Starting center next year

[tuncaboylu]

If we assume that we've concluded or big man movement this year, who do you think be our start center?

There are 4 options:
Bonner, McDyess, Blair and Splitter.

I hope that Bonner won't start next year(enough is enough i think), but I'm not sure also Gregg will pick the inexperienced NBA players as starter. So it eleminates Blair and Splitter too. I guess, McDyess will start next year.

[coyotes_geek]

For game 1, Dyess.
For game 82, Splitter.

[Agloco]

For game 1, Dyess.
For game 82, Splitter.

This. And in between? That's anyone's guess, but bet on Bonner being the starter for at least 10 games.

[tdunk21]

For game 1, Dyess.
For game 82, Splitter.

this

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Don't care who starts the first 50 games but I'd love to see the rotation set early so that only one of them, whoever it is, would start for the last 32 games and the playoffs.

[slick'81]

bonner better not be starting

[lotr1trekkie]

Dice will start with Tim. Tiago will come in for Tim with Blair. Depending on matchups Bonner will come in. A lot depends on how much production we get from Anderson. He's playing a position that doesn't need a lot of uptime to learn. Shoot and defend. If we get Bell, his job will be simpler.

[DPG21920]

Duncan.

[mountainballer]

Duncan. as usual.

[K-State Spur]

As much as I didn't want to see Bonner back, reports of Pop's love for Bonner have been greatly exaggerated.

Despite the potential that some here saw in Ian - it's not like Bonner has had to contend for PT with a stellar group the past 2 years.

He'll play in situations where we need shooters (sink or swim) and when the injury bug bites the rest of the rotation.

I don't expect him to see 10+ min PT otherwise.

[sa_butta]

I thought Duncan was our starting PF or 4 spot??

I would say Dice will start the season and if Splitter proves himself on the court then he may take over the roll.

[SpursChampsIII]

I don't think Splitter starts from day one, but he will likely get more minutes than Dice, Blair, and Bonner.

[elbamba]

I have a feeling Dice will not be on the team by the end of the year. my guess is that Pop starts him for a while and the Spurs work up a trade. Splitter will be the starting center come playoff time. Spurs have to win now and unless he is a total bust he needs to be thrown into the frying pan.

[Penya]

Oct- McDyess
Nov- McDyess
Dec- Bonner
Jan -> June? - Splitter

[coyotes_geek]

I have a feeling Dice will not be on the team by the end of the year. my guess is that Pop starts him for a while and the Spurs work up a trade. Splitter will be the starting center come playoff time. Spurs have to win now and unless he is a total bust he needs to be thrown into the frying pan.

It makes no sense for the Spurs to want to trade Dyess. Considering how Dyess is likely to just retire if he gets traded to some crappy team, he's got no trade value whatsoever.

[fyatuk]

I'll say that Blair and Splitter will split the starting (With Bonner and McDyess a couple starts each) depending on matchups. McDyess wants to come off the bench and plays better in that role, so I think Pop will try to keep him there if possible, and especially while trying to limit his minutes.

If Blair shows an improved jump shot and steadier defense against taller players, he'll start most of the games.

[tmtcsc]

Splitter - 5
Duncan - 4
Jefferson - 3
Ginobili - 2
Parker - 1

Bench Rotation:

5 - Dice
4 - Blair
3 - Hairston / Bonner (?)
2 - Anderson
1 - Hill

The rotations will be mixed but I think those 10 players will see the most court time. Of course, if we get Bell or Jones, that changes things.

[jiggy_55]

Probably Pop starts off with Dyess. However, I hope he gives all 82 to Splitter and Duncan at the 5 and 4 (health permitting obviously, and Duncan will be rested some nights). It makes no sense otherwise, these guys need to know how to play together and Splitter needs to get minutes to get used to the NBA so why not push him through from Game 1 of the regular season and keep him there. He's our biggest and most skilled big man after Duncan, no reason to not start him. He's not a rookie in the normal sense either, he's highly talented, experienced and should be good from the get go.

[SpurCharger]

Richard Jefferson

[Brazil]

Richard Jefferson

finally a realistic pick

[Drachen]

He's not a rookie in the normal sense either, he's highly talented, experienced and should be good from the get go.

It would be great if he won ROY.

[Brazil]

It would be great if he won ROY.

if Splitter is ROY and the roster is healthy 5th here we come

[Drachen]

if Splitter is ROY and the roster is healthy 5th here we come

Even if he is on the top 5 ballots of the voters, this would be cool.

[jiggy_55]

It would be great if he won ROY.

Not possible lol. He'd need 30+ minutes, and he'd need to be simply outstanding. Won't happen in SA. ROY will be between Wall and Griffin imo.

[coyotes_geek]

It would be great if he won ROY.

It would, but he doesn't have a chance. There's too many other guys who are going to have the opportunity to put up big numbers because they'll be playing for bad teams. If Blake Griffin is healthy he stands a good chance of putting up 20 & 10 for a Clipper team that has nothing better to do than to give Griffin as many minutes as possible.