Ginobili:I hope he starts

I think the decision whether or not to start Ginobili only affects the first-half rotation. In the second-half, Ginobili is going to get the bulk of his minutes and is going to finish out the game with the Spurs' best players regardless.

So, the choices:

1) Spurs start Parker-Ginobili-Jefferson and sub out for a Hill-Mason-Finley lineup late in the first. Ginobili comes back in in the middle of the second quarter, plays a few minutes, then Mason comes back in and finishes the half.

2) Spurs start Parker-Mason-Jefferson and sub out for a Hill-Ginobili-Finley lineup. Ginobili is the focal point of the offense during his first shift. He sits down for a few minutes in the second, then comes back in with the big guns to finish the half.

I agree - Start him - but no way pop let's it happen

Whether Manu starts or not I think the plan has to be for Manu to get most of his minutes paired with Jefferson and three guys from the backup unit. Tim and Tony work so well together so you want to maximize the time they share the court, which also means they'll be on the bench together. When they're taking their breathers a group led by Manu and Jefferson, with say Hill, Blair and Haislip/Bonner is still going to be a solid offensive group.

I think it's time for Manu to start. We need to stop relying on him to do everything off the bench. I think he needs to start playing with Tim, Tony, and Richard so that there's not much pressure on him to produce right away. I know I've heard Manu and some other guys say it's a lot of pressure to come off the bench and produce right away in the small amount of time that your out there. I'd just rather have him start with our other Big 3 so that he doesn't feel the need to produce right away and put his health at risk. I really think with a year under his belt George Hill could be a great Sixth man plus a lot of the youngsters. Eventually we're going to have to stop relying on Manu always being our Sixth Man. What's going to happen when he leaves?

The only reason Gino came off the bench was because he had to. Other players sucked if they didn't start but not Manu. He could do both. I think we have some new blood that can give us a spark when they come in OR maintain the lead that this line up:

Duncan
Dice
Parker
Ginobili
Jefferson

can provide for us.

Once the game gets going, Pop will find a way to substitute that keeps a stud on the floor at all times. This should be a really effective roster this year. We have some youth, injury insurance and just flat out better players.

If everyone stays healthy, this thing is between us and the Lakers. I'd still like to see if we can get another healthy Center on the roster. Splitter is a LONG shot and I just don't have faith in Mahinmi. Even before all the injury problems, Ian wasn't that impressive. If he finds a way to become a defensive force and a rebounder then he might have a good career. Otherwise, his offensive game is brutal.

i disagree, imagine the line up.

gino
hill/jack
gist/hairston
marcus/blair
ian/bonner

his experience will really help that second unit of YOUTH!!

i am so happy to say youth and spurs in the same sentence again. i really hope gino runs the unit though. MASON SUCKED AT POINT and although hill showed some glimpses i still don't trust his decisions all the time. gino taking the reigns would just dominate. "ALLEY TO GIST,,,,,BOOM SHAKALAKA!"

plus w oberto gone i could see blair filling in that dish and layup position w his 7"2 wingspan.

I'd rather see Manu off the bench