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Yeah true but Splitter needs minutes.
That said, not the greatest of matchups for him tonight.
I can see him getting PT vs Dallas New Orleans and Minnesota comin up.
But the mistake prone Blair is? Blair should be stapled to the bench against elite teams. McDyess should be starting and Splitter should take McDyess' would be bench minutes.
Pop can't play Splitter exclusively against the dregs of the league, then if/when this team runs into the Lakers in the playoffs, all of a sudden rely on him to play a significant role (which he'll have to, if the Spurs are to have a legit shot at beating them). He needs to be thrown into the fire. Let the refs get used to him, let him learn the system, to play with Duncan and the key players tendencies.
Yeah true but Splitter needs minutes.
That said, not the greatest of matchups for him tonight.
I can see him getting PT vs Dallas New Orleans and Minnesota comin up.
It's kind of like a parent that keeps their child under a rock. When it comes time for them to go into the real world they are in for a major shock.
Give Tiago Blairs starting minutes and see what happens.
Tiago!
Blair isn't playing like an all star, but he is playing well. Minutes are sparse for Spurs Bigs. Bonner is even taking minutes from Blair.
I want to see this.
If that happens with Bonner playing 36, or with Bonner playing 3, I don't care. But when a guy is shooting 3's the way Bonner is, how the can you keep him out of the game?
Blair's issue tonight was Orlando's version of small-ball with Rashard at the 4. Tiago would have had no better luck chasing him than Blair did.
As long as Bonner's hitting the 3 you got to milk it cause when he's not he's useless. I think thats why he's been playing a lot, at least I hope so. In the end Splitter has to be in the rotation if we want any chance of beating the better teams.
There was a play in the second half where McDyess and RJ doubled Rashard, and he STILL made it look easy. He's always been a tough cover. But we usually made him take too many shots to get his points. It's not fair to expect anyone to take him completely out of the game.
I'm skeptical as well, but the Spurs have no answer for face up four's as is. It wouldn't be a bad idea to give Splitter a shot in those match-ups. If the Magic start running Lewis off screens and Splitter get's burned, that's fine. Like Blair, he can easily be pulled immediately. But let's at least find out one way or the other, because it's not like the other options in these match-ups are all that appealing.
Honestly, Blair is the odd man out right now. Splitter rocks, Bonner is lights out and is giving great effort on the defensive end, Dice is clutch and consistent, and Duncan is obviously the best big man on the team. It should be between Bonner and Blair for minutes. If Bonner is outplaying him, stick Blair to the bench. Give Blair minutes against crap teams like Minnesota.
Splitter is not quicker than Blair, so its pointless.
Orlando poses weird matchups, Blair didn't get minutes either. Bonner matches up the best with them
Milk the Ginger for all he's got then use him in situation games where he is more effective against certain defenses.
The Spurs have that luxury now where 1 game we can sit a player that may not be well suited for the matchup but may be key in the next game. I dont think Pop should have a set rotation based on minutes and it sort of appears that that is the route he is going this year. Take advantage of who's got the hot hand and who matches up best with the opponent.
This also has a side benefit that the opposing teams cant fully prepare for the Spurs because they dont know who Pop is going to be throwing in the game at any given moment. An example of this was the game against the Cavs. Pop dropped Splitter in and he erupted for 18 points. The Cavs looked like they had no gameplan for him because he had sat out the previous 2 games.
Tonight Bonner shined and got work done. If he can continue to play like he did against Magic, I can see Pop boosting up Bonner's minutes.
Against Orlando, I'd say to play the first guy who manages to close out on Pietras and Lewis at the three point line. I only watched the fourth quarter, but Bonner gave up three of those during that time. That makes it all the more critical not only that he be getting quality shots, but that he be hitting them at a high rate.
Bonner is kicking ass, so give him his minutes. If anything, cut Blair's minutes, as he's not doing enough with them IMO.
I'd say 4/4 is a pretty high rate.
I am very proud of bonner tonight. Not only did he hit his shots, but he played like a big man tonight. He held his own vs a very athletic group. I'm not as worried about us vs the lakers anymore. If we can handle the athleticism of Orlando, I think we can beat anyone.
Lewis shot 3-3 from 3... and 50% from 2... then again, I'll take Matt going 4-4 from downtown, since some of those were actually contested. Plus we didn't really have anybody else to throw at the Orlando guards. Our rebounding felt it though.
You'd better pray he continues to hit them at pretty close to that percentage in order for him to be effective.
Ill take 15 and 7 out of my 4th and 5th big any night of the week.
Bonners defense was fine tonight. He played aggressive and boarded well also. There isn't much to criticize him on after tonight's win, that is of course unless you didn't watch the game.
Hate to break it to you, but Bonner led the team in minutes. He's your first big, cuz.
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