Give me a good reason why MVPaddy shouldn't start

[TheDoctor]

People need to relax. SA is 0-4 and the bench looks strong which was a concern (at least for me). No DG, TP not looking great and the SL is still a +.

Let things play out with Danny back. No need to change anything when you already are starting to see a bench play well together and the team is winning. Plenty of time to make changes.

Talking about Danny, I just want to see that Patty, Verde, Kawhi, LaMarcus, Dedmon lineup in action.

[Brazil]

It's only 4 games, Spurs are 4/0. that's about it tbh

What we saw so far is that the last 5 mn of the games are going to be: ball to kawhi and gtfo much like with Manu some years ago. In that configuration Patty makes more sense than Tony because of his shooting. I don't see current configuration as a big issue. Bench is doing well, SL is doing well and last 5 mn units is doing well so far. So yeah why not stick to it for a while, add Danny, get a Pau more comfortable and draw conclusions afterwards ?

Now Parker would benefit greatly to play with the bench but there is no indication that would be better for the Spurs as a whole.

[gambit1990]

People need to relax. SA is 0-4

parker isn't getting younger.

[gambit1990]

tp's current WS/48 is .002. patty's is .327.

[dabom]

It's only 4 games, Spurs are 4/0. that's about it tbh

What we saw so far is that the last 5 mn of the games are going to be: ball to kawhi and gtfo much like with Manu some years ago. In that configuration Patty makes more sense than Tony because of his shooting. I don't see current configuration as a big issue. Bench is doing well, SL is doing well and last 5 mn units is doing well so far. So yeah why not stick to it for a while, add Danny, get a Pau more comfortable and draw conclusions afterwards ?

Now Parker would benefit greatly to play with the bench but there is no indication that would be better for the Spurs as a whole.

It's not about the now. It's about when we play tough compe ion in the playoffs. Winning games in the regular season doesn't mean anything.

[gambit1990]

It's not about the now. It's about when we play tough compe ion in the playoffs. Winning games in the regular season doesn't mean anything.

exactly.

parker may play better this season but his limited ability will definitely be apparent in the playoffs.

[Brazil]

It's not about the now. It's about when we play tough compe ion in the playoffs. Winning games in the regular season doesn't mean anything.

brah I don't disagree but there is plenty of time to figure it out. We are forgetting that the team is now playing without Tim, has to get Pau acclimated, plays without Danny and get to acclimate MVP Kawhi playing like a MVP... that's a lot. I think there is no need / rush to change yet another position in the starting 5.

Parker is playing like crap of course but I've watched Dubs game yesterday night and honestly he did pretty good tbh offensively and defensively in that first game. I've called him done after last euro and he is done with his prime, on the decline etc etc... does not mean he cannot be serviceable.

Now debate is open but will be more interesting in a couple of months imho fwiw

[SASdynasty!]

And Parker being garbage. But we let that one slide since he still could have possibly been better. Not anymore. Patty is the best player, and tony ain't the player he once was.

Wait Parker was garbage in the OKC series? Here, let me bring you back to reality:

Parker: 11/6/3 on 47%
Mills: 4/2/2 on 42%

Mills absolutely disappeared. He couldn't score and he couldn't distribute. He was pure garbage. He was a useless player who couldn't even produce against OKC's bench. Once Parker has a playoff series even close to that level of non-production, let's talk.

[SASdynasty!]

tp's current WS/48 is .002. patty's is .327.

Is this the stat that Boban led the team in last season?

[rastaspur]

Tony doesnt fit with the second unit. Make him a token starter and dont give him more than 20 to 24 minutes on any given night.

If he is still stinking it up come february drop his minutes to 20 or less a night.

[Perry Mason]

Wait Parker was garbage in the OKC series? Here, let me bring you back to reality:

Parker: 11/6/3 on 47%
Mills: 4/2/2 on 42%

Mills absolutely disappeared. He couldn't score and he couldn't distribute. He was pure garbage. He was a useless player who couldn't even produce against OKC's bench. Once Parker has a playoff series even close to that level of non-production, let's talk.

But wait, I thought El Nono said there was no evidence that Patty can't control the ball as well as Parker, and I think he brought up a Portland series where it was Parker's ball control and speed that destroyed that team, an OKC series where Patty was more or less a bit player (and it was Boris that won us Game 6, with Tim's heroics), and the Heat series where Patty (who did play great) and the second-unit were playing summertime, which is something the starting lineup doesn't do (nearly as much anyway).

I like El Nono of course and value his opinion, but honestly this "no evidence" line is just...bizarre. Any basketball coach can see Patty's historical weakness as a primary ball-handler. It's flat out obvious.

Nevertheless, I believe in Patty. When the Spurs took him, I was his biggest cheerleader and said he would surprise a lot of people, even though the RD's of the board were saying he was garbage.

Let's remember that the last two seasons, Patty has been a big disappointment. We chalked up 2015 to his injury. Last year I wondered if he would just flame out. Now, four games in, perhaps he can start. But let's not pretend like its just a question of who shoots better. The offense is not just 4 down with the starters, as has been implied. As this discussion shows, a lot of negative things can happen to the bench if Patty leaves it, and Patty with the starters is still an experiment. I don't care what works better in the regular season when defense is not as tight. It's the playoffs where I care. Whatever happens, I expect Pop to make the right call on this one. If TP needs to go, he needs to go. But let's wait a see a bit and not act like the decision is just cake.

[ElNono]

But wait, I thought El Nono said there was no evidence that Patty can't control the ball as well as Parker, and I think he brought up a Portland series where it was Parker's ball control and speed that destroyed that team, an OKC series where Patty was more or less a bit player (and it was Boris that won us Game 6, with Tim's heroics), and the Heat series where Patty (who did play great) and the second-unit were playing summertime, which is something the starting lineup doesn't do (nearly as much anyway).

I like El Nono of course and value his opinion, but honestly this "no evidence" line is just...bizarre. Any basketball coach can see Patty's historical weakness as a primary ball-handler. It's flat out obvious.

Nevertheless, I believe in Patty. When the Spurs took him, I was his biggest cheerleader and said he would surprise a lot of people, even though the RD's of the board were saying he was garbage.

Perry, my answer was about the allegation that Patty can't handle full-court pressure, which is one argument that was brought up as why he couldn't start.

And there's zero evidence of that. To the contrary, his handles are perfectly fine. He's played in pressure-packed games, handled himself and the ball well, etc. I mentioned the Portland and OKC series in '14 as an example of that: Tony couldn't play, and Patty had no problem running the point diligently in a high stakes game. Not to mention Game 5 (and series really) of the 2014 Finals, where he was more than just good, he was terrific.

If you or somebody else want to make the argument that Tony is a better floor general, then I would actually agree. Although, as I also mentioned later on in the thread, I don't think the current SL need a floor general-type, due to mostly how they play at the moment.

[Snaq O'Meal]

If you or somebody else want to make the argument that Tony is a better floor general, then I would actually agree. Although, as I also mentioned later on in the thread, I don't think the current SL need a floor general-type, due to mostly how they play at the moment.

Not much of a floor general tbh.

[pgardn]

Not much of a floor general tbh.

Well this proves it. Case closed.

Christ...