duncan228
03-05-2008, 09:52 PM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030408.SpursMailbag.en.21bf2ca5.html
Spurs Mailbag: Uh, maybe Manu should have been an All-Star
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
Over the past week or so, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been telling anyone who would listen something that fans in both San Antonio and Argentina have known for a long time.
Manu Ginobili should never have been in Las Vegas for this year’s All-Star Game. He should have been in New Orleans. You know, with the rest of the All-Stars.
“Manu has been an All-Star performer, without any doubt,” Popovich said. “I was disappointed he didn’t make the All-Star team. I thought that was pretty close to a no-brainer, for a lot of reasons.”
If the two weeks that have passed since the All-Star game have taught us anything, it’s that sometimes the voters and the coaches get it wrong.
In the past 10 games, Ginobili is averaging 27 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists a night. More than that, he’s been ice-cold in the clutch, hitting a pair of game-winners during that stretch over Minnesota and Milwaukee.
In a Feb. 13 comeback victory at Cleveland, Ginobili scored 18 of his 46 points in the fourth quarter.
“He’s been amazing,” Popovich said. “He’s really carried us during this period.”
So why didn’t Ginobili make the All-Star team?
Part of the blame probably goes to Popovich. Minutes after making the above comments before Sunday’s victory at New Jersey, Popovich trotted out a starting lineup that did not include Ginobili.
Ginobili only started two games before the All-Star break. Like it or not, fans aren’t apt to cast All-Star ballots for sixth men.
The coaches, who choose the reserves, should probably know better.
At the time, however, Ginobili’s absence was almost understandable. The Western Conference boasted a glut of deserving guards. The Spurs already had one player headed to New Orleans (Tim Duncan), and were in the midst of a slump that made it easier for pollsters to ignore other options from their roster.
If there were an All-Star game at the three-quarter mark of the season, Ginobili would be nothing short of a no-brainer. At midseason, apparently not.
But don’t cry for him, Argentina.
He spent his All-Star break in Vegas with his feet propped up. He even got to check out the Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor middleweight title fight at the MGM Grand.
“I got four days of rest,” Ginobili said. “Sometimes, that’s better.”
Unless, of course, you’re the rest of the league.
Now, on to your questions …
Will Brent Barry be a difference-maker in the player in the playoffs?
-- Vince Garcia, Los Angeles
Interesting question, indeed. There was much hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth about whether Barry would return to the Spurs. Less thought was given to the question of how the Spurs might actually use him. With Ime Udoka’s ascension in the rotation, and with Michael Finley and some guy named Ginobili still around, there won’t immediately be a lot of minutes for Barry on the perimeter.
Still, there seems to be at least one game each postseason Barry wins for the Spurs. We wouldn’t put it past him again this season.
What happened to James White? I know the Spurs waived him but he seemed he had the ability to be a Tracy McGrady.
-- Al, San Antonio
White is a spectacular talent, and not without potential, but he has as much chance of becoming the next Tracy Chapman. He’s playing overseas in Turkey now, which should tell you something. Nobody else in the NBA thought he looked much like T-Mac, either.
Why isn't Matt Bonner playing more? I'm afraid he's losing his rhythm and confidence sitting on the bench so much.
-- Annette, San Antonio
There are only so many minutes to go around. As the playoffs approach and rotations shrink, there are even less. Bonner has fallen to the end of the rotation, especially with Kurt Thomas taking more big-man minutes than Francisco Elson did.
Either that, or Pop just hates players from New Hampshire.
When Barry is able and eligible to play, someone is going to have to sit behind the bench wearing the sport coat. Who's going to be the odd man out?
-- Charlie Walker, San Antonio
We’re guessing it will be a guy from New Hampshire.
What's the deal with Marcus Williams? I believe he is a valuable player who was signed, waived, signed and waived. Is he progressing and will he ever get to play a bigger role on the Spurs roster?
-- Daniel, Australia
Williams is playing fairly well in with the D-League’s Austin Toros (17 points, 6.4 rebounds in 27 games). He’s no longer the property of the Spurs, meaning he could ostensibly be signed and called up by any NBA team. He hasn’t, which tells you a little about his stock across the league.
He’s still on the Spurs’ radar, but only as a blip at this point.
A great game last night (against Dallas), but something I observed has disturbed me. As the flag and Star Spangled Banner was played, I noticed not a single Spur held their hand over their heart. The Mavericks’ back was to me but I did see at least some of them did. Hey, I love those Spurs but we should all pay homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
-- David Harrell, Natalia
You know, you have a point. And far be it from us to make excuses for the Spurs, or put words in their mouths. But …
We wonder if hearing the Star Spangled Banner 82-plus times a year makes it easier to tune it out. It becomes just another part of the pre-game routine. It’s just human nature. Next time you are at an NBA game, check out press row. Most of us writer-types don’t deign to show our faces until after the anthem is over. Not sure which approach is worse.
I don't have a question, just praise for Manu Ginobili. I'm a 62-year-old grandmother of five, and when I watch him play, I feel like I'm 25. He is absolutely great and I collect all his souvenirs. Matter of fact, I wore some of them to Mass the other night and got many questions, even from my priest.
-- Carolee Moretti, Frankfort, Ken.
That’s Ginobili. So good, not even men who deal in miracles for a living can figure him out.
Spurs Mailbag: Uh, maybe Manu should have been an All-Star
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
Over the past week or so, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been telling anyone who would listen something that fans in both San Antonio and Argentina have known for a long time.
Manu Ginobili should never have been in Las Vegas for this year’s All-Star Game. He should have been in New Orleans. You know, with the rest of the All-Stars.
“Manu has been an All-Star performer, without any doubt,” Popovich said. “I was disappointed he didn’t make the All-Star team. I thought that was pretty close to a no-brainer, for a lot of reasons.”
If the two weeks that have passed since the All-Star game have taught us anything, it’s that sometimes the voters and the coaches get it wrong.
In the past 10 games, Ginobili is averaging 27 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists a night. More than that, he’s been ice-cold in the clutch, hitting a pair of game-winners during that stretch over Minnesota and Milwaukee.
In a Feb. 13 comeback victory at Cleveland, Ginobili scored 18 of his 46 points in the fourth quarter.
“He’s been amazing,” Popovich said. “He’s really carried us during this period.”
So why didn’t Ginobili make the All-Star team?
Part of the blame probably goes to Popovich. Minutes after making the above comments before Sunday’s victory at New Jersey, Popovich trotted out a starting lineup that did not include Ginobili.
Ginobili only started two games before the All-Star break. Like it or not, fans aren’t apt to cast All-Star ballots for sixth men.
The coaches, who choose the reserves, should probably know better.
At the time, however, Ginobili’s absence was almost understandable. The Western Conference boasted a glut of deserving guards. The Spurs already had one player headed to New Orleans (Tim Duncan), and were in the midst of a slump that made it easier for pollsters to ignore other options from their roster.
If there were an All-Star game at the three-quarter mark of the season, Ginobili would be nothing short of a no-brainer. At midseason, apparently not.
But don’t cry for him, Argentina.
He spent his All-Star break in Vegas with his feet propped up. He even got to check out the Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor middleweight title fight at the MGM Grand.
“I got four days of rest,” Ginobili said. “Sometimes, that’s better.”
Unless, of course, you’re the rest of the league.
Now, on to your questions …
Will Brent Barry be a difference-maker in the player in the playoffs?
-- Vince Garcia, Los Angeles
Interesting question, indeed. There was much hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth about whether Barry would return to the Spurs. Less thought was given to the question of how the Spurs might actually use him. With Ime Udoka’s ascension in the rotation, and with Michael Finley and some guy named Ginobili still around, there won’t immediately be a lot of minutes for Barry on the perimeter.
Still, there seems to be at least one game each postseason Barry wins for the Spurs. We wouldn’t put it past him again this season.
What happened to James White? I know the Spurs waived him but he seemed he had the ability to be a Tracy McGrady.
-- Al, San Antonio
White is a spectacular talent, and not without potential, but he has as much chance of becoming the next Tracy Chapman. He’s playing overseas in Turkey now, which should tell you something. Nobody else in the NBA thought he looked much like T-Mac, either.
Why isn't Matt Bonner playing more? I'm afraid he's losing his rhythm and confidence sitting on the bench so much.
-- Annette, San Antonio
There are only so many minutes to go around. As the playoffs approach and rotations shrink, there are even less. Bonner has fallen to the end of the rotation, especially with Kurt Thomas taking more big-man minutes than Francisco Elson did.
Either that, or Pop just hates players from New Hampshire.
When Barry is able and eligible to play, someone is going to have to sit behind the bench wearing the sport coat. Who's going to be the odd man out?
-- Charlie Walker, San Antonio
We’re guessing it will be a guy from New Hampshire.
What's the deal with Marcus Williams? I believe he is a valuable player who was signed, waived, signed and waived. Is he progressing and will he ever get to play a bigger role on the Spurs roster?
-- Daniel, Australia
Williams is playing fairly well in with the D-League’s Austin Toros (17 points, 6.4 rebounds in 27 games). He’s no longer the property of the Spurs, meaning he could ostensibly be signed and called up by any NBA team. He hasn’t, which tells you a little about his stock across the league.
He’s still on the Spurs’ radar, but only as a blip at this point.
A great game last night (against Dallas), but something I observed has disturbed me. As the flag and Star Spangled Banner was played, I noticed not a single Spur held their hand over their heart. The Mavericks’ back was to me but I did see at least some of them did. Hey, I love those Spurs but we should all pay homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
-- David Harrell, Natalia
You know, you have a point. And far be it from us to make excuses for the Spurs, or put words in their mouths. But …
We wonder if hearing the Star Spangled Banner 82-plus times a year makes it easier to tune it out. It becomes just another part of the pre-game routine. It’s just human nature. Next time you are at an NBA game, check out press row. Most of us writer-types don’t deign to show our faces until after the anthem is over. Not sure which approach is worse.
I don't have a question, just praise for Manu Ginobili. I'm a 62-year-old grandmother of five, and when I watch him play, I feel like I'm 25. He is absolutely great and I collect all his souvenirs. Matter of fact, I wore some of them to Mass the other night and got many questions, even from my priest.
-- Carolee Moretti, Frankfort, Ken.
That’s Ginobili. So good, not even men who deal in miracles for a living can figure him out.