Game Thoughts: Spurs Scrimmage

**Fireball** · 12-21-2011

Maybe tonight will give us a better inclination of what Leonard can do. First preseason game and an intrasquad scrimmage won't do it for me.

Tonights game should also give no indication ... we need 20+ games to assess what he can or can't do. But with playing at home, now its a good time to start ...

**gospursgojas** · 12-21-2011

Haha monster robot dog

**manufan10** · 12-21-2011

Originally Posted by Fireball

Tonights game should also give no indication ... we need 20+ games to assess what he can or can't do. But with playing at home, now its a good time to start ...

I agree. I think now that he's had more practice time and 2 "games" under his belt would be a better time to try and figure out if he has "it."

**objective** · 12-21-2011

Originally Posted by Nathan89

One of them is going to get the bulk of the backup small-forward minutes. Leonard and Anderson are going to have a couple of regular season games while Neal is out to prove themselves. Whoever plays the best will get the bulk of the backup sf minutes. Because once Neal comes back he will get the bulk of the backup sg minutes.

that's the problem.

Leonard and Anderson shouldn't be splitting up 15-20 minutes a game, they should be splitting 48.

**The Truth #6** · 12-21-2011

Having Neal out is obviously a set back, but just as Anderson being out last year allowed Neal a moment to shine, I think the same can happen for Anderson, especially with the busy schedule.

**The Truth #6** · 12-21-2011

As for the "it" factor with Leonard...I think it's too soon. Most players looked really bad because of the lack of training camp. And as far as Hill, he had a full training camp, a full preseason, and still went something like 3/23 on jumpers. All I remember from Hill from his first preseason was that Chris Paul (or some other top PG) told him to take it down a notch...and that Hill rebounded the ball well for a PG. Otherwise he looked bad, hesitant, and unsure of himself - traits that never fully went away. He was a streaky player that would never blossom on the same team with Tony Parker. He may "blow up" in Indy, but I don't think he ever would have in SA.

So in a sense, I still think Hill was overrated. Pop constantly went out of his way to give him accolades as a way to boost his low confidence. Yes, Hill did have glimpses. But by his third year he was still inconsistent and had yet to fully break out. I'd love to have Hill AND Leonard. But with Manu, Neal, and Anderson, I think Hill was the one to go.

**Killakobe81** · 12-21-2011

Originally Posted by DPG21920

I agree 100% with that. I think the trade is fine regardless of whether or not Leonard pans out unless Hill takes some major step forward. My statement wasn't about that but just Leonard the player in isolation. With regards to mentioning Hill it was more about losing a rotational player, not about how great Hill was/will be. But with regards to Leonard I'm just a little surprised at how much downside he has. I just haven't seen even a glimpse of the tremendous upside some pundits were touting and have seen a lot more holes than I anticipated from essentially a lottery pick. I'm not making a judgement on him yet, but these are the things that have surprised me to date.

I dont think DPG is out of line here ... he is just stating he thought he would be more impressed with Leonard because the spurs gave up a fan and coach's favorite player. He never said he thinks the kid will be a bust or that Hill was too valuable to trade. I think you guys are being a bit over protective of Leonard because you guys have so much hope for the guy. I see (seen) the same crap on LG with Bynum.

I saw the guy play in college but have yet to see any of the Spur pre-season action. I will definitely be looking forward to seeing if I see the same issues that DPG observed.

**jjktkk** · 12-21-2011

Originally Posted by Killakobe81

I dont think DPG is out of line here ... he is just stating he thought he would be more impressed with Leonard because the spurs gave up a fan and coach's favorite player. He never said he thinks the kid will be a bust or that Hill was too valuable to trade. I think you guys are being a bit over protective of Leonard because you guys have so much hope for the guy. I see (seen) the same crap on LG with Bynum.

I saw the guy play in college but have yet to see any of the Spur pre-season action. I will definitely be looking forward to seeing if I see the same issues that DPG observed.

Leonard will be a work in progress, due him transitioning from a 4 in college, to a 3 in the NBA. Its too bad that Leonard did not have the a full Summer and traning camp to work with coaches. I definitely see the potential in Leonard though.

**manufan10** · 12-21-2011

Originally Posted by jjktkk

Leonard will be a work in progress, due him transitioning from a 4 in college, to a 3 in the NBA. Its too bad that Leonard did not have the a full Summer and traning camp to work with coaches. I definitely see the potential in Leonard though.

I think some have forgotten about this too. He hasn't had the opportunity to really learn the system or work with the coaching staff due to the lockout.

**Obstructed_View** · 12-21-2011

Originally Posted by will_spurs

Remember, though, that the Spurs are one of the weakest rebounding teams, so it must be easier to grab rebounds against these guys (teammates) than against real NBA compe ion.

Sorry, Spurs were 12th last year in rebounds, better than Dallas and Memphis. Nice try though.

**Manufan909** · 12-21-2011

Shooting decent on 3s in a game against future hall of famers is only a big deal if it's a playoff/important season game. This was an open scrimmage for crissakes!!!

Btw, the Admiral's arms looked as legendary as ever in that Manu gif... Who else would favor bringing him out of retirement and just snatching Bonner's salary if that could somehow be done with no effort? He might only be good for 10 min a game, but that would be fine with me.