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why past performance is not indicative of what we should expect from Bonner in the playoffs (Popovich apologists, this goes for you too)? Across the board the guy is absolutely horrible. Probably one of the worst players in the entire league in the playoffs. So, explain yourselves.
Career playoffs:
26 games
28 field goals, 77 fga, .364 fg%
14 3pt fgm, 44 3pt fga, .318 3p%
6 ast, 12 turnovers
2.9 pts/gm
2.0 reb/gm
PER: 6.9
Off rtg: 94
Def rtg: 111
Win shares/48: 0.011
Bonner is the Anti-Horry
Bonner can't produce in the playoffs because he rarely gets wide open shots from 3 in the playoffs. Just look at nearly ALL of his 3 pointers this season/last season/the season before that, they're all wide open with nobody contesting his shot, that isn't the case in the playoffs though.
Out of all of Bonner's 3pt shots this season I think he's hit maybe 10-15 that were actually contested.
Bonner is starting to develop a bad habit of dribbling around like a dumbass whenever someone closes out hard on him. Bonner needs to be more assertive and quit over thinking what he should do.
Popovich apologists too? Are you retarded? 4 titles? You're fucking spoiled, dude..seriously.
Bonner doesn't put himself into the game, dummy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spursfan092120
Pop knows what he's doing, dummy...you can't expect perfection...mistakes are made..but I wouldn't change what Pop has done for anything...look in the rafters.Quote:
Originally Posted by itzsoweezee
Unfortunately, Popovich has gone far away from what made the Spurs teams successful in the past. This Popovich does not resemble in any way the guy that coached the Spurs to four championships.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spursfan092120
The "spread-the-floor" gimmick is stupid and the league has already figured it out. Matt Bonner is supposed to be an analog to Robert Horry? What insanity.
No one can do what Horry did...all I know is you're bashing Pop for his playoff decisions and we haven't hit the playoffs this year yet. He changed his philosophy on getting a strong start out of the gate...who knows what he'll do..I see what you're saying..I thought you were one of those people who just bash Pop for no reason with no thought of what he's done.Quote:
Originally Posted by itzsoweezee
Surprised his rebounding numbers are so high for the playoffs... I expected closer to the 0.5-1.0 range.
Sample size.
I could probably find a 28 game sample from Tim Duncan/Kobe Bryant/Lebron/Wade over their career in the REGULAR season and find really really terrible averages too.
I could probably name 10 stars in different sports who were considered huge chokers before they won a title, and Bonner ain't even close to being a star.
Bonner has a title.Quote:
Originally Posted by chazley
Thats true that Pop has gone away from his defensive ways, but that due to the current roster. This roster is stronger offensively right now. Theres not alot of Bruce Bowens out there to sign, nor alot of defensive big men. Maybe Splitter can be that defensive big, paired next to Timmy, but thats not gonna happen till next year. As Pop likes to say, you need to "get over yourself" and just enjoy the Spurs run this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by itzsoweezee
I don't buy the reason being that Bonner sees less open 3s..sure, he doesn't get as many, but he still gets a decent amount of wide open 3s..he's just a mental pussy, and I say that as a fan of his..
I have a soft spot for Bonner, so I'd always like to see him get a shot, but historically speaking, Bonner is going to suck in the playoffs, so if he struggles in the first 2 or so games in the 1st round, he needs to be out of the rotation..he's received more chances for redemption than any other Spurs role player that I can remember, including Bowen..
Exactly, this is the last playoffs i'm gonna have any hope of him actually shooting well..Sadly if he doesn't we've got another few years of this.Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
Bonner thread!
If I remember correctly, he actually showed some improvement in last year's playoffs over the year before. Maybe continued exposure to the higher intensity will desensitize him.
And who created the current roster? Who traded away Scola and re-signed Bonner to a 4 year contract? I don't care whose feelings were hurt - everyone needed to put that aside and do what's best for the team. I still don't understand how Scola couldn't work with Manu, TD and TP. Spurs would've been contending for championships w/Scola.Quote:
Originally Posted by jjktkk
Who didn't integrate Splitter this year? There have been lots of back-to-backs and games against bad teams when he could have rested Dice/TD. I'd prefer to enjoy the regular season less and have Splitter integrated for the playoffs.
Like I've always said...
Regular season Bon Bon is a great asset to the team.
Playoff Bon Bon has, until now, been useless.
I really hope he sacks up this year!!!
There is no "figuring it out". Way to expose the fact that you're a novice fan. It's a pick your poison type scenario. Very few teams (maybe only the Lakers) are capable of guarding against Parker's/Ginobili's penetration and being able to close to the Spurs three-point shooters.Quote:
Originally Posted by itzsoweezee
If Bonner doesn't play, then Blair-Splitter would be the backup big duo. This is problematic because neither has any range whatsoever, so teams can give more help to stop penetration.
As Harlem alluded to, Bonner deserves another chance, with the caveat that he get's the hook by no later than game four if he's shooting blanks in the first three two-three games. The sample size in the playoffs isn't significant enough to determine unequivocally that he can't shoot well in the playoffs.
The guy is the best spot up three-point shooter in the league. There is value in that, especially at his position, which is why every contender prioritizes having a stretch-four. It can be particularly valuable against a team like the Lakers (to pull some of their length away from the basket and open up more space for Parker/Ginobili).
I like his chances this time around, because he appears to be more confident this season.
:lmao, 56-13....Quote:
Originally Posted by itzsoweezee
He was on the bench most of the time that last run, which is where he belongs then!Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
Are you really this stupid? Really? Bonner is going to pull a Laker big man away from the basket? :lmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by TD 21
The thing with players like Bonner is, anyone can guard him. You could run Nate Robinson at him on the three point line and he'll try to put it on the floor. You actually think Andrew Bynum or Gasol is going to be guarding him on the three point line? You're a fucking idiot.
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by itzsoweezee
Not only that, smart coaches like Phil Jackson will dare you to beat his team with Bonner taking the majority of the shots instead of allowing Tony and Manu to cruise through the paint. How many games of a 7 game series you think Bonner is going to win for you? He's not even a double digit scorer as it is...
Apparently, Bonner will lose every game for you.
Let me explain to you how this works, retard. The guy is basically a 50% three-point shooter. 40% is excellent. 50% is insane. They have no choice but to respect his shot and if they don't, then he'll throw in 2-3 and make them respect his shot. Once they do that, it opens the middle up more for Parker and Ginobili.Quote:
Originally Posted by itzsoweezee
Like I said, if he folds under the pressure of the playoffs again and can't do that, then bench him. But to not give him another chance because of a limited sample size is foolish.
You're a fucking idiot and you don't know shit about the game.
If you say so...
Bonner is out there to hit the 3's but most of the times he chokes and I think Novak might have a better playoffs games than Bonner
how many more playoffs game does he needs?Quote:
Originally Posted by TD 21
He might be a 50% 'insane' 3 point shooter, but he barely makes 3 shots a game, as his scoring averages indicate... It's anybody's guess if that percentage would translate if he took three or four times as many shots.
hahahahahahahahahahahaQuote:
Originally Posted by TD 21
:lmao
This fool actually thinks Bynum or Gasol's going to be guarding Bonner on the three point line because he's going to make them respect his shot.
hahahahahahahahahahaha
Easy scores for Ginobili/Parker/Duncan or Bonner... Really? Is this our pick your poison?
It's incredible how stupid you are. Maybe the least knowledgeable poster on the entire board.Quote:
Originally Posted by itzsoweezee
ElNono, that's what pick-and-roll defense is, when it comes to stopping a team with the options this team possesses and the challenges those options present. They can't cover the role man, stop the penetration and account for the three-point shooters simultaneously. They have to give up something. That's why it's called read-and-react. You read how the defense is playing you and make the proper decision.
even when he tries to make a layup or a hook shot he still chokes :bang
HE SUCKS PERIOD! I don't get it here, why resign him so long and why is he still here after the last few playoffs? He is utter shit. I am not a fan at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by NRHector
Last year I rejoiced and said yes Bogans and him gone! BUT NOOOOOOOOOO ONLY ONE WAS OUT! POP had to get his red head baby back for another few runs :( IDIOT.
the only explanation that I have is a reverse affirmative action, need a specific quota of white players in the teamQuote:
Originally Posted by Sean Cagney
oh, I know exactly what you mean. My problem is that time and again good teams will not respect him, and for plenty of reasons. Besides the one that has been repeated forever of him turning into a mediocre shooter under pressure, he's a great mismatch to exploit on the other end, he's an abysmally poor rebounder for his size, he refuses to take contested shots even over much smaller opponents, he's turnover prone when he puts the ball on the floor, he's a very low volume shooter... If you're an opposing coach, and you have a moderately good defensive discipline to dictate what the matchups should be, there's a lot to like about picking Bonner to be your poison, and not just because the other option is TD/Manu/TP going off.Quote:
Originally Posted by TD 21
this hopefully embarrasses pop so much that he plays chess and puts tiago in off the bench. i think any other coach pop will feel hes smarter naturally and hey they just played awesome against us , its not bonners faultQuote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
are you sure about those % in the playoffs?Quote:
Originally Posted by TD 21
I think op is using common sense, not sure about some of the other posters.
Is it possible for the best 3pt shooter in the game to get this much hate from his team's own "fans"? Quite incredible this board is. The team is 55-13 and one of their key role players is in a slump and the entire board takes a shit on him. I hope he shits back on all of you assholes
Splitter should be the third big. I'd give Bonner the first chance to be the fourth big because he's theoretically a better fit next to Splitter, he's a more sound defender than Blair, he's more experienced and he's less likely to do something foolish.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
If good teams don't respect him (and by respect, I mean his shot; not his overall game) and he makes them pay, they'll have no choice but to respect him or risk him throwing in myriad threes. It isn't as if Blair isn't a great mismatch to exploit on the other end as well.
I'm not saying go with Bonner at all costs. If he struggles, then go to Blair by game 3-4. Realistically, it's going to take all five bigs to win a championship. But this is all moot anyway, because we know Bonner is going to be the third big, Blair the fourth and the only chance that Splitter will have to play other than when the result is decided (barring injury), is if/when the Spurs play the Lakers.
another thing is if timmy was o5' timmy shoot even 07' tim then yeah bonner would work and get the hell out of timmys way but with a team like L.A theyll put lamar odom on bonner who is a million times more athletic and can work him harder on the opposite end.
thats why defense first always wins because instead of trying to score you stop the offense and usually offense will flow. did you see what tiago did to odom in the olympics????(look it up) he made him look like a bad bench player.
bonner also gives up all the points he made from 3. 90% of the scoring goes right through him because he ends up switching and not helping the defense. he sucks and im sorry but i wish his bones would crumble already. we need defense we have enough damn offense
it seems he's in a slump every season specially in the playoffsQuote:
Originally Posted by Splitman4evah
Originally Posted by Splitman4evah
Is it possible for the best 3pt shooter in the game to get this much hate from his team's own "fans"? Quite incredible this board is. The team is 55-13 and one of their key role players is in a slump and the entire board takes a shit on him. I hope he shits back on all of you assholes
^^^^^^^^
Don't worry he has started this already in late March to May etc.! He will not do good, he never does. LOL at people after all these years still at it, get real dude is not HORRY, he just does not have it when it counts, prove me wrong? YOU CAN NOT! If he does I will smile and hats off, but until then he is BONNER!
Yeah, he's in a slump every season when he is leading the lead in 3pt accuracy this year. I can't wait till he shits on you in the playoffs.Quote:
Originally Posted by NRHector
On the other hand, Splitter is a tried and true commodity that is only shackled because Pop gives Bonner anal. Got it.
I am in disbelief that the front office still allows Pop to coach his team when we have such brilliant prognosticators and fortune tellers on SpursTalkQuote:
Originally Posted by Sean Cagney
and it took along time for spurs fans to be this disgusted with bonner, even this year everyone tried to be optimistic, however while we do have a great record we can have a better record and bonner has nothing to do with our record.!!
did you notice our win streak even flinch when he got hurt??? and thats b/c he was on fire at the time. like i said his offense means nothing since hes giving up just as many points. and were freaking out because if we lose this year its on bonner ...know why???
because hes no longer playing 5-10 minutes hes playing 20+ minutes as our defensive center .its a joke . i bet you manu/tim/tony agree with all of us put yourself in their shoes
Get real man, he has not proven it in three years in the playoffs and you shit on us? We are just seeing reality bro. LOL at shit on heads in the playoffs, since when has he done that :lol:lol Infact his slump has started right on que lately it seems! RIGHT ON IT! He has not proven us wrong, so why even start this here? What other team would play him so many mins? Just the Spurs it seems, get real that dude has no nuts at all, he is hot early but not Horry late, it's a reality and has been, argue that there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Splitman4evah
His fans are clowns man, but he leads the league in FG%, but he fades late and gives up what ? ALOT to other players etc. He can't board either, yet idiots will argue this every year, I swear they have to be his family or him on here? Yeah shoots a high % most of the year, but fades late and in the playoffs his numbers don't lie, he is shyt. I swear these idiots make me sick.Quote:
Originally Posted by Leonard Curse
this piece of shit doesnt even deserve to be in the league.
I guess TD21 is the only sane person participating in this thread. Like the rest of the world, this forum is dominated by stupid peopleQuote:
Originally Posted by TD 21
UR AN IDIOT, period........ Thats all. LOL read above, this is a joke and you guys are beyond fucking stupid if you think he will help us in the playoffs, when has he? You guys are in fantasy world, prove me wrong ? Show me stats in the playoffs bro? SHOW ME LATE YEAR STATS? I DARE EITHER ONE OF YOU TO DO THAT? YOU CAN NOT. PERIOD. He is a piece of shit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Splitman4evah
He is the best 3pt shooter in the league. Dispute that. People grow. Players grow. Teams grow. Bonner is the 8th man in a 9 man playoff rotation. He can win us a game here or there, but his play will not determine a series. Everyone has to step up and play well, including the Red Rocket. Don't hurt yourself while you shove your Splitter dildo in your ass tonight.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Cagney
:lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Splitman4evah
I'll be happy if he shits on me but I doubt it so I'll be depressed until he actually does something in the playoffsQuote:
Originally Posted by Splitman4evah
OH WOW! FUCKING FERRY Was high in 01 too, what did he do when it counted? HAHAHAH NOTHING! He lead the league or near it that year too. He will not grow, he has not dick, he is soft as burger buns, show me a key playoff game he had and then I will talk to you again on this here? I know you can't! What is his stats lately as well may I ask? Tell me? It is late in the year so he chokes! He is shyt, he does not hit and is a black hole on D, he will do that again, prove me wrong? What playoff game you gonna point to? IS HE HORRY? LOL NO. I am done playing with clowns you like tonight, go fucking talk to your brother BONNER! It seems he is your family. He is shitQuote:
Originally Posted by Splitman4evah
Since when is past playoff performance the sole and only indicator of future success? Are you declaring that LeBron will never win a chip because he has never won a chip? Knuckle-dragging neanderthal Manichean absolutists, such as yourself, are always wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Cagney
Bonner homers provide some of the best comedy on st, lol.
He won't but dont' worry, next year you will hear the same shit after he fades in the playoffs again! He will do it again yes, but idiots next year will give him a pass for his HIGH % from three early on.Quote:
Originally Posted by NRHector
Playoffs is where a man shows up, some show up all year but he is one when it is on the line he fades and turns pussy, prove me wrong or shut the fuck up now.. SHUT ME UP NOW THERE? YOU CAN NOT.......Quote:
Originally Posted by Splitman4evah
I have a better shot at winning a million than this clown actually showing up int he playoffs when it counts, he has no heart.
With the way Bonner is shooting and given his confidence level this season, let's pray he doesn't venture onto ST.com from now until and during the playoffs.... NOT ONCE!!
If you don't agree, fine. If you want to take me to task, fine. But get what I said right. I never said there was anything statistically to suggest he'd turn it around in the playoffs. I just said the sample size isn't expansive enough to suggest unequivocally that he can't get it done in the playoffs and that, considering the alternative, he deserves another chance.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Cagney
Inserting Splitter into the rotation is a no brainer (even though, barring injury, it isn't going to happen unless the Spurs play the Lakers and even then, it's not guaranteed). The real question is Bonner or Blair. I've already laid out my argument for why Bonner should get the first crack and I've repeatedly said, he should be on a short leash.
I agree here with you! You are cool, that other dude though...... NO. YOu made a decent argument there, I agree with you but not him.Quote:
Originally Posted by TD 21
I do not like Bonner at all, thats just me and until he proves me wrong late I am rightfully so there.
Yes, no heart.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Cagney
Did you also look into Vladimir Putin's soul and determine him to be good like your BFF Bush? Who granted you with heart-granting capabilities? All you are is a Splitter-asshole licker who has no idea what he is talking about. Which will be even clearer when Bonner shits on you and wins us a series.... as the 8th man on a 9 man rotation....Quote:
After signing with Sicilia Messina of the Italian league based in Messina, Sicily, 2003 proved to be a harrowing year for Bonner. Bonner survived a 104.5 degree Fahrenheit fever brought on by a bout of salmonella (treated by the team dentist) most likely caused by a lack of running hot water in his apartment. Sicilia had filed for bankruptcy in the middle of the season and had stopped paying its players. Bonner's heat and electricity were shut off and he was given two eviction notices. Despite half the team leaving, Bonner stuck it out and finished the year averaging 19.2 points and 9.3 rebounds.
This sort of summarizes how I feel at the moment...as fans, we have to accept the status quo, nothing can be done now, Pop isn't changing his ways and Bonner isn't leaving any time soon. With the way he's shooting and with a much deeper bench in emerging Neal, Hill, and Anderson, more legitimate scoring threats off the bench and a confident and successful Bonner so far this season, he deserves...actually, hell, whether or not you agree that he deserves another chance, the fact is he's getting one, and this time around the variables are more so in his favor for the above reasons and also because it's yet another year with the team. More experience.Quote:
Originally Posted by TD 21
But if he completely shits the bed this year in the playoffs, I never want to see him in a Spurs uniform again.
Last night he missed 4 shots in a row and 2 where from the same spot and right there the Bobcats were making a come back thank God Pop brought back the starters and were able to get some points
Yep, I give him one more year here to do it, if not I don't want to see his face again, FAIR BONNER FANS?Quote:
Originally Posted by ALVAREZ6
Quote:
This sort of summarizes how I feel at the moment...as fans, we have to accept the status quo, nothing can be done now, Pop isn't changing his ways and Bonner isn't leaving any time soon. With the way he's shooting and with a much deeper bench in emerging Neal, Hill, and Anderson, more legitimate scoring threats off the bench and a confident and successful Bonner so far this season, he deserves...actually, hell, whether or not you agree that he deserves another chance, the fact is he's getting one, and this time around the variables are more so in his favor for the above reasons and also because it's yet another year with the team. More experience.
But if he completely shits the bed this year in the playoffs, I never want to see him in a Spurs uniform again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ALVAREZ6
Given these posts...that his confidence is high, he's getting another chance regardless of what anyone thinks, and it's the last realistic chance for the Spurs to win a title for a long time....let's please bury these types of threads, because everything I know about Matt Bonner makes me believe he'd be the type of guy to immediately shoot 15% after reading a thread like this.
The Spurs need him to keep it up if they want to win it all. :flag:
fifyQuote:
Originally Posted by Cessation
:lolQuote:
Originally Posted by ALVAREZ6
Are we wrong though in his late season efforts and playoffs from the past? I mean he can turn it around but will he? RIGHT NOW are we right about him late in the year? Just asking you to post something to prove us wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by Splitman4evah
I want him to be dared to shoot like AJ in 99 from midrange, I want him to hit 50% from the three to keep those honesty and say F U for doubting me, will he? Has he up till now? NO, no denying that.
By your argument, any player who set foot in a playoff game and didn't dominate is doomed to future failure. There is no denying Bonner has been lackluster in his playoff career. There is also no denying that playoff career is limited to a couple of games and a weak sample size. But you can't just discount the best long range shooter in the league as a complete and total playoff choke job based on that short history. The dude deserves another chance. Players grow and flourish in the Spurs system after they have a few years to get acclimated. And I expect Bonner to keep snapping the net at 50% in the playoffs, and hardnosed (yet underrated and underappreciated) defense.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Cagney
Ughhhhhh Defense has not been this thing here for him, but if he can hit at 50% in the playoffs I will be the first to shake his hand! I hope he can. I am saying some play good all year, but in crunch time they wilt and fold, Horry was not one of them for us or wherever he is playing, thats all I am saying. If he does good them cool, but the last two runs or so Bonner has been horrible and just bricked his open shots in the playoffs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Splitman4evah
I hope you are right, I will watch with you and root for this team. BTW I am saying here and now if rely on him heavily for our run we are fucked, he should be a 18mpg guy and notta else, lets hope he delivers there but he is nto key to our run Manu, Tim, Tony, Hill, Neal and so on are for that, he is just a role player we hope does well so lets not make him a focal point by any means.
lol "snapping the net at 50% in the playoffs"
lol "bonner defence"
I just watched the Dallas and Charlotte game on tivo. Bonner rebounded well but passed up shots he should have taken versus Dallas. When the pressure was off he looked better versus Charlotte. This should be surprising to no one.
He's already shrinking out there when it matters. He's there to take and make shots. Hopefully Pop has him on a short leash. I'd rather go with Blair. Without enough evidence to support anything, I already trust Novak more than Bonner to take an important shot.
There is zero evidence that Bonner could
A. Make 3 pointers at a good clip in the playoffs
or
B. Make 3 pointers so much that it opens the floor because guys have to stay with him
Bonner has been pure garbage in the playoffs. And not just defensively or rebounding, he's been an abject failure at the one thing he's put on the court to do.
Phil Jackson won't have to respect his shot, he's seen Spurs teams miss shots before, and Bonner in the playoffs does it better than anyone. In the meantime, teams will go right at him on the defensive end.
Bonner made Channing Frye a double-Bonner contract. That's how terrible Bonner has performed. Hell, two years ago he was SO terrible that just about the only shots he made in that series against Dallas was after Tony Parker single-handedly willed the Spurs to a double digit lead in their only win.
Why anyone would expect any differently based on past performance is a mystery, other than just plain hope.
Unlike Horry, whom the masses on this board compared Bonner to back in the summer of 07, Bonner can't do anything else to help the Spurs win when his shot isn't falling (which is every postseason). He's not going to play that savvy defense. He isn't going to come up with 5 blocks in a Finals game like Horry, or a game saving chase down block and clutch 3s like against Denver for Horry. He won't deliver the cheap shots and annoyance to get into other players. He won't pull down clutch boards. He won't deliver a driving dunk with an foul like Horry against Detroit.
He won't do anything . . . except get minutes.
We had somewhat this conversation before the seson started, if you remember. You said Splitter was going to be ready, and I said Bonner was going to be the 2nd/3rd big (We also talked about RJ and I was wrong on that). So it's a lot of deja vu here... In all honesty, betting on Bonner to beat you looks like an incredibly good offer right now, IMO. Hopefully that perception changes on the playoffs.Quote:
Originally Posted by TD 21
Sometimes the stats lie.
In Bonner's case, anyone who has watched the Spurs in the playoffs the last 3 years will know that Bonner is the greatest liability of the team.
Just an absolutely horrible overall player.
RIGHT! BONNER IS TRASH and we all know it inside, except for his family and friends, which I swear are in here posting now........ He is not good, period.Quote:
Originally Posted by objective
He is garbage, I can't believe some still stick up for him or believe in him at all! THEY must be high as hell or drunk on a Sunday night to believe he will do any different! HE IS PUSSY.Quote:
Originally Posted by triggeredexcellence
Imo Bonner's made significant improvements in his game the past two seasons but unfortunately broke his hand last season which doesn't help a shooter and also had that knee injury earlier this season FWIW. Bonner helps space the floor for the team and seems to have only improved his touch and overall confidence the longer he's been on the Spurs. When the 3 is covered, he's become somewhat confident in putting the ball to the floor and making a funky post move or jump hook which he never seemed to do a few seasons ago IIRC.
Gary Neal seems to have developed some game alongside Bonner, they seem to feed eachother good looks. Time will tell if these guys will be real gamers but I like that they've been confident shooting the ball including Steve Novak and RJ. The Spurs system needs floor spacing and good shooting which past roleplayers like Udoka, Mason Jr., Bogans, RJ last season, etc. failed to provide.
However he's still a roleplayer. The Spurs have enough forwards where they can adjust but they're all undersized against the defending champions length, talent and overall size.
If they are up against us they get ate like grapefruit! PERIOD! NO MATTER WHO IT IS!!!!!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Cane
People are overreacting on Bonner. We all know that he's a player with limited talent. Below-average rebounding, below-average defense, below-average dribble, very good three pointer in regular season. That's what Bonner is. If he won2t choke this year's play-offs, we will use him 15 minutes per game to score 2 or 3 three pointers and create space for our penetrating guards and Duncan. That's it.
Horry had the similar role in spurs, Below-average rabounding, average defense, average dribble, very-good three pointer in clutch time. If Bonner can score his threes in play-off and clutch time; he would help. If he can't, Novak is his insurance policy.
Bonner is an excellent defender, rebounder and ball-handler for a role-playing three point shooter, and his basketball IQ is very high. The question becomes one of strategery. In short, the coach needs to understand what he is, but more importantly, what he is not and set matchups accordingly. Derrick Rose is the likely league MVP this year but only an idiot would make him their first power forward / center off the bench.
I noticed something the other day: Matt Bonner's 3pt% in last year's playoffs was just slightly under his regular season % (even with the hand injury).
If he shoots slightly under 50% in this year's playoffs, you can't complain . . .
Everybody knows that Bonner is slow and a bad defender/rebounder at his position. I'm pretty sure Pop knows it too. He is, obviously, going to be part of the rotation, so the philosophy is his importance as a stretch 4 is more valuable to Pop than his liabilities as a post player.
You don't have to like it, but it is what it is and Pop is not changing his mind (Novak's signing makes it obvious that Pop values that specific skill set).
Didn't Bonner have a hot streak in garbage time to bring up his percentage for the playoffs? I could have sworn someone pointed that out, but I'm too lazy to look it up. :)
It's possible . . . but I would be more concerned about the mere existence of "garbage time" in the playoffs. If the Spurs are giving guys garbage minutes, they are probably getting blown out.
IIRC, Bonner shot under 40% from 3 last season . . . regular and playoffs.
He was garbage in the Mavs series, and started 0-4 in the first 2 games against the Suns (0-1 in the first game, 0-3 in the 2nd game). He shot well in the last two games (3-4 in the 3rd game in 20 mins of action, 2-3 in the 4th game in 30(!) minutes on the floor). He was used way too much on those games though, for the amount of shots he took, IMO. I won't touch rebounding in those games since it's both embarrassing and we're not really addressing that here. :lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Obstructed_View
So much ado with Matty. All I know is that we are a better team with him than without.
And by garbage I mean 5-16 shooting... which is 31% and his average percentage in the playoffs (so far).
I'll also place this here....
In the 2007 and 2008 post seasons Bonner didn't play much... 34 total minutes (4/10 from the field)...
In the 2009 Playoffs the Spurs lost to Dallas (4-1) but weren't really going anywhere that year with Mason running back up PG duties, and because a guy by the name of Ginobili was sitting behind the bench in street clothes...
Sure, Matt Bonner sucked in that series averaging 19.9 MPG and a dismal 21% from the field... but may I remind everyone here that all the Spurs not named Duncan or Parker sucked in that 1st round series against the Mavs namely because our second unit was being manhandled... 'cause again, Mason was at the helm, and becuase the Mavs could easily focus on our lone playmaker in Parker... and because IIRC Pop mysteriously decided not to give Hill enough burn... the dynamic when having both Parker and Ginobili on the floor compared to when one of them is missing or not fully healthy is VAST (look at the Spurs' winning percentage when both of them play). Hence, anyone who takes that sample slice to represent Matt in the playoffs is being purposely disingenous with their criticism...
In the 2010 Playoffs the Spurs avenged their 2009 Playoff loss to Dallas by beating them 4-2, and then were swept by Phoenix.... Matt was so-so against Dallas (shooting 34%) and played so-so defense against Dirk. That said, he shot "lights out" against the Suns (shooting 55.6% from the field and 45% from 3pt range). He showed up... and had little to do with Nash going bonkers in Game 1 (mostly against Hill), or with Dragic going crazy in San Antonio... If anything his defense against Frye was subpar... but other than that, Matt played his role well...
This year is when the verdict on Matt will be issued... as long as the big three are healthy, and Jefferson holds his own Matt should play well enough for the team to succeed... he will no longer be singled out as the lone marksman on the team (reason for playoff slump against Dallas in 2009)... Jefferson's newfound efficiency from beyond the arc, Neal (let me repeat that...) Neal's fearlessness (and his welcomed playmaking ability), along with Ginobili's clutchness (despite his current shooting slump) should provide Matt with ample space to knock down his shots... if only Hill would snap out of his 3pt shooting funk... On the other end, Matt's defense will never be anywhere near elite... but he usually plays with the right intensity and with his head in the game... besides, given the current trend it seems McDyess' usage rate will increase during the playoffs which should help the Spurs' efficiency at defending the lane... That being the case, Matt's grade will be based on whether or not he can deliver from beyond the arc... If last year's playoff Bonner shows up, and given the VAST improvements around him there's no reason why he shouldn't be able to contribute.
In no more than ~ 16 MPG :lol
Bonner's not the problem, it's the guy overplaying him and not using him like the situational scrub he is....
Pheno, don't take this personally, but...Quote:
Originally Posted by Phenomanul
He shot 5-16 from 3 point land against Dallas (31%):
http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010...purs-mavericks
He was MIA going 0-4 from downtown in the Suns series in 2 out of the 4 games... that's what you call showing up and shooting "lights out"?
When he finally shoots well, he only takes 3 or 4 shots a game at a rate of 1 shot every 8 or so minutes...
Some people need to go back and look at the games again...
I mostly agree that testing the waters for a few minutes per game and see what's his pulse is not a problem... but usages of 20, even 30 minutes I think are unwarranted unless he's shooting lights out AND in some sort of volume...
I don't think anybody would agree that Bonner should play 30 minutes..
Well, Pop thought so last year in an elimination game... I hope he revisits that decision just how we revisited Hill's benching a season before that...Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
That game should be obligatory watching before these playoffs start. Just seeing guys like Dudley abusing him and outhustling him and RJ should be locker room material.
From the field... 9/26 = 34%Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
I guess what I'm trying to focus on is that with the improvements around him, and with Bonner being the team's 8th best player (at best); he should be able to contribute (as long as POP doesn't overplay him).
People often use Matt's 2009 playoff performance as the all-out defining-card of Matt's playoff capability... but like I said, that series should standout more as the fluke than as the standard... that Spurs' team flat out sucked once Ginobili was out of the picture... We had ZERO chances that year under that circumstance... and last I checked, Matt's points come off of other's playmaking...
Like I said, this year as long as the big three stay healthy, Matt will have the ultimate opportunity to prove as much (and silence if he can his many naysayers)... for the Spurs' sake (let's hope he delivers)...
I'm not worried about Bonner's offense in the playoffs AT ALL. Not even a little bit. There are several guys who can shoot threes. What worries me is Bonner's minutes, and that he will likely get a lot of them regardless of his field goal percentage.
:lol:lol:rollin:lmao :lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Obstructed_View
This is true.Quote:
Originally Posted by Obstructed_View