Spurs' three to get ready
Jeff McDonald
The Spurs are set to begin the playoffs without Manu Ginobili, who is out for the season with a stress fracture in his right leg. Here are three players Express-News beat writer Jeff McDonald says the team is hoping can help pick up the slack:
Drew Gooden
Specs: 6-foot-10, forward
How he can help: Acquired in early March after being bought out in Sacramento, Gooden affords the Spurs a post-up presence they've rarely had on their second unit. At his best, he provides what Ginobili once did — the possibility of 20 points off the bench on any given night — in a slightly different package.
Roger Mason Jr.
Specs: 6-foot-5, guard
How he can help: With Ginobili sidelined to start the season, Mason emerged as one of the early surprises in the NBA. Though he's fallen out of the top 15 in 3-point shooting, the Spurs are hopeful Mason can heat up again. One good sign: He has scored 13, 18 and 16 in three games since Ginobili was lost for the season.
Matt Bonner
Specs: 6-foot-10, center
How he can help: Bonner is a sharpshooting big man, Robert Horry without the postseason pedigree. After flirting with the league's best 3-point percentage for much of the season, Bonner has cooled off. If he can regain his stroke, Bonner is the type of player who could turn a playoff game or two.
i'm kind of wary about how popovich will use bonner in the playoffs. no one denies that he can shoot but the saying "defense wins championships" always comes to haunt me when i think about bonner starting. the added pressure and zero room for mistakes without ginobili may make bonner a better option on the bench. i don't think bonner's defense is good enough to match up against starting PFs and Cs but the spurs need his three pt shooting more than ever with ginobili out.
We need every bit of help we can get from those 3.
We are the 2009 NBA Champions
Bonner is Robert Horry without the defense, intangibles, toughness, clutch play, and basketball IQ..
But Bonner has .... um.... red hair?
Bonner sucks, and in the playoffs in a big game he will dissapear, bet on it.
Last edited by Sean Cagney; 04-12-2009 at 12:07 AM.
You just wait and see, I will expect Bonner to make a few key shots in the playoffs... BOOK IT!
Let's hope Mason Jr can get on a hot streak and... well Bonner... i'm not so sure about him... it seemed he just disappeared. Let's hope he reappears!!! Gooden has been playing well too!
Mason maybe or Finley, but Bonner? HAHAHHAHA he has not made many all year, when they play a very good team he seems to mail it in (LA etc.), dude is not built for this or mentally tough. He can shoot all year against bad teams, when in the clutch against a good team though? He will choke IMO and poeple will call for him outta here.You just wait and see, I will expect Bonner to make a few key shots in the playoffs... BOOK IT!
Let's just see what the Bonner can do in the playoffs. The nerves of Roger Mason have been tested but not on a game to game basis. After all, we have yet to see 2 of these guys in the post season. Best of luck to the Spurs this Playoffs
He's certainly not a player you can trust.
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