Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA): Spurs Eye Starting DeWayne Dedmon; Gasol Off Bench

[Robz4000]

Hope he stays starting tbh.

[james evans]

Hope he stays starting tbh.

cmon now, you know once Gasol gets healthy, Popovich gonna bring that matador defense back to the starting lineup.

[Robz4000]

cmon now, you know once Gasol gets healthy, Popovich gonna bring that matador defense back to the starting lineup.

Yop, but I can hope.

[timtonymanu]

Took 50+ games but finally became a reality.

[Spurs da champs]

Gasol's injury was a blessing.

[Horse]

Damn right and gasol can put up better numbers with the bench

[CGD]

Except you can tell Gasol and Lee haven't really played together, and need to get into rhythm

[-21-]

Uh, did I miss something? I thought Pop was just easing Pau back after the injury and was eventually gonna insert him back in the starting lineup. (I'm all in for Dedmon starting btw)

[GSH]

At the beginning of the season, I didn't think there was any way it could happen. I'm still a little concerned about his lack of offense. This was just his sixth game with more than 10 points. With both him and Danny in at the same time, the other three are really pressured to put up points. Shut one of them down, and they have to play some acious defense to hold their own.

But there's no doubt that Dedmon's quicker feet and athleticism are a plus on the defensive end, and Pau could really bring some added consistency to the bench. It's hard for me to imagine that the Spurs wouldn't have the most potent bench in the league with Pau anchoring the middle. If Pau goes for it and keeps a good at ude (and I think he would) it could go a long way to force opponent lineups.

I'm still not convinced Pop is heading that direction.

[szkorhetz]

I actually loved the Gasol-Dedmon pairing against LAC, TBH.

[sasaint]

At the beginning of the season, I didn't think there was any way it could happen. I'm still a little concerned about his lack of offense. This was just his sixth game with more than 10 points. With both him and Danny in at the same time, the other three are really pressured to put up points. Shut one of them down, and they have to play some acious defense to hold their own.

But there's no doubt that Dedmon's quicker feet and athleticism are a plus on the defensive end, and Pau could really bring some added consistency to the bench. It's hard for me to imagine that the Spurs wouldn't have the most potent bench in the league with Pau anchoring the middle. If Pau goes for it and keeps a good at ude (and I think he would) it could go a long way to force opponent lineups.

I'm still not convinced Pop is heading that direction.

Good takes, plus I think both Danny and Kawhi would benefit from a defensive anchor - as they flourished with Timmy. I also think Danny would benefit offensively from a "non-offensive" (as opposed to "inoffensive" ) player in the lineup. I am unconvinced, too, but I really like the idea.

[sasaint]

Uh, did I miss something? I thought Pop was just easing Pau back after the injury and was eventually gonna insert him back in the starting lineup. (I'm all in for Dedmon starting btw)

You are probably right, but that doesn't stop ST speculation.