duncan228
05-11-2008, 12:23 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA051108.05C.BKNspurs.notebook.3519e84.html
Spurs notebook: Dilemma with Ginobili: To start or not to start
By Mike Monroe
Express-News
Will he, or won't he?
After the Spurs won Game 3 with Manu Ginobili in the starting lineup, sticking with that starting unit would seem like an easy decision for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
Popovich, though, wasn't tipping his hand after Saturday's practice session.
We're going to decide a minute before the game, Popovich said, just to keep everyone in suspense.
Ginobili may have been tipped off about Popovich's inclination, but he wasn't sharing anything Saturday, either.
He does, however, have a decided preference.
I always say it doesn't matter, he said, but if you ask any player in the whole league if they would rather play 40 (minutes), like last game, or 28, they would rather it be like last game.
The biggest benefit of starting is the chance to be patient.
I had more time to let the game come to me, Ginobili said. I didn't have to rush things. So I felt pretty good.
Popovich understands fully that Ginobili's play merits a spot in the starting lineup. He has brought him off the bench as a way to give the team a jolt of energy and as a means of getting Tony Parker off to quick starts from his point guard spot.
Ginobili believes the playoffs provide their own energy.
"I also think if I would have come from the bench, the energy of the team was going to be the same, he said. It was a team thing. It didn't depend on me.
Scrimmage time: Popovich cut his playing rotation down to seven players in Game 3, with Ime Udoka, Brent Barry and Jacque Vaughn and Robert Horry effectively falling out of the rotation and getting only spot minutes.
Those four, along with Damon Stoudamire, Ian Mahinmi, Matt Bonner and DerMarr Johnson, followed up the regular practice session with 30 minutes of scrimmaging in an effort to retain a level of sharpness.
Going fast: The Spurs' victory in Game 3 sparked a run on the team's ticket office on Friday. Only 500 single-game tickets for tonight's game remained, as of Saturday afternoon, including some in the lower bowl.
Ticket prices range from $18 to $325. Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster Ticket Center locations, including select H-E-B and Macy's stores. They also can be charged by phone at (210) 225-TEAM or online at spurs.com.
Playoff tickets also are available at the AT&T Center Southeast Box Office, open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and weekend event days only, beginning at 10 a.m.
Spurs notebook: Dilemma with Ginobili: To start or not to start
By Mike Monroe
Express-News
Will he, or won't he?
After the Spurs won Game 3 with Manu Ginobili in the starting lineup, sticking with that starting unit would seem like an easy decision for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
Popovich, though, wasn't tipping his hand after Saturday's practice session.
We're going to decide a minute before the game, Popovich said, just to keep everyone in suspense.
Ginobili may have been tipped off about Popovich's inclination, but he wasn't sharing anything Saturday, either.
He does, however, have a decided preference.
I always say it doesn't matter, he said, but if you ask any player in the whole league if they would rather play 40 (minutes), like last game, or 28, they would rather it be like last game.
The biggest benefit of starting is the chance to be patient.
I had more time to let the game come to me, Ginobili said. I didn't have to rush things. So I felt pretty good.
Popovich understands fully that Ginobili's play merits a spot in the starting lineup. He has brought him off the bench as a way to give the team a jolt of energy and as a means of getting Tony Parker off to quick starts from his point guard spot.
Ginobili believes the playoffs provide their own energy.
"I also think if I would have come from the bench, the energy of the team was going to be the same, he said. It was a team thing. It didn't depend on me.
Scrimmage time: Popovich cut his playing rotation down to seven players in Game 3, with Ime Udoka, Brent Barry and Jacque Vaughn and Robert Horry effectively falling out of the rotation and getting only spot minutes.
Those four, along with Damon Stoudamire, Ian Mahinmi, Matt Bonner and DerMarr Johnson, followed up the regular practice session with 30 minutes of scrimmaging in an effort to retain a level of sharpness.
Going fast: The Spurs' victory in Game 3 sparked a run on the team's ticket office on Friday. Only 500 single-game tickets for tonight's game remained, as of Saturday afternoon, including some in the lower bowl.
Ticket prices range from $18 to $325. Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster Ticket Center locations, including select H-E-B and Macy's stores. They also can be charged by phone at (210) 225-TEAM or online at spurs.com.
Playoff tickets also are available at the AT&T Center Southeast Box Office, open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and weekend event days only, beginning at 10 a.m.