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Oh he's 6'8"? He really seems to be taller than that....
Mensah-Bonsu knows basics of Spurs' system
Mike Monroe
The first Spurs player to welcome Pops Mensah-Bonsu into the locker room Wednesday afternoon had a familiar face.
Roger Mason Jr. got acquainted with Mensah-Bonsu in summertime games in his hometown of Washington, D.C., when Mensah-Bonsu was a player at George Washington.
Familiarity is something Mensah-Bonsu believes gives him a chance to find a place on the Spurs roster beyond the 10-day contract he signed Wednesday morning. His time with the Austin Toros, during which he averaged 26.6 points and 13 rebounds in eight games, gave him a rudimentary education in the Spurs' offensive and defensive schemes, because the Toros use most of both.
Mensah-Bonsu is 2 inches shorter than his officially listed 6-foot-10, but he has long arms that make him play taller than 6-8. He hopes to show the Spurs' coaches that his defensive versatility also is reason to keep him around.
“I think I can help this team,” he said. “I think I can be a piece of the puzzle they need, so, hopefully, coach (Gregg) Popovich can see something that they're missing.
“I'm ahead of the game, as far as the system is concerned, and I think I bring a different aspect, a different edge to the team. I'm an athletic power forward, and they haven't had a player like this for a while.
“The kind of player I am, I'm able to guard different positions, guard smaller, athletic players, as well as bigger, stronger players, power forwards and centers.”
Duncan uncertainty: Spurs forward Tim Duncan, who has missed the past two games with right knee pain, is likely to be a game-time decision tonight against Cleveland.
The team's medical staff will evaluate Duncan after shootaround this morning and again after pregame warmups. Duncan has been diagnosed with tendonosis in his right quad, a degenerative condition that responds to rest.
Kurt Thomas has started in Duncan's place in each of the past two games, totaling 18 points and 25 rebounds.
Gimme a ‘D': Don't look now, but the Spurs' defense is beginning to draw less and less ire from Popovich.
The Spurs, who are on a four-game winning streak, have held three consecutive opponents to less than 40 percent shooting.
They have held four straight foes to 84 points or less.
Surprisingly, the Spurs have turned in back-to-back defensive gems with Duncan, their defensive centerpiece, sidelined.
“The great thing with our system, it doesn't matter what five guys you put on the court,” center Matt Bonner said. “If you execute it, we can shut anybody down.”
Staff writer Jeff McDonald contributed to this report
Oh he's 6'8"? He really seems to be taller than that....
Maybe this guy can be a burly Wes Unseld type under the hoop.
I'm sure Pops is not as good of a positional defender as he could be, at this point, but I'd love to see him try his hand at David West and/or Dirk.
Eh, its too late in the season IMO for this guy to get a shot at the rotation.
I hope he didn't just jinx the team...
6'7.5" without shoes = 6'9" in the NBA.
Every player is measured in shoes, and then some. Nearly all are at least an inch shorter than their listed height, some up to 2.
6'9", 245 is pretty good size for an NBA PF.
I hope he gets some playing time tonight.
That would be the conventional wisdom, but Dell Demps really seems to be high on him.
Demps' interview before the game with Schoening, had him coming off like he really stuck his neck out there for Pops, and that Pops would succeed if given the opportunity.
Only time will tell, but I'm looking forward to seeing how the young fella plays.
Eh, I don't know how far Demps is sticking his neck out for Pops.
I think he stuck his neck way out there for Jackie Butler, but that was a miserable failure apparently.
I don't know if you want to compare him with Wes. unseld is a couple of inches shorter and maybe 30lbs. heavier. Built like a fire hydrant. He had one of the greatest outlet passes ever. Another one of my favorites.
Time will tell if Pops earns rotation minutes or not. It's probably a long shot but I see no reason to suggest it won't happen because it doesn't normally happen.
Sticking his neck out there was probably a poor choice of words, so let's just say a strong advocate. I'm pretty sure Pops would've been given a look without much pushing from Demps, but nonetheless, he seemed pretty optimistic about what Pop brings to the table.
I'm no expert on Pops (seen very little in-game action) but if he could carve out a Leon Powe-type role, that'd be a nice weapon to add to the arsenal.
Whaat was the percentage of games Croshere played on his 10-day with on the Spurs? Cuz I think he missed some too. I hope Pops gets more minutes than him, at least Pops knows the system, if not the players. If TD is out again, I see no reason not to. If one of Fab/KT/Bonner is either not on, or in foul trouble, he could maybe see 10+ minutes. As long as he doesn't shoot himself in the foot.
If the Rockets can blow out the Cavs, the super-D Spurs-lite can win a 3rd game by double-digits. If at any point the lead hits 17, I'd like Pop to experiment with a lineup of Pops, KT, Hairston, Mason/Bowen, and Hill. , as long as both Hairston and Pops play, I'm good.
But for more than 34 seconds this time, more like 5-10 minutes.
Pops apparently is 6'9 and has a 7' winspan, what iss the wingspan of the avg 6'11 player? Cuz I don't think height matters as much as standing reach.
I've heard stuff like that before. So most players are shorter than they are listed?
That means Shaq truly isn't 7'1"
And Iverson really is shorter than 6'
well there you go.
all he needs is 3 blocks 2 killers dunks and about 5 offensive rebounds in any given game and he will be locked in. pop will be forced to use him if he can "sportscenter"
show his stuff.
I have noticed pop will cave to nationwide "other teams want to sign this guy" pressures.
Theo Ratliff.
When Matt Bonner starts talking about shutting people down, you know things are going well.
Well, he certainly doesn't lack confidence. I do believe he is an intriguing player that brings an athletic aspect to the game that could benefit the Spurs if he can establish himself as a consistent contributor.
That being said, do I think he'll crack the rotation this late in the season? Not a chance.
Hope I'm wrong.
Feel the Bonsu!
Typical TPark response. If the Spurs were to have signed a guy TPark was all up on, his response would be the total opposite.
Uh wrong.
dude you have been bashing the Bonsu from the very beginning... If he doesn't pan put it won't be an upset... but if he does... you'll have to create yet another user name... again...
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