Spurs @ Kings preseason Grades

[TD 21]

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.

He is, in the sense that he can physically guard a guy like Randolph, whereas a guy like Dudley can't.

Butler has played some with Anderson, who'd clearly be considered the four in that scenario and some of the time he's played four, it's been against another three.

That's the point. The fact that they no longer need Bonner is what makes his spot irrelevant and why he more than likely has it sewn up. Everyone can't play. No matter who holds his spot will be in the same boat, only they won't have all the intangibles he has going for him. Politics often trump merit in professional sports.

[Chinook]

Butler has played some with Anderson, who'd clearly be considered the four in that scenario and some of the time he's played four, it's been against another three.

He hasn't. You can trying calling Anderson the four all you want, but Kyle has been guarding wings, and Butler has been guarding bigs. Kyle's been penetrating and Rasual has been screening and popping. Butler's been the four, height be damned.

[YGWHI]

His answer to the question if a younger and more versatile player can take Bonner spot was a clear and unequivocal no. "Matty isn't going anywhere. He'll be with us for the whole season" said Pop after the game in Atlanta.

[TD 21]

He hasn't. You can trying calling Anderson the four all you want, but Kyle has been guarding wings, and Butler has been guarding bigs. Kyle's been penetrating and Rasual has been screening and popping. Butler's been the four, height be damned.

Yeah, because Anderson will have to guard wings on this team, so they might as well let him get accustomed to it. I wouldn't read into it though.

If you think Butler can credibly play stretch four, you're delusional and if you think every decision is based on merit, you're naive.

[ElNono]

IMO, there's no way Kyle plays the four... he was guarding SGs the other night...

I think what Pop was looking with Butler is to see if he can find a center off the scrap pile that can guard bigs better than Bonner (which shouldn't be a high bar at all), but surprisingly, I don't think Butler has managed so far.

[Chinook]

Yeah, because Anderson will have to guard wings on this team, so they might as well let him get accustomed to it. I wouldn't read into it though.

If you think Butler can credibly play stretch four, you're delusional and if you think every decision is based on merit, you're naive.

The point is the Anderson played the three. Whether he's a four by your natural scale is relevant. Anderson has been a wing all preseason while guys like Thomas and Butler have played power-forward next to him. I want to say Butler hasn't played the three even when he wasn't with Anderson. He started at the four in the second half next Kawhi.

So you can go on calling me delusional or naive. But there's no evidence the Spurs consider him a wing now. I'm not sure he can play the four, but it looks like that's his path to the roster.

[Chinook]

IMO, there's no way Kyle plays the four... he was guarding SGs the other night...

I think what Pop was looking with Butler is to see if he can find a center off the scrap pile that can guard bigs better than Bonner (which shouldn't be a high bar at all), but surprisingly, I don't think Butler has managed so far.

Well, Matt is/was an underrated defender. The reason why he worked as a stretch-four is because he was actually able to check his man respectably. Butler's post defense was awful last night. Millsap's a very good player, but he should not be able to physically overwhelm you on the block.

The only hope is if Butler's fouls come from his enthusiasm. He might be initiating too much contact in an effort to show he can play the four. Maybe he'll calm down a bit and be serviceable.

[TD 21]

The point is the Anderson played the three. Whether he's a four by your natural scale is relevant. Anderson has been a wing all preseason while guys like Thomas and Butler have played power-forward next to him. I want to say Butler hasn't played the three even when he wasn't with Anderson. He started at the four in the second half next Kawhi.

So you can go on calling me delusional or naive. But there's no evidence the Spurs consider him a wing now. I'm not sure he can play the four, but it looks like that's his path to the roster.

No, the point is, it's preseason and much of what we see, particularly early, is irrelevant. Even if Butler could get by playing the four, that's not where the need is on this team.

I didn't call you either and I don't need evidence, when common sense is all that's required. Aldridge essentially played center in a game, has missed a game and played limited minutes in the other two; West has played limited minutes; Diaw hasn't played at all; Bonner has played spot minutes. Of course, that left plenty of power forward minutes available to fill and with no other power forwards in camp, that meant small forwards would have to masquerade as power forwards. End of story.

[ElNono]

Well, Matt is/was an underrated defender. The reason why he worked as a stretch-four is because he was actually able to check his man respectably. Butler's post defense was awful last night. Millsap's a very good player, but he should not be able to physically overwhelm you on the block.

The only hope is if Butler's fouls come from his enthusiasm. He might be initiating too much contact in an effort to show he can play the four. Maybe he'll calm down a bit and be serviceable.

Nah, he's not underrated. The bar is just set extremely low for him. Anything that a big defender needs to do, he does poorly: physicality, rebounding, box out, etc. It's just that the league has gone away from bangers, so Matt's poor defense can be hidden if you play him next to a good rebounder (ie: Tim), and you definitely don't want to play him in the playoffs if the other team has a solid postup option.

I expect Boris and Tim to be rested quite a bit, so you're left with LMA and West to bang if needed. And LMA really isn't an option if Tim is not playing, as he will have to carry the load offensively. I think that's what they want Butler's role to be, a guy they can put out there to bang with bigs when we're shorthanded.

[Russ]

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

How bout Asst. Coach?

That way he's with the team every day, every practice, sees every game, travels with the team, etc.

If they think they need him later in the season, he's right there.

In the meantime, they create an extra roster spot for Butler (or whomever).

[tholdren]

I would sign 2 new guys. Make Bonner a coach/suit of some sort. Let Bonner Practice. Re-sign if someone gets hurt. There is no use for Bonner. He's a regular season eat-up-some-minutes guy who can't do anything in the playoffs. Use the spot to develop someone, unless the coaching staff sucks that bad no one can be taught to be as good as Bonner.