We all may as well shut up about Splitter, despite the stats on Bonner/Blair

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Pop has been using this "strategy" ever since Bonner got here, after Robert Horry left. It hasn't exactly been working out for us, at least in the playoffs.

We all know the strategy. But come on - Bonner's taken a total of seven shots in 42 minutes in this series. Seven freaking shots! Memphis doesn't respect him, isn't covering him, and doesn't give a damn about him defensively.

A "spread the floor" four is only worth minutes if they're actually spreading the floor. But we're playing four on five offensively right now with him out there, and defensively they're just clowning him. You don't see it as much if Tim or Dice are out there with him to cover up his mistakes, but it's a damn free for all when it's him and Blair out there.

Bonner's not justifying the minutes right now. He should get two minutes off the bench when Tim or Dice need a breather, and if he doesn't hit his first 2-3 attempts, put him back on the bench. That's it.

It's a damn farce that he is in the third big on this team. And it's why Tim Duncan will retire without another ring. It's stupid as . We all used to laugh at Larry Brown and Don Nelson for being such idiots, but Pop's turned into Larry Nelson here in his twilight as our coach.

Totally agree. I was simply agreeing what a flawed "strategy" it is.

Tiago looked really good when he got significant minutes near the end of the season, and Pop should get his arse on the floor.

[jag]

I hate to say it, but I think Pop is using Bonner as a strategem to drag one of the Grizz bigs away from the rim, and he's hoping to break even on the defensive end (fat chance).

Like you, I can't see why he doesn't use Splitter.

However, I'm almost certain we'll see significant Splitter action against the Fakers.

Of course that's what he's doing. But it doesn't make sense if Bonner and Blair are on the court together getting abused down low.

I can't stand Bonner seeing any type of minutes. His offensive output doesn't make up for the gaping hole he provides the opposing team with on the other end of the floor. But in all honesty, Tiago isn't riding pine because of Bonner. Blair is the reason he's not seeing minutes. And I think it's because in Pop's eyes he's "earned" it.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Grizzlies are averaging 40 PPG in the paint in this series.

Tonight, they also added 20 points off of offensive rebounds.

Bonner and Blair are getting destroyed at the defensive end. Zach and Gasol are getting whatever shot they want, and the moment the Twin Shrimps are out there together, the Memphis perimeter players are going to the rack with no fear.

And despite all this, Splitter is still glued to the bench.

Pop often says that the rookies are treated the way they are until they "get over themselves". That's very Larry Brownish of him, as far as hate of rookies go.

Perhaps it's time Pop "get over himself". I yearn for the day when someone in the SA media nuts up and asks him to.

Do you have any more insight to provide other than constantly complaining about Pop, Bonner and Blair?
Memphis front line of Gasol and Randolph had significant less production than they did in Game 1 and you still whine.

[thOOdee]

pop rather take the whole team down than admit he was wrong...sad really during duncans last years.

[Man In Black]

It's going to be a good trick if Pop can hold off until the LAL. Any sooner than means that the bigs outside the of any member of the Big 3, weren't able to fulfill their roles fully and that forces Pop to reveal the trick.
I will say that for as awesome as Gasol and Randolph played in Game 1, it took a defensive breakdown on the perimeter in the final 30 seconds for the Spurs to lose that game.
In game 2, I was more irked at RJ's porous D in the 1st quarter. But I was cool with his O tonight.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Do you have any more insight to provide other than constantly complaining about Pop, Bonner and Blair?
Memphis front line of Gasol and Randolph had significant less production than they did in Game 1 and you still whine.

Do you even understand why that is? It's because Dice wasn't in foul trouble like game 1 and got to log 12 minutes more time tonight than game 1.

And do you even get Bonner and Blair and their roles on this team?

Bonner's role is to open up the court with his outside shooting. He is now 3-7 shooting in 43 minutes in this series. You think Memphis is worried about Bonner making one basket every 14 minutes he's on the floor? Hollins is over there thanking Pop for making him look so good.

Blair's role is defense, rebounding, and hustle points. He's shooting 33% for the series, is being outrebounded by every Memphis big man, and is getting his shot swatted at the offensive end every time.

The playoffs are all about adjustments in the series. Pop ain't adjusting. He's just being his arrogant, prick ass self. And the way it's going, it's going to work out just like the last three seasons of small ball and Matt Bonner as the stretch four have for us:

[Whisky Dog]

Here, let me help you:

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177586

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177323

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177473

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177527

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177278

All on the first two pages...

I don't read threads started by no name insignificant posters. You seem to be the ringleader of them all as every post of yours I've seen is about this one topic. Repeated over and over...

[jag]

It's going to be a good trick if Pop can hold off until the LAL. Any sooner than means that the bigs outside the of any member of the Big 3, weren't able to fulfill their roles fully and that forces Pop to reveal the trick.
I will say that for as awesome as Gasol and Randolph played in Game 1, it took a defensive breakdown on the perimeter in the final 30 seconds for the Spurs to lose that game.
In game 2, I was more irked at RJ's porous D in the 1st quarter. But I was cool with his O tonight.

I hate to break it to you, but there is no "trick."

[jag]

I don't read threads started by no name insignificant posters. You seem to be the ringleader of them all as every post of yours I've seen is about this one topic. Repeated over and over...

90% of this forum is complaining about the exact same thing.

You ing about people ing is rich.

[velik_m]

Here is an old article on Gasol vs. Splitter from the spanish league:

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...Splitter-1951/

Marquee Matchup: Marc Gasol vs. Tiago Splitter

by: Luis Fernández - Director of International Scouting
March 25, 2007
In terms of the 2007 NBA Draft, there’s not a better big-men matchup in the Old Continent than the one we saw this weekend between Marc Gasol and Tiago Splitter. They backed up the hype by delivering strong performances, actually one of their best showings this season for both players.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...#ixzz1K84zqEtg
http://www.draftexpress.com

[Spurminator]

I thought Bonner played pretty damn well inside tonight, all things considered. He was active, forced some turnovers, grabbed some boards in traffic.

The defense overall was great tonight. Too many turnovers and poor offensive possessions.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I don't read threads started by no name insignificant posters. You seem to be the ringleader of them all as every post of yours I've seen is about this one topic. Repeated over and over...

At least one of those was started by LJ. And within those threads were takes by some great posters of this forum. Can you give me a list of posters that make your gold star thread starter list?

I guess we should get the forum shut down until we can get Jack Ramsay to start a new thread for your ass. I left a message for Phil too, maybe he'll chime in after the New Orleans game. Coach K couldn't make it either, he's out recruiting right now.

If that's all you got, just scroll. I've talked stats and strategy. All you've countered with is whiny posts. Just move along.

[timvp]

Grizzlies are averaging 40 PPG in the paint in this series.

Bro, 40 PPG is a great number for the Spurs. In the regular season, the Grizzlies averaged more than 50 points per game in the paint on the season. Holding the Grizzlies to 40 points per game in the paint is holding the Grizzlies to below the NBA league average and below the regular season average of Spurs opponents.

As far as Splitter is concerned, I'd personally have him in the rotation. But like I've said, that ship has sailed. Pop didn't play him enough in the regular season to break him out now for playoff basketball. I think that was a mistake by Pop ... but we'll see how the postseason plays out.

But yeah, stressing about Splitter not playing is pointless right now. It's been obvious since February that Splitter wasn't in the playoff plans. Even if Pop wanted to change his mind, it's too late now.




P.S.

And no, Splitter isn't being saved for a Lakers series. He won't play against the Lakers either ... if the Spurs make it that far.

[ducks]

splitter would get owned out there

gasol went off on him when he played against them


splitter would be usefully but he is not ready this year
thanks to his injury early on which was not pops fault

[Splits]

If we win, Spurstalk spawns 300 "we didn't win by enough!!1 wtf where was Splitter????/" threads

If we lose, Spurstalk spawns 400 "WTF??// why is Splitter getting no minutes Dice suxxxxxx! fukcing Bonner can only hit 3s in the 4th quarter that ing choker!!!11"

Can't win in this place.

[KenziE]

If we win, Spurstalk spawns 300 "we didn't win by enough!!1 wtf where was Splitter????/" threads

If we lose, Spurstalk spawns 400 "WTF??// why is Splitter getting no minutes Dice suxxxxxx! fukcing Bonner can only hit 3s in the 4th quarter that ing choker!!!11"

Can't win in this place.

hahaha so true

[jjktkk]

As far as I can tell you're the only one bringing up Splitter constantly, aggy

Pop would tell aggie to "get over himself".

[ChumpDumper]

I can't tell if the Spurs won tonight.

[spursbird]

If Tiago can shoot 3 Pop will play him in no time

[FoxPerez]

If we win, Spurstalk spawns 300 "we didn't win by enough!!1 wtf where was Splitter????/" threads

If we lose, Spurstalk spawns 400 "WTF??// why is Splitter getting no minutes Dice suxxxxxx! fukcing Bonner can only hit 3s in the 4th quarter that ing choker!!!11"

Can't win in this place.

Thank you!

Seriously, Randolph and Gasol combine for an abysmal 23 points on 7-23 shooting and people are clamoring for Tiago to come in because... they think that he can get those two to shoot UNDER 30% from the field?

Give me a break. Pop doesn't think he's ready. His time will come. Break down possession-by-possession all you want from regular season games that don't matter right now. If you keep telling yourself that small samples of games in the regular season equates to what a player will do in the playoffs for a championship contender, then you are sorely mistaken.

He'll make the leap with San Antonio eventually, but now is not his time. Look at what happened with Richard Jefferson. He was awful in the playoffs despite solid regular season numbers last year. Splitter will be ready for heavy rotation and a playoff run in 2012. Keep whining for him all you want, but someone is going to have to get hurt or San Antonio will have to blow someone out if you want to see Tiago on the court in this year's playoffs.

[ChumpDumper]

It's important to stick with a take no matter what.

[ChumpDumper]

Neither player is Greek.

[Obstructed_View]

Odd that we start a "shut up about Splitter" thread, and then don't.

[ChuckD]

Odd that we start a "shut up about Splitter" thread, and then don't.

In this place? Not really...

[dbestpro]

Maybe if Splitter played "the right way," he'd get more playing time.

Yeah, Tiago only alters shots, clogs the lane and basically wreaks havoc on the opposing teams game plan. He needs to be hoisting threes or getting his shot blocked after a rebound to be considered playing the right way.