Starting with the most recent Mavs game, it looks like he's rounding into playoff form. He's got the spryness he's had in the first half of the past two seasons at the end of this season. He's more assertive with his post game and his moves are more varied. His field goal percentage is now up over 50%, after having been between 48-49% for much of the season. Overall, he's playing well in virtually every aspect of his game. He now leads the team in PER and is up to 14th in the league, which is second among centers.
Do you think he can approximates or maintain this level of play throughout the playoffs? Or do you think he'll eventually be worn down from having to shoulder too heavy a load for a 35 (unless they're eliminated in short order in the 1st round) year old? If you think he can hold up, how does that alter the Spurs ceiling in your mind, if at all?
Everyone knows that Duncan paces himself for a stepup in the playoffs. Hopefully, he's been holding out his best all season.
Plus, the schedule will be much more relaxed (too much so, in fact), so fatigue should be less of an issue game-to-game.
Let's face it: Ultimately, how far they go depends on him.
http://twitter.com/#!/jmcdonald_saen
Tim Duncan, in three games since returning from injury in which he's played at least 30 mins: 20.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, shooting 63.9%.
For sure, he looks better heading into this post season than he did in 09 and 10. He'll be fine.
I'm more worried about Manu.
In order for this team to have a chance to win it all he's got to basically be as productive as he was in his prime. Against LA, he would have to at least equal Gasol's output. He's looking really good right now.
Duncan needs to be taking a minimum of 18 shots a game come playoff time. Enough Mr. Nice Guy, we need an interior presence and play inside out like the good ol' days.
Agreed. Come playoff time, with Duncan playing increased minutes, I fully expect the Spurs defense to improve and his ppg and rebounds. Parker will be Parker. It'll be interesting to see if he will continue to balance distributing the ball and scoring as he's been doing so well in the regular season. I believe Spurs are almost undefeated when he has 8 or more assists per game. The X-Factor as always will be Ginobili. If he can be super-Manu, I think even with the terrible defense the Spurs have played at times this season, they can still have a shot.
Precisely. And all the 3-pt shooting should come from his kick-outs from the post - not as a result of quick shots or contested shots in transition.
Game. Set. And Match.
I want to see this too. If we rely on the 3 pt shot, I feel it's gonna stop falling eventually.
Manu needs some rest. I still don't think they should have played him so much in the regular season.
He's been a lot sharper recently. I've noticed his PPG going uphill ever since he got back from the injury.
The banker is falling again. So is the elbow jumper. Those shots have to go down in the playoffs.
The more minutes he plays, the less effective and efficient he is because of his age and mileage. He was gassed last year vs. Phoenix and it hurt his effectiveness/efficiency on both ends nearly every 4th quarter that series.
IMO Pop needs to monitor his minutes between 32-35 and over-work him during that time on the offensive end; meaning call 4-down early and often to get the interior game established ( which should make life easier for Manu, who has been struggling).
In other words, keep the minutes the same but increase his work-load on the offensive end. Oppose to increasing his minutes, which will only make him less effective because of the fatigue issue (which will effect his efficiency on both ends).
He wore out last year with a bunch of rest.
Who is to say it he won't wear out again?
Ah, I miss 4-down.
This team is so ed when Duncan retires. The organization finds players, but Duncan is the glue that holds this team together. They've been a great franchise since Duncan started, and he's not even a powerhouse anymore but he makes people like Neal and Blair and Hill want to play every game.
It's going to really suck when he retires. He should get a case of well aged scotch every year from people like Bowen, Manu, Tony and a host of others who wouldn't be anything without Tim. He should get a distillery from Pop.
Spurs can take foot off gas, but when?...Duncan, who turns 35 on April 25, remains a particularly interesting case. Normally, Popovich would jump to give his captain as much rest as possible entering the postseason.
But with Duncan coming off a sprained ankle that cost him four games in late March and early April, he could probably use some time to maintain the groove he’s been working on since returning.
...“I think his rhythm is coming back,” Popovich said. “He’s making some jumpers. I think he’s doing OK.”
Jeff McDonald
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...-gas-but-when/
I hope Manu can rest these last couple of games...it'll happen now that the #1 seed for the WCF has been clinched.
What's the point in him pacing himself for the playoffs since the Spurts have gone away from him on offense anyways? He might as well play "Balls out" every game since he no longer has the ball in his hands 70% of the time........
It's not like he's gonna get the ball anymore during the playoffs than he does now....
Last edited by G-Dawgg; 04-08-2011 at 03:30 AM.
Personally, I'm still bothered when Duncan, sometimes, doesn't see the ball on multiple consecutive possessions.
I agree but there's not much to do about it. All championship teams go through a period of suckage when their franchise player leaves. I think the problem with the Spurs is that they are not going to be good enough to really challenge in the playoffs BUT they will not be bad enough to fall into the lottery. The only team I can think of that won a recent le without a franchise player was Detroit. We have to hope that the Spurs' FO can pull off something similar. Otherwise it's years of mediocrity. We might have to get some pointers from Mavs fans to learn how to deal with that.
Hit the link for the whole piece.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...man-for-spurs/Duncan is still the man for Spurs
Mike Monroe
...Despite playing a career-low 28.4 minutes per game, team captain Tim Duncan, as he has through most of his career in silver and black, once again has the highest “Larry Bird Quotient” on the team.
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