Manu Ginobili still believes

[Uriel]

Ginobili ready to rise from the ashes

Though he stressed that the Grizzlies eliminated the Spurs “really fair and square,” he contends the Spurs were nonetheless le-worthy.

“I truly believe … if we could have beat them, and been healthy, we could have made it,” he said. “I don’t think we were that much less than OKC or the Lakers or Mavs or Heat. I think we had a shot. Memphis played really well and aggressively and just beat us.”

More importantly, Ginobili is convinced the Spurs remain a future NBA le contender.

“It’s hard to say when a team has its last shot,” he said. “Of course, the Bulls lost Michael Jordan and couldn’t make another run. But we’ve got the same core of players, and nothing changed dramatically, so why not? I believe in our players and our organization, so I believe we do have another shot.”

Read the rest at:
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...rom-the-ashes/

[TJastal]

Love the positive at ude Manu has. He's absolutely right the spurs had the team to go far in these playoffs and beat the grizz.

But he's in denial about one thing though, the guy running the show, pulling the strings. Matt Bonner's role on the team isn't likely going to change, it will probably even expand furthur from 22 minutes a game to 25 minutes next season and will set the stage for another avalanche of snow to come crashing down on the spurs' le hopes in April. And there won't be any "one more shots" after next season, that will be the final nail in the coffin for Timmy & Manu. Sad way to go out for these two classy players who refuse to say one bad word about the guy whose buffoonery has cost them the chance to furthur expand their legacies. (lakers and mavs obviously grateful, though).

[Gagnrath]

TJastal, pop has made some mistakes as a coach and GM, but he hasn't been the primary cause the spurs having continued play-off success the last few years, unless you want to blame him for an inability to get the two most desired commodities in the league on a shoestring budget. I am not happy with the restructure of jefferson's contract, but Bonner is not over-payed nor should he be dropped from the team. He is over utilized but that is more due to a lack of other options than a true desire to turn him into e star or legitimate starter.

The trading of a Scola is a questionable move but it was highly uncertain that he would have ever put on an NBA uniform if the spurs had retained his rights since somewhere in that mess his agent had become very strongly against his playing for the spurs, and he was making a very nice living in the euroleagues.

[benefactor]

Stealing intellectual property will get you in trouble.

[TJastal]

TJastal, pop has made some mistakes as a coach and GM, but he hasn't been the primary cause the spurs having continued play-off success the last few years

[TJastal]

TJastal, pop has made some mistakes as a coach and GM, but he hasn't been the primary cause the spurs having continued play-off success the last few years, unless you want to blame him for an inability to get the two most desired commodities in the league on a shoestring budget. I am not happy with the restructure of jefferson's contract, but Bonner is not over-payed nor should he be dropped from the team. He is over utilized but that is more due to a lack of other options than a true desire to turn him into e star or legitimate starter.

The trading of a Scola is a questionable move but it was highly uncertain that he would have ever put on an NBA uniform if the spurs had retained his rights since somewhere in that mess his agent had become very strongly against his playing for the spurs, and he was making a very nice living in the euroleagues.

Spurs would have had an opportunity last season to get rid of Jefferson. His contract was expiring and would have been an attractive option to teams like the bobcats who were looking dump salary. Gerald Wallace obviously being the key contract here that was available. With Bonner there's really no excuses for why he's signed through 2013. Saying there aren't better options is stupid. Scour the D leagues and you could find dozens of better options. These are just classic examples of the stupidity from Pop/FO. That popsuckers continue to make excuses for year in year out.

[yavozerb]

Spurs would have had an opportunity last season to get rid of Jefferson. His contract was expiring and would have been an attractive option to teams like the bobcats who were looking dump salary. Gerald Wallace obviously being the key contract here that was available. With Bonner there's really no excuses for why he's signed through 2013. Saying there aren't better options is stupid. Scour the D leagues and you could find dozens of better options. These are just classic examples of the stupidity from Pop/FO. That popsuckers continue to make excuses for year in year out.

Did the spurs win 60+ games this last season? The only team that I feared going into the playoffs against this last season where the Grizzlies. The spurs matched up very well against every other team in the playoffs but got and unfortunate 1st rd draw. No reason for Manu to think they could not do it again next season and possible be healthy heading into the playoffs which ultimatly is the key for another championship. To say that Bonner is a D league player is just you being you and showing off your knowledge of NBA baskebtall...keep up the good work

[SenorSpur]

Spurs would have had an opportunity last season to get rid of Jefferson. His contract was expiring and would have been an attractive option to teams like the bobcats who were looking dump salary. Gerald Wallace obviously being the key contract here that was available.

Yeah, I thought about that one too. It would've almost been worth it for them to have kept RJ on the same expensive contract and then try to have dumped his contract at the trade deadline.

With Bonner there's really no excuses for why he's signed through 2013.

Reupping Bonner was truly the definition of "throwing good money after bad."

[yavozerb]

Yeah, I thought about that one too. It would've almost been worth it for them to have kept RJ on the same expensive contract and then try to have dumped his contract at the trade deadline.


Reupping Bonner was truly the definition of "throwing good money after bad."

Tell me this, what would the spurs be able to get with bonners 3mil saved this offseason?

[TJastal]

Did the spurs win 60+ games this last season? The only team that I feared going into the playoffs against this last season where the Grizzlies. The spurs matched up very well against every other team in the playoffs but got and unfortunate 1st rd draw. No reason for Manu to think they could not do it again next season and possible be healthy heading into the playoffs which ultimatly is the key for another championship..

I agree totally. The spurs had the team to compete and get to the finals last year. Even beat the grizz. But that's only if Pop plays Splitter throughout the year and uses Bonner sparingly. Which he didn't. Playing Bonner 20+ minutes a game against arguably the worst team in the league for Bonner to match up is what ultimately led to the spurs' demise. That's what really aggravates me. Even after it was obvious by game 3 that Bonner was being dominated in the paint and causing all kinds of problems for the spurs defensively Pop still had use his pussy ginger 20 minutes a game. It's almost as if his stubborn ego wouldn't allow him to stop. Even down 2-1 the spurs STILL had their chances in that series if Pop stays exclusively big with Splitter, which as we all know his ego simply wouldn't allow it.

There is one thing I'm certain of, Carlslile wouldn't have let his ego & pride stand in the way of the team. If the matchups demanded size he would have used his size. That's why Pop fails at coaching.

[TJastal]

Tell me this, what would the spurs be able to get with bonners 3mil saved this offseason?

For starters, minutes for Tiago. Maybe a little more wiggle room at the trade deadline to make a deal.

Hard to argue that saving 3m + getting PT for Tiago is not a win/win.

[SenorSpur]

Ginobili ready to rise from the ashes

Though he stressed that the Grizzlies eliminated the Spurs “really fair and square,” he contends the Spurs were nonetheless le-worthy.

“I truly believe … if we could have beat them, and been healthy, we could have made it,” he said. “I don’t think we were that much less than OKC or the Lakers or Mavs or Heat. I think we had a shot. Memphis played really well and aggressively and just beat us.”

More importantly, Ginobili is convinced the Spurs remain a future NBA le contender.

Obviously I love Manu's talent, passion and drive - not to mention his leadership. However, just like Pop, I think there's a bit of denial going on there with those comments. Healthy or not, they were not going to beat the Grizzlies. The one team that was more than equipped to expose them.

Again the Spurs' issues are they've become an average defensive team - even poor on the perimeter, along with a lack of size on the frontline. Manu and Duncan are simply not capable of shouldering the same load for long periods, as they have in the past.

The decline of this team mirrors the decline in play of its star players. As a result, this team is trending downward from being a once-great team to just a very good playoff team. Regular season records be dammed, what matters is what a team does in the playoffs. This team has gotten swept out in 2010 and then toppled by an 8th-seeded team in 2011.

There are no shortcuts or instant free agent fixes. They must grow the team through the draft. The only way the Spurs are going to get better players via the draft is by securing a better draft position. Unless they're planning on buying or trading their way up into the first round (which I highly doubt), the only way to secure a better draft position is by having a poor record. The instant injection of talent and a reward for season-long suckiness.

[yavozerb]

For starters, minutes for Tiago. Maybe a little more wiggle room at the trade deadline to make a deal.

Hard to argue that saving 3m + getting PT for Tiago is not a win/win.

Of course minutes, but that was not mentined in the previous thread..Not sure how 3mil for a player with a team salary close to 70 mil. is alot of wasted salary..

[TJastal]

Yeah, I thought about that one too. It would've almost been worth it for them to have kept RJ on the same expensive contract and then try to have dumped his contract at the trade deadline.


Reupping Bonner was truly the definition of "throwing good money after bad."

Getting Gerald Wallace for Richard Jefferson's expiring contract would have been well worth paying the tax for one season IMO. A no-brainer.

I understand Holt-cat isn't filthy rich, but he's not living on skid row, either.

[Gagnrath]

Bonner isn't really the problem, Bonner getting more than 10 to 12 per game is a symptom of the issue of not having an athletic bigman to pair with duncan and now timmy is no longer dominate merely above average starter.

[TJastal]

Bonner isn't really the problem, Bonner getting more than 10 to 12 per game is a symptom of the issue of not having an athletic bigman to pair with duncan and now timmy is no longer dominate merely above average starter.

Tiago Splitter would have been more than adequate to do the job. But for some reason Pop wouldn't play him all year long. Until the very end of course, when it was too late. Ultimate move by a coach whose time has expired.

Team amassed 60+ wins but it came at the expense of Timmay being injured once again due to overstress. Having to defend the paint singlehandedly year after year tends to do that. Manu also getting hurt in a meaningless game didn't help matters either.

[jjktkk]

Tiago Splitter would have been more than adequate to do the job. But for some reason Pop wouldn't play him all year long. Until the very end of course, when it was too late. Ultimate move by a coach whose time has expired.

Team amassed 60+ wins but it came at the expense of Timmay being injured once again due to overstress. Having to defend the paint singlehandedly year after year tends to do that. Manu also getting hurt in a meaningless game didn't help matters either.

Are you Tim's doctor?

[Ginobilly]

Tiago Splitter would have been more than adequate to do the job. But for some reason Pop wouldn't play him all year long. Until the very end of course, when it was too late. Ultimate move by a coach whose time has expired.

Team amassed 60+ wins but it came at the expense of Timmay being injured once again due to overstress. Having to defend the paint singlehandedly year after year tends to do that. Manu also getting hurt in a meaningless game didn't help matters either.

But, but, Splitter doesn't spread the floor and has no corporate knowledge. He would just get into Tim's Duncan way. I just wish they would trade him for somebody that could help Tim. How about Splitter for Scalabrine? Him and Matt Bonner would provide the ultimate "Ginger Power" that the Spurs need to win the 2012 championship.

Even though I'm not really too fond of Parker, he is the only Spur with balls enough to criticize the FO to pressure them to get better.

[TJastal]

Are you Tim's doctor?

Are you?

[ChumpDumper]

[ChumpDumper]

And don't copy stories and blogs in full from mysa.

[jjktkk]

Are you?

You stated that Duncan was overstressed, how do you know this? What were the telltale signs? you seem to know what your talking about, but I could be wrong.

[ChumpDumper]

lol overstress

[silverblk mystix]

lol overstress

LOL Chump Vehemently denying that he defends Pop....

[silverblk mystix]

...yet...

here comes Chump to Pop's rescue in...

5,4,3,....