For some odd reason, Pop has elected to continue giving Mason quality minutes knowing the guard is in a critical contract year.
" Money" Mase has yet to cash in on a relatively lucrative contract (in NBA terms) and is turning 30 next fall. ( Meaning his best years are soon to be behind him.)
Pop is obviously aware of this and respects Mason as a human being and a player, for Mason to be continuing recieving playing time. I have a problem with this.
Isn't the head coach suppose to be putting the best players on the floor, or playing the players that are producing? Mason is the worst defender we have and when his offense is pathetic, why the is he still seeing time?
This needs to change as we hit a brutal stretch run the last remaining 15 games.
Mason's numbers since January 31, 2010.
20 Games played (2 DNP's)
17.1 MPG
30-109 from the field (28%)
14-63 from 3pt land (22%)
Most notably in our last 20 games that he's played we are 13-7 and in 3 of those losses Mason saw significant time regardless of his recent performances:
31 minutes in our 109-101 loss @ Detroit (1-6 from the field; 0-3 from 3)
31 minutes in our 109-104 loss @ Houston (4-13 from the field; 3-9 from 3)
25 minutes in our 97-95 loss @ Cleveland (1-10 from the field; 0-8 from 3)
In order for this team to reach its optimum level Pop needs to have a change of heart quickly or have Blackjack smuggle some of that THC to the Popovich residence.
Even in the games where he see's 15 minutes at most, it hurts the team significantly with his offensive game going AWOL ( being that he's the worst defender on the team) . For some reason whenever Mason is in the game, Mason continues to be put in the " creator role" in the pick and roll opportunities and it drives me into a completely different rage that hasn't been tapped since Pop's stubborn NVE experiment that lasted a season too long.
Take the Magic game for instance, we are down 5 at the end of the 1st quarter and guess who is in to start the 2nd quarter?
Mason of course.
At first I don't really mind seeing that, but then as the quarter goes along I see Mason with the ball in his hands in P&R opportunities, which is basically a waste of 5-8 seconds on the shot clock because he can't create effectively and his shot has been horrendous. I'm sitting there dumbfounded on how the commentators are wondering why the offense looks stagnant during this part of the game. Six minutes later, Mason is subbed out for Jefferson and Spurs are down 14 now. Now I'm not blaming this game on Mason by no means, several other players didn't show up and it was just a total piss poor effort on both ends of the court.
All in all, I just want Pop to start putting the best players on the floor that gives this team the best chance to compete with the elite. Continuing to play a defensive liability like Mason time and time again, regardless of his shooting woes will hurt this team during this stretch run whether if its 10-25 minutes a game.
Last edited by MaNu4Tres; 03-20-2010 at 01:52 AM.
I don't think its becouse Pop loves the guy, but becouse he thinks he can somehow get out of his shooting slump.
We could use his 3's in PO and we surely need them. We wont get them tho imo. But you don't give up easly on a guy that you saw know down 3 after 3 one year ago. Eventually -after this season- you will.
i hate him
I agree. Pop is hoping to have Mason break out of his slump. But IMO Pop won't hesitate to give Mason the hook if hes not hitting his jumpers come playoff time.
He in asked for a trade. Does he even want to be there? You don't play those players, Pop.
That sure was a crucial period of the game. Like you said it falls on Pop though.
Mason should not be part of the rotation. More of a situational guy when outside shooting is needed and all else fails. If this situation arises you can only hope for a break-out performance out there cause right now he's stinking it up consistently.
Pop should feel sorry for Mason. Pop broke his psyche last playoffs and couldn't find minutes for him over Bogans this season.
Pop has always been really patient when a shooter was in a shooting slump. Pop stocked with Finley and Horry during very long slumps. He even gave a lot of time to Tolliver while he was throwing bricks in preseason and regular season with Spurs.
I don't buy some strange theory. Pop just considers Mason as a good shooter and, like he did with other good shooters, he doesn't bench him because he is in a shooting slump.
And Pop patience could come soon to an end. In case you haven't noticed it, Hairston is playing more and more and Mason less and less.
Mason is only a spot-up shooter. He is very limited on creating his own shots. Pop knows that if Timmy is not getting doubled then the other guys need to create their own shots...
Mason played a lot last year and his weaknesses were exposed. Bad D, bad handle, no PG skillls, etc. Too many folks saw a couple of last second 3s and hailed him as our next savior.
That being said, I don't remember a player whose game has deteriorated as badly from one season to the next. He was barely adequate last year, but this year he has lowered the bar.
Pop is trying to get some use out of him by giving him a chance to break out of the horrible shooting slump, but does anyone see him here next year? And if so, why?
He won't be here for the combo of bad play and the trade demand. The only way he might even be here is if this slump has lowered his value to the veteran minimum and Pop signs him as a bargain because he knows the system. The chance of this is very, very small though. He's gone.
I agree. Between his play and the trade request, his days as a Spur are numbered. Even if his value falls to the vet min, I'd still rather start developing a Dleaguer or a second round pick.
Pop's trying to get something out of him, but if TP were available, Mason would be getting the DNP-CDs that Fin was getting before he left.
In a 147-116 game, it's really hard for one player to stand out for a poor performance on both ends of the court, but RMJ managed to pull it off last night.
Can't get out of a slump by sitting on the bench. That being said I'd rather hairston get the minutes...
Something is defenitely "off" on Roger's delivery, he never looks like he's shooting comfortably anymore, its always off balance and rushed.
Hairston is one of the best "take it to the hole" types in the league right now as far as I'm concerned. Only Lebron and Wade right now are better IMO.
He is just so fluid and quick its almost impossible for his defender to stay in front of him and then the explosiveness once he's at the rim makes it almost impossible for the shotblockers to challenge him.
Yeah, I'd like to see hairston get all Mason's minutes.
I am not one of the people with the "Ian fetish." But if it came down to re-signing Ian or Roger I'd go for Ian.
Or just give the extra cash to Manu to keep him here!
Mason will be lucky if he's even in the NBA next season.
I think Pop was trying to get him going, but now is only using him to eat minutes in this heavy schedule.
I have to argue with this assessment. Roger RARELY shoots from a spot up position. While he is a jumpshooter, he's much better off the "bounce", or shooting while dribbling and moving. It's funny that another good shooter who didn't do well spotting up crashed and burned here but succeeded after he left: Hedo.
Mason sucks. Spurs should have traded him after his pathetic playoffs last season.
He can't step on the floor for a single second. Remember the Miami game, he went in and the Heat made that huge run
Unfortunately, with Tony injured, and the schedule unfolding as it is, we need guards to eat minutes. Mase is probably going to have to play about 15 a night.
100% true.
Comparing Hariston to Lebron and Dwade???
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