There won't be an open spot. One will drop out as Green and Leonard see more minutes. Essentially you're right that Beli and Mills are both filling Neal's role. So only one will get his minutes in a playoff rotation.
No, they both will. There's no question, their minutes, particularly Belinelli's, will be slashed, but the spot that will be somewhere between utilized sparingly and eliminated altogether, is Ayres'/Bonner's. They'll play primarily a three big rotation, with a few fourth big minutes going to Leonard, if the match-ups allow for it.
I think the rotation will look like the one they had against the Heat, but with more Splitter and less small ball. Ginobili and Beli splitting play-making in lieu of a point-guard with Green and Leonard playing the third perimeter position and guarding the opposing PG. Definitely three bigs, but also only five smalls. There's just no room for six while playing the Big Three and New Two as much as they need to for the Spurs to reach their peak.
They only went to that one because they couldn't afford to give any minutes to a fringe player, such as Joseph and they only (mostly) got away with it because neither of the Heat's PG's are threatening off the dribble types.
Leonard isn't laterally quick enough to defend PG's and though Green is, they'll generally need him to defend a wing.
Besides, nobody strictly plays 8 and goes 4 rounds and this team definitely doesn't have the legs for it, even if it were the way to go. They're going to need 9 and 1/2.
There's room for six perimeter players, because Leonard will play some minutes at PF when the match-up allows for it, Mills won't play more than roughly 10 mpg and Belinelli won't play much more.
Disclaimer: I'm only talking about the second round and after. The first round is really an extension of the regular season.
An eight-man rotation still only means 30 MPG for each player. Leonard and Green will probably play 72 or so. Parker will get 38ish, and Ginobili will get around 30. That's 140 minutes with Beli and the bigs left. Assume 88 minutes for Duncan, Splitter and Diaw, and that leaves only 12 for Beli and Mills. Sure, Splitter and Manu may get a few less, but Leonard and Duncan are likely to get more. Of course there will be times others play, but there won't be dedicated minutes in the deep playoffs.
Leonard should be fine against backup PGs. Yes, Green will be needed on the wing, but even as a starter, he's going to get time with the "second unit". There is little difference between running with Neal as the backup point and putting Beli in that spot.
Spurs need to make 3's to advance in the playoffs. They will need Belli unless Leonard and Green both come through.
Beli's been shown to get very streaky on shooting though, almost Danny Green like with the 3's. I wouldn't be surprised if Beli see's more than 20 minutes on any given night depending on his hot hand
Should there even be a comparison between Neal and Belinelli? I could be wrong but I thought Neal's role and minutes went to Mills. So wouldn't the comparison be between Neal's production and Mills?
What? No love for Nea...., I mean Belinelli? 3-10 fg, 2-7 3-fg, 1 assist/ 3 turnovers in 28 minutes? Geez, tough crowd!!!
honestly, after the Gay highlight from tonight, if anyone tries to argue that Belinelli is not the worst defender in the league, he should be checked out.
I think I'll trust the hard numbers that say otherwise over bitter irrational musings.
Beli is a mediocre defender but he's better than Neal. How many 3s got knocked over Neal running to close the gap, over and over again? Beli is a better ball handler and he can put it on the floor and finish at the rim. Neal couldn't do that. Beli is a more versatile player and overall more talented. It's obvious. Beli reminds me a good deal of Brent Barry and not just because he can tan.
Yeah, I thought the same exact thing with the Brent Barry comparison
This was the point of the thread... the hate for Marco isn't fair lol
I wasn't able to watch the game. But if you're talking about Rudy Gay's highlight dunk, then I would have to question you during which point in the game it was. Did the Spurs have a foul to give? Marco may have over-fronted Rudy Gay, but knew the dunk was coming so chose not to make contact. It was either going to be a foul with two shots on the line or you get posterized.
Doesn't matter that the spurs won the game. Marco gave up a dunk. He must be a horrendous defender.
Good argument... by far the worst defender in the league like the other poster said! ...lol...
I already pointed that out earlier in the thread. The point is moot. Beli is not an average defender, nor is he a bad defender. He is a terrible defender. The fact that he's a better passer and ballhandler actually works to the Spur's disadvantage. It only means his role is much more important than Neal's ever was and they will be counting on him to deliver in the future. The unfortunate part is that he only plays on one end of the court which means when he's in the game, the Spurs can't stop Donkey doo on defense. IS THIS GETTING THROUGH??? When he's not hitting his shot, he is absoutely worthless to the team. Everybody is clamouring for Green's return but forget that Belinelli had actually replaced Green in the starting rotation BEFORE he got injured. I wonder if you've noticed how Belinelli's numbers are tanking in the wrong direction. He isn't scoring, not dishing assists, nor is he playing defense. He's a total detriment to the team when he's on the court and not playing alongside playmakers. He was not brought in to replace Neal but, to limit Manu's minutes and keep him refreshed for the playoffs. Too bad because when he's not playing alongside Ginobili, he's a total cyclopes out there.
Blind homers can use the Neal argument to make this signing look good but saying that he's better than Neal doesn't mean a damn . Neal is probably in the bottom 5% of the league right now eventhough hes been hampered by plantar faciitis the last two seasons. I almost wish Belinelli was playing injured because at least it would explain the trail of stink he's leaving behind. He's awful in almost every facet of the game. If he was such a hot commodity, he wouldn't have bounced around from team to team the way that he has over the last seven years.
He needs to play NO MORE than 15 minutes a game off the bench. I doubt that day will ever come
Last edited by Hoops Czar; 02-02-2014 at 04:59 PM.
Two point win against Sacramento at home feels like a loss or is this the new standard?
http://www.nba.com/games/20140201/SACSAS/gameinfo.html
at 00:24
and i'll add this(from rotoworld, they rarely comment on defence):
Rudy Gay had 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, five steals and a 3-pointer on 9-of-18 shooting in Saturday's tough loss to the Spurs.
Gay had his way against Marco Belinelli most of the night, but settled down late against Boris Diaw. Gay has been a beast since arriving in Sacramento and his Achilles injury is the only thing that has slowed him down since becoming a King. Isaiah Thomas added 26 points and five assists as the Kings anxiously await the return of DeMarcus Cousins, who missed his sixth straight game with a sprained ankle.
Relax, dude. You've yourself and are flinging poo everywhere in this thread for no real good reason. Bellinelli is not as bad a defender as you're making him out to be. And calling him awful at every facet of the game when the man is #3 in the league in 3pt% is just plain stupid. Give him time to adjust to a new role with new guys in the starting lineup. Chemistry isn't developed overnight. If it's determined that his natural fit is coming off the bench then he'll probably go back there once Green returns (although it may take Pop awhile to do this).
So Rudy Gay had a nice game. Good on him. Wake me up when he actually helps a team get into the playoffs. Most teams he's been on in recent years actually got better once he left.
yes i'm sure that makes belinelli a lot better.
James Anderson had a real nice game a few months ago too. Had all the local fanbois all up in arms, too. Lamenting about unfair treatment. Was promoted into the starting lineup and hasn't done since. Cool story, though yo.
your point being?
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