Oops... I mis-read that you were saying that Blair was ahead of Bonner in the rotation. So we actually agree. The 20 seconds per game difference accounts for nothing - last year Bonner was used as a "centerpiece" whereas Blair was used as a filler.
This is also why I don't understand the use of the word "assume" in the thread le. We don't "assume" anything, we already Bonner was getting too many minutes for his own good last year, and the kind of contract he signed points towards stability in his overusage.
Agreed on all points. In addition, one would be wise to remember that Bonner started 67 games at center the season before, which is why so many Spurs fans were excited about Pops Mensah Bonsu at the time. Bonner's previous season high for starts was six, when he was in Toronto. Antonio Davis started more games than Bonner did and he was about 38 years old at the time.
And when he broke his hand we had one of our best stretches of wins all year. Get rid of Bonner and get back to winning.
Just a thought, could it be that the reason for Bonner's long term contract ( 4 yrs) was more a conscious effort to prepare for year's 3 and 4 when both Duncan and Dice will no longer be around. And not necessary for the immediate future years 1 and 2, where we have enough bigs to fill up the minutes
You mean we're planning on tanking by playing Bonner 30+ min at center? I could see that being a strategy.
1st unit will be!
Pg Parker/Hill
Sg Manu
Sf Jefferson
Pf Duncan
C. Splintter
2nd unit is!
Pg Hill/Parker
Sg Anderson
Sf Bonner
Pf Blair
C. Dice!
Either Parker plays 6th man or Manu, Hill and Jefferson come off the bench. Pop is going to have to pick one or the other at some point, sooner or later. (preferably sooner)
I know the Tony Parker fanboys won't like it, but I'd keep Parker in that 6th man role, if for the simple fact that the Hill/Manu/RJ starting lineup worked so well last year and moving/changing 3 key guys' roles will more likely cause problems/disrupt chemistry.
And the reality here is it looks like Jefferson is going to be around for awhile while Parker may be gone after next season. Might as well get Hill some experience in running the team as a point guard.
Furthurmore, I think Parker is perfectly suited for the 6th man role. It allows him to come in and focus mostly on what he does best, which is scoring.
In that breath... this would be my lineups
PG Hill
SG Manu
SF Jefferson
PF Splitter (maybe not at first, but at some point)
C Duncan
6th man Parker
Bench: McDyess, Blair, Hairston (I wanna see what this guy's got with some regular minutes), Anderson
Spot minutes (possibly crack rotation): Neal
Guard water cooler: Bonner
i'd be surprised if we ever see that second unit on the floor together - even for a short stretch - nowhere near enough ball-handling.
PG- Parker
SG- Hill
SF- RJ
PF- Duncan
C- Dice
-----------
PG-Temple
SG-Manu
SF-Hairston/Anderson
PF-Blair
C-Splitter/Bonner
As much as i despise Bonner in the Playoffs i think it was essential to keep him for regular season insurance. If you look at the stats for the first part of the season McDyess was fairly avg (at best) i would give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he was learning the system but he's not getting younger and although i have faith he will show up when it matters (ala Horry) its wise to keep his minutes down as much as possible. If you look at Bonners stats pre injury he was actually doing pretty well
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/player...?playerId=1996
Its pretty good to have a player who can go off for 15+ points off of 50% in regular season while your Ace up the sleeve McDyess gets some rest.
Hopefully Tiago is as good as advertised and can come add some toughness to our lineup while Bonner keeps us afloat for the beginning stretch of the season.
That second unit seems pretty legit if everyone can live up to expectations
PG-Temple (defender)
SG-Manu (creator)
SF-Anderson (shooter, hoping he can be as good as 05 brent barry)
PF-Blair (rebounding machine, with soft hands and hopefully a new jump shot)
C-Tiago (Oberto 2.0)
I think this second unit can be very sucessful if everyone plays there part
I WANT this to be posted here. I NEED this to be posted here . . .With apologies to the writers of one of the great American movie scenes.
Setting: A luncheon hosted by the Spurs for Season Ticket Holders who have not yet renewed for 2010-11. Coach Pop takes questions from the fans....
Disgruntled Spurs Fan (DSF): Coach Popovich! Did you overplay the "big red?!!"
Peter Holt: You don't have to answer that question!
Coach Popovich (Pop): I'll answer the question. You want answers?
DSF: I think I'm en led to them.
Pop: You want answers?!
DSF: I want the truth!
Pop: You can't handle the truth!
Son, we live in a world that has balls, and those balls have to be hoisted by big men with red hair. Who's gonna do it? You? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Mahinmi, and you curse the Front Office. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know -- that Mahinmi's loss, while tragic, probably saved wins; and my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves wins.
You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about on internet message boards, you want Matt to shoot that ball -- you need Matt to shoot that ball.
We use words like "stretch four," "PER," "plus/minus." We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very basketball greatness that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it.
I would rather that you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you buy a ticket and stand up and cheer. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think you're en led to!
DSF: Did you overplay the "big red?"
Pop: I did the job I was –
DSF: -- Did you overplay the "big red?!"
Pop: You're god damn right I did!!!
Is this a depth chart or rotation? If it's a rotation, I think that's a long shot to say the least.
This is how I expect the rotation to be against elite - near elite teams (average - weaker teams, obviously more players will play and the key players will play less minutes generally) and in the playoffs.
I think Parker and Hill will start in the back court, but they'll be essentially a three guard rotation, with Ginobili. Anderson will see spot minutes there as well.
I expect one of Anderson/Hairston/free agent signing to primarily backup Jefferson. It will probably be based on matchup, depending on if more shooting is needed or another defender.
Amongst the bigs, my guess is Blair is the odd man out, unless Splitter is an abject failure in his first season. Even then, size and experience will likely win out in the case of McDyess and Splitter and the fact that three-point shooting is a need will likely keep Bonner in the rotation.
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