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

[EricB]

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.

So you start him, he doesn't get any shots or hardly involved in the offense and he's not in a rhythm for the 4th.

Makes sense.

[coyotes_geek]

So you start him, he doesn't get any shots or hardly involved in the offense and he's not in a rhythm for the 4th.

Makes sense.

There have been plenty of teams who have found ways to be successful with their 4 best players in the starting lineup. If you go look at Manu's stats you will see there is zero difference in his productivity between when he starts and when he comes off the bench. Ultimately, that fact is why I think this whole issue of whether or not Manu starts is overblown. I just don't see any problem with starting him because he can still play minutes with the 2nd unit and that 2nd unit is upgraded significantly from years past. I'd just like to see him start because when crunch time in the playoffs come he's going to be out there with Tim, Tony and RJ. So why not start him and be working on getting the chemistry between those 4 to where it needs to be?

[dbestpro]

WTF...

So you want him to not do anything or alot.

Great.

I want him to play team ball with the best players on the floor and not feel like he has to carry the team. The more weapons that we have on offense the harder it is to defend any one part of our offense.

[#2!]

WTF...

So you want him to not do anything or alot.

Great.

I don't think that's what he meant, but way to sneak in a couple of bag comments unnecessarily.

Anyways, the argument for manu coming off the bench would be that if he starts he won't get cold sitting on the bench. That's how injuries happen, trying to go full out(which is all manu does) w/ out being properly stretched and warmed up. However i don't really care which way it happens b/c on the spurs the rotations are always so mixed that it doesn't really matter.

[Bruno]

It isn't easy to limit minutes for a player if he starts end ends game.
I can see Pop putting Manu and Dice on the bench for that reason.

[JamStone]

I think it's an option, but not only does Manu have a purpose coming off the bench being the focal point on offense in that second unit, I thought Pop has done that in part to help control his minutes throughout the season. Keeping Manu off the bench allows Pop to make sure he stays around that 26-30 mpg. I don't see why you need to start Manu especially with more offensive options with Jefferson and McDyess so that the starters shouldn't struggle offensively.

[timaios]

It isn't easy to limit minutes for a player if he starts end ends game.
I can see Pop putting Manu and Dice on the bench for that reason.

Or you play them at the beginning of the game and it's a blowout win... so no 4th quarter for starters and big minutes at the end for the young players.

Ok, maybe i'm dreaming too much.

[TIMMYD!]

Manu is coming of the bench because we need somebody to create shots for our 2nd unit.

[024]

manu doesn't need to start. before, i believed he needed to start because there isn't enough offense present in the starting lineup. by the time ginobili enters the game, the spurs would be down 5-10 points. with jefferson and mcdyess now, ginobili can be better utilized off the bench, like always. mason is a good compliment to jefferson and parker's inside drives.

[Manufan909]

Or you play them at the beginning of the game and it's a blowout win... so no 4th quarter for starters and big minutes at the end for the young players.

Ok, maybe i'm dreaming too much.

Cooler dream than mine usually are.

And I love the idea of Manu starting so as to develop chemistry with the first unit. He'll be the first of the Big 4 to come out, with Mason going in. Then Blair/Ian can come in for Duncan. Then Hill can go in for Tony, and Hairston/MW can go in for RJ. Something like that, I almost confused myself.

Hopefully the starters can creat a nice 7pt lead and the youngins can add to it, or at least tread water til Pop decides to put 3 or all of the Big 4 in.

[DPG21920]

I think it's an option, but not only does Manu have a purpose coming off the bench being the focal point on offense in that second unit, I thought Pop has done that in part to help control his minutes throughout the season. Keeping Manu off the bench allows Pop to make sure he stays around that 26-30 mpg. I don't see why you need to start Manu especially with more offensive options with Jefferson and McDyess so that the starters shouldn't struggle offensively.

Agreed. Especially when you would be diminishing Mason's role. You can maximize the production you get from Mason/RJ/Manu by having Manu come off the bench. It will result in the most/best shots for everyone involved.

[024]

Manu is coming of the bench because we need somebody to create shots for our 2nd unit.

it isn't really even that. the spurs will now always have at least 1-2 members of the big 4 on the floor at all times. they will be the ones creating shots. plus, hill can kind of do it. ginobili off the bench will help in limiting his minutes. if he was playing, either he or jefferson probably will be camping the three point line anyways, something mason can easily do.

[Brazil]

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.

Thanks Phila your insiders are precious to us.
Really happy to read something positive about Ian especially on D, I really hope he can prove to Pop he can contribute. Come on Ian this is your chance right now !

[Mr. Body]

Blair in the second unit setting crushing picks for Manu and Hill.

[Solid D]

Blair in the second unit setting crushing picks for Manu and Hill.

Yeah, I like the notion of Blair on the floor with Manu and Hill....but just give me Manu on the floor 30 mpg for 78 games with this roster and Stern will be be using that "Pantheon" word again about the Spurs.

[spursfan1000]

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

It does matters who starts. If we have all our best players starting we wouldent have enough fire power off the bench.

[BillMc]

I like tony's team as the "crunch time" team, but agree Manu should come off the bench as Roger is more valuable when other's create for him. Manu will be (as always) a dynomo on the second team.

[exstatic]

Yeah, I like the notion of Blair on the floor with Manu and Hill....but just give me Manu on the floor 30 mpg for 78 games with this roster and Stern will be be using that "Pantheon" word again about the Spurs.

While I'd love 30 minutes as a concept, Manu's playing style means a physical breakdown is in the offing if he plays that much. I thought Pop said something about 24 mpg.

[ducks]

good
even 24 might be pitching it with injury prone manu

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Dice will start, and Manu will lead the bench as he should.

As has been stated by others above, there's only one ball, so starting Manu would be a waste. Mason is PERFECT for the starting lineup - TP, Tim and RJ create, Money and Dice hit the open Js. Off the bench, Manu can also play fewer minutes - I'd like to see him playing half a game until April.

One thing you don't have to worry about is that Manu will be on the court at the end - that's a no-brainer.

[Chieflion]

If Richard Jefferson could lead the 2nd unit effectively, I am actually all for it, seeing that it was how it was in scrimmages.

PG: Parker
SG: Ginobili
SF: Finley (Do we have a choice?)
PF: Duncan
C: McDyess

2nd unit:

PG: Hill
SG: Mason
SF: Jefferson
PF: Blair/Haislip (Depending on matchups)
C: Ratlff/Ian (Depending on matchups)

[Solid D]

While I'd love 30 minutes as a concept, Manu's playing style means a physical breakdown is in the offing if he plays that much. I thought Pop said something about 24 mpg.

He's never made it to 78 games in the regular season, either, but a guy can dream, can't he?

[ducks]

He's never made it to 78 games in the regular season, either, but a guy can dream, can't he?

48 games and healthy for playoffs is better then 78 regular season games

[Solid D]

48 games and healthy for playoffs is better then 78 regular season games

First non-hater thing you've said about Manu in a while. I knew you had it in you, ducks. I agree with you, too.

[Obstructed_View]

Manu coming off the bench with an energetic second unit that can rebound and defend would be downright scary for other teams.