Is Tim Duncan Responsible for Matt Bonner's Breakout Success?

[Embedded]

Remember the first game when Matt Bonner did that floater over Dwight Coward, then the cameras showed after that play TIm Duncan giving him a long talk of encouragement, tapping him on the head? Is this the result of a moment of tremendous leadership? IF so, if Matt Bonner did blossom after that, then I think he might carry this throughout the playoffs. Matt Bonner has never gotten this level of press before. THis is great to see.

[Knoxxx]

Bonner is a great guy by all accounts. His problem is that he disappears in the playoffs COMPLETELY and has done so every year. His 3 point shot vanishes and he becomes unplayable in tightened playoff rotations against the other team's top 7-8 players. We all know this.

We also know that despite his limitations he has some game and has proven that in the regular reason. Great three point shooter, gives strong effort, has that running one handed shot when run off the 3 PT line, and a pretty smart player.

So in conclusion, great to see him holding his own against the Lakers bigs and frankly outplaying Splitter considerably. I agree that this is great to see for all Spurs fans, let's hope he keeps it up and Splitter ups his game as well.

[Two10Whitey]

His 3 point shot vanishes and he becomes unplayable in tightened playoff rotations against the other team's top 7-8 players.

Same reason Danny Green can't hang. At least Bonner has his little running hook and improved defense. It's great to see Matty playing well but I'm still not convinced.

[Spur|n|Austin]

TD is responsible for most his teammates' success, tbh.

[Trainwreck2100]

If anything is the reason for it, it's the three point contest. Almost every eye in the basketball world was on him and he delivered so maybe that snapped him out of it.

[KaiRMD1]

Matt Bonner has never gotten this level of press before. THis is great to see.

When that kid got suspended for getting a Matt Bonner shaved in his hair, that was the most press Matt Bonner had gotten

[Sean Cagney]

TD is responsible for most his teammates' success, tbh.

^^^^^^^^^^ This.

[HarlemHeat37]

Not sure if OP is trolling, tbh..

[DarrinS]

Still drives me nuts when he passes up an open look.

[BadOne]

The guy has managed not to get completely murdered by Dwight Howard, I wouldn't exactly call that "Breakout Success". We all know he's out there to shoot 3's. In the playoffs, he disappears.

[100%duncan]

The guy has managed not to get completely murdered by Dwight Howard, I wouldn't exactly call that "Breakout Success". We all know he's out there to shoot 3's. In the playoffs, he disappears.

You do realize that the last 2 games where he's played even/outplayed Howard are in the playoffs? Stop trying to sound realistic and "smart" because you end up looking like a dumb mother er who didn't watch games 1 and 2.

[SupremeGuy]

TD is responsible for most his teammates' success, tbh.

Bingo.

[Embedded]

He's not shooting threes from the paint that he's guarding on the defensive end. I am really proud of him. This series is ours, no doubt, and I hope that fact can settle down the nerves Matt Bonner and Danny Green. Corey Joseph has been seemingly unfazed by the playoffs, that is excellent.

[xellos88330]

I hope Bonner can keep this up. That is all.

[michaelwcho]

Photoshop thread?

https://www.google.com/search?q=whit...mp%3B468%3B619

[Old School 44]

If anything is the reason for it, it's the three point contest. Almost every eye in the basketball world was on him and he delivered so maybe that snapped him out of it.

Yep...that's what I mentioned in another thread. Still needs to show if he can do it against a better perimeter defending team. But at this point, I'm sure the Spurs will take what they can get! Go Red Mamba!

[rasho8]

Still drives me nuts when he passes up an open look.

The problem is its not actually open. Watch his three mechanics, he keeps his arms really low and releases his shot really low. Its ridiculously accurate but anyone even close to his size can block it since he has such a low release. So if someone is within 5 feet of him and running with his hands up it isnt actually an open shot based on where his release is. It would be more like Patty Mills being rushed by KD and trying to shoot a 3 over him.

Matt has added his little dribble forward move as the person flies by trying to block the 3 to compensate for that and it has been successful. If he could master a crazy Manu style fake to get them to leave their feet and do a side step he would be killing it.

[DJB]

Yes, Tim Duncan simply taps his teammates on the head and they become hall of famers, tbh.

[Maddog]

The problem is its not actually open. Watch his three mechanics, he keeps his arms really low and releases his shot really low. Its ridiculously accurate but anyone even close to his size can block it since he has such a low release. So if someone is within 5 feet of him and running with his hands up it isnt actually an open shot based on where his release is. It would be more like Patty Mills being rushed by KD and trying to shoot a 3 over him.

Matt has added his little dribble forward move as the person flies by trying to block the 3 to compensate for that and it has been successful. If he could master a crazy Manu style fake to get them to leave their feet and do a side step he would be killing it.

I've always felt that this was one of the reasons he fails so miserably in the playoffs. Defenders close out harder in the playoffs than regular season and the margin of error to get his shot off is so small. Now that he has a "salvage move" maybe he is more relaxed.

[ploto]

Bonner is successful against two slow big men who can not cover the perimeter. Plain and simple.

[Richie]

Bonner is fools gold. I'm happy while it lasts but there will come a point where his play will fall off a cliff.

Having said that, I don't think there's a player I'm happier to see do well. Bonner seems really, really likeable.

[Johnny RIngo]

After watching Matty fail the past five years, it's about time he had a decent series. Then again, every post-season choke artist has one or two good series in his career.

[PingPong]

If anything is the reason for it, it's the three point contest. Almost every eye in the basketball world was on him and he delivered so maybe that snapped him out of it.

This. getting the second place in a all league contest can boost anyone's self-confidence.

[Old School 44]

I thought this nugget from Grantland's weekend playoff preview was kind of sad. Just confirms everyone knows of Bonner's playoff past. The article is actually complimenting Bonner's play and the Lakers poor defense which leads to this note.

(Note: This is not super encouraging in the long run, since competent defenses taking Bonner out of games, and eventually out of Gregg Popovich's rotation, is an annual playoff tradition at this point.)

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/...nta-hawks-more

[DMC]

Bonner made his shots. If he misses those threes he goes into his s and doesn't come out until next season. His confidence is on a moment by moment basis. He doesn't have short term memory like great shooters should.