Harvey: Ginobili as savior? One who will, can't

[MannyIsGod]

There was something very different about those teams, they peaked late in the season, and those losses caused a turn around.

Maybe tonight will be the one that caused the turn around, but so far we've been waiting.

[Kori Ellis]

Tim Duncan was playing when those teams gotten beaten badly. He's not playing right now.

Do you honestly think the Spurs would be on a three-game losing streak with a healthy Duncan and Devin? Let them adjust to playing without them. And when the boys get back and healthy, this team will be even tougher because they've had to endure without Duncan.

[Tek_XX]

Hey look on the bright side, we won't be peaking to soon that's for sure.

[toosmallshoes]

they're hurt. the heart of the team (manu) and the backbone (Duncan). Devin is hurt too. maybe this is the perfect time for everyone to get injured. gives them a chance to rest before the playoffs. spotlights the weaknesses of the team. And with Manu and Devin hurt, this is Barry's opportunity to gain some confidence or wilt trying. And Tony needs to grow the up. And note to the big guys: "You're big. Play that way." If this adversity doesn't build some positive character on the Spurs by the end of the regular season, then our so called "dynastic" team will turn into a mere disaster.

[Ginofan]

I think people are over-reacting and don't remember that every season (including the Championship seasons) there were stretches when the team played soft, dumb, and just plain bad ... and most of those stretches Tim Duncan was on the court. Why I think people are freaking (and maybe rightfully so) is because this stretch is coming so late in the season.

This Spurs team is good. Up until this three-game losing streak they were on track to break the franchise win record. They have one of the best point-differentials in history. They have the best home record they've ever had. And a variety of other things.

Losing sucks and Spurs fans aren't used to it. But a three-game losing streak without Tim Duncan doesn't mean this whole team is crap. They need to adjust to playing without him. They haven't done that yet.

If 10 days from now they are still losing, then Spurs fans can cry, stomp, yell, scream and jump off the bandwagon. But right now, just let them come home and regroup and see what they are going to bring to the table.

I think you're right Kori. I know I feel more nervous losing like this so close to the end of the season. Granted we aren't healthy, but do we have enough time to be healthy? If Manu wants to win, he's going to do everything in his power to push himself to win...that can cause more damage...and even more reinjury. I wish some of the HEALTHY people had his mentality and his toughness, so he wouldn't have to push his body so hard.

[johnny00]

Damn right, Manu is a winner, along with Duncan and Parker.

Parker has no heart, just because he has a championship ring doesn't mean he's a winner. Speedy Claxton outplayed Tony in the Finals against the Nets. Wasn't Tony the poor Spur who should've been on the All-Star team and let everyone know how disappointed he was that he didn't make it?? Well when it's time for him to step up to the plate and prove to everyone how good he is, he's doing exactly what he did in the 2003 Finals...curling up in the fetal position in the corner of the room and wilting when the pressure is on.

[ducks]

I think spurs still can win out
I think spurs can beat houston without duncan
sonics may take the spurs for granted without duncan and spurs could beat them

[GrandeDavid]

Kori, we`ll see on SUNDAY, you mean. The Spurs will find a way to win against Atlanta at home somehow. But the real test will come against the Rockets when both will be crucial in defending Yao. The scary thing is Yao seems to have really bulked up and in that Heat-Rockets game the other night Yao looked (gulp) so much stronger than O`Neal. No, he`s not an aggressive player, but we`ll need Rasho and Nazr to be aggressive in order to win.

[BigVee]

Let's be realistic here. Without Duncan, an obviously sub-par Manu, Nazr still not 100% (not sure what that means), no Devin Brown, the Spurs will not beat the Rockets. Pop built this team around one superstar. With him out of the line up, the others are lost. I saw many times last night when players were the most open after one pass, but they are programmed to pass ad nauseum before shooting. The offense needs to be adjusted without TD. They need to take the best shot they have regardless of where they are in the shot clock. Manu cannot carry this team in his current physical shape. Parker? It is easy for teams to shut off the lane...which is his game. Bowen? No offense there. Barry? Not the type to dominate a game. Rasho? Two years to develop him and he is no better....if anything he has regressed. Horry? Too old to be the focal point for an entire game. Beno? Can't create his own shot. Against a tough minded, defense oriented team, in the current situation, they will not generate enough offense to win. Indiana pushed them all over the court last night, NY did as well and Houston will do the same. I agree the effort needs improvement, but I think the offensive scheme needs improvement as well. The Spurs may not win another game until TD returns.

[Mark in Austin]

Damn right, Manu is a winner, along with Duncan and Parker.

I'm a big Parker fan, but a winner on the same level a Manu or Duncan? When has Tony ever carried a team ALL THE WAY to a le?

Manu did it in the Olympics. Tim in 2003. Tony? The French national team lost a close game; and in the Playoffs last year, one Laker adjustment destroyed him.

Winners find a way to get it done, no matter what the opposition is doing. I hope Tony can become that kind of player, but he isn't there yet.

[ALVAREZ6]

OK fine guys, take Parker out of the list, I wasn't going to include him the first time I posted, but I was trying to be nice...there's a lot of TP fans

[boutons]

"one Laker adjustment destroyed him."

All of the Spurs players and coaches ed up big vs Lakers, not just Tony. If you say the Lakers paint defense shutdown Tony, you have have it also shutdown Tim.

And I see exactly the same thing this year, eg, the loss @Heat. Shut down the paint, and Spurs lose.

These Spurs are soft, so that ANY opponent that hustles on defense, puts up any kind of resistance, will find the Spurs crumbling and struggling to score.

-19 after 3 quarters, the ing Raps jumped on the Spurs and they collapsed, offense and defense.

Grizz hustle, and they win @MEM.

The ing lottery Clips come into SBC, hustle, and come within a hair of winning.

The ing lottery Jazz hustle, and the Spurs lose.