I agree. I think Pop needs to re-realize these things in order for us to get back to our ‘ship form. I really really like the idea of Hill playing in the playoffs. He does have moxie and confidence that Mace doesn’t have and skill and ability that JV doesn’t have. I think that will be the key to any playoff run the backup PG…outside the health of our best players, of course.

Great post, and valid points on all. I don’t understand why Pop doesn’t give Hill the minutes. Why’s he fallen out of the rotation? I realize that these games are crucial, and have been inexplicably close, but someones gotta give Tony a breather- and it ain’t JV!

He’s tall for PG, athletic, and a great defender. He’s a quality shooter, but his real game is in the the paint where he’s been taking lessons from the School of Parker. I loved watching him execute those masterful layups and being a dominate force driving to the basket. He’ll be a key bench player the rest of the year and next year.

Notice how all things I mentioned are things Mason doesn’t do at all when playing point.

Agreed on all points. George Jesse Hill Jr. has to get the backup PG minutes. It makes all the sense in the world, but I know it’s not going happen because Pop is in full “Get off my lawn.” mode, so I’m not going to stress over it. Meh.

I’m with all of you guys that Hill should get more minutes, heck, I actually like it when him and TP play together. I do have to disagree with JV getting some playing time, I prefer him over Mason at point any day of the week. Mason gets rattled, turns the ball over and doesn’t have a chance to spot up or have plays called for him so it’s a twice as bad. I think Manu & Mason play good together, the little time they’ve been on the court. It seems like Manu usually ends up finding Mason open for some shots, plus it spreads the court even more for Manu.

Agreed on all three points

1.) The JV needs to sit

2.) Having to play point is probably one of the reasons for Mace’s slump

3.) Hill already proved himself at the begining of the season when Tony was out. His athletic ability coupled with his calm under fire demeanor would be great asset now and more so later with experience.

Great post, I rec’d it

All rookies can benefit by playing on the Spurs. It’s a win win situation. If Hill would’ve been used more during the season, no doubt he’d been given pletny of clutch experience! I realize this then raises the question, “Would you really want a rookie in during those times?” Well, we know that Hill does not suck, so I’d have taken a gamble for the long-term payoff. The Spurs are accustomed to deep playoff runs. The playoffs are where players get the best basketball experience of their careers

For most players that play on the Spurs, regardless of their role on the team and/or the career they had before, as being a superstar/solid player/bust (collect a ring Glen Robinson), or after (collect a ring/leave the team Stephen Jackson), it doesn’t get much better than this. The Spurs are the best team they’ve ever been on.

You’re completely right, and wise beyond your years. (How old are you, anyway?) Thanks for taking the time to organize your thoughts in a fanpost. :)

(Recced to Valhalla.)

Team Observations
-Old, short and no hops
-Can’t rebound, look like they aren’t even trying to rebound
-Lives by the three pointer and dies by the three pointer
-Can’t defend against more athletic teams (all other teams)

Observations on Pop
-Stack the middle with shot blockers, force players to the baseline defense has been replaced by matador style defense
-The old wino is now a ROAD (Retired On Active Duty)
-He has won his championships, so…now time to kick it

Individual Observations
-Duncan: Physically, he has been ravaged..it’s been a long time since he has even dunked the ball. He should never be schooled by the other team’s 12th man, but he has been
-Manu: Manu is what Manu is, a basketball magician that plays a hundered miles an hour all the time..a bit ravaged by injuries, but still a spark plug..defense is very pesky
-Tony P: He is in his in prime…can be all world..can also be shut down by bigger point gaurds (CP3 and Fish)…his defensive effort of late has sucked ass…there is rarely a time when he isn’t behind his man chasing him and with TP’s speed, there is no excuse for him not being in front of his man.
-Roger M: A solid 2 gaurd…a pathetic point gaurd…doesn’t spend a lot of effort on defense…has been on a horrible shooting slump.
-Fin: Agree with all that has been said.
-Hill: A bit overwhelmed at this point in the seaon, but I say LET HIM PLAY.
-Gooden: A good 12th man
-Bonner: A good 12th man/speciality Danny Ferry player
-JV: A great player for an old timers game
-Thomas: A nice back up power forward that could be used to mentor a young power forward…problem: the Spurs have the greatest starting power forward of all time, he is not needed on this team

Point of Order: Nightmare scenario 001 is unfolding just as I said it would. We should have taken the Tank in 08 plan. Now, watch the Wizards, who followed my plan, get Thabeet in the draft and come storming back next season.

this post is right on. mace and hill have both struggled in their “new” roles. at the same time, the guys playing ahead of them are not producing as well as the guys they “replaced.”

surely, pop sees this. surely….right?