Pops Mensa Bonsu

[45 bank shot]

If you look at his stats, when he played minutes, he put up decent numbers. I don't think anyone is saying he should be a starter for the Spurs, yet. I do think that if given the numbers he can produce. In games where he averaged over 20 minutes per game, he scored 9.5 ppg. He also averaged 7.1 rpg when he played over 20 minutes. To say that the Spurs couldn't use a big who can score 9 ppg and grab 7.1 rpg is lying to themselves.

I watched a lot of his games in toronto since I live Ontario. This guy was far from being efficient, all he did was looking for dunks and sometimes he couldn't finish them. He also wasted a great tip-in chance to win the ball game

[manufan10]

If anyone thought Pops could average 9 & 7 over the course of a full season he wouldn't be searching for his 3rd team in the last 4 months.

FA haven't been able to sign. We don't know if teams think he can do it or not. We'll find out when teams start signing guys. Of course, he's not going to be the top of everyone's list when there's big time C's/PF's out there. However, he's shown statistically when he gets minutes he can put up some decent enough stats. I think if he's put into a proper situation, it could help him tremendously. I'm not saying he's starting material for any team, yet. I'm saying he can be a productive bench guy for a team.

[manufan10]

I watched a lot of his games in toronto since I live Ontario. This guy was far from being efficient, all he did was looking for dunks and sometimes he couldn't finish them. He also wasted a great tip-in chance to win the ball game

Again, I'm not saying that this guy should be a starter, all-star type guy. I think he can be a good solid bench player if given the opportunity on the right team. I'm not even suggesting that he be a sixth man on a team. I think if a team looking for a cheap in price big, like the Spurs, Pops should be up there on the list. He can make an impact on the team with his hustle.

[coyotes_geek]

We know that before the Spurs picked him up no one was interested in him. We know the Spurs weren't interested in him after having him. And since Toronto could have kept him cheaply, yet decided not to it's apparent that they're not interested in him either. So all the evidence we have to go on right now suggests that the only ones who have any real interest in Pops are fans who saw him dunk a few times.

[manufan10]

We know that before the Spurs picked him up no one was interested in him. We know the Spurs weren't interested in him after having him. And since Toronto could have kept him cheaply, yet decided not to it's apparent that they're not interested in him either. So all the evidence we have to go on right now suggests that the only ones who have any real interest in Pops are fans who saw him dunk a few times.

No, I think the Spurs were interested, however, when you bring in a guy like Drew Gooden for the season, then it makes someone expendable. Of course, being the new guy, that makes Pops Mr. Expendable. From what I saw, it was more than just the dunks, of course the Spurs were the lowest team with that. I saw energy from him. I saw hustle. I saw effort to go up and get rebounds. There was more to it than just dunks.

[Tully365]

get off his nuts okay?
this will prolly be another Courtney Sims situation.
btw where are those people who claimed it was the end of the world when spurs passed up Courtney sims to the SUns?

There are many things to like about spurstalk, but the one thing that almost never fails to happen is that when one person suggests a player who might be a plausible and inexpensive 3rd string player in the rotation, some other person will inevitably respond that that player isn't as good as Wilt Chamberlain or David Robinson. NBA rosters are not composed of 15 all stars, and most teams are usually on the lookout for a relatively unknown or recently improved young player like a Mensah-Bonsu, a Courtney Sims, or an Ian Mahinmi.

[duncan228]

Raptors make qualifying offer to Mensah-Bonsu

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - The Toronto Raptors have extended a qualifying offer to forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

As a restricted free agent, Mensah-Bonsu can sign an offer sheet with another team, but Toronto now owns the right of first refusal.

Mensah-Bonsu, a London native and George Washington University product, averaged 5.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 13.8 minutes in 19 games with the Raptors last season after signing as a free agent on March 6.

Previously he had signed a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs and appeared in three games. His first taste of NBA action came in 2006-07, appearing in 12 games for the Dallas Mavericks.

[EricB]

Oh, I forgot. I guess he borrowed some when he went for 21/8 for the Raptors late in the season.

I mean, when hasn't Marcus Williams, and James Gist done the same....

He played for the Raptors down the stretch when they were tanking.

If numbers on atanking team were worth a crap then guys like Ricky Davis would be wanted on the Spurs.

[coyotes_geek]

Well, I owe Pops an apology. I could have sworn I read somewhere the raps were going to cut him loose. Looks like I picked a bad week to start sniffing glue.

[underdawg]

He played for the Raptors down the stretch when they were tanking.

If numbers on atanking team were worth a crap then guys like Ricky Davis would be wanted on the Spurs.

10 and 8 after they got bonsu is not a very good job of tanking. When he got decent minutes he had decent stats, but you have to look at Marion's stats too as he did well when he first got there and then the pretty much cashed it in from there - what a surprise. No one seriously thinks this guy is a stud, but to say he'd be of no use to the Spurs is basically an ignorant statement.

[underdawg]

I watched a lot of his games in toronto since I live Ontario. This guy was far from being efficient, all he did was looking for dunks and sometimes he couldn't finish them. He also wasted a great tip-in chance to win the ball game

How were you able to single out his performance as being inefficient compared to the rest of the inefficient raptor players?

[EricB]

10 and 8 after they got bonsu is not a very good job of tanking. When he got decent minutes he had decent stats, but you have to look at Marion's stats too as he did well when he first got there and then the pretty much cashed it in from there - what a surprise. No one seriously thinks this guy is a stud, but to say he'd be of no use to the Spurs is basically an ignorant statement.

Whos he gonna play ahead of?

Gist?
Blair?
Fa addition?

Theres no room for a player with no offensive talent, mediocre defensive abilties and no basketball skills to speak of.

[underdawg]

Whos he gonna play ahead of?

Gist?
Blair?
Fa addition?

Theres no room for a player with no offensive talent, mediocre defensive abilties and no basketball skills to speak of.

I don't know where he would fit in, but I would have liked him in the playoffs this year over bonner.

[Tully365]

Whos he gonna play ahead of?

Gist?
Blair?
Fa addition?

Theres no room for a player with no offensive talent, mediocre defensive abilties and no basketball skills to speak of.

Gotta disagree with you on this take... he wouldn't have to play ahead of anyone to earn a potential spot at the end of the bench, just as Yue, Mbenga, Lue, and Foyle didn't play ahead of anyone in last year's finals. No one's saying he's a starter or even a first back up.... every team has one or two cheap parts at the end of the bench just in case... what if, like in years past, no quality FAs want to come to San Antonio? I agree that he's a Plan J or Plan K, after Channing Frye says nope (), but there's no point in writing him off completely....

[coyotes_geek]

I don't know where he would fit in, but I would have liked him in the playoffs this year over bonner.

Sounds like a good reason to not worry about him anymore. Between Mahinmi, Blair and Gist the Spurs are well stocked in the "project big" department.

[manufan10]

I'd say you give him a shot, like I said in my initial post, in summer league/training camp. Maybe the Spurs think the Gist isn't ready. Again, not saying he should be a starter or even the sixth man. However, right now the team is short on bigs, and he would fill a need and for cheap. I'm not saying that the Spurs should have Pops on the top of their list, but he should be on their list. If the Spurs are strapped for cash, Pops could be a guy you bring in for cheap. From what I've seen, he's a guy that would be a high energy guy off the bench. Something the Spurs bench has needed for years. This could also help Manu so he doesn't have to be the only spark that comes off the bench. He'd have another energy guy with him. I can understand hesitation, because he would be another big with little to no experience. However, the Spurs shouldn't also try and stockpile old guys with only a little athletic ability left.

[Spursfan092120]

Oh, I forgot. I guess he borrowed some when he went for 21/8 for the Raptors late in the season.

I mean, when hasn't Marcus Williams, and James Gist done the same....

Yeah...never quite understood the Bonsu hate on here. Guess people just rolled their eyes when people were building him up so high, but the guy definitely does have talent.

[benefactor]

So far tonight...19 min, 17pts, 7reb(5 offensive), 5blk.

We have Ian though....

[dallaskd]

Pops probably wouldnt even be in the nba right now if the mavs hadnt gave him a chance in 2006.

[HarlemHeat37]

Is he playing against the Raptors?..because that doesn't count..

Good for him though..I doubt he gets much PT..

previous 3 preseason games: 5.3 PPG on 25% FG, 0 total blocks..

[AussieFanKurt]

he could mature into an excellent player, not sure why we got rid of him for gooden

[mingus]

He played for the Raptors down the stretch when they were tanking.

If numbers on atanking team were worth a crap then guys like Ricky Davis would be wanted on the Spurs.

you gave one example of a guy who's an idiot and a cancer and he's supposed to be representational of every basketball player that plays well on a crap team and puts up decent numbers?

do you actually believe the you type?

[mingus]

oops . . . didn't look at the dates of the posts.

anyway, Pops' recent play speaks for itself and everyone who had his back.

[exstatic]

Was talking to someone about this earlier.
Was their ever a reason why the Spurs got rid of him? Just curious, as I don't recall them ever really addressing it.

He sucked. [/thread]

[wijayas]

People kept confusing Pops with Pop, and Greg wasn't havin' any of it.