Project Spurs: Coach, can we talk?

[Blackjack]

Like I said from the start, TD, we see much the same in terms of role and minute-allocation based off of what we've seen in recent years. The only way I can see either of us being wrong -- in the way we've been made to believe -- is if it's come on somewhat of a false premise. That's why I'm looking to play devil's advocate, willing to take another approach, and leave open for the possibility that we've witnessed more the exception than rule in the last two years.

It simply comes down to if Pop and Co. have been "making do" these last couple of years or if there really has been a philosophical change. If it's the former, there's championship hope. If it's the latter, it's more of the same underwhelming results.

It was nice to see them sit 'Dyess in order to get Splitter some quality minutes. But, and this goes back to "making do" or philosophical change, it remains to be seen if that was the start of something people like ourselves believe needs to happen (Splitter becoming a Top-3 big) or if it was just a night off for 'Dyess and throwing a bone to Tiago against a meager foe.

[DMC]

Pop is absolutely obsessed with his system (convinced is a better word) and for good reason. While the other teams are busy making lemonade out of botched possessions at one end, and letting Tony and Manu run all over them at the other, Pop's system actually has success at both ends. There are so many systems out there that don't work, so when you find one that does you should stick with it.

[DMC]

Like I said from the start, TD, we see much the same in terms of role and minute-allocation based off of what we've seen in recent years. The only way I can see either of us being wrong -- in the way we've been made to believe -- is if it's come on somewhat of a false premise. That's why I'm looking to play devil's advocate, willing to take another approach, and leave open for the possibility that we've witnessed more the exception than rule in the last two years.

It simply comes down to if Pop and Co. have been "making do" these last couple of years or if there really has been a philosophical change. If it's the former, there's championship hope. If it's the latter, it's more of the same underwhelming results.

It was nice to see them sit 'Dyess in order to get Splitter some quality minutes. But, and this goes back to "making do" or philosophical change, it remains to be seen if that was the start of something people like ourselves believe needs to happen (Splitter becoming a Top-3 big) or if it was just a night off for 'Dyess and throwing a bone to Tiago against a meager foe.

I don't think Pop thinks in terms of night off and throwing bones. He's developing a tool that he's going to need down the road. Tiago is going to be important in a few games this year, and Pop cannot use precious time to just have status quo on the floor maintaining a lead against sub par teams. He needs to get guys minutes for a reason.

[Blackjack]

I don't think Pop thinks in terms of night off and throwing bones. He's developing a tool that he's going to need down the road. Tiago is going to be important in a few games this year, and Pop cannot use precious time to just have status quo on the floor maintaining a lead against sub par teams. He needs to get guys minutes for a reason.

Of course he's giving Tiago's minutes with a purpose. That's not what I was suggesting, at all. But there's a difference between giving someone minutes just to create some depth and giving someone minutes because your intention is to make someone you can have depth behind.

Tiago can't just be some nice little option on the bench the Spurs have at their disposal. Splitter (and Anderson, to a lesser extent) are crucial to this team's endgame. What TD 21 and I are discussing is the extent of which we believe Pop views Splitter as a key component to their success. Whether Tiago Splitter is needed to be a Top 3 big in the rotation or just another '05 Oberto.