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But, being able to bring in KT, Gooden and Gino would destroy other second units.
If Oberto is your last big man, that is very, very good. I would not mind throwing him in to foul hard and pick up the energy at times. He is such a smart player that it is excellent to be able to pick and choose.
Hard to say with Gooden. Depends on how healthy he is. I think I agree w/ Timvp and say you start him (varying by match-ups on some nights you start Bonner).
But, being able to bring in KT, Gooden and Gino would destroy other second units.
With the issue of size swaying towards the Spurs ( if Bynum stays out) I keep getting the feeling that the Lakers are going to wish they had not gotten rid of Radmonovich for Morrison.
Where ever Pop puts him.
I'm sold. Put him in the starting lineup. Oh wait. I forgot that Pop wants to keep the floor spread.
Seriously though, if he becomes a key contributor for the team, and perhaps earns a new contract with the team, look for him to be a starter next year. As talented as he is, I don't see how any coach could keep him on the bench wherever he ends up.
I think Bonner can spread the floor off the bench like Horry used to do...
Lets hope he gives us 10 and 6. I'd be happy with that sans dunks.......
I remember Gooden when in the Cavs and they were getting blown out by 20 in a certain game. Lebron was already on the bench and Gooden tried to do a dunk bouncing it off the backboard. yes, when Cavs were losing by 20 at home
Well, he missed and Lebron got so pissed he stood up and walked to the end of his bench and sat down.
Gooden is a stupid mother er but he still gonna help the Spurs. Just don't expect a brain surgeon...Never.
My kneejerk reaction is to start the guy. Hes probably the second most skilled big on the team now and thusly deserves the start. But after years of work we've finally made Matt Bonner a succesful and productive Spurs player. I don't know that I want to mess with that and potentially jinx the guy. I think you start Bonner most nights (and name him, for all intents and purposes, the starter) and generally bring Gooden off the bench. But I could see a situation where Gooden plays the Manu role and gets subbed in early, plays the lions-share of the minutes, and closes out tight games. It just really depends.
I think the one sure thing is that if Gooden is healthy and plays halfway up to his skill level then Oberto is relegated to the bench. A four man rotation of Duncan/Bonner/KT/Gooden would be damn savvy. And with Oberto as insurance and (in a pinch) 6 more fouls, we don't look bad at all.
One dunk like that and he's riding the pine.
Off the bench with Thomas and Manu is the perfect case scenario...
in pop we trust.
IMO this is the key right here. Bonner has proven to be a productive player, but only when used as a compliment to Tim Duncan. Gooden can be productive without Duncan on the floor, but Bonner can't. That's why I think Bonner continues to start and Gooden comes off the bench. It's not about starting the better player, it's about starting the guy who allows Pop to maximize the effectiveness of multiple players.
I'll take that every night as long as those come in the first half.......Knowing Pop, the hernia thing is just false information "leaked" through his CIA channels in order for Spurs to land him.
Godden, 13pts 15 rebounds 2 blocks and 4 bonehead plays tonight.
It is a synergy thing. But if Matt Bonner cannot be effective if he is not a starter, that does not bode well for his mind-set going into the playoffs. It is not like teams are going to double him if he is on the court without Tim. Granted, Tim affords him many of his open looks, he should still be able to get plenty without Tim on the floor.
+1
Manu can do just as well to get him nice looks. And if Bonner is covered it's still a win, cuz that most likely means an opposing big is out of the paint.
I wanted Gooden to start, but some here have made great points about him being the post presence when Tim is not on. If he can average 13 as a starter(what is his avg minutes again?) against other teams starting frontcourt, he should feast on most backups. Hopefully he does just that, and Tim starts seeing alot more 33 or less min games.
Gooden should come off the bench a couple of games until he's ready to replace Bonner on the starting line up. I don't give a S*** about the "Bonner spreads the floor/cause matchup probles blah blah...". He's soft/ undersize and gets pushed around easily by the other team's bigs. I rather take the toughness/physical presence of Gooden.
Mods - feel free to merge.
I think the pick-up is an excellent one for the Spurs. For a short time I covered the Cavs and Drew was always a great interview and guy around the lockerroom. Real laid back and honest - didn't give standard answers nor did he put on a show. Just a cool guy. The SA media should love him.
His game? He's going to be great on the glass - especially offensivesly for the Spurs. Not the type who you throw it in the post to make plays, but a live body that will generate points off loose balls. He's also a good passer for his position - although he doesn't utilize that skill as well as he could in the offenses he was in. If a big goes to double on Duncan - he'll find the open spot and be available for the dumpoff down low.
The concern Spurs fans should have is how Pop deals with his lack of focus at times. He's normally not tuned in for a full 48 and doesn't play with the discipline Spurs teams normally do.
Specifially vs LA - he does give someone who can match up with Odom when he's at the 4 spot. Great athleticism when healthy but too short/light to bother Gasol in the post. He also doesn't have a chance guarding Bynum.
So not quite Twin Towers but a very good addition for the Spurs. I still don't see it being enough for SA to win with it unlikely Ginobili being close to 100%, LA still having the size and depth advantage, and the Spurs having no one to guard Kobe, but its a great move.
I like the idea of a back up to Tim, as a couple of you have stated, or first off the bench depending on matchups.
I think we may see Bonners rebounds increase just to keep his starting role. It is a good thing because Duncan can get more rest if Gooden can play right away.
Hopefully he is playing tonight...but groin injurys are no joke, so rest if have to.
edit: If he comes in and is an extremely productive piece with our team and right chemistry, then Bonner coming off bench would be ideal. Bombs away!
I think everyone is in agreement that if Bonner isn't hitting shots he's not contributing much. That's the beauty about starting him. Being on the floor with Duncan will maximize the open looks he's going to get. If he's knocking them down, great. If he's not, at least you know early and can go to Gooden for the rest of the game.
Well I guess we should give him a chance and see what he can offer!
bowen will guard kobe just fine. the other points are debatable. I think if Bonner can "guard" Bynum/Gasol, Gooden can should he put forth maximum effort.
thanks for the input...i don't think anyone has a player to stop Kobe. Enter Hairston. He might do a good job, but no one stops kobe.
As far as being enough to win? Giniobilli will be 100% healthy by playoffs. If we are 100% healthy then we can win it all. Which was evident last year.
Gooden gives us more boards offensively. help needed...we are one of best defensive rebounding teams. This should put us over top
Hairston?
Pop will need to give Bruce the opportunity.
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