The thread le didn't need a tbh, tbh
So he's missing shots intentionally because he doesn't give a ? I can understand the "he's pacing himself" argument in effort based areas and I do think he is to a certain extent, but I think the bigger issue is him flat out being out of gas, which was both predictable and inevitable.
He was benched a game or two ago for passing up a wide open 3. Ultimately, last season he only averaged 1.4 3PA per game (2 per game in the playoffs), so that's not necessarily where his value is. He's deceptively good in the post, and a great passer. To me it's more mentally tired/disinterested than actual physical exhaustion. I haven't seen him winded or anything like it, just making wrong decisions, passing up shots, and being largely invisible for long stretches.
I realize he's not a pure stretch four like Bonner, but he's enough of a threat that teams at least have to show some level of respect for him from three. Eventually, that's going to go away and when it does, the offense is going to be even worse.
You're not going to see a blatant sign of physical exhaustion, because it's not a conditioning issue. It's an issue of him being relatively old and having ac ulated too much mileage in too little time since coming to the Spurs and it's caught up to him, like it did Parker last season.
would like for Danny to shoot better, but as long as he is still playing defense he needs to be on the floor.
Danny Green did the same thing last year and flipped a switch around the ASB and looked like Jesus Jordan out there all the sudden.
Diaw just now started the diet thing so I'm guessing that is also when he just started focusing on everything else too, so he should cinch up tight in the next few weeks.
Tim and Tony are pretty concerning though. Hope there is a switch to flip with them.
Manu is just tired and needs the ASB to recharge. He ranged from decent to pretty solid the first month of the season and was relied upon too heavily and you saw a sharp drop off in terms of 3pm and TOs with him after team injuries/3OT games ran up his mins and and ran him into the ground, but hey, we might not have stayed above .500 without Manu as a stopgap in Nov.
The thing with Boris is that, unlike Parker, it's not speed or athleticism that's his main virtue, but good passing, court vision and great feel for the game. For example, he's never been a great rebounder, so you get what you can on those areas. That's why I think Pop is hesitant to start him. At this point though, I much rather have him out there on the court than Bonner, even if his 3 ball isn't respected. He's just the smarter player, and when he's on, he's another creator on offense.
Hope this thread will become like a reverse jinx thread next games.
From time to time I see him call for post ups, but I've never seen them give him the ball when he's asking for it. Is his post game good? I've never seen it myself
He got that big butt of his, which he uses well. He can finish with a layup or a fadeaway (he's money with that shot). Or he can pass off the post when the defense collapses. The Spurs actually posted him a lot in the Finals last year, exploiting the mismatch with Wade, who was guarding him (remember the behind the back pass to Tiago for the dunk in Game 4?).
All that energy he expended blocking shots chasing down guards on fast breaks the other way caught up to him. He'll be ready to go after the ASB IMO.
except, he's not
Danny's defensive intensity has been huge of late. Still has problems of 'flying by' on three point shooters, but has lots of energy, is getting steals and blocks and rebounds like crazy.
I think he is focusing on his defense so much that his offensive focus has lagged and that may be the reason for his drop off in 3 point percentages. They are truly bad of late, but I think he believes (as do most pure shooters) that whatever his next shot is, it's going in.
His usefulness still declines if defenders stop bothering to defend him at the three-point line. It's not just that it cramps spacing, it cramps his own game, since it's the threat of that that sets up his dribble-drive game. Obviously, he's not beating any off the dribble with speed and quickness, so he has to do it by using their momentum against them. That becomes far more difficult to do when they close out short.
Pop is hesitant to start him because he likes him with the 2nd unit, specifically with Ginobili. Also, starting him would mean having Bonner in the rotation regardless of match-up and playing significant minutes, so as to not wear him out.
How so? He started in the last 3 games of the Finals, and Matty barely saw the floor, except in garbage time. Except for very specific matchups (ie: OKC, where Bonner will likely get some minutes and might even start as a legit stretch 4), I think the bigs rotation will end up being like last playoffs: Tim-Tiago-Boris...
It was 3 games and it was the Finals, so managing minutes was out the window. They can't regularly play him damn near 40 mpg.
ehhh... I dunno about managing minutes in the playoffs... there's no back to backs, I don't think that will be an issue.
I'm talking in general, regular season and playoffs. Even in the playoffs, Diaw can't handle close to 40 mpg for four rounds.
I think during the regular season we'll see a lot of Bonner, Baynes and why not, Ayres... don't think any of those guys would have anything more than spot minutes in the playoffs unless there's some injury.
In the playoffs, it's going to be 96 minutes split over 3 guys, or about 32 mins per.... On some matchups, we'll probably play small, which will further reduce the minutes. I suspect we're looking at 30 mpg for Boris, which should be ok.
In the playoffs, it's going to be extremely dependent on who we play. ie: I think Pop will go small a lot in a potential Warriors series, with just Tim being the big man. If OKC makes it, then I can see Bonner getting more minutes than he would've against other teams. I guess we'll get a better idea next month at some point, once the rotation starts to settle down.
But his Finals record!
The bad thing about taking out the rest of bigs is that we wouldn't create a lot of mismatches against the Dubs, and on the defensive end it would force to put Kawhi on Draymond Green, Danny on Thompson and Tony/Manu/Beli/ on Curry/Barnes.
A weak defensive backcourt to guard one of the best PG in the league and the small forward who always against the Spurs has taken advantage of the need of put Kawhi on Thompson.
He was damn good in last years finals as well to follow it up TBH. Right now struggling but when he is on he surely is on. Big key to this team, hope he gets it going soon.
Spurs won't meet GS in the playoffs.
Better now than in the playoffs. ala 2012, 2013(game 6-7)
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
