This is no Bonner defense, because he's been horrible for a while (and it goes beyond the three-point shooting slump). But why does Blair generally escape criticism? As if he's played well and there's reason for his spot to be solidified.
At least with Bonner, I understand the logic of playing him. But with Blair, tell me what he brings that Splitter doesn't? Sure, he's a better rebounder, but the gap has shrunk considerably in that area as the season has wore on. If he can't win that category in a landslide, then there is no argument whatsoever for him to play ahead of Splitter.
'Tres, the answer to your question is none of the above. By the off chance he realizes it (because apparently it's rocket science), he won't act on it this season. It's obvious. Not a massive slump/defensive slide did it, neither did Blair/Bonner struggling simultaneously/being sieves defensively, nor did Splitter playing well during all of this. So if none of that solidified his spot in the rotation, nothing short of an injury will (and if it's Bonner who suc bs to injury, I wouldn't put it past him to insert Novak into the rotation).
You realize that the assistant coaches work for Pop, and that he was likely going to watch the remainder of the game on TV from the locker room, right?
Maybe tomorrow night against Sacto? Given the minutes played by Duncan and Dice tonight, maybe he'll even sit Duncan altogether and start Splits?
Isn't this the time of year the Spurs are supposed to be getting their rotation established? This playing fast and loose with the lineups at the end of the season just smacks of trying to be too cute.
It was set until Duncan went down. Now Splitter might have him thinking a bit and rightfully so.
Sitting guys on back to backs is in no way setting a rotation. He's obviously not doing much thinking if Splitter got a DNP.
Yeah. im sure that's it. He just doesn't "give a "
Pretty much. No other rational explanation for it.
Do you have one?
Ehhhhhhhhh I don't even see that there lately, no reason at all to play him alot. He is just what he is, a horrible player who shoots good early on, but later on sucks and does notta else. He hit 3 vs a non playoff team yes, but playoff teams? HAHHAHHAHA he sucks.
I'm not necessarily advocating Bonner over Blair here, just saying I could see Pop's logic for having Bonner in the rotation. I don't understand the logic for Blair over Splitter, though.
I agree there, but there is sure as no reason to play BONNER and BLAIR TOGETHER! NONE! NONE at all.
I think a lot would be solved if Bonner was ordered never allowed to dribble the ball more than twice before giving it up. Does anything good EVER happen when he drives to the basket?
Yes: Splitter is garbage. We're 0-4 when he starts. There is no way in any NBA coach would put him on the floor in the 4th quarter of important games when he provides no offense other than garbage put backs and is a hack-a-Splitter liability with his 54% FT shooting.
I don't think there's logic involved. Just old-fashioned stubbornness and loyalty...
welcome back awktalk with your takes.
Any legit poster want to provide a rational explanation for why Tiago doesn't get playing time?
He's not garbage, far from it. Based on your logic, Tim is responsible for 75% of the losses. I don't think anyone here is saying Splitter over Tim. Keep it in context.
Not if he's clanging 3-pointers, the way that he's been the past month. The guys is a matador on defense and gets attacked and exploited by the opposition. Like Finley before him, if he's not hitting his outside shot, he provides nothing but diminishing returns. I see no logic for playing him under those cir stances.
Maybe Pop feels like Splitter is more capable of dealing with erratic playing time than Blair...so he's trying to build up Blair's confidence by playing him...Pop's comment as quoted by McD tonight ('Asked after Tuesday’s game how he thought Blair was handling his new role, coach Gregg Popovich chose his words carefully. “DeJuan’s working at it,” he said.') is very interesting. Seems to indicate a mixture of awareness and frustration. He doesn't want to damage Blair's mental game, and yet is growing tired of Blair not being able to break through. Maybe Pop's about to reach the proverbial tipping point when it comes to Blair's PT.
Any legit poster want to provide a rational explanation for why Tiago doesn't get playing time?
Bonner by himself is not too bad, because he can shoot the 3.
Blair by himself is not too bad, because he's a scrappy rebounder.
Bonner and Blair on the court together is what spells disaster.
There's just something about playing the two of them together that sucks.
Unless we're up by 20+ late in the 4th quarter, DON'T DO IT, POP!!!
You guys are stupid.. Pop knows what he's doing!
Even Hollinger has noticed Blair's dropoff since being pulled from starting line up:
"Much as in the recent skid, San Antonio bench players besides Hill continue to underwhelm. Matt Bonner and Gary Neal combined to shoot 1-for-10, while recently demoted starter DeJuan Blair continued his uneven play as a reserve by getting rim-checked on an open dunk attempt to end the third quarter."
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...eed-in-atlanta
Pop has 4 rings and millions of dollars. Dude quit caring about championships long ago.
Didn't think so.
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