McDonald: Spurs turn to their backup plan

[lurker23]

I'm not sure what people were expecting from McDyess. In his last 12 games (excluding the Indiana game where he got 9 minutes), he's averaging 8.9 points and 7 rebounds. He too needs to turn up the defensive intensity (can be said for almost all Spurs), but if he focuses on defense and averages 9 and 7 in 25 mpg, he'll basically be doing what the Spurs expected him to do.

[ElNono]

This article is the prime example of why Pop keeps on pushing the same bull and basically gets away with it. I'd love McDonald to interview Bowen about what it took to play that great D from the best years and how Bogans has been unable to deliver at all.
Or maybe write an article on how the top teams have gone with big lineups the last few seasons. Or maybe how the Spurs are trying to win it all with Nellie ball, even though that strategy hasn't won a championship in decades. Or maybe how special Horry was, as a contrast to what Matt Bonner can't ever aspire to be.

You don't have to criticize directly, but a critical eye is much, much better than just being along for the ride.

[Obstructed_View]

I'm not sure what people were expecting from McDyess. In his last 12 games (excluding the Indiana game where he got 9 minutes), he's averaging 8.9 points and 7 rebounds.

I don't know about anyone else, but I sort of expect he and DeJuan Blair (7 points, 6 rebounds) to be playing ahead of Matt stinking Bonner in the rotation in February.

[AFBlue]

Good thing Pop made these changes after that disappointing game in Denver. It's only been two games, but already there's been a big difference in performance.

This...wtf? Why did the Spurs need to make a change, and of all the lineups Pop could've settled on going forward, this HAS to be the worst.

[Mr Bones]

I think the thing no one wants to admit is that Duncan is no longer the dominating top tier player he once was... he's slower and older, and that being the case, it really doesn't matter what happens with Jefferson's confidence, Parker's feet and ankles, McDyess's second half play, etc... the Spurs had an amazing run.... Holt went all in with spending and it was an admirable gamble, better than waiting for the 2010 free agency summer... but this time the gamble just didn't pay off.

[Taking it to the Hole]

It all started as soon as Bruce left. With him, he took the collective desire of the whole team to play defense.

[DDS4]

Once Pop decides to stop tinkering the lineups, maybe the team as a whole can head towards consistency.

[it's me]

The only reason Bogan's developed a rep as a defensive stopper is because he is so damn bad on offense. Coaches probably thought, this guy sucks on offense, so he must be a pretty damn good defender to have been in the league this long.

Exactly my point.

[AFBlue]

Once Pop decides to stop tinkering the lineups, maybe the team as a whole can head towards consistency.

I don't disagree with this, but of all the lineups to settle on, this has to be the worst thus far.

[Obstructed_View]

I think the thing no one wants to admit is that Duncan is no longer the dominating top tier player he once was...

Agreed. I wonder why he's continually asked to be the only big defending the paint and why his only veteran help in that department was traded away to save a million dollars.

[ShoogarBear]

I'm not sure what people were expecting from McDyess. In his last 12 games (excluding the Indiana game where he got 9 minutes), he's averaging 8.9 points and 7 rebounds. He too needs to turn up the defensive intensity (can be said for almost all Spurs), but if he focuses on defense and averages 9 and 7 in 25 mpg, he'll basically be doing what the Spurs expected him to do.

Yep, he was getting in a groove. That's why there had to be a change.

[Big Empty]

I cant understand bringing Richardson off the bench. But starting Bonner? If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.

[ohmwrecker]

We've got a backup plan???

This IS the backup plan!

[PublicOption]

backup plan

I hope it includes winning.

[ffadicted]

Moving Jefferson to the bench is the dumbest thing Pop has done all season in my opinion. Obviously Jefferson hasn't responded well to hits in his own pride, so moving him out of the starting lineup will only bring his confidence down.

[ElNono]

I think the thing no one wants to admit is that Duncan is no longer the dominating top tier player he once was... he's slower and older, and that being the case, it really doesn't matter what happens with Jefferson's confidence, Parker's feet and ankles, McDyess's second half play, etc... the Spurs had an amazing run.... Holt went all in with spending and it was an admirable gamble, better than waiting for the 2010 free agency summer... but this time the gamble just didn't pay off.

If you expect him to guard the paint by himself, then I agree with you. But a lot of us didn't. Tim's decline is EXACTLY why we want another capable big (read shot blocker, good rebounder) next to him. Tim is still good to give you double double pretty much every night. He just can't do it on the defensive end alone anymore. But playing small with Tim as the sole big, exacerbates the problem instead of minimizing it.
It's been said countless times how other coaches abuse Tim defending the pick to get him out of the way. Half a season later you think you would have a better answer than playing Matt Bonner. Apparently, we don't.

[J Mack]

no. we've got writers, who call everything a plan.
if today in Detroit Pop suddenly rips his clothes off, runs to the free troth line naked and tries to pee thru the hole from there, McDonald and the other Spurs court reporters would call that a plan either.

damn

[J Mack]

two of my favorite quotes " with great power comes great responsibility" and "at ude reflexs leadership , captain"

[Mr Bones]

In retrospect, the mistake the Spurs made was waiting one season too long to abandon the 2010 plan. Had they signed a good defender like Pietrus to the MLE instead of saving a couple of million on Mason, they then might have traded the expiring contracts of Bowen, Thomas, and Oberto for a real big instead of a very expensive Jefferson. And despite the many Peitrus detractors on spurstalk that said he sucked that summer, he at this point would have been a better player than Jefferson at about 1/3 the price.

[TJastal]

In retrospect, the mistake the Spurs made was waiting one season too long to abandon the 2010 plan. Had they signed a good defender like Pietrus to the MLE instead of saving a couple of million on Mason, they then might have traded the expiring contracts of Bowen, Thomas, and Oberto for a real big instead of a very expensive Jefferson. And despite the many Peitrus detractors on spurstalk that said he sucked that summer, he at this point would have been a better player than Jefferson at about 1/3 the price.

+1

Pietrus would have played that spot up corner 3pt shooter type role very well, better than RJ IMO. And his defense is 3X that of Jefferson.

[elbamba]

Bonner has not been a better defensive player than Dice or Blair. People consistently attack Bonner with ease and have no fear of putting up shots on him. Plus his rebounding sucks.

KB defense is overrated. At his best, he is a step slower than Bowen was last year. Bowen would do a better job of defense just by showing up to the game in a uniform.

The only thing the new starting lineup does is allow the other team to build momentum and hit early easy shots to carry them through the game. The Spurs can only pray that they get some kind of production out of the starting lineup, which they will, every 4 games.

Dice
Duncan
Hill
Mason
Parker

This is a lineup that can play defense and make baskets. It is not our best lineup but would allow the Spurs to stay in the game.

[jjktkk]

Agreed. I wonder why he's continually asked to be the only big defending the paint and why his only veteran help in that department was traded away to save a million dollars.

Because IMO, Ratliff is a one trick pony. Good defender/rebounder, but nothing on offense. Opposing coaches know Ratliff is a liability on offense and would use their player thats defending Ratliff to double team Duncan, or whomever they choose to double team. Just a guess, but Pop probably wants more offense from the position than the defense that Ratliff can provide.

[jjktkk]

Bonner has not been a better defensive player than Dice or Blair. People consistently attack Bonner with ease and have no fear of putting up shots on him. Plus his rebounding sucks.

KB defense is overrated. At his best, he is a step slower than Bowen was last year. Bowen would do a better job of defense just by showing up to the game in a uniform.

The only thing the new starting lineup does is allow the other team to build momentum and hit early easy shots to carry them through the game. The Spurs can only pray that they get some kind of production out of the starting lineup, which they will, every 4 games.

Dice
Duncan
Hill
Mason
Parker

This is a lineup that can play defense and make baskets. It is not our best lineup but would allow the Spurs to stay in the game.

I disagree that this a good defensive lineup. Under size backcourt and wing position. I do think McDyess should be starting next to Duncan.

[elbamba]

I disagree that this a good defensive lineup. Under size backcourt and wing position. I do think McDyess should be starting next to Duncan.

If they are going to bring Jefferson and Manu off the bench than Mason and Hill starting are our best options. KB sucks on offense and is not good on defense. Bonner is like the Greg Ostertag of the Spurs, he works as a sixth man on defense for the other team. He has to be hitting threes to make up for his horrible defense, and he has not been doing that.

The point is to not just play defense but to have an offense out there that can score and keep up so we do not play catch up all game. Even when the Spurs had a lead in the Philly game, it seemed like they were trying to catch up to the 76ers.

[Obstructed_View]

Because IMO, Ratliff is a one trick pony. Good defender/rebounder, but nothing on offense. Opposing coaches know Ratliff is a liability on offense and would use their player thats defending Ratliff to double team Duncan, or whomever they choose to double team. Just a guess, but Pop probably wants more offense from the position than the defense that Ratliff can provide.

At this point, Bonner and Bogans are both no-trick ponies. Ratliff's would have kept Duncan from having to work so hard on defense leaving him fresh to score on offense, which we all know he can still do.