Spurs @ Kings preseason Grades

[dabom]

i don't ever watch preseason games. They mean and I watch at least 70 regular season games. no less than that.

Preseason is just that. PRE SEASON. Not the actual season. I might watch a quarter or two but no one is actually trying.

[K...]

I'm done for tonight. Maybe I can set you up for tomorrow around this time to slap you around for a bit.

whats with these early bedtimes? are you old bro.......?

[ChumpDumper]

I'm done for tonight. Maybe I can set you up for tomorrow around this time to slap you around for a bit.

Preseason is just that. PRE SEASON. Not the actual season. I might watch a quarter or two but no one is actually trying.

[K...]

Preseason is just that. PRE SEASON. Not the actual season. I might watch a quarter or two but no one is actually trying.

do yourself a favor and watch the replay. it was a good game! And stop apologizing for not watching. Jeez, its a sports forum, you watch sport, you comment, you don't watch you shut up.

[dabom]

whats with these early bedtimes? are you old bro.......?

Nah man. Just been mine schedule lately.

[Ice009]

See, its time Bonner goes.
I've been lenient on him the past couple of years but , someones gonna miss out who will no doubt be better than this red nuts.
Give him a job in the organization off the court and be done with it tbh

Like I said a day or two ago - If Bonner can't hit a shot anymore then he needs to go. There is no need for him on the team anymore. Move him to the front office and give that spot to someone who can contribute on the court.

It pisses me off that someone who might be better will probably be cut and he still makes the team. I hope the Spurs seriously take a look at him and that his roster spot is in question based on performance.

[sexinthatsx]

One of the worst grade readups in a while

[ChumpDumper]

One of the worst grade readups in a while

There are a couple of decent ones on page 2.

[ceperez]

I think Mills starting yesterday was by Pop's design, since there were photos from Mills in training camp with the black jersey. That first unit has been struggling some to get going if you read between the lines from Danny's comments. Next game, chemistry issues for the main unit is something to look at. The second unit was fantastic with either Mills or Ray, and Butler. Kyle and Simmons are the epicenter and make stuff happen which gets me excited for their development since they can make it work w several guys. I now have no concerns over Manu and he will enjoy playing with them and mentoring them. I like Butler as a pick up as well. Neither Ray, nor Mills is a playmaker and Johnny's ballhandling issues require him to play as a 2 like Manu, to take some burden from him particularly if he's pressured.

I don't know why Pop wanted Mills to start but it must be concerns with the starting unit, since the second unit could make it work with either guy. Maybe Ray is not ready yet or it is experimental. I like some plays Jimmer made off the dribble. I had never seen him an He has a good handle. It's too bad he looked so poorly in other areas. At one point he was subbed in next to Party and I do have to admit I am not sure what Messina was looking for there. I'll give another chance to Jimmer, but so far, Butler and Simmons look better.

Great observations.

The first unit is missing the only two play makers. Parker and Duncan.

The 2nd unit playmakers are Manu and Diaw. They were also missing. However, Anderson and Simmons were able to carry that load. Between the two of them, 9 assists were dished out.

I think it became obvious in this game that McCallum is a Mills like player. PG in name only, but really a SG.

I found that interesting too that both Mills and Jimmer were in the court at the same time. Nothing came out of it, but who knows whether either was prepared for that kind of a setup.

Butler seemed to fit in well with Anderson and Simmons. Some folks though were saying that he was just play like Eddie.... that role play who just stands stationary in one spot waiting to catch and shoot.

Although we've seen a lot of Simmons and Anderson on the court together, what I find disappointing is a rarely seem them play of each other. If they can figure out a two man game, then it'll be devastating for the opponent.

[Ice009]

Tough to judge players on preseason games with no established roles or structure, outside of obvious observations(Bonner sticking out, Aldridge looking chubby, Anderson's confidence, etc)..

Why does Aldridge look like physically? He doesn't look like he's in shape at all. What has he been doing during the off-season.

Bonner needs to go. I would like to give him more than 1 game to prove me wrong, but between last night and all of last season, he looks completely done. I hope his spot on the roster is up for grabs.

[Boomersgold]

Great observations.

The first unit is missing the only two play makers. Parker and Duncan.

The 2nd unit playmakers are Manu and Diaw. They were also missing. However, Anderson and Simmons were able to carry that load. Between the two of them, 9 assists were dished out.

I think it became obvious in this game that McCallum is a Mills like player. PG in name only, but really a SG.

I found that interesting too that both Mills and Jimmer were in the court at the same time. Nothing came out of it, but who knows whether either was prepared for that kind of a setup.

Butler seemed to fit in well with Anderson and Simmons. Some folks though were saying that he was just play like Eddie.... that role play who just stands stationary in one spot waiting to catch and shoot.

Although we've seen a lot of Simmons and Anderson on the court together, what I find disappointing is a rarely seem them play of each other. If they can figure out a two man game, then it'll be devastating for the opponent.

Funny that people are overlooking that Mills led the team in assists. Mills is definitely a SG, but he's now more comfortable creating plays for his team mates when the shot's not there.

[ceperez]

Funny that people are overlooking that Mills led the team in assists. Mills is definitely a SG, but he's now more comfortable creating plays for his team mates when the shot's not there.

I agree, for both the 1st and 2nd team, he was doing very well to orchestrate both offenses.

[ceperez]

Why does Aldridge look like physically? He doesn't look like he's in shape at all. What has he been doing during the off-season.

Bonner needs to go. I would like to give him more than 1 game to prove me wrong, but between last night and all of last season, he looks completely done. I hope his spot on the roster is up for grabs.

Same observation, Aldridge looks out of shape. Did he not participate in USA basketball with Kawhi? I can't figure out why he's got so much weight on him.

[Kawhitstorm]

# bonner

[TheDoctor]

Same observation, Aldridge looks out of shape. I can't figure out why he's got so much weight on him.

Apparently he unlocked the "Eating your Paycheck" badge in Whataburger's app during summer.

#Porkdridge

[SnakeBoy]

Why does Aldridge look like physically? He doesn't look like he's in shape at all. What has he been doing during the off-season.

Moving

[TD 21]

Some guys acting like Bonner has it made and doesn't need to compete here. If he wasn't a vet in the team already, everyone would be all over kicking him like they are with Jimmer.

He's made it. The fact that he's done is irrelevant. They need a sixth big and could use a true stretch four, plus he knows the system, is well liked and won't complain about his role.

With this much turnover and considering those factors, they're not cutting him loose just to bring in some other scrub that would vacillate between being stapled to the bench and shuttled to the D-League.

I don't know why so many care so much anyway. The issue the past few years, has been that in match-ups where they couldn't get away with playing two centers together and needed to spread the floor, he had to become a rotation player. That's no longer the case.

Fourteen are set and the fifteenth (really thirteenth/fourteenth, since Simmons figures to spend a good amount of time in the D-League) was always going to come down to Fredette and Butler, with the latter likely having the inside track.

[Spurtacular]

Kawhi - Looks primed and comfortable offensively. Still need to be a little bit more aggressive. Scored 7 of his points from his steals 16 in 20 minutes could be misleading... Defense was not all time great material, but he's kawhi. A-

Jimmer - Looked like the re ed kid in pick up ball that we're all forced to pick sometimes because we don't want to be mean F

1:08:35 - Who took three points off the board for the Spurs; Mr. A- or Mr. F?

[SAGirl]

He's made it. The fact that he's done is irrelevant. They need a sixth big and could use a true stretch four, plus he knows the system, is well liked and won't complain about his role.

With this much turnover and considering those factors, they're not cutting him loose just to bring in some other scrub that would vacillate between being stapled to the bench and shuttled to the D-League.

I don't know why so many care so much anyway. The issue the past few years, has been that in match-ups where they couldn't get away with playing two centers together and needed to spread the floor, he had to become a rotation player. That's no longer the case.

Fourteen are set and the fifteenth (really thirteenth/fourteenth, since Simmons figures to spend a good amount of time in the D-League) was always going to come down to Fredette and Butler, with the latter likely having the inside track.

I agree with you now. I used to think Fredette would add something more than Bonner, on account of being younger, perhaps able to get hot on occasion and with our two playmaking guards being old and Tony having crumbled to injuries last year, I thought guard depth was a bigger need than a 6th big that is done as a player. The fact is I really don't think Jimmer adds anything TBH. Like others pointed out he can't get his shot off, with being so short and a slow trigger, is very bad on perimeter defense, closing out shooters is horrendous and just overall he tries, but doesn't have tools to help. Compared to that, I am guessing Bonner is in. I don't see him getting cut, but he's looking very done and may get waived or retire, or traded or something, if someone else appears on the radar later in the season. I really liked Butler as an end of the bench man. He's got more game than Bonner and is also a vet that is probably going to be fine with a diminished role.

[Chinook]

He's made it. The fact that he's done is irrelevant. They need a sixth big and could use a true stretch four, plus he knows the system, is well liked and won't complain about his role.

If Bonner were a lock, his contract would be fully guaranteed. The fact that it isn't is because there is a chance he'll be cut either in camp or later in the season. That is looks done is critical, as a stretch-four who can no longer shoot eventually stops stretching the floor. And Bonner's relative usefulness has been trending down for the last couple years. It's not longer rare to find a stretch-big. They're coming out of school every year, and most are going undrafted or at least in the middle of the draft (20-50 range). Look at where Cady's trending. When Bonner was an elite shooter, he was a cut above the average stretch-four. But now, he's hanging on by reputation.

Plus, I can't think of a time where the Spurs are going to be facing a lineup with two legit bigs and pass over three of Duncan, LMA, Diaw and West to put in Bonner. Aldridge and Diaw can both shoot threes, and West has had success making guys pay for sagging off him. I don't anticipate a time where the Spurs wouldn't just play small-ball if it was too hard to play Diaw or Anderson.

I think Bonner was a near-lock when he inked his deal. It was going to take a certain scenario for the team to cut him. That scenario is what's happening now (Matt looking done and there being a number of options to play the third PF role that aren't him). I still agree he hangs on, but if this trend continues, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get waived in a couple of weeks.

[playbonner15]

Bonner's not going anywhere. Last spot might be given to Butler though. Personally, I would like Bonner to jpin the FO and give his spot to Jimmer/Butler but dude's gonna stay

[DeRozan m8]

Bonner is a kunt

[TD 21]

If Bonner were a lock, his contract would be fully guaranteed. The fact that it isn't is because there is a chance he'll be cut either in camp or later in the season. That is looks done is critical, as a stretch-four who can no longer shoot eventually stops stretching the floor. And Bonner's relative usefulness has been trending down for the last couple years. It's not longer rare to find a stretch-big. They're coming out of school every year, and most are going undrafted or at least in the middle of the draft (20-50 range). Look at where Cady's trending. When Bonner was an elite shooter, he was a cut above the average stretch-four. But now, he's hanging on by reputation.

Plus, I can't think of a time where the Spurs are going to be facing a lineup with two legit bigs and pass over three of Duncan, LMA, Diaw and West to put in Bonner. Aldridge and Diaw can both shoot threes, and West has had success making guys pay for sagging off him. I don't anticipate a time where the Spurs wouldn't just play small-ball if it was too hard to play Diaw or Anderson.

I think Bonner was a near-lock when he inked his deal. It was going to take a certain scenario for the team to cut him. That scenario is what's happening now (Matt looking done and there being a number of options to play the third PF role that aren't him). I still agree he hangs on, but if this trend continues, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get waived in a couple of weeks.

I knew someone would say that, but I suspect the primary reason it wasn't full guaranteed, was in case they need a roster spot for a D-League prospect they're high on. Of course, they could do the same with Butler's spot, but why not maximize flexibility?

The fact that he looks done is irrelevant given the current roster and you're agreeing with me without knowing it. Sure, it won't help matters if opposing coaches figure this out, but to this point, they haven't. Even if they do, it would probably take three simultaneous injuries to the five bigs ahead of him for this to matter.

I disagree. True stretch four's are still a rare breed. Tons of teams have SF's or combo forwards masquerading as such, but those types, almost without exception aren't match-up proof.

[Chinook]

I knew someone would say that, but I suspect the primary reason it wasn't full guaranteed, was in case they need a roster spot for a D-League prospect they're high on. Of course, they could do the same with Butler's spot, but why not maximize flexibility?

The fact that he looks done is irrelevant given the current roster and you're agreeing with me without knowing it. Sure, it won't help matters if opposing coaches figure this out, but to this point, they haven't. Even if they do, it would probably take three simultaneous injuries to the five bigs ahead of him for this to matter.

I disagree. True stretch four's are still a rare breed. Tons of teams have SF's or combo forwards masquerading as such, but those types, almost without exception aren't match-up proof.

Bonner is far from match-up proof. The fact that Butler is playing exclusively the four so far is telling. And the point still remains that the Spurs have four good front-court players and aren't likely to sit three for Bonner.

[ElNono]

Matty isn't going anywhere. He'll be with us for the whole season.