Could Manu become...

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

...the next Bowen?

I mean, we are looking all over the world for a Bowen replacement. As Manu's age advance, he will have to change his game. He will lose some speed and ability to attack the rim, so he will need to hit more of his jump shots. His basketball IQ and court vision would allow him to do so without problems.

However, I've noticed his defense, which was good for the Spurs standards a couple of years ago, now has improved to a great level. He makes tough stops and key plays in defense in the clutch, only gambles on a steal when he is absolutely sure he will get it, and his foot work has really improved. I believe all these years alongside Bruce and under Pop's system have really made a difference in his defense.

On the bad side, he would need to get some tips from Bruce about taking care of his body, since they are opposites. Bruce can play 40 minutes a game in back to backs, or 82 starts for 5 consecutive seasons. Of course, Bruce doesn't get hacked like Manu, Tim or Tony in offense, so that helps him.

[boutons_]

"only gambles on a steal when he is absolutely sure he will get it"

he gets called for fouls a lot on those steal attempts. Manu does steals better than most, but it's still a risky move
1) afoul
2) a miss and let your man by
3) get the steal

Of course, his successful steals cover a multitude of misses. :)

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

"only gambles on a steal when he is absolutely sure he will get it"

he gets called for fouls a lot on those steal attempts. Manu does steals better than most, but it's still a risky move
1) afoul
2) a miss and let your man by
3) get the steal

Of course, his successful steals cover a multitude of misses. :)

Appart from the Game 5 fiasco (and we all know that had to do more with the refs than Manu), how many times was he in foul trouble?

[whottt]

I know you Argies don't like to hear this...but Manu is not going to have a long career IMO....the way he is always on the floor and beat up...IMO, Manu will be done as a player @32 or so. Then again...I never thought Bruce could maintain his effectiveness as long as he has...

[boutons_]

Manu has stepped up his defense wonderfully in 3 years, but he plays hard on offense, too, where Bruce only plays on one end while shooting typically very occassional 3Gs on the other end. I don't think Manu is Michael Jordan and capable playing all-NBA on both ends.

[Rip-Hamilton32]

lol manu is a flopper and he'll never live up to bowens defence..

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

I know you Argies don't like to hear this...but Manu is not going to have a long career IMO....the way he is always on the floor and beat up...IMO, Manu will be done as a player @32 or so. Then again...I never thought Bruce could maintain his effectiveness as long as he has...

I understand your point, and share it to some extent. However, if Manu is able to adapt once his body can't take any more punishment, he could be able to give some years more to his career. In his late years he could either be:

a) A playmaking point guard
b) A shooter (he needs to get more consistent with his jump shot for this)
c) A perimeter defensive specialst

He has the talent, the intelligence and the ability to adapt into those roles once he is past 30.

[Rip-Hamilton32]

or maybe end up like a washed up veteran like hardaway and hill

[2centsworth]

Love Manu but he won't be Bowen on defense. Bowen is relentless and never gets tired. Also, Bowen is bigger and does have the offensive responsiblities that Manu has.

[WalterBenitez]

...the next Bowen?

You are looking for Manu's future job ... I think he'll find out the way to stay in this league, not sure as defense specialist or sparking bench player.

What is amazing about BB compared with Manu (and everybody else in fact) is his health condition, Manu is not precisly that guy of player.

My guess?

@ 32 Manu will fire POP and take his possition, like POP did with Hill :lol

[timvp]

If you want Manu to play his current offensive style AND put him on the best team's perimeter player, it can be done.

Though he'd only be able to play like 12 minutes per game.

[SsKSpurs21]

i dont think manu can be as effective as bowen. bowen is alot longer so he can guard 1-4. manu had a difficult time against bonzi and artest. he would get killed trying to guard better players like paul pierce. i think he could an effective stopper but at bowens level.

[WalterBenitez]

I was told that Manu @ 32 will be ... the next COYOTE :D

[RON ARTEST]

i dont think manu can be as effective as bowen. bowen is alot longer so he can guard 1-4. manu had a difficult time against bonzi and artest. he would get killed trying to guard better players like paul pierce. i think he could an effective stopper but at bowens level.
what? bonzi and Artest owned bowen also. to bad adelmans dumb ass kept running plays trying to get bibby going. thats why hes fired. :lol

[MaNuMaNiAc]

lol manu is a flopper and he'll never live up to bowens defence..
still bitter about last seasons owning by Manu I see

[MannyIsGod]

Manu will not be the next Bowen and I'm not sure anyone will be the next Bowen. People like Bowen are rare. Apprecaite him, he's great.

[nkdlunch]

Bowen is a machine. Manu is brilliant but mere mortal.

[snowboarder]

29 isn't the age that we are looking for

[aaronstampler]

Manu has more of a basketball IQ than 99% of the people he plays against, plus he just has an intuitive feel for the game. The more his physical skills decline, the better he'll be at passing and shooting, picking and choosing his spots.

It's really not too hard to average 15-18 a night when you can shoot and dribble and play with other talented, unselfish players.

[aaronstampler]

But actually, I look for him to be better next year than this year. I think his feet and ankles wil be right again and he'll be more explosive like he used to be. I think this summer he'll take his conditioning more seriously.

I think last year, for the first time he didn't have international team responsilbities and he was the playoff hero and he had his honeymoon and he spent too much time in Argentina on the banquet and rubber chicken cuircut. He came to camp a little out of shape.

That won't happen this year.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Bruce Bowen is a one of a kind; to say that manu makes good gambles is wrong...he is like 2 for 10 gambles in the last 2 games.

I was pissed at him for just not sticking on his own man and stop with those weak side steal attempts

[aaronstampler]

Bruce Bowen is a one of a kind; to say that manu makes good gambles is wrong...he is like 2 for 10 gambles in the last 2 games.

I was pissed at him for just not sticking on his own man and stop with those weak side steal attempts

Well he has 6 steals the last two games, so I don't know where the 2 for 10 comes from.


Oh wait...it's cos you're a moron.

[aaronstampler]

Bruce Bowen is a one of a kind; to say that manu makes good gambles is wrong...he is like 2 for 10 gambles in the last 2 games.

I was pissed at him for just not sticking on his own man and stop with those weak side steal attempts


Yeah I hate those breakaway dunks he gets. They're useless.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

he gets two total breakaway dunks and in turn leaves his man open 4x more than those dunks, in a game where every stop (literally) is crucial

[Cant_Be_Faded]

his gambling plays have led to two good steals, every steal isn't necessarily a gamble

if you knew anything about what you were talking about

[aaronstampler]

I know that both of our wins we got this series we got them because he was going insane on the defensive end of the floor, getting steals, getting deflections.

He's had his two best offensive games on the road (remember those retarded threads about what a bad road playoff player he is, those seem like ancient history now, huh?) but the refs stole those games from us.

Still, even he doesn't have it all going offensively, he contributes in other ways.

That is still the difference between him and Tony. Tony can't help you at the other end of the floor, he saves all his energy for offense.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I know that both of our wins we got this series we got them because he was going insane on the defensive end of the floor, getting steals, getting deflections.

He's had his two best offensive games on the road (remember those retarded threads about what a bad road playoff player he is, those seem like ancient history now, huh?) but the refs stole those games from us.

Still, even he doesn't have it all going offensively, he contributes in other ways.

That is still the difference between him and Tony. Tony can't help you at the other end of the floor, he saves all his energy for offense.

We're not talking about offense, or tony, at least I wasn't, and if you are going to nitpick and say his few gambles that paid off were that crucial, then so was every parker and 1, every duncan rebound, every hand in every face, etc

all I am saying is that his gambles have been too many lately, yeah he came up big a couple times but save that energy and clutchess for the 4th quarter (when they actually did pay off), he just leaves his man wide open as day early in the games and that man is basically given a free shot if he gets the ball.

[clubalien]

Manu will not be the next Bowen and I'm not sure anyone will be the next Bowen. People like Bowen are rare. Apprecaite him, he's great.

I am still waiting for a replacement for sean elliott the ninja dude

maybe we can go afer a samuari ?

but we have been bless to have the best big man in the history of the NBA by gong from dav to tim an finally to ian

[SuperManu!!!]

Manu will never be a shooting player only....its not his stile. Tell manu to stand in a corner and shot quietly, he wont accept it

[Tigole Bitties]

Yes, if Manu's bald spot continues to grow, he will look just like Bowen :lol