El Conclusión: San Antonio Spurs 112, Indiana Pacers 103

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Indiana Pacers 103 Final
Recap | Box Score		 112 San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, C 32 MIN | 7-16 FG | 9-9 FT | 11 REB | 2 AST | 23 PTS | +7Automatic bump in his grade for going 9-9 from the FT line. A vintage Tim Duncan stat line.
Kawhi Leonard, SF 24 MIN | 2-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 5 PTS | +11A quiet night for Kawhi compared to previous ones since he’s been starting. I’m going to chalk it up to a very polite Kawhi not wanting to make George Hill’s return to San Antonio awkward. DeJuan Blair, F 23 MIN | 2-4 FG | 3-4 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 7 PTS | +7Not an overwhelmingly positive night for Blair, but not a bad night either. He put in some solid minutes for the Spurs tonight. I still think he’s at his best when he’s not thinking and simply reaction. Floating into open space and pinging the ball around, much like Tiago Splitter. Tony Parker, PG 35 MIN | 7-12 FG | 4-6 FT | 4 REB | 5 AST | 18 PTS | +5He’s good. Played the bulk of the fourth quarter and hit an important jumper late in the game to squash any potential Pacers comeback. Daniel Green, G 13 MIN | 2-6 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 7 PTS | +4See Leonard, Kawhi. Stephen Jackson, SG 27 MIN | 2-7 FG | 3-4 FT | 1 REB | 3 AST | 8 PTS | 0Not a good shooting night for Jack. I didn’t get the impression that he had as many open shots as some of his teammates, though. Matt Bonner, PF 25 MIN | 2-5 FG | 1-2 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 5 PTS | +2Highlight of the night might have been Tim Duncan’s reaction when Bonner stole a rebound off a free throw from him. It was a highly humorous expression along the lines of “Okay, it’s yours. Calm down.” Manu Ginobili, SG 28 MIN | 6-10 FG | 4-4 FT | 2 REB | 5 AST | 18 PTS | +5He rounded out the trifecta of performances from the Spurs’ big guns. Manu is a master of deception on offense, and I love to watch it unfold. Gary Neal, PG 17 MIN | 4-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 2 AST | 11 PTS | +2Offensive efficiency at its finest tonight. Tiago Splitter, C 16 MIN | 4-7 FG | 2-2 FT | 7 REB | 1 AST | 10 PTS | +2Good performance off the bench for Tiago tonight. His main role offensively is to occupy open space and finish. That’s what he did tonight. Boris Diaw, PF DNP COACH’S DECISION MIN | FG | FT | REB | AST | PTS | Didn’t play tonight. Probably not a great matchup with West and Hibbert for him. James Anderson, SG DNP COACH’S DECISION MIN | FG | FT | REB | AST | PTS | ….. Patrick Mills, PG DNP COACH’S DECISION MIN | FG | FT | REB | AST | PTS | Gary Neal and Manu Ginobili did a good job splitting the PG duties for the second unit tonight, and Neal shot well enough that Mills didn’t get in the game. He’ll have other chances.

 

Four Things We Saw

    1. It’s got to be fun to play basketball on such an unselfish team. Tony Parker penetrated on one play and had one Pacer defending two Spurs on the right wing. Parker dished it to the Spur who wasn’t as wide open as the other, knowing that player would draw the defender and make the extra pass the even wider open player.
  • The Spurs are getting so confident they’re starting to do that football thing where they make the pass before the player is even open. Tiago Splitter was curling under the basket and the ball was in his hands right as he came off a screen. The defense had no time to react.

 

  • That Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard have both seemed to improve, or become more confident in, their corner 3s make the Spurs already dangerously efficient offense, well, more dangerous and efficient.

 

  • According to Gary Neal, Tim Duncan decided a few games ago that the entire team should wear high white socks with their throwback jerseys for this game. Duncan thought every player on the team successfully pulled off the look. I’m undecided.

 

  • Kingofamericans

    Brian Scalabrine is a free agent this summer: We need him. He will be good for selling tickets…and clutch super shots.

  • Team_BC

    Sorry Brian, roster’s full

  • Hobson13

    Spurs were very efficient on the offensive side of the ball shooting 50% from the field, 47% from 3, and 82% from the line. The defense left much to be desired, though. The Pacers are a moderately good playoff team, but they carved us up on the perimeter and had several bigs with productive games. I hope we don’t think high scoring, run and gun ball will work in the playoffs. We need to improve on the defensive end.

  • Pato

    i don´t understand de ( - ) for Manu

  • TDzilla!

    you want a rival to Matty’s red-hairiness?

  • Sri

    Looks like every opponent is shooting 50%. With defensive guys like Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard, I thought spurs would play better defense. Any idea why it is so bad?

  • DorieStreet

    Towel waving Celtic bench player in the 2000’s -copying the role of M. L. Carr from the 1980’s Boston teams—— Hell to the Naw!!!!!

  • DorieStreet

    Same mindset/scheme held over from last season by Pop—- be a top 5 offensive team to make up for being a middle-of-the-pack defensive squad.
    I deplore- no, hate — the ‘help defense’ concept the Spurs have be deploying the last 2-3 seasons.
    And I don’t want to read about the “lack of a Bruce Bowen Type” of player.
    Who is that type of player on the Bulls/Heat/76ers (easy answer for the Magic) or the other 12 teams that rank ahead of the Spurs in Opp PPG that makes them better than San Antonio?

  • DorieStreet

    Did not see the game —watching basketball games on another channel (CBS)…..
    Just looking at the quarter-by-quarter scores -Spurs turned on the offensive firepower midway thru the 2nd qtr and cruised the rest of the way.
    At first I was scratching my head— Duncan logging the most minutes (32) on the team; but he had 3 days and 2 nights off from the Kings game….
    Tim is averaging nearly 18 ppg & 11 rbg over the last 10 and 17/10 for March. His performances are showing us that he is ready to deliver in the post-season for this team to make a deep playoff run.

  • Bob

    The Spurs simply don’t have the athleticism to play that aggressive type of help defense. The Heat have much better athleticism and struggled to do so against the Mavs in the Finals.

  • http://twitter.com/blanchard48moh Jesse Blanchard

    Dorie,
    Bulls: Deng, Noah, Asik, and Gibson are perhaps the best defensive frontline in the NBA.
    76ers: AI is one of the three best perimeter defenders in the NBA on a roster full of great athletes.
    Heat: LeBron James could be a DPOY candidate if Dwight Howard didn’t lock it up every year. Also, Wade is great too. And Bosh, Haslem, and Anthony are underrated, especially in disrupting pick and rolls.

  • TD BestEVER

    Spurs just don’t have what the used to have…….

    TP used to pressure the ball all the way from out of bounds to take away precious seconds from the opposing team

    Manu used to chase guards all over the place for 35min or more and challenging all shots

    TD used to be able to play weak side vs great low post scores because we had BIGGER BODIES on the floor. Mohammad, Nesterovic, etc.

    Bowen capable of locking up dynamic wing players

    A post man not named TD that could hold up vs other legit low post scorers

    Now, TP saves most of his energy for offense, Manu is too old to chase guys round like that w/o getting hurt, and TD has to guard low post scorers because NO ONE ELSE CAN!!!!!!!

    So I hope that answers some of your questions

  • TD BestEVER

    “I deplore- no, hate — the ‘help defense’ concept the Spurs have be deploying the last 2-3 seasons.”I know what you mean. For a team that struggles with athletic teams because we don’t have the quickness we used to have, why do we constantly get ourselves out of position to help out on NON SCORERS!!!!!!!!!Last night I saw this happen a few different times…… Where we would FRONT Hibbert(A decent scorer but nothing to fear really) and he just was able to catch a lob pass and score or get fouled. Those are points we need to stop giving away. Also when perimeter players are shading their men baseline looking for help. Unless your man is a dynamic scorer, play him straight up and MAKE THEM BEAT YOU!!!! Instead of giving them a free run into the paint to put more pressure on an already thin front line………

  • Juzamaku

    There’s an NBA rule of just 1 ginger per team…

  • DorieStreet

    Well, hopefully the Spurs can obtain some athletic frontline players that will improve the teams defense. But for now, I hope this squad can hold their own somewhat on defense in the playoffs.

  • francisco

    Just want to make a comment, respectfully, about your use of “El” in the “El Conclución” title. Conclución in Spanish is introduced by the descriptor “La”, rather than “El”, as the gender appropriate set up. So, it really should read, “La Conclución.” Regardless, love this website.

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  • LPspursFan

    yet they are still winning games at a 72% clip and have the 4th best record in the league…i interpret those stats to say there is more than 1 way to skin a cat.

    imho, this Spurs team, as currently constructed, has as good a chance to win the trophy this year as any other team in the NBA…it will come down to which teams EXECUTE better on both ends of the court

  • http://48minutesofhell.com Andrew A. McNeill

    Francisco, thanks, we’re aware El Conclusión isn’t grammatically correct. It’s just a play on the El Contusion nickname given to Manu Ginobili years ago.

  • francisco

    Understood! I guess I hadn’t made the connection, though I do remember there being a bit of play on Manu’s “El Contusion.” I guess “El Contusion” didn’t resonate with me that much. I’m all for literary, symbolic and even imagery parallels, and even for making these kind of clever connections. But, I have to say that even “El Contusion” is incorrect, as you probably know. Still, love the way you guys delve into the guts of Spurs’ stuff. Only problem is that I wish there’d be more.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000113089142 David Salazar

    Lol, that frontline just got destroyed by OKC

  • Avilaplana93

    I agree, I have abandon the idea of the Spurs being a top 5 defensive team, and apparently Pop has aswell ( he stated to the press they just aren’t that good defensively anymore). That said, I do think that playing Danny Green, Leonard and Splitter more this year has improved the defense slightly ( this might be just my impression). However, I am very hopeful that the Spurs can turn the defensive intensity when they need it the most, so maybe they can play great D when it matters. The Phil Jackson lakers seemed to have this ability, when it was time to lock down, they did it just as good as the spurs of old. Maybe the Spurs can become this type of team. I say this because they have played amazing defense on some key games this year.

  • guest

    Uniform choices aside, I liked TD’s red and blue Adidas shoes last night. Its always fun to have a twist in the usual routine.

  • theghostofjh

    There’s a few of things that need to be focused on in terms of a team’s title chances:

    (1) Defense gives a team an edge because if a team is disciplined and aggressive, its defense is always more “consistent” than its offense can possibly be.

    (2) Ultimately, however, a team wins because they are able to consistently score more points than they give up.

    (3) In highly competitive playoff series’, the ability of a team to get “key” stops defensively, and successfully execute for high percentage opportunities offensively, is crucial for ending up with a “W”.

    So, let’s keep these three points in focus, and talk a minute about how they might apply to the Spurs chances of getting to the title round this year.

    Let’s look at some key defensive numbers:

    Spurs are ranked (13th) in defensive efficiency, behind key potential opponents, Dallas (7th), Memphis(8th), L.A.L. (9th), and OKC (12th), in the West, and Chicago (2nd), Miami (5th), and Orlando (11th) in the East.

    Spurs are ranked (1st) in defensive rebound rate, ahead of key potential opponents, Denver (2nd), Dallas (6th), L.A.L. (9th), and OKC (21st) in the West, and Orlando (3rd), Chicago (13th), and Miami (17th) in the East.

    Spurs are ranked (22nd) in opponent FG%, behind key potential opponents, L.A.L. (4th), OKC (6th), Dallas (7th), and Memphis (13th) in the West, and Chicago (3rd), Miami (5th), and Orlando (9th) in the East.

    Let’s now look at some key offensive numbers:

    Spurs are ranked (3rd) in offensive efficiency, behind only OKC (1st) in the West, and ahead of key potential opponents, Denver (5th), LAL (12th), Dallas (21st), and Memphis (22nd), and behind only Miami (2nd) in the East, and ahead of key potential opponents Chicago (4th), and Orlando (15th).

    Spurs are ranked (2nd) in EFF FG%, behind only OKC (1st) in the West, and ahead of key potential opponents, Denver (4th), LAL (13th), Dallas (15th), and Memphis (25th), and tied with Miami (2nd) in the East, and ahead of key potential opponents, Orlando (4th), and Chicago (8th).

    Spurs are ranked (2nd) in assist to turnover ratio, ahead of key potential opponents, Dallas (11th), Denver (12th), LAL (15th), and Memphis (19th) in the West, and Chicago (4th), Miami (16th), and Orlando (22nd) in the East.

    And some key offense/defense differentials:

    The Spurs have an offensive/defensive efficiency differential of (+5.1), ranked behind only OKC (+7.7) in the West, and ahead of key potential opponents LAL (+2.8), Denver (+1.7), Dallas (+1.5), and Memphis (+1.1), and behind only Chicago (+9.6) and Miami (+9.3) in the East, and ahead of Orlando (+1.9).

    The Spurs have a turnover differential of (+.2), ranked behind only key potential opponents Memphis (+2.7), and Dallas (+1.0) in the West, and ahead of Denver (-.5), OKC (-2.0), and the LAL (-3.6), and behind only Miami (+1.9) in the East, and ahead of key potential opponents Chicago (-.5), and Orlando (-2.5)

    So from all that, what appears to be the keys for the Spurs to advance to the finals with a shot at the title?

    (1) Maximize offensive efficiency through crisp ball movement, steady penetrations into the heart of the opponents defense, and LOW turnovers, especially against teams like Miami, OKC, and Memphis.

    (2) Maximize efficiency on the defensive boards, limiting 2nd chance opportunities of our opponents, and especially against fairly strong combined offensive rebounding and scoring efficiency teams like Chicago, OKC, and LAL.

    (3) Maximize our strengths in offensive efficiency by achieving high assist to turnover ratios (i.e., get a very high ratio of assists to made FG’s, and a LOW number of turnovers per possession), which should maximize our scoring success, and limit easy, fast break opportunities for our opponents, especially against teams like Miami, OKC, Memphis, and Denver.

    (4) Maximize our abilities in offensive efficiency, and turn our defensive efficiency up a notch in the fourth quarter, when it matters the most.

    (5) USE our extraordinary depth to our advantage. Play ten players most games 10-35 mpg. Keep our stars reasonably fresh for when it matters the most.

    Chief concerns:

    (1) Our 22nd ranking in opponent FG% makes one worried about our ability to make key stops down the stretch against elite competition. (I do think our defense now, with the new acquisitions, has more potential in this area than before. In these closing games, pay particular attention to closing line-ups, and late game stops in close contests).

    (2) Playing Matt Bonner too much. Get what Matt does best reasonably quickly in situational match-ups, and then get him out of there. We will need the more physical play of Blair & Splitter for considerable minutes, and the experienced, versatile play of Diaw in certain match-ups for extended minutes.

    (3) Can our key players stay healthy?

    (4) Can our depth, which is significantly comprised of several young players with little playoff experience, rise to the occasion in a playoff atmosphere, particularly on the road?

    I will say this, we have more talent/tools for playoff basketball since our last title year of 2007. Can Pop make our depth work to our advantage in the playoffs is the biggest key to our playoff chances, because we simply do not have the ability to win with a short rotation. IMO, we would have to have the longest rotation compared to any of our opponents to have a chance to advance to the title game.

  • theghostofjh

    Sure, but against elite competition, a strong front line needs experienced, star guards. Chicago’s top guards (Rose, Hamilton) are out injured at present. Don’t read too much into one game, on the road, in a difficult place to play (OKC).

  • Hobson13

    Good post. The defense (or lack thereof) is a disturbing weakness on this team. So far, it looks as if The Big 3 have at least one legit title run left. I think the playoff barometers on this team will be how well Splitter plays on the interior and how well Jackson/Leonard play on the perimeter. We have tremendous depth, but can we get All-star level play from one other guy on a nightly basis?

    I am concerned that Pop won’t play Splitter anymore in the postseason than he does now. If we run into a team like the Lakers or Grizzlies, I fear for our front line. Ideally, Bonner would have no role on this team in the postseason since Diaw can also space the floor with his midrange jumper.

  • LPspursFan

    sounds like a bit of over-anylization to me…i think we are as ‘elite’ as any team in the league when healthy.

    and I’d say the championship hopes of every team can begin with the phrase, “Can our key players stay healthy?”

    imo, the difference between winning and losing comes down to EXECUTION on BOTH ends of the court…the team that executes the best wins, and i think this Spurs team has the experience and coaching to be that team more often than not

  • theghostofjh

    “sounds like a bit of over-anylization to me .”

    IMO, one has to draw on some form of objective analysis to lend credibility to any assessment of a team’s chances to win an NBA title. I tried to focus in on what appear to me to be the most important variables that could determine ultimate success or failure for the Spurs this season. There are of course many ways to make such an analysis even much more complex, but I’m not in the position to do so, and this is probably not the right forum for further complexity. But, obviously, if you want to go with the more intuitive approach, that’s your prerogative. Just skate through the details of some of my posts to your hearts delight.

    ” …. and I’d say the championship hopes of every team can begin with the phrase, “Can our key players stay healthy?” …”

    Sure, but our stars are a unique combination of older, more miles on the “wheels”, and more susceptible in recent years to injury and chronic limitations than are the the top stars of our principle competition (OKC, Miami, LAL, Chicago).

    “imo, the difference between winning and losing comes down to EXECUTION on BOTH ends of the court.”

    Sure, and I don’t disagree with this, as a simplified view. And the importance of this general point is clearly articulated as a key component in my analysis.

  • theghostofjh

    “I think the playoff barometers on this team will be how well Splitter plays on the interior and how well Jackson/Leonard play on the perimeter.”

    That’s probably as good of a barometer as any. Although, I would add this to the barometer: whether Bonner’s avg. mpg. are the least on our front court, with the possible exception of Diaw (although hopefully not, and is only a possibility because Diaw is so new to the team). In my view, BOTH Blair and Splitter MUST avg. AT least 18-25 mpg., and play well, for us to advance even as far as the WCF’s. If we have a short trigger on Blair like last year, we’re done (Blair’s keys for us are his hustle, his physicality, his boards, his chemistry and interior passing w/Duncan, and his inside threat on the pick and roll - he can’t play 25+ mpg. because his defense is not yet strong enough [although IMO, it’s often better than most give him credit for]).

  • LPspursFan

    I noticed Louis Amundson had 2 points and 2 rebounds last night…

  • Km114108

    Have you noticed the refs aren’t really calling fouls against Manu anymore. I was at the game the other night and he got hacked a lot and there were no calls. One of them he got hit in the head and he was rubbing his neck the whole night. The only time he got to the line is when he had to force a flop. Fortunately his 3 point shooting much improve.

  • theghostofjh

    Other than being entirely irrelevant to the conversation at hand, Amundson does what he’s asked to do: provide energy off the bench as a 4th or 5th big, particularly at the defensive end. In tonight’s game in Houston. for example, he has 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 2 of 3 shooting in 13 measly/truncated minutes behind Hibbert, West, and Hansborough (the game’s currently in overtime).

    Amundson’s role has never been to get significant minutes, and be a big box score stuffer, but rather to be a hustle/energy guy that rebounds well, become “a thorn in his opponents side” on the defensive end, and a highly competent weak-side shot-blocker. Many good teams find what he does quite valuable deep in their rotation (8-10).

  • Bob

    Maybe this team will emulate the 2001 Lakers. They were bad defensively during the season but became much better in the playoffs.

  • theghostofjh

    Perhaps, but this team would have to do it the hard way, through depth and crisp execution (brilliant team play) as opposed to leaning on two young, dominant and prolific scorers, along with the raw physical talents to raise their defensive play to very high levels during key stretches of a game: Shaq & Kobe. It can be done, but it won’t be easy, and it would be unique.

  • Titletown99030507d

    If Blair gets fewer minutes in the play offs that won’t be the reason we lose. Splitter being back already matches Blair’s production in 10 fewer minutes. In regards to over dosing us in stats tells what we don’t know. Who the hell is Pop going to run with in the playoffs? That in it self is key to this playoff run. Every time Splitter comes back from injury Pop has to punish him with fewer minutes when that’s the lamest thing for him to do at this point because he’s the type of player that gets better as the game goes on. 15 minutes is not going to cut it and you know it. Look at his games before any of his injuries his production was high and getting better but unfortunately injuries came a knocking. All I’m saying he needs to be playing 25-30 minutes now and until the playoffs is over. If he gets hurt again so be it. Don’t put all the blame on Bonner. Splitter should be playing right next to Timmy. The way the rotations are going it’s taking Splitter too long to get on the court and yet he equals or betters Blairs production in less time. (see last night’s game) As he plays more games healthy he will raise his performance and production. If you notice Blair doesn’t have those kinda breakout games (2 games recently while Splitter out) while Splitter is healthy and playing and spending time on the court and yet he doesn’t even have Timmy by his side. Imagine if Pop did have the two of them acclimated with each others play through the entire season. If Bonner keeps shooting well and playing decent on the boards either Splitter or Blair will get their minutes cut and if that’s the case I’d rather have Splitter getting the better of the minutes. Just saying as Splitters minutes/numbers get better Blair’s tend to drop. Take your pick Splitter or Blair. Timmy, Splitter, Bonner, Blair, and Diaw can be rotated for any of the 5/4 spots and they should be no excuses. Production of the bigs is key and numbers don’t lie when they are all healthy and playing. And if Splitter’s numbers drop then he doesn’t deserve to get the burn in the playoffs but the way I see it barring injury again he looks like he’s right on track to get the in the thick of things on the front court. If he doesn’t get hurt he’ll be right there getting minutes and if he’s healthy playing well and doesn’t get more than 25 minutes per game in the playoffs well then Gary, Manu, SJ, Bonner, Green better be hitting those 3’s at a high clip or they won’t win squat.

  • DorieStreet

    Great post. I see that the Spurs have been employing your 5 keys effectively since that rough start after the all-star break. Most of the opponents have been shooting 45% plus, but so have the Spurs-but they tighten up the defense in the 4th qtr while still getting their points on the offense-resulting in victories by anywhere from 5 pts or less (2 times), 6 to 9 pts (3 times) and double digit margins (5 times).
    The Celtic game will be a barometer of sorts-they throttled the Heat Sunday afternoon—and the Spurs will be playing them on SEGABABA.

  • Titletown99030507d

    He still only got 2/2 against us. Or should I say against Splitter. Splitter made him eat ball.By the way how about that ankle breaker
    Hansborough yeah
    Hansborough put on Blair. Nasty.

  • DorieStreet

    I guess the 48MOH useage is similar to the NBA’s use of “Los Spurs” and “El Heat” to acknowledge Latin/Hispanic Fans of the league.
    I read online last year that to be grammatically correct, the teams’ nicknames should be translated to spanish as well—- “Las Espuelas” and “El Calor”
    Is this correct? (I used an online translator)

  • Titletown99030507d

    It isn’t our fault Pop won’t put Splitter on the floor with Timmy.

  • Titletown99030507d

    Should have worn a white knee brace to go with that get up.

  • DorieStreet

    By the way Andrew—
    How can you give a player a ‘D’ grade if he never gets in the game? Also if the guy gets a few seconds on the court for a last-second 3 attempt just before the half or end of a game-do you grade him if he got open (or not) regardless if he got the ball to shoot? And what about the mini-garbage time in a blowout (2 minutes or less)? Should those instances just be noted as ‘N/A’ or ‘I’ - incomplete?

  • Tyler

    No, you always force baseline. Funnel the offensive player to the helping big on the baseline.

    The last thing you want is to let the driver into the middle - the defense is forced to collapse and scramble = driving lanes and open 3’s.

  • theghostofjh

    RE: Amundson

    So what, he got only 8 minutes against us and made one of his two shots. His role on that team isn’t to put up gaudy points & rebounds per minute. It’s to do what I said in my comment above. Furthermore, referencing just one game and drawing ANY conclusions whatsoever about a player is patently absurd.

  • theghostofjh

    “If Blair gets fewer minutes in the play offs that won’t be the reason we lose.”

    Yes it will. He gives us some things (as outlined in my previous comment) that NONE of our other bigs provide.

    “15 minutes is not going to cut it and you know it.”

    I never said Splitter’s minutes in the playoffs should be around 15 mpg. I said BOTH he and Blair must get at least in the 18-25 mpg. average for us to be successful.

    “Don’t put all the blame on Bonner.”

    I’m telling you, and anyone else who will listen, “over-using” Bonner in relation to his production per minute is a grave mistake for this team in the playoffs.

    ” …. it’s taking Splitter too long to get on the court and yet he equals or betters Blairs production in less time …………. If Bonner keeps shooting well and playing decent on the boards either Splitter or Blair will get their minutes cut and if that’s the case I’d rather have Splitter getting the better of the minutes.”

    Dude, you need to wake up. Blair and Splitter’s production per minute is VERY close, and Bonner’s is clearly the WORSE of the three.

    Per 36 minute production:

    ……………………… Points …………Rebounds

    Splitter …………… 16.7 ……………. 9.3

    Blair ………………. 16.0 ……………. 9.4

    Bonner …………… 12.3 ……………. 5.8

    So, why would you think Bonner should get minutes over Blair or Splitter? It DOESN’T MATTER that Bonner has a better outside shot than both Splitter and Blair. Splitter & Blair both do important things better than Bonner, especially in the playoffs, things that other players on our team CAN’T DO. On the other hand, we have plenty of players that shoot the three close to Bonner’s percentage (Manu, Kawai, Gary, Danny — and Kawai even rebounds better than Bonner), and probably better in the playoffs since Matt’s career 3 point % is a dismal 32%.

    “Just saying as Splitters minutes/numbers get better Blair’s tend to drop.”

    Where do you get that from?!

    And your final point that unless Splitter gets 25+ mpg., and/or all our 3-point shooters are hot we won’t win squat is simply not born out by the facts. We need BOTH Blair & Splitter getting around their same mpg. as during the regular season to date, or up to 4-6 minutes more for each (depending how Diaw fits in), AND for Bonner to get a minimum of 6-10 mpg. less, or we’re in deep trouble in the playoffs, particularly if we get into the 2nd round and beyond.

  • Bankshot21

    It does matter that Bonner has a better outside shot. It pulls a big away from the defensive boards and helps our Center on the offensive glass. It makes the opposing team honest on defense. Splitter and Blair can’t throw a rock into the ocean from a boat. Bonners value has been under appreciated for years on this site. Luckily POP is well aware of his importance.

  • Bob

    That doesn’t happen in the playoffs. They rotate their guards on to him.

  • theghostofjh

    No, Bonner doesn’t necessarily pull a big away from the defensive boards (and it doesn’t seem to help our centers on the offensive glass - out of 57 ranked centers in ORR, Duncan is 47th, and Splitter is 34th). There are plenty of teams that can (and should) guard Bonner out on the perimeter with a good-sized, decent rebounding starting or back-up SF (who could beat Bonner repeatedly on the offensive end off the dribble — can you imagine a guy like Kawai Leonard, Gerald Wallace, World Peace, a Moute, or Shawn Marion matched up with Bonner? Bonner would be in big trouble), which leaves the 36 year old Duncan to battle one on one with the opposing bigs young center, guys like Howard, Bynum, Al Jefferson, etc. Personally, I don’t want the newly svelte Duncan abusing his body against big young studs half the time. And the fact is, Bonner shoots LOUSY in the playoffs. It’s been going on for years now, and he’s virtually no threat to score inside for easy opportunities. Bonner’s value comes in the regular season, especially against weaker teams and defenses. He helps get us a few wins in that regard, and that’s pretty much it.

  • TD BestEVER

    Yo only force baseline if you have the bigs to stop it……Our guards are the strength of our D and they need to start carrying the load a little more……..

  • Tyler

    Without going into more detail, there’s a reason every NBA and college team team teach their guards to force baseline.