Spurs were 3rd best defensive team in 20 gms Splitter missed at start of last season

[UNT Eagles 2016]

West isn't coming to be a non rotation player. He'll be the clear fourth big and though Pop will obviously mix and match throughout, the majority of his minutes are likely to come alongside Diaw.

that's too small. West should be the clear 3rd big with the tall Russian at 4th. Bonbon is still serviceable enough to be the 5th big. Trade Diaw for a cheap shooter who is decent enough on defense, and sign Jack Lalanne for insurance.

[TD 21]

that's too small. West should be the clear 3rd big with the tall Russian at 4th. Bonbon is still serviceable enough to be the 5th big. Trade Diaw for a cheap shooter who is decent enough on defense, and sign Jack Lalanne for insurance.

Maybe so, but make no mistake, that's how it's going to be. Of course, they'll balance it out/tip the scales in their favor by probably being the best bench offensively in the league, particularly if they go with a shooter instead of Anderson/Simmons as the fourth wing.

Diaw is too valuable to be a fifth big or traded and West is 35 and probably one and done as a Spur. Besides, if they were going to go this route, they'd have just kept Splitter over Diaw.

[JakeCuenca]

that's too small. West should be the clear 3rd big with the tall Russian at 4th. Bonbon is still serviceable enough to be the 5th big. Trade Diaw for a cheap shooter who is decent enough on defense, and sign Jack Lalanne for insurance.

This guy should be nominated for dummy of the year.

Diaw as a 5th big.

[therealtruth]

Splitters D was good, but he was so bad on O, that it didn't even out imo...I mean when your 7' tall, you shouldn't be looking to pass, out of the paint...cmon. Cant wait to see LMA get the looks on O, that Tiago couldn't take advantage of.

I agree the offense should allow LA to get some easier looks than he has in the past and it will be interesting to see how he takes advantage.

Not sure why people are citing the Clippers' series when it was evident that Splitter could barely move, tbh..his health was probably the biggest reason the Spurs lost the series IMO..

And ya, while the OP is correct, a 20-game sample size is pretty small, especially since it occurred early in the season(early season results generally don't determine the final outcomes, excluding a few teams per season)..while Aldridge is an above average defender when engaged, the biggest difference is going to be mental..Splitter's job and focus was defense, while Aldridge has been the #1 option on a team for the majority of his career, it will take a little time to adjust to tweak his role to slightly less offensive and a little more defensive..

Yeah I hope LA can adjust to the reduced shots. I think he's got to be the clear #1 offensive option then Kawhi, TD/TP. That will help keep him engaged defensively.


Pop has played small before with Bonner and Blair and I assume he will have no issue doing so again with Diaw and West. That big Russian dude will likely not be part of the rotation.

[UNT Eagles 2016]

I agree the offense should allow LA to get some easier looks than he has in the past and it will be interesting to see how he takes advantage.



Yeah I hope LA can adjust to the reduced shots. I think he's got to be the clear #1 offensive option then Kawhi, TD/TP. That will help keep him engaged defensively.


Pop has played small before with Bonner and Blair and I assume he will have no issue doing so again with Diaw and West. That big Russian dude will likely not be part of the rotation.

Ugh, I don't want to root for a team that trots out the Turd Towers instead of big men