Manu: Should he go or should he stay?

[kace]

What I don't understand is where the "Manu's playing has been reduced and will keep going down" thing is coming from.
Manu against Houston took for the first time in this season 15 shots, 15! That's pretty low for an All Star guard. In my opinion here some people is blaming him not putting up 20 ppg for the Spurs problems (along with RJ), and that's not true at all..
Manu is not scoring 20 ppg not because he's old, he's trying to be more of a playmaker in the game. Which has been great at it. The Spurs have enough weapons on offense and he's trying to have another role in the team. That's what's great about him and what the Spurs lose and probably never get something similar in return.
Sometimes here I see people overestimating the injury-age thing too much. Manu is fine, and will be fine. In my opinion I think that in PO time he'll unleash his best game just like in 2007. The bad thing for Manu is that now probably he can't focus 100% in the game with a lot of trading/re-singing topics around him and we know Manu is confidence guy, that's his fuel and this must be really affecting it. Once the trade deadline is over he'll probably can relax and keep playing and come the PO time he'll probably have this best self.
We know that the guy

no matter the number of shots he takes, less than 40 % FG is quite bad. but i agree that we could see a better manu till PO. i hope so.

[Chomag]

Im pretty sick of hearing of Manu like a 78 year old grown up that he can't even run just because he's not putting 48 pts every night. He still has it. Stfu...

Again this is the NBA not just some regular Joe pick up games at the gym. Of course Manu is still a good athlete compared to mos,t but compared to the NBA hes an aging player with a ton of miles on him.

[MB20]

Trade him. Please.

I´m curious. I would like to watch a Nash/Manu backcourt, and a Tim/Amare frontcourt.

[peskypesky]

Manu has been great for the Spurs at times. He's also cost us some series. And now he can't play consistently. This is a man's game and it's time for the Spurs FO to do what's right and try to trade him.

[Agloco]

I think the Spurs need to explore what's out there before the trade deadline. It's the sensible thing to do, IMO.

It is looking more and more likely that Manu will not be here next season - especially with the way the season is going. I think that decision should be driven by what the Spurs can get for him in return.

These. It's the prudent thing to do.

[Agloco]

Trade him. Please.

I´m curious. I would like to watch a Nash/Manu backcourt, and a Tim/Amare frontcourt.

Both nightmares for any opponent, especially if Timmy, Nash and Manu are in their primes when that happens.

[NRHector]

Manu needs to stay, there is no one out there that has the same value as Manu, he is a playmaker, great BB IQ , plays hard, great 3 point shooter, not selfish and can knock bats down.
I'm sorry I just don't see we can get anybody better than Manu and if we bring someone what are the chances that the would be another R Jefferson specially this late in the season and let him go next year because the new addition didn't have minutes or a full season to learn the "system" like Gooden

[timvp]

The Spurs better get a damn good return if they trade Manu. If they don't, the championship door would be closed forever. Manu may just be a shadow of his former self but the way he fits into this team and the role he takes is almost impossible to be replicated. Praying that Manu is healthy and hot for the playoffs equates to better championship odds than any other possible scenario I've seen discussed.

To me, trading Manu (or letting him walk) would mean that the Spurs have to tear down their system and start again. It's more than just about adding talent to replace talent.

[NRHector]

The Spurs better get a damn good return if they trade Manu. If they don't, the championship door would be closed forever. Manu may just be a shadow of his former self but the way he fits into this team and the role he takes is almost impossible to be replicated. Praying that Manu is healthy and hot for the playoffs equates to better championship odds than any other possible scenario I've seen discussed.

To me, trading Manu (or letting him walk) would mean that the Spurs have to tear down their system and start again. It's more than just about adding talent to replace talent.

[ulosturedge]

Pretty much what timvp said. It's not worth trading Manu unless you get someone real talent for him. His championship experience, his compe ive nature, bbIQ, his knowledge of the system, and all the intangible things he does on the court are something that aren't easily replaced.

I think it's kind of bull that for some reason we think Manu deserves to be in the hotseat. What about RJ? What about McDyess? And Tony? We knew Manu was going into the latter part of his career like Duncan. That's the whole reason why the FO went after RJ, but wtf has he done for us..we weren't suppose to need Manu to score 20+ a night. I'm still trying to figure out what we got in McDyess also. Why were we going after this guy so hard again? And Tony is a blackhole out there if he isn't scoring. He can't pass the ball and he can't play defense.

Now I can't even figure out why we are talking about Manu again.. scoring isn't our problem. We have plenty of people who can score. We need people who can make an impact on the defensive end. Manu is doing exactly what he needs to do on this team. If the players we acquired came in and did exactly what we were expecting of them we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

[in2deep]

like tons of ppl have said in the past. No way Spurs get same value back if they trade manu. It's a lose lose situation.

[hater]

at the end of close game, i only remember two kind of plays from TP and Manu: have the ball in their hands in the top of the paint, drive to the rim to score or to pass if the lane is clogged (with maybe a step back 3pts shot from manu).

for tim, it's having the ball on the post.

i don't see any specific playmaking ability there. and the clutch stats for manu in PO are quite average, clearly worse than tony's and tim's ones for the last three PO at least.

so when you talk about needing manu to close game, i say that tony and tim are there for this. A lot of teams haven't even two closers but only one.

PS: oh, and i'm clearly against a manu trade. i just want to see him on this team till the end of his career, even if that means having to read overreactions from his fanbase for some few years.

clog the paint and guard the pick and roll and Tim + Tony are neutralized. Manu's playmaking ability goes beyond that, he can create his own shot and get others involved. That is why he has far superior playmaking abilities than Tim or Tony.

Taking manu out, who do you have to be the glue guy and get others involved??? nobody. Mason or HIll would be the closest to that role and are nothing compared to Manu.

[yavozerb]

For his name to come to the forefront of trade rumors means his contract extension talks are going nowhere. If manu's agent insisted on another 10 mil $ contract for 3 more years (just hypothetical) would the spurs be in the wrong in trying to get someone for him since he probably will close to that in the FA market? Do I wanna keep Manu, yes, Do I think he would leave in the offseason for higher offer from another team, I would have to say yes. The spurs would be very stupid not to dangle him out on the market if they believe they cannot sign him.

[2Cleva]

The Spurs better get a damn good return if they trade Manu. If they don't, the championship door would be closed forever. Manu may just be a shadow of his former self but the way he fits into this team and the role he takes is almost impossible to be replicated. Praying that Manu is healthy and hot for the playoffs equates to better championship odds than any other possible scenario I've seen discussed.

To me, trading Manu (or letting him walk) would mean that the Spurs have to tear down their system and start again. It's more than just about adding talent to replace talent.

Considering the Spurs level of success in recent years, to get back where they ultimately want to be - they have to tear it down and rebuild.

Maybe Tim can mentor Amare like DRob did to him.

I know Spurs fans have love for Manu but that's a deal they have to make if they can. So unlikely another Tim/DRob comes in the lotto - especially with top collegiate players staying only a year or 2.

[ElNono]

Considering the Spurs level of success in recent years, to get back where they ultimately want to be - they have to tear it down and rebuild.

Maybe Tim can mentor Amare like DRob did to him.

I know Spurs fans have love for Manu but that's a deal they have to make if they can. So unlikely another Tim/DRob comes in the lotto - especially with top collegiate players staying only a year or 2.

LOL... Amare is damaged goods... not a player to build around, IMO.

We will get to the point where we need to rebuild... that time is not now though...

[Mikesatx]

The Spurs better get a damn good return if they trade Manu. If they don't, the championship door would be closed forever. Manu may just be a shadow of his former self but the way he fits into this team and the role he takes is almost impossible to be replicated. Praying that Manu is healthy and hot for the playoffs equates to better championship odds than any other possible scenario I've seen discussed.

To me, trading Manu (or letting him walk) would mean that the Spurs have to tear down their system and start again. It's more than just about adding talent to replace talent.

Agree 100%. Run with what you got. best shot is bettering the play of those in the system now. Regardless of the turnovers or shooting percentage there is still nobody on the Spurs and few in the league that I feel more comfortable with for an end of game play than Manu.

[xtremesteven33]

Al Jefferson > Amare

[EVAY]

i am starting to think that it won't be the spurs decision, but manu's.

He is obviously playing with people that aren't ready for him, ie passing, playmaking. Just as sad as it is to see tim playing with missing pieces around him, you can say the same for manu. He isn't the same as before, but he is still playing at a high level.

+1

[rascal]

Manu should have been traded the summer after the 2007 season. Coming back with that same team the following year was a big mistake.

[rascal]

Pretty much what timvp said. It's not worth trading Manu unless you get someone real talent for him. His championship experience, his compe ive nature, bbIQ, his knowledge of the system, and all the intangible things he does on the court are something that aren't easily replaced.

I think it's kind of bull that for some reason we think Manu deserves to be in the hotseat. What about RJ? What about McDyess? And Tony? We knew Manu was going into the latter part of his career like Duncan. That's the whole reason why the FO went after RJ, but wtf has he done for us..we weren't suppose to need Manu to score 20+ a night. I'm still trying to figure out what we got in McDyess also. Why were we going after this guy so hard again? And Tony is a blackhole out there if he isn't scoring. He can't pass the ball and he can't play defense.

Now I can't even figure out why we are talking about Manu again.. scoring isn't our problem. We have plenty of people who can score. We need people who can make an impact on the defensive end. Manu is doing exactly what he needs to do on this team. If the players we acquired came in and did exactly what we were expecting of them we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

Problem is Manu is going to want a nice payday soon and the spurs may not want to honor it so this is a great way out for them to avoid the situation.

[EVAY]

At the end of a close game, when we need a clutch shooter on the floor or at the FT line, I'd still go with Manu, anytime, everytime.

He still brings energy to whatever group he is on the floor with. He has really missed the presence of Oberto this, year I think. Not that I think we should have kept Oberto...he was not a good enough player to keep, but he and Manu had phenomenal chemistry on the court, that is not there with anyone else.

I wouldn't trade Manu...but I think he's gonna trade us. You can see his frustration almost every night.

[rascal]

The Spurs better get a damn good return if they trade Manu. If they don't, the championship door would be closed forever. Manu may just be a shadow of his former self but the way he fits into this team and the role he takes is almost impossible to be replicated. Praying that Manu is healthy and hot for the playoffs equates to better championship odds than any other possible scenario I've seen discussed.

To me, trading Manu (or letting him walk) would mean that the Spurs have to tear down their system and start again. It's more than just about adding talent to replace talent.

The championship window is closed with the roster as it is now. Trying to win with Manu and a weak frontline won't get it done anymore with the powers in the west like the Lakers who have too much size for the spurs.

A move needs to be made and Manu has enough trade value to land an impact big.

[akilmomin]

Manu has to stay. Pop and RC are smoking too much weed. He is the heart and soul of this team. if he is gone then we have no chance what so ever. At this point I would trade RJ for anyone.

[dbestpro]

Manu as great as he is was not as fun to watch as Gervin my all time favorite player, and if George can get traded................. well you know the rest.

[yavozerb]

Manu as great as he is was not as fun to watch as Gervin my all time favorite player, and if George can get traded................. well you know the rest.

So true..