WTF is Ian not playing?

[Old School 44]

And Blair...when he's "the man", the number one big option on the floor, and knows it, he plays much more loose, more aggressive. That's why he had his 20/20+ game against the Mavs in the last regular season game.

During the regular season, I was hoping we would have eventually moved to this starting lineup - Mahinmi, Duncan, Blair, Ginobili, Parker.

[lebomb]

During the regular season, I was hoping we would have eventually moved to this starting lineup - Mahinmi, Duncan, Blair, Ginobili, Parker.

There is no reason in the world why this lineup can not happen right now.

You can always PULL people, but you cant pull them off the court if they make a couple of mistakes.....IF THEY DONT PLAY!!!! Jeez.

[DBMethos]

And Blair...when he's "the man", the number one big option on the floor, and knows it, he plays much more loose, more aggressive. That's why he had his 20/20+ game against the Mavs in the last regular season game.

During the regular season, I was hoping we would have eventually moved to this starting lineup - Mahinmi, Duncan, Blair, Ginobili, Parker.

No offense, but that lineup would be horrible. No outside shooting whatsoever apart from Manu, so no spacing for Duncan/Parker to operate. Mahinmi would guard Dampwood, leaving Duncan to pick up a bunch of fouls guarding Dirk. Then you're left with Blair on Marion...wow. Kidd would have a field day orchestrating an offense against that lineup.

[Dr. Gonzo]

..........everyone is acting like Ian will be out on the floor alone. All Im saying is that he is a BIG!!! We just need Ian to alter shots, or make people coming into the lane think Ian will block them. The other 4 players on the court can do the scoring. If Ian drops one or two shots in, that is gravy.

Players would gladly drive the lane with Ian there because they would draw the foul on him and get 2 free throws. He isn't altering shots or blocking shots. The dude SUCKS.

[lebomb]

Players would gladly drive the lane with Ian there because they would draw the foul on him and get 2 free throws. He isn't altering shots or blocking shots. The dude SUCKS.

You sure of that? Nostradamus? The only way to know for sure is to play him. If he picks up 2 quick fouls, yank his ass. You can do that in basketball. Bench someone if they arent playing well.

[SenorSpur]

Saying Ian sucks is about as ridiculous as someone proclaiming that he's in route to greatness. Both are extreme opinions. The fact is no one knows enough to say either. Anyone who has watched him in several stints this year should know that, while he's still raw, he has shown flashes of skills that no other big on the roster possesses. I don't know how anyone can dispute that.

Like any other player, he's needed actual playing time to refine his game. Anyone check out Serge Ibaka from OKC? He's about as raw as Ian, yet he's getting valuable playing time and is ever improving.

Hopefully, the Spurs have seen enough to know that they need to bring him back for next year.

[Old School 44]

No offense, but that lineup would be horrible. No outside shooting whatsoever apart from Manu, so no spacing for Duncan/Parker to operate. Mahinmi would guard Dampwood, leaving Duncan to pick up a bunch of fouls guarding Dirk. Then you're left with Blair on Marion...wow. Kidd would have a field day orchestrating an offense against that lineup.

None taken. I was basically saying if they were groomed during the regular season, which of course they weren't.
I actually have no issues with Blair on Marion, he has a terrible half court game and I would put Mahinmi as the primary defender on Dirk.
Not because I think Ian is some sort of defensive stopper, Dirk's going to get his no matter who is on him. It's more to protect Duncan from exerting a lot of energy on the defensive end and to have a long/athletic defender in the game to pair with Duncan. About the outside shooting, what dependable outside shooting do we have now? Bonner? Mason? Jefferson? The approach should be sort of like the way the Spurs approached the Suns. Let Amare (Dirk) score, make Nash (Kidd) work on both ends of the floor.