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Avery annoys me more and more every year.
I still cherish the memories though
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...i.2daadc8.html
Subs ute stars take center stage for Spurs, Mavs
Web Posted: 11/15/2007 12:19 AM CST
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
DALLAS — The way Spurs coach Gregg Popovich remembers it, it wasn't too difficult to persuade Manu Ginobili to give up life as a starter.
He simply called the could-be All-Star into his office and, with the measured calm of an investment broker discussing portfolio options, laid out the myriad reasons a move to the bench would be beneficial for both Ginobili and the Spurs.
At least, that's Popovich's version of the story. Ginobili recalls the conversation a bit differently.
"He didn't say it cool like he says it now," Ginobili said. "He was upset because we were playing bad. He (yelled) 'You are going to start from the bench!' And I said OK."
Ginobili can chuckle at the 4-year-old memory today, and for good reason. Every year since, he has moved to the bench at some point in the season, usually with smashing results.
Through eight games this season, Ginobili is averaging 19.9 points off the bench as the centerpiece of the NBA's most potent reserve unit, supplying the Spurs with a nightly dose of instant offense.
It's the same role Ginobili filled during the Spurs' NBA le runs of 2005 and 2007. It has worked so well, in fact, that it has inspired a copycat 275 miles to the north.
For proof, look no further than the home bench at the American Airlines Center tonight, when the Spurs face the Dallas Mavericks. Avery Johnson has his own Manu Ginobili.
His name is Jason Terry.
After starting 558 games in his career, Terry has shifted into the role of sixth man this season, for precisely the same reasons Ginobili made the move.
Terry provides Dallas with just-add-water offense, helps create matchup problems with other teams' second units and helps set Johnson's rotation as such so that he never has to do without a prime scorer — even when Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard are resting.
So far, Terry has taken to his new role like a salmon to swimming — averaging a team-leading 22.3 points per game, which includes a 31-point night against Houston earlier this month.
Like Ginobili, Terry has already been his team's leading scorer four times. Like Terry, Ginobili already has a 30-point game under his belt.
"I'm very comfortable in this role," Terry said. "I'm going to go out there and give us what we need, a good punch off the bench every night."
As a result, tonight's game between Southwest Division rivals won't only feature firepower in the starting lineup. Each team has a not-so-secret weapon poised to explode off the bench.
The Spurs and Mavericks boast the two most productive benches in the NBA. The Spurs are getting 44.5 points a night out of their reserves; the Mavs 42.3.
Most of the credit goes to Ginobili and Terry, All-Star caliber players willing to submit themselves to the role of super-sub.
It is a job that comes at the expense of the ego.
By agreeing to life as a reserve, for instance, Ginobili has severely hindered his chances of ever making another All-Star team.
He knows it. He doesn't care.
"He understood it was better for the team if he comes off the bench," Popovich said. "We're fortunate enough that he's willing to do that. A selfish player wouldn't do that."
Ginobili has never been accused of that.
Popovich swears it was never difficult to convince Ginobili to make his annual trek to the bench. It didn't take much cajoling.
"There was no sell job," Popovich said.
Ginobili doesn't quite remember it that way. On this, however, he will concur with his coach: It is an easy sell now.
"At first, I wanted to stay a starter," Ginobili said. "But now, I like it."
Notebook: Popovich says he still doesn't know how much longer Robert Horry will remain inactive. Horry, who missed almost the entire preseason to deal with a family matter, has not played this year. "He could play tomorrow, he could play 31/2 months from now," Popovich said. ... One player who is inching closer to playing is reserve point guard Jacque Vaughn, who is recovering from a strained calf. He has been upgraded from "out" to "doubtful" for tonight's game.
Avery annoys me more and more every year.
I still cherish the memories though
He simply called the could-be All-Star into his office and, with the measured calm of an investment broker discussing portfolio options, laid out the myriad reasons a move to the bench would be beneficial for both Ginobili and the Spurs.
At least, that's Popovich's version of the story. Ginobili recalls the conversation a bit differently.
"He didn't say it cool like he says it now," Ginobili said. "He was upset because we were playing bad. He (yelled) 'You are going to start from the bench!' And I said OK."
Play that line with Pop's and Ginobili's voices in your head. Pretty funny.
Avery is such a biter.
Pop is a revisionist lying bas .
While I'm a lifelong Manu-off-the-bench advocate, I have to give props to Manu for never complaining about his role. He accepts it and makes the most out of it ... to say the least.
Duncan, Parker and Bowen are team players and everything, but I doubt that any of those three guys would take a benching in stride.
^I think Bowen would take it in stride....
I'm getting tired of Avery....he is literally copying every move from the Spurs book. Tell him he needs to get his own coaching ideas!
Most star players would have a difficult time not being allowed to be introduced by name under the spotlights and bumping chests with the other starters after the national anthem is played.
I remember when George Karl was between coaching jobs in 2004 and, as a TV analyst, George said that he was trying to convince Pop to bring Manu off the bench. This was after Manu had become a starter (2003 Stephen Jackson was the starter most of the season). It's funny remembering that, now, because Pop went back to bringing Manu off the bench for the Denver 1st-round playoff series, against Georgie!!!
AJ is a copy cat
I'm sure Avery convinced Terry to go to the bench,with the Manu example,and the 2005 and 2007 championships ,thanks to that move.
Otherwise I doubt JT would've said yes to become a bench player.
Imitation is the extreme form of respect.
Exactly.
Other teams have been trying to copy the Spurs. That's respect. It could be annoying (e.g. 6th man role) at times, but that is the way it is when you want to accomplish something.
Is Avery capable of an original idea?
I don't like it one bit, and it's not really all that smart for the Mavericks anyway. It's no secret that they match-up well against the Spurs since they have copied every aspect of the Spurs and continue to do so, but that is just what allows them to play us to basically a draw, and then get killed by someone like the warriors in the playoffs.
Avery needs to grow up and be his own man, it is getting embarrassing. It's been reported that Avery has recently been seen drinking wine and trying to find a plastic surgeon that will give him fake acne scars...
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/304251.html
AIR OF FAMILIARITY
It's no secret that Mavericks coach Avery Johnson has taken a pointer or two from Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. But a closer look reveals that the Mavericks have patterned themselves quite a bit after their rivals from south central Texas:
San Antonio Dallas
Slashing point guard with low assist numbers Tony Parker Devin Harris
Harris is working to get to Parker's level, but their skill sets are similar.
A starting perimeter player known for defense Bruce Bowen Eddie Jones
Bowen is the better defender, but they both specialize in 'D' and the 3.
Sixth man who is arguably the team's third-best player Manu Ginobili Jason Terry
Surprising that Manu has never won a Sixth Man Award; Terry is gunning for this year's honor.
A dominant power forward Tim Duncan Dirk Nowitzki
Duncan is really a center and Dirk has a small forward's game, but both teams call them their power forwards.
Rotation of complementary centers Fabricio Oberto, Francisco Elson DeSagana Diop, Erick Dampier
I suppose it IS smart to copy the best franchise in sport, though, if you have no original thoughts/ideas of your own that are any better. Just have the balls to admit that is what you are doing.
AP Newswire: Dallas Mavericks to play the Dallas Mavericks tonight, Avery Johnson: "Waaayallll...because that's what the Spurs are doing right now, and we always seem to work better as a team when we are actually another team that is better than OUW-ER team..."
Last edited by zepn; 11-15-2007 at 11:18 AM.
I think it's funny that Cuban and company accused Nelson of taking things from them to help beat the Mavericks while AJ is copying the Spurs style.
Avery is a shameless copycat.
but a lot of coaches in the league are actually copying Pop. Even Isaiah tried with with Starbury LOL
Pop is a genius
I can take those comparisions a bit further
Avery's decision to "ratchet down" the early season pressure on his team. Instead focusing more on having his team playing their best brand of basketball at or after the all-star break.
Avery will never be a great coach if he is so hot blooded and insecure.
Didn't he switch his starting lineup at 2nd half of Dallas vs. Golden State a few days ago?
Sure did. I still maintain that the Warriors are the "devil" that is hiding in the Mav's mental closet. Despite losing to the Mavs a week ago, the Warriors are undaunted by the loss. They KNOW they have a mental edge on the Mavs.Avery will never be a great coach if he is so hot blooded and insecure.
Didn't he switch his starting lineup at 2nd half of Dallas vs. Golden State a few days ago?
This is a big year for Avery. He 2-8 in his last 10 playoff games. Will he pace himself and his team during the season? Or will he "grind" them down every game as he did last season? He admitted earlier this season that his team was worn out by the time the playoffs started. Huh? Isn't his job to make sure his team is playing their best basketball heading into the playoffs?
Every year, Avery seems to think he has a deep bench, yet every year he finds out his reserves are "less than adequate" once the playoffs begin.
I think it is bull that Avery helps the Spurs win #1 then creates a ing clone in the west to try and take us out every year..
May the best team win but he is really starting to annoy me.
Avery is dead to me.
Everyone says the Spurs are boring, yet many of these teams are desperately trying to copy them. Maybe they decided they would rather win than "entertain" after all. I have always thought River Parades are more entertaining than stylish losing.
Phoenix = "Losertainment"?
Jesus christ you guys are pathetic. Avery copying Pop? I'm sure Pop was the first NBA coach ever to bring a top 3 player off the bench
Say, do you suppose maybe Pop might have derived some of his tactics from his peers? I mean, I know it's clearly a patentable offense to have a solid low post threat who draws double team and kicks it out to open shooters and all.
You guys should contact the Library of Congress ASAP.
Last edited by DubMcDub; 11-15-2007 at 02:15 PM.
Well DumbMcDumb,
It's one thing to use the general wisdom of the NBA ages, or even be inspired by your peers. But it is clearly an entirely different beast to exactly copy, word for word, and move for move, your former coach and friend to the point that national, and even hometown area newspapers are writing long columns about it.
Try to copy some of those books in the Library of Congress as closely and we'll be writing to you in jail.
Or not...
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