Splitters weakness...

[Spursfan 87]

it would either be dice or blair. people like to hate on the bonnerman, but he spreads the floor which allows our guards to penetrate easier.

Blair

[Obstructed_View]

Who should not be playing: Blair, Bonner, or Dice? The 5th big spot only plays in emergency situations. Nobody runs a 5-big rotation. So who gets 0 minutes if Splitter plays?

You ask, but you don't listen. Maybe you just don't want to know.

Let's try this again:

Depth chart (rotation):

Center: Splitter / Dice
Power Forward: Duncan / Blair

Role Player: Matt Bonner

A three point specialist doesn't need to play more than a few minutes unless he's on a crazy hot shooting streak. You put him in at the end of quarters and in offensive situations and you draw up plays for him. He can get minutes at any frontline position, including small forward to take advantage of matchups.

If your three point specialist needs 25 minutes in a playoff game to get off four three point shots, you're doing it wrong.

[Obstructed_View]

I was just thinking something. I know, I know.... RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!

Tiago was known as a banger/physical presence in Europe. In the Euro game, the refs seem to swallow their whistles when there is some good physicality under the basket. That is why more and more Euros are flopping. Now to my point.

It seems to be the consensus that in NBA playoff basketball, the players can get away with physical play more often than in the regular season. Tiago is used to playing those types of games already. If the refs are indeed letting the physicality of the game run free, then maybe Tiago wouldn't be called for those touch fouls.

I'm pretty sure you're the only person who's concerned about Splitter getting into foul trouble. He usually doesn't. You've got him mixed up with the last center-that-pop-refused-to-play-who's-better-than-Matt-Bonner. Splitter draws a lot of fouls, both offensive and defensive.

[dbreiden83080]

Pop is Splitters main weakness. For whatever reason he hates him and refuses to admit Bonner is useless in games like today.

[Splits]

You ask, but you don't listen. Maybe you just don't want to know.

Let's try this again:

Depth chart (rotation):

Center: Splitter / Dice
Power Forward: Duncan / Blair

Role Player: Matt Bonner

A three point specialist doesn't need to play more than a few minutes unless he's on a crazy hot shooting streak. You put him in at the end of quarters and in offensive situations and you draw up plays for him. He can get minutes at any frontline position, including small forward to take advantage of matchups.

If your three point specialist needs 25 minutes in a playoff game to get off four three point shots, you're doing it wrong.

LOL @ Bonner playing the 3!!!!

You advocate a 5-big rotation, because the last time I checked there was no "role player" minutes available between the 4 and the 5. According to this great plan, we might see a dynamic front line of Dice/Blair/Bonner!!! I can think of a thousand things better than that, and Blair/Bonner is on that list.

Bonner isn't a 3, for even 1 minute. You can't run a 5-big rotation unless you are going to try something nobody has successfully implemented before. So the question remains, who is the emergency 5th big behind Splitter? Bonner/Blair/Dice are your choices.

[Libri]

You ask, but you don't listen. Maybe you just don't want to know.

Let's try this again:

Depth chart (rotation):

Center: Splitter / Dice
Power Forward: Duncan / Blair

Role Player: Matt Bonner

A three point specialist doesn't need to play more than a few minutes unless he's on a crazy hot shooting streak. You put him in at the end of quarters and in offensive situations and you draw up plays for him. He can get minutes at any frontline position, including small forward to take advantage of matchups.

If your three point specialist needs 25 minutes in a playoff game to get off four three point shots, you're doing it wrong.

IMO, having Splitter and Duncan together would definitely help limit or make it more difficult for the Griz to get points in the paint. Memphis had 40 points in the paint today.

[rmt]

it is pretty obvious.

His positive is his defense and mobility

His negative is anything to do with offense

Gasol/Randolph were 19-25 (76%) today. I think Splitter would help with guarding them plus penetration.

His pick and roll with Manu looks great to me.

[Mugen]

Pop is Splitters main weakness. For whatever reason he hates him and refuses to admit Bonner is useless in games like today.

Bonner wasn't useless today. He hit big shots which you're probably never going to see again.

Dice and Blair were worse. Tiago would be extremely effective this series if he was actually played but you're going to have to wait til next year to see that.

[Splits]

Bonner wasn't useless today. He hit big shots which you're probably never going to see again.

Dice and Blair were worse. Tiago would be extremely effective this series if he was actually played but you're going to have to wait til next year to see that.

Holy crap Mugen gave Bonner props.

The problem I see is, if Splitter is in the rotation, who sits? You can't run 5 bigs. Someone has to be told before the game, "you're the emergency big". Is that Dice? Blair? Bonner? Or do you divide the limited 4/5 minutes between 5 guys and risk none of them being able to get into a groove? These aren't easy questions, and it is why Pop gets paid to take the blame if it doesn't work, or deflect the credit if it does.

[dbreiden83080]

Bonner wasn't useless today. He hit big shots which you're probably never going to see again.
.

His plus/minus ratio was in the in toilet. A big three that came after he got lit up on D by Randolph and company14 times in a row does not impress me..

[Obstructed_View]

IMO, having Splitter and Duncan together would definitely help limit or make it more difficult for the Griz to get points in the paint. Memphis had 40 points in the paint today.

Yeah, but that's the guards' fault.

[Obstructed_View]

Holy crap Mugen gave Bonner props.

The problem I see is, if Splitter is in the rotation, who sits? You can't run 5 bigs. Someone has to be told before the game, "you're the emergency big". Is that Dice? Blair? Bonner? Or do you divide the limited 4/5 minutes between 5 guys and risk none of them being able to get into a groove? These aren't easy questions, and it is why Pop gets paid to take the blame if it doesn't work, or deflect the credit if it does.

Moron, your bus is leaving.

Bonner should not be in the rotation. Bonner should get situational minutes and his shots per minute should be very high. He should be in at the end of every quarter and every situation where you want to draw up a play for a three pointer. It's amazing how having someone who does this will actually "spread the floor" for a change, so you can use him as a decoy since the opposing front line can't iso and feast on him.

He should not be the starting center, nor (and more importantly) should he be the center who ends the game. He should not be the backup center, he should not be the third string center. He should not have a position, he should have a role. Hence the term "role player". Popovich wants him to be Robert Horry, and has paid him accordingly. Doesn't change what he's not. Funny that the complete slapping the Grizzlies (and basically every front line) put on the Spurs isn't enough to open your eyes, but smarter people than you have failed to see reality.

"getting into a groove".

[Mugen]

His plus/minus ratio was in the in toilet. A big three that came after he got lit up on D by Randolph and company14 times in a row does not impress me..

Z-Bo was lighting Dice and Blair up just as easily. At least Bonner hit some big shots to get us back in the game. He wasn't the reason we lost today.

+/- is a bull stat. It's the same stat that usually favors Bonner

TD's defense was pretty bad today as well. I can live with Z-Bo getting 20+ but Gasol getting 20+ is absolutely inexcusable.

Holy crap Mugen gave Bonner props.

The problem I see is, if Splitter is in the rotation, who sits? You can't run 5 bigs. Someone has to be told before the game, "you're the emergency big". Is that Dice? Blair? Bonner? Or do you divide the limited 4/5 minutes between 5 guys and risk none of them being able to get into a groove? These aren't easy questions, and it is why Pop gets paid to take the blame if it doesn't work, or deflect the credit if it does.

I've already said in this thread that Blair should be the odd man out. Blair and Bonner are both situational bigs. They each bring a different skillset to the table (Bonn with his 3pt shooting and Blair with his offensive rebounding/hustle) and should be played when that skillset can be used most effectively. Bonner can help this series because his 3pt shooting can open up space for Timmy to drive against Gasol. Everything Blair does well can be equaled by Tiago who'll also play better defense.

[Splits]

Moron, your bus is leaving.

Bonner should not be in the rotation. Bonner should get situational minutes and his shots per minute should be very high. He should be in at the end of every quarter and every situation where you want to draw up a play for a three pointer. It's amazing how having someone who does this will actually "spread the floor" for a change, so you can use him as a decoy since the opposing front line can't iso and feast on him.

He should not be the starting center, nor (and more importantly) should he be the center who ends the game. He should not be the backup center, he should not be the third string center. He should not have a position, he should have a role. Hence the term "role player". Popovich wants him to be Robert Horry, and has paid him accordingly. Doesn't change what he's not. Funny that the complete slapping the Grizzlies (and basically every front line) put on the Spurs isn't enough to open your eyes, but smarter people than you have failed to see reality.

"getting into a groove".

And there we have it. According to OV, Bonner should be the 5th big. Finally a confession. Albeit on the eve of a game where Bonner was the sole reason we were in the game at the end, dropping two clutch threes to keep us in the game while TP/RJ/GN/GH3/ laid humongous piles of . Well done OV. You should apply for Pop's job.

[Splits]

I've already said in this thread that Blair should be the odd man out.

1 vote for Blair (Mugen)
1 vote for Bonner (OV)
1 vote for Splitter (Me)

[Arc]

bonner isn't just any 3 point specialist, he's the best 3 point specialist in the league. people have to respect his shot. if they don't, stuff like today happens. we should have won after those two bombs, but we gave it away. however, i do agree that bonner shouldn't play major minutes, and he should only play when a 7 footer is on the floor... which should be all the time.

duncan should be averaging 35+ minutes a game, and splitter 40 minutes a game. splitter's still young after all.

[Splits]

bonner isn't just any 3 point specialist, he's the best 3 point specialist in the league. people have to respect his shot. if they don't, stuff like today happens. we should have won after those two bombs, but we gave it away. however, i do agree that bonner shouldn't play major minutes, and he should only play when a 7 footer is on the floor... which should be all the time.

duncan should be averaging 35+ minutes a game, and splitter 40 minutes a game. splitter's still young after all.

Ok, TD 35+, Splitter 40, Bonner "major minutes.... which should be all the time"

So Arc is down for Blair and Dice sitting so Tiago can get 40+. Nice to see people going on record.

[Mugen]

1 vote for Blair (Mugen)
1 vote for Bonner (OV)
1 vote for Splitter (Me)

What does Blair bring to this series that Splitter can't equal or surpass?

Is a slightly better offensive rebounder really worth the dropoff in defense you get with Blair/Splitter?

[Arc]

Ok, TD 35+, Splitter 40, Bonner "major minutes.... which should be all the time"

So Arc is down for Blair and Dice sitting so Tiago can get 40+. Nice to see people going on record.

lol you misunderstood.

splitter
duncan
dice
bonner

blair is the odd man out this year. although if dice plays like a huge turd again, i may reconsider.

[ElNono]

If Game 2 is called similar to game 1, I think it would be wise to not play Splitter. The man could help defensively sure, but the issue is his free throw shooting. If the Grizzlies are in fact using a foul first at ude defensively, I do not think that Splitter will be much of a help. He is atrocious at the free throw line and it would just end up being mostly empty possessions. I am not sure if his defensive presence would be enough to overcome this.

Thoughts???

Non-Issue. If you play him with other guys like TP, TD, Neal, you don't have to run the offense through him. You want him to give you a gain on the defensive end. Plus it's not like Bonner takes more than 4 or 5 shots a game or Blair has any offensive game anyways. The only concern is hack-a-Splitter, in which case you let him try to make the free-throws a few times and then pull him out if he can't make them.

[Splits]

What does Blair bring to this series that Splitter can't equal or surpass?

Is a slightly better offensive rebounder really worth the dropoff in defense you get with Blair/Splitter?

That's a fair argument, albeit at the margins. I wouldn't mind seeing Tiago slip into the 4th big slot ahead of Blair against the Griz front line to see what happens, but most likely that isn't a game-changer. Also, Blair's offensive rebounds are mostly a product of his misses when he just chucks up off the glass (3-9 shooting).

[Splits]

lol you misunderstood.

splitter
duncan
dice
bonner

blair is the odd man out this year. although if dice plays like a huge turd again, i may reconsider.

My bad.

2 votes for Blair (Mugen/Arc)
1 vote for Bonner (OV)
1 vote for Splitter (Me)

I also agree with the flexibility argument that if Dice continues to matchup and play like poop, "save" him for another series.

[mingus]

i don't know why people bring up Splitter's FT problem as if it's going to work against the Spurs. the team employing that strategy is taking more of a chance. if Grizz are employing that strategy, they're f'n desperate. which is a good thing. it gets their guys in foul trouble too. you can't employ it all game if you're the Grizz. if your the Spurs, weather the storm, and wait until they stop fouling, which they will have to at some point.

[NRHector]

Splitter weakness is the stupid coach that he has

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Splitter has drawn fouls at a flabbergasting rate all year long on both ends of the floor, not to mention the fact that he is actually capable of blocking a shot now and then and, unlike Blair, Dice or Bonner, has the length to discourage guys from just shooting over him from 15 feet out. How nice would it be not to have two guys chasing the basketball around the floor because there's one guy that doesn't require a constant double team?

Go look at the box score for the Grizzlies front line, check the shooting percentage and tell me how it's possible that Splitter could have been worse.

Zach Randolph would eat Splitter up for lunch. Splitter is no where strong enough nor experienced enough to keep Randolph out of the low post area. While I like to see Splitter get some minutes during the playoffs he would be much better off against bigs that are more perimeter oriented.