Well, with Ian, at least we knew he was a project, and he did make a decent amount of mistakes(even though I was a big supporter of getting him on the court)..that doesn't excuse Pop, but he had his reasons..
With Splitter, it's puzzling..he has already looked solid in the minutes he has played, he's not a project..he needs experience and needs to adjust to the NBA a little, but how would he do that on the bench?..
It's still early though, so we'll see how this plays out..
The Spurs aren't being overpowered in the paint, and more importantly they are winning games. With as many talented bigs the Spurs have, they are able to use them in spot situations. I expect to see Splitter against the bigger teams (Celtics, Lakers, Magic). Splitter missed the preseason and is still learning the system. He's also looked good out on the floor, especially on defense, so there's no reason to assume he's going to be Mahinmi'd.
Last edited by jag; 11-20-2010 at 01:08 AM.
Had Bonner been egregiously horrible tonight outside of his shooting then you'd question his mental capacity. Bonner was OK on D and was still drawing players out of the paint despite the bad shooting.
Its not like he was Roger Mason and Charlie Ward's love child out there.
I wouldn't put it past Pop also thinking Splitter still needs time off with the last couple years and siding that way.
That said Pop likes Splitter and has no reason to Mahinmi him.
Thankfully it's still early but I do hope Splitter is allowed to get comfortable and get into a good rhythm. I'm just not so sure it's best to rack up alot of DNP's for a young player that is needed. Hope to see him get minutes soon.
If we were losing games than I could see this being an issue. Right now it is a non-issue. Were only 11 games into the season and we are 10-1. Splitter will get his opportunity.
+1, although I find it strange Splitter is getting no burn, I do believe in the motto, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
I hope this don't play with his head and when he finally gets playing time he will suck because,
A. He don't care
B. He is to scared to mess up and piss pop off
We've won what...9 in a row and Tiago was getting minutes during that stretch. Not playing him is not the reason for our success.
Not sure if Pop is trying to teach him something or his foot hurts, but Tiago needs to get into shape and sitting on the bench is not going to do it.
Tomorrow's game will make things more clear. Bonner was hot for a while so I can see letting him get minutes and not yanking him too soon to shatter his wittle confidence.
Just a guess, but I'm thinking Splitter might not have all of the defensive sets down, rotations, etc... Kinda shocked hes not playing even a few minutes a game though right now.
Well, Pop is a strange guy sometimes. I guess with our recent success he feels ok with screwing around with lineups. Because you know he can't help himself. Ha.
I don't care if Splitter is starting at that point or not. But If he starts contributing on that date and will be in regular rotation I'm fine with whoever is on the floor as long as it's effective.
Same in playoffs. The minutes will depend on how good our frontcourt guys will play against specific team. It could be blair, mcDyess or Splitter.
The most important thing in November and December is to make Tiago feel comfortable and 'healthy'.
I will be worrying if until the ASB he will not gonna be making any impact on the game.
everybody is hating on Bonner but well maybe sometimes it's good to have a reg season contributor so he can take the precious minutes from the guys which gonna play much more in the playoffs huh?
Obstructed view gets alittle butthurt when one of his favorite players isn't getting any burn. Last year it was Mahimni who was suppose to be our next great big man, but it sure looks like hes doing the same thing with the Mavs as he did with the Spurs. Riding pine. This year its Splitter. Although Splitter is a much more talented player who I believe will be a solid big man and a regular rotation guy, if not a spot starter. I guess since the Spurs are playing great right now, Obstructed View is just biting his tongue, waiting until the Spurs go on a losing streak so he can unleash his Pops a idiot chants.
Comparing Splitter to Ian is incorrect
Tiago is playing basketball at high level for some years now.
Ian was always a prospect and a prospect with unknown potential
Hey jjktkk, how's it going down at the haunt? Kickin' it w/ a few PBR's and comparing mullets I suppose..
FYI, it appears the mavericks could have used Mahinmi last night when they got outboarded by the bulls 59-34, Gibson & Noah accounted for 35 rebounds alone, 13 offensive.
Night before that, poor Timmy Duncan got hung out to dry once again by Pop, pretty much tasked with singlehandedly keeping the bulls off the offensive boards while Matt Bonner ran around the perimeter like a chicken with his head cut off. Good thing Duncan never wears out before the playoffs start, huh?
Yes, really strange that he has played a single second.
I mean even in garbage time against the Bulls, he didn't get to the floor!
Even Danny Green got a couple of seconds on that game.
J Mc has to say "he hasn't played the past 8 quarters" rather than "he hasn't played the past 2 games" ?
He's just trying to make his property sound intellectual.
Did he play during garbage time in the OK Thunder game?
The "we're 10-1 so we don't need him" argument is stupid. Splitter has played 7 of those 11 wins. It actually makes less sense to change what is obviously working.
It's no coincidence that Splitter has not played since Lord of the Sandwich went off for 21pts. Bonner is dictating Splitter's minutes and that should never happen...ever. They are two completely different players and Splitter getting into rhythm is important right now. He has to be a rotation big in the playoffs in order for the Spurs to be a contender.
We'll see what happens tonight.
Last edited by benefactor; 11-20-2010 at 09:28 AM.
"Lord of the Sandwich" ... I like that!
Of course different from the original 'Earl of Sandwich".
Agreed. If the goal this year is a ring, then Splitter has to contribute. LA is too big and Bonner's past playoff choke jobs too plentiful to not have Splitter as part of the rotation.
But my guess is he tweaked his leg again and they're not taking any chances...
Let me add, I wouldn't be surprised to see Tiago getting burn whenever Pop decides it's time to start resting the vets, including Bonner. That said, unless he shows some monumental improvement scoring the basket when he gets his chance, he's just going to stay at the bottom of the pit.
TD needs help out there. He's been doing great in the first half of the season for the last few seasons, but playing next to either an undersized guy or a guy that can't box out or rebound for will wear him down quicker. Another 7 footer that can be physical, block shots and box out and rebound is a necessity for this team in the long run.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
