Grades: Spurs @ Kings - Apr. 18

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Truly feels like bizarre-o world... Spurs just wrapped up 5 wins in 7 nights, and swept our 2nd set of back to back to backs. I remember looking at the schedule before the season started and thinking we had no chance to sweep one of them, much less both of them.

[TheSkeptic]

Ok, all that not withstanding, my question remains: For this postseason only, who do you think will be more critical to the Spurs' success: Leonard or Bonner?

Bonner.

In a perfect world it'd be Leonard but since we all know that our championship hopes will be resting on Bonner's ability to make his shots during the playoffs...

[Manufan909]

It's not at all always true that "the least valuable players play garbage minutes." Garbage minutes in a given game can be dicated by a lot of factors which have nothing to do with overall value. Minutes played by others during the game up to that point due to matchups plays a role in who gets the garbage minutes. Rest for older players, players nursing minor ailments or players who played a large # of minutes in previous nights plays a role. Getting court time for younger, less experienced (not synonymous with 'less valuable') players plays a role. Players returning from injury who need some burn on the court to shake off the rust plays a role. The game inactive list plays a role. Trying out some experiments (2 PG's or 2 C's on the floor at the same time) can play a role. And so on. Saying that Leonard is less valuable than Bonner simply because he was on the court at the end is tantamount to saying that Duncan is less valuable than Bonner because Duncan wasn't active for the game and Bonner was.

This times a thousand.

Also, thanks for the grades timvp!!! I couldn't find a good feed so the grades were especially helpful this time around.

[Manufan909]

Bonner.

In a perfect world it'd be Leonard but since we all know that our championship hopes will be resting on Bonner's ability to make his shots during the playoffs...

I hope you're pretty, cuz your sarcasm sucks.

Only Tiago, the Big 3, and maybe Neal/Green/SJax will be more important this postseason than Leonard.

[TheSkeptic]

I hope you're pretty, cuz your sarcasm sucks.

Only Tiago, the Big 3, and maybe Neal/Green/SJax will be more important this postseason than Leonard.

Ha ha. I'm too camera-shy to prove anything either way. What does pretty have to do with it in any case?

I agree that Leonard is more important to the team both now and in the post-season but I think Bonner will be playing more than Tiago whereas Leonard will be getting about the minutes he should be.

Ergo, we'll need Bonner to play completely over his head and perform like he's never done before. If he doesn't, the Spurs will get into a hole against a good team and it'll be too late to rectify the situation with Tiago.

[G-Dawgg]

I actually respect Bonner's defense. At times his lack of foot speed makes him a bit slow rotating on defense, but his man to man position-defense in the post is actually really solid. Although he lacks quickness, he tries hard to move his feet and he must be a deceptively strong/physical dude..

[EVAY]

I actually respect Bonner's defense. At times his lack of foot speed makes him a bit slow rotating on defense, but his man to man position-defense in the post is actually really solid. Although he lacks quickness, he tries hard to move his feet and he must be a deceptively strong/physical dude..

This. Really.

People just get into a habit of dissing on a guy and never let growth change their minds.

[therealtruth]

This. Really.

People just get into a habit of dissing on a guy and never let growth change their minds.

On most teams Bonner would never have gotten as many chances or minutes as he has.

[G-Dawgg]

On most teams Bonner would never have gotten as many chances or minutes as he has.

Then Popovich must see things in him that the average Spurstalk poster doesn't I guess huh?

...maybe the ability to be 6'10, be at the top of the NBA in 3pt fg% yearly and play good interior defense? It can't be a fluke that on many nights he's led us in +/-

The knock on him though, is that we need him to do that kind of stuff during the playoffs... As a Spurs fan, I hope he can...

[TheSkeptic]

On most teams Bonner would never have gotten as many chances or minutes as he has.

I'll even take it a step further and say that he's been playing awesome this season. As a player he knows his role and he does it to perfection. Always has come to think of it and his improved defense and effort on the boards has been great to see. My problem is more that he's overplayed but I don't blame Bonner for that.

[Solid D]

Thanks, timvp. Two things stand out to me about this year's Spurs team that it has been missing for several seasons is Fire Power and playmaking. Even on nights when the legs are tired, this team has enough playmakers to create easy scoring chances or get to the line.

Even with the annual advent of "Bonner SPAM" (Shoots Poorly After March), the new additions to this team seem to take better advantage of the spacing created when Matt draws his defender away from the paint. With Leonard's sneaky but determined 1-man fast breaks, Gary Neal's improved pick and roll skills and mid-range game, Diaw's cleverness, Danny's slashing, and Tiago's unique timing on rolls to the basket, this version of the Spurs are a mobile clinic. Good times!

[100%duncan]

Thanks!

[maverick1948]

On most teams Bonner would never have gotten as many chances or minutes as he has.

I'll even take it a step further and say that he's been playing awesome this season. As a player he knows his role and he does it to perfection. Always has come to think of it and his improved defense and effort on the boards has been great to see. My problem is more that he's overplayed but I don't blame Bonner for that.

I'll add this. On 1/3 of the teams, Bonner would be a starting PF. Much can be said against this but there are teams that can't put a PF on the floor any better than Matt. That is why they are bottom feeders from year to year.

[Manufan909]

Ha ha. I'm too camera-shy to prove anything either way. What does pretty have to do with it in any case?

I agree that Leonard is more important to the team both now and in the post-season but I think Bonner will be playing more than Tiago whereas Leonard will be getting about the minutes he should be.

Ergo, we'll need Bonner to play completely over his head and perform like he's never done before. If he doesn't, the Spurs will get into a hole against a good team and it'll be too late to rectify the situation with Tiago.

Just trying to get a laugh out of you. You seemed a little too morbid about the whole affair, so I decided to lighten the mood. I do hope that Tiago gets more PT than Bonner, even though that likely won't be the case. Hopefully that isn't the case in any playoff series against a big frontline, like the Lakers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Thunder, or Bulls.

[Spurs da champs]

Just trying to get a laugh out of you. You seemed a little too morbid about the whole affair, so I decided to lighten the mood. I do hope that Tiago gets more PT than Bonner, even though that likely won't be the case. Hopefully that isn't the case in any playoff series against a big frontline, like the Lakers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Thunder, or Bulls.

The Clippers & Thunder are far from a 'big' frontline, Timmy has dominated the Thunder the last 2 games defensively BTW. 17.5 boards & 3.5 blocks! But yes we're defiantly gonna need Splitter against Lakers & Grizzlies.

[TheSkeptic]

Just trying to get a laugh out of you. You seemed a little too morbid about the whole affair, so I decided to lighten the mood. I do hope that Tiago gets more PT than Bonner, even though that likely won't be the case. Hopefully that isn't the case in any playoff series against a big frontline, like the Lakers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Thunder, or Bulls.

It worked.

100% agreed.

I'll add this. On 1/3 of the teams, Bonner would be a starting PF. Much can be said against this but there are teams that can't put a PF on the floor any better than Matt. That is why they are bottom feeders from year to year.

Sure on a team that's absolutely strapped.

Not on a contender with other options though in my opinion. Due to his decent defense and effort on the boards, he's a specialist who can be played extra minutes without costing the team on the other end when he's hot.

The Clippers & Thunder are far from a 'big' frontline, Timmy has dominated the Thunder the last 2 games defensively BTW. 17.5 boards & 3.5 blocks! But yes we're defiantly gonna need Splitter against Lakers & Grizzlies.

I think the Thunder frontline seems bigger than it is because their team is kind of tall in general. Just the impression I get. Tim & Blair have played really well against them this season though and they just don't scare me in a series.

That said, the Clipper bigs are athletic but more talented offensively than OKC's imo since Griffen> Perkins & Ibaka on that end. I have mixed emotions about Bonner playing 20+ against that frontline tbh.

[jjktkk]

Thanks for the writeup and grades Tim.