Pop on Boban: Didn't Enjoy MVP Chants, Says it "Worries" Him

[spurs10]

Glad DPG called out Jeff. Boban is a great guy that is playing better than any rookie I can recall. He is a big lad....it's just the way it is. We wouldn't be experiencing "Bobanmania" (like that wildbill) if he wasn't playing so great. I love seeing him take the court because I know he is going to produce. I believe 12 boards in under 15 minutes is a record of some kind.

[objective]

how was Splitter 'slowly worked into the team'?

He was also treated like a novelty, though at least he got to really play when Duncan was out.

Getting 3 DNP-CDs the first three games against Memphis that year while Gasol and Randolph were getting 40 minutes a night was absurd and cost the spurs that series much more than the Manu injury. Mcdyess, Bonner & Blair played a total of about 195 minutes that series before Pop finally turned to an out of synch Splitter in desperation.

Not giving Boban opportunities in real games, including those in which the player in front of him, West, is struggling against size, is Pop signaling unconsciously to fans that Boban is just another fringe victory cigar like Bateer or Tom Copa. Except Boban is a real player who can help.

[bigfan]

Pop is just trying to protect this guy from what he perceives as fans screwing with him. Maybe he's right, maybe he's wrong. I'll trust his judgment, it's been pretty good so far. As for Boban, I am very glad he is a fan favorite. He isn't the second coming of The A Train but I like what I see so far. I always worry about the health of these super big guys but I'll assume he is getting great medical care and checkups and he has a right to earn a living for his family. Besides, he will be richer than most of us could ever imagine.

[ceperez]

how was Splitter 'slowly worked into the team'?

He was also treated like a novelty, though at least he got to really play when Duncan was out.

Getting 3 DNP-CDs the first three games against Memphis that year while Gasol and Randolph were getting 40 minutes a night was absurd and cost the spurs that series much more than the Manu injury. Mcdyess, Bonner & Blair played a total of about 195 minutes that series before Pop finally turned to an out of synch Splitter in desperation.

Not giving Boban opportunities in real games, including those in which the player in front of him, West, is struggling against size, is Pop signaling unconsciously to fans that Boban is just another fringe victory cigar like Bateer or Tom Copa. Except Boban is a real player who can help.

Splitter in first season played 60 games at 12 minutes average. Boban has played 18 games at 7 minutes average.

If I recall correctly, Splitter barely played in the first half of the his first season.

So it's early in the season to proclaim that the Spurs aren't using Boban.

[rasuo214]

Pop's just trying to control Bobanmania before it gets out of control.

[Mr. Body]

Trying to keep his re-sign money low.

[Darius McCrary]

Yao was seen the same way early on, tbh... Eventually he earned the respect and accolades...

This.

[FkLA]

Some of y'all are clueless. Pop is great at reading people, he knows what he's talking about. A couple of us have also noticed the same thing. Next time Boban plays or is getting ready to check in look at the stands, he isn't getting oohs and awes because of his play he's getting a lot of laughs and finger pointing. Honestly, LMA kind of does the same thing if you pay attention. During his 3rd Qtr outburst against Minny LMA found it comical that he was dominating instead of simply being pumped for him like Timmy was for example.

Obviously not every single person is treating him like a circus act, especially people on ST who are informed and know he's good. But the casual fan is treating him like that imho.

[Solid D]

This photo that was circulated has been astounding the beat writers and fans the past couple of days.

[FkLA]

It's also funny that now ST is acting so moral but when we first got him there was a load of people making fun of his ears/looks.

[bic50]

It's also funny that now ST is acting so moral but when we first got him there was a load of people making fun of his ears/looks.

[dabom]

It's also funny that now ST is acting so moral but when we first got him there was a load of people making fun of his ears/looks.

I've never made fun of his looks. People are assholes.

[UZER]

It's also funny that now ST is acting so moral but when we first got him there was a load of people making fun of his ears/looks.

Oh no, not the ears!!

Stop being so damned sensitive. Lots of players around the league get made fun of. This guy IS a freak of nature literally and figuratively. Spurs fans love him and appreciate him for his size,his skill set, and the passion and desire he plays with to prove he belongs in this league. Pop is just micro managing per par.

I said it earlier, he's trying to cut the hype so he wont have to answer for not playing him in the playoffs because "these playoffs aren't for him" just like they weren't for George hill, or splitter when both of those guys could've help tremendously.

[FkLA]

Oh no, not the ears!!

Stop being so damned sensitive. Lots of players around the league get made fun of. This guy IS a freak of nature literally and figuratively. Spurs fans love him and appreciate him for his size,his skill set, and the passion and desire he plays with to prove he belongs in this league. Pop is just micro managing per par.

I said it earlier, he's trying to cut the hype so he wont have to answer for not playing him in the playoffs because "these playoffs aren't for him" just like they weren't for George hill, or splitter when both of those guys could've help tremendously.

Pop is the most respected basketball coach in the world he doesn't give a what the fans/media think of his rotations. The notion that he needs a built in excuse to not play him is laughable. He's geniunely standing up for Boban. I'm not sensitive about it I'm just pointing out that Pop does have a point.

[UZER]

Pop is the most respected basketball coach in the world he doesn't give a what the fans/media think of his rotations. The notion that he needs a built in excuse to not play him is laughable. He's geniunely standing up for Boban. I'm not sensitive about it I'm just pointing out that Pop does have a point.

Yeah, he gives so little a about what fans think that he came out and made a comment about poor Boban, who the fans have been cheering their ass off for.

[FkLA]

Yeah, he gives so little a about what fans think that he came out and made a comment about it poor Boban.

Did you miss the part where I said about his rotations?

[spurraider21]

It's also funny that now ST is acting so moral but when we first got him there was a load of people making fun of his ears/looks.

Ironic comment coming from one of the moralists

[apalisoc_9]

It's also funny that now ST is acting so moral but when we first got him there was a load of people making fun of his ears/looks.

Yup. This is why i highly doubt people are just "genuinly" happy for him when he enters the game.

It was pretty disturbing seeing all the post here about how ugly boban is.

[Chinook]

None of this changes the fact that's he has to toughen up. If he can be thrown off his game by his fans chanting MVP after he's been dominating the league in his limited minutes, what's he going to do when opposing fans jeer him? I get that he's sensitive about how much his acromegaly makes him stand out, but it's not going to change. He's always going to be huge, and that size makes him a better player. It also makes people notice him and want to watch him. But again, there are two other players in the league who are as tall as Boban, and they aren't getting the same genus of hype he's getting. The attention he's receiving is because of how awesome he's played. I don't get how the cheering can be construed as anything other than that.

Now things like Strauss said, I can definitely understand Boban being upset hearing. Constantly calling him a monster is taking it too far. Boban is just a man trying to live his life and raise his family. I have no issue with Pop cutting down that talk. The thing is, how far will it go? It will be interesting to hear if Pop's words affect the broadcasts. Will Bill stop referring to Boban as the Chimney of Kostola? Will he and Sean be doing PSAs about Marjanovic's sensitivity? Are Pop's comments a one-off or the start of a campaign?

[FkLA]

None of this changes the fact that's he has to toughen up. If he can be thrown off his game by his fans chanting MVP after he's been dominating the league in his limited minutes, what's he going to do when opposing fans jeer him? I get that he's sensitive about how much his acromegaly makes him stand out, but it's not going to change. He's always going to be huge, and that size makes him a better player. It also makes people notice him and want to watch him. But again, there are two other players in the league who are as tall as Boban, and they aren't getting the same genus of hype he's getting. The attention he's receiving is because of how awesome he's played. I don't get how the cheering can be construed as anything other than that.

Now things like Strauss said, I can definitely understand Boban being upset hearing. Constantly calling him a monster is taking it too far. Boban is just a man trying to live his life and raise his family. I have no issue with Pop cutting down that talk. The thing is, how far will it go? It will be interesting to hear if Pop's words affect the broadcasts. Will be stop referring to Boban as the

Chimney of Kostola? Will he and Sean be doing PSA about Marjanovic's sensitivity? Are Pop's comments a one-off or the start of a campaign?

I don't think it affects Boban he has plenty of experience playing in Europe which is more raucous, Pop is just standing up for his guy. He missed a FT but he had made like 10 in a row prior to that and made his next one--he was due for a miss.

[Obstructed_View]

Yup. This is why i highly doubt people are just "genuinly" happy for him when he enters the game.

It was pretty disturbing seeing all the post here about how ugly boban is.

He's not the most handsome man in the world. Everyone does that when someone new comes in. Kyle Anderson got the same treatment. Boban's shown to be a remarkably good player, and he's captured the imagination of the fans. Nobody's rooting for him to get in the game because he's goofy looking, it's because he's genuinely talented and helps the team.

[LoneStarState'sPride]

Yup. This is why i highly doubt people are just "genuinly" happy for him when he enters the game.

fuk yo doubts, clown.

[AFMadison]

It's also funny that now ST is acting so moral but when we first got him there was a load of people making fun of his ears/looks.

Who cares? Dude wouldn't trade in better ears for less money and an ugly chick, guarantee you that.

[kuato]

Boban wants to be part of the team, not just a freak show to entertain some spurs fans

[wildbill2u]

Pop has no one to blame but himself.

Fans treat Boban as a weird victory cigar because that's how Pop treats him. If Pop treated him like a normal player who was producing like this, getting 15+ minutes against real teams as part of a real rotation with Duncan starting, the fans would too. He'd still be a fan favorite, but there wouldn't be the novelty nonsense that bothers Pop so much.

, Pop didn't even use Boban's popularity to his advantage. Whenever the team needs a spark of some fire and get the crowd going in the 3rd/4th, he should put Boban in. Get the crowd involved, get things rolling. But does he even do that? No.

But here's what will probably happen. Boban will be totally benched, even inactive, for about 2 weeks. Because Pop now has to teach the fans a lesson. Just like how he benched Simmons for the crime of being noticed by the media and fans, he's going to slam Boban.

Not really true in the sense that Boban has only played at the end of blow-outs. Pop gave him some valuable minutes in the first half of the game the other night and he played well. Then Pop put him back in at the end of the game.

If he continues to fill up the stat sheet and gives 100% effort, Pop has the reputation of rewarding successful play with minutes and I think he will play himself into the rotation.