Can Splitter play the 4?

[therealtruth]

Defensively, yes. Tiago can guard any 4 out there better than either Blair/Bonner (even the quicker 4s like Dirk, Griffin, Love, etc.)

The bigger issue is whether him and Duncan can co-exist on the offensive end. I think they can eventually but Pop won't trust it, especially this season.

They can definitely coexist on offense. Look at Bynum/Gasol in LA. Mike Brown is using the twin towers offense from his SA days. Look at Oberto and Duncan. The last time the Spurs started someone as good as Oberto they won. Splitter is better than Oberto.

[underdawg]

Crazy that Tim was in his prime back then, and David was quick and athletic enough to defend guards?

So, it would be preposterous to think that Tiago's in his prime and Duncan's skillset is adequate as David's on the downside of their careers?

Are you claiming that Duncan/Bonner or Tiago/Bonner is a better defensive/offensive 4 & 5 than Duncan/Tiago?

[underdawg]

The problem is that statistics show that Tiago, Tim and Blair all show better defensive stats as centers. Right now bonner is the only big man holding pfs(not centers) below the league average per.

just curious - where did those stats come from?

[5in10]

http://82games.com/

[underdawg]

As efficient as 3's are scoring baskets in the paint and drawing fouls is even more efficient. Not only do you score but you increase the risk of getting the opponents star players in foul trouble. That can really change the complexion of a game.

Ah - so you're saying that points in the paint are probably more important on a consistent level than say points beyond the arc?

[underdawg]

http://82games.com/

interesting stats - though I have a question on minutes as it shows Bonner having only 386 minutes and nba.com shows him having 546 minutes this season.

Interesting that the opponents FG% goes down when Bonner's off the court and goes up when Splitter's off the court.

[jjktkk]

So, it would be preposterous to think that Tiago's in his prime and Duncan's skillset is adequate as David's on the downside of their careers?

Are you claiming that Duncan/Bonner or Tiago/Bonner is a better defensive/offensive 4 & 5 than Duncan/Tiago?

I'm pointing out that Duncan, in his prime, and DROB, even in his twilight years, was still a great athlete, and a dominant defender. Not sure that Duncan and Splitter can be as effective as the Spur's original twin towers. Part of that reason is the evolution of small ball, that alot of teams use. Now if teams employ traditional lineups, for ex., the Lakers, I'm almost positive that Duncan and Splitter can matchup effectively against them, but OTOH, teams like the Sixers, who throw out smallball lineups, are a cause of concern for me, just because we haven't seen alot of Duncan and Splitter on the floor together guarding small ball lineups. Which the reason I started this thread.

[BackHome]

When Manu comes back I would like to see one game were Splitter and Duncan play major minutes together to see what happens.

[Spursfan4lyfe]

When Manu comes back I would like to see one game were Splitter and Duncan play major minutes together to see what happens.

What happens with the the 2nd unit if Splitter starts they would get killed in the paint when him and Duncan go out. Until they can find a big besides Duncan and Splitter who can defended the Rim and Rebound it is not going to happen Bonner can't do that and Blair is just a body.

[underdawg]

I'm pointing out that Duncan, in his prime, and DROB, even in his twilight years, was still a great athlete, and a dominant defender. Not sure that Duncan and Splitter can be as effective as the Spur's original twin towers. Part of that reason is the evolution of small ball, that alot of teams use. Now if teams employ traditional lineups, for ex., the Lakers, I'm almost positive that Duncan and Splitter can matchup effectively against them, but OTOH, teams like the Sixers, who throw out smallball lineups, are a cause of concern for me, just because we haven't seen alot of Duncan and Splitter on the floor together guarding small ball lineups. Which the reason I started this thread.

if those teams have a player like thaddeus, the spurs are in trouble then. Though I think tiago is more athletic than some folks give him credit. Quick players have always given the spurs trouble, but having 2 capable defenders protecting the paint is a cushion to that.

also, think about this - there should be no doubt that the spurs are compe ive right now even without manu because of their defense. As the spurs big 3 have aged, they have failed to beat teams in the playoffs because they are no match for the opponents defense or they're not consistent enough on offense. They've had no defense to cushion those obstacles. I also believe that tiago will perform under pressure and that will be huge - might as well give him that experience now as bonner's performance can be concluded to be predictable give his history.