Manu Needs to Start

[ducks]

I think Pop should start Manu at some point just to see how it looks. I'm usually against the idea but I'm more for it now because I don't like the Hill and Manu combination. They've just never clicked. Manu seems to want to play PG when he's paired with Hill and then Hill turns ultra passive most of the time. When playing at the same time, there just always appears to be a lot of uncertainty.

Perhaps that will fix itself with time but if it doesn't in another 10 to 15 games, starting Manu and having Hill play more with Duncan and Jefferson makes sense to me.

manu needs to trust hill
pop does
MANU NEEDS TO ING GROW Up

[spursfan1000]

I would insert Manu into the starting lineup and bring Richard Jefferson off the block...Richard Jefferson is younger and can handle more contact than Manu...RJ could bring solid points off the bench.

[bigdog]

I'd rather have Manu coming off the bench. Richard cannot come off the bench. If you put Manu into the starting lineup, who's going to bring the offensive punch off the bench?

[SA210]

I would insert Manu into the starting lineup and bring Richard Jefferson off the block...Richard Jefferson is younger and can handle more contact than Manu...RJ could bring solid points off the bench.

[ohmwrecker]

Our other bigs aren't doing a better job either, I understand people want to put Theo in the starting lineup but he'll still get burned off the dribble. If it means winning I'm down for any lineup, but just by benching Bonner/Finley the Spurs aren't magically going to turn into a powerhouse defensive team.

McDyess looks pretty good with that 16 ft jumper. He could spread the floor for Timmy just as easily as Bonner. I think Manu should start. The bench should be good enough without him. Hill/Mason/Blair off the bench seems like a good combo and fill in the 3 & 5 depending on matchups. I just believe you should start your best players.

[TJastal]

McDyess looks pretty good with that 16 ft jumper. He could spread the floor for Timmy just as easily as Bonner. I think Manu should start. The bench should be good enough without him. Hill/Mason/Blair off the bench seems like a good combo and fill in the 3 & 5 depending on matchups. I just believe you should start your best players.

+1 on all points.

Been saying these things since before the pre-season.

[ElNono]

Our other bigs aren't doing a better job either, I understand people want to put Theo in the starting lineup but he'll still get burned off the dribble. If it means winning I'm down for any lineup, but just by benching Bonner/Finley the Spurs aren't magically going to turn into a powerhouse defensive team.

I want Theo bolted under the basket, not chasing people around. A lot like what Rasho and Nazr used to do for us. I don't know if in the starting lineup, but instead of going small ball against two towers, like last night, play him next to Tim instead of Finley at PF.

[kace]

I think Pop should start Manu at some point just to see how it looks. I'm usually against the idea but I'm more for it now because I don't like the Hill and Manu combination. They've just never clicked. Manu seems to want to play PG when he's paired with Hill and then Hill turns ultra passive most of the time. When playing at the same time, there just always appears to be a lot of uncertainty.

Perhaps that will fix itself with time but if it doesn't in another 10 to 15 games, starting Manu and having Hill play more with Duncan and Jefferson makes sense to me.

good observation but that would imply to lose Tim and Tony PnR.

Pop likes to play tony and tim together and i think he's right. also, manu and tony can bring the same thing to the game and it's interesting to see at least one of them on the court.

Hill has a problem if he struggles to play with tony and with manu, two of the three main players of the team.

Pop has simply to make sure they share the ball to initiate an offense when manu and hill are on the court as manu and tony do.

[CGD]

It has nothing to do with Manu trusting Hill. Spurs run similar sets when Parker and Manu are paired together too. Pay attention to the plays called because it's more about that than anything else. Pop just calls Manu's number more when he's leading the bench crew.

[SenorSpur]

I know this subject has been covered pretty thoroughly in the past and that my view is a minority view, but I believe that the time has come for Manu to start again for the following reasons:
1. The Spurs appear to be disoriented and floundering with new faces,
older players, etc. A change is needed.
2. Manu is older, less explosive, and more wary of his potential for injury.
Thus, if he overexerts himself trying to be an explosive, energized
sparkplug off the bench, his chances for injuries are greater as a
bench player than as a starter, where he has other big guns on the
floor.
3. Pop's perennial excuse for using Manu as a sixth man because of a
ty bench no longer holds water because even without Manu, the
Spurs have a respectable bench.
If Pop starts Manu, then he can get his rhythm back faster and he can be more comfortable playing with Tim, Tony, and Jefferson at the same time, which is important since this group will be in the end game of close games.
As far as controlling his minutes so that he doesn't get too tired, Manu can be the first starter to get rest.
Most fans' arguments for Manu not starting is that he must be preserved for the playoffs. I say that he has a better chance for preservation as a starter, where he is one of 4 big guns, than as the sixth man, where too much is expected of him.

No. What Manu needs to do is understand when should play within himself and allow the game to come to him on nights that he's clearly struggling. Stop taking ill-advised, momemtum-killing, shots. Stop forcing bad passes at the knees and feet of bigmen, and stop committing dumb-ass fouls.

If you need a painful example, look no further than the ill-fated foul on Dirk in Game 7 of the 2006 WCSF. I love Manu to death. He's one of the best closers in the NBA. Yet that was probably the dumbest foul in the history of the NBA. That one single play continues to haunt because it likely cost the Spurs a 5th championship in 2006. Why Manu, Why?

[SpurNation]

With this I agree.

[angelbelow]

Im open to this idea as Pop seems to be experimenting anyways. Since were getting off to slow starts, putting Manu in (who also knows the system) rather than Finley (or maybe bogans) might prevent us from such sluggish starts.

[SenorSpur]

good observation but that would imply to lose Tim and Tony PnR.

Pop likes to play tony and tim together and i think he's right. also, manu and tony can bring the same thing to the game and it's interesting to see at least one of them on the court.

Hill has a problem if he struggles to play with tony and with manu, two of the three main players of the team.

Pop has simply to make sure they share the ball to initiate an offense when manu and hill are on the court as manu and tony do.

Good point. I hadn't thought of that. Hill does indeed turn passive when paired with Manu. The only time Manu needs to have the ball in his hands is closing out quarters and games. Otherwise, he needs to allow the PG to run the show. He's still great enough of a player that he can affect the game in all sorts of other ways (i.e. shooting, passing, rebounding, steals, etc.)

[Doctor J]

I don't know if Manu is comfortable playing with Tony these days.

Both like to have the ball in their hands, and both like to penetrate.

When both are on the court, Manu seems to be passive and therefore less effective.

I used to prefer Manu coming off the bench and sparking the Spurs' offense.

But this season, I tend to agree with you that Manu can be better if he starts.

You guys may say this is crazy, but I'de like to start Hill and Manu with Tony coming off the bench.

[SpurNation]

You guys may say this is crazy, but I'de like to start Hill and Manu with Tony coming off the bench.

Yep...crazy

[murpjf88]

manu should stay where he is, coming off the bench.

[KenziE]

Bonner is the worst starting Center in the NBA. Having him next to Duncan to go up against the elitle teams in the NBA is a joke. If Duncan wasnt such a class act he wouldve already made it public about his fustration with Bonner.

Finley, well its pretty much known why he shouldnt be starting.

100% True !!! Tim is such a class act he wont call out POP in public or call out Pop at all .... man so sad timmy is playin with a dummy instead of dice or even Ian or Theo so sad indeed .............