Popovich’s Double Standard With Duncan, Ginobili May Have Just Cost Spurs the le

[Virgil]

For a minute there, when I began to read, I thought it was OP who wrote that, and I thought to myself: "Well, well, well, this idiot is not an illetrate after all"... Then I realized it was an article...

[Kidd K]

stop reading here
stupid take
preferential treatment

pop played manu off the bench his whole career that's a preferential treatment

If Pop let Manu in the game it's because Manu career is a load of ty or so so games saved by late heroics helping his team winning crucial games or even rings. Of course one day this was meant to not happen anymore but when ? If I'm Pop I also let Manu in the game because dude is the incarnation of willingness to win. Sure it was a mistake but if the Spurs loose with Manu on the bench the board would have been pearl harbor.

Getting tons of touches and playing time despite not being as good as he used to be while Duncan gets benched at the ends of games (game 6 wasn't the only time, it also happened in the Warriors series). While Manu rarely if ever gets benched no matter how bad he's playing unless he's hurt.

And yes it is preferential treatment. The fact that he is kept in the game because of however many instances of "heroics" is a prime example of preferential treatment. It's practically the definition of it. "Well even though he's playing like , I'm keeping him in because he can do better".

I don't think Spurs losing with Manu on the bench would've netted the same outrage. Manu had played like so it'd make sense for him not to be out there and getting tons of touches. During the season Manu had the 3rd highest USG% (by far higher than #4) yet was 7th on the team in Offensive/defensive rating difference. 2nd worst on the team of the high minutes players with only Neal being worse. Preferential treatment. His playing time and touches do not diminish with bad play.

My takes are always based on stats and things that have recently happened (this season or previous season), not emotion, nostalgia, and opinion like yours seem to be. So saying my takes are ty, you're basically saying numbers lie and emotion tells the truth. Please.

[bklynspursfan]

Problem is, Tim wouldntve been chasin perimiter guys! Bosh was down low so thats where Tim woulda been!!!

Instead pop puts Boris Diaw in, WTF!?

But don't you think Miami would use Duncan in a screen & roll situation to have him switch on to someone else? It's like when folks were so upset about Hibbert being benched (though Miami only needed 2 to win that game) Hibbert would've ended up getting screened and switched leaving him guarding one of Miami's corner 3 point shooters away from the basket. It's very possible and likely the same thing happens with Timmy.

[LakerHater]

But don't you think Miami would use Duncan in a screen & roll situation to have him switch on to someone else? It's like when folks were so upset about Hibbert being benched (though Miami only needed 2 to win that game) Hibbert would've ended up getting screened and switched leaving him guarding one of Miami's corner 3 point shooters away from the basket. It's very possible and likely the same thing happens with Timmy.

At the end of that very same game, Spurs had shooters on the court & Chris Bosh went over & blocked danny green's shot to end the game!!
Spo didnt bench his stars in crunch time!

Winners always wanna be in the game in those situations!

[bklynspursfan]

At the end of that very same game, Spurs had shooters on the court & Chris Bosh went over & blocked danny green's shot to end the game!!
Spo didnt bench his stars in crunch time!

Winners always wanna be in the game in those situations!

Yea I guess... I see both sides of it tbh.. Bosh is also at this point in their careers more spry and is able to react quicker on the perimeter. Maybe Splitter would've been better than Diaw, Splitter was the one playing for Timmy at the end of games against GS at times.

[therealtruth]

Yea I guess... I see both sides of it tbh.. Bosh is also at this point in their careers more spry and is able to react quicker on the perimeter. Maybe Splitter would've been better than Diaw, Splitter was the one playing for Timmy at the end of games against GS at times.

We saw how Splitter shut down Conley at the end of one of the games against the Grizzlies. He can actually switch on smalls and bother the shot. Also with the Heat needing a 3 he really only had to play for the shot and not the drive.

[UZER]

What if the spurs didnt even go for the rebound and let the heat go get it if they want to while everyone stays along the three point line? If they get the rebound and score the layup, who cares. But since they need a three, you let them go get the rebound and make them come back out to you while you're sealing off the three poi nt line.

Its backwards, I know, but think about. Instead of scrambling for the long rebounds then scrambling to cover the three, just stay at the three point line and seal it off when they try to come back out.

[Capt Bringdown]

Worst moment in Spurs history (improbably blowing a 5-pt lead with 28 seconds left and the championship in the bag), perhaps the biggest NBA finals choke of all-time. A turning point in NBA history as well, as LeBron's legacy is rescued & Duncan walks away wondering what might have been. The dream of 3 les in 3 decades pissed away by Pop's impossibly bad coaching decisions and the careless, choking hands of Manu.

Both Pop and Manu have earned the accolades, but they have also earned the dishonor of these horrible blunders.

I don't see any other coaching legend making those mistakes...do you?

[UZER]

Worst moment in Spurs history (improbably blowing a 5-pt lead with 28 seconds left and the championship in the bag), perhaps the biggest NBA finals choke of all-time. A turning point in NBA history as well, as LeBron's legacy is rescued & Duncan walks away wondering what might have been. The dream of 3 les in 3 decades pissed away by Pop's impossibly bad coaching decisions and the careless, choking hands of Manu.

Both Pop and Manu have earned the accolades, but they have also earned the dishonor of these horrible blunders.

I don't see any other coaching legend making those mistakes...do you?

Like unicron rescuing Megatron, pop singlehandedly rescued lebron. Dude was staring into the abyss at the beginning of the 4th of game 6. He looked completely dumbfounded as his legacy was about to be pushed into oblivion. He looked like we wanted to crawl under a rock.If you don't believe me, go watch the tape.

Pop put in the stupid 4th qtr line-up which started the cpr, and the rest is now LeBrons legacy, when he should have been history. If LeBron goes on to win more les, pop should get some of those royalties for saving his career, because he was not recovering from that finals loss.

[Baam]

If he has any decency he's gonna retire.

[Capt Bringdown]

Like unicron rescuing Megatron, pop singlehandedly rescued lebron. Dude was staring into the abyss at the beginning of the 4th of game 6. He looked completely dumbfounded as his legacy was about to be pushed into oblivion. He looked like we wanted to crawl under a rock.If you don't believe me, go watch the tape.

Unfortunately, I don't need to watch the tape - that image is burned into my brain. Credit to him and the Heat that they made the most of the gifts given to them by Pop and Manu.

Sucks to be on the wrong end of such a dramatic turnaround. You don't get many chances to make history.
It really was a moment of no return for all concerned, perhaps even more final for the Spurs. The TD era Spurs will never again return to the finals and LeBron's legacy will likely never again be in doubt.

[james evans]

While everyone's whining about "this thread again", the fact remains that OP is bang on accurate.

Popovich does not coach Ginobili the same way he does everyone else. He is given preferential treatment no matter how bad he's playing. And no, this is not hindsight, because mid-game you could tell Manu didn't have it. I was thinking Pop needed to bench him for the remainder of the 1st half with about 5-7 minutes to go. THAT early I was wanting Manu benched. And this is despite how good he played in game 5.

Not a knee jerk reaction either. From watching how bad and inconsistent he's been not only throughout the playoffs but to close the season, those of us that have really paid attention knew that Manu doesn't "get it back" once he "doesn't have it" on a particular night. 2 years ago, Manu would get it back. This year? Not very often. When he starts bad, he usually ends bad. I also don't care if he occaisionally hits a shot late in a game after he just bricked 7/8 before that and had 3 turnovers. The one make doesn't make up for all the ups even if we win. It'd be his fault we didn't win comfortably instead of need the last shot.

The decisions at the end of game 6 still bum me the out whenever I think about it. Everything about it just seemed wrong. Why take out Duncan? Why have Leonard (bad FT shooter in the postseason) in the game and catching the ball to shoot free throws when we needed BOTH? Why take Duncan out a SECOND TIME when it clearly didn't work the first time? Why ride Manu in OT when he was ting the bed all night?

in jesus. Mistake after mistake. And that doesn't even touch on the terrible lineup he started the 4th with.

I rarely blame Pop for anything, but good lord did he up game 6 after the first 3 quarters. Almost every real decision he made didn't work, and as soon as he made them I was questioning them on the spot as being dumb (something I also rarely do since I feel Pop usually makes the right call or at least a logical one). But that game. . .Pop seemed to just throw logic and good coaching out the window and went on emotion and nostalgia.

it was the worst display of coaching i've seen by a great coach in the finals since jackson in 2004 letting kobe shoot the lakers out of the series. it's like he just didn't give a damn. i'll ask again, how does popovich get duncan to listen to him next season while knowing he FUKED UP a le with bad coaching?

[still.focused]

stop reading here
stupid take
preferential treatment

pop played manu off the bench his whole career that's a preferential treatment

If Pop let Manu in the game it's because Manu career is a load of ty or so so games saved by late heroics helping his team winning crucial games or even rings. Of course one day this was meant to not happen anymore but when ? If I'm Pop I also let Manu in the game because dude is the incarnation of willingness to win. Sure it was a mistake but if the Spurs loose with Manu on the bench the board would have been pearl harbor.

Willingness alone doesnt amount to anything. It must be accompanied by ability
And thats where Manu is deficient at this point in his career
Our best line ups DO NOT include Manu Ginobili
Nobody woulda gave a if Manu was on the bench because his play didnt warrant him bein on the court
Btw Spurs lost Game 6 with TD(Top 10 player of all-time) on the bench AND Game 7 with TP(Our MVP) on the bench

[Johnny RIngo]

If Pop let Manu in the game it's because Manu career is a load of ty or so so games saved by late heroics helping his team winning crucial games or even rings. Of course one day this was meant to not happen anymore but when ?

How about the year where Manu is putting up career low playoff numbers and is relegated to 5th option on offense?

[HI-FI]

Every time I read a thread like this I think it will make me feel better but it doesn't. Just brings up a lot of anger at what could've been.

Pop made some mistakes, but damn, if Manu played halfway decent then we aren't even having this conversation. I can blame Pop for out coaching himself but I can see why he stuck with Manu. It may not have been the logical choice but he probably thought manu still had some mojo left. Even I didn't think he was that done. ....this is going to be the longest offseason.

[Kidd K]

it was the worst display of coaching i've seen by a great coach in the finals since jackson in 2004 letting kobe shoot the lakers out of the series. it's like he just didn't give a damn. i'll ask again, how does popovich get duncan to listen to him next season while knowing he FUKED UP a le with bad coaching?

Honestly, if (and big if) The Spurs get back into a situation like that, no doubt Duncan tells Pop to go himself and stays out on the floor.

Honestly, the more you think about those last plays in game 6, the dumber it seems. Pop wanted to sit Duncan while he was winning his 5th le during his best game of the Finals (and possibly of the playoffs). Dude sat his best defender and best rebounder for the two most important possessions where you need a stop and a rebound. Just a mega re ed decision all around.

Pop isn't even close to a ty coach, but the guy made some of the worst decisions of his career at the end of game 6. Manu is more to blame for that loss obviously, but Pop was trying to get too cute with it and micromanage for no reason. You're up 5 with less than 30 seconds left. You don't need to micromanage, you need to have your best guys out there.

[therealtruth]

Honestly, if (and big if) The Spurs get back into a situation like that, no doubt Duncan tells Pop to go himself and stays out on the floor.

Honestly, the more you think about those last plays in game 6, the dumber it seems. Pop wanted to sit Duncan while he was winning his 5th le during his best game of the Finals (and possibly of the playoffs). Dude sat his best defender and best rebounder for the two most important possessions where you need a stop and a rebound. Just a mega re ed decision all around.

Pop isn't even close to a ty coach, but the guy made some of the worst decisions of his career at the end of game 6. Manu is more to blame for that loss obviously, but Pop was trying to get too cute with it and micromanage for no reason. You're up 5 with less than 30 seconds left. You don't need to micromanage, you need to have your best guys out there.

Sometimes the obvious decision really is the right decision. We wouldn't be talking about Pop if he had just let Tim play. You know Tim would have come up with a defensive play in that position. He was playing his heart out.

The Heat were down 5. They didn't necessarily need a 3. They needed the best available shot. The Spurs simply needed to make one more defensive stop. Pop should have played the best defensive lineup. Spoelstra outcoached Pop by getting him to forget about defense and rebounding. We saw what the Spurs can do when they are focused on defense. They closed out games against the Grizzlies that way. Instead Pop was reacting more to what Spoelstra was doing.

[HemisfairArena]

Honestly, if (and big if) The Spurs get back into a situation like that, no doubt Duncan tells Pop to go himself and stays out on the floor.

Honestly, the more you think about those last plays in game 6, the dumber it seems. Pop wanted to sit Duncan while he was winning his 5th le during his best game of the Finals (and possibly of the playoffs). Dude sat his best defender and best rebounder for the two most important possessions where you need a stop and a rebound. Just a mega re ed decision all around.

Pop isn't even close to a ty coach, but the guy made some of the worst decisions of his career at the end of game 6. Manu is more to blame for that loss obviously, but Pop was trying to get too cute with it and micromanage for no reason. You're up 5 with less than 30 seconds left. You don't need to micromanage, you need to have your best guys out there.

BINGO! This is what I have been trying to get across to Pop lovers. Do you think Phil Jackson would ever bench Jordan or Kobe up by 5 with 28 seconds to go to win a le? Or Riley would bench Magic or Kareem? Or Tomjanovich would bench Hakeem? It was beyond ridiculous. The most disrespect a top 10 player of All Time has ever experienced on the biggest stage in NBA history.

[therealtruth]

BINGO! This is what I have been trying to get across to Pop lovers. Do you think Phil Jackson would ever bench Jordan or Kobe up by 5 with 28 seconds to go to win a le? Or Riley would bench Magic or Kareem? Or Tomjanovich would bench Hakeem? It was beyond ridiculous. The most disrespect a top 10 player of All Time has ever experienced on the biggest stage in NBA history.

If Rudy benches Olajuwon in game 6 in '94 they probably lose the game. He had a huge block on Starks. Duncan could also have had an iconic defensive play if he was allowed to play.

[Baam]

I pretty sure Tim still has trouble sleeping because of the crap Pop pulled.

[TheGreatYacht]

Honestly, if (and big if) The Spurs get back into a situation like that, no doubt Duncan tells Pop to go himself and stays out on the floor.
Honestly, the more you think about those last plays in game 6, the dumber it seems. Pop wanted to sit Duncan while he was winning his 5th le during his best game of the Finals (and possibly of the playoffs). Dude sat his best defender and best rebounder for the two most important possessions where you need a stop and a rebound. Just a mega re ed decision all around.
Pop isn't even close to a ty coach, but the guy made some of the worst decisions of his career at the end of game 6. Manu is more to blame for that loss obviously, but Pop was trying to get too cute with it and micromanage for no reason. You're up 5 with less than 30 seconds left. You don't need to micromanage, you need to have your best guys out there.

Sometimes the obvious decision really is the right decision. We wouldn't be talking about Pop if he had just let Tim play. You know Tim would have come up with a defensive play in that position. He was playing his heart out.
The Heat were down 5. They didn't necessarily need a 3. They needed the best available shot. The Spurs simply needed to make one more defensive stop. Pop should have played the best defensive lineup. Spoelstra outcoached Pop by getting him to forget about defense and rebounding. We saw what the Spurs can do when they are focused on defense. They closed out games against the Grizzlies that way. Instead Pop was reacting more to what Spoelstra was doing.

BINGO! This is what I have been trying to get across to Pop lovers. Do you think Phil Jackson would ever bench Jordan or Kobe up by 5 with 28 seconds to go to win a le? Or Riley would bench Magic or Kareem? Or Tomjanovich would bench Hakeem? It was beyond ridiculous. The most disrespect a top 10 player of All Time has ever experienced on the biggest stage in NBA history.

If Rudy benches Olajuwon in game 6 in '94 they probably lose the game. He had a huge block on Starks. Duncan could also have had an iconic defensive play if he was allowed to play.

Bump. None of the Popsuckers and Manu worshippers replied back so I guess we've finally won the argument.

[Proxy]

Bump. None of the Popsuckers and Manu worshippers replied back so I guess we've finally won the argument.

We get it. You're fickle. Please, stop you're obsessive ing.