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I know Diogu played only a few minutes, but he looked like trash. I don't think he will stay until the end of the season if that's what he has to show.
Um...93-71? That's probably 100 lira or some anyway.
I know Diogu played only a few minutes, but he looked like trash. I don't think he will stay until the end of the season if that's what he has to show.
I doubt the Spurs send Kawhi to the Toros unless the Spurs bring in another wing. The Spurs have too much invested in him to not forcefully bring him along as fast as possible.
That said, if he completely falls on his face, the Spurs may be left with no choice. Right now, Leonard is still useful but he really needs to stop being scared on offense because other teams are already starting to figure out not to defend him outside of the lane.
Yeah a second unit of Ford, Green, Leonard and Splitter shouldn't all be on the court at the same time. Four below average offensive players (probably five if you count Bonner) is just asking for trouble. But, as you said, Pop can somewhat solve that by inserting Neal or RJ with the second unit. To do that, Green or Leonard needs to be inserted into the game at about the 7:00 mark of the first quarter.
what in the wide world of sports is wrong with Tiago? i realize we dont have many choices at his position but popovich should have buried his ass on the bench by now
gani lawal and frank hassell have to better than this fool, splitter does every single thing wrong. he is the anti basketball player. ill take smaller ball with bonner and leonard in the post all day long over splitters ass
he is horrendous, his play makes me forget about that other south american player we have that i used to scoff
mookie2001 is really really bad at analyzing basketball.
I think Splitter should be with the first unit. His offense would benefit the most and he can help establish a low post presence.
Nice post, thanks timvp.
Diogu didn't pass the eye test. While it would be stupid to write him off after one game, I'm still puzzled why Spurs have signed him while adding a center made so much more sense.
On a personal note, I was happy to see Ian playing decent minutes even if he wasn't great. This summer French national team will be a lot of fun to watch at the Olympics.
Yeah. I know he was playing against the long, athletic, bouncy Wright, but he looked like he couldn't elevate enough to corral rebounds. And if he can longer elevate enough to rebound at a solid rate, then chances are he'll struggle to finish inside. Those two things have been his biggest strengths throughout his career. So unless he's added a deadly mid range jumper, he'll be hard pressed to stick.
That could be reading too much into 4:43 of garbage time, especially with a guy who, given his build and past knee problems, is probably going to need more than a few games to really show where he's at, but he didn't look promising. At least they now have a fifth big for emergency purposes, though.
As far as Splitter, I don't care how underwhelming he is offensively. It's just nice to have a legit center on the floor at all times. His mere presence impacts the game defensively and I think it helps the other players psyche, to know that they've got a guy behind them who can protect the rim, even if he's not a great shot blocker.
Agree about Splitter. He's shown the ability to alter shots, draw charges, and block shots. They don't all necessarily show on the stat sheet except blocked shots but it's part of winning basketball. The team has not had that in a while next to Duncan.
That's exactly it, it's all mental (scared) with Leonard, a lot of the plays he could have easily taken advantage of his defender and blown by him. but he stops and hesitates. It's sort of like he is scared of what Pop might say when he gets back to the bench. Rather than be agresive offensivly he's playing not to commit mistakes.
I know he's not there yet offesively, but he certainly is more capable than what he is showing now, Pop or someone has to tell him to constantly take it to the hole, if he misses so be it, wheter its a bad decision or not, he can refine that as time comes. He's got to be more selfish offensively. Right now he is killing us offensively by being timid.
I read a while ago that RJ told him in the off season something along the lines of - the corner 3 is what you need to learn for this offense. You can work on and practice all that other stuff you've been doing, but the corner 3 is all you'll get in the Spurs offense.
Maybe he took that too literally and thinks he's not allowed to do anything else.
The one positive so far this season has been our collective defense. Five players have impressed me on that side of the court. New guys Splitter, Leonard and Green and vets Tony and RJ (yes he has improved his D) .
TJ and Neal have shown they can be key rotation guys come playoff time. Add to the 2nd unit Kawhi, Bonner and Splitter. and Green to back-up your starters and the rotation is set. Unfortunately it seems Anderson will be left out unless he starts showing up when given the opportunity (he's got 6 weeks while Manu is out or else he officially will be in the doghouse for the rest of the season).
As for Leonard due to his defense and being the only legitiate back-up SF to RJ. he will get some minutes. But I still believe for us to go deeper he has to play a bigger role. I will take 10 pts and 6 reb with good defense in 24 minutes any day
As would any team in the NBA. 10 and 6 in 24 mpg is rare, those stats plus good defense would be truly exceptional. To expect anything like that from a 20 yr old rookie...
The thing is it is not a stretch to expect that from Leonard , he already is avg 6 Rebs in 20 min and playing decent defense. If he makes 2 more baskets / game by simply taking more attempts going to the basket. he should be right there at 10 a game.
If I were a coach , the one stat I would demand from Leonard is that he commit one offensive foul going to the basket a game. I'm serious. That would take away any any hesitancy to be more agresive. Seriously this guy had the "Custodian" on him outside in the perimeter, and what does he do he defers and gives up his dribble and the ball.
It's a big stretch. If you adjust his stats for 20mpg, his current averages are 5.9 pts and 5.0 rebounds.
There were only 46 players in the NBA who averaged at least 10 and 6 last season. Only two did it in less than 26 mpg.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/...er_by=mp_per_g
If anything that supports the need to use Leonard. to avg 6 rebs in less than 20 minutes ( prior to Mavs game) is special
I never suggested that Leonard not get his minutes. I did say that it was unrealistic to expect 10 and 6 from him in 24 mpg.
I agree. This team is also showing some tenacity that I haven't seen in a while. Last year's team was a soft team that liked to shoot 3's. Not the type of team that could win a grind it out series with the Grizzlies. McDyess even called them out for it in the playoffs. This year the team is showing alot more fight. Combine that with the offense from last year and I think this team might have what it takes to win it all.
Speaking of developing Leonard's offense I read this article below , where the focus is primary on his shooting, I think he needs to be coached in the mental aspect as well (decision making) and confidence to not shy away from the moment.
http://projectspurs.com/2012-article...-his-shot.html
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