Pop: Gasol Is A Starter

[TD 21]

:wow Shockingly, random message board poster (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=262343) is incorrect.

At 1:41 . . . http://www.nba.com/spurs/video/channels/nbatv/2016/09/27/20160927-media-day-popovich-greenbergnba

As if there was ever any doubt. :wakeup

[apalisoc_9]

:lol

Yeah dissapointing. It's really funny how the Aldridge-Parker-Gasols are making the least amount of real sacrifice to benefit the team...not everyone is a Manu or Kawhi..

Most likely though, he gets subbed out in the 7 or 6 minute mark..but that only means Aldridge gets to play with Dedmon for like 2 minutes to begin the game and possibly only 8 in total.

[dabom]

This was an easy one. No one respectable actually though otherwise. :lol

[dabom]

Realgm experts. :lol

[alpha_HaZE]

Yes, to start the season at least :)

[Dex]

Gasol is the more well-rounded and experienced player, and his passing will be an asset to the starting lineup. We need to save some defense and rim-protection for the bench unit, and Dedmon will hopefully provide that...not to mention he will be able to temper his foul trouble in limited minutes.

[tonight...you]

Gasol is the more well-rounded and experienced player, and his passing will be an asset to the starting lineup. We need to save some defense and rim-protection for the bench unit, and Dedmon will hopefully provide that...not to mention he will be able to temper his foul trouble in limited minutes.
True that. Pau is a smart player and understands team basketball. He'll make about as smooth a transition from Duncan, on offense, as possible. The SL will need that as they steady themselves the first part of the season.

[Down Under]

Gasol is still a decent rim protector, it's just when he gets dragged away from it is when there's trouble.

[Seventyniner]

Not surprised at all. I bet starting was a condition of him signing here.

[benefactor]

Earthing shaking news broken. Will share with all friends and every random person I encounter.

[Obstructed_View]

Not surprised at all. I bet starting was a condition of him signing here.

Gasol seems to be a player like Michael Finley that thinks starting is important. Like when Finley started, Pop decides who finishes games, and that's probably more important.

[tonight...you]

Gasol seems to be a player like Michael Finley that thinks starting is important. Like when Finley started, Pop decides who finishes games, and that's probably more important.
True... True.

[Obstructed_View]

True... True.

And Pop getting it out there to make sure it's not even a question keeps Pau from Pauting.

[tonight...you]

And Pop getting it out there to make sure it's not even a question keeps Pau from Pauting.
Now that's a good point. Right now, the last thing Pop needs is uneasy sailing. He's going to put Pau, LMA and Kawhi out there in the front and do like he did with LMA last year: see how they play together, but Pau is starting and will start unless the pier falls under water.

[Obstructed_View]

Now that's a good point. Right now, the last thing Pop needs is uneasy sailing. He's going to put Pau, LMA and Kawhi out there in the front and do like he did with LMA last year: see how they play together, but Pau is starting and will start unless the pier falls under water.

Pau sees himself as a starter, and everyone who has watched him knows that, which is why the report that he'd come off the bench were so hard to believe. So from Pop's perspective, you affirm to the reporters that he's a starter, and then you tell him in practice that his ability to stay on the floor hinges on his play, just like everyone else.

[wildbill2u]

Who the hell else do they have to start at the 5 if they keep their word to LMA to let him play PF? Beyond that, if Pau is the third highest paid player on the team, I don't think they would contemplate paying that kind of money to a bench player.

[SAGirl]

And Pop getting it out there to make sure it's not even a question keeps Pau from Pauting.
Wow, you got this one so right. At one point the press asked Lamarcus about the big man rotation and he said it was a Pop question, not his place. Then the press asked Pop about the bench, (wasn't even a Pau question), and without being prompted Pop clarified that Pau was going to start.

Then to the dismay of some he said he was going to look to J.Simms and Anderson for production off the bench, but really that should not surprised anyone but the "vendingmachinehead" hating crew, and maybe the occasional Garino fan that was hoping that either guy would get cut to get Garino in. But that is already deviating from the Pau subject. What surprised me was that Pop put it out there so they don't bother others asking questions.

[SAGirl]

Who the hell else do they have to start at the 5 if they keep their word to LMA to let him play PF? Beyond that, if Pau is the third highest paid player on the team, I don't think they would contemplate paying that kind of money to a bench player.
I think everyone has assumed Dedmon will pull through, but he was getting 12 minutes in a tank team. Fouling was probably a big reason for his lack of playing time. He's just unknown in terms of performance in a good team. That's probably why the FO was so insistent on getting Lee too.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Gasol had to start, I didn't think it was even a topic for discussion. Dedmon is too green, Gasol won't be getting 11 million a year just to come off the bench.

[gambit1990]

not surprising. gasol's still capable. excited for the season.

[objective]

Gasol seems to be a player like Michael Finley that thinks starting is important. Like when Finley started, Pop decides who finishes games, and that's probably more important.

100%. He's an ego diva and just like Finley and Hedo is the type to dog it and sabotage the team until Pop gives in.

[dabom]

Already victifying a player that hasn't even played a game yet. :lmao

[YGWHI]

Nothing new under the sun.

But Pau's need of being recognized as the Spurs starting center, says a lot about his ego and insecurity than anything else.

I'm not a big fan of that type of players...

[YGWHI]

Already victifying a player that hasn't even played a game yet. :lmao

Hasn't played a game as a Spur yet. But people already know Pau...

[dabom]

Hasn't played a game as a Spur yet. But people already know Pau...

That he was untreated fairly by the Lakers. Dude is mad talented. He clearly still has it. I don't call that being a diva when you are still a top player.

[DJR210]

Earthing shaking news broken. Will share with all friends and every random person I encounter.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Of course he is. If he didn't care about this he'd have been a Spur 2 years ago.

[cd021]

Then I am not impressed with a Demon-Lee frontline off the bench unless they stagger minutes between the starting bigs and Bench.

Lee can't shoot outside the paint and is pretty much a roll man, like Dedmon. Would rather it be Mills-Manu-Simmons/Bertans-Anderson and Dedmon, I think it will eventually look that way towards the end of the season.

[spurs10]

Then I am not impressed with a Demon-Lee frontline off the bench unless they stagger minutes between the starting bigs and Bench.

Lee can't shoot outside the paint and is pretty much a roll man, like Dedmon. Would rather it be Mills-Manu-Simmons/Bertans-Anderson and Dedmon, I think it will eventually look that way towards the end of the season.Are you seeing Simmons and Bertans at the 3 and KA at the 4?

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Then I am not impressed with a Demon-Lee frontline off the bench unless they stagger minutes between the starting bigs and Bench.

Lee can't shoot outside the paint and is pretty much a roll man, like Dedmon. Would rather it be Mills-Manu-Simmons/Bertans-Anderson and Dedmon, I think it will eventually look that way towards the end of the season.

I think Kyle will get a lot of minutes at the 4, especially if he has improved his 3 pt shot. Would give much better balance than Dedmon-Lee, which would be terrible. I've no idea what was the purpose of the Lee signing, but really hope Pop wouldn't overplay him simply because he's a vet.

Also, Bertans is a 4, always has been. He won't be able to play the 3 even against bench wings.

[cd021]

Are you seeing Simmons and Bertans at the 3 and KA at the 4?

Yeah, I think Anderson is closer to a 4 than 3. I think Bertans is closer to a 3 than a 4 and Simmons is a swing man but probably more of 2 guard. Assuming Anderson and Simmons improve as shooters (they were low volume 3pt shooters last season) it makes sense to go "small in the second unit with Dedmon as the anchor.

Mills,Manu, Bertans, Anderson and Dedmon gives the Spurs size/length and shooting on the perimeter with DD serving as the roll man. It would be somewhat reminiscent of the 13-14 bench.

[cd021]

I think Kyle will get a lot of minutes at the 4, especially if he has improved his 3 pt shot. Would give much better balance than Dedmon-Lee, which would be terrible. I've no idea what was the purpose of the Lee signing, but really hope Pop wouldn't overplay him simply because he's a vet.

Also, Bertans is a 4, always has been. He won't be able to play the 3 even against bench wings.

Based on what I've seen, he's a tall 3 and a thin 4. Maybe you're right, its not like I've watched him extensively during his international career though. I'd be concerned about the rebounding and I think teams would possibly go small and put another wing instead of playing big which negates some of his stretch four potential because he would essentially still be guarding and playing on the wing.

I hope Lee is a 1th man than will fall out of the rotation near the end of the regular season, maybe the Spurs don't think Anderson is ready just yet to play the 4. But I expect him to be the 4 towards the end of the season.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Based on what I've seen, he's a tall 3 and a thin 4. Maybe you're right, its not like I've watched him extensively during his international career though. I'd be concerned about the rebounding and I think teams would possibly go small and put another wing instead of playing big which negates some of his stretch four potential because he would essentially still be guarding and playing on the wing.

Exactly what I'd expect, he'd have to shoot lights out to find a niche for himself. Teams could and should put a wing on him to force Pop to play him at the 3.



I hope Lee is a 1th man than will fall out of the rotation near the end of the regular season, maybe the Spurs don't think Anderson is ready just yet to play the 4. But I expect him to be the 4 towards the end of the season.

I hope Lee was brought as a 5, not a 4. Compete with Dedmon for the backup 5 spot. I can't see him as a 4 next to any other Spurs big, bar possibly Gasol.

[tbdog]

Then we have Kyle and Bertans as our backup pf? yuk!

[Chinook]

Exactly what I'd expect, he'd have to shoot lights out to find a niche for himself. Teams could and should put a wing on him to force Pop to play him at the 3.

I don't think that forces Pop to do anything. If the Spurs run Mills, Manu, Bertans, Anderson and Dedmon, I don't think the positional distinction between Davis and Kyle matters at all. Even in Kyle's absence, if the team runs something like Mills, Manu, Simmons, Bertans, Lee., I'm pretty sure that Pop doesn't care if the opponent plays small or stays big. If anything, playing small to guard Bertans leaves a lot of paint open for a Manu/Dedmon PnRs or Simmons penetrations.


I hope Lee was brought as a 5, not a 4. Compete with Dedmon for the backup 5 spot. I can't see him as a 4 next to any other Spurs big, bar possibly Gasol.

I think he was brought in to be an offensive option at the five and to cover for injuries and/or Dedmon failing in a bigger role. I definitely think that he will get PF minutes, though. Pop will probably start the year experimenting with Lee in PnPs.

[T Park]

Anyone that says he can't guard the 3 hasn't watched him Europe.Decent and can improve.

[cd021]

Anyone that says he can't guard the 3 hasn't watched him Europe.Decent and can improve.

I have heard that he is a decent defender, specifically from Draft Express.

[cd021]

Then we have Kyle and Bertans as our backup pf? yuk!

I'd rather have Anderson as the backup 4 over Lee, he is continuing to improve and is already an above average mid range shooter and can play/ defend out on the perimeter. If he can hit corner 3's he would be a solid backup 4; it would allow the Spurs to have four shooters with Dedmon as the roll man,

[cd021]

Exactly what I'd expect, he'd have to shoot lights out to find a niche for himself. Teams could and should put a wing on him to force Pop to play him at the 3.



I hope Lee was brought as a 5, not a 4. Compete with Dedmon for the backup 5 spot. I can't see him as a 4 next to any other Spurs big, bar possibly Gasol.

I don't like the idea of Lee as a 5 but considering that he really doesn't shoot well outside of the paint I guess it makes it more sense. I was under the impression that Lee was promised a role in the rotation, at least for most of the season before Pop trims the rotation down.

I read an article (think from PTR) about how Bertans should be used. They mentioned that instead of being a spot up shooter like Bonner, he would be much more effective moving like Beli. If he is used like Beli, I really like how he would fit into a Mills-Manu-KA-DD second unit.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Gasol is still a decent rim protector, it's just when he gets dragged away from it is when there's trouble.

Thanks for beating the horse on the subject.

[FkLA]

Pretty big NBA fan here and I had never even heard of Dedmon. Can't believe people actually thought he would start over MVPau bc some guy that I had also never heard of said so. :lol

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Operation Best Gasol starts here :tu

[tonight...you]

Operation Best Gasol starts here :tu
Does this mean we can refer to Pau as the OBG from here on out?

[BillMc]

Does this mean we can refer to Pau as the OBG from here on out?
:lol

[spurs10]

I'm interested in who is going to back up Kawhi as much as anything. If Bertans and Anderson are both PF's then one or both if Lee plays will be on the third string. If Bertans or Anderson can play the 3 things look more clear. If our second string is Mills- Manu- Simmons- Lee/Anderson/Bertans- Dedmon I'm thinking Anderson has the leg up.

[spurs10]

Based on what I've seen, he's a tall 3 and a thin 4. Maybe you're right, its not like I've watched him extensively during his international career though. I'd be concerned about the rebounding and I think teams would possibly go small and put another wing instead of playing big which negates some of his stretch four potential because he would essentially still be guarding and playing on the wing.

I hope Lee is a 1th man than will fall out of the rotation near the end of the regular season, maybe the Spurs don't think Anderson is ready just yet to play the 4. But I expect him to be the 4 towards the end of the season. This is what I'm wondering. It'll be interesting to see how Pop figures it out. Although nothing will be written in stone and Pop will be juggling the rotations quite a bit, I can see the line-up you mentioned working with Bertans and KA out there together and Lee the 11th man.

[HarlemHeat37]

Gasol has a huge ego, tbh..he probably wouldn't even be with the Spurs if Tim hadn't retired..it would be shocking if he doesn't start IMO..

[cd021]

Gasol has a huge ego, tbh..he probably wouldn't even be with the Spurs if Tim hadn't retired..it would be shocking if he doesn't start IMO..

So long as he doesn't expect to start against GSW in the RS and PS, it's fine. If Duncan can take a seat against the Dubs then so can he.

[TheGreatYacht]

So long as he doesn't expect to start against GSW in the RS and PS, it's fine. If Duncan can take a seat against the Dubs then so can he.
Duncan didn't have an ounce of an offensive game last year. There was no point in putting him out there against midgetball. TBH

[HarlemHeat37]

So long as he doesn't expect to start against GSW in the RS and PS, it's fine. If Duncan can take a seat against the Dubs then so can he.

He won't get benched vs. GS early on, tbh..maybe if he struggles he'll get benched in the subsequent games, but I don't see why he would in the earlier matchups..

Warriors are going to be even weaker inside, this season..Spurs don't have the personnel to run with them, they will have to pound them inside IMO..Gasol/Aldridge should be a better matchup than Duncan/Aldridge, on paper(Gasol's post game was pretty weak, last season, though)..

[spurraider21]

Gasol has a huge ego, tbh..he probably wouldn't even be with the Spurs if Tim hadn't retired..it would be shocking if he doesn't start IMO..
I'd have a big ego too if I dragged kobe to 2 chips :lol

[G-Dawgg]

The guy was an All Star last year. Besides averaging 16.5 points/game, he was 5th in the entire NBA in blocked shots with 2/game and 6th in rebounding at 11/game. Take a look at who's ahead of him in those categories, he's in some pretty elite company. Of course he starts...

[Obstructed_View]

Then I am not impressed with a Demon-Lee frontline off the bench unless they stagger minutes between the starting bigs and Bench.

There are worse things than the two bigs off your bench not playing out of position, and having a defensive specialist and an offensive specialist together.

[DMC]

Spurs sign probable HOFer and puts him in starting rotation. ST upstairs posters beside themselves in disbelief, thinking Gasol would come off the bench.

[DMC]

He won't get benched vs. GS early on, tbh..maybe if he struggles he'll get benched in the subsequent games, but I don't see why he would in the earlier matchups..

Warriors are going to be even weaker inside, this season..Spurs don't have the personnel to run with them, they will have to pound them inside IMO..Gasol/Aldridge should be a better matchup than Duncan/Aldridge, on paper(Gasol's post game was pretty weak, last season, though)..

I don't see him getting benched. Pop respects older guys who have proven themselves on other teams. He won't disrespect Pau that way not even to win a game. The only HOFer Pop would bench in a tight situation is Tim.

[TrainOfThought5]

I don't see him getting benched. Pop respects older guys who have proven themselves on other teams. He won't disrespect Pau that way not even to win a game. The only HOFer Pop would bench in a tight situation is Tim.

Mothafuckin burn.