Something wrong with Splitter?

[SA210]

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.

[Obstructed_View]

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.

The Spurs are 10-1, and I've already said Pop's an idiot for benching Splitter. Winning games during a cupcake schedule is nice and all, and I'm glad that it's such a panacea for you Popsuckers, but it doesn't suddenly mean the Spurs are going to be able to sustain giving so many minutes to the starters and having Bonner as the primary big off the bench, nor does it mean they're as good as the Lakers.

It's looking like the only reason Splitter got any time is because Bonner was injured. What's surprising isn't that I'm alarmed by that reality, but that you guys aren't alarmed by it. Bonner's supposed to be a role player, and Pop's in full "squint-and-I-could-swear-he's-Robert-Horry" mode with Bonner.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I'm not sure why people are jumping all over Obstructed. As others have noted, it appears that Tiago's playing time is being dictated by Bonner's minutes. Since he had his semi-annual 20+ points game, Tiago hasn't gotten a whiff of the court.

If you care at all about the chances of the Spurs to make a playoff run this year, that should scare the out of you. We suffered through the Finley mancrush the past two years, and now we've got another year of Duncan's twilight where Pop is showing eyes for a marginal rotation player at the detriment to the rest of the team.

[Chomag]

When Bonner was re-signed this off-season I think many of us thought it was just to have depth and that he would just be the 5th big to use for situations. Maybe we need to just get that thought completely out of our heads and re-think that Bonner was never meant to be that roll when he was signed. It's looking more and more that it was intended for him to be a very major roll in the rotation. Maybe We would have already known that for sure had Bonner not been injured in the first game. Wasn't he the first big off the bench in that game?

Regardless of what roll The Spurs have in mind for Bonner they can't let it effect Splitters minutes. Pop has got to find a way to work him in the rotation. That's not an easy task when all of your bigs can contribute in some way but even so it can't be the way it's currently being done.

It's still early in the season thankfully but things still have got to change.

[jjktkk]

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

I agree. Wasn't comparing their talent levels, but their playing time, or lack there of.

[DesignatedT]

While I agree with the notion that Bonner shouldn't dictate Splitter minutes, it would be pretty stupid for Pop not to ride the hot hand, especially after Bonner hit 9 straight 3's. Same thing goes with our other players... If Gary Neal drains 9 consecutive 3 balls in 2 games than I would prefer him be the first guard off the bench compared to George Hill. Saying that, Splitter should definitely get some burn tonight, no excuse.

[jjktkk]

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?

Not alot of of your family wearing mullets up here in Wa. state Tjastal. You can debate if your boy Mahimini will ever see the court.(surpressing a laugh), or Pop's dolling out playing time, but its kinda fallen on deaf ears, since the Spurs are 10-1 right now. So basically your coming across like Charlie Brown's teacher right now.

[polandprzem]

You all are so


IMO it's as simple as that -> Tiago is not just ready. And it's either him being bit injured or out of shape.
I'm not worried cause I am sure he will produce when his number will be called.

11 games into the season and everybody knows playoffs rotation already jeez


btw. Pop is never happy. So him being satisfied with bonner as a starter to me it's untrue.

[jjktkk]

While I agree with the notion that Bonner shouldn't dictate Splitter minutes, it would be pretty stupid for Pop not to ride the hot hand, especially after Bonner hit 9 straight 3's. Same thing goes with our other players... If Gary Neal drains 9 consecutive 3 balls in 2 games than I would prefer him be the first guard off the bench compared to George Hill. Saying that, Splitter should definitely get some burn tonight, no excuse.

I too agree that Splitter needs to get playing time, and I'm sure he will, but some our resident experts are already in panic mode in November and the Spurs off to a 10-1 record makes no sense.

[DesignatedT]

I too agree that Splitter needs to get playing time, and I'm sure he will, but some our resident experts are already in panic mode in November and the Spurs off to a 10-1 record makes no sense.

Would you expect anything less?

[jjktkk]

I'm not sure why people are jumping all over Obstructed. As others have noted, it appears that Tiago's playing time is being dictated by Bonner's minutes. Since he had his semi-annual 20+ points game, Tiago hasn't gotten a whiff of the court.

If you care at all about the chances of the Spurs to make a playoff run this year, that should scare the out of you. We suffered through the Finley mancrush the past two years, and now we've got another year of Duncan's twilight where Pop is showing eyes for a marginal rotation player at the detriment to the rest of the team.

Because Obstructed View comes across as a pompass ass and I just can't help but put him in his place. In regards to Splitter, I agree that the Spurs are going to need him, but the Spurs are playing well right now without Splitter. If the Spurs were struggling and Pop kept throwing out Bonner, then yea, I can see the backlash for Pop's questionable coaching decisions, but the Spurs are 10-1. I repeat the Spurs are 10-1. Ride the hot hand.

[jjktkk]

Would you expect anything less?

LOL, I guess not. Just a bit perplexed about it.

[benefactor]

While I agree with the notion that Bonner shouldn't dictate Splitter minutes, it would be pretty stupid for Pop not to ride the hot hand, especially after Bonner hit 9 straight 3's. Same thing goes with our other players... If Gary Neal drains 9 consecutive 3 balls in 2 games than I would prefer him be the first guard off the bench compared to George Hill. Saying that, Splitter should definitely get some burn tonight, no excuse.

Well...I guess Pop is pretty stupid because a similar scenario with Neal did indeed happen.

11/8 - 14min, 15pts, 5-8 FG, 5-7 3FG.
11/10 - 1min, 1pt

[jjktkk]

Well...I guess Pop is pretty stupid because a similar scenario with Neal did indeed happen.

11/8 - 14min, 15pts, 5-8 FG, 5-7 3FG.
11/10 - 1min, 1pt

Lol, if you really think hes stupid(LMAO), then I hope Pop will continue being stupid. Throw all the stats out you like, but don't forget the most important stat, wins and losses.

[DesignatedT]

Well...I guess Pop is pretty stupid because a similar scenario with Neal did indeed happen.

11/8 - 14min, 15pts, 5-8 FG, 5-7 3FG.
11/10 - 1min, 1pt

Touche. While it's obvious to what Pop was trying to do there was to try and get Hill going since he had been struggling so much, and it obviously helped. Saying that, after all-star break when the (too new to the team) excuse doesn't exist anymore than the player with the hot hand should definitely be the one getting the minutes whether that be Bonner over Splitter or Neal over Hill or whatever the case may be.

I understand why Pop has been going with Bonner (the last 2 games), and there could be things behind the scenes that would make this situation make a whole lot more sense that we don't know.

[greyforest]

IMO it's as simple as that -> Tiago is not just ready. And it's either him being injured

this is my guess. he still isn't 100% i don't think.

[Russ]

When Tiago gets integrated (and maybe Anderson) this team will be scary good.

People may still ask if the Spurs can match up with the Lakers. But they may also begin to ask if the Lakers can match up with the Spurs.

[HankChinaski]

As much as it is annoying to see Splitter sitting on the bench not getting minutes, you can't argue against 10-1. Pop is doing a great job managing rotations so far.

[benefactor]

I too agree that Splitter needs to get playing time, and I'm sure he will, but some our resident experts are already in panic mode in November and the Spurs off to a 10-1 record makes no sense.

It makes plenty of sense. The combined record of the teams the Spurs have beaten to get those 10 wins is 46-75.

[Mel_13]

It makes plenty of sense. The combined record of the teams the Spurs have beaten to get those 10 wins is 46-75.

And the combined record of the most recent three opponents is 23-13. You play who is on the schedule. When playoff seedings are set all games count equally.

If a couple of months go by and Splitter is still seeing minutes similar to 2005-06 Oberto, then there's cause for real concern. For now, we still don't know if his calf is 100%.

[DPG21920]

It is a great start. Far better than I think even the most optimistic fan could have imagined. RJ is playing wonderful. Anderson showed nice flashes. Neal is playing well. TP & Manu look great. Tim has shown some flashes although he has been up and down a little.

It is important to win early, but everyone knows the true test is your record against the top teams. So while all wins count evenly with regards to seeding, the quality wins tell you about your chances to win it all.

There are certainly some things (problematic) to keep a watchful eye on, but overall tough to complain about anything at this point in time.

But I agree with everyone who says in order for this team to reach the requisite ceiling for a le, Tiago has to play.

[polandprzem]

Cpt obvs

[ChumpDumper]

Has anyone asked Pop or Splitter why he isn't playing?

[polandprzem]

Has anyone asked Pop or Splitter why he isn't playing?

Why should anybody ask?


Obstructed already told the world

[SenorSpur]

Has anyone asked Pop or Splitter why he isn't playing?

I wish someone would, but I don't think any scribe would dare.

, I should've included that question in Pop's mailbag.