Tim Duncan. Tony Parker. Manu Ginobili. Bruce Bowen. Fabricio Oberto.
Those are five names that you can trust—at least, if you've been observing the Spurs for a few years now.
Let's just look at the first three. We're talking about a superstar and two All-Stars, guys you can depend on to put up 20 points any given night. In Duncan, you've got an aging but still-amazing power forward who you could still mention as a top-five player in this league.
Tony Parker is a nearly-unguardable, penetrating point guard whose outside game has only grown as time has gone on.
What about Manu Ginobili? We're only talking about a guy who helped defeat the United States in the 2004 Olympics, is an international all-star, and has been one of the most respected shooting guards with his ability to penetrate, score, and finish a game in the fourth quarter.
Beyond them, you have Bruce Bowen, who is also aging but a still-dependable defender, and Fabricio Oberto, a player who isn't flashy but can be depended on to defend, rebound, and compliment Duncan in the post. This starting unit has won together and is hoping to make a push for yet another championship.
So what's going on beyond these five guys? Well, there's Matt Bonner, also known as the "Red Rocket." With Oberto sitting due to heart complications, the pressure is on Bonner, who has been with the Spurs for a few years, to step up and finally show he was worth investing in.
Then there's Michael Finley, who once was a thorn in the Spurs' side from farther up Interstate 35. He's been with the Spurs for a few years now, and efficiently makes three-pointers for the black-and-silver. Not to mention, Finley became a starter for the Spurs, which let Gregg Popovich move Ginobili to a backup-guard slot in order to bring more offense off the bench. Finley also fits the category of Spurs who are aging but still can contribute.
Behind Tony Parker is Jacque Vaughn, who's in the same group as Finley—aging, but still performing. At age 33, Vaughn isn't the fastest point guard, the best shooter, or a guy who can really get to the rim. But he brings veteran experience and decent ball-handling skills, although not much else.
Behind Bruce Bowen is Ime Udoka, a decent defender who can be counted on to hit the three-pointer now and then. Finally, the other big man who has been active so far is Kurt Thomas, the man Phoenix hoped would stop Tim Duncan two years ago. Again, at age 36, Thomas is an aging player with veteran experience who can contribute.
We know enough of what the starting unit will bring, because they've been consistent in doing so. As far as the current season goes, Duncan and Parker have been relentless in trying to keep their team alive, pouring in points in the hope of producing wins.
The second unit should concern Spurs fans. Right off the bat, Finley is still contributing points, scoring about eight per game and providing a few assists as well. Typically thought of as a bench player, him starting is really more about letting Ginobili bring scoring capability off the bench. Still, for his salary and his reputation as a second-rate player, Finley's doing his job.
The rest of this unit needs attention.
5 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jorge Franceschi 8 months ago
Great point on Mason and Bonner. Bonner's athleticism really hurts in that he can't do the things that even Horry could do, even at his advanced age. I say bring back Horry and trade Bonner for a first-round pick. I've been one of Bonner's biggest supporters over the years saying he needs time and even pointed to his 25-point, 17-rebound performance against the Golden State Warriors early last year when he started in place of Duncan. So was that a fluke game or what? Bonner moves at a turtle's pace and doesn't go aggressively to the ball.
Mason is arguably the third best player on the Spurs right now behind the Big Fundamental and TP9. Honestly, he should probably start.
What is killing the Spurs right now is plain and simple - defense and rebounding, as well as giving too many second-chance points. The scoring has not been an issue (thanks to the Big Two), but at some point, they and Manu will need help. The problem is we have allowed 101 points per game in the first two contests, and one of our opponents, Portland, is not exactly setting the world on fire from a scoring standpoint.
Until these guys get back to their defense-first mentality, it's going to be a very long season.
One final question: Why isn't Bruce Bowen playing at the end of games? Sure, he's not a scorer, but he spreads the floor with his automatic corner 3 and he's still the best perimeter defender on the team. Where is Pop's head at?
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Jason Rodriguez 8 months ago
To address you Jorge:
Defense and rebounding are both issues that the Spurs can hope to amend with the influx of their young core, as mentioned at the end of the article. Mahinmi brings another big off the bench to aid rebounding. Duncan will get his, but Mahinmi and Oberto are who the Spurs are going to go to for additional rebounding and neither was able to play. Bonner as the first option as a backup for the four and five slots hurt rebounding as well as defensive abilities. The younger players of Mahinmi, Hill and Tolliver are all guys who can jump out faster and rotate more quickly than the old legs of the current second unit. At least, if they learn the system, which all Spurs fans better hope they do. But in general you'll have to live with a sub-par defense for a while, until this influx of new players are able to feel comfortable in the system. It's that or live with old legs who know the rotation.
As far as Bowen's role at the end of games, this began last year and continues this year. He doesn't add enough as a total offensive package in order to justify placing him in the game if the Spurs are playing from behind. If playing ahead, he gets the go, but not if behind. The reasons are simple. He cannot create his own shot, nor is his shot automatic from any position but the corner. In other words, he's entirely reliant upon someone else to create his shot for him. He'll occasionally cut to the interior, but it's still off a set up created by others. At that point he becomes an offensive liability, because as we remember the old adage, live by the three and die by the three. In the long run he'll be sacrificed for players who can create their own shots and are better offensively as a whole, if the Spurs are playing without the lead.
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Jason Rodriguez 8 months ago
One last thing, as to Mason won't start.
With the current philosophy of needing more firepower off the bench, and with TD/TP/Finley providing enough firepower for the starting unit, I wouldn't be surprised to see a final rotation with Gino and Mason coming off the bench in order to supplement the first unit. I could see him in Finley's place potentially, but I don't think Finley offers enough as a backup to do that.
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Linda G 8 months ago
Jason really enjoyed reading the article.......Linda..
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Jason Rodriguez 8 months ago
Thanks Linda, I appreciate your comments.
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