By most estimations, Manu will be expected to miss somewhere between 6-8 weeks. Without Manu at 100%, this team will not have a chance at winning a championship, and has almost no shot at a top-4 seed. Ironically enough though, if there was one member of the big three we could afford to miss for potentially 2 months, it is Manu.
James Anderson and Gary Neal. The Spurs have arguably the best situation at 2-guard in the league, with a three-headed monster of Manu/James/Gary. Gary Neal will most likely slide into the starting 2 guard role as soon as he's in game-shape, and he showed flashes of brilliance last year. He'll never be a star because of his limited athleticism, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him average 15 this year or the next. James is a great backup 2-guard currently, with big upside. He's got great size for the position, and I've loved seeing his confidence early on. Pop has even had some lineups where RJ has played the two for stretches this season. I'd much rather have RJ at the 2 than the 4.
I've argued from the beginning, the biggest reason the Spurs are contenders this season is our depth. Tell me this lineup isn't playoff-worthy: Tony Parker/Gary Neal/RJ/Tim/Tiago
That goes without mentioning our bench, which still is very deep. I love the addition of Ike Diogu, who I've always been very high on.
And that is all it takes: Making the playoffs. Last year, we didn't get out of the first round as the #1 seed. The year before, we won a series as a #7 seed. We just need to qualify. We are going to have the equivalent of an early-season Manu when the playoffs start. He'll probably be back right after the ASB, and will have 6 weeks of rest. For the past several years, Manu has been his best for the first 2/3 of the season before he starts to wear down. Now, the condensed schedule won't affect him.
"Manu's injury a good thing?"
Frankly? I was shocked it took nearly 24 hours for this to find light.
Exactly how I see it, though I still think we have a shot at the 4th seed. The only teams in the West I see as above us are the Thunder (strictly due to their youth), Portland, and possibly Denver. We'll lose some games with Manu being out, but as long as we make the playoffs, this is the best situation for us. Forcing the younger/roll players to step up will get them better experienced to the system/NBA play, and we may perhaps not see them disappear come playoff time like what happened to Hill a few years back.
Of course, if we do end up failing, we can find out early and perhaps consider tanking. Playing everyone more minutes may, and I believe will, build up their trade value. The FO can decide who to keep and who to ship out, giving us the best chances to rebuild quickly. All in all, I'd say people are flipping out way too early; lets see where this development takes us.
Pop will attempt to suffocate Neal until he rebels. I'd love to pick him up in the ensuing melee. He's a cold-blooded motherf'er on & out of the hardwood.
We could always use the MLE to sign RMJ...
Anderson is playing like RJ of the past few years. No, Manu's injury is not a good thing.
Fights ... urge ... to ... lock ... thread ...
Stopped reading after le.
YES, it's a good thing.
Manu was and would have kept hidding a lot of our weaknesses.
His injury won't keep him out too long and there's no reason he won't recover 100%.
He'll be on his peak for the PO...
+ If the spurs can't win/play well without Manu (which has been done before with worst teams), maybe Pop and RC wil realise it's not even worth trying and will play the lotery to rebuild.
No.
Good point Manu was able to hide alot of the issues. With him out, Pop will actually have to do more coaching.
Just like Duncan's injury in 2000!
lol chazley
Hmmmm, it's not offensive to any oppressed group or ideology.
It seems to be sincere.
It doesn't seem to be hurtful to anyone on the message board (Manu doesn't post here or else that rule would be violated).
He's probably wrong but . . .
What if he's right?
Its never a good thing for your best player to have a significant injury, but If Neal, and especially JA, can step up, thats a good thing.
It's great, didn't you see Tim congratulate him on his way to the dressing room?
No he is not right and it is not a good thing lol, no doubt it's anything but a good thing.
Right on as always
Just chalzy being wrong, par the course.
This the same guy who tried to argue with me last year for a while Bonner was good, so I knew what he stood for then at the time! I have not taken him seriously since then.
Cant believe this concept hasn't been discussed yet.
A fresh Manu, a Tony Parker that likely regains some confidence and scoring touch by necessity, Tiago/James Anderson/Gary Neal/Dejuan/Kawhi all getting plenty of time to get some experience/grow, and Tim hopefully coming off autopilot.
What a terrible situation this is. LETS JUST TANK GUYS. The West is just soooooooooooooooooooooo good this year.
For obvious reasons Manu>No Manu. But alot worse things could happen. We have a logjam at the 2 and can sustain ourselves until Manu gets back. All we have to do is qualify for the playoffs, I don't care if it's an 8-seed.
Lol, nice.
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