Bogans continue as starter?

[benefactor]

Bogans looked his best as a Spur. But he is a scrub. Heck I'd rather have Ime.

I'd rather have fans on Spurstalk that can put together a logical thought process, but that isn't going to happen either.

[MaNu4Tres]

I'd rather have fans on Spurstalk that can put together a logical thought process, but that isn't going to happen either.

At least we agree on something benefactor.

Totally with you on your opinion on Bogans.

Dude is our best perimeter defender and Spurs mantra has always been defense first. He played well last night and should keep seeing meaningful minutes.

Woudn't mind seeing Hairston get some run in favor of Mason or Finley at the moment.

[TJastal]

Did everyone just miss the part of the game where Brandon Roy backdoor'd his ass for a dunk then blew by him like his feet were stuck in quicksand?

I guess I was the only one who saw that part of the game..

[HarlemHeat37]

It gets old criticizing Finley, but he simply didn't even look like an NBA player last night..I don't mean that he looked like a STRUGGLING NBA player like Manu and Parker did, he simply didn't look like he belonged in the NBA..

He was barely able to move..he looked so helpless when he was posting up little Steve Blake, and then launched an air ball..Pop had him guarding Aldridge at one point, and he just did a simple spin move in the post and scored with ease(not necessarily Finley's fault, obviously he's at a disadvantage there)..then he tried to penetrate by Blake, lost the ball off his foot, luckily RJ recovered..he took an ill-advised 3 when we were down 7 and needed the momentum basket(Manu did as well on the same possession, but it was an open shot, as opposed to Finley's)..his only make last night was when he caught the ball and took a wide-open layup under the basket..

It's beating a dead horse, but it can't be said enough IMO..I appreciate what he's done, he's a class act, but he should be on the IL right now, especially since Mason is the exact same player, except younger..

[TJastal]

It gets old criticizing Finley, but he simply didn't even look like an NBA player last night..I don't mean that he looked like a STRUGGLING NBA player like Manu and Parker did, he simply didn't look like he belonged in the NBA..

He was barely able to move..he looked so helpless when he was posting up little Steve Blake, and then launched an air ball..Pop had him guarding Aldridge at one point, and he just did a simple spin move in the post and scored with ease(not necessarily Finley's fault, obviously he's at a disadvantage there)..then he tried to penetrate by Blake, lost the ball off his foot, luckily RJ recovered..he took an ill-advised 3 when we were down 7 and needed the momentum basket(Manu did as well on the same possession, but it was an open shot, as opposed to Finley's)..his only make last night was when he caught the ball and took a wide-open layup under the basket..

It's beating a dead horse, but it can't be said enough IMO..I appreciate what he's done, he's a class act, but he should be on the IL right now, especially since Mason is the exact same player, except younger..

It's not his fault, its the re coach that thought he was still able to play a major starting role. He'd be fine as a role player off the bench. I don't know about anyone else, but it has always seemed to me that Finley plays better off the bench. Don't know why, maybe it puts a chip on his shoulder.

[SA210]

This team's championship formula has always include a stopper, Bowen, in the lineup, even if it almost meant playing 4-on-5 offensively.

So, while Bogans might not be Bowen, the Spurs also didn't have an offensive player like Jefferson playing alongside Tim and Tony in the starting-5, while keeping Manu on the bench. Bogans is obviously a downgrade from Bowen but RJ's a big enough upgrade over Fin on both ends that it should be doable; I'm not sure they've got a better option currently.

I still have no clue why they haven't given Hairston a shot, given how well he played and the early stage of the season, but at least Bogans is a step in the right direction and a player that resembles Bowen on both ends; hopefully those spot-up 3's will start falling as he builds confidence through playing time.

If they've got Bonner on the floor, their perimeter defense needs to be stout.

If they've got Finley and Jefferson on the perimeter together, their interior defense has to be stout.

If they've got Finley and Bonner starting together, shoot me in the face.

Awesome post

I say bring Bruce back.

[SA210]

Bruce even at 38.

Longer and quicker. Besides if all you do is denial defense, then Bruce is the guy.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't remember the exact stats, but Finley shoots 2% lower from the field when he comes off the bench, and he shoots 1% lower from 3s off the bench..he also averages more turnovers off the bench, despite playing less minutes..

[SA210]

I want to see ratliff to dammit I think hes got plenty left in the tank

[benefactor]

Did everyone just miss the part of the game where Brandon Roy backdoor'd his ass for a dunk then blew by him like his feet were stuck in quicksand?

I guess I was the only one who saw that part of the game..

I guess Bowen never had a defensive lapse either.

Stop reaching.

[FkLA]

Why should Pop overplay and possibly burn out guys like Theo and Dice that could be very valuable in the playoffs? Just to please overdramatic fans that want to hang themselves after 5 games?

I could care less whether Bonner starts right now, if he's starting in May than Ill get pissed off. And how long have some of u drama queens been Spurs fans? This team starts off slow every single year.

[Chomag]

Why should Pop overplay and possibly burn out guys like Theo and Dice that could be very valuable in the playoffs? Just to please overdramatic fans that want to hang themselves after 5 games?

I could care less whether Bonner starts right now, if he's starting in May than Ill get pissed off.

I know! Because they have played so many minutes allready right! Shoot lets just sit TP,TD, and Manu along with them untill playoffs. That way they will be well rested becuase they are very valuable in the playoffs.

Why even have a regular season? Lets just skip the hard work and go directly to collect the prize

[Höfner]

Bringing Bowen out of retirement is the answer, but Bogans did hold his own.

[FkLA]

I know! Because they have played so many minutes allready right! Shoot lets just sit TP,TD, and Manu along with them untill playoffs. That way they will be well rested becuase they are very valuable in the playoffs.

Why even have a regular season? Lets just skip the hard work and go directly to collect the prize

Youre missing the point. There is no reason to bring in Theo (who has been very injury prone the last few years of his career) in to play significant minutes right now. I mean yea it might help us win now and ease some of you drama queens but his body will eventually fold. He's not up for the grind of the regular season anymore. If you want him for the long-haul he has to be a situational player.

Now Dice is up in age but I did expect and want him to get more minutes. I do think he is far better than Bonner, but again I have no problem with Bonner starting right now. Besides he has been battling flu-like symptoms so that and blow-outs (wins and losses) are likely contributing to his lack of minutes. I am 99.9% certain Dice will be the starter in the playoffs though or most likely even earlier than that.

[ElNono]

Did everyone just miss the part of the game where Brandon Roy backdoor'd his ass for a dunk then blew by him like his feet were stuck in quicksand?

I guess I was the only one who saw that part of the game..

Name me the best defender in the NBA ever that never screwed up or got dunked on...

I know that you can't.

He did a good job of denying the ball to Roy and making him work for his points. It's all you can ask for, and a lot more than what a guy like Finley is going to give you at this stage in his career.

[SA210]

Bringing Bowen out of retirement is the answer.

[androck]

Bogans had a productive game. In 24 minutes he had 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist on 2/4 shooting. He also had 3 fouls and 0 turnovers. Manu and Tim combined to shoot 9/28 from the field. That's what killed us. We can't shoot 38% from the field and expect to win against a playoff team. Also, Hill, Manu, and RJ combined for 14 personal fouls. The Blazers shot 90% from the free-throw line last night and that's basically giving them 25 points (90% x 28 FTA) for nothing.

[PDXSpursFan]

Bogans > Finley

[SenorSpur]

It's not his fault, its the re coach that thought he was still able to play a major starting role. He'd be fine as a role player off the bench. I don't know about anyone else, but it has always seemed to me that Finley plays better off the bench. Don't know why, maybe it puts a chip on his shoulder.

Pop acts as though Fin is some sort of defensive stalwart. Why else would he have him spending time at the 4? He got abused versus the Mavs last spring and got abused by Aldridge last night.

[SenorSpur]

Youre missing the point. There is no reason to bring in Theo (who has been very injury prone the last few years of his career) in to play significant minutes right now. I mean yea it might help us win now and ease some of you drama queens but his body will eventually fold. He's not up for the grind of the regular season anymore. If you want him for the long-haul he has to be a situational player.

Agree in theory. All the more reason why I find it hard to fathom Pop not finding minutes for Ian. WHile he's not a shooter who can spread the floor, and you can argue Bonner's inconsistency in that area, I believe Ian would be a definite defensive, rebounding and post offensive upgrade to Bonner.

[SenorSpur]

This team's championship formula has always include a stopper, Bowen, in the lineup, even if it almost meant playing 4-on-5 offensively.

So, while Bogans might not be Bowen, the Spurs also didn't have an offensive player like Jefferson playing alongside Tim and Tony in the starting-5, while keeping Manu on the bench. Bogans is obviously a downgrade from Bowen but RJ's a big enough upgrade over Fin on both ends that it should be doable; I'm not sure they've got a better option currently.

I still have no clue why they haven't given Hairston a shot, given how well he played and the early stage of the season, but at least Bogans is a step in the right direction and a player that resembles Bowen on both ends; hopefully those spot-up 3's will start falling as he builds confidence through playing time.

If they've got Bonner on the floor, their perimeter defense needs to be stout.

If they've got Finley and Jefferson on the perimeter together, their interior defense has to be stout.

If they've got Finley and Bonner starting together, shoot me in the face.

Home run point!

And yes, with Pop starting Bogans, he should now work Hairston into the mix. In that way, he can keep the same defensive intensity along with Hairston getting valuable time toward becoming a future rotation player. Again, I find it hard to believe that either Bogans or Hairston would fare worse than that one-trick pony - Michael Finley.

[SpurNation]

I don't remember the exact stats, but Finley shoots 2% lower from the field when he comes off the bench, and he shoots 1% lower from 3s off the bench..he also averages more turnovers off the bench, despite playing less minutes..

So theoritically...he would be worse than he already is as a starter?

[HarlemHeat37]

Finley is just bad in general at this point..he just isn't an NBA player right now, he's done..it disgusts me to have BOTH Finley and Mason in the rotation at the same time, it makes absolutely no sense from a basketball-standpoint in any way..

[TD 21]

Bogans has no business starting: he is the 5th best wing on the team and the worst active player on the roster arguably. All this is is an admission that Jefferson isn't an adequate lock down wing defender, even though Pop has generally credited his defensive effort and effectiveness thus far.

Pop is contradictory. At the beginning of training camp, he talked about this team needing to get back to being a top 3 defensive team. Then he proceeds to start the 2 worst defenders on the team, who both also don't rank amongst the top 8 players on the team. He also talked about needing to get Duncan more help on the front line, only Duncan is generally the only big playing when he's on the court.

First and foremost, this team is losing because they're not playing the right lineups. McDyess and Mason should be starting and Bonner and Finley should be out of the top eight and used sparingly. It's not hard. I don't see any other contender or credible team for that matter playing inexplicable lineup combination's. Just the overall amount of lineups in general is ridiculous; it's like Pop thinks he's coaching in the All-Star game every night. Teams can't build chemistry if they don't have defined roles. This team used to be the best in the league at that; now they're amongst the worst.

[Spursfan 87]

Theo or Dice
Duncan
RJ
Bogans
Parker

That should be the starting lineup, defensive minded line up to set the tempo of the game.