Boris instead of Duncan, Mills instead of Parker

[Russo21]

I like that starting lineup but LMA has stated he doesn't want to be specified as a Centre. I suppose the main thing is Pop recognising what is working best on a game by game basis and go by that. As was stated a million times in Manu's prime when he was coming off the bench, it doesn't matter who starts but rather who is playing when the game is on the line.

[DarrinS]

Tim is playing against the best big the opposing teams have, every night. If Boris had to start against those guys, you'd have a ing coronary and die.

Tim STILL averages over 11 REB per 36 minutes. The very BEST Diaw has done for a season is about 7 REB per 36 minutes, and as a rule he averages about 5.5 boards per 36. Put Diaw into Tim's role, against the opponent's starting bigs, and the REB difference alone would have the Spurs in a hole to start every game.

Duncan STILL gets over 5 FTA per 36 minutes. Diaw gets about 1.7. Tim is playing a big man's game in the middle, and forcing defenders to foul him. Diaw is playing a totally different game, against much less skillful big men (on average). He's not grinding down beasts in the paint.

There's no subs ute for a legitimate big man, especially at the start of games. Later in games, when the lineups are mixed on both sides, it's a different story. But in the early going, Tim is holding down the middle, and he's still one of the best in the league at it. Boris is an incredibly skilled player, and I love watching him do his thing. But he's not going to start for Duncan, unless Duncan is injured. Period.

Good points

[DarrinS]

So the Spurs win the last two games by 18 and 20 points and they need to change the starting lineup?

What is wrong with you people?

Yeah, if it ain't broken...

[T_L_P]

Tim is playing against the best big the opposing teams have, every night. If Boris had to start against those guys, you'd have a ing coronary and die.

Tim STILL averages over 11 REB per 36 minutes. The very BEST Diaw has done for a season is about 7 REB per 36 minutes, and as a rule he averages about 5.5 boards per 36. Put Diaw into Tim's role, against the opponent's starting bigs, and the REB difference alone would have the Spurs in a hole to start every game.

Duncan STILL gets over 5 FTA per 36 minutes. Diaw gets about 1.7. Tim is playing a big man's game in the middle, and forcing defenders to foul him. Diaw is playing a totally different game, against much less skillful big men (on average). He's not grinding down beasts in the paint.

There's no subs ute for a legitimate big man, especially at the start of games. Later in games, when the lineups are mixed on both sides, it's a different story. But in the early going, Tim is holding down the middle, and he's still one of the best in the league at it. Boris is an incredibly skilled player, and I love watching him do his thing. But he's not going to start for Duncan, unless Duncan is injured. Period.

Agreed. I have no idea why the OP would suggest benching Tim, especially with his username.

The defense is bad enough with him off the floor against 2nd units. Imagine what would happen if we asked LMA and Diaw to try and defend other teams' 1st units?

[Agloco]

Eight of our top ten players are shooting over 50% from the field, with the exceptions being Danny and LMA (and Aldridge's % isn't that bad). Seems to me, except for the turnovers, our offence is becoming pretty efficient, even ahead of schedule. Meanwhile our defense is top 3 and our point differential is the second best in the league.

Are we really so swift to change things?

This. Why do things need to change at all?

[TDomination]

So the Spurs win the last two games by 18 and 20 points and they need to change the starting lineup?

What is wrong with you people?

Nothing, just trying to see this more from a big picture standpoint. Slow starts to beginning of game and beginning of 3rd quarter have been apparent.

and tbh the last 2 games have been close until the 3rd and 4th quarter. We won those in spite a slow start. It was Manu green and mills 3 pt show against the hornets and last night it was when patty/green/Leonard/Boris/Lma were on the court that they stretched the lead.

[SpursNW]

I really like this option. Since Pop would be reluctant to "bench" Duncan and Parker in a perceived 2nd team slight, implementing for select games, vice permanent, would be a good start. Patty will have to be consistent.

[J_Paco]

Tim is playing against the best big the opposing teams have, every night. If Boris had to start against those guys, you'd have a ing coronary and die.

Tim STILL averages over 11 REB per 36 minutes. The very BEST Diaw has done for a season is about 7 REB per 36 minutes, and as a rule he averages about 5.5 boards per 36. Put Diaw into Tim's role, against the opponent's starting bigs, and the REB difference alone would have the Spurs in a hole to start every game.

Duncan STILL gets over 5 FTA per 36 minutes. Diaw gets about 1.7. Tim is playing a big man's game in the middle, and forcing defenders to foul him. Diaw is playing a totally different game, against much less skillful big men (on average). He's not grinding down beasts in the paint.

There's no subs ute for a legitimate big man, especially at the start of games. Later in games, when the lineups are mixed on both sides, it's a different story. But in the early going, Tim is holding down the middle, and he's still one of the best in the league at it. Boris is an incredibly skilled player, and I love watching him do his thing. But he's not going to start for Duncan, unless Duncan is injured. Period.

Quoted for truth and to emphasis the point. The team is going to struggle and go through rough patches do to trying to involve LaMarcus while still giving Kawhi his touches. Moving the more traditional PG/playmaker and only quality center on the roster to the bench won't improve or alleviate that issue.

[bklynspursfan]

TD can just sub out earlier and get Diaw in there. Especially if the offense is stagnant. LMA seems to be playing most of or all the 1st, so he gets his share of time w/the 2nd unit.

I'd love to see Duncan and LMA get some chemistry, and it'll only happen by playing together. The hi-lo game potential is there for those 2.

[FromWayDowntown]

The fascination with tweaking the lineup is absolutely lost on me.

You have an absolutely devastating bench group at this point that can basically play intuitively on the offensive end.

You have a starting lineup that has 2 guys who are capable of being high-level scorers (one of whom is also among the 3 best defensive basketball players on the planet and the other of whom has been a good rebounder along with offering a clear offensive threat at all times), a wizard for a defensive big who can score as necessary but is seemingly content to just board and bang and take a lot of pressure off of the scoring big, and a floor spacer who commands attention even when he's missing shots.

The schedule has been fairly soft -- true -- but only 2 teams in the league have better records (GST and CLE) and only 1 team has a better scoring differential (GST) while the Spurs' starters are still getting acclimated.

I'm not sure why, in the face of those things, anyone would think that the "solution" is to shake up the rotation in some dramatic way.

Particularly because Pop has shown a willingness already to mix and match pieces to fit particular situations against particular opponents and in particular game situations while he figures out what works and what doesn't in terms of player groupings.

[kaji157]

I think that just benching Tommy is better because it forces Tony to fit with Aldridge and, let´s face it, Tony is not going anywhere for 3 years so we better do this now.
Also would allow us a bit more sacing and Diaw can be the creator for the starting five.

Duncan and West seem to be the best "west pairing" and Manu/Duncan pick n roll opens up marvellous things for us.

Plus is a heck of defensive second unit.

EDIT: That said, i´d like the idea of the Big 3 winning a championship coming of the bench and still playing important role, it would be the epitome of the spurs culture. (minus the wife ing)

[SAGirl]

TD/LMA have actually just been bit by a large number of offensive fouls called on alleged moving screens. They lost a number of possessions in the 3rd Q of the SAC game due to that. Then there is the occasional Tony or Danny TO, so all those mistakes have cost them possessions. In the Wiz game the number of mistakes by everyone was overwhelming, so the Spurs basically beat themselves. In the OKC game, mistakes cost them the game as well.

I do feel like LMA is not fully integrated. He could be playing with the starters for 7 minutes and unless they call a play for him all he gets are desperation long shots sometimes contested, as the clock is running down. It's really been the most disappointing. He's been playing a Tiago role with the exception of being allowed to take long shots when the clock is running down. LMA has opened things up for Kawhi, so Kawhi is better this year than last, without Tiago/Baynes in the paint, but for LMA I don't think we are taking advantage of him sufficiently.

The second unit obviously moves the ball a lot better, and there is also a lot of player off-the ball movement and setting of screens. There is also a lot more passing, and better passers so LMA does end up with good looks, but so does every big man who plays with the 2nd unit.

I am starting to think what we are seeing in the 1st unit is how its going to be, and just getting a little bit disillusioned that we payed for a markee player to use him as a role player.

[Keepin' it real]

I am starting to think what we are seeing in the 1st unit is how its going to be, and just getting a little bit disillusioned that we payed for a markee player to use him as a role player.

Patience is a virtue.

[spursistan]

meh..Duncan isn't going to the bench..too premature to even think about rejiggering the SL..don't rock the boat, tbh..Second seed out West; 3rd best D in league and 2nd point differential-- and on whole -9 points from having 7-0 start..The shcedule was soft, but i will take what'is given to me..

[ajh18]

Realistically, we aren't benching Tim, or LMA, or Parker.

But I think a lineup/rotation like this would accomplish something similar.

Q1
12:00: Duncan, LMA, Kawhi, Green, Parker
8:00: Diaw, LMA, Kawhi, Green, Mills
6:00: Diaw, LMA, Kawhi, Manu, Mills
2:00: Duncan, West, Green, Manu, Parker

Q2
10:00: Duncan, West, Anderson, Green, Parker
8:00: Diaw, West, Kawhi, Green, Mills
6:00: Diaw, LMA, Kawhi, Green, Mills
4:00: Duncan, LMA, Kawhi, Manu, Parker

The result is the following minute breakdown:

Kawhi: 18/half, 36/game
LMA: 16/half, 32/game
Green: 16/half, 32/game
Duncan: 14/half, 28/game
Parker: 14/half, 28/game
Manu: 12/half, 24/game
Diaw: 10/half, 20/game
Mills: 10/half, 20/game
West: 8/half, 16/game
Anderson/Butler: 2/half, 4/game

Advantages of this rotation would be:

• Parker always on the court with Duncan
• LMA gets plenty of time as a/the main scorer in the second unit
• Minimal West/Diaw time together
• Minimal Anderson/Butler time, but can rest Kawhi a couple extra minutes if need-be

[RD2191]

Tbh to me this season is gravy. I'm not expecting a championship. I see it more as Timmy passing the torch to LMA and retiring when the season is over.

[keeferob25]

Tbh to me this season is gravy. I'm not expecting a championship. I see it more as Timmy passing the torch to LMA and retiring when the season is over.

Agreed on the gravy part. The greatest ride ever. But totally disagree on Timmy retiring once the season is over. I think he plays one more after this year. I think depending on how far they get and how well he holds up that Manu might even return for one more. He looks terrific so far. But its still early as lol

[SAGirl]

• Minimal Anderson/Butler time, but can rest Kawhi a couple extra minutes if need-be

Interesting except Pop has been giving 4-6 minutes to Anderson bringing him to close out the 1st and start the 2nd and he's been using Butler as an X-factor of sorts, playing him as a stretch 4 when things are all bundled up with too many guys in the paint (a problem with Anderson unfortunately, but also with the Diaw/West combo of bigs) and occasionally as a 3, so I don't think you will be able to restrict play time to either guy to 2 to 4 minutes for one of them, but not both. I think realistically speaking both will play around 4-8 minutes, closer to 4 for Anderson and closer to 8 for Butler, if everyone is healthy. I don't think Pop will completely eliminate Anderson from the rotation this early, bc the young man has improved a whole lot and needs some playing time to be evaluated realistically speaking. Butler has been incredible in limited minutes and as a stretch 4 will probably continue to be used strategically.

I do agree with other aspects, like minimal Diaw/West time together. I think that is just a RS lineup Pop is trotting out to rest TD and to not overuse LMA as a center, but come playoff time, we will not see those two together.

[Dex]

The greatest Spurs of all time is not coming off the bench, especially when he is still playing at a high level. Put down the crack pipe.

[cjw]

Point on "increasing assists" - 62% of field goals have been assisted, behind only GS, ATL, MIL, CLE and BOS (64 to 70%). Ball movement is not the problem here.

As others have mentioned, the Spurs have a top three defense and have an elite point differential so far. In their two losses, they had a chance to win both games so no huge red flags came out of them. No need to change something that appears to be working. Not to mention working despite significant offseason changes. Remember how long it took for the '10 Heat to click?

[TDfan2007]

Tim is playing against the best big the opposing teams have, every night. If Boris had to start against those guys, you'd have a ing coronary and die.

Tim STILL averages over 11 REB per 36 minutes. The very BEST Diaw has done for a season is about 7 REB per 36 minutes, and as a rule he averages about 5.5 boards per 36. Put Diaw into Tim's role, against the opponent's starting bigs, and the REB difference alone would have the Spurs in a hole to start every game.

Duncan STILL gets over 5 FTA per 36 minutes. Diaw gets about 1.7. Tim is playing a big man's game in the middle, and forcing defenders to foul him. Diaw is playing a totally different game, against much less skillful big men (on average). He's not grinding down beasts in the paint.

There's no subs ute for a legitimate big man, especially at the start of games. Later in games, when the lineups are mixed on both sides, it's a different story. But in the early going, Tim is holding down the middle, and he's still one of the best in the league at it. Boris is an incredibly skilled player, and I love watching him do his thing. But he's not going to start for Duncan, unless Duncan is injured. Period.

This. All of this.

[td4mvp2k]

I dont even play parker on nba2k..hes DNP if i am coach

I wouldnt want to play with 4 vs 5 either