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[Spursmania]

If Pop plans on using Gooden in the playoffs, He really needs to play him more so he can get a groove. Now is the time to let Gooden make his mistakes. If not now, when--the playoffs?

Gooden has obvioulsy screwed up some plays. But given his resume did Pop really think he wasn't? He knew what he was getting with Gooden, now it's up to Pop to coach him the best he can. I would think part of that coaching begins with letting Gooden play a lot more minutes so he can be more accustomed to just playing and not feeling like he's under a microsope since he's only got 6-7 minutes to play before he sits.

What role will Gooden really play, I mean did we get him just to give us 7 minutes a game? Damn Pop...

[Chomag]

If Pop plans on using Gooden in the playoffs, He really needs to play him more so he can get a groove. Now is the time to let Gooden make his mistakes. If not now, when--the playoffs?

Gooden has obvioulsy screwed up some plays. But given his resume did Pop really think he wasn't? He knew what he was getting with Gooden, now it's up to Pop to coach him the best he can. I would think part of that coaching begins with letting Gooden play a lot more minutes so he can be more accustomed to just playing and not feeling like he's under a microsope since he's only got 6-7 minutes to play before he sits.

What role will Gooden really play, I mean did we get him just to give us 7 minutes a game? Damn Pop...

Very good take. I totally agree with you that Pop should be playing Gooden as much as possible right now. It's a no brainer that he will make alot of mistakes. He had to get a crash course and cram a system in his head that takes most every player at least a season to learn and get comfortable with. I would much rather him have the opportunity to make most of his mistakes now rather then in the playoffs.

There is only so much one can learn by just watching.

[Joe Schmoogins]

There is some good discussion here!

I'd start Tony, RMJ, Bruce, Bonner, and Tim
with Hill, Manu, Finley, Gooden, and Thomas as the reserves...

According to 82games, Bonner has been our best offensive player as far as winning percentage and per are concerned. So I think it's important to keep him in that starting lineup. Also it's interesting to note that the two most successful lineups based on winning percentage have happened when Bonner and Thomas were in the game together. I'm not suggesting we start them, but I would like to see them out there together more often.

One more thing... our most successful lineup as far as point differential per possession consists of Hill, RMJ, Finley, Bonner, and Duncan. This is a lineup we relied on a lot with Parker and Ginobili out. According to these stats Hill isn't to bad at running the point.

[Flux451]

According to 82games, Bonner has been our best offensive player as far as winning percentage and per are concerned. So I think it's important to keep him in that starting lineup. Also it's interesting to note that the two most successful lineups based on winning percentage have happened when Bonner and Thomas were in the game together. I'm not suggesting we start them, but I would like to see them out there together more often.

One more thing... our most successful lineup as far as point differential per possession consists of Hill, RMJ, Finley, Bonner, and Duncan. This is a lineup we relied on a lot with Parker and Ginobili out. According to these stats Hill isn't to bad at running the point.

Great insight.

I always liked Hill at point and let Mason take charge whenever. But Hill doesn't get involved enough when he doesn't run point. Last game Mason actually had an awesome game, won't be consistent, but let him run with it when he is on...doesn't mean Hill shouldn't get a chance though.

Thomas and Bonner is a good front court with Mason.

Bonner's offense is getting a lot more versitile. His drives aren't too shabby, not pretty, but high percentage shots. In the playoffs he will need to do this more and run and gun cuz the rest of league know what's up now.

[timvp]

What I would do in the playoffs:

Duncan - 38 minutes
Gooden - 28 minutes
Bowen - 25 minutes
Mason - 34 minutes
Parker - 38 minutes

Ginobili - 32 minutes
Thomas - 30 minutes
Hill - 15 minutes

I'd use Bonner, Finley or Udoka if needed due to matchups.




What Pop will probably do in the playoffs:

Duncan - 37 minutes
Bonner - 22 minutes
Finley - 32 minutes
Mason - 31 minutes
Parker - 38 minutes

Ginobili - 30 minutes
Thomas - 15 minutes
Gooden - 15 minutes
Udoka - 11 minutes
Bowen - 9 minutes

[z0sa]

if bowen avrages 9 mins in the playoffs, we might as well tank now. There will be no championship in San Antonio.

[Joe Schmoogins]

No love for Bonner from timvp

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

See, now THIS is Spurstalk.

BTW, watching the replay of Atlanta game and very happy to see more chemistry, along with feeding Gooden 4-down. The D is interesting at times though...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Ma-nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

And how about Bonner shutting down Josh Smith in the 1st Q!

Anyway, back to the topic...

[imagevo]

bowen currently is useless, and only effective in short stints in the game guarding the opposing teams best perimeter player.

as for udoka and finley, i say you change them around each game......they will have to play good to get more minutes or sit teh down, they are actually competing against each other, hopefully the fire is in there for UDOKA since its a contract year.

I don't think Bowen is useless and I still think he plays great defense, we are just a more offensive oriented team this season so he doesn't get the playing time he used to. He probably isn't as good as he was last year but he is still a solid defender.

[VI_Massive]

What I would do in the playoffs:

Duncan - 38 minutes
Gooden - 28 minutes
Bowen - 25 minutes
Mason - 34 minutes
Parker - 38 minutes

Ginobili - 32 minutes
Thomas - 30 minutes
Hill - 15 minutes

I'd use Bonner, Finley or Udoka if needed due to matchups.




What Pop will probably do in the playoffs:

Duncan - 37 minutes
Bonner - 22 minutes
Finley - 32 minutes
Mason - 31 minutes
Parker - 38 minutes

Ginobili - 30 minutes
Thomas - 15 minutes
Gooden - 15 minutes
Udoka - 11 minutes
Bowen - 9 minutes

Pop will definitely play Thomas more than that.

[Manufan909]

What Pop will probably do in the playoffs:

Duncan - 37 minutes
Bonner - 22 minutes
Finley - 32 minutes
Mason - 31 minutes
Parker - 38 minutes

Ginobili - 30 minutes
Thomas - 15 minutes
Gooden - 15 minutes
Udoka - 11 minutes
Bowen - 9 minutes

Idk how sarcastic you were being but I think:

Hill 10+
Bowen 20+
Gooden 20+
Fin less than 30
Udoka less than Bowen
everyone else i have no clue or (Big 3) spot on

Hope tonight sees Hills permanent return as the lone TP backup for at least a few years. I don't mind him being a combo guard, but 10 of his mins should always be at PG. And if he gets chem with TP, use a lineup of TP, Hill, Manu, Duncan, and Gooden. Two low post threats, 2 great defenders(Manu and TP are only pretty good), 3 superstars, and I know Gooden likes the spots Timmy uses on O, but I don't see why they can't share. If one is hot from the paint, feed him him til he goes cold, then switch. I bet it would amuse Duncan to have 4-down called with him not having the ball. Of course, Timmy would get the first crack, and if he's off, see what Gooden can do.

[WalterBenitez]

Good post.
It depends on matchups of course but the way I'd like it would be something like :

PG - 48 mins
Tony : 36-38 and Hill : 10-12. If Hill struggles then Manu should get a few mins there, unless it messes up the swingmen rotation. In this case go with Vaughn.

Swingmen - 96 mins
Starters - Mason ( ~28 mins ) and Fin ( ~20 mins ). If Finley starts cold it usually indicates he's having one of his ghost games, just bench him and give his minutes to Bowen/Mason/Manu depending on matchups.
Subs - Manu ( ~28 mins ) and Bowen ( ~20 mins ). Ime would probably get a few minutes depending on matchups and in case of smallball. Under no cir stances do I want Fin as a 4 in a small ball stint.
Also, Hill could see some minutes at the 2 position at some point, pairing him with Parker has proved to work in certain conditions. Not so much with Manu though, for some reason.

Bigs - 96 mins
Starters - Tim ( ~36 mins ) and Bonner ( ~20 mins ). Depending on the opponent I'd go with Thomas as a starter too, but not if this means we'd get Bonner and Gooden playing at the same time even for 1 minute.
Subs - Thomas ( ~22 mins ) and Gooden ( ~18 mins ). Oberto could help also if needed or in case of foul trouble.Hopefully we would not see smallball too much.

To summarize this is a 10-man rotation, which I'm not sure Pop would like. I'd expect him to go 8 or 9 men deep in each game ( unless it's a blowout ) depending on matchups. This possibly means that Hill will be out of the rotation most of the time. Not sure which big would have to be out if Pop decides to use 3 bigs only or play smallball.

I almost agree completely, but I'd cut more Finley's minutes.
I'd like to see KT next Gooden.

[Spursfan092120]

Playoffs line-up should be:

Tony-Manu-Bowen-Duncan-Gooden (I would give Drew now the chance to start 'till the end of the regular season, play him 30-35 minutes per game, let him make mistakes, call plays for him, boost his confidence. We need this guy to play a major role to get out of the west. If he plays like all this time 'till the start of the playoffs then bench him, but at least give him a chance to show what he's got.)

Bench rotation players: Hill, Mason, Bonner and Kurt.

Don't forget..Manu is better off the bench..we need to keep starting Mason and let him get heated up early..and bring Manu in off the bench. Manu is better once he's seen the flow of the game. and Mason's better when he heats up early...it's simple chemistry.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

so, since I started this thread Pop is yet to settle on an 8 or 9 man rotation. As a result, I have a feeling that Pop is not going to shorten the rotation this year for the start of the playoffs - he's going to keep tinkering until he feels comfortable, which doesn't look like happening. It seems like he's going to keep throwing 10 players into the game to work matchups, and pretty much wing it on gut feel. Interesting.

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