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Yeah, I've heard Lee being thrown around as a possibilty too, but it would seem weird to give it to someone who plays on a team that's not even about .500. I mean, yes, they're going to the playoffs, which is bad enough, but come on. Seems like it should go to the best player off the bench for a team with a winning record.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kori Ellis
I think it's Barbosa's to lose. But I think Manu is equally deserving.
It wouldnt piss me off or anything if Manu didnt get it, Barbosa is a stud. But with that said, Manu has carried us for many, many games, and if he keeps playing the way he has been playing (last couple games not includud), he will have a good shot
I think Manu's downfall in consideration for this award may be that most people still think of him as a starter. I'd guess that if you ask most people around basketball to quickly answer the question, "Who's the Spurs starting backcourt?" People will immediately say Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
It's weird, because he's come off the bench for so long now, but most people think of him as a starter.
Also, I think he may go back into the starting lineup soon, which would blow his eligibility for the award.
You have to play less than half the season right? Thats why Gordan isnt in this conversation? Dont you think though, if Manu was to stay off the bench, that he is by far the most important sub to his team in the whole league?Quote:
Originally Posted by Kori Ellis
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kori Ellis
Well, as of right now he is still not eligible for the award.
Games Started - 36
Games Off Bench - 23
But I think this is Barbosa's award this year.
What would make you think thatQuote:
Originally Posted by mardigan
I believe you have to come off the bench for at least one more game than you started. Right now Manu has started 36 and come off the bench for 23. The Spurs have 18 games left. So if my calculations are right, he would need to come off the bench for at least 16 of them.Quote:
Originally Posted by mardigan
Ben Gordon has started six more games than he's come off the bench and he's pretty solidified as a starter now.
Because there isnt another sub averaging 17 points a game that is relied upon as much as Manu, except maybe Gordan, but even the Bulls can win when Ben has a bad game, the Spurs have a hard time replacing what Manu brings when he is having a bad game.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flight3107
Quote:
Originally Posted by mardigan
I disagree
There is not another player on the suns (maybe the NBA) that can stretch a teams defense the way Barbosa does. Barbosa is just as important to the Suns as Ginobili is to the Spurs
Except that the Suns have three guys in front of him that average more points, and Bell who averages 2 less points, and Diaw who averages 10, meaning they can get scoring from other places if he has a bad game. Manu is our 3rd leading scorer, and less than 2 points behind our second leading scorer, and after that, our next highest scorer is Brent with 8 points a game, so if he has a bad game, its very difficult to replace his scoring
Just because a player doesn't meet your standards of a role model doesn't detract from the fact that he is a viable candidate for 6th man of the year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Supergirl
There are those out there that would say they don't think Manu shouldn't win because of him having the label of flopper by some. That shouldn't take away from a player's chances either because a select few don't like a player's way of playing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mardigan
Of course it will be hard to replace Manu's scoring.
But there is not another guy in the league that does what Barbosa does.
You mean his speed and three point combination or what?Quote:
Originally Posted by Flight3107
Spurs fans continue to amaze me, Stack is definitely valuable to ANY team.
Manu should seriously go back to being a starter. He'd start on any other team.
It's getting old, fast.Quote:
Originally Posted by Woody Paige
You, like most trolls, need to learn where to pick your spots.
I think the thing that makes the Manu off the bench decision work is that it more clearly balances the Spurs roster. If Manu starts, the Spurs have nobody in the 2nd unit who can consistently create shots for teammates as well as for himself. Barry can do that, to an extent, but seems to be a better creator when teams have to expend a lot of defensive energy on Duncan and Parker. Barry also tends to benefit (though perhaps not as much of late) from playing in the first group with Duncan because it better allows him to space the floor.
I've wondered of late if the first group wouldn't actually be better with Finley at the two. The Spurs seem to get their best ball movement when Barry and Manu play together and I wonder sometimes if that wouldn't stave off some of the offensive problems that exist with the 2nd group while taking some of the scoring burden in that group off of Manu.
I agree with anyone who thinks that the Spurs biggest problem is the inefficiency they've gotten on the offensive end from Bowen. I'm not inclined to throw Bruce Bowen under the bus or argue that he should be benched. But it's becoming more and more apparent that unless he dramatically turns a corner soon, Bowen's limited offensive utility is almost completely gone.
If Manu doesn't get it and Ben Gordon comes up short...I think Leandro Barbosa will win it.
I hope, for Manu's sake, that he does not get it, because he does not consider himself a sixth man. He considers himself someone who has given up his starter's position to help out the bench until the bench recovers from its doldrums. If Pop were to offer him his starting position back, I don't think Manu would refuse.
Manu doesn't give a crap about it anyways.
Quote:
"It's nice to get awards and be treated with respect," he said, "but getting a Sixth Man Award is like being the best left-handed guard. I believe you're either the best player or not." :lol
No, I think Kori is right...what will prevent Manu from getting it is that people still think of him as a starter, even when he comes off the bench.
Which is fair, because he has gone back and forth throughout his years with the Spurs, and I believe he averages more MPG coming off the bench than as a starter.
It is clearly, clearly better for the Spurs that he come off the bench. The 13 game win streak wouldn't have happened with out. I believe this is because it allows he and Parker to split time as the playmaker, rather than having to start off on the floor together.
The big question is --and this is unrelated to this thread--who should start instead? Barry or Finley? I'm not sure who is better starting and who is better off the bench. I tend to think Barry is better as a starter, but I'm not sure.
As far as 6th man, I think Barbosa is going to get it. And he's deserving.
Will Bowen get DPOY, finally? Probably not. Actually, I think this year TD is even more deserving of that award.
I never have either. He really hasn't played enough minutes to be considered for the award IMO. He's very valuable to the Mavs but since they've been limiting his minutes all season (to make sure he's ok for the playoffs) I never thought of him as being in contention for 6th man award. I don't believe there's been an article written about that in Dallas papers this season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kori Ellis
Gordon plays much more minutes than Manu, I think. That would probably give Manu the edge, he is much more efficient when it comes to minutes.