timvp
10-15-2007, 11:21 PM
Ginobili gets job done as interim point guard
Web Posted: 10/15/2007 10:50 PM CDT
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
Fluent in English, Spanish and Italian, Manu Ginobili is a man of many tongues. When it comes to learning the language of a point guard, he is still very much a novice.
With Tony Parker and both primary backups out, Ginobili has been the Spurs' starting point guard in each of their two preseason games.
Though he's been solid and sometimes spectacular, Ginobili admits he won't be taking Parker's job anytime soon.
"I'm not going to get used to it in two or three games, after playing my whole career at shooting guard," Ginobili said. "There is a lot more to worry about as a point guard."
If there has been a silver lining to the rash of point-guard maladies, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says it has given Ginobili a chance to add another layer to his game.
Ginobili has been the Spurs' most consistent player so far in the preseason, averaging 14.5 points and 5.5 assists while logging most of his 25 minutes a night at the point.
"I think he kind of likes it (playing point)," Popovich said after the team's workout Monday. "He's in charge of what's going on out on the floor. He has a good head for the game, and this kind of practice is good for him."
Still, Ginobili's time as the quarterback of the Spurs offense is most certainly on the clock.
With Parker poised to begin full-speed workouts by the end of this week, Ginobili won't be a point guard — or perhaps even a starter — much longer.
Though the Spurs haven't begun to consider a firm playing rotation, their opening day lineup likely will look identical to the one that worked so well during the stretch run to an NBA title last year.
That would mean bringing Ginobili off the bench at shooting guard.
The role seems to suit the 30-year-old Argentine. He was the only player in the league to average more than 15 points while playing fewer than 30 minutes per game last year. He might have won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award had he not started 36 times.
More importantly, keeping Ginobili in reserve seems to suit the Spurs. With Ginobili anchoring their backups, the Spurs led the league in bench scoring last season (36.9 points per game).
Using Ginobili as a super-sub allows the Spurs to exploit some matchups. Not coincidentally, that's the same reason Popovich hasn't ruled out using Ginobili in spot duty at point guard even after Parker returns.
Such a move wouldn't be unprecedented. Ginobili logged time at point against Detroit in the 2005 Finals after coaches lost faith in Beno Udrih as a backup.
"We've done it now and then against certain teams for certain reasons," Popovich said.
Brent Barry, a converted off-guard who also has played scattered minutes at the point this preseason, says he can envision a scenario in which someone other than Parker would man the point — with Parker on the floor.
Such a twist could allow Parker to find shots without having to work so hard for them.
"Maybe that's something we'll explore later in the season," Barry said.
For now, and at least until next week, Ginobili is still the Spurs' starting point guard.
He knows his days in that role are numbered. And he's not completely disappointed.
"I prefer being a shooting guard, because it's what I'm used to," Ginobili said. "But if I can give a hand at point guard, it's OK."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA101607SpursGinobili.EN.3405b93.html
Web Posted: 10/15/2007 10:50 PM CDT
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
Fluent in English, Spanish and Italian, Manu Ginobili is a man of many tongues. When it comes to learning the language of a point guard, he is still very much a novice.
With Tony Parker and both primary backups out, Ginobili has been the Spurs' starting point guard in each of their two preseason games.
Though he's been solid and sometimes spectacular, Ginobili admits he won't be taking Parker's job anytime soon.
"I'm not going to get used to it in two or three games, after playing my whole career at shooting guard," Ginobili said. "There is a lot more to worry about as a point guard."
If there has been a silver lining to the rash of point-guard maladies, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says it has given Ginobili a chance to add another layer to his game.
Ginobili has been the Spurs' most consistent player so far in the preseason, averaging 14.5 points and 5.5 assists while logging most of his 25 minutes a night at the point.
"I think he kind of likes it (playing point)," Popovich said after the team's workout Monday. "He's in charge of what's going on out on the floor. He has a good head for the game, and this kind of practice is good for him."
Still, Ginobili's time as the quarterback of the Spurs offense is most certainly on the clock.
With Parker poised to begin full-speed workouts by the end of this week, Ginobili won't be a point guard — or perhaps even a starter — much longer.
Though the Spurs haven't begun to consider a firm playing rotation, their opening day lineup likely will look identical to the one that worked so well during the stretch run to an NBA title last year.
That would mean bringing Ginobili off the bench at shooting guard.
The role seems to suit the 30-year-old Argentine. He was the only player in the league to average more than 15 points while playing fewer than 30 minutes per game last year. He might have won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award had he not started 36 times.
More importantly, keeping Ginobili in reserve seems to suit the Spurs. With Ginobili anchoring their backups, the Spurs led the league in bench scoring last season (36.9 points per game).
Using Ginobili as a super-sub allows the Spurs to exploit some matchups. Not coincidentally, that's the same reason Popovich hasn't ruled out using Ginobili in spot duty at point guard even after Parker returns.
Such a move wouldn't be unprecedented. Ginobili logged time at point against Detroit in the 2005 Finals after coaches lost faith in Beno Udrih as a backup.
"We've done it now and then against certain teams for certain reasons," Popovich said.
Brent Barry, a converted off-guard who also has played scattered minutes at the point this preseason, says he can envision a scenario in which someone other than Parker would man the point — with Parker on the floor.
Such a twist could allow Parker to find shots without having to work so hard for them.
"Maybe that's something we'll explore later in the season," Barry said.
For now, and at least until next week, Ginobili is still the Spurs' starting point guard.
He knows his days in that role are numbered. And he's not completely disappointed.
"I prefer being a shooting guard, because it's what I'm used to," Ginobili said. "But if I can give a hand at point guard, it's OK."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA101607SpursGinobili.EN.3405b93.html