duncan228
09-08-2008, 07:01 PM
Surviving Without Manu (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9942)
By: Yannis Koutroupis
There was a collective sigh of relief from the Spurs' organization when their star shooting guard Manu Ginobili's ankle surgery was successful. While the short term will be a struggle without him, the biggest concern is his long-term health. Now that playing without Ginobili has become a reality it's time for the Spurs to figure out how they are going to keep pace in the extremely tough Western Conference.
Had the Spurs been able to sign their top free agent targets this wouldn't be anywhere near as big of an issue. The Spurs had their eye on Corey Maggette and at one time were though to be the favorite for his services, but Maggette opted to sign with the Golden State Warriors when they offered him twice as much money as the Spurs did. Maggette would have given the Spurs a much needed scoring punch and allowed Ginobili to stay in the sixth man role that he has thrived at once he did finally return.
The Spurs have had their eye on J.R. Smith ever since he was in Byron Scott's doghouse with New Orleans Hornets and he too would have really been valuable with Manu out. There was interest from the Spurs in signing the restricted free agent this summer, but because the Denver Nuggets made it very clear that they wanted to keep Smith the Spurs did not even make an offer. As apparent from the Marcus Camby trade, the Nuggets were willing to do whatever it took to keep Smith.
Jannero Pargo was another player that could have helped the Spurs in Manu's absence, but like Maggette he went with the money. In Pargo's case that place was Russia, as he signed a $3.5 million deal with the Moscow Dynamo. Where Pargo really would have helped though was backing up Tony Parker, but instead the Spurs will once again be forced to depend on Jacque Vaughn and unsigned rookie George Hill.
So now the Spurs are forced to go with what they have at the shooting guard position, and it isn't much when you consider who they have to replace. Manu is one of the game's best offensive players, and by far one of the most unpredictable. Thanks to a complete offensive package Ginobili is one of the hardest players to match up with in the league.
Spurs' head coach Greg Popovich will look to Michael Finley, Ime Udoka, and Roger Mason Jr. to help fill the void left by Manu in a combined effort. Finley will likely get the start due to his familiarity with the system but at 38 years of age he's limited in what he can provide on a nightly basis.
Udoka showed a lot of improvement as the season progressed last year and with Manu out his role will almost certainly expand. The problem with playing Udoka at shooting guard is that he's Bruce Bowen's main backup at small forward, and like Finley Bruce isn't getting any younger himself.
That leaves Roger Mason, who averaged a career high of nine points a game last year with the Washington Wizards. If the Spurs are going to keep up with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, and Utah Jazz in the early going Mason is really going to have to show up big for the Spurs.
The Spurs are going to need Mason to be aggressive and efficient. He doesn't have to average 17 points and four assists a game like Manu, but he does need to make opposing teams respect him to keep them from doubling up on Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.
Speaking of what has to be referred to as the Big Two until Ginobili returns, their production has to rise as well. They are the leaders of this team, and the Spurs will only go as far as those two take them. Even if Roger Mason has a career year and Michael Finley comes back rejuvenated the Spurs won't be able to win without great play from their captains. Considering the fact that they've gotten more rest this summer than they have in a few years, Parker and Duncan should be ready to go.
It's not going to be easy, but the Spurs are capable of at least staying within reach early on. They start off the season against Phoenix and Portland in October, but face just four teams who had a record over .500 last season in November. They do face Houston twice in November, but overall the Spurs couldn't ask for a better stretch to be without Manu.
If this season stayed true to how most of the decade has played out, the Spurs would end up winning the championship because it's an odd year. However, they are nowhere near as strong as they have been in years past and there are several other teams in the conference that have better teams right now.
Dynasties are all about persevering and fighting through whatever obstacles come your way to rise to the top. Sure the odds are stacked up against them, but for a franchise that has always struggled to get their due, what's a better way to cement your legacy than winning it all when you've basically been written off?
By: Yannis Koutroupis
There was a collective sigh of relief from the Spurs' organization when their star shooting guard Manu Ginobili's ankle surgery was successful. While the short term will be a struggle without him, the biggest concern is his long-term health. Now that playing without Ginobili has become a reality it's time for the Spurs to figure out how they are going to keep pace in the extremely tough Western Conference.
Had the Spurs been able to sign their top free agent targets this wouldn't be anywhere near as big of an issue. The Spurs had their eye on Corey Maggette and at one time were though to be the favorite for his services, but Maggette opted to sign with the Golden State Warriors when they offered him twice as much money as the Spurs did. Maggette would have given the Spurs a much needed scoring punch and allowed Ginobili to stay in the sixth man role that he has thrived at once he did finally return.
The Spurs have had their eye on J.R. Smith ever since he was in Byron Scott's doghouse with New Orleans Hornets and he too would have really been valuable with Manu out. There was interest from the Spurs in signing the restricted free agent this summer, but because the Denver Nuggets made it very clear that they wanted to keep Smith the Spurs did not even make an offer. As apparent from the Marcus Camby trade, the Nuggets were willing to do whatever it took to keep Smith.
Jannero Pargo was another player that could have helped the Spurs in Manu's absence, but like Maggette he went with the money. In Pargo's case that place was Russia, as he signed a $3.5 million deal with the Moscow Dynamo. Where Pargo really would have helped though was backing up Tony Parker, but instead the Spurs will once again be forced to depend on Jacque Vaughn and unsigned rookie George Hill.
So now the Spurs are forced to go with what they have at the shooting guard position, and it isn't much when you consider who they have to replace. Manu is one of the game's best offensive players, and by far one of the most unpredictable. Thanks to a complete offensive package Ginobili is one of the hardest players to match up with in the league.
Spurs' head coach Greg Popovich will look to Michael Finley, Ime Udoka, and Roger Mason Jr. to help fill the void left by Manu in a combined effort. Finley will likely get the start due to his familiarity with the system but at 38 years of age he's limited in what he can provide on a nightly basis.
Udoka showed a lot of improvement as the season progressed last year and with Manu out his role will almost certainly expand. The problem with playing Udoka at shooting guard is that he's Bruce Bowen's main backup at small forward, and like Finley Bruce isn't getting any younger himself.
That leaves Roger Mason, who averaged a career high of nine points a game last year with the Washington Wizards. If the Spurs are going to keep up with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, and Utah Jazz in the early going Mason is really going to have to show up big for the Spurs.
The Spurs are going to need Mason to be aggressive and efficient. He doesn't have to average 17 points and four assists a game like Manu, but he does need to make opposing teams respect him to keep them from doubling up on Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.
Speaking of what has to be referred to as the Big Two until Ginobili returns, their production has to rise as well. They are the leaders of this team, and the Spurs will only go as far as those two take them. Even if Roger Mason has a career year and Michael Finley comes back rejuvenated the Spurs won't be able to win without great play from their captains. Considering the fact that they've gotten more rest this summer than they have in a few years, Parker and Duncan should be ready to go.
It's not going to be easy, but the Spurs are capable of at least staying within reach early on. They start off the season against Phoenix and Portland in October, but face just four teams who had a record over .500 last season in November. They do face Houston twice in November, but overall the Spurs couldn't ask for a better stretch to be without Manu.
If this season stayed true to how most of the decade has played out, the Spurs would end up winning the championship because it's an odd year. However, they are nowhere near as strong as they have been in years past and there are several other teams in the conference that have better teams right now.
Dynasties are all about persevering and fighting through whatever obstacles come your way to rise to the top. Sure the odds are stacked up against them, but for a franchise that has always struggled to get their due, what's a better way to cement your legacy than winning it all when you've basically been written off?