Reply With Quote
Just don't let him talk to Brent...
If Bonner shot 42% from outside BEFORE playing with the Spurs, imagine what it could be next year. Most 3 point shooters' percentages go up after joining the Spurs...
Just don't let him talk to Brent...
Is anyone else worried that this recent trade is a sign that the Spurs plan on playing a lot more "small ball" in the upcoming season?
By ridding themselves of Nesterovic, it's likely that Nazr isn't going anywhere...unless they have something else up their sleeves.
Yes.
But I trust Pop. After all, he has 3 NBA championships, and I have 0. I suspect that with Shaq's days numbered and the change in rules to emphasize offense over defense, he's looking ahead to a future where the days of the classic "big man" are numbered...Rasho's usefulness is on the decline, unfortunately.
Everybody keeps bagging on small ball. Everybody is so indoctrinated with the twin towers approach. Twin towers works great, particualrly the way the game is reffed today, if you have one of the towers as agile and quick as DRob that can play virtually any 3 and some 2s.
Haslem is Miami's PF and he is definitely an undersized PF by standard convention. Same with Walker. More of small ball PFs.
Trouble with Spurs small ball is that they lack that athletic combo SF/PF size player. Horry is the Spurs small ball big, problem is he's too slow anymore. If the Spurs can get a small ball "big" small ball will be a valuable weapon because few teams have a big to anchor small ball and match up with the quality and versatility of Duncan to match up in a samll ball game.
That doesn't worry me. I hear all the criticisms of small ball and the laments about what the Spurs might have done against Dallas had they stayed with a tall ball approach. What strikes me, more than anything else, though, is that the Spurs played small ball with a roster that wasn't built to do that and still almost got over. I don't think it's a bad move to re-tool your roster to make it one that can play small ball if need be.
And If Pop is convinced that small ball will be the ultimate path to success, I'm hard pressed to doubt him.
I'm absolutely convinced that the Spurs made this deal both to rid themselves of Rasho's contract and to acquire Bonner. The way that they've been hustling Bonner through suggests to me that he was a target (the target?) all along. I don't think Matt Bonner is here to defend Dirk Nowitzki in the waning moments of playoff games, but I do think he's here to give the Spurs some options, while adding some versatility to the front court that will compliment Duncan, while bringing youth, intelligence, hustle, and toughness.
The Spurs had Tim Duncan pick him up at the airport? They must think this guy has a chance to be a nice piece to the puzzle.
P.S.
Duncan is the man. How hard would other superstars be laughing when asked if they wanted to go pickup Matt Bonner at the airport?
CIA Pop: "Hey Timmy, you know those pocket versions of our playbook we had made... I'm going to need you to give one of your copies to our newest member... be sure he knows what '4th-down' is... the catch is, you have to go to the airport and do it personally..."
Duncan "I guess... whatever is best for the team."
Even though we lost... the SPURS/MAVS series was by far the best series in this year's playoffs... call me biased. And if smallball helps dispel the notion that the Spurs are the most boring team in the league... I'm for that... Of course, Defense still wins championships... and that would mean we have to average 102 ppg next year and 88 ppga.... Boring!!! pffftttt
Yeah, I have to believe that Bonner was the player the Spurs wanted. If it was just a salary dump, the Spurs wouldn't have rushed him to town and put him in front of the media.
If he can improve this summer and fit in, Bonner is going to be deadly as a 6-foot-10 sharpshooter next to Duncan.
I haven't seen this much gushing over a guy since we got Brent Barry . . .
Chance he won't even be on the roster when the season starts...(part of a package)
Well they can't trade him in a package for 2 months. I don't know if they'll make a trade that late.
Edit: ... too late to say anything
The fact the Spurs are making press about Bonner should mean he's intended to stay. Notice the complete void of information about Williams form the Spurs, directly or from their press mouthpieces, Ludden, Monroe or Harvey.
He might just be on vacation or something ... but I do agree that Bonner was the centerpiece (for us) in this trade.
so is Rasho's contract...
Ya, in the Ludden article today it seemed more like it was just a coincidence.
Wonder what TD was doing at the airport.
Checking out the awesome art exhibits in the unused gates!
Culture, mother ers![/Buddy Holly]
BTW, has anyone called him the Great Red Hope yet?
Be sure to use it the next time LJ pimps him.
Is this where I say that Matt Bonner is surprising athletic and plays with a lot of heart?
You need to wake up Ghost with a phone call to tell him about the athleticism.
Maybe as exstatic has noted...the Spurs did this trade so early so they can trade Williams before the regular season if they get their real target, maybe he can be traded for their real target...and if they don't get someone younger, he's insurance.
That contract makes him easily tradeable.
I've seen Bonner play a little and personally I'm not too excited about it. I'm glad TimVP is high on him but frankly, I'm wondering what games TimVP saw, because he comes off to me as Mark Madden with a 3 shot.
*prepares to run Baby Walton smack at TimVP*
I'll withhold judgement on his shooting till I see how he shoots under pressure...anyone can shoot 42% in the lottery and his rebounding and shotblocking appear to suck...unlike Malik Rose, Bonner is 6'10. I don't think he's going to be as good as Malik was.
The problem is that we still don't have our Dirk Stopper...that's the biggest need this offseason.
If he's similar to Brian Cardinal, I'll be happy.
Erik Williams is a James Posey type defender you can throw at Dirk.
Don't worry, other than being white and tall guy who shoot 3 pters, they have absolutely no similarities.
I have see Bonner a lot, I love how he hustles, but he is NOT a starter, he is a role player in the strictest sense, a big guy, who shoot outside shots. he's a very smart player, hustles his butt off, but he is really really slow, he cannot defend, even though he tries his best. Think of him as a Bill Wennington with more range.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
