I don't usually yell at my TV, but I have, countless times, yelled at my TV when Matt Bonner is playing basketball. He is a of a shooter, and that draws attention, spacing the floor and opening lanes. Matt is definitely a valuable player to the Spurs, with the type of offense they run. HOWEVER, his lack of speed means he has to defend players a step or two back because theyll beat him with their first step and he'll be playing behind (likely foul situation and possible and 1, with Bonner defending). When he is brought out to the perimeter, this is dangerous, and its no surprise a number of teams bring him out to free-throw extended or further and exploit the distance he gives up when playing defense. Players are not afraid of Bonner. As well, because he is SLOW AS , his defensive rotations are often behind, giving the player he is D'ing up an opportunity to get an open look coming off a screen. AND, because he gives up so much space on defensive rotations, the rest of the team has to play help D, and that gives the player coming off the screen an opportunity to pass down to an open team mate(s) that may be cutting. I've even seen Bonner just run at his assignment after just plain getting caught falling asleep, WITH HIS HANDS DOWN.
Look at the other side of the ball. Bonner can shoot, very well, but if you pressure him, he has to give the ball up. He can't handle the ball very well, so if you funnel him into the paint, he is likely going to put up some half-assed attempt at a layup or kick out an iffy pass. How many times have you seen Bonner handling the ball and just cringed? How many of his little floaters fall? But then there are games where he goes off. . .
Matt Bonner is an intelligent player, but he's not without his faults and watching him play defense ing kills me.
On the other hand, Splitter has been getting owned down low. I know everybody is in love with him, but he gets too many 3 second calls, (still adjusting), and gets a lot of foul calls because he hasn't built a rapport with the officials and plays physical D in a league that is becoming increasingly more vaginal. He needs time to develop and is not going to peak anytime soon. I say play McDyess more often, his game is nice. He has a role and sticks to it. He has a reliable shot from the elbow/free-throw extended, usually makes safe, fundamental passes, passes into and out of the post well, doesn't take too long to defer when his shot is not there, and, most importantly, he can body up the heavier bigs in this league.