The real Manu is back!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

So, for much of the time since he's been back, Manu has been settling for jumpers and throwing the ball away on plays he's forcing. It hasn't looked like the same Manu.

Not so any more! In the last 4 games, since the game when Pop said that he wouldn't call any plays for Manu because Pop wanted him to let the game come to him, Manu has been a totally different player. He's going to the rack like he used to, he's taking better jumpshots, he's mostly gone away from the 3 (unless left open), and he looks like the Manu of old (minus a little explosion which he is still lacking at times... although the dunk the other day showed it's still there). On D Manu is playing very well, whether on his man or gambling for steals. Now all he needs to do is rediscover his 3pt stroke and he'll be all the way back. Seems like he has his confidence back, and isn't it a joy to watch?! :D

How can you not love this man?

[DPG21920]

Damn it, this would have been perfect for my "eat it sequ" thread.

[amy020]

really glad that Manu is as aggressive as he used to be, driving to the rim
keep going Manu!!!

[fiona_yin]

hope his 3pt also can back

[timvp]

I like that the Spurs are hitting him in motion and he's taking it strong to the hoop. Pop has him coming off more down screens and more double screens in the last four games than all the other games of the season combined.

It's a small tweak of the game plan but it avoids having Manu isolated so far away from the basket where he's blitzable.

[Manufan909]

I like that the Spurs are hitting him in motion and he's taking it strong to the hoop. Pop has him coming off more down screens and more double screens in the last four games than all the other games of the season combined.

It's a small tweak of the game plan but it avoids having Manu isolated so far away from the basket where he's blitzable.

You think he'll stick with that(as well as always having Tim with him to start) through the POs?

[2centsworth]

hope his 3pt also can back

i love seeing his old inconsistent jumper back. Keeps him aggressive to the rim and very streaky from deep.

[EricB]

I'd say hes 85%

His jumper is still very erratic, and he can't be relied on 100%

It's fantastic to see him though finally be aggressive and driving to the basket with his head down.

Great to see.

[m33p0]

i love seeing his old inconsistent jumper back. Keeps him aggressive to the rim and very streaky from deep.
:tu spurs are better when he's attacking the rim.

[2centsworth]

I'd say hes 85%

His jumper is still very erratic, and he can't be relied on 100%

It's fantastic to see him though finally be aggressive and driving to the basket with his head down.

Great to see.

he's very close to 100%. His jumper has always been erratic, but was always able to make them in big moments, especially in the 4th. I look forward to Manu getting hot from beyond the arc and still having him attack the rim.

Hurt Manu was just a 3pt specialist.

[Deimosfobos]

:tu spurs are better when he's attacking the rim.

The Spurs are unbeatable when he attacks the rim AND hit his jumpers when open...

BTW... such a pleasure to see him almost 100% back. :toast

[2centsworth]

The Spurs are unbeatable when he attacks the rim AND hit his jumpers when open...

BTW... such a pleasure to see him almost 100% back. :toast


that's why I think they should put him on the shelf, because an injury usually follows this Manu.

[Deimosfobos]

that's why I think they should put him on the shelf, because an injury usually follows this Manu.

We need him back at 100% if we even dream of a new title, only way for Manu to do that is by playing... some people forget that the best Manu performances in playoffs came in busy years where he played A LOT.

It's a gamble... we may get lucky, we may not, but at least we get to roll the dices with the chance of getting a new title if they roll our way. :D

[timvp]

that's why I think they should put him on the shelf, because an injury usually follows this Manu.I don't agree with putting him on the shelf but a DNP-CD tomorrow against the Nuggets wouldn't be a bad idea. He took a pounding against the Warriors and didn't look too healthy at the end of the game.

You sit him against the Nuggets and he doesn't have to play again until Sunday against the Celtics.

[024]

I don't agree with putting him on the shelf but a DNP-CD tomorrow against the Nuggets wouldn't be a bad idea. He took a pounding against the Warriors and didn't look too healthy at the end of the game.

You sit him against the Nuggets and he doesn't have to play again until Sunday against the Celtics.

worked for shaq. although hopefully ginobili knows how to manage his own health and not push past his physical limitations. he's getting old so he should pay more attention to his body's limits.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

We need him back at 100% if we even dream of a new title, only way for Manu to do that is by playing... some people forget that the best Manu performances in playoffs came in busy years where he played A LOT.

It's a gamble... we may get lucky, we may not, but at least we get to roll the dices with the chance of getting a new title if they roll our way. :D
We can just hope that the chips fall in our team's favor with him being healthy enough, like they did in 2005 and 2007.
Manu took a lot of spills tonight, so his being 100 percent preserved for the playoffs is a pipe dream since he only plays one way.

[erikuff]

I thought he was brilliant tonight, and I would like to see him play limited minutes against the Nuggets, but be the main scorer when he's on the floor.

[timaios]

I miss his killer 3-pointers...
But i am glad he is attacking the rim relentless ! :ihit

:toast

[Manufan909]

Hope he has a productive 15 min tomo, all with Tony and/or Timmy to take the heat off. 35 mins shouldn't wear him out too much though, especially since he has a work week of rest before Boston.

[Manufan909]

What was the number of Manu And1 plays(and did he get all of them)?

[TMTTRIO]

Manu's been great attacking the basket and being aggressive but I wouldn't say he's all the way back. His 3 point shot that really helps his game out has dissappeared and he's had the worst 3 point % in his career (even worse than when he was a rookie). I hope that comes back eventually because that really seems to open up his game and if we want Manu healthy by playoff time he needs to start hitting some shots and not always relying on driving to the basket to get it done. Even after tonight he's gotten pretty banged up now and they said he was walking around gingerly. I would sit him out tonight against Denver.

[lefty]

I like that the Spurs are hitting him in motion and he's taking it strong to the hoop. Pop has him coming off more down screens and more double screens in the last four games than all the other games of the season combined.

It's a small tweak of the game plan but it avoids having Manu isolated so far away from the basket where he's blitzable.

:tu

[The_Game]

it's good that he's playing well lately but how long will it last before a few bad games in a row? i will wait and see.

[smeagol]

i love seeing his old inconsistent jumper back. Keeps him aggressive to the rim and very streaky from deep.

So you are still part of the "Let's trade him" camp . . . ?

[superbigtime]

There's no way in hell Manu would let Pop sit him for a game against Chauncy, Carmelo and the rest of the tat gang. He just needs to help his teammates, play good D, and score around 15 points in 25 minutes. Tony and Mason will have to pick it up. I'm thinking Tim is going to have another good game. I really don't think this will be an egg laying game like the backtoback Hornets and Magic game earlier this season. Spurs are gonna bring it.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

I'd say hes 85%

His jumper is still very erratic, and he can't be relied on 100%

It's fantastic to see him though finally be aggressive and driving to the basket with his head down.

Great to see.

I agree. I think he's about 85%. Some here say his jumper has always been erratic, and that's true to an extent. That is to say that he'll get on hot streaks where he tears it up. But over the last couple seasons, it's not as though we saw Manu go for several games at a time where he couldn't connect from outside (as we sometimes see with Finley these days).

And you have to take notice of the fact that he's been a 40% 3pt shooter over the last couple years, and right now, he's at 32.5%. So no one can credibly make "he's all the way back... his shot is always this inconsistent" argument.

He's just now starting to really round into shape, physically and mentally... so I'm confident that the shot will return to him soon.

Manu is THE key to the Spurs title hopes. I've heard a couple of announcers from other teams say that Manu was a legitimate MVP candidate for about 2/3 of last season. And they're right. He is capable of playing at MVP levels. When he's 100% and has the outside shot and his quickness working for him, along with the intangibles (drawing charges, the energy he brings to the team, etc.)... he can be one of the top 5-10 players in the league.

THAT'S what we'll need against the Lakers. If we get that from Manu, the Spurs are as good as ANY team in the league. If not, there's no hope. But as long as he's healthy when the nearly inevitable Lakers-Spurs rematch rolls around... I like our chances.

Manu's ankle situation robbed basketball fans everywhere from one hell of a Kobe/Manu show. Hopefully we'll get to see that in the spring.

[EricB]

Sit him out and give the minutes to hairston and udoka.

[2centsworth]

So you are still part of the "Let's trade him" camp . . . ?


I never thought I would ever see this Manu ever again. I'm happy I was dead wrong. as far as loyalty, I'm way more loyal to my team as Manu is to his other team.

[Spurs Brazil]

I don't agree with putting him on the shelf but a DNP-CD tomorrow against the Nuggets wouldn't be a bad idea. He took a pounding against the Warriors and didn't look too healthy at the end of the game.

You sit him against the Nuggets and he doesn't have to play again until Sunday against the Celtics.

In the post game with Shoening he said he was very very tired

[it's me]

I never thought I would ever see this Manu ever again. I'm happy I was dead wrong. as far as loyalty, I'm way more loyal to my team as Manu is to his other team.


Man… I finally get it….. your problem is that Ginobili played for his NT …. I don’t blame you no more… I now understand your hate.

[Ghazi]

The real Manu is a guy who can score 30 pts 3 straight games but also a guy who can score 6 points 3 straight games. He is not consistent, a streaky player.

The key is for the real MAnu to show up 4 times in a 7 game series.

[2centsworth]

The real Manu is a guy who can score 30 pts 3 straight games but also a guy who can score 6 points 3 straight games. He is not consistent, a streaky player.

The key is for the real MAnu to show up 4 times in a 7 game series.

when Manu isn't injured, he is very consistent in playoff games. He's either very good or superman.

[DAF86]

I never thought I would ever see this Manu ever again. I'm happy I was dead wrong. as far as loyalty, I'm way more loyal to my team as Manu is to his other team.

Do you understand that Manu's ankle getting finally and totally fucked up while playing for Argentina in the sumer was probably the best thing that could happen to the Spurs? That thing needed surgery and woulda eventually blown out in the middle of the season if not for the Olympics. Manu'd probably be out for the season now if it wasn't for that.

[Ghazi]

when Manu isn't injured, he is very consistent in playoff games. He's either very good or superman.


Was he injured in 2007? he had like an 0-7 game in the Finals if I recall... he's had a lot of single digit scoring games in his playoff career.

Again, I dunno if he was injured or not that year :p:

[2centsworth]

Do you understand that Manu's ankle getting finally and totally fucked up while playing for Argentina in the sumer was probably the best thing that could happen to the Spurs? That thing needed surgery and woulda eventually blown out in the middle of the season if not for the Olympics. Manu'd probably be out for the season now if it wasn't for that.

so he was doing a favor to the spurs:lmao

[DarrinS]

I'm glad to see this more aggressive version of Manu's game back. I like that their feeding the ball to him in motion and closer to the paint vs. giving him the ball out in no-man's land where he seems kinda predictable. Let's face it, hardly anyone's falling for his up-fake from beyond the arc anymore.

[DAF86]

so he was doing a favor to the spurs:lmao

I didn't say that, I said that instead of bitch about it you should be thankful.

[2centsworth]

Was he injured in 2007? he had like an 0-7 game in the Finals if I recall... he's had a lot of single digit scoring games in his playoff career.

Again, I dunno if he was injured or not that year :p:

so you're a str8 up hater. don't mind criticizing players if you come with facts, but you''re making up crap and I don't know how to play that game.

Manu had one bad game shooting that series, but made up for it with defense and assists. The rest of the series he was nails! He put up Tim Duncan like numbers.

[2centsworth]

I didn't say that, I said that instead of bitch about it you should be thankful.

because he did me a favor?

[DAF86]

because he did me a favor?

If you're a Spurs fan, he unintentionally did make you a favor. He didn't screw you up that's for sure.

[2centsworth]

If you're a Spurs fan, he unintentionally did make you a favor. He didn't screw you up that's for sure.

it sure is looking like we lucked out.

[DAF86]

it sure is looking like we lucked out.

Sometimes is better to be lucky than good.

[timvp]

Do you understand that Manu's ankle getting finally and totally fucked up while playing for Argentina in the sumer was probably the best thing that could happen to the Spurs? Myth.

Manu was getting that surgery even if he skipped the Olympics. The only difference is that the timing of the surgery if he skipped the Olympics would have allowed him to be healthy for the beginning of the season.

[DAF86]

Myth.

Manu was getting that surgery even if he skipped the Olympics. The only difference is that the timing of the surgery if he skipped the Olympics would have allowed him to be healthy for the beginning of the season.

I don't know about that. I heard Manu himself said that he getting injured in the Olympics may have been the best thing that could'd happened to him and the Spurs.

[2centsworth]

Myth.

Manu was getting that surgery even if he skipped the Olympics. The only difference is that the timing of the surgery if he skipped the Olympics would have allowed him to be healthy for the beginning of the season.

that's what I thought. Plus, playing in the Olympics he took the chance of making the injury much worse or injuring something else by overcompensating, no?

[DAF86]

I don't know about that. I heard Manu himself said that he getting injured in the Olympics may have been the best thing that could'd happened to him and the Spurs.

And not to mention the chance/confidence that Mason and Hill gained with Manu and Tony's injuries. If you give me to choose I wouldn't change a single thing of what happen seeing how things turned out.

[smeagol]

I never thought I would ever see this Manu ever again.

You are a man of little faith.



I'm happy I was dead wrong.


I'm happy too.



as far as loyalty, I'm way more loyal to my team as Manu is to his other team.


Well, I wonder if you were given the chance of defending your country in an Olympic Game or playing for an NBA team what your choice would be.

As for for how much Manu gives to the Spurs . . . well it is pretty obvious and you can tell by watching him night in and night out. Even when he is sucking, he gives 110%. And he has been doing it consistently since he joined the Spurs.

And how would you feel if his ankle would brake right about now? (because after last year's WCF, it was pretty obvious it was going to brake, the question was when)

[2centsworth]

You are a man of little faith.

I only have faith in Jesus and not basketball players. Love Manu, but I thought his boneheadness was catching up with him.






I'm happy too.



tell me you don't have relief too.






Well, I wonder if you were given the chance of defending your country in an Olympic Game or playing for an NBA team what your choice would be.

I love my country, but I'm not going to risk my career over a basketball game, because at the end of the day that's all that was.



As for for how much Manu gives to the Spurs . . . well it is pretty obvious and you can tell by watching him night in and night out. Even when he is sucking, he gives 110%. And he has been doing it consistently since he joined the Spurs.

He needs to use some smarts along with his intensity. For as great as he is, he can make some boneheaded decisions. playing for argentina when his ankle was going to break like you say is about the dumbest thing ever.




And how would you feel if his ankle would brake right about now? (because after last year's WCF, it was pretty obvious it was going to brake, the question was when)

very obvious and I defended his play more than anybody on this board. Timvp and Kori tried to tell everyone that Manu was healthy or even 90% healthy against NO and LA and I argued with them all the time. Now I think you would agree I was right, so why in the hell would Manu continue playing, risking his career, and not fix the ankle?

[mingus]

I don't agree with putting him on the shelf but a DNP-CD tomorrow against the Nuggets wouldn't be a bad idea. He took a pounding against the Warriors and didn't look too healthy at the end of the game.

You sit him against the Nuggets and he doesn't have to play again until Sunday against the Celtics.

I kept thinking to myself, "this man is going to be in a wheelchair when he's done with playing basketball." It's amazing how he puts his body on the line on every play.

But I doubt Manu concedes to sitting out unless pop forces him, and by that I mean he sets up a trap, where like a cage comes down from the ceiling over him.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

that's what I thought. Plus, playing in the Olympics he took the chance of making the injury much worse or injuring something else by overcompensating, no?

The Manu Olympic debacle should be water under the bridge.

The fact is, no more Olympic gold medal runs in sight, Manu is stuck with us and the SPURS, and he will help deliver more championships while our window is open for a couple more years.


I think it's kinda pointless to rationalize "actually things turned out better that he played/ actually things would have been better if he didn't"

Let's just say we're lucky that Manu wasn't out for too long after surgery, and that right now we are closing the gap with the Lakers.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I kept thinking to myself, "this man is going to be in a wheelchair when he's done with playing basketball." It's amazing how he puts his body on the line on every play.

But I doubt Manu concedes to sitting out unless pop forces him, and by that I mean he sets up a trap, where like a cage comes down from the ceiling over him.
:lol
I know, you'd have to put him in a cage. That was probably the first game in a while where he took a lot of spills. He only plays one way. I was wincing.


There's a Larry Bird quote I've seen that kinda reflects that same attitude.

“‘I can remember when I first came in the league, Artis Gillmore told me one time, he played for Chicago, he said if you expect to play a long time in this league, you better quit mopping up the floor, and I thought ' well he’s crazy because that’s what basketball’s all about!' Well getting a little bit older now, and feeling the bangs and the bumps and the bruises and all that, I can see where’s he coming from, but I can’t change my style of play. I gotta play like that every night.’—”

[jdev82]

him going to the hoop aggressively was a great sight to see, possesion after possesion.
you're right, we just need to see him get going on the tre's and bingo! we got ourselves a title challenge

[smeagol]

I only have faith in Jesus and not basketball players. Love Manu, but I thought his boneheadness was catching up with him.

C'mon, you know what I mean. I true knowledgeable basketball fan (I'm far from being one) can see through the issues in order to judge when a player is going through a funk and if that player will get out of it or not.

You gave up on Manu way too early.



tell me you don't have relief too.

I trusted my instinct. I always thought Manu was going to come back in decent form.




I love my country, but I'm not going to risk my career over a basketball game, because at the end of the day that's all that was.


But it was ok for him to risk his career in the LA series, when it was already clear he was playing with a bum ankle?



He needs to use some smarts along with his intensity. For as great as he is, he can make some boneheaded decisions. playing for argentina when his ankle was going to break like you say is about the dumbest thing ever.


But it was ok for him to risk his career in the LA series, when it was already clear he was playing with a bum ankle?



very obvious and I defended his play more than anybody on this board. Timvp and Kori tried to tell everyone that Manu was healthy or even 90% healthy against NO and LA and I argued with them all the time.


So you argued with them about Manu's health but not once you mentioned he should not be playing at all? I sense a double standard.



Now I think you would agree I was right, so why in the hell would Manu continue playing, risking his career, and not fix the ankle?

Same comment. Why didn't you say he should fix his ankle before the NO and LA series?

[Manudona]

I love my country, but I'm not going to risk my career over a basketball game, because at the end of the day that's all that was.

And what would be your career but a chain of basketball games? At the end of the day, that is all that it is.