Just saw a Spurs lineup that kind of intrigued me..

[DAF86]

You waste a lot of Manu's value starting him. You have enough offense in the starting squad, enough shooters, enough slashers, enough facilitators.

Sliding him to the 2nd squad, like usual, ramps up his productivity and value, and creates a huge headache for opposing coaches. I agree these young players aren't as seasoned as we'd like, but they are dynamic, hungry, and learning.

Manu plays better when he starts.

[Hornets1]

Manu shouldn't start. He's the spark of the 2nd unit and is a perfect fit there. As far as Jefferson being better, I don't know about that. I'd rather a healthy manu than a healthy jefferson on my team. Manu creates more problems for the defense, thus opening up the spurs attack

[J.T.]

I liked you better with the Zack Morris avatar.

[Mr. Body]

Manu plays better when he starts.

Has this been proven?

[WildcardManu]

Manu at SF, no thanks.

[Spursfan092120]

I liked you better with the Zack Morris avatar.

lol..I just noticed yours..Bayside..nice..

[Mark in Austin]

I admire Scoop Jackson's ability to continue to receive a paycheck for the product he puts out.

Agreed. That was a pretty ty article. Bad analysis.

[WildcardManu]

Maybe Bonner back at SF would be a better idea, but then the backcourt would be crowded with fin, hill, and mason.

[DAF86]

Has this been proven?

I bet there must be some stats out there comparing his numbers when he starts and when he comes off the bench.

Besides most of Manu's best games came with him on the starting line-up.

[Spursfan092120]

Maybe Bonner back at SF would be a better idea, but then the backcourt would be crowded with fin, hill, and mason.

That would suck IMO...the only reason Bonner is worth a crap is because he spreads out the defense by being a big who shoots threes.

[timvp]

If Jefferson doesn't start, someone tampered with the lineup card.

I don't really care if Ginobili starts or comes off the bench. He's probably more useful off the bench due to his ability to carry the second unit. But if he starts, the wear and tear on his body will be less.

So it's a win-win.

[spursnatic]

I think it needs to be like this---Ian Mahinmi---Tim Duncan---Richard Jefferson---Roger Mason Jr.---Tony Parker....

[coyotes_geek]

I bet there must be some stats out there comparing his numbers when he starts and when he comes off the bench.

Besides most of Manu's best games came with him on the starting line-up.

I looked it up. There is no difference between Manu's productivity when he starts and when he comes off the bench whatsoever. I mean none. The only difference in his numbers are a result of him playing less minutes from the bench. It's downright freaky.

Manu as a starter / Manu off the bench.

Games: 239 / 239
Minutes: 30:11 / 25:11
Points: 15.8 / 13.7 (16.4 when adjusted for 30:11 minutes)
Rebounds: 4.4 / 3.7 (4.4 adjusted to 30:11)
Assists: 4.0 / 3.2 (3.8)
Steals: 1.6 / 1.4 (1.7)
Blocks: 0.3 / 0.3 (0.35)
FG%: 45.4% / 45.4%
3pt%: 37.4% / 37.8%
FT%: 81.5% / 82.8%

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/...&type=Fielding

[JustinJDW]

No, bad idea.

RJ needs to start, and Manu is better when coming off the Bench. I am surprised at how many people think Manu can start. We will have Tony, TD, RJ and Mason all in the Starting Lineup, and all of them can score. It's not good to have all your offensive weapons play and rest at the same time.

Manu works better by providing a huge spark off the Bench. Manu and Finley will lead the 2nd Unit, and Hill and Blair will follow. Our entire Team has a great mixture of veterans (Timmy, Tony, Manu, McDyess), young guys (Hill, Blair, Mahinmi, Hairston) and guys in their prime (RJ, Tony again, Mason and Bonner).

[AusSpursFan]

Definitely Manu off the bench, a ball handler, facilitator and vet in the 2nd unit to give leadership to the young guns. I would say he could be just as productive and an integral part of a talented and athletic 2nd unit.

[timvp]

I looked it up. There is no difference between Manu's productivity when he starts and when he comes off the bench whatsoever. I mean none. The only difference in his numbers are a result of him playing less minutes from the bench. It's downright freaky.

Manu as a starter / Manu off the bench.

Games: 239 / 239
Minutes: 30:11 / 25:11
Points: 15.8 / 13.7 (16.4 when adjusted for 30:11 minutes)
Rebounds: 4.4 / 3.7 (4.4 adjusted to 30:11)
Assists: 4.0 / 3.2 (3.8)
Steals: 1.6 / 1.4 (1.7)
Blocks: 0.3 / 0.3 (0.35)
FG%: 45.4% / 45.4%
3pt%: 37.4% / 37.8%
FT%: 81.5% / 82.8%

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/...&type=Fielding

Nice work.

Yeah, Manu plays the same no matter the situation. You could lock him in the Coyote's dressing room for the first quarter and he'd come out firing in the second quarter.

He might be the only player I've ever seen who plays the same no matter the situation.

[urunobili]

Manu will start the season as a starter until Dice and RJ get used to his game so when they starting closing contests they will be familiar with each others game... then Pop will sub him... as usual...

[EmantheSpursFan]

If manu is in the second unit he can take some of the point pressure off hill, and with Hill Ian Blair Manu and hairston/finley it gives you a solid second unit. Plus you can have RJ tire LeBron and Kobe and have Manu come in after they are fatigued and run circles around them

[ElNono]

We should start 11 guys. Somebody find a loophole on the CBA so we can do that.

[Blackjack]

I looked it up. There is no difference between Manu's productivity when he starts and when he comes off the bench whatsoever. I mean none. The only difference in his numbers are a result of him playing less minutes from the bench. It's downright freaky.

Manu as a starter / Manu off the bench.

Games: 239 / 239
Minutes: 30:11 / 25:11
Points: 15.8 / 13.7 (16.4 when adjusted for 30:11 minutes)
Rebounds: 4.4 / 3.7 (4.4 adjusted to 30:11)
Assists: 4.0 / 3.2 (3.8)
Steals: 1.6 / 1.4 (1.7)
Blocks: 0.3 / 0.3 (0.35)
FG%: 45.4% / 45.4%
3pt%: 37.4% / 37.8%
FT%: 81.5% / 82.8%

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/...&type=Fielding

Nice.

If Jefferson doesn't start, someone tampered with the lineup card.

It'd be kind of hard to take on Bowen's responsibilities from the bench.

I don't really care if Ginobili starts or comes off the bench. He's probably more useful off the bench due to his ability to carry the second unit. But if he starts, the wear and tear on his body will be less.

So it's a win-win.

I've always preferred Manu of the bench, to limit his minutes and allow him to be the focal-point with the second unit, but I tend to agree with you now.

Playing with the starting unit probably lessens his burden/wear and tear and the team now has the depth on the bench to not suffer Manu's loss, too much.

I think from a purely basketball standpoint, allowing Manu and Tony's minutes to not mirror each other's is better for them both as individuals and for the team, but it's not as glaring as it used to be with the added talent.

I haven't decided one way or the other, but I'd base my decision solely on what I believed was best for his health.

I guess it comes down to whether you believe Manu playing longer minutes with more talent is less taxing or playing shorter minutes with less talent is.

[Spurs_210]

I personally rather see Manu off the bench for the main reason of limiting his minutes. Then factor the leadship he brings to the 2nd unit and him along with Hill running the offense you really can't go wrong. The spark Manu and Blair will bring will be a nice sight to see.

[pawe]

Id rather Mason start at the 2 and Manu with the 2nd unit. Mason's quick release spot shot will shine from the inside play of TD and the drive and dish from RJ and TP. heck, RMJ might even average 12ppg this season.
Manu will be the vet leading the young 2nd unit with Hill and Blair. We will kick some ass!

[SA210]

I say let's do what 99% of all the other teams do and start our best 5 players: Tony-Manu-RJ-Dice-Tim and bring Hill-Mason-Blair-Mahinmi off the bench.

And stick with that, don't change it every two games, give the guys some time to get comfortable in their roles.

[SpursFan0728]

I don't mind that line-up unless Manu's minutes are limited to around 25 a game

[Dalamar_the_Dark]

This should be our starting lineup. Parker, Mason, Jefferson, McDyess and Duncan.
First player off the bench is Manu then Blair.

This way our defense is pretty good. Also balanced. McDyess can shot the mid-range jumper.

Duncan plays pick and roll with Parker.

Mason and Jefferson provide the 3point threat. Jefferson can also drive some and create his own shot when needed.

This lineup also slows things down which is perfect for the Spurs.

You want more offense and creativity? Sub Manu in. Blair gives a good rebounding presence as a sub who can also score on putbacks (which was sorely lacking last year).