Red Mamba Making The Most Of His Minutes

Apr 21, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Matt Bonner (15) passes the ball during game one of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at AT

Matt Bonner aka Red Mamba aka Red Rocket is making the most of his minutes during in round one of the Western Conference playoffs.  This post season, Bonner has already surpassed the minutes in which he averaged just a season ago (12.1).  With his output the first game, deemed him the same amount of playing time in game two.

Bonner is averaging 29.1 points per game this postseason.  Though it is early in the playoffs, we are unsure whether this will continue, one thing is certain though, his shooting has really improved [in the postseason].

Through two games, Bonner has hit 75% from the three point line (3-of-4), and is averaging 10 points per game.  He has also been active on the defensive end (making sure Howard gets the message that he is not going to get anything easy).

I am one to admit that I am hard on Bonner.  When teams overplay him on the three, he then goes into the lane with not knowing what to do next.  I feel that Bonner needs to throw in a floater or even work on that jumper from inside the key.  He could be a deadly scorer if this is the case.

As you can see through two games, Bonner likes to shoot the three….HOLD THE PRESSES! What!? I didn’t bring you breaking news on Bonner? Whoops.

From NBA Stats, you can see his shot chart below:

As you can see from above, Bonner has his issues by the basket, could this be because of Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol lurking in the paint?  Possibly.  Any case, he has been playing better and possibly what helped him get out of his slump could be credited to participating in the All-Star Game.

When Bonner his hitting from three point range, and can possibly develop a nice jump when he is closed out on beyond the arc, he can be a threat and a handful for teams.