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Unfortunately, you're probably right. Only thing keeping me optimistic there is the fact that the Spurs didn't give him a guaranteed deal to begin with... like Bogans last year.
Marcus Cousin
Alonzo Gee
James Gist
Curtis Jerrells
Gary Neal
Bobby Simmons
Garrett Temple
Simmons and Neal are strictly shooters. Three games isn't a large enough sample size to determine whether they can be of use, since their use should be judged almost strictly on their percentage from 3 (I'd be saying the same thing if they were scorching the net). If they can shoot 40% or better from 3, they can justify their existence on this team.
Simmons is going to make the cut by default. He's not assured of sticking all season, though.
Temple is going to beat out Jerrells because not only did he play well in meaningful games last season, but he's versatile and decent enough defensively to potentially play spot minutes against top opposition wings, which is obviously the biggest need on the team.
I seriously doubt the Spurs would cut Gee without giving him a chance. If he were injured, I presume we would have heard something by now. I still think he's 50/50 to make the team (depending on whether they carry 13 or 14), but even if he does, I expect him to primarily play with the Toros.
Unfortunately, you're probably right. Only thing keeping me optimistic there is the fact that the Spurs didn't give him a guaranteed deal to begin with... like Bogans last year.
And point guards. As someone mentioned, Jerrells has been running the team better than anyone but Parker. If he can just be steady and do what he does well, he can be a solid backup.
Masterpiece indeed.
I am not really worried about the guard spot with TP/Hill/Manu.
I understand the logic of having Simmons on the roster, it's just unfortunate that the Spurs don't really have any options..
Jefferson better make some ing 3-pointers this season, it would negate having a guy like Simmons on the roster..
Simmons in means Gee out, I believe. You just have to wonder what happened with Alonzo. He did play a bit the previous game.
Temple has played terribly, and its really a question of whether or not the Spurs feel they can wait for him to get his together during the regular season. Probably not though considering he isn't going to be getting minutes in the playoffs anyways. Jerrells has been looking better with each game.
I get there's a fear of overplaying him, but I don't get why everyone bags on Simmons as much as they do. He isn't a good defender, but from what I can tell neither are the guys he's competing with. On the plus side, he seems to always know when to take a shot, and even has some junk in his game in order to get better looks.
Based on tonight's team performance of guys running around with no sense of spacing (especially in the 1st half) I think it'd do the Spurs well to have a thoughtful player like Simmons available.
Maybe they want Gee to spend more time in Austin. I dont know
I'm getting to the point where I think the issues have separated. They might keep CJ as a point guard and keep Temple because he has a chance to be a defensive specialist. If it comes down to a decision between the two, I'll be happy if they choose defense, though I'm pretty impressed with CJ's development (he was frustrating to watch at Baylor).
I'd just like to take a look at Gee before handing the keys to Simmons. If Gee sucks, then you definitely have a point.
I have to admit that I did rather enjoy seeing my first extensive look at CJ. Watching Hill masquerade as a shoot-first PG, while strictly looking for his offense is more that I can bear. I'd say CJ has the inside track over Temple at this point.
Still waiting to hear from Gee. He's got to make his presence known.
I'm worried any time Hill's running the point.
He's a SG. He should play SG.
I still rather Hill play spot minutes at the backup 1 with Manu in the game than having Temple in there. just my opinion I guess.
I believe you're right on there. Gee probably could use a year of D-League seasoning.
Even though Simmons sucked for the most part, I did like the fact that Pop used him at SF, along with Anderson at SG. While matchups will dictate everything, as always, I could do without having to see Anderson having defend the Corey Maggettes, LeQuit James and Caron Butlers of the NBA.
Given their lack of options, I don't see how anyone could not want him to make the team.
Not only does Simmons give the Spurs a second true SF and an established three-point shooter, but he can double as the sixth big. He's also far more experienced than Anderson, Neal, Temple and Gee put together.
Obstructed_View, the one scenario I could see them keeping Temple and Jerrells in, is if they cut Gee but decide to start the season with 14 anyway. I'd be surprised if this happened though.
Yeah, it annoys me that Hill makes it nearly impossible to put Ginobili back into the starting lineup where he belongs, and his size makes it nearly useless to have Jerrells as the backup. Both of them can defend, but they just don't have the size unless the Spurs start really defending the rim with that front line.
It's a good lineup with Hill and Manu, but a problem I had with last year's team is that Pop got so caught up in "this guy plays better with that guy" that the best group of 5 never really had time to gel. I want the 5 best guys on the team to be playing with each other throughout the season, lineups be damned.
If that means George has to sit at the end of games b/c the opposing SF is too big for Manu to defend then so be it.
Because he sucks and I would rather have a player like Gee fill the void.
Face it. Untll Splitter starts getting time, this whole preseason is a waste.
/thread
Hill should see split minutes at both the point ( 13-18 mpg) and at the SG spot (13-18 mpg).
I don't understand how some people strictly only see him at the SG spot. He has only been the best back up point guard the Spurs have ever had. After all the years people cried and ed about Carter, Hart, Beno, Vaughn, Stoudamire; people are now saying Hill can't play PG?
This Spurs offense and team doesn't need a prototypical point guard like Jason Kidd to run the show. That being said, Hill has done as good of a job as you can ask at the back up point guard position (Including the games he started at the SG spot).
Gee hasn't (been enabled to) shown us anything. I think its foolish for the spurs to pick up a guy over some one else simply b/c of potential. Could the Spurs be kicking themselves over letting a good defender in Gee walk?
Yes, but not for 3 or 4 seasons. Long arms and springy legs do not help the team more than a knowledgeable veteran. (don't confuse me for a Bogans fan though, I think Simmons can help more than Keith ever came close to doing).
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