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Amen.
Why do you think it's better that he plays five extra minutes a game but changes his playing style? I would rather he played 30 minutes game and didn't have to change anything about playing all out every minute he was on the floor.I don't see why if he played 35mpg he could not simply see a less proportion of possesions, pass a bit more, and pace himself? If he is incapable of doing this come playoff time the Spurs chances are not quite so good.
Amen.
If you are so certain about your opinion, why don't you ask the man himself?
You could ask him if he would consider himself capable of playing 35 minutes average in the playoffs.
Statistically speaking, his productivity (pro-rated to the numbers of minutes played) has been larger than his total average when playing 33+ minutes. The quan ative data does not back up your statement.
You don't have any quan ative data for what I'm saying. He has never played 35 mpg over the course of an NBA season.Statistically speaking, his productivity (pro-rated to the numbers of minutes played) has been larger than his total average when playing 33+ minutes. The quan ative data does not back up your statement.
I'm not talking about his statistics. I'm talking about the wear-and-tear on his body. Of course he can play some games of 35+ minutes and put up good numbers, but over a course of a season if he did that every night his body would be broken down and he'd likely end up on IR. He often says in post game that he feels sluggish, tired, and beaten up and cites the reason because he played "a lot of minutes" or because it's a back-to-back. I don't need to ask him something that he mentions all the time.
I recently asked him in his forum if he felt like he could average 40 mpg, and he said he probably could but after game 82 he would take a 4 year vacation lol(so, thats a no).
I have yet to ask him if he could average 35mpg, but seeing his previous answer I assume he can do it if he rests previously. 30mpg is really little time for a 27 year guy.
Yeah, but not every 27 year old guy plays all out and sacrifices their body like Manu does. I'd rather he kept his style of play and played around 30 minutes rather than trying to slow himself down or "pace himself" as Nikos says just to play 35 every night.30mpg is really little time for a 27 year guy.
If the Spurs go deep in the playoffs, they will play between 16 to 28 games. Most probably something between 20 to 22 games with no back-to-backs.
In your opinion, do you consider him capable of playing an average of 35 minutes in the playoffs?
Independently of your opinion, I wonder what Manu would say about that. I am pretty sure that he would say yes.
Yes, he's not going to breakdown immediately over playing 35 minutes in the playoffs with adequate rest between games. What I have said, and always have been saying, is that he cannot play 35 minutes a night throughout an 82 game season and throughout the playoffs with his style of play without suffering injuries and severe fatigue.
I'm saying he would still be effective if he played 35mpg. His productivity per minute may go down, but its not going to be anything drastic. Luckily this team has had solid guys like Barry, SJax, DBrown in the rotation now and in the past. Guys who hit open shots and also give solid defense in the system (Barry more offense of course).
Just look at his game at the beggining of the 0203 season, he was basically playing PG for the team. His turnovers were low, and assists were high. And he was still racking up steals. Only thing that was off was is shooting, but he still played that same way. Some of his best games were games he easily logged over 33+ minutes. He paced himself a bit more, and simply DID not gamble as much or go chicken on defense (like I saw him do live in Boston a few times). He came off the bench and simply exerted tons of energy on defense back in his rookie season when you were claiming he could not play over 30mpg then as well - today he seems be a little less of a gambler (but still does).
This season he is being used more as a scorer than seasons past.
It just doesn't make sense to me that a player gets worse with more minutes, you act as though he would average 12-4-3 if he played more minutes. I just do not see it that way. Most players get better with more minutes -- and I could understand if Manu was JUST A PURE scorer than it would make sense that he wouldn't deserve more than 30 minutes -- but the guy is an all around player. He doesn't have to be playing 200% to be effective in this system, where you have Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and guys who can hit open shots from time to time.
Yes I understand he is an energy guy, and he might be a bit less effective with 35mpg, but I just don't buy the fact he cannot average 33mpg or so if the Spurs really needed him too.
I have seen several games this season where Manu simply can goto the bench after the 5-6 min mark, and not have exerted much energy at all. He is pacing himself a bit more for the offense end this season. Pop never likes to put him on a good offensive player, even if it means putting in DB or Bowen, when they are OFF.
I guess we will have to disagree on this one. I personally beleive that players (even ones who play as hard as Manu does) find a way to actually play better with more minutes (provided they aren't merely spot up shooters or one dimensional). And even those guys tend to do better with 30-34mpg as opposed to 10-15mpg on mediocre teams who have no other alternatives.
Just my opinion (I know you disagree strongly).
I don't really disagree with this, and actually don't mind it provided Brent Barry plays to his potential. Manu does more in 30 minutes than most SGs do in 35-36mpg. And if we can use him in that allotted time, and also have 18 quality minutes from Brent -- then the SG position is about as good as any in the league. Including SG positions occupied by some of the NBA's elite.
All I am saying is I really think if Manu was on an inferior team and had to play 33-35mpg, he could adjust and find a way to do it. And I do not think his stats would take a huge dip. 40mpg no. But 32-34mpg? Why not?
But in the playoffs I would rather him see 32-34mpg, and let Barry be the designated swingman of the bench. And if he is not playing up to par, I wouldn't mind keeping Manu in a few extra minutes than usual.
Sounds to me like Manu is a whiner and the Spurs shoulda packaged him and Malik for a true allstar.
Manu has alot of excuses right now since he is playing like .
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