Guess who could be re-signing with the Spurs...

[lurker23]

What team other than the Spurs does boner crack the rotation with?

There's probably a few teams in the league that would like to have a 40.5% career 3-point shooter on the court. I could be wrong, though.

For the record, Bonner's career 3PT% is only top 20 in the NBA all-time. No biggie.

[Leetonidas]

Ugh...Bonner will help us win some games in the regular season no doubt, but he ain't gonna do jack in the playoffs. I don't mind him on this team for the minimum at the end of the bench but like you guys said, I think Pop will try to play him too much. Then again, if we have Splitter, that automatically limits his minutes, and Bonner will allow McDyess to rest more during the regular season.

As long as Tim, Splitter, and Blair are leading the team in PF/C minutes and Bonner/Dice are getting 15 or less a game, then all should be well. But in the playoffs, that ginger, glue his ass to the bench.

[Brazil]

For me it's anyway between Ian and Bonner and I think Pop will always take the big who potentially can hit a 3 once in a while. You have already seen that with Scola. In pop's mind pop, matt>scola / ian / tyrus / theo...

[Agloco]

Bonner should be able to get more minutes and more money elsewhere.

I hope you're right.

I'm with Mel on this one, but really now.....

Does the master of the Hoagie and Pontiac Grand Prix really have a care for money?

[vander]

Probably teams that don't expect to be in the hunt for a le... there's a handful of those out there.

he'll probably have a better shot at a le elsewhere too

[Mel_13]

he'll probably have a better shot at a le elsewhere too

He has my best wishes. Bon Voyage, Red Rocket. May you have many happy landings for some other NBA franchise.

[thOOdee]

maybe their really is some romance going on between pop and bonner......

[ElNono]

There's probably a few teams in the league that would like to have a 40.5% career 3-point shooter on the court. I could be wrong, though.

For the record, Bonner's career 3PT% is only top 20 in the NBA all-time. No biggie.

He's also a career 32% 3-point shooter in the playoffs... That make him what, top-50000 NBA All-time?

[ElNono]

he'll probably have a better shot at a le elsewhere too

I can see that. In a Finley-in-Boston kinda role.

[Pauleta14]

I don't see the point of signing a player who performs ONLY during the regular season...

I hope this rumor comes only from his agent.

[Chomag]

What would be the point when everything he does dosn't even matter come playoff time?

[J_Paco]

Please, if Bonner is brought back everyone should prepare themselves for a repeat of last season. Bonner will either start to begin the season or take minutes away from McDyess, Blair or Splitter. We've seen from years part that 1) Pop will play Bonner exclusively with Duncan because he "stretches" the court, 2) Pop gradually increases players minutes that are new to the system or not at all (Oberto, McDyess and Thomas) and 3) Pop will likely reduce the minutes of either, or both, of Tim Duncan and McDyess throughout the season.

All these examples lead me to believe that Bonner won't just comeback in a limited capacity, but will be a critical 5th big man throughout the season. That means more work for anyone that plays alongside him since Bonner neither defends nor rebounds well for his position. He's a liability and if after 3 or 4 seasons the Spur front-office can't realize this, then the team is doomed to repeat the last two seasons failures.

[timvp]

We saw last year how having too many wing players who wanted minutes ended up being a distraction and hurt the chemistry. If Splitter is signed, the Spurs don't need much from a fifth big. The best fit is a veteran who can be counted on to play without having consistent minutes. Bonner doesn't fit that role.

[Sigz]

Do the Spurs not get it?

Matt Bonner is ing pathetic. He has shown time and time again to be a complete playoff choke.

WHY the do they want to continue with this Bonner experiment? It didn't work out....

[jermaine]

We saw last year how having too many wing players who wanted minutes ended up being a distraction and hurt the chemistry. If Splitter is signed, the Spurs don't need much from a fifth big. The best fit is a veteran who can be counted on to play without having consistent minutes. Bonner doesn't fit that role.

Watch it Mr. Timvp! I happen to like Bonner. He's my brotha from anotha motha!

[Cane]

I hated Bonner and the Spurs FO's guts for trying to make him a starting big man, but as a reserve he's not as bad. He offers range, corporate knowledge, and even has a running hook shot nowadays.

He was having a pretty good season until he broke his hand too. His 3-point shot usually stays at home especially during the playoffs but the Spurs are going to be hard pressed to find a 4/5 that can hit from downtown and have a great +/-.

However I don't think the Spurs are going to be able to afford the Red Rocket. Wouldn't be too surprised to see him on a team with a lot of capspace since most of those teams have zero bigs. He could fit in well in Mike D'Antoni's 3-point happy system.

[lurker23]

He's also a career 32% 3-point shooter in the playoffs... That make him what, top-50000 NBA All-time?

I didn't say I want him in my starting 5 for the NBA Finals. I was just pointing out that he has a legitimate NBA skill. Those who act like he's a worthless scrub who has no business playing basketball, much less in the NBA, do a disservice to both Bonner and the collective intelligence of people on this board.

[TimDunkem]

Why the do people use the term "Bonner experiment"? He's not an experiment, but an important piece in the Spurs system. The Spurs need Bonner and he needs them. Why else did they rely so much on his choking ass the past two seasons?

[J_Paco]

We saw last year how having too many wing players who wanted minutes ended up being a distraction and hurt the chemistry. If Splitter is signed, the Spurs don't need much from a fifth big. The best fit is a veteran who can be counted on to play without having consistent minutes. Bonner doesn't fit that role.

Or a young big that has potential that can accept sporadic minutes and a bigger opportunity the following season. The Spurs can't just rely on another veteran presence working out, since it didn't happen last season with Ratliff, and should keep most of their options open.

Why the do people use the term "Bonner experiment"? He's not an experiment, but an important piece in the Spurs system. The Spurs need Bonner and he needs them. Why else did they rely so much on his choking ass the past two seasons?

He was primarily meant as the "successor" to Robert Horry as the perimeter 4. But, he failed miserably two post-seasons in a row and should be castaway. The Spurs need to look for new avenues to find a strong candidate for 5th big man in their rotation.

[Pauleta14]

I wonder if the FO also takes into account the "oppinion" of the fan base...

They can't ignore that NOBODY want him back, I just don't get it...

But it's not done yet!

[ElNono]

I didn't say I want him in my starting 5 for the NBA Finals. I was just pointing out that he has a legitimate NBA skill. Those who act like he's a worthless scrub who has no business playing basketball, much less in the NBA, do a disservice to both Bonner and the collective intelligence of people on this board.

Pretending that the guy is anything more than Timberwolves material, however, is also an affront to the collective intelligence of the people in this board.
He could be better than Jordan during the regular season. If it doesn't translate to the playoffs, then it's worthless.

And he's undeniably a one trick pony. A freaking rookie (3 inches shorter than him too) averaged twice as many rebounds than him in about the same time.
Sure, the 3 point shot is important, but it's imperative we get back to playing good, solid defense, especially in the interior if we want to have a shot at anything. Bonner simply can't help you there.

[Mel_13]

I wonder if the FO also takes into account the "oppinion" of the fan base...

They can't ignore that NOBODY want him back, I just don't get it...

But it's not done yet!

The only part of the fanbase that matters even a little bit to the FO is that small segment that buys tickets, especially season tickets.

There was actually an organized group of season ticket holders that wouldn't renew their tickets unless Manu was extended. There won't be any organized movement based on whether Bonner stays or goes.

[ElNono]

The only part of the fanbase that matters even a little bit to the FO is that small segment that buys tickets, especially season tickets.

There was actually an organized group of season ticket holders that wouldn't renew their tickets unless Manu was extended. There won't be any organized movement based on whether RJ stays or goes.

You mean Bonner...

[Mel_13]

You mean Bonner...

Yeah, changed my post. Doubt many care one way or the other about RJ either.

[Birn]

Spurs need shooters.That's what Bonner does. A big that can shoot is a valued commodity around the league. It opens up the lane for Tim and it also opens lanes for TP, Manu, RJ, etc. to get in the paint and get to the rim. Is he an all star? Of course not. His playoff performance the past few years has been no different than most other players on the team. Bonner was not the reason the Spurs have lost in the playoffs the past few seasons. If we can sign him for about the same salary, it would be a good move. GM's and people around the league who know basketball would not be surprised to see Bonner resign with the Spurs. The only people who object are the fans who are ignorant on how to build a basketball team. He's just a role player with one NBA skill that teams covet - he can shoot. The Spurs are not going to be any closer to a championship by resigning Bonner alone. They need pieces to put the team together. He's just one piece.