On my own blog I wrote a post not too far back explaining why I didn’t mind him in the starting lineup. I still don’t. There’s a reason he has one of the highest +/- numbers on the team. That being said, I do like him better at 20 minutes than 30 minutes.

As I’ve said numerous times, neither of our best two players (Parker, Duncan) are explosive. They need space. Bonner keeps a big off Duncan and away from Parker. Like many of the shooters early this season, he had a slump. But he’s one of the best non-star shooters in the league.

We can go back and forth on this all we want, but the simple fact is when Bonner is hitting his shot we are as unstoppable as any offense in the league. And the percentages favor that happening.

Now, I hear you on the playoffs and your fears of his clutch ability. But one playoffs is too small a data sample to reach a conclusion. Plus you have to factor everything else into his performance. By last spring Duncan was good enough to score 20 points, but not good enough to command a double team. Parker was breaking down the defense but Dallas was selling out in rotating to shooters without fearing any further dribble penetration (all our players were spot up shooters). At that point, it’s easy to account for Bonner.

Ultimately Bonner is the sort of limited player who is unappreciated on horrible teams but can make a big impact in a defined role on good teams. Last year, by the playoffs, we simply weren’t a very good team. And that’s the lasting memory you have of Bonner.

I like the sound of Parker and Hill being the starting backcourt of the future, as I believe their games complement each other nicely. Hill being the superior defender/spot up shooter, Parker the superior playmaker.

I’m not sure what Parker leaves to be desired as a point guard. That he’s not Chris Paul? Who is? A point guard’s, nay, an offense’s role is not to fit in some strict definition of roles that so-called purists thought out years ago. It’s to create as efficient a shot as possible. Parker creates layups, the most efficient shot in basketball. And wide open three-pointers, the second most efficient shot.

Perhaps many hate him because he a.) can’t shoot three pointers, b.) doesn’t produce the same system inflated assist totals that Nash and Paul generate, c.) doesn’t thread daring passes or lob alley-oops, or d.) is french.

But you can’t argue with the results. You’re talking about a guy who last year twice, if you count up all the points he directly was involved with (scored or assisted on), outscored two playoff teams by himself!

Mark my words, you will never get anything of equal value for Parker. And to let him walk for nothing would be a disaster for the Spurs.

Bonner coming off the bench means he gets to play against more 2nd string guys. There’s also less pressure on him since those guys tend to not be as good. So his defensive abilities are hidden. And he doesn’t have to worry about missing his rotations because there are better big men this season.

It’s not more believable when Pop says, “don’t worry about it” now that he can put in a guy if he really is mad about the defensive qualities.

I think Bonner’s rebounding has also improved because the team has improved in terms of the talent around to hit the boards. It hasn’t been consistent, and will take time. However, I think that helps factor into it, because some guys will box out and Bonner can sweep in and grab the rebound.

A lot of us are down on Bonner for one simple reason: unlike clutch players like Horry or Sheed from his jail blazer days, Matt tends to shrink from the big stage. Just take a look at his career numbers in the playoffs–27% FG, 24% 3PT.

Couple these underwhelming numbers with the huge defensive liability he presents when faced with the task of guarding mobile bigs (Aldridge, Dirk, Odom/Gasol) and that +/- doesn’t mean squat. Come playoffs, I won’t be surprised when Kobe guards Bonner for stretches to get a breather.

In the Dallas series last year, I can’t count how many open three’s he missed, and when he’s missing shots, defenses just sag towards the paint and prevent penetration from Tony and Manu, while also making life hard on Duncan.

Without question, all of us Spurs fans are hoping that Bonner will start playing up to his potential in games that matter, but until he proves it, Bonner’s still (too big of) a question mark for a team with serious championship aspirations.

The author of this blog said that he doesn’t see the merit in a big spreading the floor. I say, WHAT!?!?! All you have to do is check out Bonner’s +-, and it is an incredible +10.8 points! Yes, the Spurs are 10.8 points BETTER when he is on the floor compared to when he is off. I’m getting my numbers from 82games.com, so i am assuming it is adjusted +-. This number is 2nd best on the Spurs, only to Parker. Do you think it is a fluke because of the young season? Well, Bonner had an incredibly high number throughout all of last year. If memory serves, it was the best on the Spurs.

Don’t you wonder WHY? It is because he spreads the floor, and takes a big man with him. This allows Duncan room on the block, less doubles, etc. But much more importantly, it allows Parker and Ginobli to do what they are truly great at, and that is drive the lane and exploit the defense.

The numbers are representing something, and that’s the importance of having Bonner on the court. The numbers don’t lie, all of your most productive 5 player line-ups have Bonner in the mix. Here are the top 2:

Parker-Ginobli-Jefferson-Bonner-Duncan
Hill-Ginobli-Jefferson-Bonner-Mcdyess

The first lineup outscores opponents by +17 points while the second does it by +11 points. The next best lineup outscores opponents by only +4.
http://www.82games.com/0910/0910SAS2.HTM

I’m beginning to worry about Jefferson. I just don’t see him be as aggressive as he has proven he can be. With manu out and tony playing limited minutes, I expected RJ to cut loose. The most disturbing thing is that it’s not that he isn’t being aggressive, it’s that the other spurs don’t get him involved. I saw 3 straight offensive possessions where he didn’t touch the ball, his teammates, didn’t even look for him. He was so invisible that every time he touched the ball I went, ” oh! rich is in. I thought that was bogans.”

As long as it’s driving to the basket, i don’t really think pop cares how many shots RJ takes. penetration and kick outs/low post and kick outs and an occasional pick and roll. Spurs offense isn’t that difficult RJ.

P.S.

Cubits is my favorite player as well

im not backing up the trade idea, however it wouldnt be stupid to let the guy walk and get nothing. did you guys not read the parker interview? he clearly said ” if timmy retires and were not contenders anymore and then pop leaves, i dont want to be baby sitting, i want to be on a title contending team ” so lets say tim and pop leave together would you just let tony walk?

as for the game, i am so happy that hill loves to play defense!!! today on PTI jennings said that it reallywasnt the spurs it was just one of those nights!! lol that just tells us it’s exactly the spurs!! timmy is getting in to tim duncan shape, and is amazing. bonner as i’ve been praying for is doing great off the bench, and he likes it!!i think pop knows finley should not be starting anymore, and with bogans effort i couldnt be happier. i think bogans is playing better d than bowen did the last 2yrs, which is great. i kinda liked the injury manu got because he can now rest both the groin and the hamstring, and will last that much longer for us down the stretch. ratliff is guarding the post pretty damn good.dice is really consistent, and jeff is about 4 or 5 games away from really fitting in

Or it could be that Bonner got used to being a starter last year and the beginning of this season, so when Pop benched him it was kind of a wake up call? Who knows.