They take comfort knowing that they are better than they would be if they had Bonner.
I always think that Red Rocket is a serviceable bigman (or shooter, whatever you like to call him). It's just that the Spurs didn't have enough big men for the last 5 or so years and Pop puts him in a bad situation by asking him to do more than what he is capable of.
Considering his salary, age and the shooting, all in all, if put in a good situation, he is a capable 8th/9th man in a championship team. Not indispensable, but certainly useful.
Is there a player out there that helps his team more and gets less playing time than Splitter?
You think fans of a 3-18 Charlotte team say, "Bummer, we're 3-18, but at least we don't have Matt Bonner from the San Antonio Spurs!?"
Yes. Exactly.
Anytime you have a big that must be covered at the 3 pt line he has some value. But it is mostly regular season value in slower games. When the playoffs come, and guys actually hustle while rotating on D, Bonner rushes and misses... at least so far.
Every other aspect of his game game is very poor. Rebounding, D, passing, ball handling... He does know what Pop wants and usually gets to the right spots, he just does not have the physical ability to do much once he is there.
I also think he hurts to run into, kinda bony in spots. So he is bony and can hit an open 3 with time.
I just don't know why people want to jab Bonner being on the team for his obvious faults when it's not even his decision to get playing time.
Of course the man isn't a stud at doing other things on the court...(heck, I hate it he takes up space for another low post talent that can play D and rebound) but he does have a certain value to the team that cannot be denied and that value is not being overpaid for what it does. IF...and A Big If because of past performances in the playoffs...Bonner ever does hit shots at the same rate he hits them in the regular season...Spurs chances for winning a le look pretty good. Of course ALL the big three will have to be healthy and play at levels commensurate to previous le runs as well. So the bigger question may be found in that scenario more so than Bonner.
Don't worry, I'll keep trucking and make Bonner sucks threads on your behalf.
Very patriotic of you.
Is there anyone in the NBA that "spreads the floor" like the Red Rocket!!!???
Made me chuckle.
In my head it read: So he is bony! and can hit an open three... with time.
Why do I doubt that this will be your last negative thread about Bonner?
Because Bonner will continue to suck so bad. But I'll keep my word.
it's like I watch a different bonner than everyone else at ST ..
Not going to happen in the playoffs. Those teams probably don't make the playoffs by consistently leaving good 3 point shooters open. Unless the team has a legitimate double team option he's not going to get open 3's in the playoffs.
Bonner f n sucks, get sick after every year when he has one good game or so people in here talk him up and say okay he is decent now like it's a change and he will do better with mins later on! He is shyt, period.Yes...............
If I were coaching against the Spurs in the playoffs, I'd make sure to leave Bonner open for a couple of open 3s so he stays in the game. Knowing that I'm going to more than make up for it on rebounding and scoring on him.
Lionel Hollins did you one better...
He just told his guys to hack the out of every spur...knowing that Manu with one arm was the only Spur to actually fight back when assaulted.
He just knew that the rest of the team would wilt. (Parker and Timmy included)
He also gambled that Pop would stick with Bonner and RJ a long time before actually playing anyone with balls from the bench.
Easy coaching against Pop with his Bonner/RJ love and his stubbornly burying of Splitter on the bench.
I certainly don't love Bonner and wouldn't miss him if he was gone, but I think Pop is finally figuring out role. Just play him a little less and Splitter a little more. When he's open shoot the ing ball. If he's off take him out keep him out.
Look around NBA, there are not many 4th/5th big or 8th/9th players who are obviously better than Bonner. They all have flaws. Bonner becomes a liability instead of an asset only when Pop uses him as a 2nd/3rd big or 6th/7th player.
Blair might hurt the team as much as Bonner which it makes it so inane he is the starter and both take minutes away from Splitter. Blair has tried to play better defense but games like last night with a big 0 offensively just does not cut it.
I'm fine with Bonner playing significant minutes in the regular season. But in the playoffs, he should play limited minutes. Throw him in there for a heat check. If he hits his first couple of threes, leave him in. Otherwise, yank him quickly.
My lasting impression of Bonner was at game 5 against the Griz last season. We got there early, and we got to watch Bonner shooting 3s before the teams started warming up. I swear he hit about 12 out of 15 3s, and all I could say is "You better do that in the game." And of course, he goes 1 for 4, 5 points in 20 minutes. What an A$$****.
No doubt. If he was only getting 10 minutes a night in select spots, this would all be moot. I'm sure there'd be a lot more Bonner fans if he came in, hit a couple of threes while giving TD or Splitter a rest, then went back to the bench. But that's not what's happening. He's out there so long that he constantly gets exposed and abused. Like a runaway in a peep show.
...and you are STILL thinking it is ok for Bonner to get minutes....
...and you are STILL deluding yourself thinking that Pop will overplay Bonner in the regular season....but MAGICALLY..Pop will cut Bonners minutes in the playoffs...
Masochists.....
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