ElNono
06-29-2011, 06:04 PM
(link to the original article in spanish (http://www.ole.com.ar/basquet/mejor-esperaba-edad_0_508149284.html))
"I feel better than I thought I would at this age"
Manu talked about how he's going to redesign his game looking at the future. Denies the window has closed for the Spurs.
In February, thanks to playing at a very high level, he played his second All-Star Game. But around that time they peaked. Both the team and Manu. What came afterwards was downhill and a quick elimination in the 1st round of the playoffs. "The season gives us reasons to think we're not finished. We were the best in the regular season up to almost the end. We won 61 games with an old team, a team nobody gave anything for… It gave us an edge and allows us to think we can do it again next season. But what happened in the playoffs was a big disappointment, we all thought we would get far. But the reality is that we reached the playoffs downhill, and Memphis completely uphill. And they beat us fair", he explains.
- How do you explain it?
It's simple. Memphis played really tough, defended us well and had a very inspired Zach Randolph.
- And the explanation for the drop of production? Was it physical, because of the age?
I don't think it was physical. We peaked in February when the rest of the teams do it more slowly or like it happened with us in other seasons when we were at our best during the playoffs. This time just wasn't like that.
- Is it a dynamic that can't be controlled?
You really can't control it. You start sliding down, and you just don't stop… There isn't just one reason. That said, I'm not saying we were a lot better than anybody else…
If you look at Dallas, that ended up winning it all, they had to battle for seven games to get past the 1st round. It's not that rare for a 1st or 2nd in a Conference to lose in the 1st round.
- Now, with this result, the saying that the Spurs are too old will get a boost…
Sure. But it's been hearing that for a decade now. Since 2007 when we won it all, they've been saying we're old…
- And you don't think they're right?
Yeah, we're older, but that doesn't mean we can't win.
- Did the window close?
I don't think so. Boston two years ago played the Finals and they were an older team than us. Depends if you play well, you score when it matters and don't suffer injures. Luckily, we didn't have injuries this season.
- Did you get upset with Parker for saying that the team was old and the championship window was closed?
It's not closed, but it's closing. I'm going to be 34, Duncan 35 and this doesn't last forever. But we won 61 games and in six months you don't get that old. We can win again, and if you win a series you gain confidence and then anything can happen. If we could've beat Memphis we had the same chances as Dallas.
- What's your balance at 33 years old?
I played very well, and made the All-Star team. I can't complain. I felt very well, played 80 games…
- Is it more than you expected at this age?
Yes, I feel better than I thought I would at this age
- Nowadays you have more weapons?
Yes, I think I figured it out because it's clear that I don't run or jump like I used to, or dunk in traffic as much anymore. I've tried to find a way to remain important in the team. Since I know the system so well, the coach, Tony, Tim and the new guys, I just feel like a reference point in the team. It gives you tranquility and extra confidence.
- This is very satisfying for you, right? Jordan also redesigned his game to keep on being effective as years went by and this is another big step in your career.
Honestly, yes. It's been a yearly challenge and I've been able to do it. The physical drop is inevitable and you have to get better, be smarter and have a more reliable shot.
- And how are you going to transform your game going forward?
I don't see myself as a pure shooter like Ray Allen, but I can shoot 40% on 3 pointers. I see myself more as a creator and distributor because I enjoy doing it and I can help the team by scoring, for example, 17 points or so.
"I feel better than I thought I would at this age"
Manu talked about how he's going to redesign his game looking at the future. Denies the window has closed for the Spurs.
In February, thanks to playing at a very high level, he played his second All-Star Game. But around that time they peaked. Both the team and Manu. What came afterwards was downhill and a quick elimination in the 1st round of the playoffs. "The season gives us reasons to think we're not finished. We were the best in the regular season up to almost the end. We won 61 games with an old team, a team nobody gave anything for… It gave us an edge and allows us to think we can do it again next season. But what happened in the playoffs was a big disappointment, we all thought we would get far. But the reality is that we reached the playoffs downhill, and Memphis completely uphill. And they beat us fair", he explains.
- How do you explain it?
It's simple. Memphis played really tough, defended us well and had a very inspired Zach Randolph.
- And the explanation for the drop of production? Was it physical, because of the age?
I don't think it was physical. We peaked in February when the rest of the teams do it more slowly or like it happened with us in other seasons when we were at our best during the playoffs. This time just wasn't like that.
- Is it a dynamic that can't be controlled?
You really can't control it. You start sliding down, and you just don't stop… There isn't just one reason. That said, I'm not saying we were a lot better than anybody else…
If you look at Dallas, that ended up winning it all, they had to battle for seven games to get past the 1st round. It's not that rare for a 1st or 2nd in a Conference to lose in the 1st round.
- Now, with this result, the saying that the Spurs are too old will get a boost…
Sure. But it's been hearing that for a decade now. Since 2007 when we won it all, they've been saying we're old…
- And you don't think they're right?
Yeah, we're older, but that doesn't mean we can't win.
- Did the window close?
I don't think so. Boston two years ago played the Finals and they were an older team than us. Depends if you play well, you score when it matters and don't suffer injures. Luckily, we didn't have injuries this season.
- Did you get upset with Parker for saying that the team was old and the championship window was closed?
It's not closed, but it's closing. I'm going to be 34, Duncan 35 and this doesn't last forever. But we won 61 games and in six months you don't get that old. We can win again, and if you win a series you gain confidence and then anything can happen. If we could've beat Memphis we had the same chances as Dallas.
- What's your balance at 33 years old?
I played very well, and made the All-Star team. I can't complain. I felt very well, played 80 games…
- Is it more than you expected at this age?
Yes, I feel better than I thought I would at this age
- Nowadays you have more weapons?
Yes, I think I figured it out because it's clear that I don't run or jump like I used to, or dunk in traffic as much anymore. I've tried to find a way to remain important in the team. Since I know the system so well, the coach, Tony, Tim and the new guys, I just feel like a reference point in the team. It gives you tranquility and extra confidence.
- This is very satisfying for you, right? Jordan also redesigned his game to keep on being effective as years went by and this is another big step in your career.
Honestly, yes. It's been a yearly challenge and I've been able to do it. The physical drop is inevitable and you have to get better, be smarter and have a more reliable shot.
- And how are you going to transform your game going forward?
I don't see myself as a pure shooter like Ray Allen, but I can shoot 40% on 3 pointers. I see myself more as a creator and distributor because I enjoy doing it and I can help the team by scoring, for example, 17 points or so.