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Pop did give Hairston minutes this season. Hairston was hot and cold. Same with Mahimni. Hot and cold doesn't work in the playoffs.
ok? you can answer the question if you want to now.
Pop did give Hairston minutes this season. Hairston was hot and cold. Same with Mahimni. Hot and cold doesn't work in the playoffs.
As opposed to Bonner and Mason being cold and cold...how could they have been any worse than B & M are now?
you need to let Bruce go. If Bruce could still play, he would be playing.
There's plenty that he can do...
I don't ever want to see Bonner or Mason playing another meaningful second for this team. I'm baffled as to why Bonner continues to get chances that he doesn't deserve. At least Mason has an excuse as to why he can't shoot straight.
Particularly in this series, where there is more small ball, no more than three bigs are needed. But of course Bonner can't lose minutes, no, but McDyess, the fifth or six best player and second best big on the team, he's inexplicably losing minutes, as is Blair, the seventh best player and third best big on the team.
Parker, why the is he not starting and playing 40 minutes per game at this point? Are they intentionally trying to piss him off and run him out of town? Or is Pop's ego more important than the teams success? Like he's trying to show the media that even though it's obvious what should happen, he's sticking to his guns. Horrendous coaching.
Because neither Hairston nor Mahimni provide what the Spurs need: 3-point shooting.
Bull . He retired because he didn't want to play elsewhere after the Spurs didn't offer him a contract. He was one of the few Spurs who gave the team any meaningful minutes in the playoffs last year.
I would love if Hairston and Mahinmi could step in and start producing big but it just is so unrealistic. Young guys who got no crunch time regular season burn just don't start lighting it up on both ends in the playoffs. The problem is the construction of the team - having those two as your much needed 3 pt spacing shooters is suicide. I put blame on Pop and RC for that, but really hindsight is 20-20 and both showed enough during regular seasons to expect that they wouldn't be this horrible in the playoffs.
They need more than 3 point shooting...
Hairston and Mahinmi could have helped slow down the Suns 18 offensive rebounds...Hairston could have helped defend Richardson and Hill...Mahinmi could have at least gotten in the way of some of those Amare open dunks...
Could Bonner or Mason do any of what I just mentioned?
Neither does Bonner or Mason For s Sake!
At least they would a) try and defend, and b) rebound...
All they had to do was look at the playoff film from last year's series against the Mavs to know what to expect this post season. Instead of preparing other options to go into these playoffs, they decided to roll out the same old role players and hope for the best...they are getting their comeuppance for it now.
Pop deserves his share of the blame for using ty rotations during the playoffs. You have to give certain guys minutes and hope they produce, but not at the same time. He chose and chooses not to use size (Ratliff/Mahinmi), and it's not about a savior. It's about size, defense and rebounding over... what exactly do we have to count on now.
Ratliff would be as useless in this series as these two jagoffs, he doesn't have the speed to stay up with anyone the suns use. Mahinmi could possibly be useful if he developed enough, which Pop thought he wouldn't so he didn't develop him.
I posted this in initial thoughts also: Anyone else think it HAS to be a health issue with Dice? There is no reasonable explanation as to why he isn't playing more... unless his body cant handle those minutes.
That said, if he can handle it and Pop just isn't playing him then that is criminal.
+10000
Pop and RC cant stop someone from aging.
Bruce was in doghouse. Bruce wasn't going to play for another team. You have to be a complete idiot to think Bruce couldn't play anymore.
Of course its not pop's fault and I dont get all the pop bashing either. He knows what he is doing, Pop is great, of course you can question some things, but he knows what he is doing and what he has done in the past, so why not some confidence in him. It's the players, not pop.
I do thought it was wrong starting hill again though.
Bowen has a more reliable 3pt shot than any one playing for the Spurs now. He can guard everyone except Amare. He's clutch and smart with his rotations. Even at his advanced age he could shut down at least one of these shooters. Are you watching what 37 year old Grant Hill is doing for the Suns? Bowen at least could be matching his production instead of being absolutely useless on the court like Bonner and Mason.
Bowen was one of the few productive players last year in the playoffs. He would have come back for vet. min but no, Pop put whatever he has against Bowen above the good of this team. He could also be mentoring Hill, Hairston and Temple and teaching them a thing or two about defense.
McDyess should have gotten all of Bonner's minutes. At least they have to respect Dice's shot.
Why play small ball when the Suns are so much better at it than the Spurs. At least playing McDyess, the Spurs would win the rebounding, get better shooting instead of Bonner's 0-4 and have someone who plays with heart instead of someone who's afraid of the ball. For the Spurs to shoot so well (51% vs 42%) and lose the game because of rebounding is disheartening.
So yes, Popovich is responsible - because he built the bench and distributes the minutes (Bonner instead of Dice). Although in Popovich's defense, he never expected Finley to bail and to lose his only reliable, playoff-proven 3pt shooter. Can't believe I'm missing Finley. At this point, I'd rather see Parker or Duncan take a 3pter than Bonner or Mason.
I'm almost hoping they lose to the Suns than lose to the Lakers because you know Phil Jackson will have them packing the lane. Without Ratliff and any reliable 3pt shooting, that's going to be ugly (if by some miracle they get past the Suns). Losing to Nash, Hill, etc (everyone except Amare) is easier to stomach than losing to Kobe, Fisher and Jackson.
I have no idea what how many minutes he could productively play this year, but I did look this up:
McDyess averaged 34 minutes per game over four games for the Pistons in last year's Playoffs, with averages of 13 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
This year in 8 games, he's averaged 24 mpg, 6.5 pts, and 6.5 rbds.
What's your theory on why no other team picked up Bowen, after the Spurs passed?
Bull right back atcha. He was done then, and he's done now. He's 39. Let it go, man.
McDysse should play more than Bonner, actually if red rocket doesn`t hit his first 3 3pt attempts he shouldn`t stay anymore in the game.
McDysse is way more consistent with his mid-range jumpers and in fact spreads the floor just as much as Mat.
We can`t relly on Bonner`s 3s, it should be obvious to the coaching staff. The gamble with his abilities is too risky for the playoffs, and McDyess is the better deal right now.
I support Pop for starting Hill - he`s able to answer the call and Parker has no problem coming off the bench. Hill needs confidence in order to provide solid game and starting him is the best way to get some.
The key to winning these series is Steve Nash, I bet he`ll get tired or injured (like Ginobilli`s nose or something) and we`ll kill them without worries!
Pop built this team. Decided Bonner and Mason were going to contribute in these playoffs eventhough they proved they are worthless last playoffs.
So is at fault then?
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