Move Manu Back to the Bench

[J.T.]

Having him in the starting lineup helped a ton against New Orleans, but it's no longer necessary since the Lakers won't double Tim like NO did. The real question is whether to start Udoka or Finley.

[T Park]

I think Finley should only be brought in in game 2 if theres foul trouble.

Barry Udoka should get a huge amount of the minutes.

Ginobili doesn't need to go back to the bench.

He just needs to spend tonight and tommarow in an oxygen chamber.

[aka_USAPA]

Sounds like a panic move.

[SPARKY]

Start Barry. Give him and Finley even minutes at about 15 per.

[timvp]

I would agree if Finley wasn't playing like crap and Udoka didn't go back into regular season mode.

[SPARKY]

Sounds like a panic move.

eh, not really.

[T Park]

Hopefully Udoka isn't gonna go on one of his "bad streaks"

[loveforthegame]

Tough call. Udoka has earned more minutes but he'll need to save his fouls for when he has to guard Kobe when Bowen is on the bench resting. And he does a good job on Odom who will looking to bounce back from his bad performance.

Finley has been sucking but at least his size stops Radmanovic from posting up and taking advantage like he did on Ginobli.

[mystargtr34]

Finley is a shooter... were not gonna get much out of Manu early anyway, we should establish TP and Tim in the early going and then bring Manu in... regular season Manu.

[J.T.]

I think he was tired and had a crap game, but there's no time for rest in this series. Manu was sixth man of the year for a reason, and I would rather have him defending Vujacic than starting on Radmanovic. I would rather Manu come off the bench and be a spark to counter Vujacic, and also Vujacic is overrated as fuck and Manu could shut him down.

[timvp]

Start Barry.Not a bad idea.

[T Park]

Yeah, if Barry looked healthy out there, then his post feeds, the respect he gets from Phil Jackson on his shot, and the good shooting hes had can do nothing but help.

I just don't think bringing Manu off the bench as opposed to starting makes much of a difference.

[mVp]

This move doesn't guarantee shit, besides the bench sucked too... Manu needs to stay in the starting lineup, I don't give a fuck if he's been bothered by his ankle, his groin, or whatever the fuck his problem is.

[SPARKY]

Not a bad idea.

Barry hasn't looked that bad in limited minutes so far this postseason. I'm not sure if Pop is trying to avoid dinting Finley's confidence, but at some point you have to make the call. 20 minutes with zero production would seem like it. Having another ballhandler on the court against this opponent makes sense as well.

[T Park]

The problem with finley going fer in 20 minutes is that he gives nothing other than shooting.

I mean at least Barry gets the ball moving, and can set up other guys.

[J.T.]

I've said it before and I'll say it again now. Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic are not game changing players because they are big time gamers and overflow with talent. They play with Kobe Bryant, and defenses collapse on Kobe because he is the MVP. All they do is wait for the kickout. I really think Manu can take Sasha out of his game, because if Manu has a game when he's on, Sasha will be embarrassed on National TV. If anyone on the Spurs can bounce back from a horrible game like this, it's Manu. However, Manu made too many mistakes in this game, and putting him back on the bench is not only a good strategy but will send a message to him that if he's going to start, he can't afford to fuck up the game like he did tonight. It's also on Pop for pulling Bowen when he got into foul trouble, but Manu was 3-13 and had four turnovers. Two from my recollection resulted from horrible no look passes that went right to a Laker.

[aka_USAPA]

I would rather Manu come off the bench and be a spark to counter Vujacic, and also Vujacic is overrated as fuck and Manu could shut him down.

The only poster I'm seeing here who overrates Sasha is you. Since when did Manu have to worry about Vujacic? Sasha is a role player who knows his role, and plays to his strengths. He's a shooter and plays very tough defense. At least he tries anyway. That's about it. Why worry about him with an All-Star like Manu especially since he is "overrated" per your analysis?

[Jobbs]

Finley

He always steps up in LA

Remember that clutch 3 last season to send the game in OT?

Even if he's out there as a decoy, you gotta give him burn.

Save Udoka when Bowen is on the bench

put Brent in as PG when TP is out.

[loveforthegame]

Does Barry have the strength and size (like Udoka and Finley) to keep Radmanvic from posting up like he did Ginobli?

I know Udoka's earned more minutes but I think you gotta save his fouls for when he's guarding Kobe and Odom.

I know I'd like to see Barry get the minutes Vaughn did and run some of the point.

[J.T.]

The only poster I'm seeing here who overrates Sasha is you. Since when did Manu have to worry about Vujacic? Sasha is a role player who knows his role, and plays to his strengths. He's a shooter and plays very tough defense. At least he tries anyway. That's about it. Why worry about him with an All-Star like Manu especially since he is "overrated" per your analysis?

He's overrated because you can replace Vujacic with me and I could go 2-5 from beyond the arc in an NBA game. The NBA three pointer is not difficult shot to hit when you just wait for the fucking kickout.

[spurscenter]

i said this 2 hours ago
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96334

[aka_USAPA]

He's overrated because you can replace Vujacic with me and I could go 2-5 from beyond the arc in an NBA game. The NBA three pointer is not difficult shot to hit when you just wait for the fucking kickout.

Can you play defense like he does? And if you're that good, why are not not saving your Spurs? I doubt you'll score 3 points vs. Sasha in a game of first to get to 11. No offense, but keep it real.

[aka_USAPA]

The NBA three pointer is not difficult shot to hit when you just wait for the fucking kickout.

Have you made one waiting for a kickout?

[T Park]

Vujacic sucks, next.

[J.T.]

Vujacic sucks, next.

:tu

[1Parker1]

Start Barry.

I was actually thinking that. Radmonovic isn't exactly a defensive stopper. And Barry couldn't have done a worse job on him than Ginobili did tonight. I'll settle for the Lakers offense running through Radmonvic any day of the week.

I definitely think Barry can be a big X Factor for the Spurs in this series. The minimal minutes he did put in today, his ball movement and shots looked about 100 times better than Finley's. I think getting more offense from him will not only help spread the floor, but help make the Spurs offense less stagnate and predictable with Duncan/Parker/Ginobili doing most of the scoring.

[aka_USAPA]

He doesn't suck. He's no superstar, no all-star. Just a player who plays to his strengths, knows his limitations, a gym rat, and one who brings it every night. I don't mind having somebody like that. He's no Manu by any means, but he's what the Lakers have and you can't help but root for him because he plays with heart, and he has a sweet jumper of death.

[aka_USAPA]

:tu

I take it you never made one 3-point shot waiting for a handout in the NBA. I rest my case.

[J.T.]

I take it you never made one 3-point shot waiting for a handout. I rest my case.

Yeah, considering I don't play in the NBA that's a real intelligent assessment you made there. Yes, I have made three point shots waiting for kickouts in 5-on-5 games before. But of course that has abso-fucking-lutely everything to do with why Manu should move to the bench rather than the fact that Manu on Vujacic is a matchup that heavily favors Manu.

[Dario]

Manu on Vujacic is a matchup that heavily favors Manu.

If Manu isn't 100% i dont really think that is the fact. I watched almost all lakers games this year and i've seen numerous players geting frustrated with sashas d. He isn't anything special, but he really tries and never backs down. One simple way to expose sasha is by quick moves to the basket and if manu isn't quite himself all he will get is contested 3pts.

[hsxvvd]

Barry here too, both Udoka and Finley sucked tonight. Udoka's D on Kobe was weak, hopefully Bowen can teach him a few things before the series is over. I think Pop was happy to give him some time on Kobe to "learn" and Kobe certainly gave him a lesson.

[beachwood]

If Manu goes to the bench, Barry needs to start. I actually like Finley, but the way he is playing lately, he is absolutely killing us. He needs to take a seat next to Bonner and Stoudamire.

[Jobbs]

Finley

He always steps up in LA

Remember that clutch 3 last season to send the game in OT?

Even if he's out there as a decoy, you gotta give him burn.

Save Udoka when Bowen is on the bench

put Brent in as PG when TP is out.


Looks like someone on the staff read my post!