Email sent to the Spurs after most frustration in 20 years of fanhood

[Rummpd]

http://www.nba.com/spurs/contact/club_directory.html

Sent by email to the link on other (have had a response from Spurs several years ago from an assistant coach to a similar email)


Dear Coach Gregg Popovich:

From the outside as a perspective of a decades long fan (who has also written formerly for a paid website on the NBA and loves your Spurs) can you explain why you do not play Splitter more, especially, after he truly produced several games in a row during Duncan's injury rising to the level of 10th on the rookie ladder on NBA.com this week? Mr. Splitter has proven himself in international level play and seems to bring the only other needed size up front besides Duncan and a game, but aging MyDysess can give on occasion.

Besides some nice numbers as far as rebounds, points and block shots or near blocks; he also shut down Lamar Aldridge two straight games - no small feat this year. Therefore, why was he not given a chance to help stop the Boston run of 14 points and/or be left in with Duncan to help shut down Rondo's drives or to send someone with true length out on Garnett toward the perimeter, if Duncan was not assigned to do so?


Along a similar line of thinking, can you explain why Mr. Bonner is playing so much even when his outside shot is not falling, as he seems to be (despite trying hard) a non effective one on one or help defender? You always stressed defense; what has changed? Splitter, Duncan, and MyDysess seem to cover some of these deficiencies; why then do Bonner and Blair play together so much? Mr. Splitter is not perfect and will develop to be even better with time, but he also in limited time has drawn 15+ offensive fouls, sets screens and is a wonderful passer much of the time.

Also, why do Duncan and Splitter seemingly never get to play legit minutes together? It seems if Splitter had started based on his fine 4 or 5 starts, Duncan and him could have teamed well together. Duncan can fire from the outside, Splitter lives around the basket on both sides, and both can defend the paint well. I recall, that Oberto, a similar type of player to Splitter internationally but not as talented in many ways; did the high and low with Duncan well as anyone in basketball, and I believe Ginobili, Parker and Jefferson would also benefit from having him up front.

Maybe you already have a plan to address some of these concerns - based on probable playoff matchups?


Thanks for lettting me sound off and any feedback from you your staff would be appreciated either to myself or to the local press that covers the team (I especially a fan of a Ms. Kori Elllis with spurstalk.com) Highest Regards, PDR (name supplied)

[DontStopBelieving]

Wow.

[Hooks]

Popovich's answer: "Because Splitter doesn't stretch the floor!"

[NRHector]

Pop response is gonna be "they made more shots"

[Giuseppe]

Come ta Pappy, Hector.

tee, hee.

[toki9]

Lack of corporate knowledge...snark...snark...don't want to be unfair to the team and to the kid by throwing him into an unfamiliar situation...snark...snark...snark...injuries...sna rk...snark...

[ElNono]

"It wouldn't be fair to Bonner or Blair, especially Matty who is a standup goof guy"...

[silverblk mystix]

I feel your pain and frustration...

Maybe all of us here can start firing off emails..even if it is in vain...there will be a record of all the requests that Pop had to play Splitter...

It sure couldn't hurt...

[GrandeDavid]

I was so irritated at the game tonight seeing Splitter benched the entire first three quarters. Pop is not that good of a coach. He's cruised on Duncan since 1998.

[NRHector]

Come ta Pappy, Hector.

tee, hee.

hey I'm an adult stop stalking me

[DMC]

Pop: "If I knew the answer to that I wouldn't need assistant coaches".

[4>0rings]

Stressing defense, plays bonner, stressing going to the hole, plays bonner.

[toki9]

Stressing defense, plays bonner, stressing going to the hole, plays bonner.

Here's one more: complain about shooting too many 3's in the 3rd, plays Bonner.

[NRHector]

Here's one more: complain about shooting too many 3's in the 3rd, plays Bonner.

my thoughts exactly

[Spurologist]

Hopefully Splitter gets over himself in the playoffs

[ElNono]

Hopefully Splitter gets over himself watching the playoffs from the bench

fify

[LegendaryFan44]

I saw Splitter on the bench..he looked totally disillusioned..putting him in the game in the 3rd Q was a joke.. in play the guy like he is part of the team..

[Marcus Bryant]

Sincerely,
Spoiled Ass Fan of 20 Years

[baseline bum]

You didn't actually send that, did you?

[toki9]

I saw Splitter on the bench..he looked totally disillusioned..putting him in the game in the 3rd Q was a joke.. in play the guy like he is part of the team..

Yeah, I thought that was a desperation/ move...

[baseline bum]

So is Splitter the new great white hope? Sort of our own Jimmer Fredette?

[alchemist]

[toki9]

So is Splitter the new great white hope? Sort of our own Jimmer Fredette?

No...but he's a potentially helpful piece lying fallow on the bench...

[Spurminator]

You... sent... an EMAIL.... to POP... through NBA.com?


???

[FromWayDowntown]

Lamar Aldridge?