Can mason grow a pair and contribute in the playoffs?

[Slippy]

Mase should try playing smarter before growing a pair. He doesn't know how to let the game come to him. He makes one shot gets an adrenalin rush and and then forces the next few.

Agree about shooting from 20 feet where he's seems to be most comfortable even when trashing it up with leaners and and pull-up jumpers. If only this got through to Mase. The guy just doesn't know how play with-in his limits. I cringe when i see the constant over-dribbling with Tony or Manu right next to him wondering WTF is he doing.

[NewJerSpur]

He actually gets pretty good penetration when coming off of screens because the defense is usually expecting him to pull-up for a jumper rather than drive it and he has the vision to hit guys cutting to the basket. His problem is when he makes the obvious pass to the guy on the wing to bail him out when he becomes indecisive on a dribble to the basket.

[MateoNeygro]

I just don't understand how you can go from being a solid role player and double digit clutch scorer to this s of a b-ball player Mason has become. I hope he gets his together soon.

[MaNu4Tres]

I just don't understand how you can go from being a solid role player and double digit clutch scorer to this s of a b-ball player Mason has become. I hope he gets his together soon.

Read this thread I brought to peoples attention back in July...

It explains why Mason's production would or has gone down.

[B][I]

I personally think in order for us to improve our 8-9 man rotation (or our team come playoff time) we will more than likely have to include Mason instead of Finley, due to the age and value factor in the two trading assets.

Many people seem to believe we would lose a lot by getting rid of Mason. I disagree and believe including Mason for Finley is the only way to improve our rotation ( 1-9).

Here's some reasoning :

- With the addition of a healthy Manu Ginobili and prolific scorer in his own right Richard Jefferson, Mason's opportunities will be cut drastically.

Yes many fans have pointed out Mason's shooting will be missed. With Finley back it won't be missed as much as you may think. Yes Mason had a great one dribble pull up on his pick and roll opportunities early in the season, when the defense was lazy or went under the screen nonchalantly. Hate to burst your Mason bubble, but those screen and roll opportunities won't be there next year.

- Mason will be used to spot up from three when Tim/ Parker/ Manu/ RJ are creating. Finley or trading for Bell, Nocioni,Posey can do that people. Mason won't be seeing anywhere close to the 30.4 mpg he got last year with RJ and Manu taking up 60 minutes that were available last year.

Not to mention Pop stating earlier in the off-season that Hill will get more time at the 2-spot. And don't forget Michael Finley either. Finley will get some run.

All this leads me to thinking, will Mason's shooting really be missed if his minutes were to be cut by 40 % ?? Something to think about.


I don't believe giving up Mason would be as detrimental to the Spurs as some may think, not only because of the PT and opportunity factor, but also by his liability on the defensive end ( one of the worst, if not the worst perimeter defender on the team last year.) This was one of the reason's Pop chose to go with Bowen and Hill against the Mavs since Mason's shot wasn't falling and he couldn't do anything else to help the team.


All in all, Spurs might think the best time to get anything significant for Bonner/ Mason is now. Given the fact that their opportunities will be decreased, and therefore their trade value may fall. Or they simply might not have plans to resign them after this season. Since the Spurs will more than likely be giving Manu an extension next year, would we be able to pony up 6 million per year for Mason too next year? I doubt it.

And since we gave Haislip a 2 year deal and with Splitter maybe on his way in 2010, would Spurs be willing to give out another 10 million contract to Bonner? I doubt it.


Just something to think about..

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...ight=Manu4tres

[blkroadrunners]

I think he'll have a hot game or 2 in this series, especially if RJ struggles and RMj's on the court w/ Manu or so for better opportunities on offense. His performance last year against Dallas was fairly poor, so I think minutes given he should produce effectively.