Matt Bonner out again tonight vs Toronto

[Mugen]

Not any slight against Bonner, who was playing well and will be missed in the rotation until he comes back...but this is just what the doctor ordered for Splitter. For him to get any chance to contribute this season, it was going to require an injury to one of the bigs.

If that has to happen to somebody, probably best for it to be Bonner, who happens to be the guy rightfully gobbling up all Tiago's minutes right now. The window on Splitter being helpful this season is shutting quickly, but maybe this prop will give him a chance to sneak through and play some sort of role.

I know the guy hasn't been dazzling in his limited minutes played, but he's having to adjust to a lot of things out on the court right now. I'm just not sure if that is something more experience will fix, or if Tiago is truly mired in the dreaded...first season.

Very true, but i'd argue that Bonner really isn't eating Tiago's minutes as much as Blair/Dice are. Red offers a skillset that none of the other bigs possess in 3pt shooting.

If i had to pick one big man who the spurs could afford to lose and replace (hopefully not!), it'd be Dejuan. He's been wildly inconsistent this year and i feel like it might actually help the team if Tiago was forced into the starting lineup in place of Dejuan.

Not that i want anything to happen to DB considering his lack of ACLs.

[Dex]

Very true, but i'd argue that Bonner really isn't eating Tiago's minutes as much as Blair/Dice are. Red offers a skillset that none of the other bigs possess in 3pt shooting.

If i had to pick one big man who the spurs could afford to lose and replace (hopefully not!), it'd be Dejuan. He's been wildly inconsistent this year and i feel like it might actually help the team if Tiago was forced into the starting lineup in place of Dejuan.

Not that i want anything to happen to DB considering his lack of ACLs.

I thought the same thing about an injury to Blair.

And I also hesitated to peg Bonner as the culprit, for the reasons that you mentioned. But Tim and Dice obviously need to be a part of the rotation, and halting the development of Blair to develop Splitter would almost be equally as folly. In the offseason, Matt seemed like to easy choice for odd man out.

I think the variable that nobody foresaw is Bonner actually coming in and playing as well as he has. Not only is his skill-set unique, but he has been wielding it with precision. His shooting has obviously been phenomenal, but he's also been able to drive, hang defensively, and help rebound. As long as he keeps that up, it's hard to justify him not getting minutes.

Unfortunately, that only leaves so many to go around.

[BRs.Ganso]

Tiago today:

25 minutes, 12 points and 6 rebounds...

[silverblk mystix]

I hope that Bonner heals properly...and it would be prudent to be on the REALLY safe side and keep Bonner out for about 10-20 games (20 seems safer)...

Err...just so he can heal properly...

[Mel_13]

Per McD on twitter, Bonner did not practice today and is doubtful for the Knick game.

[ElNono]

Per McD on twitter, Bonner did not practice today and is doubtful for the Knick game.

CIA Pop probably saving him for the playoffs

[J_Paco]

Hopefully he doesn't develop any rust from being out a (possible) lengthy duration. Pop should definitely err on the side of caution with Bonner. With a quality big in Splitter being available that hopefully will be the case.

[Mel_13]

True, Splitter really stepped up last night...

[Mugen]

Pop is really being stubborn by playing a 3 big rotation with Bonner being out.

He couldn't even find 15 mins for Splitter against the freaking Raptors.

I just hope he doesn't overplay Timmy and Dice to injury. And Blair isn't exactly a guy who you don't have to worry about being injured.

Let me save the Pop nuthuggers a post: "36-6!"

[Chomag]

Splitter has yet to get a fair chance. Sure he has been thrown in for some spot minutes here and there, but he has yet to get anything consistent. Even Manu wouldn't look so great if he was getting the inconstant playing time like Splitter. I just don't understand, I just wish he could get at least 4-5 games of consistent rotational minutes . Maybe next year.

Splitter, man if only you could shoot the three-pointer then you would be getting 40+ minutes right now.