Manu will be the scapegoat as usual, but...

[ElNono]

As I've posted elsewhere (maybe in this thread, tbh), I'd abandon pick-and-rolls with Manu. He can't turn the corner, he can't hit that pull-up three and the Heat are pre-rotating on his passes so even when he doesn't turn it over, whoever catches it has a Heat player swiping at the ball.

Pop needs to get Manu into isolations and tell him to create one-on-one. Also, running him off screens and maybe even giving him a few post opportunities early to get him going could help.

I don't mind Manu running random pick-and-rolls later in the shot clock against a rotating defense -- that can be successful at times. It's when he deliberately goes into the top pick-and-roll that there really is little chance of a positive outcome.

Then we agree. But under that scenario, he's not running the second unit (he's doing iso). Or somebody else has to run the point to run him off screens.

The way Miami defends the pick and roll right now, he won't be able to drive or get a clean look in the mid-range. It's 3 pointer, pass or bust.

[ElNono]

anyhow, too late now... I expect this to be 15 pages by tomorrow morning, tbh

[FkLA]

Just noticed Manu was out there with the scrubs in garbage time. Message on Pops part ?

[superjames1992]

Manu wasn't "ok". This was the worst game in his playoff career, tbh.

[superjames1992]

Just noticed Manu was out there with the scrubs in garbage time. Message on Pops part ?

Could be. At least Manu made use of it and finally made a bucket.

[superjames1992]

It is good to see Spurstalk's resident psychologists and body language experts at it again.

[milkyway21]

If TP is not 100% I think it is better for him to sit. IMO.

[smaka]

We don't need SuperManu to win it all.. We just need him to play AVERAGE and make some damn shots. We don't need him to go HAM, just make open shots and don't turn the ball over...

[spurspokesman]

Pops point guard experiment haunting the spurs. Man o man what tj ford really meant to us

[SpurYank]

Not sure how many of you there are, but I do know this: With a few exceptions, NONE of you deserve to have an NBA team to root for that is TWO wins from winning the le. Must be nice to be perfect as undoubtedly all of you are. You are also the biggest cry babies in all of fan-dom.

[#2!]

Pops point guard experiment haunting the spurs. Man o man what tj ford really meant to us

His positive impact on the team was wildly underrated; Ford gave an entirely different feel to the second unit and took a serious amount of pressure off of Manu. I actually thought losing him cut the Spurs WC champs chances in half last year.

Amazing what a good ballhandler can mean to a team.

[Venti Quattro]

We just need him to play AVERAGE

Lady do you realize what you're saying? It's the FINALS and you're asking for just an average effort?

[George Gervin's Afro]

...he was ok. He handed Splitter 3 dunks right under the rim, and Tiago wasted them all.

This game was decided by the Spurs' 20 turnovers (of which Manu only had one).

The only criticism, IMO, is that he's going to need to be much more aggressive if Tony is gonna be hobbled. He took only 4 shots (until garbage time) in 20 mins. That's not going to get it done if we have Tony hurt.

But I'm sure people want to vent, so go ahead an crucify him...

I have always had a man crush for MG but in this series he has been TERRIBLE.

[SenorSpur]

Manu is supposedly one of the stars of this team. He deserves criticism for his poor play. However if you think about it, he's been horrible for most of the postseason. It's not surprising that he sucked again last night. Spurs cannot win without some level of contribution from him. It's really starting to appear that he's done, as a player.

Splitter, on the other, has no viable reason to keep playing like a big vagina. I've never seen a big get his shot swatted by a vertiable assortment of opposing players - guards, forwards, center. I guess you can't teach aggression.

[sammy]

I wonder if he's hurt? He's so out of rhythm and he tries to get others involved such as the soft Splitter who can't handle a pass or misses a dunk (WTF)! Time and time again, he kept getting the pass to that Splitter and Splitter stinking it up! I was yelling at the TV "Stop Giving Him the Ball! While everyone blames Manu, everyone else played bad except for Neal and maybe Green! Tony played well in the first half but seemed so tired and it didn't help with the refs giving Lebroom and Co. every call and allowing them to rack our arms and no calls! The turning point was when Pop took Tony and Green out when we had a 10 point lead and that was it! Pop needs to take some responsibility for poor coaching!

[41times]

Ginob +/- stat -22 last night.
The Ball don't lie

[smaka]

Lady do you realize what you're saying? It's the FINALS and you're asking for just an average effort?

I do realize, sir!
What I meant is, if Manu played at least average, things would already look much better for Spurs. And of course, I'm not asking only for an average effort from him (or anyone else), but sadly, sometimes the effort doesn't bring the efficiency, you know. Maybe Manu is trying to too much and thus even hurts the Spurs.

[rascal]

All season long I told you not to count on Manu in the playoffs, now people are realizing what I have been saying all along.
I was hoping he didn't come back on his last contract . Two more years of him at his asking price will kill Duncan's last years.

[rascal]

Manu is supposedly one of the stars of this team. He deserves criticism for his poor play. However if you think about it, he's been horrible for most of the postseason. It's not surprising that he sucked again last night. Spurs cannot win without some level of contribution from him. It's really starting to appear that he's done, as a player.

Splitter, on the other, has no viable reason to keep playing like a big vagina. I've never seen a big get his shot swatted by a vertiable assortment of opposing players - guards, forwards, center. I guess you can't teach aggression.

Another player I had no hope in. Splitter just is not very good and has been over rated by this board. He is awkward and just too slow against quicker more athletic players.

[Josepatches_]

People blame on Manu because he always was the key of the team.

But you have to move on. He's not the same anymore. Don't ask him to be Supermanu. The loss is not on him.

He was one of the greatest players of our history. It's not fair to blame him because he's done . Blame Pop for play him

[SenorSpur]

Another player I had no hope in. Splitter just is not very good and has been over rated by this board. He is awkward and just too slow against quicker more athletic players.

At least Manu has an excuse. He's had a ton of injuries and it seems his body is now simply betraying him. He's had a stellar career and will be in the basketball HOF.

Splitter has absolutely no excuse for his charmin-like play. I guess he has been overrated by many. However, the light is on now. He's been an utter disgrace in this series. Kawai Leonard has been the superior rebounder over our 6'11" Brazilan-born center - which is inexplicable.

[kaji157]

At least Manu has an excuse. He's had a ton of injuries and it seems his body is now simply betraying him. He's had a stellar career and will be in the basketball HOF.

Splitter has absolutely no excuse for his charmin-like play. I guess he has been overrated by many. However, the light is on now. He's been an utter disgrace in this series. Kawai Leonard has been the superior rebounder over our 6'11" Brazilan-born center - which is inexplicable.

It´s actually explicable. He is, as you said, brazilian-born. How many brazilians do you know that don´t shrink in the biggest basketball scenario?

[SenorSpur]

It´s actually explicable. He is, as you said, brazilian-born. How many brazilians do you know that don´t shrink in the biggest basketball scenario?

touche'

[rascal]

Anyone know how many times Slitter got his shot blocked last night? Those are turnovers and result in fast break points the other way.

[kaji157]

Anyone know how many times Slitter got his shot blocked last night? Those are turnovers and result in fast break points the other way.

3 blocked shots (heonly took 3 shots), 3 turnovers.