Should Simmons start ahead of Green?

[playbonner15]

Couldve been epic

[GSH]

lets face it because Danny is totally one dimensional on offense, when it's almost January and you've shot 30% and you've been healthy all year, that's a failure.

Danny only needs to be one-dimensional on offense. The problem is that so far he's been no-dimensional. This starting unit only needs one thing, and that's for Danny's threes to start falling. If he finds his stroke/confidence, this team is going to go ape- crazy on some people. They're already doing a pretty good job of it.

Danny is starting because Pop knows that this season most likely boils down to beating the Warriors in the playoffs. And they'll need Danny's D to do that. Right now, at least, Curry is almost un-stoppable. But the rest of the players on that team are mere mortals. Pop is grooming a team for the playoffs, and that's about experience and defense.

[ceperez]

Danny only needs to be one-dimensional on offense. The problem is that so far he's been no-dimensional. This starting unit only needs one thing, and that's for Danny's threes to start falling. If he finds his stroke/confidence, this team is going to go ape- crazy on some people. They're already doing a pretty good job of it.

Danny is starting because Pop knows that this season most likely boils down to beating the Warriors in the playoffs. And they'll need Danny's D to do that. Right now, at least, Curry is almost un-stoppable. But the rest of the players on that team are mere mortals. Pop is grooming a team for the playoffs, and that's about experience and defense.

Anybody Spurs can groom to make Curry less efficient is a plus in my book. If Simmons can be help, then that's a plus.

Oh, BTW, Klay Thompson is also going bonkers.

[GSH]

Danny practices the pumpfake and drive, which is how he punishes guys for not being in control when they close out. He does it a lot more this year because he doesn't have as much space to shoot as he has in the past, and because his shots are fewer and further between, I think he's thinking about them more, which he needs to work through.

Watching him, I think the biggest problem is that he's thinking about everything too much. Maybe he didn't work on driving enough in the off-season. Maybe he's just not going to ever be good at it. But he's thinking about what he's doing, instead of going on muscle-memory. And he's thinking about his shots to the point of hesitating. Hesitation is a killer in any sport.

I agree that the offense needs to be able to get him more open shots. But I've also seen him hesitate, and even pass up, open 3's. He has to be able to just let them fly.

[ceperez]

Watching him, I think the biggest problem is that he's thinking about everything too much. Maybe he didn't work on driving enough in the off-season. Maybe he's just not going to ever be good at it. But he's thinking about what he's doing, instead of going on muscle-memory. And he's thinking about his shots to the point of hesitating. Hesitation is a killer in any sport.

I agree that the offense needs to be able to get him more open shots. But I've also seen him hesitate, and even pass up, open 3's. He has to be able to just let them fly.

I agree. GSW just lets them fly. This could be a problem if they start going in.

[dabom]

Watching him, I think the biggest problem is that he's thinking about everything too much. Maybe he didn't work on driving enough in the off-season. Maybe he's just not going to ever be good at it. But he's thinking about what he's doing, instead of going on muscle-memory. And he's thinking about his shots to the point of hesitating. Hesitation is a killer in any sport.

I agree that the offense needs to be able to get him more open shots. But I've also seen him hesitate, and even pass up, open 3's. He has to be able to just let them fly.

It's just when he doesn't think, he turns it over.

[GSH]

It's just when he doesn't think, he turns it over.

[r0drig0lac]

Simmons is a defensive player first. That's why he is getting so much PT.

agree

[ceperez]

agree

Hope he works with coaching staff to learn how to do one thing.... stop Stephan Curry. Learn all his moves, his habits etc. so guarding him will be second nature.

[bic50]

Hope he works with coaching staff to learn how to do one thing.... stop Stephan Curry. Learn all his moves, his habits etc. so guarding him will be second nature.

And westbrook. I have a feeling that's who pop is really grooming simmons for more then curry.

[Chinook]

I mean, I would love for Simmons to give the Spurs a third option to put on elite scorers. I really would. But I just don't see it. I'd rather give Anderson minutes in a defensive situation over Simmons right now. Kyle may get beat, but if the help is there, he's going to get back in the play. And you better not dribble near him. As Anderson gets older and refs learn of his skills, he'll get even more steals and even fewer fouls.

[Obstructed_View]

Watching him, I think the biggest problem is that he's thinking about everything too much. Maybe he didn't work on driving enough in the off-season. Maybe he's just not going to ever be good at it. But he's thinking about what he's doing, instead of going on muscle-memory. And he's thinking about his shots to the point of hesitating. Hesitation is a killer in any sport.

I agree that the offense needs to be able to get him more open shots. But I've also seen him hesitate, and even pass up, open 3's. He has to be able to just let them fly.

Until he starts getting his threes swatted consistently, Danny needs to stop Brent Barrying his jumpers. He might be surprised how many fouls he draws.

[spursistan]

no..both Simmons and Anderson don't have street cred with referess; they are going to be virtually unplayable in the pressure cooker of playoffs because of fouls..Yesterday KA had the cleanest of blocks, hands straight up with feet set on the ground, yet the ref called a hilariously bogus foul on him.. we are going to need Green for 28-32 MPG in the playoffs specially in the Dubs matchup..he is teasing us the last few games, but i think he will eventually break out of this slump..maybe not to be 42% shooter from deep, but something like 38%-39% will do....

[ceperez]

no..both Simmons and Anderson don't have street cred with referess; they are going to be virtually unplayable in the pressure cooker of playoffs because of fouls..Yesterday KA had the cleanest of blocks, hands straight up with feet set on the ground, yet the ref called a hilariously bogus foul on him.. we are going to need Green for 28-32 MPG in the playoffs specially in the Dubs matchup..he is teasing us the last few games, but i think he will eventually break out of this slump..maybe not to be 42% shooter from deep, but something like 38%-39% will do....

Well, Pop will need to play both players in the regular season so the referees get used to them. No way around it.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Until he starts getting his threes swatted consistently, Danny needs to stop Brent Barrying his jumpers. He might be surprised how many fouls he draws.

Agreed!
I been trying to think about whose drives his remind me of

Lol ing Barry

Wonder what whottt would say

[Obstructed_View]

Danny worked his ass off all offseason on his drives, and it's no longer cringe-inducing when he does it, but it seems like many times he could have let it fly. It really only takes one good game for his confidence to come back, so fingers crossed.

[SAGirl]

I mean, I would love for Simmons to give the Spurs a third option to put on elite scorers. I really would. But I just don't see it. I'd rather give Anderson minutes in a defensive situation over Simmons right now. Kyle may get beat, but if the help is there, he's going to get back in the play. And you better not dribble near him. As Anderson gets older and refs learn of his skills, he'll get even more steals and even fewer fouls.

Well I agree, bc as good as Simmons has looked, specially for a rookie (even if he's an older rookie, he's looked much improved from preseason and there is a learning curve from one league to the other), Anderson still has the best defensive instincts.

We have seen Pop get Kyle for a few seconds just for a defensive possession in several games already and to close out a quarter and he has not disappointed. There is not a single case yet that he's failed to read the situation correctly and made some kind of play to get a stop. I have also been impressed by his use of his incredible length to contest the 3 point shot and close out shooters without fouling them.

I was really enamored with Anderson's passing skill before this season, but he has surprised me with incredible defensive instincts and knowing how to use his size and his length. He has also shown nimbler feet in a defensive stance than I thought he had.

You are right, he will only get better. He also has super quick and good hands, and such incredible length. I know his length is similar to Leonards, but Kawhi is very broad shouldered. Kyle is slight in frame. His length is really all arms.

Simmons has quick feet though and I believe they will serve him well staying in front of quick and athletic guards. It will be a need when Manu retires, because you are not going to get one single guy that gives you everything Manu still does, but it will be nice to get someone who can guard the bench's quickest guard bc Patty is terrible defending one on one and in PnR.

Simmons does a good job moving laterally, and to me he has a lot of potential, but he has things to improve on though. Particularly, guards who like to use screens will give him trouble. Like I mentioned above he doesn't negotiate screens very well at all. That is just awareness. I have observed a slower footed guy like Anderson negotiate them very well, bc he knows when they are coming, anticipates them and has good feet placement. He also warns the big man behind him to get in position to expect a roll. Simmons does none of these things.

[dabom]

KA dribble dribble longer than tony.

[dabom]

Simmons is the better option for this team this year.

[SAGirl]

Danny worked his ass off all offseason on his drives, and it's no longer cringe-inducing when he does it, but it seems like many times he could have let it fly. It really only takes one good game for his confidence to come back, so fingers crossed.

I agree with you on this. He has reduced the TO rate, and has stopped forcing shots in the paint that are not there and is reading passing lanes better. The problem is that this has taken him out of his real game, which is the 3 pt shot. He is hesitating too much, considering whether to drive or shoot, and that takes him out of rhythm.
He had only 1 of 5 3pt mades last night and the one he made was a contested shot he let fly unconsciously out of an O board.

[ViceCity86]

LOL Spurs fans thinking

DG>>>Bowen
DG>>>Capt Jack
DG>>>Memorial Day
DG>>>Finley
DG>>>Klay Thompson(Harlem)
DG>>>Ariza
DG>>>Red
DG>>>Jeremy Lamb
DG>>>Oladipo
DG Top 5 SG

DG>>>Jason Nut Terry
DG>>>Ronnie Brewer

[Nathan89]

DG>>>Jason Nut Terry
DG>>>Ronnie Brewer

Who is Ronnie Brewer?

[tholdren]

Danny green sucks. Period. He was a great find when he was lights out, but who isnt? Every one here has identified he's a terrible perimeter player on offense, and he's soft. Both are why he's nowhere near the court during a tight game in the 4th q. End of story. Best players finish games

[steeledl]

Who is Ronnie Brewer?

Sick young prospect.

[Nathan89]

Not sure why our offense routinely has Danny Green at the top of the key with the ball for 4 seconds.