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Simmons could be a stop-gap until Wilson Chandler arrives.
There. I said it.
Bobby Simmons, has admittedly done nothing so far to earn a spot on a shortened roster, but every spurs fan should be praying he makes the team.
I think Spurs fans are quick to jump on Simmons given Pop's history with certain players hearkening back to giving minutes to Finley, Van Excel, Bonner, Steve Smith, etc.
Simmons definitely runs the risk of being a bad player for the Spurs. But unlike every other player just mentioned there really isn't a young gun sitting just behind him on the bench. There is no Stephen Jackson or George Hill just chomping at the bit to compete for those minutes at the small forward position. Gee and James Anderson would be stop gap measures at best for any minutes they play at that position.
Simmons on the other hand can only take minutes away from two players. Matt Bonner and Richard Jefferson. And if he starts dropping some of the rust for that to happen, he will be someone the Spurs can't do without. A small ball forward who can shift to the 4, create spacing and hit the three.
He hasn't done anything to show that yet, but his at ude is right. No player can take the 6th man player of the year without having a work ethic. The Spurs have to give this guy a chance to drop the rust, and it could be just that. Rust.
Is Simmons a long term answer? not even close, but Richard Jefferson just got a long term contract, and that means Simmons is the closest we are going to get at this point in the year. You can hope for a trade, but don't hope that Simmon's just gets cut.
Simmons could be a stop-gap until Wilson Chandler arrives.
There. I said it.
I thought Simmons played a smarter positional defense than RJ against the Clips. He even played the 4 and defended Griffen a couple of times. He helped in the lane and forced a turnover. He even made the game-winning assist.
He wasn't all bad.
He has size... and that's about it.
I have no problem with that, like I said. The Spurs don't have any other answers and as bad as Jefferson is playing in the preseason and with Bonner the other small ball four, Simmons has to make the team.
rather not have simmons still and give the younger guys the minutes
Unless your planning of giving Anderson less than 15 min a game. (not giving him a chance to develop) you have no choice but to not play simmons or anyone outside of RJ, Hill , manu and Parker. Just look at the minutes. there simlply is not enough to distribute among the 5 players mentioned plus another player like Simmons. Sorry this guy ain't playing or anyone else outside the 5 perimeter mentoned
That's true if you play him only as a guard/ wing. But that's not where you place him in the rotation. Simmons is the situational defensive 3/4 who eats only into the minutes of Jefferson when he is off and Bonner when we need a stretch 4. Tonight Griffen started going off on Jefferson and Blair. In a game like that whose number do you want Pop to call? Because if you cut Simmons he's going to start throwing Bonner at him and hope for the best.
Simmons has got a good history of playing that role, and that is where he is most needed.
He is what Gist was attempting to become and failed, and I'm hoping his lack of real production so far is more due to rust.
One of the "hidden" bonuses of Simmons, is that his presence appears to keep Pop from using Anderson at the 3 spot. I, for one, would rather Anderson be used strictly at the 2-guard spot. Anderson will have enough trouble adjusting to the speed at this level, without having to guard the bigger SFs in the NBA. He's certainly not accomplished enough of a defender, nor does he have the strength needed to take on that level of additional responsibility.
If you're worried about his adjusting to NBA speed, well, there's a LOT more of it at the two than at the three. The three is where you stash players lacking great lateral quickness on D. You certainly don't stick them at the two spot.
Gist never really got a chance to develop into this role. And from what I've seen he's better defensively and plays with more energy. Everything I've read about Simmons so far (from Timvp and others) has been the guy is washed up, 2nd coming of Bogans, etc.
It's probably too late for Simmons to become a defensive stopper. I don't know if it's injuries or whatever, but he just doesn't seem to have the footwork or quickness.
On the other hand, I believe Gist could develop into becoming the team's premiere defensive stopper. He's got the desire, he's got the motor. I don't know why he's not getting the chance.
You should try thinking for yourself. A ing trip, man.
as bad as Bonner and RJ are. Simmons sucks exponentially more than them. cut his ass
dude, i assume that you also watched his pre-season games so far. his defense is not average, not mediocre, not even passable; it's downright atrocious. he is way, way too slow. he most certainly should not guard opposing PFs. even though i cannot believe that i am saying this - i would rather have bonner defend opposing PFs and stretch the floor. i think simmons is more of a pipe dream to make the team than anything else. heck, i would even take the centerpiece over him. the only reason that i would think of for keeping him on the roster is that he's coming back from injury and he has not reached his peak. however, how do we know that he hasn't already reached that point? older players are more affected by injuries (on average) than younger ones.
Last edited by spectator; 10-13-2010 at 11:31 AM.
He seems worse or at best around the same level as Bogans from what he's shown so far.
The young guys, save Anderson, are not earning the time. Simmons is out of shape and a lot of his physical tools have left him, but out of all the guys struggling to make this team, he is by far the smartest and it's starting to show on the court.
rather not have simmons still and give the younger guys the minutes
He is far superior offensively to Bogans and not even close defensively to Bogans. Depending on what Pop sees from Gee will decide whether Simmons stays or not. Obviously 1 of them has to stay and Gee is still unproven at this point... that being said it doesn't seem like he's getting much of a chance.
I think Bobby could end up being a good fit. He definitely isn't the defensive stopper were all looking for but then again who do we have that is? He does have a very high basketball IQ and knows the game. It's early though, well see what happens in the next 4 pre-season games.
No more slow guys.
The whole "let's talk ourselves into signing because anything else in the team right now stinks worse" is completely re ed.
This is like advocating resigning Bogans, which in due time will mean that Hill will have to play the wing, and a contract with no upside stuffing the end of the bench.
The Spurs don't have to sign Simmons. They don't have to choose from the pool they have right now either.
They can look at waivers, or keep moving Hill in the corner with the 3 guard setup until they can pull some trade that brings an usable backup wing.
Simmons looks like he is 40 yrs old out there...I would rather play someone undersized who can move, play good defense, and only a slightly worse 3 pt shooter than play Simmons. I really see Anderson taking over as the back up 3 coming out of preseason though.
Simmons make me miss Bogans
Injuries and age...
yeah he looked extremely sluggish out there, give me someone who can at least stay in front of their defender...
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