Game Thoughts: Spurs @ Blazers Apr. 6

[timaios]

Again, I truly think it's a matter of Manu just pacing himself against sub par teams. My only question is whether that pacing is being ordered by Pop or Manu is doing it himself.

I don't think Manu can pacing himself !
He is an always 100% guy.

[roycrikside]

The fact remains, one shot attempt in all the time he played with Parker and there were sequences, whole stretches at a time where he never touched the ball. I'm sure some of it is his doing, but some of it is Pop's and Tony's as well. Spread the blame 33% each and call it a day.

And I wouldn't be too concerned about it and would chalk it up to the bad team Manu/good team Manu theory, but even in the Utah game, they didn't go to him very much at all the first three quarters (especially when he played with Tim and Tony) and then we he tried to rev it up in the 4th, he just couldn't. He even said something like "I couldn't do anything in the 4th when it's my time of the game."

I don't like that he has a designated "time of the game" now. Generally your 2nd best player should be used from the moment he steps on the floor.

The Suns game on Wednesday will tell the tale I guess.

[roycrikside]

do not get me started
manu had the dagger not tp even though tp hit the 2 big jumpers last night
and put the lead to much for blazers to come back
it had to be the manu dunk

You've got a lot of nerve trumpeting the heroics of a guy who was 2 of 14 before he hit his last two shots, Ducks. That's a pretty crappy night for a guy who shoots mostly lay-ups and floaters.

[anakha]

......aaaaaaaand Round 15,482 of the ongoing CoM vs ducks battle is now underway.

Ding!

[Slippy]

No.Again, I truly think it's a matter of Manu just pacing himself against sub par teams. My only question is whether that pacing is being ordered by Pop or Manu is doing it himself. Either way, I think it's a good thing. We all know Manu can take over when needed ... no point in proving that versus teams the Spurs can beat without Manu putting his body on the line.

I agree with your thinking that Manu is holding back by choice although I'd say both he and Pop probably found some common ground on this one. To be honest , i've always thought Manu plays it out this way when Tim and Tony offer the team the best chance of scoring and his all out play is not needed. Ultimately, it benifits Manu and the team for others to get involved. They all need to be firing and get into play-off form. At the same time a refreshed Manu saves his best for when it matters knowing opposing defenses will be focused on his teammates and less on him.

All this goes out the door if the team struggles and Manu's forced to make more of a impact before the play-offs start.

[timvp]

The fact remains, one shot attempt in all the time he played with Parker and there were sequences, whole stretches at a time where he never touched the ball. I'm sure some of it is his doing, but some of it is Pop's and Tony's as well. Spread the blame 33% each and call it a day.

I don't really care how blame is spread. However, it's just weird that Ginobili is the only player on the team that gets excuses made for him whenever he doesn't have a big game. If Parker or Duncan have an off game, it's due to them sucking. If Ginobili has an off game, it's because Parker didn't pass him the ball, Pop wasn't calling plays for him and Duncan got the ball on the post too much.

And I wouldn't be too concerned about it and would chalk it up to the bad team Manu/good team Manu theory, but even in the Utah game, they didn't go to him very much at all the first three quarters (especially when he played with Tim and Tony) and then we he tried to rev it up in the 4th, he just couldn't. He even said something like "I couldn't do anything in the 4th when it's my time of the game."

It is Ginobili's time of game when Pop trots out the lineup featuring only Ginobili with Duncan and Parker resting. That was Ginobili taking the fall for the loss; not him saying he only gets shots in the fourth.

I don't like that he has a designated "time of the game" now. Generally your 2nd best player should be used from the moment he steps on the floor.

Ginobili usually gets involved right away when he comes off the bench. That's why he's so successful coming in that role. It takes him no time to warm up and get into the action. He just comes into the game ready to roll. I don't know of anybody else in the league capable of doing that.

And really, I don't see the point of using the "2nd best player" line. Offensively, this team is split almost exactly between the big three. The big three couldn't split shot attempts more evenly if they tried. And it really depends on the scenario to determine who the "best" player is ... it's not set in stone. During the 2005 playoff run and this regular season, I'd say Ginobili would be ranked as the "best". However, Parker was better than Ginobili in the 2006 regular season and the 2007 playoffs. Duncan was probably only the third best player in the 2006 regular season. Overall, Duncan is almost always the most valuable due to his role on the team but who is "best" changes too often to put a hard label on the big three.

The Suns game on Wednesday will tell the tale I guess.

True. I'm expecting Ginobili to come out with both guns blazing.