Game 5: Western Conference Finals- Thunder @ Spurs

[Chinook]

If the OKC is smart he would move Durrant to the 4 and have him guard Bonner. It would keep Durrant rested on D thats for sure

Yeah and have no rim-protection on PnRs.

[jARS mEsH sEt]

Starting Bonner makes a lot of sense. Good for Pop to recognize that. That's exactly what I wanted tbh..

[TheGoldStandard]

Pop reverting back to 2008 - 2011 goods.. Oh well.. Can only hope that Parker and Co. win this in spite of Pop

[itzsoweezee]

Great move, Popovich. Bonner better hit those threes, though.

[DPG21920]

Spurs, even with Tiago, got plenty of uncontested looks that guys like Boris/Kawhi/DG missed. The defense got absolutely destroyed and Bonner is just an awful defender at this point.

[Johnny RIngo]

Bonner starting? Goddamn, Pop hasn't been the same since losing to Avery Johnson in 2006

[Mugen]

Nothing like some more Bonner to help a team struggling with defense and rebounding tbh. Can't believe it's come to this but it tbh.

[emanueldavidginobili]

Tony Manu Tim combine 65 points tonight

[TE]

I remember coach Nick talking about an "adjustment" that could potentially be made by Pop...glass half full empty, I'm thinking this is move. Bonner, IF making shots, forces a big out out of the paint. It's that simple.

[timtonymanu]

So this is official? Ok, I'm about to say goodbye to my computer screen and smash the out of it... SOMEONE tell me it's a sick joke, for crying out loud!!!!1

You even started the game thread. Pop trolling you.

[hater]

Pop

old has gone full on senile

[SpurPadre]

So, no one is willing to tell me that this is all a joke?

[Nathan89]

I rather Duncan going at Ibaka instead going at Perkins with Ibaka standing right behind him like last game.

[TheGoldStandard]

Starting Bonner makes a lot of sense. Good for Pop to recognize that. That's exactly what I wanted tbh..

Said no one ever

[ElNono]

I'm a well renowned Bonner-in-big-role hater, and I can say this gimmick rarely works... they don't need to use Abaka on Bonner, and Bonner on the perimeter can be shut down by even Fisher...

Let's wait and see a bit, I suspect Corey might get some minutes off the bench too...

[DesignatedT]

How Long until OKC goes small? Is this pops attempt at trying to make them go small early? So pop can put in the extra guard

[DPG21920]

Bonner's main skill (shooting) has not been very good. Let's see if he can hit the shots or if OKC forces him to make 7 3's to prove himself before they decide to guard him.

[Horry Hipcheck]

The first play of the game will be drawn up for a Bonner three. Book it.

[rasuo214]

Matt Bonner the savior. Believe.

[SpurPadre]

You even started the game thread. Pop trolling you.

He's potentially trolling the sport of basketball by doing this.

[crc21209]

1. Just take care of the ball.
2. Just move the ball and find the open man.
3. Just rebound the basketball.
4. Just defend and make smart, quick defensive rotations.
5. Just play with energy and heart.
6. Just stay calm and play SPURS basketball.

JUST WIN!

[Johnny RIngo]

Also LOL at blowing the MLE on two guys who haven't contributed at all to this playoff run. Never thought you could get worse than Neal/Blair but Spurs somehow did it with Ferrari and Errors

[Baam]

Spurs, even with Tiago, got plenty of uncontested looks that guys like Boris/Kawhi/DG missed. The defense got absolutely destroyed and Bonner is just an awful defender at this point.

It changes how OKC can defend, that's the most important thing, also no look were that open aside from Boris 3s (the shots Bonner should get)...

[DPG21920]

Bonner will not shoot over anyone, even a shorter defender. It's kind of a funny move, especially for a WCF, but hey, job security allows you to do awesome things

[RD2191]

it, Spelling Bee on ESPN if anyone else doesn't wanna watch another massacre.