If it were Tony's decision, Manu and McDyess would start

[lurker23]

At least, that's what he says on his Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/tp9network

"hi everybody!! little game of the day... if u are... gregg popovich, what will be your starting five for the spurs version 2009 2010 ? at the end of the day i will give u mine. waiting for your answers!!!!"

"my starting 5: 1 tony parker 2 manu ginobili 3 richard jefferson 4 tim duncan 5 antonio mcdyess voila a tres bientot et merci pour votre soutien!!!!!!"

[HarlemHeat37]

I still wouldn't start Manu, we really wouldn't have anybody to create for the 2nd unit..

I don't like Roger creating for himself, so I think he's fine as a starter with other guys to get him shots..

I love the 2nd unit with Manu though..Hill-Ginobili is the best bench backcourt or even backup combo in general in the NBA, without any doubt, they're going to be a scary combination IMO..

Depending on who makes the team, our 2nd unit could potentially be very explosive and athletic..Manu, Hill, Blair, Ian, Haislip, Hairston..a lot of athletes there for high quality defense and running the court..

I fully agree with McDyess starting though, and I really hope he does over Bonner..I wouldn't be surprised to see Matt start the first few games though, but we'll see..

[coyotes_geek]

With a Big 4 I don't think it's nearly as important that Manu comes off the bench anymore. Pop can work the rotations where there's always at least two guys out of the Parker/Manu/RJ/Duncan quartet on the floor at all times and with the upgrades to the supporting cast that's going to be enough to prevent things from grinding to a halt when Tony & Tim are getting their rest. I'd start Manu.

[Interrohater]

I disagree. Manu off the bench has already been a proven philosophy. It's unnecessary and almost a waste to have that much talent in the starting lineup, there's only one ball. Manu leading the charge with a severely upgraded 2nd unit makes me feel angry, it's that badass

[EricB]

Parker
Mason
Jefferson
Duncan
McDyess


Rinse and repeat.

[benefactor]

I still wouldn't start Manu, we really wouldn't have anybody to create for the 2nd unit..

I don't like Roger creating for himself, so I think he's fine as a starter with other guys to get him shots..

I love the 2nd unit with Manu though..Hill-Ginobili is the best bench backcourt or even backup combo in general in the NBA, without any doubt, they're going to be a scary combination IMO..

Depending on who makes the team, our 2nd unit could potentially be very explosive and athletic..Manu, Hill, Blair, Ian, Haislip, Hairston..a lot of athletes there for high quality defense and running the court..

I fully agree with McDyess starting though, and I really hope he does over Bonner..I wouldn't be surprised to see Matt start the first few games though, but we'll see..

I agree completely. I was looking forward to this last year but after Manu got hurt a lot of things changed. Now that Hill has a year under his belt and Manu seems ready to go we get to see it in full force. They should give plenty of headaches to opposing coaches.

[tmtcsc]

Manu and Dice will start. Book it. The Manu off the bench days are officially over.

Duncan
Dice
Parker
Ginobili
Jefferson

[coyotes_geek]

It's not like the Spurs sub in 5 guys at a time. You can start Manu and bring Hill off the bench and still have the two of them sharing court time together.

[EJFischer]

I expect to see that lineup, but not at the start of the game until at least 2010. They want Manu for the end of games, and his conditioning likely isn't there yet to play starter minutes.

[hater]

goddam it who gives a who starts. It's all about who finishes

[Brazil]

Parker
Mason
Jefferson
Duncan
McDyess

Manu off the bench for christ sake. Every year this is the same story, Manu is in the starting 5 and 2 months later everybody realizes that the second unit needs a boost and Manu goes back off the bench. waste of time to try otherwise IMHO.

[DPG21920]

There are only so many shots to go around in the starting 5. Why would you minimize what RJ can give you by having Manu out there? Manu off of the bench would mean more shots for Manu and RJ.

[lefty]

WTF Parker.

Pop is gonna go so Pop on your ass

[coyotes_geek]

I disagree. Manu off the bench has already been a proven philosophy.

That philosiphy was proven on a roster that no longer exists.

It's unnecessary and almost a waste to have that much talent in the starting lineup, there's only one ball.

So that means that Manu and the other three guys don't have to work as hard. Not a bad situation IMO.

Manu leading the charge with a severely upgraded 2nd unit makes me feel angry, it's that badass

That can still happen with Manu in the starting lineup. Start all 4, let Tim and Tony get their rest together. During that time you've got Manu and RJ out there with Hill, Blair and another big. Hill, Manu and RJ can all attack the rim, and you've got Blair there to clean the glass.

When it's time to give Manu and RJ a rest, get Tony & Tim out there with Mason, Finley/Bogans and McDyess and you can just let Tim & Tony pick and roll teams to death, with shooters out there to keep the floor spread.

[EricB]

You bring Manu off the bench to make him more of a focal point on the offensive end ot get him going for the end of said games.

The beginning of games is to get Duncan and Parker going as well as Mason and Jefferson.

Let Manu come off the bench to get the majority of shots and set up Hill, Blair, and others.

[ElNono]

I still wouldn't start Manu, we really wouldn't have anybody to create for the 2nd unit..

What do you mean???? We have Bonner and Finley...

[/sarcasm]

[EricB]

Well talking about our second unit, in the halfcourt scrimmages today Haislip played very well. Ian did some low post defense drills and defended well. Bonner was hitting shots.

Hot damn....

[Morg1411]

Parker
Mason
Jefferson
Duncan
McDyess

Manu off the bench for christ sake. Every year this is the same story, Manu is in the starting 5 and 2 months later everybody realizes that the second unit needs a boost and Manu goes back off the bench. waste of time to try otherwise IMHO.

+1 this

[hater]

Manu will definitely come off the bench to start the season.

[ElNono]

starters:
Parker
Mason
Finley
Duncan
Bonner

2nd unit:
Hill
Ginobili
Jefferson
McDyess
Blair

[EricB]

starters:
Parker
Mason
Finley
Duncan
Bonner

2nd unit:
Hill
Ginobili
Jefferson
McDyess
Blair

I would only wish that so the goofballs on here would have a coronary and go away.

[ElNono]

I would only wish that so the goofballs on here would have a coronary and go away.

LOL, I can already envision the 'Fscking Pop, why is Finley starting?!?!?!' threads...

[dbestpro]

I'd prefer Manu to start. I think he is more likely to get hurt coming off the bench as he tries to do too much and is more likely to be tripped or maimed by the other team's scrubinies.

[TMTTRIO]

I'd prefer Manu to start. I think he is more likely to get hurt coming off the bench as he tries to do too much and is more likely to be tripped or maimed by the other team's scrubinies.

That's what I was thinking. If Manu starts he won't have all the pressure to produce right away or do as much as he does coming off the bench and he can preserve some of that energy towards the end of the game. Also it could keep him healthier this way. Why is it that Manu's always supposed to be the main 'spark off the bench because that's what he's always done and he needs to be? What if Manu leaves next year? Eventually that's going to stop. We need someone else to be this main spark off the bench and I think we have a great bench this year with plenty of guys that can bring it especially Hill.

[EricB]

I'd prefer Manu to start. I think he is more likely to get hurt coming off the bench as he tries to do too much and is more likely to be tripped or maimed by the other team's scrubinies.

WTF...

So you want him to not do anything or alot.

Great.