Notebook: Popovich has rotation in place

[timvp]

Notebook: Popovich has rotation in place
Jeff McDonald
Express-News Staff Writer

Manu Ginobili can rest easy at the start of games from now on.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday he plans on sticking with the lineup and rotation he used a night earlier in a loss to Boston. That plan provides for Ginobili to return to the sixth-man role he temporarily vacated last month.

"That will be the deal," Popovich said. "That will be our rotation, so we're set."

Against the Celtics, the Spurs sent Ginobili and Kurt Thomas to the bench and started Tony Parker, Michael Finley, Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan and Fabricio Oberto. That starting lineup is the same one Popovich used in last year's postseason and for much of the first three months this year.

The move was made to give the Spurs' bench some much-needed oomph, and in that, it succeeded. Ginobili scored 32 points, and the Spurs' reserves accounted for 52.

"I loved it," Popovich said of the switch back. "It gives us our familiarity, our continuity, our personality, our comfort zone. Back the way we were."

Ginobili is averaging 22.4 points in 35.4 minutes in 23 games as a starter this season.

In 39 games as a reserve, he is averaging 19.3 points per game and 29.4 minutes.

Ginobili, who entered the starting lineup when Parker was injured in late January, has long maintained he has no qualms with coming off the bench. Given Popovich's penchant for tinkering with his role, however, Ginobili said he's not completely buying the purported permanence of the new old rotation.

"I don't know, I really don't," Ginobili said. "But he sounded more convincing this time."

Ginobili jam: Ginobili said his right ankle was still a little tender from a spill he took early in the fourth quarter against Boston, but he doesn't expect it to hobble him by the time the Spurs get to Chicago.

"It's a little sore, but it's not something that is going to be painful for a long time," Ginobili said. "I just jammed it. I didn't twist it. It doesn't feel real good now, but it is going to be fine tomorrow."

Rest time: With two days between games for the first and only time this month, the Spurs used Tuesday as a film day, eschewing a physical practice for a chance to iron out Xs and Os with a 90-minute video session.

The Spurs will conduct a light workout this morning before leaving for Chicago, where they kick off a stretch of five games in seven days Thursday.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031908.spurs_notebook_0319.en.3d93703.html

[pku47]

Happy to see that.

[timvp]

I like this rotation. Only questionable aspect is Finley but with Barry coming back, it wouldn't alter much if Pop decides to just switch Barry and Finley.

And really, I haven't completely given up on Finley. He's been yanked around and given all sorts of different roles in the last month. He's not Manu, he can't just adjust on the fly. He's a guy who needs to know exactly when his minutes are coming and what to expect. Finley has been horrible the last 10-12 games but he's a streak shooter by nature. If he starts streaking the other way, it'll be like this 10-12 game streak never happened.

Thomas is best used as the backup center, however this time in the starting lineup should have helped him. He now looks comfortable in the system and should be fine in his role.

Ginobili off the bench always makes sense. Vaughn over Stoudamire is a no-brainer after Pop ruined Stoudamire. And Pop might as well give Horry a shot. The good thing is the Spurs finally have options in case Horry falters a la 2004.

[milkyway21]

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday he plans on sticking with the lineup and rotation he used a night earlier in a loss to Boston. That plan provides for Ginobili to return to the sixth-man role he temporarily vacated last month.

another B2B :cry
4/20 @Chicago
4/21 Sacramento @ AT &T

We need to win these 2. Problem is Chicago just dismantled their latest opponent, they have momentum.

[Indazone]

Does this means that Pop has fixed the Spurs?

[mVp]

another B2B :cry
4/20 @Chicago
4/21 Sacramento @ AT &T

We need to win these 2. Problem is Chicago just dismantled their latest opponent, they have momentum.

If we lose to Chicago we don't deserve to make the playoffs :lol

[whottt]

I like this rotation. Only questionable aspect is Finley but with Barry coming back, it wouldn't alter much if Pop decides to just switch Barry and Finley.

And really, I haven't completely given up on Finley. He's been yanked around and given all sorts of different roles in the last month. He's not Manu, he can't just adjust on the fly. He's a guy who needs to know exactly when his minutes are coming and what to expect. Finley has been horrible the last 10-12 games but he's a streak shooter by nature. If he starts streaking the other way, it'll be like this 10-12 game streak never happened.

Thomas is best used as the backup center, however this time in the starting lineup should have helped him. He now looks comfortable in the system and should be fine in his role.

Ginobili off the bench always makes sense. Vaughn over Stoudamire is a no-brainer after Pop ruined Stoudamire. And Pop might as well give Horry a shot. The good thing is the Spurs finally have options in case Horry falters a la 2004.



The #1 thing I am happy about is that Horry survived the rotation. IF Horry's on the court...it means he can do what Horry does...if he's not on the court, he can't do it. And he never looks like he's going to do it when he does it. He does it when he doesn't look like he's going to do it.


I don't think Pop's rotation is entirely set though regardless of what he says...if we go up against the Suns Bonner is going to get some minutes IMO. I seriously hope Pop doesn't think he can guard Shaq with Horry again...Pop should never ever ever try that again.


And I think Barry will be back in the rotation...if he doesn't get some of Finley's minutes...he'll be getting some of Udoka's.


I like Ime...but he is an enigma to me...his demeanor is cool and collected, and there's at least one already legendary story about his poise during battle...but this dude has been a loose cannon in the crunch of games, and frankly hasn't earned a set spot in the rotation. And I still can't tell if he's clutch or not. No one has survived this long as a Spur without getting a clutch or unclutch label by whottt...that is signifigant.

[pku47]

I don't think Pop's rotation is entirely set though regardless of what he says...if we go up against the Suns Bonner is going to get some minutes IMO. I seriously hope Pop doesn't think he can guard Shaq with Horry again...Pop should never ever ever try that again.
Prop to whottt, sure that Pop hasn't set it totally yet.

I also believe Bonner will get some minutes in some match-ups.

[timvp]

I like Ime...but he is an enigma to me...his demeanor is cool and collected, and there's at least one already legendary story about his poise during battle...but this dude has been a loose cannon in the crunch of games, and frankly hasn't earned a set spot in the rotation. And I still can't tell if he's clutch or not. No one has survived this long as a Spur without getting a clutch or unclutch label by whottt...that is signifigant.:lol

Yeah, I seriously can't figure him out either. He has the demeanor of someone who would be cool and clutch under pressure ... but it hasn't really transfered to the court yet. When things start going bad for the Spurs, he tends to make things worse instead of better. I'm not sure what it is. I think he starts to put too much of the burden on himself when he should realize that when times are getting rough, that's when the team relies even more of Duncan to take over. Udoka himself has to learn how to just ride out the tough waves instead of trying to fight the waves.

He hasn't mastered that yet which makes him a risky play when the pressure is on. I have no idea whether Udoka will be an important playoff performer ... or whether he'll rack up DNP-CD's on a nightly basis. I can imagine either scenario.

[BIG z]

Pop is stubborn simple as that...

[T Park]

I predict Finley comes out and has one of his best games yet now that this is settled.

Usually the players after its made official that play well and I look forward to the game thursday vs Chicago.

The best thing for Finley would more than likely be Barry coming back. Finley won't have to shoulder ALL the burden of having to produce. If hes off some nights he can figure "my shots not falling, brents is, so just play hard and play loose"

[BIG z]

yeah what ever man..

[T Park]

Or you could slit your wrists and be depressed :rolleyes

[BIG z]

Or you could slit your wrists and be depressed :rolleyes

Can u please elaborate in my thread...

[Supreme_Being]

Question: Do you think we're tanking?

[BIG z]

Question: Do you think we're tanking?

For what though?

[roycrikside]

I don't understand this article at all. He's happy with his rotation? What happens when Brent comes back? Is he already in Pop's doghouse before he even rejoins the team? I don't think he re-signed with us just to get DNP-CDs.

Furthermore, exactly what have we done to be happy about? We've lost 6 of 7, we constantly get outrebounded and outhustled, the offense is crappy for large stretches, and Horry and Finley are usually dog shit out there. I have yet to see any evidence that Horry can help this team more than Bonner can. Bonner rebounds better and shoots better. Whatever tiny advantage Horry gives you with help defense and passing, it's not nearly enough to make up for him being a complete offensive liability. We already have enough of those on the floor.

[T Park]

I don't understand this article at all. He's happy with his rotation? What happens when Brent comes back? Is he already in Pop's doghouse before he even rejoins the team? I don't think he re-signed with us just to get DNP-CDs.

Furthermore, exactly what have we done to be happy about? We've lost 6 of 7, we constantly get outrebounded and outhustled, the offense is crappy for large stretches, and Horry and Finley are usually dog shit out there. I have yet to see any evidence that Horry can help this team more than Bonner can. Bonner rebounds better and shoots better. Whatever tiny advantage Horry gives you with help defense and passing, it's not nearly enough to make up for him being a complete offensive liability. We already have enough of those on the floor.


Cool another order of Horry crow coming up :tu

[Supreme_Being]

For a lower playoff seed?

[greens]

:lol

Yeah, I seriously can't figure him out either. He has the demeanor of someone who would be cool and clutch under pressure ... but it hasn't really transfered to the court yet. When things start going bad for the Spurs, he tends to make things worse instead of better. I'm not sure what it is. I think he starts to put too much of the burden on himself when he should realize that when times are getting rough, that's when the team relies even more of Duncan to take over. Udoka himself has to learn how to just ride out the tough waves instead of trying to fight the waves.

He hasn't mastered that yet which makes him a risky play when the pressure is on. I have no idea whether Udoka will be an important playoff performer ... or whether he'll rack up DNP-CD's on a nightly basis. I can imagine either scenario.




Ime has been playing really well before his injury...No one was aware that the reason he was struggling a bit in the recent weeks was due to his health issue...So that explains why his level of play hasn't been as high as it was before it. I'm glad that he got the two games off and a few days of rest...He looked really good back. So I'm hoping his health issue is in the past.

Manu is right, though, about Pop switching back and forth. Just recently a few weeks ago, he said he was going to keep Manu on the bench for the remainder of the season, then he still started him for the next few games...

Hopefully, once the rotation is set, it is set...otherwise they can't get used to playing with each other if it keeps being changed...The players have to get used to who they are playing with...especially I think it effects the role players more.

I'm worried a bit about Manu's ankle now...he had hurt his thigh and his back just recently also...So he's been banged up and exhausted and shifted back and forth between coming off the bench and starting...

It's about time Pop made his rotation final, well, at least for now, I think...So KT will also come off the bench?

By the way, isn't Barry allowed to sign in just a few days? So he could play on Sunday against Dallas?

[timvp]

I don't understand this article at all. He's happy with his rotation? What happens when Brent comes back? Is he already in Pop's doghouse before he even rejoins the team? I don't think he re-signed with us just to get DNP-CDs.

Furthermore, exactly what have we done to be happy about? We've lost 6 of 7, we constantly get outrebounded and outhustled, the offense is crappy for large stretches, and Horry and Finley are usually dog shit out there.Pop is talking about the rotation from the game against the Celtics ... not the 6 or 7 games before that. Finding minutes for Barry will come naturally. Even when Pop has had "set" rotations in the past, Barry's role has changed game to game.

And if Horry is taken out of the rotation, it'd be Oberto and Thomas taking those minutes ... not Bonner.

[timvp]

Ime has been playing really well before his injury...No one was aware that the reason he was struggling a bit in the recent weeks was due to his health issue...So that explains why his level of play hasn't been as high as it was before it. Udoka's problem with composure has been a year long issue. But yeah, I do agree that his recent overall suckiness was likely due to that ankle injury.

[TDMVPDPOY]

2 scrub teams comin up

losin either 1 is still a failure to me

[carina_gino20]

Let's hope Pop has really made up his mind now. I agree that the way he was playing around has probably affected Finley mentally, more than it has affected Manu. The sooner the players see that Pop is sticking to it, the more comfortable the players will be since they won't have to second guess anymore.

So, is Pop saying MM is sticking to the bench? :stirpot: :lol

[Southwest Texas Fan]

Udoka's problem with composure has been a year long issue. But yeah, I do agree that his recent overall suckiness was likely due to that ankle injury.


As good as Udoka acclimated to the teams system it will still take the guy a least a whole year before he can contribute 100%. I don't know if he will ever be a guy we can depend on with the game on the line but I guess we will have to see. I still have hopes he will contribute this post season. The guy is still our best option when we go small.

[MoSpur]

I hope this helps the Spurs recent struggles.

[Cherry]

Does this means that Pop has fixed the Spurs?

not yet
but about time Pop! :dizzy finally

[Cherry]

Let's hope Pop has really made up his mind now. I agree that the way he was playing around has probably affected Finley mentally, more than it has affected Manu. The sooner the players see that Pop is sticking to it, the more comfortable the players will be since they won't have to second guess anymore.

So, is Pop saying MM is sticking to the bench? :stirpot: :lol

I hope my Spurs will get the confidence :hungry:

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Hopefully he decided Vaughn over Stoudamire.

[some_user86]

Hopefully he decided Vaughn over Stoudamire.

I want back the pre-"Pop pep talk" Stoudamire instead of Vaughn.

[Supergirl]

Pop knows that teams that adjust their rotation this late in the schedules never win championship, because players aren't settled and confident and comfortable.

The Spurs won with this rotations last year, and are the best team equipped to win it all again this year with the same rotation. Udoka's addition only makes them a little stronger, as will Barry's return. That being said, right now I'm not feeling confident about our chances against Boston in a 7 game series. I'm not losing hope, but Boston is looking pretty unstoppable, and KG is only going to turn it up another notch in the playoffs. A championship is so close he can smell it, and he wants it BAD.

[WalterBenitez]

Does this means that Pop has fixed the Spurs?


That means we could go back to win or we could continue losing.

[GaryJohnston]

Weve needed this rotation for a while now. Hopefully when Barry comes back Pop will fit him into the rotation accordingly. We desperately need some perimeter shooting right now .
Im okay with Finley being the starter, but if he carries on the way he has, I'd like to think we'd give Barry a crack at the starting lineup

[Herschel Walker]

I hope Finley proves me wrong and does something. Come on man, step it up.

Now that the rotation is set we should see more continuity and better play. Honestly, Pop probably should have set this rotation a week or two ago. Its been obvious for a while.

[jag]

The #1 thing I am happy about is that Horry survived the rotation. IF Horry's on the court...it means he can do what Horry does...if he's not on the court, he can't do it. And he never looks like he's going to do it when he does it. He does it when he doesn't look like he's going to do it.




You just blew my mind.

[loveforthegame]

I hope Pop sticks with this lineup and rotation and stops fooling around. It's easy enough to make adjustments if someone (Finley) is sucking.

Pop found minutes for Barry before so he'll have no problem finding minutes for him again. I can see most of his minutes at pg behind Parker with Vaughn and Stoudamire sucking out there.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

You just blew my mind.
:lmao

[bigfundamental21]

We all know that Pop tinkers with the lineup for the entire season to prepare for the playoffs. I would trust that he knows his personnel and that he will make the right decisions. He has won 4 titles and that is reason enough to trust him.

[peacemaker885]

I predict Finley comes out and has one of his best games yet now that this is settled.

Usually the players after its made official that play well and I look forward to the game thursday vs Chicago.

The best thing for Finley would more than likely be Barry coming back. Finley won't have to shoulder ALL the burden of having to produce. If hes off some nights he can figure "my shots not falling, brents is, so just play hard and play loose"

Yeah, these two complement each other. When one goes down, usually the other picks up. Can't wait for Brent to start playing.

[Radiosparks]

:reading yeah, I read that paragraph probably 3 times...!

I had to do the same. :lol

Finley has to come out of his funk soon. I hope this will ease Finley's mind and get him back to knocking those shots he was earlier in the year.

[ploto]

Pop's attempt to duplicate this working last season. But this is not last season.

I still think Thomas belongs in the starting lineup and Oberto off the bench with Manu.

[ploto]

Pop knows that teams that adjust their rotation this late in the schedules never win championship, because players aren't settled and confident and comfortable.
See: Spurs 2006.