That wasn't humor, ppl actually said that.
This is the reason I really like Pop --he understands that Basketball is just a sport and values players character as much as their in court skills.
There was another incident a few years back, sorry i am not remembering any names. But one of our players got into some sort of fight off the court, and next day Pop called him, saying that this is a small community you should try to be more of a role model.... He left the team, and that incident had a lot to do with it.
Hill got more time early, he was used too late in the Dallas series so you are wrong there. He got used in game 5 when it was too late and did well, before that Pop didn't think he was ready and he hardly got any mins at all.
I hope that changes this year with him and Blair, especially Blair.
Salmons is an upgrade over the R.J of the past 2 months.
And this is the situation I pointed out earlier in the thread. It wouldn't be just 10 minutes. If Spurs played R.J 38 minutes a game with the way he is playing, Spurs wouldn't get past the first round.
I'm sure Pop will give Blair a chance, I don't doubt that..I just doubt that Blair actually has success in the playoffs, which will LEAD to Pop limiting his minutes, which is what I expect, especially when you look at NBA history..
To make a fair assessment look at which players have been the most consistent against playoff teams or even teams that are over .500.
Tim/Parker/Blair/and (McDyess /Hill to an extent) have been the most consistent and productive against these teams.
Everyone else has been horrible.
I don't know what else you can look at to help you make such a prediction.
Seriously... What has RJ shown that would make you think he could play 38mpg for us in the playoffs and us be successful, Bruno?
That, if Blair plays extended minutes in the playoffs he got to earn that.
I wish a lot of things but a player similar to jefferson that plays 10x more aggressively and rebounds a load better is Caron Butler....wish we could just swap the two.
It's sure that if you start cutting some minutes from everybody, you will find more minutes for Salmons...
Now, I don't see where is the point of playing TP 32mpg while he can play 36mpg. I way rather have 4 more minutes of TP, even if he is a little tired, than 4 more minutes of Salmons.
And even if RJ has been damn bad, Salmons isn't an upgrade over him.
Salmons is on the defensive end. And he is in the half court offense in the Spurs system. ( Salmons is much more threatening from the triple threat position). Being able to put the ball on the floor and create for himself and others. This happens when Parker or Manu penetrate off the pick and roll and kick out to the corner. This is where Salmons would be better than R.J.
The only thing R.J has on Salmons is his ability to post up and his finishing ability in transition.
If you give some of these minutes to a player like Salmons, it wouldn't make the team more successful.
I wouldn't want to take time from Tony at all...
but I disagree... I think Salmons, in our system, is an upgrade. (assuming he doesn't show up and give an RJ like effort... which is my only question about him.)
RJ may be the better player in a vacuum, maybe, but this isn't a vacuum, and he continues to show he doesn't really fit.
This seems to be a point of debate, because I don't think Salmons is a good defender or better than RJ on that end. He also seems like a guy who won't give good effort unless he is getting shots.
The point of the argument is we can agree to disagree.
I agree.
Well I hate to break it to you, but if you were to look this up in the dictionary it would have Richard Jeffersons' picture right by it.
If you think that an average player like Salmons is better than RJ, then Spurs first priority should be to trade RJ. He could easily be traded because his contract is a short one.
Hmm I think you are the only person on this board that has said it would be easy to trade RJ.
That is what I eluded to. Why get a lesser version of a player with less upside that has the same problems?
RJ is known for at least being a "character" guy. I don't think Salmons is.
If you trade him for a player whose contract expire in 2011 or after, it's easy to trade him.
It all depends on the system.
If you were to go to UCLA in the summer of 2004 and watch Jefferson and Bowen on separate teams playing the pick up games they usually play, it would be easy to see Jefferson is better than Bowen in that scenario.
But in the Spurs system. I'd take prime Bowen over prime Jefferson any day.
Same scenario.
Jefferson is better than Salmons in a vacuum, but in a system like the Spurs Salmons would be more effective. imo
Your wrong here.
Salmons is much more effective in the half-court offense than Jefferson. Jefferson can't create offense effectively when the ball is kicked to him in the corner. Salmons has the ball handling ability and quickness to create effectively in this scenario.
On defense..
Salmons also has better lateral quickness and foot speed to negate penetration to a degree from the perimeter. ( As well as lateral quickness to dictate the ball-handler or creator to vulnerable spots on the floor). Which is part of the Spurs' defensive philosophy.
And
Salmons hasn't done anything in his career where you should question if he's a character guy.
So you are saying that if the Spurs wanted to trade him that is no problem and it could be done this season - They just have to take on longer contracts. Interesting take because it seems the Spurs don't want to take on longer contracts. I'd hate it if that is the only thing stopping the Spurs from trading him.
I would have thought that it is near impossible to trade him because no one would want him even if the contract is short. 14 million is a lot for a player that doesn't produce much.
I'm all for that, I think it'll be easy to move him next year, but I don't know about this year. (Also, curious who you think we could possibly get for him right now, since you usually have good insight.)
Salmons, like RJ, has had an off year, but I'd say he's above average. Poor man's Joe Johnson maybe. I question both guys effort, but I'm positive Salmons is a better shooter and distributor. I think he's a slightly better defender too, but if he doesn't bring the effort, it wouldn't matter.
I think you are wrong on all points. But there is no changing your mind or mine at this point.
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