Monday, October 12th, 2009...1:56 pm
Roger Mason’s Comfort Zone
After the most active offseason in recent memory, It’s odd to remember that last offseason’s marquee free agent signing was Roger Mason, Jr. Over the last three months he may be one of the team’s least mentioned members. I was supportive of his signing: A confident defender and perimeter crack shot who was still south of 30 seemed like a fine, system-oriented addition that would pay dividends down the line. We also believed that he had the ability to replace Brent Barry as a backup point in the crunch, which proved only partially true.
Mason’s ’08-09 season can be divided into two distinct periods: Pre- and post-Manu’s season ending injury. During the former, Mason showed himself to be one of the league’s clutchest shooters, hitting big shot after big shot after big shot. One could argue with a straight face that, for Spurs fans, last season’s three best memories feature Mason. As his late-game heroics against the Clippers also showed, he had the ability to handle the ball in a limited but nonetheless effective manner.
In this case, the adjective’s limited and effective are inextricably linked. After Manu got hurt and Popovich inexplicably lost faith in George Hill, Mason’s role expanded from situational point forward to full blown back-up point guard. This was a regrettable development for both the team and Mason. He was woefully underprepared to bring the ball up 10+ minutes a game, and I believe that added responsibility caused his shooting to suffer as well. He could oftentimes be found out of position and out of rhythm, and was shooting from farther behind the arc with an ever greater number of hands in his face.
But I am confident that this season will be different, and the Roger Mason we saw through February will make it into May and (hopefully) early June.
I think Popovich recognizes how truly limited Mason’s distributing and ball-handling abilities are. Mason’s limitations are the flip-side of the Pop-overworked-Tony coin. With George Hill’s continued maturation and Manu’s return, Mason should automatically be fourth in line for ball-handling duties. If Marcus Williams makes the team, push Mason to fifth.
If that projected pecking order is accurate and he isn’t burdened with point duties, he’ll remain inside his comfort zone. There are few catch-and-shoot guys in the league I’d rather have than Mason. If his first reaction when he receives a pass is a quick release and nothing more, he’ll flourish.
10 Comments
October 12th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I’m getting more and more excited to see the second year of George Hill. I’m wondering if comparisons to a longer version of Leandro Barbosa are far off.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I think a big jump in minutes also contributed to RMJ’s late-season fade. He played 2500 minutes last year, up from 1700 the prior year and a max of 500 before that. (I also think a big jump in minutes vs. prior 2 years hurt Bonner in April & May).
One thing I like about Roger Mason Jr is he’s just as effective shooting the three off a dribble or two as in pure catch and shoot situations. Perhaps more effective. I wonder if anyone has run the numbers on that?
October 12th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Graydon,
I think Hill’s improvement will be evident this year. His performance in the 3 preseason games are very encouraging.
Regarding Mason, I liked his signing and I would like if the Spurs give him an extension at a reasonable price, but of course Manu should be given an extension offer too.
This year Mason’s role is clearly defined he’s our spot up shooter sharing minutes with Manu. And now he will be our 5th or 6th option on offense so there is ‘less’ pressure involved. I think he will be more effective that way.
Just my thoughts…
October 12th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
doggydogworld,
I think you are absolutely right. I haven’t run the numbers but my sense is that, after 2 or 3 dribbles, Mason shoots at a very high percentage.
My only problem is that he constantly dribbles an inch or two too far and plants his foot on the arc. I swear he led the league last season in shots with a foot on the arc.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
[...] Graydon Gordian of 48 MoH says if Roger Mason isn’t burdened with playing point guard this season, he will have a heck of a year. Gordian says there aren’t a lot of better catch-and-shoot players in the NBA. The numbers back him up. [...]
October 12th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Doggy,
Great observation. He may not be a slasher but his ability to take a couple dribbles and knock down cold hearted jumpers is key and a major upgrade over a purely catch and shoot player.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Exactly. he is a dead eye shooter and should spot up on the wing and let it fly. He is not a point guard. And yes, the three best games last year were the Christmas Day Mason Jar, Mason and one against Fisher and Lakers, and stop and pop to beat the Celtics off a Duncan pick.
October 13th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Graydon, you’re right about Mason planting his foot on the arc just as he’s ready to release. He has “Willie Anderson syndrome”… I swear that guy shot the majority of his jumpers at 23’8″.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Mason might be in for some trouble if Hariston makes the team (he should) and plays the way he has been.
If Hairston can continue to shoot well and play the D he can play, he’s likely more valuable on the floor than Mason generally is.
A lot depends on how much Hill gets to come in as the #2 PG (regardless if Manu is in or out).
This will be an interesting season to watch with the strong influx of upgraded players.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Spot on. A lot of people got down on Mason in the final 3 months of last season, but it wasn’t his fault - he was called on to do things he wasn’t good at, and Pop should’ve known better.
As for why Pop completely inexplicably lost faith in Hill, who was superb to start the year, i have only one word for you: BENOPHOBIA.
Leave a Reply