Hairston

[Chomag]

Put RJ on the bench huh? 2nd game of the season.

Why are some people arguing about Finley vs. Hairston?
It's pretty obvious that switch will never happen.

Once Pop plays Bogans a few times and says "Yup, it wasn't a fluke, that guy sucks." Then we can expect to see Hairston. I do hope that's sooner rather than later. He'll never be an all-star, but he looks like he can be an active cog in our championship machine.

I agree although some here do seem to think that to be worthy enough to be on this team and on the active roster spot he must be of an All-Star caliber. Roster positions spots 1-12 baby! It's funny tha it seems to apply to apply only certain players though...

[Quiet Strength]

I agree Hairston should get playing time. This whole bonner and finley in the starting lineup didn't work last season and after last season I was sure that pop would not go back to that lineup again and yup I was wrong. I'm not saying Hairston should be a starter because obviously he hasn't earned it but neither has Finley. What I'm trying to say is that pop should give up in counting on these old guys to bring the hustle and energy to the team. He needs younger players for that so why not give hairston a chance?

[Biggems]

Well RJ is new to the team. So far only 3 players have earned the right to be guaranteed starters....Duncan, Parker, Manu. Everyone else simply gets the opportunity to start when Pop sees fit. Since Manu has accepted the bench role, that opens the door for another starting spot.

Just because RJ has been a starter on other teams, we traded 3 players for him, and he is making like 14 million this season, doesn't mean he should be handed a starting spot.

He has struggled during the preseason and now in the first two games. Let him come off the bench with Manu's unit and see if that helps him settle in.

[ceperez]

at the fanboy comment.

You're the one with the multiple threads started to hype and promote Haislip. Shall I post the links?

Try to find one post where I hype Bogans or advocate his advancement in the rotation. You won't have any success.

In case you haven't figured it out yet. I bring up Haislip every time you take a shot at Bogans to highlight your hypocrisy. If you want to label the Bogans signing a mistake, then include the Haislip signing as one as well. If you say it's early for Haislip, then it's also early for Bogans. Pick one or the other.

As expected, a typical non committal comment by you. Always a safe answer to sit on the fence.

I don't think Bogans based on his attributes and position (not necessarily his lack of output) should be in the roster.

I believe Haislip based on his attributes and position (not necessarily his lack of output) should be in the roster.

That simple. So if I highlight Bogans flaws, then that's because I don't think he should be playing.

I also think Hairston is more valuable to the Spurs as compared to Bogans.

Unfortunately, just as long as Bogans is in uniform, we aren't going to see any action from these two more athletic players.

[EricB]

Well RJ is new to the team. So far only 3 players have earned the right to be guaranteed starters....Duncan, Parker, Manu. Everyone else simply gets the opportunity to start when Pop sees fit. Since Manu has accepted the bench role, that opens the door for another starting spot.

Just because RJ has been a starter on other teams, we traded 3 players for him, and he is making like 14 million this season, doesn't mean he should be handed a starting spot.

He has struggled during the preseason and now in the first two games. Let him come off the bench with Manu's unit and see if that helps him settle in.

So disrupt his routine, demote a guy you brought in to be the third option of offense during the start of games.

Good thing your not the coach.

[Interrohater]

Well RJ is new to the team. So far only 3 players have earned the right to be guaranteed starters....Duncan, Parker, Manu. Everyone else simply gets the opportunity to start when Pop sees fit. Since Manu has accepted the bench role, that opens the door for another starting spot.

Just because RJ has been a starter on other teams, we traded 3 players for him, and he is making like 14 million this season, doesn't mean he should be handed a starting spot.

He has struggled during the preseason and now in the first two games. Let him come off the bench with Manu's unit and see if that helps him settle in.

Come on man, I see your point, but seriously. RJ has proven himself to be a starter. Maybe not inside this Spurs system, but we ALL know that it's only a matter of time. I'm a big supporter of Malik, but to expect him to outplay Richard Jefferson is just silly. Yes, in the short run he may, but once RJ gets adjusted, it'll be a completely different story.

Then, you bring RJ off the bench, and now you're not giving him enough playing time with the starters in order to become more comfortable with the system, so you're subs uting wins now, for wins later.

I want Malik in the game too, but let's be a little more optimistic about RJ's progression. Malik's role should be coming off the bench.

[Mel_13]

As expected, a typical non committal comment by you. Always a safe answer to sit on the fence.

I don't think Bogans based on his attributes and position (not necessarily his lack of output) should be in the roster.

I believe Haislip based on his attributes and position (not necessarily his lack of output) should be in the roster.

That simple. So if I highlight Bogans flaws, then that's because I don't think he should be playing.

I also think Hairston is more valuable to the Spurs as compared to Bogans.

Unfortunately, just as long as Bogans is in uniform, we aren't going to see any action from these two more athletic players.

I'll make it as simple as possible for you.

My opinions on the two players in question:

Haislip has never exhibited an NBA skill set. He's been a pro for seven years and he has zero record to support the notion that he will develop those skills at age 28. His signing represents a longshot bet that is unlikely to pay off.

Bogans has an NBA resume as a rotation player on some very good defensive teams. That accounts for the decision to sign him. As boring as a decision to buy insurance.

In my perfect world, the Spurs would have never signed either player, Haislip is completely useless and Bogans blocks Malik's path.

They are, however, both on the roster. I hope Bogans joins Haislip in a suit behind the bench.

[jjktkk]

LMFAO @ the pop-pole smokers in this thread.

I gaurantee if Bowen was still around and Pop was starting him and Finley together at the wings they'd be praising it as another great decision by Pop.

Yea that stupid, future hall of fame coach, doesn't have a clue when it comes to putting a team together. I mean its 2 games into the season already and he still doesn't have the right rotation down. Why isn't Hairston, Haslip, and Mahimni starting? Man Pop is stupid.

[Biggems]

Come on man, I see your point, but seriously. RJ has proven himself to be a starter. Maybe not inside this Spurs system, but we ALL know that it's only a matter of time. I'm a big supporter of Malik, but to expect him to outplay Richard Jefferson is just silly. Yes, in the short run he may, but once RJ gets adjusted, it'll be a completely different story.

Then, you bring RJ off the bench, and now you're not giving him enough playing time with the starters in order to become more comfortable with the system, so you're subs uting wins now, for wins later.

I want Malik in the game too, but let's be a little more optimistic about RJ's progression. Malik's role should be coming off the bench.

I never said to put Malik over RJ. Where did you get that in any of my posts. I put Malik over Bogans on the active Roster. I put Malik at #11 on the roster. I am merely benching RJ and putting him on the same unit with Manu, Hill, Blair, and McDyess.

My starters are Bonner, Duncan, Finley, Mason, and Parker

[Spursfan 87]

Just becuase Bogans is a "good" defensive player does not means he fits in the spurs system, activate Hairston he is a better fit and a better player.

Also this team should be running a lot more, the personnel is for a running team, RJ,TP. Hill, manu, Mason, Blair. That's why RJ is struggling he's used to have a lot of easy buckets in transition.

[DPG21920]

Pop has in his hands arguably the deepest team he ever had. It will take him a lot of time before find the right combination.

And before giving some playing time to Hairston, Pop will first give a try to Bogans who is also in the doghouse for the moment.

Bruno is right here. Bogans is still getting the benefit of the doubt here because of his resume. He is new to the team and the Spurs probably want to give him some time to learn the system, then they will see how he does in it.

If he continues to play poorly, then I can see Malik being activated and he will get his shot. But for now, it is easy to see why it is Bogans over Malik.

[The Truth #6]

We all know Pop is a legendary coach, however criticizing his over-indulgence with Finley is accurate. He would be an even better coach if he didn't continue to experiment with Finley in a way that has proven to be unsuccessful.

Small ball with Finley at the 4 will almost always fail. The advantage of going small is that you put a smaller, more athletic team on the court. Going small with an aging, slower player is the worst of both worlds as you become both slower and smaller.

I had always joked that smallball was just an intellectual concept to get more minutes to Finley. After watching the second of the Bulls game, I began to wonder if this was actually the case.

It was only one game so the team as a whole will respond much better with more rest. As the new guys improve I would hope that they take a greater share of the minutes and responsibilities. Besides, assuming Finley is an asset for the playoffs for crunchtime moments where his maturity does become valuable, there's no reason to overplay him throughout the season. That isn't logical either. We'll see how this all plays out.

[Muser]

"Put RJ on the bench"


...

[Interrohater]

I never said to put Malik over RJ. Where did you get that in any of my posts. I put Malik over Bogans on the active Roster. I put Malik at #11 on the roster. I am merely benching RJ and putting him on the same unit with Manu, Hill, Blair, and McDyess.

My starters are Bonner, Duncan, Finley, Mason, and Parker

misunderstanding on my part then. While I don't agree we should bench RJ, that's a decent lineup to start the game.

[ceperez]

Bruno is right here. Bogans is still getting the benefit of the doubt here because of his resume. He is new to the team and the Spurs probably want to give him some time to learn the system, then they will see how he does in it.

If he continues to play poorly, then I can see Malik being activated and he will get his shot. But for now, it is easy to see why it is Bogans over Malik.

That's a bum deal for Hairston.

So it's no all up to Bogans to show that he can defend and shoot. Doesn't matter what Hairston does because he's sitting behind the bench in a suit.

I mean, if Hairston performed as badly as Bogans in the Hornets game he would have been summarily waived. Did you see that airball or that missed assignment that gave Peja a wide open shot. The guy couldn't even stay in the court for a full minute before being pulled by Pop.

[HarlemHeat37]

The OP makes no sense here..

If you want Hairston to play, that means you're in favor of defense, rebounding, and athleticism..so the OP's idea is to bench Jefferson, our best perimeter defender so far this season, in favor of playing both Finley AND Mason at the same time, 2 guys that don't fit that bill in any way..

[FvckMavs]

Now that Hairston isn't cut before 11/3, does that mean Spurs will not likely cut him before the end of the year?

[DPG21920]

He might have been cut, but we might not have heard about it yet.

[benefactor]

I doubt it. Keeping him after the preseason and then putting him behind the bench for a couple of games then cutting him doesn't make much sense.

[HarlemHeat37]

I've been worried about this day, let's see what happens..

If he survives it, I'd be surprised if he doesn't get some minutes to show what he's got at some point..

[Blackjack]

I doubt it. Keeping him after the preseason and then putting him behind the bench for a couple of games then cutting him doesn't make much sense.

That's pretty much the way I felt when learning about the Nov. 3rd date.

If you're unsure about him, you play him up until the 3rd to make your decision; the fact that he was behind the bench leads me to believe they've already made up their mind about him and that Bogans is getting the opportunity to fail or succeed before Pop and the Spurs decide to go with the lesser experienced Hairston.

Keith's veteran-ness has to be the only thing preventing Pop from going with Malik right from the jump..

[HarlemHeat37]

I gotta pull out the dictionary to look up veteran-ness LOL..

[Blackjack]

I've found that the -ness is a rather useful tool when you're a southern son .