McDonald: Popovich far from a settled rotation for Spurs

[DieMrBond]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s...for_Spurs.html

Popovich far from a settled rotation for Spurs
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has started the same five players in nine straight games, but little else has been consistent.

By Jeff McDonald - Express-News

Ten minutes before practice Thursday, Spurs guard Roger Mason Jr. found himself in a place he never envisioned before the season began.

He was running wind sprints under the supervision of strength coach Mike Brungardt, the traditional pre-practice conditioning routine for the players who don't often play.

Mason, a starter for 71 games last season, had logged just 4 minutes, 54 seconds in a victory over Sacramento the night before, a turn of events he acknowledged to be a tad disappointing.

“I had a good year last year, and I'm a better player this year,” said Mason, who averaged a career-best 11.8 points a season ago. “I want a chance to show that.”

The way Gregg Popovich's Tilt-A-Whirl rotation is turning these days, Mason might only need to wait a few games and check back.

Heading into the season's 20th game tonight against Charlotte, Popovich has made few concrete decisions of whom to play and when. He appears fairly set on a starting five, trotting out Tony Parker, Keith Bogans, Richard Jefferson, Tim Duncan and Antonio McDyess for nine consecutive games.

Outside of that, Popovich says, “the rotation is ridiculous.”

The Spurs added several new faces over the offseason, offering their coach a candy shop of combinations to taste test. So far, Popovich has dabbled in almost every permutation imaginable.

For players like Mason on the outskirts of the rotation, it's caused minutes to move like opposite ends of a seesaw.

Popovich admits this isn't a particularly good way of getting players into a comfort zone, but deems it necessary to the process of rotation construction.

“At some point, I have to make decisions on who is doing the best job and who fits the best,” Popovich said, “but I need to get enough samples of minutes in my computer before I decide what it's going to be.”

Lately, the two most notable victims of Popovich's rotating rotation have been Mason and Bogans.

Mason had put together four consecutive double-digit scoring games before straining his hamstring Nov. 27. He returned six nights later to find his minutes on a yo-yo.

Against Denver last week, Mason played only 2:46. Against Sacramento, he didn't enter the game until the fourth quarter, then scored six points in five minutes.

Bogans' minutes have also fluctuated — 8:48 one game at Utah, 24:47 the next against the Kings.

Both guards' playing time has dipped since Manu Ginobili returned from injury. Michael Finley's potential return from an ankle sprain later this month could throw another wrench into the mix.

Bogans said he understands a certain amount of experimentation is required at this juncture.

“There are a lot of new guys,” Bogans said. “You want it to happen overnight, but you know it doesn't happen that way.”

Typically, minutes and roles tend to take on an air of permanence during the Spurs' annual February rodeo road trip.Against Sacramento on Wednesday, Popovich shortened the rotation, giving more than 15 minutes to only eight players.

“Nothing is set in stone, that's for sure,” Popovich said.

For a player like Mason, that is encouraging news. In the meantime, there he was Thursday, huffing and puffing before practice had even begun, in a place he never expected to be.

“Is it frustrating for some guys? Sure,” Mason said. “Some of us haven't been used to this. At the same time, we all know what the goal is, and that's to win a championship. Whatever pieces Pop needs to move around to figure it out, all we can do as players is play.”

[SpurNation]

The main problem I've seen so far is that any rotation that doesn't have Duncan on the court tends to give up leads and/or fails to score effectively. And that's even against sub-par teams.

I hope I'm wrong with this assesment but, unless the Spurs can somehow get another quality effective athletic big (6'10" or taller), I'm not convinced that will change. For...all the specialty qualities that McDyess, Blair and Bonner bring to the team...none of them seem to be able to solidify the post while Duncan is out.

On the other hand our guard and wing situation is such that this team can seemingly place a strong unit on the court during any rotation change. That's a good problem to have.

[024]

problem is bogans is too much of an offensive liability and mason is too much of a defensive liability. need a wing player willing to intensely defend and bury that 3 pt shot. *cough* battier *cough* posey *cough*.

[admiralsnackbar]

problem is bogans is too much of an offensive liability and mason is too much of a defensive liability. need a wing player willing to intensely defend and bury that 3 pt shot. *cough* battier *cough* posey *cough*.

I can get behind Battier, but Posey's game is way down from where it once was.

[Seventyniner]

Pop will probably use an 11-man rotation for the regular season (perhaps cutting it for big games), but will cut it to 9 for the playoffs. That would probably be Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, Hill, Jefferson, McDyess, one of Blair/Bonner, and two of Bogans/Mason/Finley. An 8-man rotation would only include one of the last three.

[dbestpro]

"I hope I'm wrong with this assessment but, unless the Spurs can somehow get another quality effective athletic big (6'10" or taller), I'm not convinced that will change. For...all the specialty qualities that McDyess, Blair and Bonner bring to the team...none of them seem to be able to solidify the post while Duncan is out."

You have hit the nail on the head. Our back court will be fine as long as Tony gets everyone involved. The offense is not the problem. It is the defense. Spurs defense has been built over the years by crowding the shooters (this is why Bowen was so effective) and driving them into the bigs for blocked or altered shots. Our unathletic or short bigs are having a hard time getting into position.

The perimeter defense drives the shooter into the lane.
The shooter is met by the interior defender.
The shooter then passes to the open man as the second big does not rotate fast enough or is not big enough to alter the shot in the first place.

So, the perimeter defender has to give some space to prevent the drive thus leaving the opposing team with more open shots than ever before.

Many complain that the perimeter defense is the problem, but this is predicated on the failure of the bigs to alter shots in the defensive scheme that we use.

[TJastal]

He should at least have a rough idea of what his rotations should be at this point. That he doesn't is alarming.

The main thing he's gotta do differently is start RMJ over Bogans.

Bogans has proven to be unreliable offensively and cannot stop anyone over
6'4". His only real value at this point is to guard the physical point guards of the league (I.E. Deron Williams, Chauncey Billups, etc) but Pop doesn't even use him in this capacity.

Recall in the recent Jazz game Pop didn't even play him much against Deron Williams in the 2nd half when Williams was taking turns dominating Parker and Hill on the way to a loss. For some reason he played Roger extended minutes that game.

Game before that against the high octane offense of the nuggets he sat Mason for most of the game which also ended in a loss. In my opinion he had the wrong guys getting minutes each game. Sad thing is, I don't think he even realizes it.

[admiralsnackbar]

Recall in the recent Jazz game Pop didn't even play him much against Deron Williams in the 2nd half when Williams was taking turns dominating Parker and Hill on the way to a loss. For some reason he played Roger extended minutes that game.

Game before that against the high octane offense of the nuggets he sat Mason for most of the game which also ended in a loss. In my opinion he had the wrong guys getting minutes each game. Sad thing is, I don't think he even realizes it.

I see your point, but I don't think it's implausible to think Pop may have played Spurs that struggled with those particular match-ups to test their limitations and try to force some growth.

[TJastal]

I see your point, but I don't think it's implausible to think Pop may have played Spurs that struggled with those particular match-ups to test their limitations and try to force some growth.

I see. Chuck a few games down the drain for the greater good type thing?

[admiralsnackbar]

I see. Chuck a few games down the drain for the greater good type thing?

Just speculation, of course.

[L.I.T]

He should at least have a rough idea of what his rotations should be at this point. That he doesn't is alarming.

The main thing he's gotta do differently is start RMJ over Bogans.

Bogans has proven to be unreliable offensively and cannot stop anyone over
6'4". His only real value at this point is to guard the physical point guards of the league (I.E. Deron Williams, Chauncey Billups, etc) but Pop doesn't even use him in this capacity.

Recall in the recent Jazz game Pop didn't even play him much against Deron Williams in the 2nd half when Williams was taking turns dominating Parker and Hill on the way to a loss. For some reason he played Roger extended minutes that game.

Game before that against the high octane offense of the nuggets he sat Mason for most of the game which also ended in a loss. In my opinion he had the wrong guys getting minutes each game. Sad thing is, I don't think he even realizes it.

Rarely has Popovich had a settled rotation 20 games into the season. I'm not sure why this is such a shock to many posters.

[mountainballer]

problem is bogans is too much of an offensive liability and mason is too much of a defensive liability. need a wing player willing to intensely defend and bury that 3 pt shot. *cough* battier *cough* posey *cough*.

Battier isn't on the market anyhow, but if he was and the Spurs really want him, it will cost them at least Hill or Blair as teaser. (or Splitter)
I still keep an eye on James Jones or Dorell Wright in Miami and also Mo Evans in Atlanta. Jones is back to the bench after the return of Q-Rich and Evans role was reduced significantly this season. (to 8th man in the rotation). Heat will try to free more cap space for 2010 and likely put Jones on the market. Hawks might see Evans leave 2010 (he has an opt out clause), if he can't get a bigger role with the team and listen to offers to close more urgent needs. (another veteran big in particular)

[Dice]

"I hope I'm wrong with this assessment but, unless the Spurs can somehow get another quality effective athletic big (6'10" or taller), I'm not convinced that will change. For...all the specialty qualities that McDyess, Blair and Bonner bring to the team...none of them seem to be able to solidify the post while Duncan is out."

You have hit the nail on the head. Our back court will be fine as long as Tony gets everyone involved. The offense is not the problem. It is the defense. Spurs defense has been built over the years by crowding the shooters (this is why Bowen was so effective) and driving them into the bigs for blocked or altered shots. Our unathletic or short bigs are having a hard time getting into position.

The perimeter defense drives the shooter into the lane.
The shooter is met by the interior defender.
The shooter then passes to the open man as the second big does not rotate fast enough or is not big enough to alter the shot in the first place.

So, the perimeter defender has to give some space to prevent the drive thus leaving the opposing team with more open shots than ever before.

Many complain that the perimeter defense is the problem, but this is predicated on the failure of the bigs to alter shots in the defensive scheme that we use.

you make an excellent point but you're leaving out the most important aspect of what's actually happening out on the court:

Opposing teams guard gets a screen from their Forward/Center-at this point McDyess or duncan have to show to keep the said guard from hitting the open look.

Guard is now penetrating the lane, his screener either roles or moves over for the pick and pop. Our defending big most either A. stick with the guard on the drive (Mcdyess did this the other night and ended up with a block) or roll back to his man. Either way, the guard usually has the step and is going to get to the lane.

Now our second "big" must try to guard the basket, while at the same time his man is waiting for the inside drop pass from the guard. It leaves our guy vunerable and his man open to score at the basket unless the rotations are there. And even when they are, Manu isn't going to stop KJ when he catches the ball deep under the basket.

It's a good play and one that we run ourselves. There are bigs that are pure shot blockers that are the same ones that allow a lot of outside jumpers because they're uncomfortable outside of the lane. Our bigs aren't poor defenders, it's our overall team defense that falls apart some times (for entire quarters).

Look at how well Boston defends. They don't even allow penetration when they lock down.

[The Truth #6]

The "mad scientist" experiments with rotations always seem way overstated. Is Pop going to experiment with Hairston? No. Ian? No. I don't see where the experiement is except benching one veteran for another - and these veterans are fairly known quan ies at this point. I'm not sure what information about their game isn't already evident from tape and whatever statistical analysis Lindsey can crank out from his laptop.

If he isn't going to play brand new players then his only experiment should be more minutes to Blair. Bogans vs. Mason? That's the experiment?

Funny how playing veterans is an experiment but playing young players - a tradition called development - is like a foreign concept.

But of course this is nothing new for the board, as is every other idea that gets recycled for the last two years...

[PDXSpursFan]

With the increased PT of Hill, the only possible role for Mason is as insurance in case of a Ginobili injury.

[sananspursfan21]

mason's not exactly the best guard in the world, but he's solid enough to get 10 minutes at least right?

[The Truth #6]

With the increased PT of Hill, the only possible role for Mason is as insurance in case of a Ginobili injury.

If Mason's shot starts falling I think we might reconsider his worth. His ball handling, penetration, and distribution have improved immensely. I think he's honest when he says he's improved his game. I think his game has improved more than Hill's - however, I'm not saying he's a great player, only that he's added new wrinkles to his game.

Also, he's still having to take over the bulk of playmaking duties when he's on the floor with Hill. Not sure who's call that is but it seems to be the case - so we have a 2 guard playing point and a point guard playing the 2 guard.

Yeah, no wonder the rotations seem screwy - it's not just the minutes, it's deciding what role the players are going to take.

Is Hill actually going to be a PG?

Is RJ actually going to be a scorer or the ghost of Bruce Bowen?

Is Mason going to get the minutes that would normally go to Finley, even with Finley injured?!

[Ibanezsr]

Dont forget Ratliff will play more towards end of year. Ratliff and Bonner/Blair will work much better than Blair & Bonner together...