The Chuckster on Matt Bonner, LOL

[ffadicted]

classic chuck

[crc21209]

This. Bonner's defense has actually improved, and he's in good position more often than not, even if he doesn't jump or block a lot of shots.

The problem is, NBA players are still confident they can score all over him. And confidence cannot be underrated in basketball. Bonner could be in the right spot at the right time, but if Dirk still believes his shot is going in the basket, it's got a pretty good chance unless Bonner actually impedes its path.

Contrast that to when the Spurs actually played defense, and Bruce Bowen was constantly in the head of his opponent from the opening tip. Teams used to fear coming into San Antonio to play, and I don't think that is the case anymore. We do nothing defensively to disrupt their comfort level.

Bonner did basically all he could last night, and I saw on about 2 or 3 possesions that Bonner jumped up and put a hand in Dirk's face, and got a foul called on him...with little to NO contact...

[Baseline]

Scorers simply light up when they know certain guys are guarding them. This year the Spurs have had three guys like that...Bonner, Mason, and formerly Finley.

When these guys are guarding you, you know they can't really stay with you and they can't block your shot even if they tried, so the worst that can happen is a hand in your face. They're not really "contesting" - they're just kind of hanging around trying to look like they're trying.

I was a 20+ per game scorer in my day, and this was absolutely true for me. You just have more confidence against certain defenders. The guys who are bothersome are guys like Bowen, who never give you an inch and never let you breathe. You feel like you have a blanket on you, and even getting the ball seems like a vistory - even though you haven't gotten shot off yet.

So Dirk knows that he can A) catch the ball where he wants to, B) make his move where he wants to, and C) get his shot off where he wants to. In other words, he is not uncomfortable with any of it.

[rascal]

Bonner may have upgraded his defensive effort from "failed" to now "below average". Whatever he's done to ramp up on that end of the court, STILL isn't good enough to contend with an average NBA player, much less an NBA superstar like Dirk. Bonner is in WAY over his head, as well as any other defender that has tried to stop the Big German.

The mere fact that Barkley is making a laughing stock out of Bonner on national TV, one can only wonder what the rest of the NBA players and GMs are saying about him. I only wish the FO had gone after SJax.

Bonner has no business being in the regular rotation of an aspiring championship team.

[fraga]

Has Pop learned nothing from last year...

[neboat]

scorers simply light up when they know certain guys are guarding them. This year the spurs have had three guys like that...bonner, mason, and formerly finley.

When these guys are guarding you, you know they can't really stay with you and they can't block your shot even if they tried, so the worst that can happen is a hand in your face. They're not really "contesting" - they're just kind of hanging around trying to look like they're trying.

I was a 20+ per game scorer in my day, and this was absolutely true for me. You just have more confidence against certain defenders. The guys who are bothersome are guys like bowen, who never give you an inch and never let you breathe. You feel like you have a blanket on you, and even getting the ball seems like a vistory - even though you haven't gotten shot off yet.

So dirk knows that he can a) catch the ball where he wants to, b) make his move where he wants to, and c) get his shot off where he wants to. In other words, he is not uncomfortable with any of it.

+1

[manustarting2gd]

bump on account of the neal/anderson thread = anti bonner.. matt is a limo guy! LOL
CLASSIC!

[Sean Cagney]

Matt Bonner plays the best defense of any big men on this team outside of Duncan. .

This still scares me, my god he is shyt!!!!!! If he is second behind TIm then we are fukked for good, I hate people who try to defend this piece of shyt player.. He is trash and a joke. Bonner is utter shyt, period.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

He drives a Pontiac Grand Prix, so he's probably pretty happy when Cuban sends for the limo...

[DeadlyDynasty]

He drives a Pontiac Grand Prix, so he's probably pretty happy when Cuban sends for the limo...

That's his whip after the generous contract he received? That's almost worse than JVG's '89 civic that blew up on the tarmac

[ChumpDumper]

This still scares me, my god he is shyt!!!!!! If he is second behind TIm then we are fukked for good, I hate people who try to defend this piece of shyt player.. He is trash and a joke. Bonner is utter shyt, period.

Why do you spell it that way?

lol scares you

[dougp]

This still scares me, my god he is shyt!!!!!! If he is second behind TIm then we are fukked for good, I hate people who try to defend this piece of shyt player.. He is trash and a joke. Bonner is utter shyt, period.

[Drachen]

Yeah, what Chuck said is the truth that some poster on this forum fails to admit. Some were saying..."Oh, M. Bonner kind of got under Dirks skin today..." let me tell u, Dirk seems like the type of kid on the playground who will get picked on by the bully; then when it comes to his turn where he sees a kid who is smaller than him; he will in return pick on that smaller kid... Remember D. West a few years ago slapping at D. Nowitzki's face, and he did nothing to defend himself and just stood there... and this isn't the first time Dirk try to intimidate or start something with M. Bonner, he's done that in last year's playoff too... SO FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WERE CLAIMING THAT M. BONNER GOT UNDER DIRK'S SKIN... just please STFU.

I am not sure I fully understand your post, but as far as fights/intimidation, Bonner himself doesn't back down that I have seen.

[Russ]

Barkley hasn't had an original thought in his life.

The limo line was stolen from Tommy Lasorda's Hall of Fame rant about Kurt Bevacqua. The only difference is Lasorda's use of the F word about 15 times during his limo speech.

On the other hand, Charles can always claim that he only steals from the best.

[galvatron3000]

all the defensive stats say he should NEVER be on the floor, I haven't even seen those stats.

[in2deep]

Duncan
McDyess
Blair
Splitter
Bonner

minutes should be distributed in that order and I'm happy

too much Bonner hate in this place

[ohmwrecker]

Bonner isn't a tough guy, but he isn't a wilting flower either. I want Danny Ferry to take him under his wing and show him how to use his elbows. I have dreams where Pop uses Bonner as an "enforcer/3pt specialist" off the bench . . . ala Ferry.

[Russ]

This. Bonner's defense has actually improved, and he's in good position more often than not, even if he doesn't jump or block a lot of shots.

The problem is, NBA players are still confident they can score all over him. And confidence cannot be underrated in basketball.

Refs are people, too.

Perception is reality with the refs, too.

Rightly or wrongly, Bonner never gets the benefit of the doubt from the refs on defense. And that hurts the Spurs. Rightly or wrongly. And it's one more reason I cringe when he's out there.

[GSH]

Bonner isn't a tough guy, but he isn't a wilting flower either. I want Danny Ferry to take him under his wing and show him how to use his elbows. I have dreams where Pop uses Bonner as an "enforcer/3pt specialist" off the bench . . . ala Ferry.

Exactly. And Ferry is a good example. The Celtics used to use Danny Ainge the same way later in his career - sort of a hatchet man off the bench. Bonner is at a disadvantage starting, and counting fouls. But that doesn't mean that there is no role for him on the team.

Comparing him to Dirk Nowitzki is just silly. Dirk has averaged something like 23 and 9 for his career, and in the playoffs it's more like 26 and 12. He gets his points against EVERYBODY. With guys like that, all you can do is try and make them shoot a lower percentage, and take more shots to get their points. (Somebody asked why anyone would foul Dirk shooting a jump shot. I don't know... why would you foul him at the basket when you have a 3 point lead, and there's probably another NBA championship riding on it?)

Barkley was a great player, and he makes a great court jester now. But if 6'5" Charles Barkley had been assigned to guard Nowitzki, Dirk would have sent a limo for his dumb ass, too. Maybe Sir Charles is a little bit raw because Bonner has something that he doesn't. Any guesses what that is? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[TJastal]

Exactly. And Ferry is a good example. The Celtics used to use Danny Ainge the same way later in his career - sort of a hatchet man off the bench. Bonner is at a disadvantage starting, and counting fouls. But that doesn't mean that there is no role for him on the team.

Comparing him to Dirk Nowitzki is just silly. Dirk has averaged something like 23 and 9 for his career, and in the playoffs it's more like 26 and 12. He gets his points against EVERYBODY. With guys like that, all you can do is try and make them shoot a lower percentage, and take more shots to get their points. (Somebody asked why anyone would foul Dirk shooting a jump shot. I don't know... why would you foul him at the basket when you have a 3 point lead, and there's probably another NBA championship riding on it?)

Barkley was a great player, and he makes a great court jester now. But if 6'5" Charles Barkley had been assigned to guard Nowitzki, Dirk would have sent a limo for his dumb ass, too. Maybe Sir Charles is a little bit raw because Bonner has something that he doesn't. Any guesses what that is? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

A lifetime of free sandwich coupons at D'Angelos?

[8FOR!3]

Well Bonner's got to be 4-5 inches taller than Barkley, he's got better 3 range, and he's actually a better defender tbh.

Barkley was great at what he was good at, but it wasn't any of those three things. I'd like to see someone argue.

[Baseline]

The salivation on guys like Dirk's part is the not just the fact that Bonner is slow and unathletic. It's the fact that Bonner will get the benefit of the doubt on absolutely ZERO calls.

I was a scorer/shooter in my day, and it was open season when you had a guy like that guarding you. Your whole team knew it, too, so they would feed you all night.

Point is, the deck is stacked completely against Bonner even before the opening tip.

[AlleyOopNazi]

Bonner is the best player to come out of NewHamp and the prototypical YMCA big-man lol, don't knock... ridiculous shooting %. Albeit he hasn't shown his head in the playoffs yet, he appears to be in the best shape of his career (like many of his team mates) and has much more help on the D front court and O back court perimeter. b4 the g-damn ankle injury he looked poised for a career year.