Tiago must stay in the rotation

[Halberto]

While I agree that Splitter should start, you all need to realize that he can go right back to playing like (fouling every 3 minutes and running around like he's lost on offense). Blair had a streak where he was racking up double doubles and now look at him.

I still prefer Dyess over Splitter.

[Dr. Gonzo]

you forgot one little thing POP IS THE ING COACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's such a piece of coach.

[Trimble87]

This team needs to consider a drastic change to their rotation.

Not only is it beyond obvious that Splitter should be at minimum the third big, but they should consider starting him. That would allow McDyess to come off the bench, which he prefers and it would allow them to go with Blair over Bonner without worrying about having a big with no range on the floor. Theoretically, the defense and rebounding would be improved with these two changes.

Green, I like confidence and swagger. Two things Anderson doesn't have. Also, Anderson isn't in anything close to game shape. 5:30 into the second half, he was gasping for air. Unfortunately, he's not going to be of use for the team this season. I'd strongly consider activating Green over him in perpetuity.

I agree with you on all counts. Dice has been balling the last few weeks, especially on D and on the glass. I had my doubts about Tiago earlier in the year, but the more I see him play the more apparent it is that he just needs playing time. He has to become more physical and he has to learn how to play against the athleticism and speed of NBA Forwards/Centers. But he is at minimum going to prove to be a solid role player in this league. Blair... is a beast, that is all.

Bonner is simply not needed on this team. spreading the floor. Dice and Duncan can both hit 18 footers and we have Neal, Manu, RJ(some nights) and Hill who can all sink 3's. If that isn't enough I would much rather see Novak getting spot minutes (3-8)mpg to spread the floor then Bonner getting 20mpg to spread the floor. When Bonner is on fire, he is great for this team and I understand why pop likes him so much. I understand the gameplan and why from an x's and o's standpoint you might want Bonner out there. But it is simply NOT working. He has no confidence in his own game, and I am struggling to understand why the coaching staff doesn't see it.

[Mugen]

Wow, i can't believe how good the Spanish League MVP is when he gets to play with people not named Chris Quinn or Othyus Jeffers.

[Capt Bringdown]

Blair had a streak where he was racking up double doubles and now look at him.

I still prefer Dyess over Splitter.

Blair has never shown the kind of smart defensive rotations that Splitter has demonstrated during these last 4 games.

The rotation should be weighted heavily in the direction of Dice & Splitter, with Blair as the energy guy.

[TD 21]

I agree with you on all counts. Dice has been balling the last few weeks, especially on D and on the glass. I had my doubts about Tiago earlier in the year, but the more I see him play the more apparent it is that he just needs playing time. He has to become more physical and he has to learn how to play against the athleticism and speed of NBA Forwards/Centers. But he is at minimum going to prove to be a solid role player in this league. Blair... is a beast, that is all.

Bonner is simply not needed on this team. spreading the floor. Dice and Duncan can both hit 18 footers and we have Neal, Manu, RJ(some nights) and Hill who can all sink 3's. If that isn't enough I would much rather see Novak getting spot minutes (3-8)mpg to spread the floor then Bonner getting 20mpg to spread the floor. When Bonner is on fire, he is great for this team and I understand why pop likes him so much. I understand the gameplan and why from an x's and o's standpoint you might want Bonner out there. But it is simply NOT working. He has no confidence in his own game, and I am struggling to understand why the coaching staff doesn't see it.

I never doubted Splitter. He's actually been solid all season, despite novice fans complaints. Whether he struggles or not, he's still 6-11, mobile, adept at making timely rotations and drawing charges. In other words, he's a presence. He's also good at drawing fouls. Sure, he's a sub par free throw shooter, but at least he contributes to getting the Spurs into the bonus, which is valuable.

I'm 50/50 between Bonner/Blair. If they make the change I'm suggesting (which isn't happening), then I'd probably give Blair the first crack. If they stand pat or go with Splitter over Blair on the second unit, I'd probably give Bonner the first crack (short leash, though). But if he continues this indifferent, no confidence, mentally/physically weak play, then I wouldn't even give him that.

[Buddy Holly]

Tiago should be starting with Tim, not Dice or Blair.

Hopefully Pop comes to his ing senses by Thursday.

[itzsoweezee]

Tiago should be starting with Tim, not Dice or Blair.

Hopefully Pop comes to his ing senses by Thursday.

Yeah, Dice looks kind of washed up right now. Splitter + Duncan would be a perfect front court.

[duncan228]

Let's see what the stupid T.Griffin has to say now

...The biggest revelation coming out of Monday’s game was the strong play of Tiago Splitter. And yes, Splitter proved he can play in the fourth quarter in a critical game situation. Splitter again showed an array of post moves as he produced 14 points and nine rebounds and gave the team an inside presence.

And he also helped provide a big effort against LaMarcus Aldridge, who had burned Duncan earlier in the season for 40 points. But a determined effort limited Aldridge to nine points — only his fifth time this season out of double figures and the first time since Jan. 24. Splitter’s strong play heading into the playoffs gives the Spurs’ better hope of matching up against the longer, taller teams in the Western Conference.

Five quick takes: Why Popovich was smiling even after a four-game losing streak
Tim Griffin

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...losing-streak/

[xellos88330]

I agree that Splitter should be in the rotation come playoffs. Take the minutes from Blair/Bonner. Not all of the minutes though, but some of them. I think this is Bonners last chance to show up in the playoffs. If he doesn't hopefully he is gone. Blair is still an enigma to me. He has decent intangibles.

[WeNeedLength]

I agree that Splitter should be in the rotation come playoffs. Take the minutes from Blair/Bonner. Not all of the minutes though, but some of them. I think this is Bonners last chance to show up in the playoffs. If he doesn't hopefully he is gone. Blair is still an enigma to me. He has decent intangibles.

This could have been said after EVERY single playoff series. WTF is it with him and Pop? They must be best buds or some . The only thing I don't want to see is Blair/Bonner combo in the playoffs against the tougher frontlines of the WC (Memphis, Lakers, Mavs, etc..). I have a feeling Tiago is going to get the SHAFT in the playoffs and be sitting on the bench as Spurs struggle to rebound and defend.

[objective]

"This regular season and playoffs isn't for players with fragile confidence who don't spread the floor." -

[pookenstein]

Tiago did good. He can't hit the ing rim from the free throw line though. That's a liability.

That's a liability but also classic Spurs material.

Agree that he has to stay in the rotation though.

[Fireball]

At the beginning of the playoffs Tiago will not see much playing time (which is bad), but if the Spurs will not have early success (e.g. losing one of the first two home games in the 1st round) thanks to Bonner being Bonner (i.e. clanking 3s and don't defend) Pop may give Tiago more minutes. Pop has shown that he has no problem tinkering with the lineups in the playoffs. If Tiago uses his chance then and delivers, everything could turn out just fine ...

[UnWantedTheory]

Tiago did good. He can't hit the ing rim from the free throw line though. That's a liability. He defends with his face instead of his hands and arms. That's another fundamental flaw. He needs a summer with real coaches who don't have 2nd jobs in the food industry.

DMC! It appears I have been absent too long. I thought you were banned? No matter, it's good to see you bro.

[++SaiNt TiAg0++]

But Bonner spreads his legs... I mean, the floor

[++SaiNt TiAg0++]

it sucks but im preparing myself to see splitter with the dnp the only reason why i say this is because everytime they do a segment on the spurs (local) our coaching staff talks about everyone else but tiago who obviously is the one with the most talent as far as reserve bigs.

they start talking about the big three and hill/blair totally downplaying my man tiago. its like they have something against him...i know that sounds stupid but theres really no explanation for it its bazaar to say the least.

he doesn't about minutes after being talked into coming down to s.a and playing for nothing. remember he only came to s.a because he finally thought he could get minutes!!! this is real talk.. even with the disrespect he's done his job and been treated like from our staff.

i hope they play him come playoff however if they don't i want pop fired,only to be replaced with 1999 pop. reason being is b/c without tiago were not winning a championship.. you guys know it.. bonner isnt going to be a force off the bench.. can he defend the laker bigs ???the dallas bigs ?? even okc bigs???..thats whats coming up in the playoffs. pop please give in and play the kid .

[++SaiNt TiAg0++]

Splitter is not this bad at the line. I don't know what the is going on. I know this is not a friendly topic around here but I do think he is mentally weak at the line.

i agree, hes a really smart dude im not just saying that...people will soon find out thats why im certain he will do big things here, he learns fast. its funny because tims the same way ...they just overthink things, so im sure he has to get his mind to a certain process before going to the line. do it. im sure

[MaNu4Tres]

Been saying it all year long. Splitter just needs time.

Hopefully Pop finally realizes Splitter is at least the 3rd best big on the team and gives him the nod over Blair/Bonner (for the team's sake).

[ajballer4]

Tiago needs minutes solely based on the fact that he held Aldridge to nine points and I thought was playing good d against him last time and against Memphis. I could care less what he does on offense in the playoffs, we have enough of that. His defense needs minutes

[++SaiNt TiAg0++]

tiago needed minutes as soon as his injury healed (beg. of season) and i was freaked out because pop was taking too long to play him little did i know this catastrophe was about to take place. its just down right disrespectful to lie to players about playing time when they move from their countries. i mean i would be furious if i were tiago

[Dr. Gonzo]

Been saying it all year long. Splitter just needs time.

You are so smart. You should be the coach instead of Popa .

[ace3g]

Splitter is not this bad at the line. I don't know what the is going on. I know this is not a friendly topic around here but I do think he is mentally weak at the line.

I've been saying all year, the Spurs coaching staff did something to his FT form; if you look back at the World Championships and prior to that is form was much more fluid than that. It was the first thing I noticed, the first time he stepped to that line, he all of a sudden had a hitch right before he released the ball.

He was about a 70-75 % FT shooter, now all of a sudden he is a 50% shooter?????

Examples:


2:24 mark


:30 mark - 1:10


1:25 mark - 1:55

[jeebus]

He was about a 70-75 % FT shooter, now all of a sudden he is a 50% shooter?????

Everyone that comes to the Spurs ends up shooting horribly from the FT line. The only person to consistently make them has been Manu; it's a Spurs curse that's been around a looooooong time

[ace3g]

Everyone that comes to the Spurs ends up shooting horribly from the FT line. The only person to consistently make them has been Manu; it's a Spurs curse that's been around a looooooong time

difference is, Splitters FT form all of a sudden changed...