Going forward I'm curious what everyone is expecting out of our two new studs: Hill and Mason. How many minutes would you realistically like to see them play and what do you think they should be averaging in keys stats? If they fall short of those numbers, what are you willing to accept as far as production?
Looking at Hill I'd like to see him average 15-20 mins per game. On nights when hes doing something particularly well then he should have more time. And on nights when hes suffering or is just a bad matchup then limit his time. Every night I hope he can score 10 points. I love seeing him in double digits. But I'll accept an average of 7 or 8 points a game on the season (especially with limited minutes behind Tony). I'd also love to see him average at least 3 boards a game.
I'd love for Mason to average about 28 mins a game with around 12 points per game. If Manu or Parker gets injured then those expectations obviously rise. But I'd also like to see the number of shots hes afforded go up in those minutes. Hes just not getting enough looks right now.
I still think Hill should be playing at LEAST 20 minutes a night. Hes just that good. Theres plenty of combinations to get him those minute.
Theres about 15 backing up Parker, and at least 5 playing next to Tony with with Mason/Finley at the 3.
Mase isnt getting enough minutes either lately. Id like to see him stay around 25 minutes a night. Hes averging something like 13-4-3 now which will probably drop a bit given he was around 30 MPG while Tony and Manu were out.
Oh, and Hill is at 22 minutes a night and putting up 10-3.4-3.2 which is pretty impressive. When he gets consistent minutes he will fill up the stat sheet with steals and blocks also. He brings so much to the table.
Mason: Hit your threes and be able to create your own shots when we hit a scoring drought.
Hill: attack the basket, hit your free throws, rebounds, and play good defense.
I don't really care about stats, just be solid and help the Spurs win #5.
Hill: Mini Tony. Plain and dry.
Mason: Needs to become a clutch shooter with consistency. May already be there but I'm not sold.
With an aging team, a realistic amount of minutes for the two (little under half a game) would be perfect.
Well, I would expect the rotations, if Ime Udoka does not make the rotation, to be somewhere like this, in minutes (roughly)
C:Matt Bonner: 20, Fabricio Oberto: 14, Kurt Thomas: 14
PF: Tim Duncan: 35, Matt Bonner: 13
SF: Michael Finley: 20, Bruce Bowen: 20 Manu Ginobili: 8
SG: Roger Mason: 20, Manu Ginobili: 21, George Hill: 7
PG: Tony Parker: 35, George Hill:13
I would want Mason and Hill to get more minutes, but then there is still Finley who gets some minutes in the SG position, so there are practically no minutes up for grabs. We are just too deep in our backcourt, if we could only trade Finley for a young rebounding big.
All I need from these guys is a consistent combined 22 points a game. They do that and the Spurs will be hard to beat assuming the Big 3 get their usual output.
20pts & 40mins combined is all I'm looking for. So far, so good.
The same thing when they joined the team. Not to be guys who just sit on the bench and rot.
I expect Mason to start and continue his excellent play from early in the season, when he carried the team on some nights. I expect Hill to be Tony's backup and continue attacking the basket ferociously.
I expect Mason will become a next manu,hit three and make a good defend.
I expect Hill can back up TP 15-20 mins,but i don't want he always attrack the rim, I think we need a PG like a Kidd.
Kidd sucks
Mason, play solid d and hit your shot.
Hill, be aggressive and play solid D. Aggressive meaning attack on offense, go to the rim
I expect both will need the rest of this season to learn the Spurs system so it they can play reflexively rather than reflectively. I expect both to be contributing much more, and more consistently, by mid-April.
For Hill, his NBA career is only 6 weeks old, so I expect him to have more potential.
For 5-year vet Mason, I don't expect as much potential, but continuing to shoot in higher shooting percentages, learning the offense to be more aggressive, and keepin up the defensive hustle should make him a solid rotation contributor as a painless backup 1,2,3 and quality starter as necessitated by injury or sickness.
Those 2 solidify the Spurs' backcourt as one of the best in the NBA, complementing strongly All-Star/HoFers Tim, Tony, Manu.
Now if Ian can keep his fragile, fouling ass on the front court as rebounder, shot blocker, and paint defender, Spurs will be right there in June.
Last edited by boutons_; 12-13-2008 at 02:20 PM.
It's not so much what I expect out of Mason, it's how the rest of the players on the court play with him. I don't think Tony is looking for Mason's shot enough. I see him turn down RMJ for an open shot repeatedly. Same goes for manu, to a lesser extent. I think the chemistry will continue to develop as the season progresses. I expect Mason to average 12-14 points, and I would like to see him have another 20 point game, but he will need the minutes and the assists to get that done. I think Mason is a good shooter and defender and was a great signing.
Hill...I just expect him to get more comfortable and establish himself in the rotation as a regular contributor. I love his defensive efforts and his ability to get to the line.
My expectations of these two players are that they give every single ounce of effort every night on the court.
I don't care about stats.
I just want Hill to be a mini-Bowen. Lock down top tier guards, and work on his jumpshot considerably. Mason, just do what he's been doing, hit the 3. He needs to practice hitting that 3 on the kickout from Duncan. There have only been 2 players I've seen truly be able to do this very well, Steve Kerr and Brent Barry. Bonner is getting there.
ROY and MIP
Shattered
At least 12 ppg for both. Once TP and Manu fully comprehend they don't have to choose between only Barry and Fin, they'll start to work in the new guys that saved the Spurs asses when their top 2 guards where down.
RMJ.. drop down the open three ball-- George.. i expect more than what he has been doing... in high school and college he was always the most deadly and clutch jump shooter on the floor with slashing capability obviously... im used to him being able to knock down a 17 foot fadeaway and the quick spot up from above the elbow... I am assuming NBA length, rookie inexperience, and acclimation to the NBA pace, surroundings has slightly affected his rhythm... I just wanna get back to knocking down the open jumper 80% of the time
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