Grades: Spurs vs. Pacers - Mar. 31

[TJastal]

This season is starting to remind me of last season, piling up regular season wins with little thought to what will win in the playoffs. This weak ass frontline routine is getting old as is never seeing a Splitter-Duncan combination. Eventually all this idiocy is going to bite the spurs in the arse.

[timvp]

Tbh, Pop not even attempting to play Duncan and Splitter together for the last two years is one of the dumbest things he's ever done. Other than that, I think Pop has been a great coach this year. But that flaw in strategy is so glaring that it's difficult to look past it.

I mean, at some point in the last two seasons, why not make it a point to play Splitter a lot next to Duncan for about a week to see if it works? I'm not even saying to start Splitter necessarily ... just play them together for a few games in a row to get a better feel on whether or not it's an avenue worth exploring further.

Pop's reluctance to even try it so damn baffling . . .

[SpursRock20]

Per Elias Sports Bureau - The Spurs averaged a league-leading 107.1 points per game during the month of March - marking the first time that San Antonio has led the NBA in that category in any month since Gregg Popovich took over as its coach in 1996! The last time that the Spurs led the NBA in scoring over a month was back in December 1994, when Bob Hill was the coach.

It proves your point even further timvp. Pop should be willing take chances with Splitter and Duncan. Our offense is gravy right now and will be there in May. We should really be experimenting with deffensive line-ups and not playing Blair in crunch time.

[DPG21920]

Spurs have to hope Bonner can do something he's never done before: hit shots consistently in the playoffs, especially in crunch time. Because right now, despite all of the (what appears to be obvious) analysis, the history shows Pop is going to roll with Bonner. It's not that you can't win in the playoffs with Bonner - it's that you can't win with how Bonner has performed in the playoffs vs the regular season.

But Tiago's production on both ends has easily placed him in the top 4-5 players on this team yet his minutes clearly don't reflect that; with or without Tim.

[TJastal]

Per Elias Sports Bureau - The Spurs averaged a league-leading 107.1 points per game during the month of March - marking the first time that San Antonio has led the NBA in that category in any month since Gregg Popovich took over as its coach in 1996! The last time that the Spurs led the NBA in scoring over a month was back in December 1994, when Bob Hill was the coach.

It proves your point even further timvp. Pop should be willing take chances with Splitter and Duncan. Are offense is gravy right now and will be there in May. We should really be experimenting with deffensive line-ups and not playing Blair in crunch time.

Big

It's so damn frustrating to know this team has the potential to be scary good on both ends of the floor yet Pop is focusing strictly on one end.

[DPG21920]

The only saving grace right now, though I'm not sure it will be enough to overcome the big rotation if Bonner/Blair continue to get more minutes while Tiago's declines for whatever reason, is that with RJ gone and Kawhi in the line up more along with other wings the Spurs perimeter defense is improved. How much, we don't know yet, but it's definitely a higher ceiling.

[jestersmash]

At this point, I can only hope Pop is deliberately trying to keep Splitter under the radar as much as possible in the regular season for the sole purpose of surprising teams come playoff time. Perhaps he doesn't want other contenders to start aggressively scouting Splitter's skill set and value to the team in relatively "meaningless" regular season games.

Or perhaps I've just gone way beyond playing the devil's advocate here

[TE]

We can , worry, complain, overanalyze about every possible reason as to why Splitter should have increased minutes over Bonner/Blair but at the end of the day we can't do about it.

We shouldn't expect a different outcome in regards to rotation and minutes come this postseason, even if it makes TOO much sense.

[Paranoid Pop]

Not sure Tiago is better than Boris tho, what he does is rebound better, a lineup of Kahwi Tiago Tim gets the most rebounds but Pop doesn't like it obviously.

Pop probably thinks that Tiago can't defend PFs. It's not about offensive range since Dejuan has none.

And there may be some truth to it but if Boris doesn't play big minutes at PF (starting or not doesn't matter) we're ed imo.

[timvp]

Spurs have to hope Bonner can do something he's never done before: hit shots consistently in the playoffs

Heck, Bonner has never really hit shots consistently in the playoffs or in clutch situations. Even when his percentages are decent, his attempts are always way down.

In clutch situations this season, here are Bonner's stats:

51 minutes
9 points
2-for-4 from the field (all three-pointers)
3-for-7 at the line
6 rebounds (all defensive)
1 assist
3 turnovers
3 fouls

Even if you want to ignore his playoff struggles of the past, his regular season clutch play this year once again points to him not handling pressure well. I'm not sure how gigantic of a sample size Pop wants before he finally realizes Bonner isn't made for the clutch.

[maverick1948]

roy
accusing people of basketball takes
pot meeting kettle

Who really gives a damn about comparing Bonner vs. Diaw on post defense/rebounding? That's about as relevant as making threads saying that say a good Manu = Championship.

Some things are obvious. There is really no reason to look at Bonner and make any sort of argument that he is a better option than Diaw. Diaw is actually a real basketball player and Bonner is just a specialist that tries hard and flames out when the lights turn on.

WOW We are 4 games out of the BEST RECORD in the league with Bonner/Blair getting us there most of the season. But now Diaw, out of shape, comes in and suddenly the team we had is NOT worth a damn? Come on Bonner does what he is paid to do and does play in the Spurs system. Diaw has no idea what to do. A couple of practices and he is the great savior of this Spurs team? NO way.

[Paranoid Pop]

WOW We are 4 games out of the BEST RECORD in the league with Bonner/Blair getting us there most of the season. But now Diaw, out of shape, comes in and suddenly the team we had is NOT worth a damn? Come on Bonner does what he is paid to do and does play in the Spurs system. Diaw has no idea what to do. A couple of practices and he is the great savior of this Spurs team? NO way.

No practice at all actually, all BB IQ and instinct.

[benefactor]

Try watching some playoff games.

[DPG21920]

Luckily, as HH and a few of us have said, the top 5 teams in the West all have pretty glaring holes. It will be about health and who can be coached through those holes and play to their strengths.

[maverick1948]

See now if that happens I'd have to start suggesting that the team consider bringing in some fresh blood. Bonner and Blair are not going to cut it.

I don't care how much Bonner tries and I hate the idea of leaning on a guy who checked out mentally last time because he was sent to the bench. Duncan, Manu, and the fans all deserve better.

I read on another board that Thibs wasn't happy with his contract situation. He's a FA over the summer as well. Defense-first, giving minutes to productive players, impressive resume, etc.

I'd break the bank to give someone like that a shot. The coach doesn't have to win games but undermining your own team like that is inexcusable.

Yep Coach Pop is undermining the his own team. He wants to lose every game and tries really hard. DUD have you looked at the Spurs record? We have won 36 games this season. Would you feel better if we had won all 50 by playing our main players 48 mins?

Some of you folks need to watch the game sometimes instead of posting on here. You miss too much action. If you watch the game, you might learn a few things about coaching from Pop. After all, he has 4 championship rings as a head coach.

[benefactor]

Luckily, as HH and a few of us have said, the top 5 teams in the West all have pretty glaring holes. It will be about health and who can be coached through those holes and play to their strengths.

Yup...it's a good year for all of this to happen. There isn't a contender out there in either conference that doesn't have flaws that could potentially be exploited if the cards are played right.

[DPG21920]

So in that regard thank goodness we have Pop. I'm just hoping that he's not ignoring Tiago's production/impact on both ends. Regardless of whether you can play Tim/Tiago together, if Tim's minutes go up, you can't cut Tiago's.

[roycrikside]

Try watching some playoff games.

I guess Steve Kerr > John Stockton and Steve Nash and Robert Horry > Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing and Charles Barkley.

It's a team game.

Matt Bonner has been more harshly criticized for his playoff performances than any role player ever. The whole point of a role player is whatever they give you in May and June is gravy.

I'm sure none of you remember when guys like Horry and Kerr had crappy playoff games. You only remember the good ones and the big shots. But there were games where those guys did nothing too. If you want evidence, check out Horry's play in 2003 and 2006.

Ultimately we'll win or lose based on how Tim, Manu and Tony play. They need to be consistent and play well game after game. The other guys will be good some days and bad the other days, and home/road will probably weigh into it.

[benefactor]

[roycrikside]

Yup...it's a good year for all of this to happen. There isn't a contender out there in either conference that doesn't have flaws that could potentially be exploited if the cards are played right.

I actually think the West is more top-heavy this year than last year. I'd have a very difficult time seeing anyone besides OKC or SA coming out, with LAL as the dark horse because of their size.

I don't give Dal, LAC or Mem any shot whatsoever, tbh.

[Nathan89]

Perhaps Diaw spent the last couple of days trying to get into better shape and Pop gave him the night off. By missing just one game gave him 5 straight days without a game. I know Dirk missed a few games when he was trying to get back into shape. Rest after two days of not playing just doesn't make sense.

[roycrikside]

Here's the net +/- per 100 possessions for last year's series with the Grizzlies. Obviously Bonner didn't play well, but as you can see, there are quite a few other people who deserve a bigger slice of the blame before you get to him. (Here's a hint, a couple of them are no longer here).


1 DeJuan Blair SAS 2010-11 4 50.3 97 98 93.0 +1.4 +1.9 +.007 0.0 +1.2 -.019 +.006 +10.5 +15.7 -.020 +13.3
2 Manu Ginobili SAS 2010-11 5 174.3 334 330 91.4 -0.2 -4.6 +.023 +3.9 +8.8 +.087 +.047 +1.0 +2.4 -.031 +4.5
3 Antonio McDyess SAS 2010-11 6 145.4 273 267 89.1 -3.8 -7.8 -.004 +2.2 +4.9 +.081 +.011 +1.0 +1.2 +.002 -4.4
4 Tim Duncan SAS 2010-11 6 212.0 396 396 89.7 -4.3 -4.8 -.025 +2.5 +9.1 -.036 -0.008 +1.5 +0.3 +.040 -4.5
5 Matt Bonner SAS 2010-11 6 122.5 231 232 90.7 -6.7 +2.6 -.087 +1.3 +11.3 -.118 -0.081 +7.4 +6.6 +.105 -4.7
6 Tony Parker SAS 2010-11 6 220.8 415 414 90.1 -4.4 -4.5 -.029 +1.0 +7.2 -.085 -0.022 +3.1 +2.6 +.037 -4.8
7 George Hill SAS 2010-11 6 188.9 352 357 90.1 -5.9 +1.8 -.080 +1.8 +7.3 -.035 -0.070 +4.8 +2.7 +.092 -5.2
8 Richard Jefferson SAS 2010-11 6 176.4 332 333 90.5 -5.3 -8.5 -.019 -0.3 +3.7 -.099 -0.018 +4.9 +5.8 +.022 -6.0
9 Tiago Splitter SAS 2010-11 3 50.1 93 94 89.6 -3.8 +11.7 -.104 +2.2 +15.2 -.184 -0.096 -3.1 -4.1 +.008 -8.5
10 Gary Neal SAS 2010-11 6 111.3 213 212 91.6 -6.8 +7.6 -.115 +2.8 +9.8 -.028 -0.103 -0.1 -3.0 +.070 -10.9

[Paranoid Pop]

I guess Steve Kerr > John Stockton and Steve Nash and Robert Horry > Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing and Charles Barkley.

It's a team game.

Matt Bonner has been more harshly criticized for his playoff performances than any role player ever. The whole point of a role player is whatever they give you in May and June is gravy.

I'm sure none of you remember when guys like Horry and Kerr had crappy playoff games. You only remember the good ones and the big shots. But there were games where those guys did nothing too. If you want evidence, check out Horry's play in 2003 and 2006.

Ultimately we'll win or lose based on how Tim, Manu and Tony play. They need to be consistent and play well game after game. The other guys will be good some days and bad the other days, and home/road will probably weigh into it.

The PF position is our weakest with elite PFs like Dirk, Griffin, Zbo, Gasol waiting for us in the PO, the D of our PF is crucial to this team success.

[benefactor]

I actually think the West is more top-heavy this year than last year. I'd have a very difficult time seeing anyone besides OKC or SA coming out, with LAL as the dark horse because of their size.

I don't give Dal, LAC or Mem any shot whatsoever, tbh.

Yeah...it's much less wide open than it was in the past top to bottom, but the top doesn't really have a force so dominant that one could point to that team and say "this team is the team." Any of the top teams could lose and it wouldn't be surprising tbh.

[TheSkeptic]

Yep Coach Pop is undermining the his own team. He wants to lose every game and tries really hard. DUD have you looked at the Spurs record? We have won 36 games this season. Would you feel better if we had won all 50 by playing our main players 48 mins?

Some of you folks need to watch the game sometimes instead of posting on here. You miss too much action. If you watch the game, you might learn a few things about coaching from Pop. After all, he has 4 championship rings as a head coach.

For the last time I'm a woman.

And I don't dispute that he's done an excellent job of maintaining the overall health of the team while putting them in a good position on the season. His accomplishments speak for themselves.

Here's the thing, nobody wins championships starting Blair and giving Bonner significant minutes. It's just not going to happen. They'll be exposed in the playoffs where *talent* as opposed to *trying* matters.

In years past the team just didn't have the personnel. This year they have better players on the bench that the coach is just choosing not to play.

By opting to not only bench better players but to play undersized/defensively challenged ones he is leaving Tim out to dry and effectively undermining the team because they'd have to win *despite* his decisions.

As the coach, who's supposed to be maximizing his personnel and putting the team into a position to succeed, that can't happen.

It also looks like he's not learning from the mistakes he's made in the past. That also can't happen.

Put simply, the coach is becoming a problem because his decisions are going to make things harder on his team in the post-season if something doesn't change soon.

That's why I'm saying that if the Spurs lose again because of this short-sighted thinking, the team needs to do the right thing and at least give Thibs a call over the summer.

We've seen this happen before and fans like myself have every right to be concerned about where things are headed.

Pop's resume speaks for itself and I'm glad he and Tim Duncan were able to bring 4 rings to San Antonio.

That being said, this hall of fame coach needs to put his hall of fame skills to work and put together a system that maximizes his best players. Time is running out and it doesn't look like he's doing it. Again.

If you can't see that the lack of size/skill/defense is going to be a serious problem against the bigger frontlines of the West, I don't want to imply that you're not watching critically, but the only thing I can tell you is to re-watch the Memphis series and every playoff series the Spurs have been in since 2008.