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good read. glad he's happy to be a spur
Bonner 'excited' to be new member of Spurs
Web Posted: 06/23/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
San Antonio Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...r.178c845.html
As Spurs officials gave Matt Bonner a tour of the city Thursday, whisking him from the airport to the AT&T Center to the team's practice facility, it didn't take long for him to spot trouble.
Every stop the group made was linked by sprawling highway. There wasn't a single subway sign in sight.
In his two years in Toronto, Bonner was dubbed the "Red Rocket" for relying on the city's identically named streetcars. He'll have to find another way to get to work this season after the Raptors traded him and Eric Williams to the Spurs for Rasho Nesterovic on Wednesday.
San Antonio's Via bus system already appears to have been ruled out.
"It's one thing hopping on a streetcar for five blocks," Bonner said, "... but too many transfers might not be worth the hassle."
Despite his transportation dilemma, Bonner doesn't consider his move to the Spurs an inconvenience, even if he wasn't expecting it. Bonner was helping Florida coach Billy Donovan with a basketball camp Wednesday at his alma mater when Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo phoned to tell him he had been traded.
"Obviously, I was surprised," Bonner said. "But once he said the Spurs, I was pretty excited.
"Missing the playoffs was the hardest thing (in Toronto). Just having to sit at home while other teams get to still play, and you're watching them on TV, always put a pit in my stomach and made me want to go out and work even harder to get there."
Bonner's work ethic never has been questioned. A 2003 second-round draft pick of Chicago whose rights were acquired by Toronto, he began his professional career with Sicilia in Italy's top league. After the team went bankrupt midway through the season, Bonner continued to play without drawing a paycheck. He briefly contracted salmonella and was nearly evicted from his apartment but stayed.
"I figured if I wanted to become the best player I could be and have a chance to play in the NBA," Bonner said, "it would be important for my development to stick it out and get as much experience over there as I could."
Bonner's decision paid off the following fall. Spurning more lucrative offers to play in Europe, he accepted an invitation to the Raptors' training camp and made the team. He averaged 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds without missing a game and made 42.4percent of his 3-pointers to lead all rookies.
Toronto re-signed Bonner last summer to a two-year, $4 million contract. He put up nearly identical numbers last season.
A 6-foot-10 forward, Bonner has compensated for his lack of quickness with his outside shooting. In his only visit to the AT&T Center last season, he scored 11 points, made two 3-pointers and even drew a foul from Tim Duncan for a four-point play in one quarter.
The Spurs hope Bonner's ability to space the floor will give them another option to use against versatile power forwards such as Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Phoenix's Boris Diaw.
The trade "is a reaction to maybe some of the other teams we're going to have to face to get out of the West," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "Matt is one of the better 3-point shooters in the NBA, especially for a guy with size ... He's never been known as a lock-down defender, but hopefully, Eric can help with that."
Bonner, who said his only knowledge of the Spurs is from playing against them, spoke with Gregg Popovich by phone Wednesday night. Duncan also welcomed him Thursday morning after coincidentally running into him at the airport.
Though Bonner grew up in New Hampshire and played in Toronto, he said his four years at Florida prepared him well for South Texas' humidity. He also knows a bit of local history after twice visiting the Alamo during his two trips with the Raptors: One of the Alamo's defenders was from his home state.
"I stared at his name and tried to memorize it," Bonner said, "but always forget."
Bonner's next challenge is to find a car. He became one of Toronto's most popular sports figures in part because he relied on public transportation — and his feet — to get around town. When he returned to New Hampshire in the summer, a friend hooked him up with a rental.
"I haven't decided whether I want to get one here or get one in New Hampshire," Bonner said. "There's no sales tax in New Hampshire, but it would be a pretty big hike down here."
good read. glad he's happy to be a spur
he's hardcore.Bonner's work ethic never has been questioned. A 2003 second-round draft pick of Chicago whose rights were acquired by Toronto, he began his professional career with Sicilia in Italy's top league. After the team went bankrupt midway through the season, Bonner continued to play without drawing a paycheck. He briefly contracted salmonella and was nearly evicted from his apartment but stayed.
That's one of a story there...Bonner's work ethic never has been questioned. A 2003 second-round draft pick of Chicago whose rights were acquired by Toronto, he began his professional career with Sicilia in Italy's top league. After the team went bankrupt midway through the season, Bonner continued to play without drawing a paycheck. He briefly contracted salmonella and was nearly evicted from his apartment but stayed.
being with 3-time champs and a chance to play alongside Tim Duncan, an unselfish team leader, who wouldn't?good read. glad he's happy to be a spur
wowThis move creates flexibility for the Spurs on their roster and salary cap.
I'm excited to hear what move would this team make next
Maybe he can work out a deal with a local dealership, maybe Gunn ;-)
Or he can drive someone who owns a car but doesn't have a license, I heard he did that in Toronto....
pretty crazy but this guy might be more valuable to the team than rasho and nazr ever were
Hmm, I wonder if that means Williams might be sticking around... Could mean nothing. Either way, I dont think it would hurt to have someone like him around.
He might be sth. like an insurance if they don't land antother good backup 3. He might be able to play some minutes of good defense but I doubt he will see a lot of playing time.
He should be more than "excited"... he just became a Spur.
I think this dude can seriously help the team though, this trade was definitely worth it. Rasho wasn't playing much. I just hope we get a good center, and that Pop doesn't go crazy and turn to small ball by starting Bonner at PF and Tim at C.
that would be very stupid. for the spurs to win the west they need a better power forward then matt bonner.
I am sure BONNER is "excited".
If I were MannyIsGod I woldln't be expceting a big tip from Bonner.
Or a center.
...because they already have a better power forward.
I'm not worried about his D - everyone who comes to the Spurs becomes a better defender - or they don't last long. I think Bonner's work ethic and humility will make him a good fit for the team.
But we still need another C. Man, if there was any way we could pry Big Ben away from the Pistons...
Are we sure this isn't really Matt Bullard?
Guys, slow down. I have seen this guy play alot, and even though his hard work and hustle makes him a fan favourite, he is slower than molasses.
He is one of those guys who are not born with a lot of atheletic ability, but bust his ass to make up for it. He takes smart shots, and does his best on defense, but when you are slow, you are slow, you can't really learn speed.
Great, let's replace Rasho, who's too slow to guard Dirk, with a guy who's too too slow to guard Dirk, and too small to block shots.
The small ball plan is falling into place. If I had a mustache, I'd twirl it.
Honestly, does this team really need another three point shooter?
Bonner is a situational sub. A few have talked about Bonner starting with Duncan. Some have intimatted that this is the guy to guard the Dirk's and Diaw's of the NBA. If the Spurs have Bonner penciled in as a starter or having him as their soliution to Dirk then they better start making early reservations for a good fishing hole.
booner is 26
he can replace horry in a couple of years for those clutch shots
barry is on the block who knows if he is going to be a spur still
nve retired
tp is working on one but do not know how good it will be yet
How could Bonner not be excited?
It's like being being relocated from Siberia to Hawaii.
I hope that Bonner will make a good job for the Spurs. He could help us winning 4th ring.
He'll be a favorite with the fans because of his obvious work ethic and hustle. Nothing wrong with that.
I predict he'll get less than ten minutes per game, but he may provide some good things in that short time frame in this backup role.
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