Bonner gets too many minutes for the Spurs to be successful

[jjktkk]

If Pop expects him to compete on defense, then more than just 3 point shooting is expected of him.

At the very end, I agree with Bruno that such a one dimensional player playing this many minutes has no place on a team with championship aspirations.

I agree, Bonner shouldn't play too many minutes. As far as one demensional players like Bonner, NBA teams are filled with them. Maybe not a power forward like Bonner, but players like Kyle Kover, Ben Gordon, Mike Miller, etc. None of the players I've mentioned are known for playing defense, just like Bonner.

[TJastal]

I don't know, I don't have Pop's phone number? My guess is Pop was hoping that Bonner would of caught fire. I've said in other posts, that if Bonner isn't hitting his 3's he needs to be benched.

Great, so you're finally admitting that Pop is full of kaka. Welcome to your first step into the hater's realm.

[jjktkk]

Great, so you're finally admitting that Pop is full of kaka. Welcome to your first step into the hater's realm.

Not hate. I'm thankful that my favorite team for over thirty years, has a future hall of fame coach guiding them.

[mingus]

So apologist..

why did Bonner play 23 minutes when he was cold tonight? If he provides absolutely NOTHING else besides 3's why didn't Pop use Splitter?

I've been a critic of Pop many times, but even i don't think pop is oblvious enough of about Splitter to keep his minutes where they're at. i'm pretty sure he's taking into account the fact that Splitter is actually used to playing like 45 games per season in Europe, so he doesn't want to throw him into a potentially 80+ game year. specially since he also played in the summer and he's shown a tendency to get banged up with minor injuries.

[ElNono]

I agree, Bonner shouldn't play too many minutes. As far as one demensional players like Bonner, NBA teams are filled with them. Maybe not a power forward like Bonner, but players like Kyle Kover, Ben Gordon, Mike Miller, etc. None of the players I've mentioned are known for playing defense, just like Bonner.

None of them are in teams with championship aspirations.

[ElNono]

Eh, I missed Mike Miller there... That said, it's yet to be seen if the Heat are really going to get their together by then... and Miller averages a non-measly 5 boards per game career wise... obviously, more than Matt...

I would have loved to get him in the offseason.

The other thing to distinguish here, is where Matt plays (or defends). Most of those guys are perimeter guys. Matt plays in the last line of defense.

[jjktkk]

None of them are in teams with championship aspirations.

Mike Miller-Miami? Kyle Kover-Chicago? I'm sure when Detroit signed Ben Gordon, they had championship aspirations.

[Xevious]

Dice has been the only big thus far that can defend athletic, face-up forwards. I'm not sure why Blair continues to start when he only plays a few minutes to start the half. I'd like to see Duncan and Dice start together with Splitter getting more minutes off the bench. Bonner and Blair can split the remaining minutes depending on matchups.

In any case, Splitter absolutely needs to get more minutes to get adjusted and improve.

[TJastal]

I've been a critic of Pop many times, but even i don't think pop is oblvious enough of about Splitter to keep his minutes where they're at. i'm pretty sure he's taking into account the fact that Splitter is actually used to playing like 45 games per season in Europe, so he doesn't want to throw him into a potentially 80+ game year. specially since he also played in the summer and he's shown a tendency to get banged up with minor injuries.

So let me follow your logic here. Every collegiate player coming out of college to the pros needs to be restricted to 30 games or less because that's what "they're used to"?

[ElNono]

Chicago has championship aspirations? News to me.
Again, all perimeter players. If Matt was a SF I would have much less of an issue with his lack of defense.

[jjktkk]

Eh, I missed Mike Miller there... That said, it's yet to be seen if the Heat are really going to get their together by then... and Miller averages a non-measly 5 boards per game career wise... obviously, more than Matt...

I would have loved to get him in the offseason.

The other thing to distinguish here, is where Matt plays (or defends). Most of those guys are perimeter guys. Matt plays in the last line of defense.

My point is that these players were talking about are either average, or below average defensive players. The teams that signed these players realized that as well, but they signed these players for their ability to score.

[ALVAREZ6]

Whoa....don't stoop Ben Gordon to Matt Bonner's level.


Gordon is definitely not the one-dimensional player Bonner is.

[jjktkk]

So let me follow your logic here. Every collegiate player coming out of college to the pros needs to be restricted to 30 games or less because that's what "they're used to"?

Most coaches in the NFL and NBA are worried about rookies hitting the "rookie wall". Guess you never heard of that term. It is a legitimate concern for coaches.

[ElNono]

My point is that these players were talking about are either average, or below average defensive players. The teams that signed these players realized that as well, but they signed these players for their ability to score.

None of them are expected to guard bigs. That's exactly why they can do without the defense. Kyle Korver or Mike Miller wouldn't be in the NBA right now if they had to guard Dirk, Gasol, Garnett, etc. They simply don't have that much offense to offset what they would give up on the other end.

[ElNono]

And yeah, Ben Gordon is a bad comparison at many levels. The guy can dribble drive, has a mid-range jumper and can create his own shot. I mean, we're talking day and night here.

[jjktkk]

Whoa....don't stoop Ben Gordon to Matt Bonner's level.


Gordon is definitely not the one-dimensional player Bonner is.

I've never seen Gordon as a lock down defender going back to his college days at UCONN, nor with Chicago and Detroit. Great scorer, but nothing special on the defensive end.

[ElNono]

But you can't say Gordon is as one dimensional as Matt Bonner...

[mingus]

So let me follow your logic here. Every collegiate player coming out of college to the pros needs to be restricted to 30 games or less because that's what "they're used to"?

guess you didn't catch the "especially because he's had a tendency to get banged up with minor injuries and he played in the summer" part. you must be in politics. whatever, dude.

[ElNono]

Mingus has a point, and I brought it up in the forum downstairs. It's certainly plausible that Pop is saving Tiago's legs for now... We'll see when January rolls around

[Blackjack]

I agree, Bonner shouldn't play too many minutes. As far as one demensional players like Bonner, NBA teams are filled with them. Maybe not a power forward like Bonner, but players like Kyle Kover, Ben Gordon, Mike Miller, etc. None of the players I've mentioned are known for playing defense, just like Bonner.

That's a very important point that gets glossed over.

Specialist are fine, every championship team needs 'em. But look at those specialist you mentioned and the position they play, though Miller and Gordon are only one-dimensional when thinking offense/defense and not what they're capable of doing offensively. But I digress.

Horry, 'Sheed, maybe you want to throw a guy like Perkins in there, Laimbeer maybe, a few others, those are the type of bigs that have success stretching the floor from the front court of championship-caliber teams. They're players that are legitimately "bigs" and can man the paint and get the dirty work done for a team. Whether you've got someone who can shoot the 3 or not, the big man responsibilities still exist and someone's got to get the job done if your 4/5 can't.

It'd be one thing if the Spurs had some kind of Kirilenko-type at the three that defended and rebounded the ball like a big man (protecting the rim and whatnot), but they don't. Not even close.

Bonner's simply a role player that's too talented to be a fifth big and not talented enough to be anything more for a team with championship aspirations.

I believe that's the problem and dilemma Pop has trouble reconciling with and the reason Bonner's probably going to have to get dealt if this team wants to win it all -- I don't think Pop can keep himself from going to that Bonner well if he's there at his disposal.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

The sooner Tiago can get significant minutes the better.

I'm scared Udoka will start getting Finley minutes, let alone Bonner.

[jjktkk]

None of them are expected to guard bigs. That's exactly why they can do without the defense. Kyle Korver or Mike Miller wouldn't be in the NBA right now if they had to guard Dirk, Gasol, Garnett, etc. They simply don't have that much offense to offset what they would give up on the other end.

Duncan has trouble guarding Dirk, Gasol, and Garnett. Should Pop trade him?

You think Ray Allen, Rip Hamilton, Vince Carter, are gonna shake in their boots, when being defended by Mike, Miller, Kyle Kover, etc...?

[TJastal]

Most coaches in the NFL and NBA are worried about rookies hitting the "rookie wall". Guess you never heard of that term. It is a legitimate concern for coaches.

Oh, so now all rookies should be restricted to 30 games or less just in case they might "hit a wall"? Seriously?

Did it ever occur to you that hitting a wall is all a part of the learning process that alot of young players need to go through in order to grow as players? All your doing by restricting Splitter's development is postponing the day he'll be able to make a significant contribution. And in the spurs' case how many years do they have? Last time I checked, not many.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

That's a very important point that gets glossed over.

Specialist are fine, every championship team needs 'em. But look at those specialist you mentioned and the position they play, though Miller and Gordon are only one-dimensional when thinking offense/defense and not what they're capable of doing offensively. But I digress.

Horry, 'Sheed, maybe you want to throw a guy like Perkins in there, Laimbeer maybe, a few others, those are the type of bigs that have success stretching the floor from the front court of championship-caliber teams. They're players that are legitimately "bigs" and can man the paint and get the dirty work done for a team. Whether you've got someone who can shoot the 3 or not, the big man responsibilities still exist and someone's got to get the job done if your 4/5 can't.

It'd be one thing if the Spurs had some kind of Kirilenko-type at the three that defended and rebounded the ball like a big man (protecting the rim and whatnot), but they don't. Not even close.

Bonner's simply a role player that's too talented to be a fifth big and not talented enough to be anything more for a team with championship aspirations.

I believe that's the problem and dilemma Pop has trouble reconciling with and the reason Bonner's probably going to have to get dealt if this team wants to win it all -- I don't think Pop can keep himself from going to that Bonner well if he's there at his disposal.

Which is one of the biggest flaws of Pop's career: Giving significant minutes to insignificant players. Bonner should be a situational player, not a big who seems to be getting solid minutes regardless of the matchup. The Spurs need to win with size, Bonner is like an oversized one dimensional shooting guard, who can only shoot decently against sub .500 teams half the time.

Same held true for Finley, Bogans, Udoka, and Roger Mason.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Duncan has trouble guarding Dirk, Gasol, and Garnett. Should Pop trade him?

You think Ray Allen, Rip Hamilton, Vince Carter, are gonna shake in their boots, when being defended by Mike, Miller, Kyle Kover, etc...?

No, but all of those players bring more to the table than Bonner. I'd take Kover and Miller any day of the week and twice on Sunday over Bonner. Bonner will never ever be a reliable player in the clutch. The biggest scare about even extending Bonner for the veteran's minimum is Pop's love affair with one dimensional players and over using them. Bonner shouldn't be getting many more minutes than Gary Neal. When Matt's in the game it feels like small ball due to his poor rebounding.