Cuban doesn't care about Spurs getting Jackson
Though the San Antonio Spurs lost last night to the Dallas Mavericks 106-99 in Dallas, it also was the debut of newly acquired Stephen Jackson.
Jackson, a favorite among Spurs fans, finished with five points, one assist, in 17 minutes in his Spurs debut and should prove to be an upgrade over Richard Jefferson (who was sent to the Golden State Warriors) once he gets back into the rhythm of the Spurs' system.
But don't tell that to Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban who just added more fuel to the Spurs-Mavs rivalry.
When asked about his thoughts by Dwain Price of the Dallas Star-Telegram on the Spurs adding Jackson, Cuban sniped back saying he could not care less.
OK Cuban, obviously you don't care about any other team other than your Mavs but there is a chance the Spurs and Mavs will meet in the playoffs and I am sure if that happens, you will care about Jackson wearing black and silver.
About that extension, well let's leave that to the Spurs' front office.
A lot of Bonner hating. We don't pay him that much and he hits a lot of threes at a good percentage. Our offense is built around surrounding Tim with 3 point shooters, which also clears the lane for TP. Hopefully Bonner doesn't choke in the playoffs this year like last year. As far as him not blocking shots, I don't think anyone expects him to. He is 6 ten but he can't jump over a quarter. Asking him to guard Dirk is a little unrealistic. When Dirk is hitting step back, one foot jumpers, nobody can guard him straight up. I agree that we need a big, but there just were not any available this year. As far as Cuban, maybe he is just bitter because he is realizing he should have given Chandler an extension/new contract as he gambled in the DHoward sweap stakes and he is realizing he lost. I want to patent a NBA owner muzzle and then go on Shark Tank to pitch it to him.
Mark Cuban should stick to Shark Tank and leave the NBA commentary to those who actually know what they're talking about. He is a loud mouth owner whose mouth always writes checks his wittle Mavs can't cash. See on Friday in SA fool when we repay the favor of last night's loss. get ready for a good ole fashioned Spurs can of whoop azz!
This is what mark does, that's why him at Jason Terry get along so well. They both run there mouth. Marks always getting fined for doing that, what a prof. Owner....class act of the NBA owners.......
Jackson is NOT the right player to sign. The spurs needs a big man. Maybe he is an upgrade to Jefferson but the fact remains that he is NOT the man needed by the spurs.
@rtesoro440 Unfortunately, the fact is that the Spurs cannot get a good big man with the amount of money they have left (mid-level exception). Also, they cannot get a great big man for the value of Stephen Jackson's contract. I don't think the NBA has ever been so weak at the center position and skilled power-forwards are also not easy to come by. I think we do need a body that's not from the d-league in the rotation, but who that mysterious guy is, no one knows.
We should have sent dyc contract instead of tj. I know it was only1.5 mil more, but that would have given us more this season. Pick up ronny, he can reb and play def.
@rtesoro440 Yes.. every fan in San Antonio is on the prowl for our next big man and I'm sure the F/O is as well. But to say we can't make ANY move until we get a big man is counter-productive.
Just like you said.. he IS an upgrade to Jefferson.
@Joey I agree, Joey. But the fact still remains that we need another (defensive) big man in the rotation so when playoffs come around, TD and Tiago get plenty of minutes together. If the playoffs started right now, Blair and Bonner would never see the court together. Therefore TD and Tiago would never see the court together either.
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It was clear that the Spurs put in a much bigger effort against the Thunder than the Mavs, as they should because the Thunder are a much better team. Ginobili had one of the worst games of this season yesterday, but the young guys are really looking good. Also, looking at Jackson's defense yesterday, it is clear that we upgraded from RJ. A starting lineup with Jackson and a bench with Green and Leonard is going to give players like Durant and Kobe absolute fits in the playoffs. The Spurs future is looking good. Can Dawson get Bonner's minutes? Dawson is much better defensively and we don't need him to do anything offensively because of all of the offensive firepower that we have.
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@spurs123 Good stuff... agree mostly.
Though I will make this bold statement - Matt Bonner's defense has improved 200% from last season. He's actually moving his feet and getting off the ground challenging shots and even getting a couple blocks. I haven't liked Bonner for years because of his defensive liabilities.
I feel like someone got in his ear and said pick it up or see ya later, because the effort is there defensively.
Offensively, he's made some mistakes on the penetration but he just recently started showing a mid-range game. He should continue to improve and figure out how to get that mid range jumper or floater off in the lane (he should get tips from Blair.. outstanding floater in the paint...)
I guess my bottom line is..with Bonner's defensive effort picking up, I'm absolutely okay with him staying with the team getting 12-15 minutes a game (much less than his 21 mpg avg last year)
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@russman138 @spurs123 Bonner played terrible yesterday and we decided to match him up against Dirk? He is awkward, un-athletic, and forgetful on the defensive end of the floor. Teams relish having Bonner as weak-side rotation in man because he presents no threat whatsoever to the driving player. When Bonner isn't hitting 3's, he is a complete detriment on the court especially when he decides to pump fake and drive into a travel or other turnover as he did multiple times last night. I kept yelling "shoot it!" despite the fact there was a man running at him, because every time he got the ball, the driving Red Rocket would eventually end in a turnover. His defensive and offensive liabilities far out-weigh his 3-point percentage.
@CraigThomas I'm agreeing with you somewhat.
We DO use Bonner too much. That's my point. His purpose is to stretch the floor offensively. THATS IT.
He is our worst defender.. agreed.
All I'm saying is.. don't say trade him NOW when he's playing too much minutes and unfortunately is exposed in the post quite often.
With another big man.. you will be happy when Bonner is playing 12 minutes a game
@russman138 @CraigThomas Pump fakes are an awesome option if your Ray Allen or Kobe Bryant. If your a 6'10 liability like Bonner then it's not a good idea. Everytime he puts the ball on the floor he scares the life out of me. It is TP, Manu & DG's job to drive to the paint!!!! I agree that Bonner is an amazing 3 point shooter in the regular season but as far as when it counts, he is awful. 32.3% shooting the 3 in playoffs!!! I was glad we traded RJ because he also was a no show in the our last 2 playoff visits.
@russman138 Twice is still multiple and my book and it is two too many times for Bonner to be PENETRATING into the paint. The reason I get angry at Bonner is because he doesn't shoot the ball. If that is what he's out on the court for then do your god damn job. He has looked so hesitant recently and it's led to travels, not taking good shots, and Bonner dribbling.
Blair also did a terrible job on Dirk but that's because you have to play either quicker and smaller guys on Dirk (like Bowen) to beat him to his spot on the court, or you have to put a big body on Dirk to not let him get to his position. I would much rather have Kawhi or Jackson on Dirk the entire game but Blair at least intimidates him physically (although I know he didn't in the past game). Bonner's defense is by far the worst on the team and you win Championships with defense.
We still use Bonner too much and cannot hide him defensively as we used to. He allows offensive rebounds, cannot defend the post, and gets circles dribbled around him if he's switched. I say put him in the game for 10-15 and tell him to shoot the damn ball if he gets it or pass it. He should never be allowed to dribble.
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@CraigThomas Stop pump faking? You're terrible. Every good shooter should have a good pump fake and owe it to themselves to develop somewhat of a mid range game to keep the defense honest. He penetrated twice (not "multiple times") and turned it over only one time. You are a typical fan trying to play GM with no facts. We didn't "match him up" against Dirk. Matt Bonner was forced to play 22 minutes last night and unfortunately had to take his licks (Blair played just as terrible on Dirk.. Where is your Blair bashing??) playing Dirk. If we had one more big man to come off the bench.. Bonner would have played a comfortable 12-15 minutes or so and would have probably never even been on the court at the same time as Dirk.
Think back to our last Championship year in 2007 - Bonner averaged 12 minutes a game and shot about 47% from the floor. THAT is the proper way to use Bonner, sparingly. If we were able to play Bonner 12 minutes a game or so, he would be effective at stretching the offense when Pop needs him to and he's very capable of coming off the bench and putting up some numbers when we need some help on offense.
Bonner is not a great defender.. DUH.. Captain Obvious.
@spurs123 Throughout yesterdays game, I kept thinking why couldnt we have have traded Bonner as well?? I'd be happy with a 2nd round pick. Often this season, with a wide open look, Bonner decides to put the ball on the floor and drive to the hoop. He has one job on the offensive end, knock down three's!!!!!!!!
@SpursManiac @spurs123 Are we talking about the same player? I'm talking about Matt Bonner the guy who (according to NBA.com) registered no blocks against the mavs!!!! Who in 21 mins a game this year is averaging 0.3 a game. The same guy who averages 32.3% shooting the 3 in playoffs. Yea he will be there when it counts!!!! Are you a relative??