Bogans has been a successful swing defender for some years, particularly in Orlando, and it looks like we finally have a guy to successfully hassle Dirk (and other mobile forwards like Odom and West) in Antonio.

Also, I can’t wait to see what can develop between Tim and Dice as their defensive chemistry grows. Anyone who remembers Dice and the Wallaces in 2005 knows what an excellent defender he can be in a strong system next to a trusty big man.

Parker and Duncan will tend to dominate the ball, and will provide opportunities for 3 point shots.

RJ provides that guy who can slash and shoot, but can also get to the line.

To get the best out of all the talent, you want to stagger it slightly so you don’t have huge drop offs when the second unit is in.

I think sometimes Pop and we the fans overthink our line-ups like there’s some kind of magic elixir out there of player combos.

I can’t see what’s wrong with playing our strongest guys together, make other teams adjust to our line-ups, and substitute accordingly to match-up issues that unfold.

I know it’s still early so experimenting is better now than later. It will be great when the rotations are set and we can see what we’ve got.

Call me old fashioned, but I like it when our 5 best players start and finish the game.

The lone exception is Manu, but even then, the only reason he came off the bench in the past was because our bench was so weak. Not the case anymore.

5 best players

C – Duncan
PF – McDyess
SF – Jefferson
SG – Ginobili
PG – Parker

Bench – Hill, Blair, Bogans, Mason, Bonner, Finley, Ratliff

The new guys haven’t had time to jell with the starts yet, especially since Parker and Duncan sitting out, but the offense has looked the most fluid it has all season in our last two games…

Defense looked quite sharp yesterday. The Mavs’ field goal percentages were horrid.
I also was very impressed by RJ, he knows he had to step up now that Duncan and Parker are out, and he did!
Seems like Manu has f0und his touch from downtown again…the whole team actucally; first time in franchise history that the Spurs have back-to-back games with 14 3’s made!
And yesterday highest points scored under Pop ever, all that sounds pretty good to me…but they have to play defense like last night, every game. After all, that’s the true Spurs’ way…with, on top, a dunk from RJ every now and then.

Speaking of which, it seems at least once or twice a game Hill is just outright ripping his opponents dribble and creating a turnover. We might not ever suffocate opposing teams as we once did–we simply don’t have the length of a boston in our frontline anymore–but I would argue we can make up for it by some trapping and creating turnovers.

We can create some more Jefferson touches by featuring him at the end of the first or third quarters, when Parker leaves for some rest and before Manu takes over. Good problem to have, no?

If everyone were healthy, it might look like:

Duncan/McDyess/RJ/Bogans/Parker

RJ can spot up, but also can scare teams by diving to the basket. Bogans doesn’t have that ability. You also want to make it so it is difficult for defenses to cheat on Duncan or Parker (pack the lane).

It’s good to have Manu and RJ on slightly different schedules because it means you have a slasher in at all times who can also pass pretty well. With Manu, you already have Hill (who gets better by the day).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMPBooQ1vXg&feature=player_embedded

i like you idea of rj coming off the bench. parker, duncan, and bonner will provide some offensive punch with our 1st unit. a second unit that would include ginobili and jefferson sounds extremely dangerous. its all about spreading out the offense throughout the game. of course, manu, tim, tony, rj, and possibly dice will finish the game.

i , and i think most, stick by the idea we need another shot blocker. either give theo some more minutes or pull mahinmi up.

great win last night. couldn’t be more proud of the intensity. win or lose, gotta love those spurs

I too have noticed that RJ is alot more aggresive since tim and tony are gone, do you think this might change his role as a starter? sounds silly but if you had him as your #1 option off the bench he would be extremely effective!! I am worried about gasol and bynum but w/those kind of injuries, it sure keeps you from playing your best for a while. and if its as light as they said it was he wouldnt be out until xmas i think its pretty bad

Heart, intensity, active hands.. everything you want from your team.

I would love to see everyone continue to play this hard once Tim and Tony come back instead of becoming passive.