The Spurs surely didn't . . .

[ShoogarBear]

Why are you so butthurt about other posters informing you that Manu wanted to play around 35 mins per game? If he can't play 35 minutes in a game then the Spurs aren't going to do much this season, so it doesn't matter how much he plays.

I'm not "butthurt". He can't play that much without wearing out. I seem to be right. The "butthurt" ones are the reality-ignoring worshipers who foam at the mouth when the truth is pointed out to them. Do you want me to go back and pull out the quotes?

[diego]

Weren't you paying attention in the other thread? Manu should average 35 minutes a game so he can win the MVP.

there is a huge difference between playing 35 minutes a game with a lot of help (ie, TP not playing like and actually using RJ, with 3pt specialists that -gasp- make 3 ptrs), than playing 35 minutes a game while carrying 30 minutes of bonner 0-6 1 rebound nights. Most of the people that have argued for manu to start have argued precisely that, that it is better for him to play his minutes with Tim, TP, and RJ so that he doesnt have to carry as big a load, but if they are sucking...


I never thought I'd say this, but we need more RJ. He has to be integrated more, his main value is NOT as a defensive specialist a la bowen, its to alleviate the scoring burden from the big 3. he needs to get more touches on O, and hopefully on cuts and in the post instead of the perimeter.

[diego]

and if you dont agree with that take, then explain to me why did Duncan wear out last year, and the year before, despite playing less and less minutes each year?

ya think maybe its because regardless of how many minutes he played, when he played he had little to no help? please, put the CoD the CoT and the CoM aside and be honest.

[silverblk mystix]

This home stand will be an opportunity for Pop to pull back the reigns-so to speak-on the big 3, hopefully without breaking too much of the teams rhythm.

I would hope to see the big 3's minutes pulled back and the bench to play a little more but one never knows what Pop will do. It will be interesting to see how he manages this-but if any coach can walk that tightrope-it is Pop...when he is on his game.

[benefactor]

Why are you so butthurt about other posters informing you that Manu wanted to play around 35 mins per game? If he can't play 35 minutes in a game then the Spurs aren't going to do much this season, so it doesn't matter how much he plays.

...and they aren't going to do much if he does, because he will either be hurt or completely out of gas by the playoffs.

[Sisk]

Manu looks fatigued.

Most of the others just look re ed.

[kobyz]

this team need another piece, they should look for making a trade, by using expiring contracts, future draft picks and even Blair or George Hill perhaps.

[Jason R]

George Hill who dropped 20 and saved the game last night?

[SA210]

George Hill who dropped 20 and saved the game last night?

[rogcl1]

dont we still have 2 free roster spots? how about signin sg/sf 10 day contracts...

how long is jame anderson projected to return?

Someone not on a team is going to step in and help?
Thats right, Finley might be available.

[Slomo]

[Chomag]

A win is a win, but you would have to have on some very thick homer glasses to see this team is not the same team that came out of the gate.

Pop started out well and even showed signs of actually trusting rookies this year but it seems like old habits are coming back. Once again He now looks to be deferring to the older vets with corporate knowledge over talent. He seems to be in favor of a jump shooter over defence.

Live and Die by the three: I'm not sure if it's the players call, or the coaches, or most likely a little of both, but this team seems to be forgetting that there are other options to score on rather then the three-point shot. The game should not be dictated on hot shooting alone.

This team is starting to resemble last years squad becuase of it.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

I'm guessing a slump at the moment or something. Spurs need to beat Hornets on Sunday.

[jimo2305]

lol 16 - 3 with no back to back losses.. slump?

[Chomag]

lol 16 - 3 with no back to back losses.. slump?

And The Cleveland Cavs had the best record last season, whats your point? I'm sure the Cavs fans were saying the same thing "but look at our record we are winning"

What good did that do them?

[ChumpDumper]

And The Cleveland Cavs had the best record last season, whats your point? I'm sure the Cavs fans were saying the same thing "but look at our record we are winning"

What good did that do them?

What good would fans' agreeing to call it a slump do?

[TJastal]

A win is a win, but you have would have to have on some very thick homer glasses to see this team is not the same team that came out of the gate.

Pop started out well and even showed signs of actually trusting rookies this year but it seems like old habits are coming back. Once again He now looks to be deferring to the older vets with corporate knowledge over talent. He seems to be in favor of a jump shooter over defence.

Live and Die by the three: I'm not sure if it's the players call or the coaches, or most likely a little of both, but this team seems to be forgetting that there are other options to score on rather then the three-point shot. The game should not be dictated on hot shooting alone.

This team is starting to resemble last years squad becuase of it.

+1

I agree with everything here, spot-on analysis. It's why the mavs will soon pass the spurs in the standings because of all the problems these flawed philosophies of Pop are creating.

[Rick Von Braun]

Manu looks fatigued.

Most of the others just look re ed.

compared to who?

Compared to what they look like when they play well.

oh not me

I don't know what you look like.

I would have to compare them to your syntax.

[Agloco]

Most of the Spurs players were shooting career highs so far, maybe the law of averages might account for some of their horrible shooting woes. Manu has looked tired and he's been the biggest part of the Big 3 so thats understandable. Parker has struggled somewhat and Duncan too.

Spurs did lose to the horrible Nets last year albeit it was a back to back and Duncan was the only member of the Big 3 playing FWIW; lack of focus might be a factor as well.

The upcoming Hornets game will be a good gauge to see where they're at.

This.

We've got Atlanta and NO coming up. If we look bad or tired in both of those games, then it's time to start wondering.

As of now? I see one bad shooting night and another tough stretch where they didn't shoot the ball well against Minny.

[DPG21920]

Are you implying the Spurs have.................jumped the shark?

[Dex]

Look at the Lakers. 1-4 in their last 5.

NO? 1-4 in their last 5.

At least our skid hasn't hit those proportions. The season will be full of ebbs and flows.

[DAF86]

I'm not "butthurt". He can't play that much without wearing out. I seem to be right. The "butthurt" ones are the reality-ignoring worshipers who foam at the mouth when the truth is pointed out to them. Do you want me to go back and pull out the quotes?

What quotes? The ones saying that Manu asked to play around 35 mins per game?

He can play 35 mins, we need him to play that much. How do you expect him to suddenly play 35 minutes per game during the playoffs if you got him used to play 28/30 all season long? IMHO, the best way to rest Manu (if you want to) is to give him a game off every now and then, but when he plays you need to play him around 35 minutes per game so that he gets used to play that kind of minutes, that's how you improve endurance.

[ChumpDumper]

What quotes? The ones saying that Manu asked to play around 35 mins per game?

I missed those. If you have them handy I'd like to see them.

He can play 35 mins, we need him to play that much. How do you expect him to suddenly play 35 minutes per game during the playoffs if you got him used to play 28/30 all season long? IMHO, the best way to rest Manu (if you want to) is to give him a game off every now and then, but when he plays you need to play him around 35 minutes per game so that he gets used to play that kind of minutes, that's how you improve endurance.

He's playing over 33mpg now. Is he looking fatigued because he isn't playing that extra 1:48?

[kobyz]

George Hill who dropped 20 and saved the game last night?

yeah! i'm not a fan of his game.

[DAF86]

I missed those. If you have them handy I'd like to see them

I'm talking about some posters' quotes not Manu's.

He's playing over 33mpg now. Is he looking fatigued because he isn't playing that extra 1:48?

Why do others look fatigued? Are we a team full of players with poor endurance?