Message to Tony: Pass the ball to Mason!!

[timaios]

The Spurs as a TEAM are the second best team in the league in Assist Ratio.
Utah is 1st... New Orleans is 11th !
Everyone is passing the ball in the Spurs system.

[South Side Spurs Fan]

[quote=cherylsteele;2978955] ...it was his all around decision making,...quote]

decision making includes when to pass/when to shoot.

Look I'm a Spurs fan since the early eighties. I rejoiced the day we got the draft rights to D-Rob. My first favorite Spurs player was mings (Anybody know who that was?). Not only that, I love TP. We wouldn't have the les we do without him. So stop getting your panties in a bunch, TP-lovers.

The point is, I watch every game, and have seen 95% of the regular games since about 2003. That being said, I have noticed that Tony has passed up Mason's open looks since he came back from injury.

Maybe he doesn't trust him yet. Maybe I'm imagining things. But he needs to get him involved in our offensive attack.

When I first saw Mason, I was thinking the second coming of Captain Jack. I'm now realizing he has the chance to be better.

PASS HIM THE PILL, TP.
JUST DO IT.

[timvp]

Granted, it might have been a season or two ago, but there was a time when Pop was pushing Tony to pick up his assists, which have always lagged. And Tony's excuse was that passing to Tim doesn't allow a high assist total.

Pop never asked TP to get more assists.

Regardless, pass the ball to Mason already!!! There's a reason Mason knocks 'em down when he plays with Hill and Manu: cause they're not afraid to pass him the damn ball.

While I agree that Mason needs to get more minutes, more plays called for him and more shots, I think you are barking up the wrong tree. TP and Mason have played extremely well together since the first game of the season. Last time I checked, Mason was averaging 2+ point per game more per 48 minutes and shooting 10% better from the field with TP in the game compared to Hill. In fact, he's back in the starting lineup partly due to how well he plays with TP.

But yeah, it'd be nice if everyone, Pop included, would look to get him more involved on a daily basis. The Spurs aren't going to win a championship if they have to rely on someone like Michael Finley more than Mason.

[South Side Spurs Fan]

For those of you that don't believe Pop ever asked TP to raise his assist total, you may not know it but TP has only had the red light for the past 3 seasons or so.

Pop's views of PG's has changed over the years, especially with our pronounced need for scoring production and TP's ability to deliver. Before that, he wanted a true point. That's why he stuck with little general, and why Antonio Daniels got run out of town.

Irrelevant anyway. I have seen TP pass on the pass to Mason. With my own . Over the last several games. Don't say it doesn't happen. I might believe you if I hadn't seen it with my own two on my little purple face.

Even annoncers are saying Mason is having a hard time reacclimating with TP and Manu back in. But if you notice...AS SOON AS MASON IS IN WITH THE SECOND UNIT, HE'S ON FIRE.

PASS IT TP, PASS IT.

[South Side Spurs Fan]

Pop never asked TP to get more assists.

In fact, he's back in the starting lineup...

Me and Pop think alike...get Mason the ball.

[Kori Ellis]

Me and Pop think alike...get Mason the ball.

Nice change of your quote.

[South Side Spurs Fan]

Yeah...I'm not really sold on Mason playing better with TP on the floor...I don't think he gets the ball in rythym, I don't think he has as many opportunities to get his shot going, and I think TP can remedy these two things.

So I don't agree with the second half of that sentence, Kori. I posted it by accident, but I'm glad it brings you some joy during the hoiday season.

[ehz33satx]

South Side Spurs fan = Roger Mason Jr. ~ iden y revealed!

[South Side Spurs Fan]

South Side Spurs fan = Roger Mason Jr. ~ iden y revealed!

(knowing he's been busted, slaps his hip and points heavenward...as he imagines himself averaging 20 if only Tony would PASS HIM THE ROCK!)

[HarlemHeat37]

Pop never asked TP to get more assists.

While I agree that Mason needs to get more minutes, more plays called for him and more shots, I think you are barking up the wrong tree. TP and Mason have played extremely well together since the first game of the season. Last time I checked, Mason was averaging 2+ point per game more per 48 minutes and shooting 10% better from the field with TP in the game compared to Hill. In fact, he's back in the starting lineup partly due to how well he plays with TP.

But yeah, it'd be nice if everyone, Pop included, would look to get him more involved on a daily basis. The Spurs aren't going to win a championship if they have to rely on someone like Michael Finley more than Mason.

100% agree..

the key here being plays ran for Mason..especially the play where he gets a screen up top, takes 1 dribble and pops a 3..he seems to never miss that, so I don't know why we don't run it for him more often when he needs a basket or 2 to get going..

[MarCowMar]

My impression is that Mason and TP get along better than most here believe.

I remember watching one of the games back when the Spurs were really struggling and they had a mic focused on Tony and Mason standing next to each other dribbling and talking. Mason said something along the lines of "we're really going to be deadly once we get it together" and Tony said "oh no doubt". Sorry I don't have the exact quote but just seeing that made me think these two are very much on the same page.

I think Mason's underuse is more due to Pop not knowing fully how to use him just yet, and also just the glut of talent we have at SG and SF. We basically have six guys who are arguably deserving of two starting spots: Mason, Manu, Hill, Bowen, Finley, Udoka. Hill of course can be used at PG but that still leaves five quality players to figure out roles for.

[Kori Ellis]

My impression is that Mason and TP get along better than most here believe.

I remember watching one of the games back when the Spurs were really struggling and they had a mic focused on Tony and Mason standing next to each other dribbling and talking. Mason said something along the lines of "we're really going to be deadly once we get it together" and Tony said "oh no doubt". Sorry I don't have the exact quote but just seeing that made me think these two are very much on the same page.

Yeah that was actually an awesome exchange.

I think Mason plays much better with Tony on the floor than without. I'm not doubting that Tony has missed Mason when he's been open on occasion, but I think they are getting to be more in sync than out. To start the year, they really played well together.

[hater]

Mason said "we gonna be a beast..."

like his confidence but have yet to see it

[1Parker1]

Right on both points, and thats exactly what I eluded to in my first post.

BUT...as the point, you gotta get your other teamates going, or it turns into "watch the TP and TD show." This is a fine line Tony always has to walk...and I'll grant it's not an easy one. And for the record, if they just can't get it going, I have no problem with TP going for 55 again.

As to your second point, that is all the more reason to PASS MASON THE BALL!!!! That is what this thread is about...

Mason was shooting well under 50% for the past month, month and a half. You're telling me you still think that's all the more reason to PASS MASON THE BALL?! I'll give you that, Pop should probably run a few more plays for Mason to get him going, but the fact remains, at the end of the day, if Mason is going to be shooting 40-45% from the field, I'd rather Parker be taking the shots. Mason should not have more shot attempts than the Big 3.

And Parker does get his teammates going. When he gets into the lane and the defense collapses and he swings the ball to the perimeter and then someone else passes it to the other open shooter, he's not going to get the credit for the assist. You are speaking as if Parker attemps 20 shots ppg or something.

[The Truth #6]

I don't think it's realistic or beneficial to expect or want Tony to change. He's quite successful in the way he plays. I don't think he needs to pass more because he's a great offensive player, and with our constant tendency to go into droughts, we should work to keep our best scorer at the top of his game.

Having said that, Tony does need to dominate the ball to get into his rhythm. I think Mason also plays better when he has the ball in his hand more. I'm not saying Mason should share point guard duties, but I do think it behooves the team to let Mason get his hands on the rock a little bit more here and there to play a two man game with either Tim, Bonner, or Kurt.

This isn't the worst problem to have. And I don't think it's up to Tony to involve Mason more, I think it's Pop's decision to do so with what plays he calls.

So though people want to get angry at Tony, we should probably keep in mind that Pop is still in control of what goes on out there.

[South Side Spurs Fan]

Pop never asked TP to get more assists.

Last time I checked, Mason was averaging 2+ point per game more per 48 minutes and shooting 10% better from the field with TP in the game compared to Hill.

Looked it up...and you couldn't be more wrong.
Mason and Hill on the floor: +/- of 52.
Mason and Parker: +/- of 28.


Proves my point.

[cherylsteele]

...it was his all around decision making,...

decision making includes when to pass/when to shoot.

Look I'm a Spurs fan since the early eighties. I rejoiced the day we got the draft rights to D-Rob. My first favorite Spurs player was mings (Anybody know who that was?). Not only that, I love TP. We wouldn't have the les we do without him. So stop getting your panties in a bunch, TP-lovers.

The point is, I watch every game, and have seen 95% of the regular games since about 2003. That being said, I have noticed that Tony has passed up Mason's open looks since he came back from injury.

Maybe he doesn't trust him yet. Maybe I'm imagining things. But he needs to get him involved in our offensive attack.

When I first saw Mason, I was thinking the second coming of Captain Jack. I'm now realizing he has the chance to be better.

PASS HIM THE PILL, TP.
JUST DO IT.

I did say that about TP in the quote you PARTIALLY used.
In your original post you only mentioned passing to RJM, not shooting or any other intangibles.

Are you actually comparing RJM to James Silas? That is just plain premature at the moment....actually his nickname is Captian Late, for his lat game heroics.

You have been a fan since the early 80's but yet only started watching the majority of games since 2003? What a fan.

I have been watching most games since the early 90's, when they started showing them all on cable, before that saw many games at HemisFair Arena in the $5.00 nosebleed seats.

[South Side Spurs Fan]

Mason was shooting well under 50% for the past month, month and a half. You're telling me you still think that's all the more reason to PASS MASON THE BALL?! I'll give you that, Pop should probably run a few more plays for Mason to get him going, but the fact remains, at the end of the day, if Mason is going to be shooting 40-45% from the field, I'd rather Parker be taking the shots. Mason should not have more shot attempts than the Big 3.

And Parker does get his teammates going. When he gets into the lane and the defense collapses and he swings the ball to the perimeter and then someone else passes it to the other open shooter, he's not going to get the credit for the assist. You are speaking as if Parker attemps 20 shots ppg or something.

TP averages 17 for the season.

And I'm not saying Mason should take more shots than the big three, but he's shown that he's got the heart of a killer, with clutch shooting, and if we are going to get the this year we should get this guy consistently involved in the offense. TP can help with that, and he needs to do that.

[South Side Spurs Fan]

I did say that about TP in the quote you PARTIALLY used.
In your original post you only mentioned passing to RJM, not shooting or any other intangibles.

Are you actually comparing RJM to James Silas? That is just plain premature at the moment....actually his nickname is Captian Late, for his lat game heroics.

You have been a fan since the early 80's but yet only started watching the majority of games since 2003? What a fan.

I have been watching most games since the early 90's, when they started showing them all on cable, before that saw many games at HemisFair Arena in the $5.00 nosebleed seats.

Then how do not know who Captain Jack is? Dude, you gotta learn your spurs history...it's not Silas.

Get busy...

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

TP can help with that, and he needs to do that.

And the others can't?

[South Side Spurs Fan]

Here's a hint...

Timmy called him the best teamate ever.

[cherylsteele]

Then how do not know who Captain Jack is? Dude, you gotta learn your spurs history...it's not Silas.

Get busy...

Well then who is it....since you know it all.
Are you talking about SJAX who was known as buckets? I never heard anyone call him Capt Jack before.

If it is the case maybe, RJM is not the slasher SJax was/is.

[South Side Spurs Fan]

PG's run the offense, call the plays, and have the option of passing out at the last second to an open roger mason before they get their shot sent into the stands...

I love TP, but it's the truth!!!

[South Side Spurs Fan]

Well then who is it....since you know it all.
Are you talking about SJAX who was known as buckets? I never heard anyone call him Capt Jack before.

If it is the case maybe, RJM is not the slasher SJax was/is.

I agree, but my favorite part of SJ's game was his clutch shooting and D. I think Mason has shown he can do both these things on par or better than SJ, without the trips to the strip club.

[cherylsteele]

I agree, but my favorite part of SJ's game was his clutch shooting and D. I think Mason has shown he can do both these things on par or better than SJ, without the trips to the strip club.

SJax could post other guards up, RMJ has not shown that ability as of yet.
He is not as clutch yet, he could be, time will tell.

The one thing that bugs me about RMJ is his dependency on the 3-ball, he doesn't drive the lane as much as he needs to, something SJax did better.