Well in the short term, at the very least. the Spurs are best served with Manu as the backup 2. He’s their best ball handler after Parker. yes, the bench has been great, but Parker has been the PG during much of that time. Yes, there has been platoon PG and it has worked, but Parker has usually been at the forefront of a lot of it (aside from that Dallas game, where he should have been brought back – if they really wanted to lock down the win).
I can’t really agree with “hiding Leonard’s Offensive Shortcomings” He’s currently in the starting lineup, and that’s a big part of why it stalls. There may be a good reason to start Manu and Leonard, but this isn’t one of them.
The big thing with the bowen years, was the opposing team would try and cheat off of the Brucie. He made them pay, but they continued to do it anyway. They’d cheat off Leonard so much. He’d get the shots, but he still is iffy during this season. Leonard, offensively will have more luck in secondary units when the bigs and forwards are not top notch.
The whole reason why the bench needs to be strong is because the starters get off to a slow start.
I also don’t agree with RJ’s decline on D. His D is about the same as it always has been. However, he’s guarding 2 guards. Guys who tend to be quicker. I think the minutes and lots of play has something to do with it a little bit as well.
That said, him coming off the bench isn’t a bad thing.
I dont know … RJ and Leonard are clearly the opposite
RJ = offense
Kawhi = Defense
The correct answer should be Kawhi but … at this point its not 100% True….Sometimes Kawhi can be a big black hole in the offense just like RJ can be a big black hole in the defense …. I think that its depending on the game
I am torn on this subject. On one hand, Tony is on fire and I think Manu returning to the starting lineup would bring Tonys level of play down to earth.
On the other hand, other than Tony, (and recently Duncan) the starting lineup has not exactly been lighting things up on offense.
I bet Manu will eventually be starting again.
In addition, the only reason Manu has ever came off the benchi in San Antonio…
When Manu began coming off the bench years ago, someone asked Pop why. I can clearly remember Popovich being quoted as saying " I am trying to build a bench" In other words, the Spurs used to have a horrible bench and Manu HAD to come off it. This is no longer the case, we have a good bench.
It depends. In the playoffs, it would make more sense to bring a Manu or Parker off the bench. Just waves of upon waves of pounding on the other team. Never letting up to me is the best way to go about it.
I think Parker should be fine, if Pop adjusts his game plan to ride Parker for a while. I think what he can do is have units headed by Manu and units headed by Parker to divide it up. I think both hurt each others game in some respects because they both are the most dynamic, in some ways.
Im pretty sure that Manu will start eventually, so it comes down to RJ or Leonard. RJ is a role player, he is a good spot up shooter and an above average defender, but IMO he is not a game changer. Leonard is a below average shooter but he is improving, he can also cut to the basket nicely on offense, but he’s a GREAT defender and a GREAT rebounder, and with those skills he can be a game changer, just ask Rudy Gay o Kevin Durant.
And I agree with the author when he says that is better to use Leonard defense from the beginning of the game because you never let those great scorers get a rhythm, and you could bring Green off the bench if Leonard gets in foul trouble.
And I agree with the author when he says that is better to use Leonard defense from the beginning of the game because you never let those great scorers get a rhythm, and you could bring Green off the bench if Leonard gets in foul trouble.
The problem with the rhythm thing is great scorers just need a few good looks and they can jump right back on. In the case of Durant, he’s never out of it, for example.
yup, thats why you should put your best defender on them from the start of the game, because if they get on a rhythm early they are going to be tougher to defend.
I don’t think Kawhi is enough Bowen, offensively to take on that role. Otherwise, the spacing will die, even if Manu were starting. Parker can shoot 3s, but he can’t shoot them consistently. And Blair can’t shoot, period.
Maybe if the Spurs put in a more offensive player at the start, the opponent might worry about them getting off to a good start and pull their best offensive star in order to have in a better defender? With Leonard in, they’re not too worried about defense. I think I’m still in favor of starting Bonner over Blair, and maybe trying Leonard at the 4 in a small lineup in some situations. I’m not so sure that Blair couldn’t work with Splitter, particularly if Manu is in with them.
So far, Blair has been bad with Splitter. Maybe Manu changes that, but are the defenders going to just pack the lane? If they do, manu loses a few options.
I do agree though. I’d prefer Bonner over Blair at this point. It probably would help make the offense fluid in the 1st unit. It would hurt the 2nd unit though.
The offense will suffer greatly without a 40% three-point threat in the starting lineup. So unless you swap Blair and Bonner as well(I’m not opposed to that at this point), it’s not going to happen.
The problem with Bonner in the starting lineup is spacing goes to crap in the second unit with Tiago and Blair. So far, I haven’t liked what I’ve seen from Blair/Splitter.
True. Little did I know, Kawhi is shooting 35% from 3 – I thought it was much worse. I’ve changed my mind. When TJ comes back, having RJ, Neal and Bonner all come off the bench could allow our second unit to destroy all opponents with superior spacing and shooting.
TJ
Neal
RJ
Bonner
Tiago
Now that is a scary good offensive unit. Let the starters set the defensive tone, then let the bench run teams out of the gym.
Kawhi goes through periods of bricks, and bad bricks at times, and then comes out shooting well. That tends to be the case when you are re-building your shot. He’s doing quite well, though.
Once TJ is back, I think I’m willing to suffer through the Spurs starting lineup, if Manu is back in there. Blair being the weakest link is livable since at least Manu and Parker can get him the ball on the offensive end. I can’t see RJ coming off the bench, although it might make more sense. I do like your lineup though. Not sure how often it would get used with Green/Manu/Leonard also not accounted for. Obviously, 2 of them would start.
Damnit, I forgot Green. He can be switched with Neal or play the 3 in small ball lineups. This team has too much quality depth.
Not a bad thing in this season. The Manu injury actually helps Pop get to rest him/not over extend him as the team proved they can win without Manu (not in the playoffs, but during any given game in the regular season).
I hope Pop takes the “I’ll take the hot hand” approach. With the exception of Manu lite (Green), I think he can and should do that with Leonard/RJ/Neal. If one guy is not working, you take the other.
Green = a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor
RJ = shot, decent D, can play small ball
Leonard = D and small ball sized 4
Neal = scoring in bunches and good passing 2 guard.
And of course Pop can go with manu at the backup if he doesn’t see it working with TJ or Parker or some other odd combo…
The team is very versatile with the exception of Blair (Yes, Bonner/Blair is versatile, if you are talking scoring, but worthless for D or a small ball Blair lineup).
I agree with what the thread starter said on almost all the points he made. To bad it isn’t going to happen. LOL
gunnin' gervin - February 10, 2012
Well Manu will likely coming off the bench first, which is the right thing to do in the short term until TJ comes back. From there, who knows.
grego21 - February 10, 2012
Well in the short term, at the very least. the Spurs are best served with Manu as the backup 2. He’s their best ball handler after Parker. yes, the bench has been great, but Parker has been the PG during much of that time. Yes, there has been platoon PG and it has worked, but Parker has usually been at the forefront of a lot of it (aside from that Dallas game, where he should have been brought back – if they really wanted to lock down the win).
I can’t really agree with “hiding Leonard’s Offensive Shortcomings” He’s currently in the starting lineup, and that’s a big part of why it stalls. There may be a good reason to start Manu and Leonard, but this isn’t one of them.
The big thing with the bowen years, was the opposing team would try and cheat off of the Brucie. He made them pay, but they continued to do it anyway. They’d cheat off Leonard so much. He’d get the shots, but he still is iffy during this season. Leonard, offensively will have more luck in secondary units when the bigs and forwards are not top notch.
The whole reason why the bench needs to be strong is because the starters get off to a slow start.
I also don’t agree with RJ’s decline on D. His D is about the same as it always has been. However, he’s guarding 2 guards. Guys who tend to be quicker. I think the minutes and lots of play has something to do with it a little bit as well.
That said, him coming off the bench isn’t a bad thing.
grego21 - February 10, 2012
I dont know … RJ and Leonard are clearly the opposite
RJ = offense
Kawhi = Defense
The correct answer should be Kawhi but … at this point its not 100% True….Sometimes Kawhi can be a big black hole in the offense just like RJ can be a big black hole in the defense …. I think that its depending on the game
cuentaluis1 - February 10, 2012
I am torn on this subject. On one hand, Tony is on fire and I think Manu returning to the starting lineup would bring Tonys level of play down to earth.
On the other hand, other than Tony, (and recently Duncan) the starting lineup has not exactly been lighting things up on offense.
I bet Manu will eventually be starting again.
In addition, the only reason Manu has ever came off the benchi in San Antonio…
When Manu began coming off the bench years ago, someone asked Pop why. I can clearly remember Popovich being quoted as saying " I am trying to build a bench" In other words, the Spurs used to have a horrible bench and Manu HAD to come off it. This is no longer the case, we have a good bench.
alamobro - February 10, 2012
It depends. In the playoffs, it would make more sense to bring a Manu or Parker off the bench. Just waves of upon waves of pounding on the other team. Never letting up to me is the best way to go about it.
I think Parker should be fine, if Pop adjusts his game plan to ride Parker for a while. I think what he can do is have units headed by Manu and units headed by Parker to divide it up. I think both hurt each others game in some respects because they both are the most dynamic, in some ways.
grego21 - February 10, 2012
Im pretty sure that Manu will start eventually, so it comes down to RJ or Leonard. RJ is a role player, he is a good spot up shooter and an above average defender, but IMO he is not a game changer. Leonard is a below average shooter but he is improving, he can also cut to the basket nicely on offense, but he’s a GREAT defender and a GREAT rebounder, and with those skills he can be a game changer, just ask Rudy Gay o Kevin Durant.
And I agree with the author when he says that is better to use Leonard defense from the beginning of the game because you never let those great scorers get a rhythm, and you could bring Green off the bench if Leonard gets in foul trouble.
spursfan87 - February 10, 2012
The problem with the rhythm thing is great scorers just need a few good looks and they can jump right back on. In the case of Durant, he’s never out of it, for example.
grego21 - February 10, 2012
yup, thats why you should put your best defender on them from the start of the game, because if they get on a rhythm early they are going to be tougher to defend.
spursfan87 - February 10, 2012
I don’t think Kawhi is enough Bowen, offensively to take on that role. Otherwise, the spacing will die, even if Manu were starting. Parker can shoot 3s, but he can’t shoot them consistently. And Blair can’t shoot, period.
grego21 - February 10, 2012
Maybe if the Spurs put in a more offensive player at the start, the opponent might worry about them getting off to a good start and pull their best offensive star in order to have in a better defender? With Leonard in, they’re not too worried about defense. I think I’m still in favor of starting Bonner over Blair, and maybe trying Leonard at the 4 in a small lineup in some situations. I’m not so sure that Blair couldn’t work with Splitter, particularly if Manu is in with them.
Alamo - February 10, 2012
So far, Blair has been bad with Splitter. Maybe Manu changes that, but are the defenders going to just pack the lane? If they do, manu loses a few options.
grego21 - February 11, 2012
I do agree though. I’d prefer Bonner over Blair at this point. It probably would help make the offense fluid in the 1st unit. It would hurt the 2nd unit though.
grego21 - February 11, 2012
The offense will suffer greatly without a 40% three-point threat in the starting lineup. So unless you swap Blair and Bonner as well(I’m not opposed to that at this point), it’s not going to happen.
Tim C. - February 12, 2012
The problem with Bonner in the starting lineup is spacing goes to crap in the second unit with Tiago and Blair. So far, I haven’t liked what I’ve seen from Blair/Splitter.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
True. Little did I know, Kawhi is shooting 35% from 3 – I thought it was much worse. I’ve changed my mind. When TJ comes back, having RJ, Neal and Bonner all come off the bench could allow our second unit to destroy all opponents with superior spacing and shooting.
TJ
Neal
RJ
Bonner
Tiago
Now that is a scary good offensive unit. Let the starters set the defensive tone, then let the bench run teams out of the gym.
Tim C. - February 13, 2012
Kawhi goes through periods of bricks, and bad bricks at times, and then comes out shooting well. That tends to be the case when you are re-building your shot. He’s doing quite well, though.
Once TJ is back, I think I’m willing to suffer through the Spurs starting lineup, if Manu is back in there. Blair being the weakest link is livable since at least Manu and Parker can get him the ball on the offensive end. I can’t see RJ coming off the bench, although it might make more sense. I do like your lineup though. Not sure how often it would get used with Green/Manu/Leonard also not accounted for. Obviously, 2 of them would start.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
Damnit, I forgot Green. He can be switched with Neal or play the 3 in small ball lineups. This team has too much quality depth.
Tim C. - February 13, 2012
Not a bad thing in this season. The Manu injury actually helps Pop get to rest him/not over extend him as the team proved they can win without Manu (not in the playoffs, but during any given game in the regular season).
I hope Pop takes the “I’ll take the hot hand” approach. With the exception of Manu lite (Green), I think he can and should do that with Leonard/RJ/Neal. If one guy is not working, you take the other.
Green = a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor
RJ = shot, decent D, can play small ball
Leonard = D and small ball sized 4
Neal = scoring in bunches and good passing 2 guard.
And of course Pop can go with manu at the backup if he doesn’t see it working with TJ or Parker or some other odd combo…
The team is very versatile with the exception of Blair (Yes, Bonner/Blair is versatile, if you are talking scoring, but worthless for D or a small ball Blair lineup).
grego21 - February 13, 2012
Kawhi is shooting 35% on 34 attempts. Jefferson has attempted 137 3s. Really small sample size for Kawhi.
Edg5 - February 13, 2012
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