Center of Attention

San Antonio Spurs fans are naturally some of the most discriminating in the league when it comes to expecting a certain level of play from the "5," after watching a specimen like David Robinson for 13 years. Robinson could do it all, and that includes being able to guard The Big Charlatan better than anyone ever has. I could use literally all of the space in which I am allowed to type to list The Admiral's achievements, accolades, awards and honors. Instead, I will simply quote Charles Barkley - "David Robinson (is) the most athletic center, EVER."

According to Hoopedia: "The center is relied upon at both ends of the floor. On offense, the center must be able to score inside (close to the basket), while on defense, he must block shots and rebound" (http://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php?title=Center). Since Mr. Robinson retired in 2003, the Spurs have definitely had players who met this description.

In 2005, the Playoff rotation of Tim Duncan, Nazr Mohammed, and Robert Horry was the best to take the floor since the Twin Towers patrolled the paint together, but Robert Horry spoiled the Spurs and their fans just as much as Robinson had. San Antonio had now seen a center who could hit threes, especially clutch ones, rebound, block shots, draw charges, and get steals - and do so with an uncanny sense of timing that heralds comparisons to Jordan and Bird. Following 2005, Francisco Elson, Fabricio Oberto, and Kurt Thomas were fine players, but didn't seem to have any specialties.

Enter: Matt Bonner. With Horry slowly exiting the rotation and then the league, Bonner seemed like a logical step. He was the lesser of a few evils. None of the Spurs "big men" played the role of a traditional center, but Bonner's advantage was his three point shot. Maybe he could become the next Horry.... The problem, however, is that Bonner can be effective ONLY when shooting 3's, and, faced with no other options, Gregg Popovich told him that doing so was the only way to ensure playing time.

You've seen the first few games of the season, but think about them as you read the definition of a center again. Does Bonner do any of that consistently? The answer is no. Guards and Forwards are supposed to hit outside shots - and we have players who can. With Manu, RJ, Fin, Mason, and Hill we have three point shooters. Centers are supposed to rebound, block, and get put-backs, and the Spurs aren't short in that department either. Blair, McDyess, and Ratliff are all KICK ASS interior players, but one of them will see very few minutes because Bonner is INEFFECTIVE unless he starts, plays with Parker on the floor, and shoots a lot of 3's.

ANY of the Spurs big men should start, and play, instead of Bonner. McDyess can stretch the floor just enough for Duncan with his midrange game, Blair just tramples people to get rebounds, and if Theo Ratliff and Tim Duncan played together enough to develop good timing, they would block shots like David and Tim did in 1999 and 2003. What will the Spurs miss if Bonner is not on the floor? Nothing. By starting Bonner, Popovich is sacrificing defense for offense when he doesn't even have to, and we all know he is smart enough to know it. For the Spurs to return to the suffocating levels of defense with which they won championships, Bonner will have to go sit in his "Wicked Awesome Section" of the bench, and let the MEN play basketball. Somewhere, some day, there may be another Robert Horry, but it's not Matt Bonner. Not now.