Call it now- The Bonner Debate

[galvatron3000]

whatever he does I hope they can trade him later this year. I think they'll trade him for a second round pick or possibly a player by Feb. As far as him being helpful(success) he will have to be in order for him to get traded as I stated. He'll help out a bit but I doubt it is enough to keep him from being traded.

[ElNono]

I only have two games from last season still on my DVR. The season opener, with the ring ceremony, and the game against NJ from March this year.
Bonner actually played quite a bit on the opener, because Horry was missing with family issues back then, and we didn't have Thomas yet. He played terrible. I was watching it two days ago, and man, did he look lost out there. He got outhustled on defensive boards by the Portland bigs, and on offense, he rarely would get a offensive board, since he just always pretty much runs to the 3pt lane once somebody penetrates. Rotations were terrible too.
He was already not part of the rotation in March, even though Horry didn't play that game (second night of a back-to-back). Thomas, Tim and Oberto manned the paint that game.

[barbacoataco]

When you look at the roster as it is now--- Thomas, Oberto, Duncan, Bonner and Mahinmi are the bigs. If Mahinmi winds up not ready, or a china doll, then I don't see how Bonner won't get minutes. The Spurs tighten to a three man C/PF rotation in the playoffs, but use four players in the regular season. Maybe Bonner will have a career year. Anything is possible.

[I Love Me Some Me]

define success.

[remingtonbo2001]

define success.

Already did.

Please read through the thread.

[century]

Bonner will suck. Can't play D. Spurs have no use for that kind of player. Bonner's minute will decrease as the season progresses. They'll be trying to trade him in no time.

[jack sommerset]

I love the fact alot of you think he will have success. I really love the fact alot of you think he can be traded.

The only way he will get traded is if he is in a package which means Timmmmmmmmmay, Parker or Mangoo is traded. The guy is worthless.

[timvp]

This is a tough vote. On one hand, I think that Bonner can be productive enough. He's a good shooter who can hustle and rebound. On the other hand, his basketball IQ to date has been amazingly low and Pop's trust at him is shaky at best.

He's capable of succeeding but I'm not sure Pop will give him enough rope to make it happen. It also depends on how Tolliver plays. If he's the dead-eye he was in summer league, that would make it even tougher on Bonner.

[Tully365]

Is there any other end-of-the-bench guy in the league that draws the obsessive concerns of his fans the way Matt Bonner does? Hilarious.

[Obstructed_View]

To my knowledge, Pop has given exactly one player rope since he's been the coach. Bonner isn't turning into that guy any time soon.

[Budkin]

He's terrible. That's been obvious since he's been here. Bust.

[ehz33satx]

Starts OK...starts screwing up...out the door.

You know, I don't think it is a matter of Bonner screwing up last year. It was more Coach Pop deciding to ride Horry and hoping for more late game heroics. Pop is extremely loyal to the vets. He went with a one armed Nick Van Exel, forsaking the development and skills of Beno Udrih. Both Bonner and Udrih are good players. , Bonner had a 25 point and 17 rebound performance against Golden State in Duncans absence! But he and Udrih got kicked to the curb so Pop could squeeze as much out of Horry and Van Exel as he could. Given adequate playing time both could produce more than they are given credit for. Pop is a great coach, but his blind loyalty gets in the way alot of the time, which has lost us many a game and maybe another le or two.

[exstatic]

Bonner may be able to pick up some of Horry's offense, but Horry was a tough hombre on defense and a halfway decent shotblocker. Matt has neither of those attributes.

FAIL

[Manufan909]

He'' more than pick up Horry's offense and then some. Scoring more than 4 pts or whatever Horry avged last season won't be hard. I'm with you on defense though, dude made Okur look like a slasher in the Manu 37pt game.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I think he'll succeed. Not a lot he needs to do, about 6.5 & 4 should do it.

[baseline bum]

Bust. His ceiling is probably ok regular season player who craps himself in the playoffs.

[diego]

i dont understand why people are posting numbers, especially per game numbers, to argue his potential success (we all agree, he doesnt have to become olajuown to help this team).

bonner's two biggest problems are consistency and defense, and neither translates well to numbers. a lot of it has to with IQ and confidence, and he hasnt shown much of either in his time here. Getting 7 and 4 in under 20 minutes would be nice, but picking up dumb fouls and playing bad defense will negate the positive. so i vote failure, but i do hope he does well.

[2centsworth]

anyone who runs like frankenstein is going to have a hard time in the NBA.

BUST

[AC#21_TD ERA]

If he get's out of the stinking dog house and gets consistent minutes then he'll be a success. Obviously if your not getting minutes how are you supposed to peform? Look what Bonner did when he filled in for Duncan.

[byrontx]

Bonner has a banner year!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I picked Bonner to find his feet last year, but he didn't. I'm not giving him a second chance. He'll play quite a bit in the first few months of the season to showcase him, then he'll be traded.

In all honesty bonner came in and hustled his butt off. but for the most part was lost, who knows maybe after a season and some camp time he wont get lost. its his defense that sat him down towards the end and in the PO's. he also had no post game, he reminds me of horry. all i wanna do it shoot from the arc. thats not gonna help timmy out one bit. Like all the bigs pop brings in they sit in his doghouse or get traded the following season.

You continue to prove what an idiot you are... so, we need PFs with post games so they can push TD outta there, and accurate 3pt shooting doesn't help make space for Tim? GTFO.

[SequSpur]

I am kind've on the fence on this one.

[remingtonbo2001]

I am kind've on the fence on this one.

That would be a first.

[Manufan909]

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, with no one of similar skills above him. If Tolliver AND Ian beat him out for serious minutes, then he doesn't deserve to be here.

[Avitus1]

I think he'll pull it off and be a success and manage to avoid the doghouse.