Kevin Martin may need to have a solid increase in minutes.

[TD 21]

I actually think Pop is using this series to figure that stuff out, going forward into the playoffs... In Game 1, it was Danny getting extra wing minutes, Game 2 was Anderson... Maybe he'll roll with a 3-guard setup, with Manu/Martin playing SF next game...

As I alluded to, there's a simple fix to not playing Martin with the rest of the bench. Green can sub back in for Leonard late 1st/3rd and Martin can either sub in for Ginobili early 2nd/4th, or if the situation calls for Leonard to sub back in then, Martin can sub in for Green either at the same time or shortly thereafter.

In that case the whole 4th wing issue is a band aid bc the problem begins with your two best players being iso scorers and poor passers, essentially guys hard to build an efficient offense around beside the two of them scoring efficiently. But I don't think it's that simple. POP needs them to get theirs and not defer bc Tim/Danny/Tony are not making shots.

Danny slumping could be a big problem down the road bc the SL is super cramped already as Tony is a very unwilling 3 pt shooter and Tim is not scoring much at all. I think that is why Pop gave an extended look at Martin with the SL to close out the 1st half and he's tried it b4 in the RS with mixed results, mostly bc Martin's terrible defense did not make up for what offense he gave us. Luckily he's been making shots, but he's been far from a clear fix for the SL.

POP also tried Tim in the bench with different guys and the ran stuff to get him going. I do believe he's trying what he can to improve the squads' offense, but frankly guys are old. I don't think TD has another gear we haven't seen. He's simply declined and guys are who they are. Martin making shots may be a band aid to cover it up, as well as Danny's slump if it were to continue (I frankly hope it doesn't).

The bench has issues of their own that Pop knows. The Boris/D west combo has struggled with big men all season. D west struggles as a rim protector rebounder and Pop has covered it up different ways. Having Anderson there is one, Danny too. You frankly underestimate how impossible it is to defend at an NBA level if you can't secure a single defensive board. Maybe the ideal thing is to split up TD and LMA, but Pop was reluctant to do that in the RS and we shall see the results if his experiments this round.

I believe he's trying to find a combination of guys that gives him just enough of both things (offense and defense) bc outside of LMA and Kawhi, guys in the team are somewhat flawed. Everyone tending to give you more of one thing less of another. It's a trade off.

Maybe so, but obviously they can't just treat this as a lost cause.

Martin is obviously not a fix for what ails the starters, but he's another option in bursts. I know you're president of the Anderson fan club, but you (and others) can stop pretending he's some elite defender or that Martin, in limited minutes, is going to single handedly derail the number one defense in the league. The reality is, this team clearly needs his shooting/scoring more than they need Anderson's supposed high IQ.

You clearly either didn't read or comprehend what I said. In the playoffs, with minute management mostly out the window, it's easy to have at least one of Duncan/Aldridge and Leonard/Green in for virtually all meaningful minutes, if necessary. Doing so would take care of Anderson's contributions.

[TheGreatYacht]

Martin is obviously not a fix for what ails the starters, but he's another option in bursts. I know you're president of the Anderson fan club, but you (and others) can stop pretending he's some elite defender or that Martin, in limited minutes, is going to single handedly derail the number one defense in the league. The reality is, this team clearly needs his shooting/scoring more than they need Anderson's supposed high IQ.

Damn

[SAGirl]

As I alluded to, there's a simple fix to not playing Martin with the rest of the bench. Green can sub back in for Leonard late 1st/3rd and Martin can either sub in for Ginobili early 2nd/4th, or if the situation calls for Leonard to sub back in then, Martin can sub in for Green either at the same time or shortly thereafter.




Maybe so, but obviously they can't just treat this as a lost cause.

Martin is obviously not a fix for what ails the starters, but he's another option in bursts. I know you're president of the Anderson fan club, but you (and others) can stop pretending he's some elite defender or that Martin, in limited minutes, is going to single handedly derail the number one defense in the league. The reality is, this team clearly needs his shooting/scoring more than they need Anderson's supposed high IQ.

You clearly either didn't read or comprehend what I said. In the playoffs, with minute management mostly out the window, it's easy to have at least one of Duncan/Aldridge and Leonard/Green in for virtually all meaningful minutes, if necessary. Doing so would take care of Anderson's contributions.

I did. Anderson was but a footnote in everything else I posted. I think they have other issues which I pointed out more extensively. I was not entirely disagreeing with you either, although I am of the opinion that if other guys don't show up Martin won't save them.

[TD 21]

I did. Anderson was but a footnote in everything else I posted. I think they have other issues which I pointed out more extensively. I was not entirely disagreeing with you either, although I am of the opinion that if other guys don't show up Martin won't save them.

They do have other (bigger) issues, but they can't really do anything about those. This, they can. Obviously, he won't save them, but he'll give them a better chance.

[tholdren]

As I alluded to, there's a simple fix to not playing Martin with the rest of the bench. Green can sub back in for Leonard late 1st/3rd and Martin can either sub in for Ginobili early 2nd/4th, or if the situation calls for Leonard to sub back in then, Martin can sub in for Green either at the same time or shortly thereafter.




Maybe so, but obviously they can't just treat this as a lost cause.

Martin is obviously not a fix for what ails the starters, but he's another option in bursts. I know you're president of the Anderson fan club, but you (and others) can stop pretending he's some elite defender or that Martin, in limited minutes, is going to single handedly derail the number one defense in the league. The reality is, this team clearly needs his shooting/scoring more than they need Anderson's supposed high IQ.

You clearly either didn't read or comprehend what I said. In the playoffs, with minute management mostly out the window, it's easy to have at least one of Duncan/Aldridge and Leonard/Green in for virtually all meaningful minutes, if necessary. Doing so would take care of Anderson's contributions.

Martin is streaky, play him like Belli and Neal should have been played: if he's on, keep him in, if not, pull the plug. Its obvious (Harden/westbrook/etc) any flailing drive to the rim is going to get the whistle. Spurs only have that in martin. take advantage.

[SAGirl]

Was a there word on Kmart?
Was he sick for the last two games of the first round?

[look_at_g_shred]

Was a there word on Kmart?
Was he sick for the last two games of the first round?

Yes

[GSH]

I know his defense isn't good but he can actually hit the broadside of a barn and generate cheap free throws that this team desperately needs.

The most under-rated stat(s) of all, in my book is FTA/FGA and/or FTA Per 100 Possessions. A guy who can draw whistles and get to the FT line is able to save games for you. In tight playoff games, that can't be over-stated. When you're a few points behind, but making a run in the last couple of minutes, those FTA's let you score with the clock stopped.

Throughout his career, Martin has been extremely good at getting to the FT line. He's streaky, but he's still one of an asset to have going into the playoffs. I think the streaky play will limit the minutes he gets from Pop this post-season. But the OP is right - if and when the team needs instant offense, he's likely to get a look. Sometimes the only way to make up a deficit is to take some risks. Martin is a high-risk, high-reward kind of player.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Our outside shooting is inconsistent, wouldn't mind seeing him get some burn in the first half of games.

[phxspurfan]

Bump

[spursistan]

Where does K-Mart addition rank among the most useless Spurs mid- season transaction for the hype it had?

Even Miler looked better in smaller sample/ role...I would rather retain 41-year-old Dre than him if we have a choice...

[SD126]

Good bye...and good riddance.

[Darius Bieber]

Where does K-Mart addition rank among the most useless Spurs mid- season transaction for the hype it had?

Even Miler looked better in smaller sample/ role...I would rather retain 41-year-old Dre than him if we have a choice...

Can't be worse than Drew Gooden.

[DMC]

Showed that PATFO knew they were in deep at the 1.

[tholdren]

The most under-rated stat(s) of all, in my book is FTA/FGA and/or FTA Per 100 Possessions. A guy who can draw whistles and get to the FT line is able to save games for you. In tight playoff games, that can't be over-stated. When you're a few points behind, but making a run in the last couple of minutes, those FTA's let you score with the clock stopped.

Throughout his career, Martin has been extremely good at getting to the FT line. He's streaky, but he's still one of an asset to have going into the playoffs. I think the streaky play will limit the minutes he gets from Pop this post-season. But the OP is right - if and when the team needs instant offense, he's likely to get a look. Sometimes the only way to make up a deficit is to take some risks. Martin is a high-risk, high-reward kind of player.

And if you read a post in another thread, this is why SA lost. 30+ point differential at the line. Pop is an idiot, and kyle anderson is a wnba player.

[BackHome]

If Green actually tries and hits a 3 pointer we not even having this conversation

[tholdren]

Can't be worse than Drew Gooden.

This was the year he was doing something similarly as ty playing Kurt Thomas instead of Gooden. I remember that Dallas series. Kurt Thomas for half the game and like 3 rebounds. Spurs fans everywhere loved this because of Kurt Thomas Defense. So no, KT is and was worse than Gooden. Same exact concept.

[therealtruth]

Where does K-Mart addition rank among the most useless Spurs mid- season transaction for the hype it had?

Even Miler looked better in smaller sample/ role...I would rather retain 41-year-old Dre than him if we have a choice...

He's the last true PG since TJ Ford.

[HI-FI]

Where does K-Mart addition rank among the most useless Spurs mid- season transaction for the hype it had?

Even Miler looked better in smaller sample/ role...I would rather retain 41-year-old Dre than him if we have a choice...

I liked the Dre move but did not like getting Martin. Nothing personal, just don't like his game.
I would much rather keep Miller if any of them are staying. Agree it has to be one of the most worthless transactions I recall.

[therealtruth]

I liked the Dre move but did not like getting Martin. Nothing personal, just don't like his game.
I would much rather keep Miller if any of them are staying. Agree it has to be one of the most worthless transactions I recall.

The Spurs have got to learn how to get the foul line. Again Ginobili, TD used to be good at it. But when those jumpers are not falling your really need those free points to help get you going. Kmart's one of the best in the business at getting to the FT line.