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Too much hype on this role player.
The infusion of youth, athleticism and length is just what was needed. I'm excited to see how well and how quickly he integrates himself into the team and system.
BTW...that's one goofy as pic of him at the top of the article.
would be awesome if he can defend well....
I'm excited about him but I think it may be a day late and a dollar short. After 2007 the fo miserably overused duncan and failed to bring in any serviceable bigs to ease the workload. Had that happened tim would be a little more fresh and we probably would be looking at 5. 4 rings for a small market team is brilliant but the reason LA wins now is because they go get what they need. The spurs have made a living on a couple of breaks and smart recruiting but were in an era where you have to stack up to rack up. Hopefully my spurs prove me wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by tdunk21
I'm glad you're not actually a spokesman for the Spurs.Quote:
Originally Posted by spurspokesman
The Spurs' frontcourt makes sense now.
Starters
4 Duncan
5 Splitter
Bench
4 Blair
4/5 McDyess
4 Bonner
Good mix of size, energy, experience, offense, and defense. Splitter's addition is huge in that it should put less pressure for heavy regular season minutes on TD and McDyess. Blair is a natural fit as the first big off the bench, ala Malik. And Bonner will be in the appropriate role as the 5th big, able to spread the floor when the need arises.
There is a lot of hype because he's proven in the top league in Europe. No one knows for sure whether that will translate to NBA. I believe he will be a solid player for the Spurs this upcoming season. Not the Saviour though.
Not sure how the starting/reserve situation will shake out, but I do think it's a great thing that two legit 7-footers to start alongside one another is actually an option now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant
Bit of homerism: But I believe this is the most talented, athletic team since the 2003 team. I cant see how any Spurs fan is not excited. There were glimpses last year of this team becoming a fast break, more energy ball club and now with the additions of Splitter and Anderson the transformation is complete.Quote:
Originally Posted by AFBlue
Quote:
Originally Posted by MoSpur
Pretty much the truth. Good addition but not saviour. I know alot of people disagree but i think Shaq would help out alot. I big body to help in the paint would really do us justice, you can rest TD and play Tiago and Shaq.
:flag:
As long as TP is healthy, this team should improve on last season.
Hope Pop plays Splitter heavy minutes so that he can adjust quickly to the NBA and hopefully start & play heavy minutes in the playoffs. I would love Shaq for the LLE. Alternate Shaq and Dice. Don't play Duncan on any back to back or with less than 2 days rest in between games. Play Blair a lot and Bonner only during the regular season.Quote:
Originally Posted by liltex2010
I'm sure he's no Ian Mahinmi but I think he will do okay.Quote:
Originally Posted by tdunk21
The big question is:.... who the hell is Fran Blinebury???
Some dude in Spain said he was like one of the Lopez brothers or something.
From what I've seen he's not very athletic.Quote:
Originally Posted by AFBlue
The Lopez brothers are from Spain? I thought they were from California.Quote:
Originally Posted by ohmwrecker
I can't belive people bitch about us getting the best center from Europe WTF? To me that was what I was looking and hoping for the whole summer because we had no chance at Bosh or Lebron etc..
So we will have our two first rounders... the first the MVP of the European leauge and the second one of the best shooters in the draft to me that's pretty damn good.
Some of ya'll need to take a chill pill and put on your maxi pads!
They did not pay Bonner 16M to be a 5th big IMO.
I haven't seen much either to disagree. He comes across as a 7 footer that plays below to rim for the most part.Quote:
Originally Posted by beachwood
Although Duncan's athleticism is very underated IMO, maybe he provides an example for hope that you can fit that description and still be succesful in the NBA, both offensively and defensively. I'm hopeful but very cautiously optimistic.
I mean, they keep talking about his basketball IQ and crap, but he can be the basketball equivalent of Stephen Hawking and it might not help one bit. :lol
True but at least Coach Pop won't have to sit him out for trying to go fancy on a dunk attempt :lolQuote:
Originally Posted by smrattler
For a second there, I thought you were about to spin my Stephen Hawking reference. :lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Cane
In hindsight, I probably should have used Alberto Einstein. :lol
I wish the Spurs luck this season and good health ...
I think the NBA is better whenthe Spurs are good. I have had some debates with Spur fans here and the good ones (posters) deserve a good team. Now that I no longer live in S.A. and only see the Lakerhaters (online and here in Dallas) Im back to giving the Spurs my admiration, they have ALWAYs had my respect ...
Now Dallas is on my shit list ...
They some cheeky bastards for never having won anything in basketball ...
4 million a season for our 5th big...... :depressedQuote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant
I'm not sure if you guys think Blair was joking or what, but I actually believe he's going to start. I think Tim's officially a center.
Everything they're telling DeJuan to work on has been with the intentions of making him a PF and given he's their most talented Big outside of Tim, Splitter will be eased into it to start, 'Dyess needs his minutes managed and is a late starter and because Bonner is Bonner (not even Pop could start him over theses options in the front court), Blair makes a lot of sense -- Blair should eat up quite a few minutes this year with the preservation of Tim and 'Dyess.
Bonner will still get minutes Blair is good but he can't keep up with teams like that like to run like the Suns, Lakers, OK...
You're one of the ery few Laker fan posters that I enoy reading. You're a proud supporter & fan of your team w/o being overly obnoxious about it. And I like that you give the Spurs love & respect as well. :toastQuote:
Originally Posted by Killakobe81
i would say not enough!!! this is the first article as far as NBA news, i agree it getrs crazy in san antonio i admit im one of those guys, this guy has gotten better every year and is the exact type of player we need and hes freaking 6'11" hard worker, humble, quick,tough, and adores timmy and is coming when we were about to rebuild and people were asking for trades soo yes of course theres alot of hypeQuote:
Originally Posted by rascal
whats awesome is we have no idea how good he can become so there is alot of upside & mystery of course hes not going to be tim duncan but hey maybe a more defensive gasol, less offensive as pau but splitter looks as if he can guard almost any PF. And hes a heck of alot tougher than gasol. theres reason for the hype
i agree i think his presence even if for 15-20min would help this team out defensively and we need a for sure thing, i believe splitter will be a star but will gradually get there, with the addition of shaq we can get quick results and intimidate inside the paintQuote:
Originally Posted by liltex2010
why cant all laker fans be this normal??... thanks man i heard kobe had knee surgery i was actually shocked cause if my SPURS dont end up well (staying healthy) i sure hope kobe has enough gas to smash the C-heat.Quote:
Originally Posted by Killakobe81
i have never rooted for the lakers, but i thought about the miami situation and if anyone can take em down its yall, i hate the lakers but i respect them i hate the heat and i have no respect for those guys they havent earned shit. i wish no team or player injuries except our centerpiece of small ball Matt Bonner :lol jk guys
I'm convinced they're grooming Bonner to eventually replace Duncan and become the franchise player. Hes clearly that good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Agloco
Anyone that thought the Rasho trade was about Erik Williams clearly never met the Red Rocket! :king
I see Splitter as the leader of a second unit that will include Manu, Hill, Anderson and Bonner/Dice. Unit would be competitive. Bonner got his big contract because a] the Spurs knew Dallas wanted him b] the FO knew Tiago would sign and Bonner's game complements his game.
Against the Suns the entire Spurs' team was outplayed, not just Bonner. Everyone seems to need a scapegoat. Whatever happened to we win as a team etc., etc., etc.1
The Big 3 get most of the money and the adulation. It's asinine to blame role players for failure. Sounds like Prince James syndrome to me. " I didn't fail, the rest of the team failed me". Man up! Jordan did it! Bird did! Magic did! Tired of this weepee whining about why their team lost.
Most to the best playes in history have never complained like these wimps in Miami. Malone, Stockton, Brarkley, Maravich. Posters go on with a list of great players who have never complained about not winning a championship because their teammates failed them.
Finally, Phil Jackson was was very similar to Bonner with the legendary championship Knicks teams. Action Jackson provided defensive skill and not much else. One dimentional. Without him the Knicks don't win championships. Or Mike Roirdan. {sic]
It makes more sense to start Splitter with TD. Blair comes off the bench first to sub for Splitter, and then McDyess for TD. Bonner will come in as needed to improve spacing for TD.
What have you seen? He is pretty grounded, but he seems to have good speed and lateral quickness. People can be good athletes and not be great leapers.Quote:
Originally Posted by beachwood
Now they need the coach to let the team run a fast break.Quote:
Originally Posted by LongtimeSpursFan
Who starts at SG if both Manu and Hill are on the 2nd unit?Quote:
Originally Posted by lotr1trekkie
Take your pickQuote:
Originally Posted by ohmwrecker
Gee, Hairston, Temple, Neal
Cool lineQuote:
But maybe only Freddy Kreuger has raised a hand and climbed out of the dirt more than the Spurs.
Gary Neal Baby!!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by ohmwrecker
That doesn't make sense, actually. If they run with that line-up it will hurt the second-unit's ability to defend the paint. Plus, Tiago needs to be worked into the starting line-up later down the road (possibly February or March). I'm hopeful that Pop's rotation looks similar to this:Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant
Starters
PG: Tony Parker - SG: James Anderson - SF: Richard Jefferson - PF: DeJuan Blair - C: Tim Duncan
Bench
6th: Manu Ginobili - 7th: George Hill - 8th: Tiago Splitter - 9th: Antonio McDyess - 10th: Malik Hairston - 11th: Matt Bonner - 12: Garrett Temple
Austin Toros/Inactive List
Gary Neal
Alonzo Gee
They then stash Richards in Europe until next season when McDyess is gone.
I think they give Anderson every opportunity to pick up the offense during pre-season and see if he can be the starter. He brings better size than Hill and can play off of Timmy and Tony. Hairston could be the de-facto back-up SF to Jefferson anyway, IMO.Quote:
Who starts at SG if both Manu and Hill are on the 2nd unit?
Pass. Pass. Pass. Pass.Quote:
Originally Posted by TJastal
I wonder if the Spurs will use MLE on another SF
I'm not too comfortable with you playing around in my dome. It's rather unsettling.Quote:
Originally Posted by J_Paco
Needless to say, :tu.
That is the most reasonable rotation that I've seen so far. Good lookin' out!
How well would Splitter be able to defend the quicker, more athletic forwards? Because if he starts with Duncan, that's going to be his assignment. They'll essentially be starting two centers. McDyess is most likely going to continue starting, or possibly Blair depending on his development.
I've been talking about Anderson starting with a friend and touched on it a bit here and there, but it makes a lot of since -- skill set, size, youth and the fact that it's early in the season gives you the time to really see what you've got.Quote:
Originally Posted by ohmwrecker
The Spurs should play the youth as much as humanly possible this regular season. They need to steal minutes for their vets and the only chance they have at fulfilling the potential of this roster is to have the young guns come through -- better to let them go through the growing pains early to be ready down the stretch or to find out if they're going to be capable. If not, then you make a move knowing exactly what you need to acquire; there's no doubt that it might be on the roster at that point.
Many of the posters have Manu coming off the bench as our energy guy. I think Pop is going to start Manu because when he comes off the bench he tends to try and do too much and at his age may be a quicker cause for injury. Hill, Anderson, and Neal coming off of the bench should be able to provide the skill and energy we need from the bench.
I also would prefer Splitter play along side Duncan, but it would cause Blair to have to play along side Bonner, which is simply frightening. Manu's play with Blair too gives us one more reason to start Blair at the PF. Run with it until a he is over matched by big and then bring in Dice and Splitter.
The only issue with Ginobili is stating is that our bench would turn to crap. He was the biggest reason the Spurs had one of the best benches last year in terms of PPG.
I would be shocked to see the Spurs start a rookie so early in the season, and I hope Blair did bring a consistent 10 foot jumpshot this year or else he'll get eaten alive on D by the other team's starters.
Having said all that, it is a rotation I wouldn't mind seeing Pop try.
As long as Splitter can carry the scoring load a bit, (8-12 ppg) run the pick-n-roll with Parker, Hill and Ginobili well and of course defend the pick-n-roll, then I am perfectly happy with him.
Splitter executes and defends the pick-n-roll while Timmy is our Defensive Anchor and Fundamental Big Man in the paint. :)
PS: Ginobili should come off the Bench. No way Parker isn't Starting this year, RJ will probably start and Splitter will start eventually this season, so it would be stupid to have all our scorers in the Starting Lineup.
I thought it was pretty clear that Ginobili is the perfect player to come off our Bench. Nobody controls the Bench like Manu.
For now, I've bought into Blair starting, but I can't see Anderson starting. Not when he'll be competing with two of the four best players on the team for that position. It's difficult to imagine both of them not starting.
At this writing, I've got...
Starters: PF- Blair, SF- Jefferson, C- Duncan, SG- Hill, PG- Parker
Bench: SG- Ginobili, PF- McDyess, C/PF- Splitter, SG/SF- Anderson, SG/SF- Hairston, PF- Bonner, SG- Neal
Inactive/D-League: SG/PG- Temple, SG/SF- Gee
As always, it's subject to change.
I've made a few of these, but with the current roster I have it...
PG Tony Parker | George Hill
SG Manu Ginobili | James Anderson | Gary Neal
SF Richard Jefferson | Alonzo Gee
PF Tim Duncan | DeJuan Blair | Matt Bonner
C Tiago Splitter | Antonio McDyess
But I could see it going...
PF DeJuan Blair | Antonio McDyess | Matt Bonner
C Tim Duncan | Tiago Splitter
and for the beginning of the season Dice and Blair might be switched, but idk what Pop's plans are.
You better stick Hairston in there before THC throws a fit.Quote:
Originally Posted by 8FOR!3
I like putting Malik and Garrett on the IR.Quote:
Originally Posted by ohmwrecker
13 IR. Garrett Temple
14 IR. Malik Hairston
15 IR. The Centerpiece (LOL JK)
:toast
I actually agree with that if we're projecting what is going to happen. But I don't think Hill as your starting 2-guard is something you can get away with if your goal is to win a championship. I'm guessing Anderson will get his shot to start at some point in the season (hopefully within the first few months) but I find it doubtful that Pop would start him out of the gates.Quote:
Originally Posted by TD 21
As for Blair starting, I just believe it's the best way to utilize the talent for the long haul. Between managing minutes, Splitter's first year in the league and Bonner being Bonner ... that's what leads me to the conclusion -- plus I believe Blair is someone you need to maximize minutes with as he produces like no Big outside of Tim, and he even managed to outproduce Tim on occasion.
Blair's future is at the 4 and Tim should really be the center now. Even teamed with Splitter, Tim's the 5 defensively; offensively is another matter.
I agree. If/when at some point the Spurs run into trouble with this, Ginobili could always start. On this team, the starting SG and PF (even though they list it as C) is not as important as it is on most teams. Particularly the SG spot. Basically we're talking about roughly the first 5 minutes of the game. After that, Ginobili's in. In the even he starts, then it's 7 minutes and he's out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackjack
I'd be surprised if Anderson get's a shot to start barring injury. Two of the four best players on the team are vying for that position. It's one thing to have one not start, but both? I find it hard to believe. Aside from that, the problem with starting Anderson is it would only weaken the starting lineup's perimeter defense further.
It is if he's: in better shape, can adequately guard most PF's and make the occasional mid-range jumper.
No question. I think that more than anything is why they're trying to convert him into a PF (not necessarily to start). That and between Duncan and Splitter, there just aren't going to be many C minutes available. I agree, Duncan is the C regardless of who he's paired with; especially defensively. But I still don't expect it to be listed that way in the box score.