Can Spurs win West without Ginobili?

[TD 21]

I think it's now within' the realm of possibilities. I realize Jackson is past his prime and even in his prime, was never as good as he thought he was. But he can still create some, something Jefferson could never do. He's also got irrational confidence. He's the type that, if Ginobili went down, would be far more likely to think "it's my time to shine" than "there goes the season". Jefferson is the opposite and that type of attitude appeared to have permeated it's way through the team last season when Ginobili went down.

I also believe this was part of the impetus for the trade. The front office see's a wide open West and didn't want their fate tied directly to an player that they flat out can't count on at this point.

[coachmac87]

Wouldn't go that far.......

[DesignatedT]

Chances are better now than before the trade but still very doubtful. Manu has to be himself if the Spurs realistically want to go all the way.

[montgod]

I think it's now within' the realm of possibilities. I realize Jackson is past his prime and even in his prime, was never as good as he thought he was. But he can still create some, something Jefferson could never do. He's also got irrational confidence. He's the type that, if Ginobili went down, would be far more likely to think "it's my time to shine" than "there goes the season". Jefferson is the opposite and that type of attitude appeared to have permeated it's way through the team last season when Ginobili went down.

I also believe this was part of the impetus for the trade. The front office see's a wide open West and didn't want their fate tied directly to an player that they flat out can't count on at this point.

Actually, I think the trade was pretty straightforward with more focus on saving money and providing more min to Kawhi. if you know you won't get anything from RJ and could save money by getting another player that knows the system, you do it. if SJ does good off the bench, it's a bonus.

[timvp]

Before the trade: 0.0% chance of the Spurs winning the West without Ginobili.

After the trade: 0.001% chance of winning the West without Ginobili.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Before the trade: 0.0% chance of the Spurs winning the West without Ginobili.

After the trade: 0.001% chance of winning the West without Ginobili.

[acoelho1]

I never like talking in absolutes but its safe to say that without Manu, we have zero chance of of winning the the West. The reason why Manu is so valuable is that he comes up big in the playoffs. The guy has ice water in his veins and no matter how big the stage, he is not afraid to make the play. We can win in the reg season but in the playoffs where things tighten, that's where Manu pays dividends.

[DesignatedT]

Before the trade: 0.0% chance of the Spurs winning the West without Ginobili.

After the trade: 0.001% chance of winning the West without Ginobili.

What does that make the chances with Ginobili?

[DeadlyDynasty]

how in the fuck did you quote timvp so fast faker fan?

I AM timvp

[timvp]

What does that make the chances with Ginobili?

Before the Spurs, I was on record as saying the Spurs had about an 8% chance of reaching the Finals. I think the Spurs got better due to the trade but I gotta see it in action. The Spurs also need a bigman pretty desperately so whether or not they can land a Diaw or Turiaf will be important.

[ElNono]

Pop decides not to play Manu = can't count on him :lol

[mercos]

Yes, the Spurs can win the West without Manu. If they hit the match up jackpot they could sneak their way through the West. The only two teams that could be a tough match up for the Spurs right now are the Lakers and Grizzlies. I am very interested to see how the Lakers and Spurs match up after both teams moves on deadline day. As for the Grizzlies, they are the wild card. The Spurs have done great against them without Randolph. How well they do against the Grizz with Randolph, with Splitter playing a big role, remains to be seen.

The rest of the West is very weak right now. Dallas does not really concern me at all. It seems they have finally realized that the front office basically gave up on this year and they are playing like it. The Clippers and Nuggets have no defense and we have scored at will against both teams. The Nuggets trading away Nene did them no favors.

As for OKC, I am just not worried about them. We have always played them well. This years team I believe matches up especially well against them. They are even weaker in the post than we are. Now we have Leonard and Jackson to throw at Durant. Barring an absolute meltdown from the referees I think we beat them in a series handily.

For the Spurs to win without Manu, they would need the number one spot. That way they would face a team like Dallas or Houston who they would have no problem dispatching without Manu. They would need the Clippers to advance past Memphis in the first round as well. That is another team I think we have no problem beating without Manu. Finally we would need OKC to beat LA in the second round. OKC would be a challenge, but I think we could take them. The way Tim Duncan and Dejuan Blair absolutely bullied them in the post yesterday, they have really fallen in my book.

[Proxy]

Fuck no they don't win the West without him. The playoffs are much different than the regular season.

[DPG21920]

Spurs without Manu, in this West, still have a shot at winning the WCF.

[dunkman]

Yes, if S-Jax gets solid production efficiently and without too many TO's. The rest of the team would need to perform very well.

[pgardn]

Nope.

One would have to assume significant injury(ies) to just about every other team in the West. For a yes.

[moisaenz]

The Spurs are a good basketball playing machine.. but without manu, we would have to get amazing play from our other perimeter players like the 1999 championship and of course that splitter starts playing like robinson..

[SA210]

No

[DJB]

I think it's now within' the realm of possibilities. I realize Jackson is past his prime and [B]even in his prime, was never as good as he thought he was.


??

[Arcadian]

Yeah, they clearly can. Ginobili has not been a large part of the team's success this year. Even in the playoffs, we can beat anybody with Parker, Duncan, and a deep bench. Ginobili is more a role player this year...but still a very important one.

[DMC]

Yes, if Durant and Bynum go down for the season.

[howbouthemspurs]

Nope

[ducks]

manu is so overrated

[hater]

question should be can spurs win with a healthy classic playoff Manu and the answer is probably not

now if the question is can spurs win with a shitty Manu as he is right now. answer is it don't matter.

[therealtruth]

I think it's now within' the realm of possibilities. I realize Jackson is past his prime and even in his prime, was never as good as he thought he was. But he can still create some, something Jefferson could never do. He's also got irrational confidence. He's the type that, if Ginobili went down, would be far more likely to think "it's my time to shine" than "there goes the season". Jefferson is the opposite and that type of attitude appeared to have permeated it's way through the team last season when Ginobili went down.

I also believe this was part of the impetus for the trade. The front office see's a wide open West and didn't want their fate tied directly to an player that they flat out can't count on at this point.

SJax is definitely insurance for Manu.

[TDMVPDPOY]

jax is insurance, but he brings alot of stuff to the table

now i dont think his insurance for ginoboli, i think he can move ahead of ginoboli in the rotation, ginoboli has been playin like shit since coming back, more stupid game decisions in stretches of the game as usual....

[DPG21920]

If Manu is consistently healthy the Spurs obviously have a higher ceiling. However, right now his injuries and being unreliable hurts the Spurs and they play more cohesive without him currently. Hopefully he stays healthy long enough for that to adjust.

[ElNono]

Manu is healthy and the Spurs have no shot of winning the west without Manu... then again, the Spurs have bigger fish to fry inside, tbh

[mavs>spurs]

What would you want to do a silly thing like strain yourselves trying to get 1st for? You of all people should know better, slow and steady.

[ogait]

I think the OP probably over reacted to the win over the Thunder without Manu in making this thread.

But well to answer it, no there is no chance whatsoever the Spurs win the West without him. To be fair there's also little chance they win with him.

[TMTTRIO]

Yes I think they can win the west without him. As we've seen without him players stepping up to produce what he does with Neal and Danny Green. Plus now we've got Stephen Jackson to replace him. In fact the Spurs have played better without him. Maybe it's time to give him very few minutes and more of an assistant coach/mentor role on this team. I don't think they can win the whole thing without him or even with him.

[DPG21920]

I'd say Manu is the biggest fish. He's the important piece. I think they can win without him, but obviously the odds go way down. But this is a good, yet flawed team (like all western teams).