Monroe: Spurs' Hill Gains Shot Of Confidence

[SA210]

Unbelievable. Hill gets sat because the veterans were supposedly more ready. In 14 minutes, Hill has as many buckets as Michael Finley, Matt Bonner, Ime Udoka, Kurt Thomas, Roger Mason, Jr. and Drew Gooden did in 111 minuets.

You couldn't script Pop's decision blowing up in his face more violently than it did in Game 4.

Problem is, that with Pop's stubborness, ignorance and arrogance, he probably acts as if it was just one game luck for Hill.

[NewJerSpur]

The thing is though that Hill should have been in the rotation the whole time. Now that he's basically had the second half of the season off, it's difficult to expect much from him offensively and his defense isn't as sharp as it could be.

As a rookie, he desperately needed as much playing time as possible to get him prepared for the playoffs. Pop failed him and now Hill's asked to do the impossible because all the other options sucked. It's asking a lot from him to finish the series off strongly.

Agreed that Pop shouldn't have removed him from the rotation altoghter even if he wanted to move him around; cannot defend that move. The positive thing is that he wasn't scared to take shots in a game that was teetering on the brink of a blowout today despite his lack of playing time.....especially when he took it to the hole although it got swatted. He doesn't have to take over the series, but he proved he still possesses and innate scorers mentality which many of our vets didn't even display. He overpursued a bit on defense, but he still kept up with the guards better than Mase and Udoka.....although they each do a decent job against Kidd. He just has to stay aggressive.

[Avitus1]

Hill should of gotten the call a while back. I'm glad he's getting mins but damn its a little late now.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

It's maddening to look at Hill's offensive production, look at Bonner's, and then feel confident that Pop knew what the he was doing sitting Hill on the pine.

Why does Bonehead continue to get run when he doesn't rebound and doesn't score, but ohmigodhe'sarookieican'tplayhim goes through Pop's head every time he looks at Hill.

you Pop.

[SA210]

It's maddening to look at Hill's offensive production, look at Bonner's, and then feel confident that Pop knew what the he was doing sitting Hill on the pine.

Why does Bonehead continue to get run when he doesn't rebound and doesn't score, but ohmigodhe'sarookieican'tplayhim goes through Pop's head every time he looks at Hill.

you Pop.

Is there a clapping smilie?

[Rogue]

It's maddening to look at Hill's offensive production, look at Bonner's, and then feel confident that Pop knew what the he was doing sitting Hill on the pine.

Why does Bonehead continue to get run when he doesn't rebound and doesn't score, but ohmigodhe'sarookieican'tplayhim goes through Pop's head every time he looks at Hill.

you Pop.

Although your words are perverse to some of the spur fans, I have to admit you've composed an article which is more than rhetical. Hill played a wonderful half season before he got benched by Pop halfway in the regular season, the media and our chant finally forced Pop to unpack Hill in game 3, but Hill just let this chance pass by...

[Ice009]

Unbelievable. Hill gets sat because the veterans were supposedly more ready. In 14 minutes, Hill has as many buckets as Michael Finley, Matt Bonner, Ime Udoka, Kurt Thomas, Roger Mason, Jr. and Drew Gooden did in 111 minuets.

You couldn't script Pop's decision blowing up in his face more violently than it did in Game 4.

What more do I have to say about Pop's coaching. I've been pretty consistent all season with my critiques of his coaching this season. I know I have gone overboard a lot of times, but I really think Pop has contributed to this mess.

Like Ruff said two obvious choices were to play Bowen more and Hill as the back up PG. The rest of the stuff Pop did is fair enough because he didn't really have a choice because of all the injuries, but those two moves we all know should have been made and Pop finally ing made them as our season is on the line.

[NewJerSpur]

Although your words are perverse to some of the spur fans, I have to admit you've composed an article which is more than rhetical. Hill played a wonderful half season before he got benched by Pop halfway in the regular season, the media and our chant finally forced Pop to unpack Hill in game 3, but Hill just let this chance pass by...

Given the rest of our offensive production outside of Tim & Tony, Hill shined. Beyond that, dude took and hit some clutch shouts to help us get back in the game when it was leaning towards another Game 3 debacle.

[NewJerSpur]

Like Ruff said two obvious choices were to play Bowen more and Hill as the back up PG. The rest of the stuff Pop did is fair enough because he didn't really have a choice because of all the injuries, but those two moves we all know should have been made and Pop finally ing made them as our season is on the line.

Hill actually earned a lot of his time at the 2 in game 4, but the main point was that he finally got time.

[Spurs Brazil]

Unbelievable. Hill gets sat because the veterans were supposedly more ready. In 14 minutes, Hill has as many buckets as Michael Finley, Matt Bonner, Ime Udoka, Kurt Thomas, Roger Mason, Jr. and Drew Gooden did in 111 minuets.

You couldn't script Pop's decision blowing up in his face more violently than it did in Game 4.

And we can't forget the defense factor. With Hill, Bruce could guard Howard instead the Michael 'always late on rotations' Finley.

And Hill also could guard Barea, a thing tha Mason Jr can only dream

[ducks]

mason was not ready today when called on from bench but hill was

[Thomas82]

say what? We must have been watching different games, man. I saw our offense go to . No ball movement. Turnovers every time he tried to drive and dish. He's not a slasher. At least not an nba caliber slasher.
He's a one trick pony. But it's not his fault he's playing out of position.

+1

[Agloco]

Or you have Mason driving and Hill taking the treys, which he's proven he could make. And if he continues to hit them with some consitency they can take turns, though I'd rather have Hill slashing and dunking on the opposition in general. My point was mainly that Mason isn't the disaster at the PG position that many make him out to be.

Can you explain the +/- on nearly every game in which Mason runs the point?

[td4mvp21]

Hill gave Pop a big "in your face" yesterday with how he played. He outplayed every other player on the team not named Parker, Duncan, and Bowen. His playmaking abilites are something we really have missed. As others have said, Hill can run the offense and that's something we need in the second unit.

I think Pop should start for the rest of the playoffs, Parker, Hill, Bowen, Duncan, and Thomas/Gooden. Use a three big rotation and save Oberto for spare minutes. Do not give Bonner any playing time. Take Hill out around the 7 minute mark, subbing in Mason or Finley for him. Then, bring Hill back in to run point when Parker goes to rest. I think that would work.

[spurtech09]

Spurs need to move the ball around and share the ball....parker and george can create shots for the other players...and no mason at pg.....leave him as a shooting guard

[Thomas82]

The thing is though that Hill should have been in the rotation the whole time. Now that he's basically had the second half of the season off, it's difficult to expect much from him offensively and his defense isn't as sharp as it could be.

As a rookie, he desperately needed as much playing time as possible to get him prepared for the playoffs. Pop failed him and now Hill's asked to do the impossible because all the other options sucked. It's asking a lot from him to finish the series off strongly.

Timvp, you hit the nail on the head!!!

[Agloco]

A day late and a dollar short......

[Das Texan]

Unbelievable. Hill gets sat because the veterans were supposedly more ready. In 14 minutes, Hill has as many buckets as Michael Finley, Matt Bonner, Ime Udoka, Kurt Thomas, Roger Mason, Jr. and Drew Gooden did in 111 minuets.

You couldn't script Pop's decision blowing up in his face more violently than it did in Game 4.

thanks for ing us pop.

[SA210]

thanks for ing us pop.

[NewJerSpur]

Can you explain the +/- on nearly every game in which Mason runs the point?

No. Not especially an astute +/- stat guy, but his average assists outnumber his T/O by a good margin at the point even with him getting up more shots at the position given the second unit he's been working with, especially with the roster flux we've had since he's taken over at the position and which affected the rotations that much more. The guy was serviceable for me and was for a number of posters on this board towards the end of the season when we needed to gain continuity and momentum wdespite losing Manu.

[SouthTexasRancher]

Same to you. Not adverse to any of the points you made, even Pop's hardheadedness, but with the way things have turned out overall, especially with Manu's injury, Oberto's Hill, JV's value or lack there of, etc. he has no real choice but to make adjustments to the roster....though Finley isn't leaving anytime soon, lol.

I still have faith that we can get it back to Dallas, especially if we get contributions from the bench at home which we have proven is more than possible. Guys just have to take shots when they're open: make or miss and defend the half court better.

NewJerSpur..re: Pop

"he has no real choice but to make adjustments to the roster....though Finley isn't leaving anytime soon."

No disagreement here. I think my biggest problem with Pop this season (I've always been 110% with Pop's decisions in the past) is the fact that he didn't make any real changes from last season other than getting Mason for Barry and picking up Thomas. I realize there are all kinds of 'contract' restraints on a team but, surely as smart of a basketball coach Pop is, he could see what all of us and others around the NBA could see ... and that was that with Vaughn, Oberto, Finley, Thomas and Bowen he had a group of senior citizens. I'm fine with having one or two of them on the team this season but, keeping all 5 pretty much ties our hands to the rear bumper. Especially knowing that most of the good teams were built for quickness and speed. Not necessarily the old Phoenix Suns type speed but, more towards to the longer, taller more youthful athletic players who can create their own shot, are good at getting into the paint and scoring and at least play some defense because of their length and quickness. I give Pop credit for promising everyone a chance of repeating after the 2007 Championship. But when you add Matt Bonner and Ime Udoka to the list you have a bad mixture of old, slow, and inconsistent.

As to the 2009-2010 season I could easily live with Timmy, Tony, Manu (limiting his minutes to about 20-25 most of the season), Gooden (if he doesn't demand that the Spurs give him half the oil wells in Saudi Arabia), Mason (and let him play the two guard only and work him hard on defensive fundamentals), Finley (just not as a starter), Thomas still has some life in him, Bowen (but, play him...especially when a player gets hot and at the end of quarters in tight games), George Hill (but, start giving him minutes early on. Keep Ime but, realize he is somewhat skiddish like Mason when it comes to Pop coming down hard. Some people can handle it and some just can't and they go into a funk. Show confidence in Ime and get him back to where he has confidence in his shots like last season and at the end of this season.

Then decide if guys like Mahimi, Gist, Harrison, etc. have any realistic chance as a Spur and if so start working them into the lineup and let them make their mistakes and learn from them. And don't let anymore players like Scola and Splitter get away. Management needs to put their heads together and get creative. Those two hurt, letting them get away. Same with Pops. Raw but, tons of potential.

We definitely need a backup PG if it isn't going to be Hill. We could use a legitimate 6'11" - 7'2" Center so we can match up with teams like LA, Houston, etc. And it would be nice (a pipe dream) if we could find a Kevin Durant at Small Forward. A Sean Elliott type with good knees.

The bottom line, at least for me, is we cannot bring this same group back next season. If we do then I would say something is wrong with Pop, like he is getting senile (lol) on us. And I guess we're going to see what this team is made of in Game 5. If we play like we did in the 1st half of Game 1 and all of Game 2 then there is no reason we can't win Game 5 and go to Dallas and get Game 6. Then it would be a barn burner for Game 7.

[NewJerSpur]

NewJerSpur..re: Pop

"he has no real choice but to make adjustments to the roster....though Finley isn't leaving anytime soon."

No disagreement here. I think my biggest problem with Pop this season (I've always been 110% with Pop's decisions in the past) is the fact that he didn't make any real changes from last season other than getting Mason for Barry and picking up Thomas. I realize there are all kinds of 'contract' restraints on a team but, surely as smart of a basketball coach Pop is, he could see what all of us and others around the NBA could see ... and that was that with Vaughn, Oberto, Finley, Thomas and Bowen he had a group of senior citizens. I'm fine with having one or two of them on the team this season but, keeping all 5 pretty much ties our hands to the rear bumper. Especially knowing that most of the good teams were built for quickness and speed. Not necessarily the old Phoenix Suns type speed but, more towards to the longer, taller more youthful athletic players who can create their own shot, are good at getting into the paint and scoring and at least play some defense because of their length and quickness. I give Pop credit for promising everyone a chance of repeating after the 2007 Championship. But when you add Matt Bonner and Ime Udoka to the list you have a bad mixture of old, slow, and inconsistent.

As to the 2009-2010 season I could easily live with Timmy, Tony, Manu (limiting his minutes to about 20-25 most of the season), Gooden (if he doesn't demand that the Spurs give him half the oil wells in Saudi Arabia), Mason (and let him play the two guard only and work him hard on defensive fundamentals), Finley (just not as a starter), Thomas still has some life in him, Bowen (but, play him...especially when a player gets hot and at the end of quarters in tight games), George Hill (but, start giving him minutes early on. Keep Ime but, realize he is somewhat skiddish like Mason when it comes to Pop coming down hard. Some people can handle it and some just can't and they go into a funk. Show confidence in Ime and get him back to where he has confidence in his shots like last season and at the end of this season.

Then decide if guys like Mahimi, Gist, Harrison, etc. have any realistic chance as a Spur and if so start working them into the lineup and let them make their mistakes and learn from them. And don't let anymore players like Scola and Splitter get away. Management needs to put their heads together and get creative. Those two hurt, letting them get away. Same with Pops. Raw but, tons of potential.

We definitely need a backup PG if it isn't going to be Hill. We could use a legitimate 6'11" - 7'2" Center so we can match up with teams like LA, Houston, etc. And it would be nice (a pipe dream) if we could find a Kevin Durant at Small Forward. A Sean Elliott type with good knees.

The bottom line, at least for me, is we cannot bring this same group back next season. If we do then I would say something is wrong with Pop, like he is getting senile (lol) on us. And I guess we're going to see what this team is made of in Game 5. If we play like we did in the 1st half of Game 1 and all of Game 2 then there is no reason we can't win Game 5 and go to Dallas and get Game 6. Then it would be a barn burner for Game 7.

-From a Free Agent standpoint our hands were tied and the available FA's were solid but not great.


-The D-League and the draft is likely where we'll find our team for the next few seasons IMO, which isn't bad because the championship foundation is rooted in the draft.

-A young big who can rebound and defend with potential to add to his offensive game (ala Tyrus Thomas). Oberto & Thomas aren't really longterm solutions and I think we can upgrade at the backup PF position....though I'm not totally opposed to bringing him back. And you also have Bonner who's a tweener, who is likely to stay. Perhaps Gist can come in at the 4 and we can get a young Center with an offensive upside.

-the SG to Forward positions are interesting because you have Manu (who can play point Forward), Mason, Bowen, Finley, Udoka, and potentially Hill on the team as is. I can see Manu and Mase coming off the bench and Bowen and Hill starting. Doesn't really leave room for Finley or Udoka, but Finley's still got an option year left on his contract if I'm not mistaken; Ime is still a mystery to me because there's nothing he does consistently well to warrant giving him a payday.

-I'm really looking forward to game 5 as well to see the medal of this current squad.

[mingus]

i never never like to think of myself as being able to make better decisions than Pop ... but the Hill insertion was such a no brainer all long . he's an unbelievable defender .

it's too bad this was a revelation to Pop too late into the series . i just can't believe the Mavs will give up 3 straight , but you never know ...

[SouthTexasRancher]

-From a Free Agent standpoint our hands were tied and the available FA's were solid but not great.


-The D-League and the draft is likely where we'll find our team for the next few seasons IMO, which isn't bad because the championship foundation is rooted in the draft.

-A young big who can rebound and defend with potential to add to his offensive game (ala Tyrus Thomas). Oberto & Thomas aren't really longterm solutions and I think we can upgrade at the backup PF position....though I'm not totally opposed to bringing him back. And you also have Bonner who's a tweener, who is likely to stay. Perhaps Gist can come in at the 4 and we can get a young Center with an offensive upside.

-the SG to Forward positions are interesting because you have Manu (who can play point Forward), Mason, Bowen, Finley, Udoka, and potentially Hill on the team as is. I can see Manu and Mase coming off the bench and Bowen and Hill starting. Doesn't really leave room for Finley or Udoka, but Finley's still got an option year left on his contract if I'm not mistaken; Ime is still a mystery to me because there's nothing he does consistently well to warrant giving him a payday.

-I'm really looking forward to game 5 as well to see the medal of this current squad.

Agreed!

BTW, if you find out what Pop sees in Bonner let me know. For some reason Pop thinks Bonner is the second coming of The Admiral. Bonner at best is a guy you bring off the bench and hope he gets hot and hits 3 or 4 3's like Robert Horry and Steve Kerr used to do for us. I doubt he'd even be a starter with the Kings or Clips.