.... simply decided he was going to win the game after Popovich inserted him in the lineup in the 4th quarter.
He is, truly, a stud.
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.... simply decided he was going to win the game after Popovich inserted him in the lineup in the 4th quarter.
He is, truly, a stud.
yeah, he had a good game.
Vintage Manu!
Quote:
Originally Posted by RuffnReadyOzStyle
Didn't get quite as high on that dunk as he used to, but yeah..he definitely took over. First thing I thought was "that's the Manu I know and love."
He still needs to get his hops back and that spring in his step, but all in all its always good to see Manu in his groove. Hopefully things only get better for him as we get deeper into the season. :toast
He played well against a mediocre-at-best team. Glad Pop played him more in the 4th though.
The kind of talent and drive he has, you don't ever lose that in my opinion. the guy had an impressive string of 30 point and high 20 point games off the bench just, what, 10 months ago? it's not that long ago. Hell, he'd probably have more big games already this season, if we weren't so deep, and not trying to over-play Manu (which I don't mind).
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by SCdac
You can still see that fire in his eyes, especially on those late drives to the bucket. He's still passionate. He may never regain the step he might've lost or the hops he once had, but that drive'll never die.
wow, you people found that impressive? you need to watch some other teams once in a while, oh and need I remind you who our opponent was?
geez
:rolleyes
Who cares who the opponent is. Most of Spurs fandom is eager to see Manu be Manu. Appreciate it... don't degrade it. Buzzkill... :nopeQuote:
Originally Posted by vander
Thats how bad we needed to win. Thank God for scrub teams!Quote:
Originally Posted by vander
Get the fuck outta here lol :hatQuote:
Originally Posted by vander
It was actually pretty ugly, I agree. It was also a double digit win. Parker finally displayed some above average chemistry with RJ and the rest of the team. There's still a lot of work to do, but I didn't see where you specified what exactly you expected tonight.Quote:
Originally Posted by vander
:lmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by z0sa
the only thing I take out of this was the spurs win.
Kings are still a middle table team in the best basketball league in the world, with pros playing with millions in budgets.Quote:
Originally Posted by vander
And Manu closed the game when no one could do it, with 11 pts in the last quarter, including some very smart plays.
% 100 in FT (8-8) and 3 pts (2-2) :wakeup
Ok, maybe "Frickin" is not the word. It just seems that people is really happy for this and this is a way they have to express it.
Then go watch the other teams if that would please you! Spurs fan here are just happy to get a win.Quote:
Originally Posted by vander
It's a win...just enjoy it for a change.Quote:
Originally Posted by vander
Manu still has it. He just needs more time (healthy) and he'll be back at the top of his game. That will be interesting to see.
Well I'll take it. It's better than him all done, finished up, not having a game anymore, and not being Manu anymore :).
Manu had a 36-point monster game vs. Toronto and then had a horrible stretch until tonight..the key isn't whether or not he can do it once in while, it's whether he can still do it on a consistent basis..
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
It seems that whenever he finds his touch and starts playing like his regular self, at least for the past couple years, he re-injuries himself and has to get back on track again. I just hope he can stay on the court as well.
he just needs to take it easy, and then go into that extra gear come playoff time.
i don't understand the manu bashing. the guy goes 110% every time he steps on the court. you know the spurs aren't winning a championship if manu isn't healthy, right? so why bash the guy? maybe think about rooting for another team.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
Here's the deal. We have to get to the plaoffs first, which seems to be more of an issue this year than any of us thought it would be.
But in the playoffs, we need 4 wins against our opponents. I'd like to think that if Manu is healthy, he may have 3 or 4 good games out of 7. So if we can get through to the WCF against LA (assuming we play those homos in the WCF), I'd like to think Manu can come up with a couple of great games. When Manu plays great, we always win. If Manu plays well, we win most of the time. When Manu plays badly, it's hard for us to win against good teams.
What I like about this Spurs team is that we have four guys who are capable of scoring 30 points on any given night. That gives defenses a ton to think about. But if we can get our D somewhere near on track and get 80 points a night from the Big Four in playoff games, we'll be hard to beat.
Don't forget he missed 6 games... This is like what, his 4th game back?Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
He needs to get in rhythm and he'll be ok. What we need now is to shore up the defense and keep everyone healthy.
http://pix.motivatedphotos.com/2008/...349661-mad.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by vander
Will Manu be able to play in the playoffs though?..obviously a concern..
Obviously that's a concern though..I don't doubt that Manu will be able to play at a high level if he stays healthy and plays enough to get back into a rhythm..obviously the "staying healthy" part is the issue though..Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
Well, what do you want to do? Trade him now?... ok.. what can you get in return that will put you over the top?Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
Why is that?Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
To be honest, I'm more concerned with Duncan knees, since it's a known chronic problem and we've been playing him a lot more than I thought we would early in the season...
I'm not saying that..Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
There are people that are questioning everybody that is "hating" on Manu..I was replying to the poster that said "all we need from Manu is a few good games a series"..
All I'm saying is that 1 game is nice, but we need him to do it consistently, and there's always a significant chance that he's going to get hurt again..
I'm concerned with that too..Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
Manu's more concerning to me because he has to play a certain style to be himself..he plays an intense way of basketball where he goes 110% all the time..when you mix that with his injury prone history for the last 3 years, then you have concerns about him..
This is the part the I don't get from people like you that I know are not haters... The dude had a bad stretch of injuries... all of them different from each other...Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
People talk about his durability, but the reality is that he's been pretty healthy until last season...
We still don't know that. According to Manu and the Spurs, he was 100% at the start of the season. He didn't play ball for months during the offseason so a couple minor injuries during his on-the-court recovery are almost expected.Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
3 years???? What are you talking about?Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
You know, I'm not against trading him if you can find a deal out there that would land you a Gasol-to-the-Lakers lopsided trade. I just don't know what's out there like that.
He obviously does know what he's talking about.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
2 years, typo..counting the playoffs..Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
Obviously we're looking at his body now..what happened before isn't really relevant IMO..he got hurt in those playoffs and he's still getting hurt up until a few weeks ago..
The fact that the injuries have been different doesn't really change anything..I'm obviously not the only one concerned with the injuries, obviously Pop is too when you look at the last interview where he was asked about them..it's only natural..
The guy isn't getting any younger and he's coming off multiple injuries since the first concerning one in the 2007-2008 playoffs..obviously Manu has been more injury prone than not since then..
Really? I was under the impression he got his first injury in the 2008 first round of the playoffs against Phoenix...Quote:
Originally Posted by Manu-of-steel
That's April 2008... 1.5 years ago... Not to mention he played half a season last year...
Please, do correct me if I'm wrong...
I tell you what, you'll believe whatever you want because you have your mind set already. Time will tell who is right and who is wrong. :toastQuote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
Is there time? Time is not on our side. The trade deadline moves closer every passing second and Manu's worth won't ever again be nearly as high as it is in the coming weeks, provided he stays healthy.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
True. I still haven't heard who we getting from him that will put us over the top...Quote:
Originally Posted by z0sa
Are you actually saying that Manu has been more durable as opposed to more injury prone since the injury in the 2007-8 playoffs?..Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
If it's a case of who is "right or wrong", I obviously want to be "wrong" here..I obviously don't want Manu to get hurt, he's obviously a huge key to our title hopes, and I've obviously grown to love the guy as a fan since he joined the team a LONG time ago..
Therein lies the dilemma. Even if Manu does return to full health, how good is that nowadays? How abrupt will the drop off be by Tim's last season? Abrupt enough that no matter who we place around Tim at that point, our title aspirations are hopelessly thin? Some Gasol-like trade isn't the only way Manu could, or should, make his way out of town. A Manu trade for players with both talent and untapped potential makes a lot of sense, because we have already dedicated to at least 2011. Think big picture here. What we do with Manu has huge effects on the remaining years of the Duncan era.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
No, I didn't name any names. But I also think you're off-base with what constitutes a good return for Manu.
No. But 'injury prone' means, well, prone to injuries. I don't think he's any more or less prone to get injured. He went on a bad stretch of injuries (two really, they just had a very long recovery time). I simply don't think it's necessarily a byproduct of his entire body decaying... but, like I said, time will tell.Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
I know... and I'm also serious when I say that if he can be a good trading chip to get somebody to put us over the top, then by all means we should pull the trigger.Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
And BTW, don't expect another 20 points and 3 dunks the next game...
I mean, I wouldn't complain if he pulls it out, but I suspect it's still going to take some games for Manu to get to the point where he feels comfortable getting to the rim and getting some lift back... It's a process.
a good return is a player that makes the spurs championship favorites.Quote:
Originally Posted by z0sa
not going to happen.
i'd rather take my chances with manu.
Well, I start from the premise that we're not rebuilding here. The big picture right now is trying to contend for championships until TD retires. Couple that with Pop not really being into young kids, and I'm not really sure what you mean. I think Pop's concern with Manu is entirely with health and wether he's going to be able to be out there. I think Pop would keep him on a reduced role, a la Finley, if they could arrange for a reasonable extension.Quote:
Originally Posted by z0sa
It's an agonizingly hard decision - of paths, so to speak - for me. The right trade might not appear collusion-esque on the outside (like the Gasol trade) but still net us some younger, high impact player(s). Additionally, without Manu you could almost guarantee RJ scoring 20 a game. It's just who do we get? It's still early. I probably agree with you in the end, and would stick with Manu myself, but that doesn't mean it isn't a tough decision to make IF the right trade comes along.Quote:
Originally Posted by itzsoweezee
If Manu can stay healthy and prove he hasn't lost much, we're contenders this year. I'm just unsure he isn't regressing into role player status, especially by next year's playoffs.
I'm assuming Pop would only authorize a Manu trade that netted us solid defensive player(s) back (presumably a big), so we could return (further) to Spurs style D. In the case that we did, I'm not sure how youth would be an issue. A barely turned 20 year old 37th pick in the 2009 draft is earning PT. Of course, I'm not sure if any such trade will be there. And, it'd be nice if we could pull a Gasol-like trade on someone who desperately wants caproom, however unlikely that is. It's too early and who knows what teams will be looking to do in 6 weeks - and that includes the Spurs. It will be very interesting seeing if Manu can stay healthy for a long stretch of time, and produce vintage performances as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
I don't think Blair is really going to have much of a role on the second half of the season unless he manages to consistently grab 10+ boards and play relatively good defense in limited time to force Pop's hand. I think Dejuan is really having time to show what he can bring, but mostly, it's playing on time that will be handed to Ratliff. I think the GHill experience last season says a lot about what we should expect.Quote:
Originally Posted by z0sa
gtfoh!Quote:
Originally Posted by vander
He's an energy player with a skillset we could use if he can bring it consistently. Those types are good to have around, especially on a playoff team, because they fire up both their teammates and the crowd. Inexperienced as he may be, he's showing progression on both ends. Remember the Boston game?Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
First of all, he didn't look or act scared at all, even in the guts of the game (it's been a recurring theme anytime he plays - he's respectful but clearly a force to be reckoned with). Big plus. It's nice knowing the rookie won't be easily intimidated.
Second, he was a big part of that +23 rebounding margin, and played just about as spectacular as you could have wanted on both ends, including guarding multiple bigger, more talented (supposedly) Celtics with success and scoring against those same guys.
He's had some nice blocks and other defensive plays this season. And wouldn't you describe his time now as "limited"? He only averages 15MPG, yet posts some of the League's best rebounding stats per minute.
Theo Ratliff may very well take large portions of Blair's minutes; some nights though, even come playoff time, I know Blair will have an impact and earn additional time. Not that there's anything wrong with Ratliff taking that time because he could be an even bigger difference maker.. It just isn't proof Blair will fall off the map or even get relegated to the bench.Quote:
I think Dejuan is really having time to show what he can bring, but mostly, it's playing on time that will be handed to Ratliff. I think the GHill experience last season says a lot about what we should expect.
Big props to Manu tonight :tu. Hopefully this gets his confidence even higher now..
I think most of you are overeating with Manu's game 2nite... though this game was a step in the right direction... a confidence builder... something to raise his self belief... it wasn't THAT impressive...
If his J keeps falling they'll have to respect that and then he'll start driving more.. therefore.. his game will be back once the J is deadly enough to be respected by the Defenders...
That shit actually made me sad, Manu played well and made plays but his explosiveness is gone. Dude almost got rejected by the rim on that two hander, and that never used to even be close. It's fucking sad to watch.
This.Quote:
Originally Posted by blkroadrunners
Still though, I am glad to see Manu starting to get his rhythm back. :toast
Agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by urunobili
Playoffs are a different story though. And this has little to do with Blair himself and everything to do with Pop. What I'm saying is that Blair is going to have to be indeed a beast consistently in order to earn Pop's trust to play him in the big stage. Otherwise, Pop will go with his trusty vets.Quote:
Originally Posted by z0sa
And you can't really blame him. Name me rookies that substantially contributed to a championship team in the past 10 years or so...
Hey, I'm rooting for Dejuan. I want him to be the exception to the rule, and turn into the future of the Spurs franchise. But I also have to keep my expectations realistic, and well, if he surprises us, then great!Quote:
Originally Posted by z0sa
I think our expectations are more similar than you realize. Although I'm not sure why you'd think he could turn into the future of the franchise. A solid player he will be, but a franchise player? Isn't that Ducks shtick?Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
Well, if we're going to think big... why not go all the way???!! :lolQuote:
Originally Posted by z0sa
That'd be ridiculous but here's to Blair. :drunk I'd be amazed if he ends up being a consistent 10/10 player with an extended career. Hopefully he'll have his chance to do that and much more right here in SA a couple years down the road (or sooner?).Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
Even if he's explosiveness is gone or diminishing, he has to learn to play with what he has. Manu needs to pick his spots and that means he needs to develop a consistent mid-range game so he doesn't have to rely on driving all the time. Even if his athletic prowess is going down, the passion and basketball IQ of Manu will remain. I believe the team can deal with that because we have more offensive options than we've ever had in years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Whisky Dog
Hmmm... Glen Davis. Manu Ginobli. Hmmm... That is pretty much it. Good call.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
This the the 3rd year that manu is not compleatly healthy.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
Manu had an excellent game. A healthy Manu is a win-win for us. It means he plays well, and his play seems to really help Jefferson. When Manu is on, we get two good players.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rascal
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
:rolleyesQuote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
Glen Davis averaged 2.3/1.5 in 8 mins of play off the bench in his rookie playoffs... hardly a substantial contribution... I'd say PJ Brown, Posey and Eddie House were much more important factors in that Celtics team....Quote:
Originally Posted by jacobdrj
Thanks, ducks, for posting my post from the game thread. :tu
Fingers crossed. There were signs there today, but it's only a start, and it was against a donut team with a poor defense.Quote:
Originally Posted by z0sa
Agreed. That is the question that needs to be answered before the trade deadline.Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
I don't think a lot of people are "bashing" Manu. I'm certainly not. I think most people are simply concerned that the injury toll over the years, and his age, has finally caught up with him and he's lost a step, because he's really having trouble getting past his man. However, he is still a smart player that can make big plays as we saw today. However, I don't think that's enough to make us a contender this year. He needs to be Manu at 90% of his prime or we're in trouble unless someone else like George Hill really emerges.Quote:
Originally Posted by itzsoweezee
Blackjack suggested Manu for Ty Thomas and Salmons. Intriguing, because they get a 10m expiring, which they want to pursue the big FAs this year, and a veteran presence in the locker room. They also get rid of Thomas (rumoured to be on the outer for ages now). We get a decent swingman in Salmons (although he's having a poor year to date), and a great shotblocker/rebounder who is also unfortunately not very smart and a bit of a headcase. Could Timmy, Dice and Pop help Ty to be what he can be?Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
It's a longshot, but depending on what Manu shows before the deadline, it'll be out there amongst the discussion.
See above.Quote:
Originally Posted by z0sa
Agreed. That's what I was trying to tell you! :lolQuote:
Originally Posted by urunobili
PS Classic reverse-jinx employed by me today, literally the second before Manu got to the rim twice at the end of the game:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Me
Quote:
Originally Posted by urunobili
Quote:
Originally Posted by urunobili
Quote:
Originally Posted by Me
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brazil
:lmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by Me
Yes big props to Manu, this game must be a confidence builder.
Just taking the opportunity to give props also to TP who played a very good game yesterday and who was a lot more bashed than Manu.
BTW, I was lurking the RJ thread: "Lot of people here ready to kick RJ when he plays bad and open threads against him but when he acutely do play better no one wanna say anything good about the guy? come one spurs fans, show him some love.
he played great tonight."
We can start the same for TP but he is definately not receiving the same treatment of the others. No TP played great threads just a Lawson vs. TP thread. Typical. Now I'm not going to open this kind of thread it's one game. No need to open trade his ass after a bad game and also no need to open tp is great when he played a good game.
ST is what it is.
Good read. Good post.Quote:
Originally Posted by ezau
This is the main reason I would like for him to start. Manu's BB IQ would translate into RJ scoring more from assists. Parker can still penetrate and have (speaking of spots) Ginobili and Jefferson to kick to. Ginobili's 3pt. shot is more reliable than Bogans' IMO and Ginobili can still bring the D that would help generate transition offense.
Ginobili on the court with Parker and Jefferson was a lethal trio of wing players that SAC didn't have an answer for. It would be nice to see that trio against some of the elite teams to see what would happen. That plus while having Parker and Jefferson on the court at the same time...Ginobili wouldn't have to do as much as he has to do when coming off the bench.
Great to see him playing at a higher level again and would gladly keep this Manu for the rest of the season over a Manu from 2 years ago playing only a few games every couple of months due to injury.
Sure was nice to see Manu doing what we knew he was capable of. RJ playing well and Tony getting the extra assists helped a lot also. I realize this is beating up on the Kings, but the team needs to get their groove going somewhere.
When all 4 of our studs play like they can, this team is scary. Hopefully, this is the sign of things to come.
He did awesome...it was the Kings, but he has to start somewhere. Oh yeah.....
FUCK U DUCKS!
Great game by Manu, even if it was against the Kings. At this point, Manu (and the team) need any wins to boost their confidence. Sure Manu's lost a step, I doubt we'll ever see "high flying" Manu again, but I'll settle for "3-point shooting, playmaking" Manu. I just think he needs more court time to get in game shape.
Manu's career progression is sort of like Jordan's. Early in his career, he could drive and jam in traffic, now he's more of a jump shooter.
As far as Manu being traded, not that I'm against it, but I doubt it. Unless the trade is a slam dunk in our favor, Manu's not going anywhere.
Agreed. I put any rookie that I saw any reasonable 'contribution'. There were literally only those two, and as you mentioned, Big Baby's contribution was marginal.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
I was surprised, myself just how few rookies were part of that list.
But, at the same time, there were many 2nd year players that did contribute quite a bit.
Manu wasn't "super Manu" in 2007 either. They don't need "super Manu" they just need clutch playmaking and shooting Manu. Last night showed he still has that killer 4th quarter instinct.
What most of the bashers who says "It was only the Kings" don't see is that explosiveness comes with confidence. You can't go reckless to the rhym or shoot relaxed with no confidence. And that was clearly shown after those two plays in the 4th. After that he seemed more active, less hesitatant and more confident. He seems to feed his confidence with that kind of plays. Doesn't matter if it's Kings, Lakers or Bulls.
And how another poster said before in this thread. The guy is coming out of a bad injury and a recent one. He hasn't lost anything, he has to re adjust his game after not playing like in 5 months. It's natural.
It's a good start, let's hope he keeps it up from now on.
He's gonna have bad games in the near future also. Get used to it. He's coming back from an injury that sidelined him for what 10 out of the last 13 months?
testify!Quote:
Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37
That is what i concerned about
Just face it. Manu is an inconsistent player healthy or not. Too much hope in here hoping that manu will get completly healty and carry the team to a title.
What is more important is to get Jefferson, Hill and Blair playing up to their potential and try to add another frontline player before the trade deadline to beef up the frontline and stop hoping that Manu will be healty enough to carry the team on his back because that is the losing road to take.
Manu is at his best when he goes to the basket and doesn't take those stupid fucking stepback 3's :pctoss
But at the same time, during the regular season, I cringe everytime he goes to the basket, because of potential injuries
lol self ownage Manu going for 2-2 from behind the arc... and for you to know... until his outside J starts falling defenders won't go out at him and that's what needs to heppen if you want him to go to the hoop more often... again... first step to be back is to start hitting his long J's...Quote:
Originally Posted by lefty
Ok so because he was 2-2 on 3's means I'm wrong?Quote:
Originally Posted by urunobili
Damn you're stupid
I'm stupid? re-read your post, then mine and go fuck yourself idiot...Quote:
Originally Posted by lefty
How can I fuck myself?Quote:
Originally Posted by urunobili
Since you seem to be very knowledgeable in that department, would you mind sharing some tips?
It's not either-or. One sets up the other. And, by the way, Manu's pretty good at those long step back shots. Watch some of the practice videos sometime. He makes ten in a row, easy, not even drawing iron.Quote:
Originally Posted by lefty
I'm not saying he is bad at it.Quote:
Originally Posted by YoMamaIsCallin
But how many times have we seen Manu going for a step back 3 while he could take it to the hole instead?
re read my post.. you're bitching about the 3's though want more driving without understanding that his perimeter game needs to be established for him to start driving more often... :wakeupQuote:
Originally Posted by lefty
okQuote:
Originally Posted by urunobili
So, now that he has shown some semblance of health, you move the goalposts and claim his problem is consistency. :rolleyesQuote:
Originally Posted by rascal
Like who? Somebody mentioned Ty Thomas and Salmons... I think that's a possibility, although I'm not convinced it can take us all the way.Quote:
Originally Posted by rascal
If you're looking to get rid of the vets and start rebuilding with all young guns, you're going to have to wait until TD retires. Probably another 2 seasons.
A step back 3 is not a high % shot.Quote:
Originally Posted by lefty
Hitting a 3 at 40% is like hitting a 2 at 60%. You get the same number of points over time from either.Quote:
Originally Posted by rascal
His problem has always been consistency. And if you expect Manu to stay healthy and carry the spurs to a title this year keep dreaming, its not going to happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
Quote:
Originally Posted by YoMamaIsCallin
Manu has a career .376 3pt/fg average and I am sure his step back 3 point average in even lower being that is a tougher shot to hit.
Let me say that a trade for Tyrus Thomas and Salmons is NOT the trade to take us over the top... two good players, not meant for this team especially for Manu. I'd take a healthy Manu over Salmons, for example, every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Let's not sell low... Manu's expiring sets a high price on his head.
I don't recall you bitching about his consistency when we were winning championships... :rolleyesQuote:
Originally Posted by rascal
Still waiting for you to tell me who we should bring for Manu that's going to carry us to the title this year... While you do that, I'll keep dreaming...
I love Manu as much as the next spurs fan.
But if we could get John Salmons for him and a guarantee never to see Bogans play another minute this year, I might have to rethink that love.
:D