Game Thoughts: Spurs vs. Rockets - Nov. 16

**SpursIndonesia** · 11-17-2007

If bonner wants to impress while Horry is out,He should defenetly go take some classes from Scola.
He actually impresed everybody last night.

So, what lesson that he would learn from Scola ? Playing well once every 10 NBA games ?

**Mr. Body** · 11-17-2007

Look, Bonner is an end-of-the-bench hustle type player. He's Brian Scalabrine. You don't expect hiim to turn into a rotation player - ever. You don't give him $3 million dollars just because he's a nice guy.

The Spurs clearly expected he could be a rotation player. And this board clearly thought he could somehow replace Robert Horry. And the Spurs gave him the money.

Of course Scola's going to be a good NBA pro. Has there been any doubt? Growing pains, sure, but the guy just knows how to play basketball and has a huge heart and motor.

OF COURSE trading Scola away for bupkis and signing Matt Bonner for more money than anyone would have paid him were bad decisions. Who's doubting this?

**td4mvp21** · 11-17-2007

Check Scola's season averages: 5.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg. That 5.5 is with a 20 point explosion. Those are Elson numbers. Why the are people riding his jock and saying the Spurs should have kept him?

**Holt's Cat** · 11-17-2007

Originally Posted by Mr. Body

Look, Bonner is an end-of-the-bench hustle type player. He's Brian Scalabrine. You don't expect hiim to turn into a rotation player - ever. You don't give him $3 million dollars just because he's a nice guy.

The Spurs clearly expected he could be a rotation player. And this board clearly thought he could somehow replace Robert Horry. And the Spurs gave him the money.

Of course Scola's going to be a good NBA pro. Has there been any doubt? Growing pains, sure, but the guy just knows how to play basketball and has a huge heart and motor.

OF COURSE trading Scola away for bupkis and signing Matt Bonner for more money than anyone would have paid him were bad decisions. Who's doubting this?

Gifting Scola to an in-state rival was a bad move.

Signing Bonner was not. Having a big like him who is not afraid to bang, hustle, and is a solid 3 point threat fits right in with Spurs Basketball. The Spurs don't think he will replace Horry. But having a big who can stretch the floor is a good thing.

**LaMarcus Bryant** · 11-17-2007

I thought Bonner's play in the Mavericks game was one of about 3 positives I gathered from it....He wasn't perfect but I thought he played well for him.

**ArgSpursFan.** · 11-17-2007

Originally Posted by SpursIndonesia

So, what lesson that he would learn from Scola ? Playing well once every 10 NBA games ?

Actually,they were Scola's Firts 10 games ever in the NBA.
how many games have Bonner played already in the NBA,and still haven't learned ??

**slayermin** · 11-17-2007

Bonner gives the Spurs more versatility in their roster. Ultimately, I think Bonner will be judged on how well he shoots the three. If he shoots better than 35% from 3pt land, everything should workout. Hopefully he shoots closer to 40% from three.

I would love to have kept Scola. If we had a billionaire owner, I am sure we would have kept him. But to repeat this year, I think the Spurs made the right decision.

Oberto and Scola play similar roles. But I like Oberto better for these Spurs because he's a proven commodity and he focuses on defense and rebounding. And playing alongside TD, that's what we need. Offensively, Oberto isn't chop liver. He plays in the flow of the offense. He usually gets a couple of easy buckets a game by cutting to open spots on the floor.

I am certain Scola will turn out to be a nice player. He's already better than Bonner as an overall player, but he can't shoot threes. And one thing as a Spurs fan I have learned from past playoffs is that you can never have enough three point shooters on the roster. And a big that shoots threes is invaluable.

If TD was older or injured, Scola would be a better fit on the Spurs. He would give the team depth in the post. But TD is healthy and if he was older or injured, we probably don't repeat anyway.

Bonner needs to stay aggressive out there. If he's open, he needs to shoot it. If he's off, I'm sure Pop will either take him out or say something to him. Even if Bonner does turn into a Hedo or HITA, we have Horry for the playoffs. Bonner needs to play well in the regular season so we can keep Horry on ice. And along the way, he needs to keep improving so he can make a contribution in the playoffs.

**2centsworth** · 11-17-2007

Bonner moves and plays like Frankenstein end of story. Scola will go back to playing poorly as soon as TMAC comes back. Scola is a 10 and 4 player IMO.

**Walter Craparita** · 11-17-2007

Originally Posted by SpursIndonesia

So, what lesson that he would learn from Scola ? Playing well once every 10 NBA games ?

He's about as consistent as Finley and Barry then? He would fight right in

**ArgSpursFan.** · 11-17-2007

Originally Posted by 2centsworth

Bonner moves and plays like Frankenstein end of story. .

I was actually going to say Robot,but I guess Frankenstein feets actually better.

**Spurs Dynasty 21** · 11-17-2007

That Scola trade is making more sense every day

**anakha** · 11-17-2007

Originally Posted by Spurs Dynasty 21

That Scola trade is making more sense every day

Originally Posted by anakha

As expected, you only run your mouth on Scola when he finally had a good game.

Shouldn't you have the balls to have been able to talk about his game when he wasn't doing so well before? You were so careful to avoid talking about Scola's performance the past couple of weeks.

If you had at least defended his prior performances (even if they would have been hilariously misguided), people would at least give these current comments a little more consideration.

As it is right now, you just sound like you wish your verbal fellation was literal.

**whottt** · 11-17-2007

Originally Posted by ArgSpursFan.

Actually,they were Scola's Firts 10 games ever in the NBA.
how many games have Bonner played already in the NBA,and still haven't learned ??

Bonner's 10th game ever in the NBA he did this:

14 pts(7-9 FG)
7 rebounds

He was also 4 years younger than Scola is now.

Anything else you want add? Or is Scola already missing you felching him?

**whottt** · 11-17-2007

If Bonner was that good in his 10th game...just imagine how good he is now.

Kinda reminds me of Rasho's career best game coming against the Spurs...had like 25 points and 10 rebounds against us...

**Bruno** · 11-17-2007

Calling Bonner a scrub because he has had some bad games this season is quite ridiculous.
Bonner has played 3 seasons in nba including 1 with Spurs. He is a well known quan y and I don't see a reason why he has become worse this summer. Bonner has had a quite bad season so far but he will likely bounce back and played like he did for Spurs last year (or even better since he is in a better physical shape and knows more the team).
I'm not that high on Bonner but I'm quite sure that he will be useful this year.