Should Manu start?

[mikem]

We need to get him going and playing with Tony and Tim more might work. Downside is that he works really well with Tiago and Danny is really playing well in the starting role. What do you guys think?

[Man In Black]

If you're results-oriented then why mess with what works? Ultimately, if Manu starts the shot distibution is off. Him coming off the bench assures that a Big 3 player is on court the whole time it's needed.

[Slomo]

http://www.cikava.com/gallery/albums/Smack/not_this_shit_again.jpg

[jestersmash]

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6899/opticalillusiong.jpg

[I Heart Ginobili]

He comes in for Danny after a few minutes after the start anyways. There is no reason to change what we are doing. Also, the second unit is deadly and should not be broken up.

[cd98]

No.

[manufan10]

http://www.cikava.com/gallery/albums/Smack/not_this_shit_again.jpg

[Beaverfuzz]

"No. No, man. Shit, no, man. I believe you'd get your ass kicked, sayin' somethin' like that, man ..."

[therealtruth]

He could make the offense work if Splitter starts.

[Manu-20]

People need to stop asking about manu's production this series he dosn't need to score over 20 anymore we have a much deeper team this year than any past spurs team it's best if he keeps doing what he has. If the games are close down the stretch the real manu will show up but as of now we hadn't needed that from him.

[TMTTRIO]

no because Green is playing too well but we're going to need the other bench guys to keep it up because I don't see Manu doing too much.

[Cherry]

"We are a different team," Ginobili said. "We are playing different offense and Tony (Parker) is playing better than ever. It's not our main concern. I don't think it's a big issue who's scoring. In the past I needed to score more and force the issue. I don't think this year it's happening. We'll see next game or if we win, the next series."

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich wasn't worried about Ginobili's mini shooting slump.

"I don't even think about it," Popovich said. "He's Manu."

[DesignatedT]

uhhh no

[Jumi]

no

[ffadicted]

Let's start huge boys, get soooome

PG - Tony Parker
SG - Kawhi Leonard
SF - Boris Diaw
PF - Tim Duncan
C - Tiago Splitter

money

[DBMethos]

Let's start huge boys, get soooome

PG - Tony Parker
SG - Kawhi Leonard
SF - Boris Diaw
PF - Tim Duncan
C - Tiago Splitter

money

Y'know, that lineup doesn't even look that bad. Lane penetration, rebounding, and passing like crazy. I might switch Jax for Leonard, but then again Jax doesn't have the quickness to stay with most SG's. I say go for it! :toast

[Ishta]

Leave it the hell alone! Pop knows what he is doing!

[Spurs da champs]

Let's start huge boys, get soooome

PG - Tony Parker
SG - Kawhi Leonard
SF - Boris Diaw
PF - Tim Duncan
C - Tiago Splitter

money

Switch Splitter & Duncan & start S Jax instead of Diaw then I'd agree, but Diaw is just too fat to play small forward now.

[Obstructed_View]

The one person in this universe that I trust to find his game on his own is Manu Ginobili. If everyone but Manu is playing well, then life's good, folks. He'll step up when he's needed. Don't worry.

[jestersmash]

Let's start huge boys, get soooome

PG - Tony Parker
SG - Kawhi Leonard
SF - Boris Diaw
PF - Tim Duncan
C - Tiago Splitter

money

This lineup would be strikingly mediocre on offense. Great lineup if you're trying to lose the game.

What bigs do we bring off the bench now? Bonner and Blair? Kawhi isn't nearly as consistent at catch and shoot scenarios as Danny Green as been in the past couple of months.

With a hampered offense and better defense, this lineup would probably be SAS 20-22 vs. Utah 17-18 after the 1st quarter (or something like that), at which point Utah (if countered properly) would go toe to toe if not beat out our second unit.

You guys seriously have to get over amateurish logic like "big lineups always win! Big lineups = better defense, and defense always wins championships!!! Whoa sweet Tim, Tiago, Diaw, and Parker are all great passers. 4 passers on one team = instant offense!!" It's never been that simple.

Anyone with the slightest basketball know-how could see how important it is to have a stretch 4 like Bonner or Diaw on the court next to Tim and Tiago even when Bonner isn't going 4-6 on 3 pointers.

Using Tiago-Tim together sparingly has done wonders for our defense in small stretches, but it's not sustainable if you're going to play both of them "starter minutes" over the course of a game.

[BlairForceDejuan]

when you nikkas gonna learn. Ain't no reason to unleash big guy when Bruce Banner is gettin' the job done.

[Jumi]

This lineup would be strikingly mediocre on offense. Great lineup if you're trying to lose the game.

What bigs do we bring off the bench now? Bonner and Blair? Kawhi isn't nearly as consistent at catch and shoot scenarios as Danny Green as been in the past couple of months.

With a hampered offense and better defense, this lineup would probably be SAS 20-22 vs. Utah 17-18 after the 1st quarter (or something like that), at which point Utah (if countered properly) would go toe to toe if not beat out our second unit.

You guys seriously have to get over amateurish logic like "big lineups always win! Big lineups = better defense, and defense always wins championships!!! Whoa sweet Tim, Tiago, Diaw, and Parker are all great passers. 4 passers on one team = instant offense!!" It's never been that simple.

Anyone with the slightest basketball know-how could see how important it is to have a stretch 4 like Bonner or Diaw on the court next to Tim and Tiago even when Bonner isn't going 4-6 on 3 pointers.

Using Tiago-Tim together sparingly has done wonders for our defense in small stretches, but it's not sustainable if you're going to play both of them "starter minutes" over the course of a game.

this

[ALVAREZ6]

The one person in this universe that I trust to find his game on his own is Manu Ginobili. If everyone but Manu is playing well, then life's good, folks. He'll step up when he's needed. Don't worry.

My thoughts as well. The fact that he hasn't played too consistently and the Spurs are winning with ease should be comforting. He'll find his game when it's needed, AKA vs. the Thunder or Lakers in the WCF.

[maverick1948]

We need to get him going and playing with Tony and Tim more might work. Downside is that he works really well with Tiago and Danny is really playing well in the starting role. What do you guys think?


I think you are looking at Manu the wrong way. He is not putting huge point games on the board, but he is getting assists by the bucket load. He got 10 in the last game. That translates to about 22 or 24 points plus the 6 he scored means he account for about 28 to 30 points. Close to being in on 30% of the points scored by the Spurs.

[TheSkeptic]

This lineup would be strikingly mediocre on offense. Great lineup if you're trying to lose the game.

What bigs do we bring off the bench now? Bonner and Blair? Kawhi isn't nearly as consistent at catch and shoot scenarios as Danny Green as been in the past couple of months.

With a hampered offense and better defense, this lineup would probably be SAS 20-22 vs. Utah 17-18 after the 1st quarter (or something like that), at which point Utah (if countered properly) would go toe to toe if not beat out our second unit.

You guys seriously have to get over amateurish logic like "big lineups always win! Big lineups = better defense, and defense always wins championships!!! Whoa sweet Tim, Tiago, Diaw, and Parker are all great passers. 4 passers on one team = instant offense!!" It's never been that simple.

Anyone with the slightest basketball know-how could see how important it is to have a stretch 4 like Bonner or Diaw on the court next to Tim and Tiago even when Bonner isn't going 4-6 on 3 pointers.

Using Tiago-Tim together sparingly has done wonders for our defense in small stretches, but it's not sustainable if you're going to play both of them "starter minutes" over the course of a game.

Not to disagree with your overall assessment even though I still think Tim-Tiago can work for like 8-10 a game with a bit of tweaking, but that guy was having a laugh at Utah's super big line-up. :lol

[Spursfan092120]

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2009/6/19/128899054979088860.jpg

[jestersmash]

Not to disagree with your overall assessment even though I still think Tim-Tiago can work for like 8-10 a game with a bit of tweaking, but that guy was having a laugh at Utah's super big line-up. :lol

Oh absolutely. Tim-Tiago is a crucial combination for us in key situations of the game. Starting them against L.A. was the right choice, and putting Tiago next to Tim after Bonner was burned by Favors for a couple of possessions was the right choice as well.

And my bad, I didn't catch the sarcasm on the other post by ffa :lol.

[Manutrix]

NO, he should NOT. HE MUST START.

It is disrespectful to him not to let him start.

And all your excuses are LAME.

If the Spurs were in this same situation but with Parker or Duncan coming off the bench, I bet nobody would question the OP (nor would you be spitting out the brainless "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" cliche) and you'd all be for Parker or Duncan starting again.

But since it's Manu, Poopovich (and you) thinks he can do whatever he wants cause yeah, it's Manu.

[TJastal]

NO, he should NOT. HE MUST START.

It is disrespectful to him not to let him start.

And all your excuses are LAME.

If the Spurs were in this same situation but with Parker or Duncan coming off the bench, I bet nobody would question the OP (nor would you be spitting out the brainless "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" cliche) and you'd all be for Parker or Duncan starting again.

But since it's Manu, Poopovich (and you) thinks he can do whatever he wants cause yeah, it's Manu.

Actually it's a total credit to Manu that he has no qualms about doing what is best for the team. Parker pouted and moaned that one year he came off the bench against the suns, even though it was better for team chemistry at the particular time. Parker may be the engine driving the spurs right now, but Manu is the heart and soul of the team and the spurs will need both to get past the big boys looming in the distance (OKC, LA, MIA)

[therealtruth]

Actually it's a total credit to Manu that he has no qualms about doing what is best for the team. Parker pouted and moaned that one year he came off the bench against the suns, even though it was better for team chemistry at the particular time. Parker may be the engine driving the spurs right now, but Manu is the heart and soul of the team and the spurs will need both to get past the big boys looming in the distance (OKC, LA, MIA)

Parker coming off the bench cost us in that Suns series.

[Manutrix]

Parker coming off the bench cost us in that Suns series.

... because he didn't want to give his 100% precisely because he was coming off the bench.

[TJastal]

Parker coming off the bench cost us in that Suns series.

Uh.. no.

[ChumpDumper]

lol disrespect

lol pout

[Yuixafun]

I think Manu, Splitter and SJax are money together and that rotation shouldn't be messed with.


With Neal also... those 4 guys compliment each other, blend of talents, toughness, edge, offense, tenacity, defense.

Weaknesses covered and strengths amplified.

[therealtruth]

Uh.. no.

You must have forgot the opening minutes of game 1 when Nash mercilessly abused George Hill. He set the template for the series. If Parker starts Nash doesn't go nuts like that.

[ShoogarBear]

Is Manu Latino?

[Obstructed_View]

Is Manu Latino?

All I know is that he speaks Brazillian.

[SpursIndonesia]

It's not really important for him to start, but it will be crucial for us that Manu playing at the end of the game. He's still the best closer and top three player in the team.