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If and when Splitter plays more it won't be at the expense of Bonner, but Dyess or Blair.
"But he doesn't spread the floor," Pop snaps back in anger to Spurstalk posters who have a clue.
Can somebody give this man a ing clue?
Play the ing guy already Pop!
As I said before, Spurs won't win anything unless Spurs play the personnel that gives them the most defensive potential. That situation DOES NOT include Bonner. It includes Splitter!!
Did you see his post defense and his defensive positioning around the basket?! He contested and effected like 5 layups that went clang because the penetrators on the Thuggets had to change their release point on their layups. All because of Splitter!! When was the last time you've seen Bonner do that?? ( Yeah that's what I figured.. NEVER!!)
Another example I can use was Bonner's post defense against Zach Randolph. Just take a second and close your eyes and go through your memory chamber upstairs and just relive Bonner getting MURDERED on the block by Z-bo!! Are you closing your eyes yet? Keep them closed. And just see Zach Randolph abusing Bonner over and over.
Okay now that you have that pictured, my fellow grey and black posters of ST, I want you to close your eyes and go through your memory chamber again. Remember last night when Nene was trying to post up Splitter, and remember how Splitter wasn't having any of that! Remember Splitter keeping Nene in check ( Something Duncan couldn't even do the last two times Spurs faced the Nuggets). Spurs will need this kind of defensive presence in the rotation when the Gettysburg, Battle of Bunker Hill, and Battle of the Alamo all resurface come late May and early June when the Spurs declare war on the Lakers and Celtics.
I don't know how else to explain but Spurs need....
MORE SPLITTER!! If you don't believe EricD, then just ask Bruce inson himself!
Last edited by EricD; 12-23-2010 at 09:04 AM.
If and when Splitter plays more it won't be at the expense of Bonner, but Dyess or Blair.
I don't think we need to be worried about Bonner's defense. The 2 ton elephant in the room is Blair's defense, not Bonner's. Matt has done a decent job on defense this season at least showing effort and limiting mistakes. Meanwhile, Blair is clueless.
Sure McDyess and Splitter have the most potential defensively of any big not named Timothy...but Bonner isn't the biggest problem. It's the guy starting games.
Good point as always Darkwaters(btw I sent a friend request cool?)
Either way we can both agree.. More Splitter needs to happen, no?
But when Bonner isn't making thees what is he good for atleast blair can rebound. BTW why need more shooters we got plenty now which is why I see no more need for Bonner.Good point as always Darkwaters
Either way we can both agree.. More Splitter needs to happen, no?
I have a fever.... and the only prescription, is more Splitter!
Finding time for all the bigs is a significant debate currently. Honestly, the Spurs have 5 very capable bigs. Finding time for them all is always going to be hard. Especially if we play small ball!
Duncan and McDyess are, of course, the class of the crew but probably need more rest than the rest as well - especially Antonio. They're both multi-faceted players that can do everything pretty well, are really savvy and basketball smart.
The rest of the players are more akin to specialists. They do one thing well and are generally called in to provide that one skill.
Blair: Rebounding (Splitter/Bonner are poor rebounders)
Bonner: Shooting (Blair/Splitter have no range)
Splitter: Defense (Blair/Bonner suck at defense)
It honestly offers pretty good balance when you think about it. But while Blair and Bonner both suck at defense, Bonner is the better of the two (by far). And while Splitter and Bonner both suck at rebounding, Bonner really isn't too far off from Splitter's skill level.
I'm no Bonner fan. But considering the deficiencies of Blair he looks pretty good. Still, I think the upside of Splitter once hes bought into the system and moving and grooving is considerably higher than Matt.
What would make the most sense is to shift Blair out of the starting line up so that he can compete against back ups and reserves. Against them I think he'll excel. But against starters he does struggle. McDyess would be the best possible replacement, but resting him as much as we have been is keeping him fresh. Plus it opens up more rotation minutes for Splitter and Blair to work through their growing pains. So I don't know that I'd support that either. I don't ever want Bonner to be a starter on this team again, barring injury, and nor do I think Splitter is ready for that upgrade. He still needs to acclimate.
Plus moving Blair out of the starting line up would be, at this point, messing with a good thing. We're winning, a lot, when we use that line up. Don't mess with a good thing.
So yea, I'd like to see more Splitter. But shifting roles will be hard. The best thing would probably be to get Splitter more minutes and play Blair more against reserves. That means either McDyess is in the game more often or Bonner is logging big minutes against starters. Pick your poison.
But except for a few recent games, Blair hasn't been the rebounding force I would have liked.
For the minutes he gets I'll take it, Splitter may not have range but Bonner can't do anything but shoot, Splitter should get a whole lot more playing time, no?
To put it simply for some of you, Tiago played a lot of basketball during the summer. He also traveled quite a bit. During that time he sustained several leg injuries--not the kind that take you out, but the sort that are nagging and over time produce diminishing returns. Go back and look at the Brazil v. Argentina game and the starting lineup for Brazil.
Pop's approach to Tiago has been appropriate. This isn't a case of Ian Mahinmi, though some are overreacting like it is. Pop respects and trusts Splitter, he just has to slowly work him in without taxing him too much.
mothafocking co-signed."But he doesn't spread the floor," Pop snaps back in anger to Spurstalk posters who have a clue.
Can somebody give this man a ing clue?
Play the ing guy already Pop!
As I said before, Spurs won't win anything unless Spurs play the personnel that gives them the most defensive potential. That situation DOES NOT include Bonner. It includes Splitter!!
Did you see his post defense and his defensive positioning around the basket?! He contested and effected like 5 layups that went clang because the penetrators on the Thuggets had to change their release point on their layups. All because of Splitter!! When was the last time you've seen Bonner do that?? ( Yeah that's what I figured.. NEVER!!)
Another example I can use was Bonner's post defense against Zach Randolph. Just take a second and close your eyes and go through your memory chamber upstairs and just relive Bonner getting MURDERED on the block by Z-bo!! Are you closing your eyes yet? Keep them closed. And just see Zach Randolph abusing Bonner over and over.
Okay now that you have that pictured, my fellow grey and black posters of ST, I want you to close your eyes and go through your memory chamber again. Remember last night when Nene was trying to post up Splitter, and remember how Splitter wasn't having any of that! Remember Splitter keeping Nene in check ( Something Duncan couldn't even do the last two times Spurs faced the Nuggets). Spurs will need this kind of defensive presence in the rotation when the Gettysburg, Battle of Bunker Hill, and Battle of the Alamo all resurface come late May and early June when the Spurs declare war on the Lakers and Celtics.
I don't know how else to explain but Spurs need....
MORE SPLITTER!! If you don't believe EricD, then just ask Bruce inson himself!
Blair needs to take Christmas break off, and grow 4 more inches as well.
We know, we know don't get it twisted my man. UsSplitter, doesn't necessarily mean we are begging for him to play 38 minutes a night.
Even with the play this summer, he essentially took all of October off and probably another whole month off when you combine all the DNP's and the extended bench time he's received so far.
That being said I think it's reasonable to believe his 25 year old body is more than capable of playing more than 11 minutes a night (when he does get to play once every three games). Don't you agree?
Seeing as though we have not really faced any elite teams other then Dallas, I really dont think Pop will determine how to handle the playing time of these three against elite teams until he sees how the lineups do against LA, Boston, Miami (not elite, but could be). I think Pop will have a better feel for how he'll play Bonner, Blair, and Splitter once he sees how we match up. Dallas is a the odd ball becuase we seem to be facing them alot and its truly based on rivalry...Keep in mind its Splitter's first year and he has not went up against the likes of Gasol and Odom in the NBA (he has overseas). We still have alot of the season left, so before we start jumping off the bridge about playing time, let's take the wait and see approach as we play these teams within the next two weeks...25-3 means we're doing something right!!!
I wish Splitter could acquire Blair's strength. He was abused underneath on the defensive boards a few times yesterday. Hopefully that will change with playing time as he continues to adjust to the NBA game.
Blair, on the other hand -- his defense is regressing. Our whole team played matador defense last night and it drove me crazy. Luckily the zone bailed us out in the 4th Q.
If and when Splitter plays more it won't be at the expense of Bonner, but Dyess or Blair.So will lakers,celtics, and mavs tank on purpose when bonner is in the game so they can see more bonner in a playoff match up? That would be really ingenius by them.Seeing as though we have not really faced any elite teams other then Dallas, I really dont think Pop will determine how to handle the playing time of these three against elite teams until he sees how the lineups do against LA, Boston, Miami (not elite, but could be). I think Pop will have a better feel for how he'll play Bonner, Blair, and Splitter once he sees how we match up. Dallas is a the odd ball becuase we seem to be facing htem alot and its truly based on rivalry...Keep in mind its Splitter's first year and he has not went up against the likes of Gasol and Odom in the NBA (he has overseas). We still have alot of the season left, so before we start jumping over the bridge about playing time, let's take the wait and see approach as we play these teams within the next two weeks...25-3 means we're doing something right!!!
LOL..that would be Ingenius of them...but my point is there's no point in getting all bent out of shape when Tiago is in his first year..Blannchard had made a point about Pop giving him minutes based on what he did in the summer..Tiago was busy and the one thing you don't want to do is wear him out by the time the playoffs come around.
I do however, like the emergence of Neal's offensive game (other then 3's) I think once he gets his 3's going, his ability to pump fake and drive make him even more valuable...Great week for himk so far..Our our guard situation is pretty impressive..
We are talking about the grand scheme of things here bud. Not the present.
Splitter will have to be a major part of the rotation in order for the Spurs to reach their maximum potential. Especially on the defensive end.
We understand that Splitter can't be thrown in the fire and play 30+ minutes a night right away. That's not what we are asking.
We are just aware of how far this front-court took us last year when Phoenix slaughtered us with the pick and roll and got whatever they wanted in the paint, out of the paint, any and every which way. At the same time, we are aware of the Lakers and Celtics personnel in the front-court, which doesn't bode well with an undersized,and defenseless front-court featuring Blair and Bonner. This is where Splitter will be needed if Pop is really serious about this 5th trophy.
Some people really need to get a clue.
Is tiago pops last resort? If that's the case we'll see more tiago in the third and fourth quarter of orlando and lakers.
I will admit we could have used someone like Splitter last year to defend that pick and roll as he has made it clear that his IQ is high when it comes to defending that offensive set.. But you are correct out of the three he does pose the biggest asset to defending such teams who utilize the pick and roll.
I'm not concerned with Splitter's minutes right now since the Spurs schedule is only going to get busier and Duncan and McDyess will need all the rest they can get especially later on. As long as Tiago stays healthy he's going to be fed minutes. However next season is really going to be Tiago's breakout season imo because by then McDyess would be retired and he's a huge part of the Spurs now.
That's right, because the Spurs are 15-0 when Bonner scores at least 6 points. Unless Bonner starts passing up shots, Pop is going to keep going to him, regardless of what he gives up on the defensive end.
McDyess's rebounding ability and his ability to hit the mid-range shot will keep him in the mix, but his age should provide minutes for Splitter in back-to-backs, especially as the season wears on.
Blair isn't going anywhere either as long as he continues to rebound, scrap and hit free throws, but his size will provide match-up issues for which Splitter might be seen as a solution.
@EricD
dude, what do you want? YOUR TEAM IS TWENTY-FIVE AND THREE. You'd better enjoy it while Timmy's wheels are still on.
In the meantime, I don't get the kvetching about Pop's staying out of the way; it's what good coaches do when their teams are performing well. The fact is, this team has great chemistry and depth. Splitter showed us something last night (and while overall it was good, he did fumble several rebounds), but Pop is not going to retool a lineup that is off to a blistering start.
As far as your arguments about defense, you're partially right. We're not what we used to be and Matt Bonner is not David Robinson or Rasho Nesterovic or Nazr Mohammed.
The days of the Spurs "48 minutes of defense" are over. We're going to have to settle for 12 minutes of purgatory in the fourth quarter. Tim isn't mobile enough to be the defensive beast he used to be, and Splitter isn't going to fill that gap.
Pop's transitioning of this team into an offensive juggernaut is a direct result of that decline. If you can live with scoring 110 points a game instead of 90, and giving up 96 instead of 90, I think you may survive the season. I know that's heresy in Spurs-land, but there it is. We can't beat 'em the old-fashioned way. Defense won our first four championships. With the pieces we have, offense will have to win the fifth. Tiago Splitter isn't an automatic ticket to way-back land, and Pop knows that.
I think you'll see Splitter's minutes creep upwards as the season progresses, but if you're looking to see Bonner, McDyess or Blair eliminated from the mix, get real.
Last edited by bigbendbruisebrother; 12-23-2010 at 12:49 PM.
I sat courtside last night for Splitter's best game of the season. I'm unimpressed. The dude is so soft and has no offensive game other than cleaning up missed shots. He can't be trusted 1-on-1 on the block, and has absolutely no game outside of 8 feet. I just can't see him developing. We should deal him now before the rest of the league figures out he doesn't belong in any starting lineup.
I dont like to rag on people's opinions, but wow this is a really bad assessment of Splitter. He's looked more competent than any other spurs big man have had since D-Rob on the lowblock.I sat courtside last night for Splitter's best game of the season. I'm unimpressed. The dude is so soft and has no offensive game other than cleaning up missed shots. He can't be trusted 1-on-1 on the block, and has absolutely no game outside of 8 feet. I just can't see him developing. We should deal him now before the rest of the league figures out he doesn't belong in any starting lineup.
This is what I said all along. Put a stronger big on him and push Splitter away from the basket and he is worthless. He won't matchup with LA or Dallas bigs and counting on him to bail the spurs frontline out against those teams is nothing more than wishful thinking.
I don't like to rag on people's opinions, but this is a really stupid statement. Putting Splitter's name in the same sentence with Robinson is insulting. Please point me to one move he has on the low block that doesn't involve him hoisting up some euro-spinner from his hip.
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