Manu back to the bench?

[exstatic]

what is to prevent barry from getting taken advantage of on the defensive end

Suposedly, that's one thing they are trying to prevent. His cover is DerMarr, not one of the big scorers on Denver. When DerMarr goes out and Boykins comes in, look for the Manu subs ution. That moves Manu to cover Andre, Tony to Boykins, and Bowen stays on Melo.

[Nikos]

he would get more steals in 4 if played less minutes to that point

Right. Your point? Its the playoffs. Play your best players.

Manu is not a fourth quarter wizard. He is more of an all around player, who at times can take over in a fourth quarter when feeling it. But don't expect him to play perfect basketball in the fourth because he is coming off the bench.

[hendrix]

Nobody knows what will happen, it could just work out alright if the team adjust at time in the first quarter.... or it could be the worst decision ever if Barry doesnt do it well enough and we could be down by 20 at the half... and then what: "Manu! you're up"?

[dcole50]

btw. barry is a

early three by barry. what a .

[hendrix]

So, what i mean is... Pop is gambling now and that should tell us he thinks we're screwed. And if the coach is in panic, the team will play with fear.
Again, nobody knows what will happen, it only remains to pray.

[exstatic]

DerMarr scores on him IMMEDIATELY.

[Gerryatrics]

I wanted Pop to make adjustments, but this is a bit much. Barry can be effective off the bench if you just get him touches, I guess Pop is starting Bones to reinforce that with the rest of the team. When you start, touches are a given. I still don't think this was neccesary, even down 0-1 losing home court advantage. We'll see how it works out I guess. But if nothing else, I'm happy seeing Brent starting and hopefully getting some solid minutes.

[hendrix]

Anyways... Pop is a lucky bas ...

[hendrix]

I just hope Manu doesnt play bad because nobody would save Pop's ass.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

I think this may turn out to be brilliant. Manu is smart enough to not see this as a demotion. If barry needs to start to be effective then let him start, its what the team needs. Manu is going to be fine.

[dcole50]

Anyways... Pop is a lucky bas ...

when things don't work out, he's a moron. when things work out, he's lucky.

[Gerryatrics]

So now what I'm wondering is; will Barry be in at the end of the game? Being one of the most clutch players on the team, and now being in the starting lineup, you'd think he would be. Of course, it made perfect sense to sub him in when the Spurs went 10 minutes without a bucket too, and Pop didn't do that. Parker, Ginobili, Barry, Horry/Nazr, Duncan in crunch time (unless it's a blowout)?

[Athenea]

IT IS A FRIGGING DEMOTION!!
ARE U BLIND!!!???!!!

[Duncanoypi]

will Barry start on saturday?

[TMTTRIO]

It'll be interesting since Devin's coming back?

[Nikos]

Just WIN GAME 3 damn it.

[Obstructed_View]

This will never work all it will do is give denver a big lead early. Mark my words

You are a total ing stupidass. Mark my words.

[Spurminator]

Props to Manu for embracing his role, and props to Barry for stepping up under pressure.

I'm not sure I want to see this as a permanent move... maybe just against Denver... but it clearly worked tonight.

[Obstructed_View]

Manu is good enough to create his own opportunities if he comes in off the bench. Barry was signed to make teams pay for doubling Duncan. If Duncan and Barry aren't on the floor at the same time you lose the advantage. Not sure it's going to be permanent either, but it's hard to dispute the logic. Only a re would think it was a demotion of Manu. Starting is overrated. Finishing is the important part.

[EasilyAmused]

Props to Manu for embracing his role, and props to Barry for stepping up under pressure.

I'm not sure I want to see this as a permanent move... maybe just against Denver... but it clearly worked tonight.

I agree with eveything you said, even if I see it as a demotion, but then again, I am no expert when it comes to Basketball...

edit to add* but I ain't re ed!

[Athenea]

Manu is good enough to create his own opportunities if he comes in off the bench. Barry was signed to make teams pay for doubling Duncan. If Duncan and Barry aren't on the floor at the same time you lose the advantage. Not sure it's going to be permanent either, but it's hard to dispute the logic. Only a re would think it was a demotion of Manu. Starting is overrated. Finishing is the important part.

Blah blah blah I appreciate mediocrity...

[spurster]

Can't complain about the results.

[Ginofan]

Obviosly Manu isn't going to be all *sparkly* about this but he's a good enough person to not complain and he knows he's doing what's best for the team. If this is going to happen every time we start Barry and bring Manu from the bench then by all means DO IT.

Did anyone catch the Pop conference after the game? They asked him how Manu responded to being told he was going to come off the bench, Pop said "He asked to be traded"

[ZStomp]

if this is true its over chalk up another win to denver

you popovich

I wonder...

[Mark in Austin]

So let me get this straight... we criticize Pop for not being able to make adjustments mid-series; for being too stubborn.

And now when he actually makes an adjustment that proves to be incredibly effective, he's an idiot?

Are the numbers lying to us? Did the Spurs actually do worse tonight because Manu came off the bench?