Kori Ellis
01-16-2006, 01:35 AM
Making a pathway for Manu
Web Posted: 01/16/2006 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA011606.1E.spurs.824d876.html
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was on his way to the team's practice court Friday afternoon when Michael Finley stopped him.
Popovich took one look at Finley and knew what he wanted.
"You don't have to say anything," Popovich said. "I understand."
Finley proceeded anyway. It was time, he told Popovich, for Manu Ginobili to replace him in the starting lineup.
Popovich nodded. "I understand."
Popovich understood because he was already contemplating making the move. Finley's attitude made the choice that much easier.
"It was as much his decision," Popovich said, "as it was mine."
Like Popovich, Finley could see the obvious.
Ginobili's right foot, which had troubled him for much of the season before forcing him onto the inactive list for two weeks, finally looked healthy. His stamina had improved enough to allow him to play his usual allotment of minutes for the Spurs, who play at 7 tonight in Memphis.
As a result, Ginobili's confidence also had increased. His brazen drives to the basket, his ball hawking, his thrilling passes had all returned.
In short, Ginobili looked like his old self.
"In my opinion, it was kind of long overdue for Manu to get back into the starting lineup," Finley said. "I think it's what the team is used to seeing. I think it's beneficial for all of us."
If Saturday's 80-79 victory over Memphis was any indication, he might be right.
Making his first start in more than a month, Ginobili led the team with 20 points, seven assists and three steals. Finley also had one of his most productive games in the past two weeks, scoring 12 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
"We didn't skip a beat with (Ginobili) back in the lineup," Tim Duncan said.
Finley moved into the starting lineup on Dec. 13 after Ginobili sprained his foot in practice. Although Finley figured he would eventually return to his reserve role, Popovich continued to start him to see if the Spurs were better off using Ginobili's energy off the bench.
"I tried to really keep it open-ended in my mind, just read the situation," Popovich said. "I think the current circumstances call for what we're doing now. I feel good about that. And Michael was all for it."
Finley averaged 16.7 points while shooting 52.7 percent, including 50 percent from the 3-point line, in his first six games after taking over the starting job. He has since struggled with his shot — he had missed 29 of his previous 90 attempts entering Saturday — but Popovich has been pleased with his efforts to improve his all-around game.
"He hasn't shot it as well as he would hope, but he's been very attentive defensively," Popovich said. "He's taking things very seriously, being very critical of himself when he makes a mistake. He's been active on the boards. And he's made some big shots at the end of games."
Finley hasn't been a full-time reserve since Phoenix traded him to Dallas midway through the 1996-97 season. But he thinks the opportunity he had to start in Ginobili's place — and play extended minutes — should help him as he transitions to his new role.
Finley has become more familiar with his teammates, as well as what they expect of him. Although he has sometimes been reluctant to shoot when playing alongside Duncan, that wasn't the case Saturday. Shortly after stepping onto the floor midway through the first quarter, he drove for a dunk. On the next possession, he made a 3-pointer.
Finley hopes to make sure the Spurs don't lose all of the aggressiveness Ginobili was providing off the bench. The Spurs, however, don't expect him to be Ginobili.
"Nobody in the league is going to bring energy like Manu does," Popovich said. "He's a maniac. He's fearless. He's wild with a purpose. Nobody is going to match that."
Popovich hopes to use the lineup change as a launching point for the rest of the season. Defining a more consistent rotation should be easier with the team's usual starting lineup intact. With Finley playing well Saturday, Popovich shortened his bench to exclude Brent Barry.
"I think with us being as healthy as we are now, it's time for us to start getting our true roles," Finley said. "And the best scenario for our team is Manu starting."
Web Posted: 01/16/2006 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA011606.1E.spurs.824d876.html
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was on his way to the team's practice court Friday afternoon when Michael Finley stopped him.
Popovich took one look at Finley and knew what he wanted.
"You don't have to say anything," Popovich said. "I understand."
Finley proceeded anyway. It was time, he told Popovich, for Manu Ginobili to replace him in the starting lineup.
Popovich nodded. "I understand."
Popovich understood because he was already contemplating making the move. Finley's attitude made the choice that much easier.
"It was as much his decision," Popovich said, "as it was mine."
Like Popovich, Finley could see the obvious.
Ginobili's right foot, which had troubled him for much of the season before forcing him onto the inactive list for two weeks, finally looked healthy. His stamina had improved enough to allow him to play his usual allotment of minutes for the Spurs, who play at 7 tonight in Memphis.
As a result, Ginobili's confidence also had increased. His brazen drives to the basket, his ball hawking, his thrilling passes had all returned.
In short, Ginobili looked like his old self.
"In my opinion, it was kind of long overdue for Manu to get back into the starting lineup," Finley said. "I think it's what the team is used to seeing. I think it's beneficial for all of us."
If Saturday's 80-79 victory over Memphis was any indication, he might be right.
Making his first start in more than a month, Ginobili led the team with 20 points, seven assists and three steals. Finley also had one of his most productive games in the past two weeks, scoring 12 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
"We didn't skip a beat with (Ginobili) back in the lineup," Tim Duncan said.
Finley moved into the starting lineup on Dec. 13 after Ginobili sprained his foot in practice. Although Finley figured he would eventually return to his reserve role, Popovich continued to start him to see if the Spurs were better off using Ginobili's energy off the bench.
"I tried to really keep it open-ended in my mind, just read the situation," Popovich said. "I think the current circumstances call for what we're doing now. I feel good about that. And Michael was all for it."
Finley averaged 16.7 points while shooting 52.7 percent, including 50 percent from the 3-point line, in his first six games after taking over the starting job. He has since struggled with his shot — he had missed 29 of his previous 90 attempts entering Saturday — but Popovich has been pleased with his efforts to improve his all-around game.
"He hasn't shot it as well as he would hope, but he's been very attentive defensively," Popovich said. "He's taking things very seriously, being very critical of himself when he makes a mistake. He's been active on the boards. And he's made some big shots at the end of games."
Finley hasn't been a full-time reserve since Phoenix traded him to Dallas midway through the 1996-97 season. But he thinks the opportunity he had to start in Ginobili's place — and play extended minutes — should help him as he transitions to his new role.
Finley has become more familiar with his teammates, as well as what they expect of him. Although he has sometimes been reluctant to shoot when playing alongside Duncan, that wasn't the case Saturday. Shortly after stepping onto the floor midway through the first quarter, he drove for a dunk. On the next possession, he made a 3-pointer.
Finley hopes to make sure the Spurs don't lose all of the aggressiveness Ginobili was providing off the bench. The Spurs, however, don't expect him to be Ginobili.
"Nobody in the league is going to bring energy like Manu does," Popovich said. "He's a maniac. He's fearless. He's wild with a purpose. Nobody is going to match that."
Popovich hopes to use the lineup change as a launching point for the rest of the season. Defining a more consistent rotation should be easier with the team's usual starting lineup intact. With Finley playing well Saturday, Popovich shortened his bench to exclude Brent Barry.
"I think with us being as healthy as we are now, it's time for us to start getting our true roles," Finley said. "And the best scenario for our team is Manu starting."