Addition of Splitter breathes new life into Spurs

[ohmwrecker]

I've made a few of these, but with the current roster I have it...

PG Tony Parker | George Hill
SG Manu Ginobili | James Anderson | Gary Neal
SF Richard Jefferson | Alonzo Gee
PF Tim Duncan | DeJuan Blair | Matt Bonner
C Tiago Splitter | Antonio McDyess

But I could see it going...

PF DeJuan Blair | Antonio McDyess | Matt Bonner
C Tim Duncan | Tiago Splitter

and for the beginning of the season Dice and Blair might be switched, but idk what Pop's plans are.

You better stick Hairston in there before THC throws a fit.

[8FOR!3]

You better stick Hairston in there before the THC throws a fit.

I like putting Malik and Garrett on the IR.

13 IR. Garrett Temple
14 IR. Malik Hairston
15 IR. The Centerpiece (LOL JK)

[Blackjack]

For now, I've bought into Blair starting, but I can't see Anderson starting. Not when he'll be competing with two of the four best players on the team for that position. It's difficult to imagine both of them not starting.

At this writing, I've got...

Starters: PF- Blair, SF- Jefferson, C- Duncan, SG- Hill, PG- Parker

Bench: SG- Ginobili, PF- McDyess, C/PF- Splitter, SG/SF- Anderson, SG/SF- Hairston, PF- Bonner, SG- Neal

Inactive/D-League: SG/PG- Temple, SG/SF- Gee

As always, it's subject to change.

I actually agree with that if we're projecting what is going to happen. But I don't think Hill as your starting 2-guard is something you can get away with if your goal is to win a championship. I'm guessing Anderson will get his shot to start at some point in the season (hopefully within the first few months) but I find it doubtful that Pop would start him out of the gates.

As for Blair starting, I just believe it's the best way to utilize the talent for the long haul. Between managing minutes, Splitter's first year in the league and Bonner being Bonner ... that's what leads me to the conclusion -- plus I believe Blair is someone you need to maximize minutes with as he produces like no Big outside of Tim, and he even managed to outproduce Tim on occasion.

Blair's future is at the 4 and Tim should really be the center now. Even teamed with Splitter, Tim's the 5 defensively; offensively is another matter.

[TD 21]

I actually agree with that if we're projecting what is going to happen. But I don't think Hill as your starting 2-guard is something you can get away with if your goal is to win a championship. I'm guessing Anderson will get his shot to start at some point in the season (hopefully within the first few months) but I find it doubtful that Pop would start him out of the gates.

As for Blair starting, I just believe it's the best way to utilize the talent for the long haul. Between managing minutes, Splitter's first year in the league and Bonner being Bonner ... that's what leads me to the conclusion -- plus I believe Blair is someone you need to maximize minutes with as he produces like no Big outside of Tim, and he even managed to outproduce Tim on occasion.

Blair's future is at the 4 and Tim should really be the center now. Even teamed with Splitter, Tim's the 5 defensively; offensively is another matter.

I agree. If/when at some point the Spurs run into trouble with this, Ginobili could always start. On this team, the starting SG and PF (even though they list it as C) is not as important as it is on most teams. Particularly the SG spot. Basically we're talking about roughly the first 5 minutes of the game. After that, Ginobili's in. In the even he starts, then it's 7 minutes and he's out.

I'd be surprised if Anderson get's a shot to start barring injury. Two of the four best players on the team are vying for that position. It's one thing to have one not start, but both? I find it hard to believe. Aside from that, the problem with starting Anderson is it would only weaken the starting lineup's perimeter defense further.

It is if he's: in better shape, can adequately guard most PF's and make the occasional mid-range jumper.

No question. I think that more than anything is why they're trying to convert him into a PF (not necessarily to start). That and between Duncan and Splitter, there just aren't going to be many C minutes available. I agree, Duncan is the C regardless of who he's paired with; especially defensively. But I still don't expect it to be listed that way in the box score.