likes to keep the second unit intact. So instead of moving West or Diaw up into the starting lineup on nights Tim rests, he may choose to start a 3rd string guy like Boban. So, I think on a nightly basis his minutes will be low, but there will be some games where he gets good chunks of time, and with the starters no less.

On the "Boban Watch" Tim also mentioned in a video interview this weekend being impressed with the new Serbian guy, particularly how well he moves for his size. That's a nice sign (unless it means Timmy is slowing down and everyone else seems faster! :lol)

[ironman2886]

I think Jimmer is going to surprise us. Pop has already given him the green light. Getting called by the Spurs this Summer has really got him confident. He comes in as the best all around shooter on this team. He has good handles, passes well, underrated court vision, and has a knack for making plays. Oh yeah, and he's an elite free throw shooter. That's always a plus. Of course defense will be his weakness, though.

Simmons is my #2 pick. I think the crowd and his teammates are going to love his energy, toughness, and athleticism.

[Old School 44]

I think Boban may get some starts actually. Pop often likes to keep the second unit intact. So instead of moving West or Diaw up into the starting lineup on nights Tim rests, he may choose to start a 3rd string guy like Boban. So, I think on a nightly basis his minutes will be low, but there will be some games where he gets good chunks of time, and with the starters no less.

On the "Boban Watch" Tim also mentioned in a video interview this weekend being impressed with the new Serbian guy, particularly how well he moves for his size. That's a nice sign (unless it means Timmy is slowing down and everyone else seems faster! :lol)

Yep, I saw that interview with Tim too. In watching some of Marjanovic videos, (and I know they are "highlights"), I really like how he moves around the basket. He also has great touch. Offensively, he kind of reminds me a little of Yao Ming. It will be interesting to see if he can use his size to become a better rim and paint protector.

[Old School 44]

I think Jimmer is going to surprise us. Pop has already given him the green light. Getting called by the Spurs this Summer has really got him confident. He comes in as the best all around shooter on this team. He has good handles, passes well, underrated court vision, and has a knack for making plays. Oh yeah, and he's an elite free throw shooter. That's always a plus. Of course defense will be his weakness, though.

Simmons is my #2 pick. I think the crowd and his teammates are going to love his energy, toughness, and athleticism.

I hope Jimmer also has a better than expected impact. Did you see the Spurs 100 shots drill with Jimmer? He would close each summer training session with this drill. You shoot 25 mid range and then 75 three pointers from various spots on the floor. I know it's an empty gym, but his lowest score was 82 and his highest was 89. Pretty impressive.

[ironman2886]

I hope Jimmer also has a better than expected impact. Did you see the Spurs 100 shots drill with Jimmer? He would close each summer training session with this drill. You shoot 25 mid range and then 75 three pointers from various spots on the floor. I know it's an empty gym, but his lowest score was 82 and his highest was 89. Pretty impressive.
Yes, I saw that video. He's a natural shooter, and the amount of open shots he will get in this Spurs system caters to his strength(catch and shoot.) If he plays a little defense, Pop will love him.

[From Downtown]

Boban

[daledondale]

Simmons, tbh.

[Old School 44]

Boban's actually coming along faster than I thought. I love it when he's out there with great passers like Boris and Manu. That one play that went Manu to Bobo to Boban for the quick catch and bucket was nice.

[Mr Bones]

I'd love to see Boban get some starts when Tim rests in the future. Pairing him with Diaw makes sense because of Diaw's passing, but it'd be interesting to see Boban & Aldridge together, doing a high/low thing where Aldridge pulls the 2nd defender away from the basket, leaving Boban one on one or Aldridge open for 14 footers when his defender sags down to double.

[UNT Eagles 2016]

I'd love to see Boban get some starts when Tim rests in the future. Pairing him with Diaw makes sense because of Diaw's passing, but it'd be interesting to see Boban & Aldridge together, doing a high/low thing where Aldridge pulls the 2nd defender away from the basket, leaving Boban one on one or Aldridge open for 14 footers when his defender sags down to double.

Yep. Boban and Bobo are redundant since they're both back-you-in and score guys. Boban and Lamarcus work very well. But don't you think Boban + Bonbon would be another good idea, since the defense would either pretty much have to concede the open 3 to Bonbon or an easy bucket for Boban in single coverage?

[ceperez]

Yep. Boban and Bobo are redundant since they're both back-you-in and score guys. Boban and Lamarcus work very well. But don't you think Boban + Bonbon would be another good idea, since the defense would either pretty much have to concede the open 3 to Bonbon or an easy bucket for Boban in single coverage?

You can't pair Lamarcus with Boban because Lamarcus can't pass. Yes, Lamarcus can't pass.
Boban and Bobo is a good fit because Bobo can pass and you need that entry pass for Boban to be effective. Furthermore, on defense, Bobo gives up a lot in height, so the hulking presence of Bobans makes sense.
Yeah, Bonner (or Bonbon) does make sense for special situations.

[cutewizard]

That Boban of Serbia is the best pure center in the NBA

wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Old School 44]

I think a great lineup includes Boris, Manu, Patty with Boban. All are very capable passers, all are threats to shoot a three. The fifth player could be any of these... Kawhi, Simmons, Anderson or Danny.

[ceperez]

I think a great lineup includes Boris, Manu, Patty with Boban. All are very capable passers, all are threats to shoot a three. The fifth player could be any of these... Kawhi, Simmons, Anderson or Danny.

Agree. I've been proposing this after I saw the lineup in the Nuggets game. Boban can't be stopped if he gets the ball in the paint. 7-7 shooting should tell you that. The problem of course is getting the ball to him. To do that, you need capable passers. Nobody more capable than Manu and Boris. Anderson and Simmons are also pretty good.

[GSH]

Yep. Boban and Bobo are redundant since they're both back-you-in and score guys.


They're practically the same player. Sometimes, when I watch Boban start out at about 18 feet, dribbling and backing his defender farther and farther toward the paint, I say to myself, "Hey... is that Diaw?" It's really uncanny.

[UNT Eagles 2016]

You can't pair Lamarcus with Boban because Lamarcus can't pass. Yes, Lamarcus can't pass.
Boban and Bobo is a good fit because Bobo can pass and you need that entry pass for Boban to be effective. Furthermore, on defense, Bobo gives up a lot in height, so the hulking presence of Bobans makes sense.
Yeah, Bonner (or Bonbon) does make sense for special situations.
OKC. Particularly if Ibaka + one of Kanter/Adams are on the court. Ibaka has to stay out of the paint to guard Red Mamba's 3 while the center gets schooled. On the other end, the center is too much of a stiff to score on Boban, and Bonner won't be exposed in the paint because that's not Ibaka's game.

[wildbill2u]

We're starting to see why Boban was considered to be one of the best players in the Euroleagues. For a giant, he has surprised with his hustle up and down the court in transition. Not a speedster, but truly works hard on defense. Has very good hands and is catching some of Manu's difficult passes with ease. FT shooting is above average on a small sample--and his shooting touch on FGs is surprisingly deft. He looks better every time he gets on the court and is adapting well to the NBA game.

He's the biggest surprise by far.

[sasaint]

They're practically the same player. Sometimes, when I watch Boban start out at about 18 feet, dribbling and backing his defender farther and farther toward the paint, I say to myself, "Hey... is that Diaw?" It's really uncanny.

:lmao "Bobo", "Boban" - coincidence? I think not.

[sasaint]

Agree. I've been proposing this after I saw the lineup in the Nuggets game. Boban can't be stopped if he gets the ball in the paint. 7-7 shooting should tell you that. The problem of course is getting the ball to him. To do that, you need capable passers. Nobody more capable than Manu and Boris. Anderson and Simmons are also pretty good.

Your agreement is unexpectedly understated. Though since I noticed it last night, I think I like it quite a bit. You made a god observation, sir.

:toast

[ceperez]

Your agreement is unexpectedly understated. Though since I noticed it last night, I think I like it quite a bit. You made a god observation, sir.

:toast

Throw in Leonard into this kind of lineup and you got Shaq/Kobe reincarnated.

[Horse]

Throw in Leonard into this kind of lineup and you got Shaq/Kobe reincarnated.
But a shaq that hits Fts