Ginobili a starter — to stay?
Jeff McDonald
INDIANAPOLIS — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich did not use the term “perpetuity” when discussing Manu Ginobili's new role Friday night, but he might as well have.
Ginobili made his second consecutive start against Indiana, and just his sixth of the season. This is the lineup Popovich plans to take into the playoffs, hoping to maximize the minutes Ginobili, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan spend on the court together.
“I just think Manu coming off the bench has run its course,” Popovich said before the Spurs held on for a 126-121 victory over the Pacers. “It's time for the three of them to play together. They're our best three players. They're going to make each other better on the court.”
The NBA's reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Ginobili has started just 44 of the 147 games he has played over the past two seasons.
As recently as December, Popovich moved Ginobili into the starting five, saying he wanted him to start “in perpetuity.” Four games later, Ginobili was back on the bench.
The success of Ginobili's latest move into the starting lineup will depend largely on Roger Mason Jr.'s ability to provide a spark as a reserve.
Though happy to fill any role Popovich asks of him, Ginobili said he did miss some things about coming off the bench.
“There were times when I preferred it,” Ginobili said. “I'd rather be the first one to sub in than the first one to sub out.”
Going Dutch: George Hill celebrated his return to Indianapolis by taking his old college teammates at IUPUI out for dinner at the famed St. Elmo's Steakhouse.
There was just one catch. He wasn't allowed to pay.
“It's against NCAA rules,” said Hill, the only NBA player in IUPUI history. “I invited them to dinner, but they had to pay for their own food.”
Good for Gooden: Drew Gooden's 17 points were the most he's scored since joining the Spurs.
He had nine straight in a span of 1:37 in the third quarter to help the Spurs open up 92-77 lead, their largest of the night.
“He's an offensive player; he can really score,” Popovich said. “We're not surprised by it, but we're glad it's coming, slowly but surely.”
With a limited offensive and defensive playbook in his pocket, Gooden still isn't seeing many minutes at the end of games. He logged just three seconds in the fourth quarter Friday.
“I'm getting comfortable,” Gooden said. “When I'm out there, I'm going to produce, whether it's five minutes, six minutes or 20 minutes.”
starting ginobili will allow more defense oriented players to start as well like thomas and bowen. i have always believed that a parker, ginobili, bowen, thomas, and duncan lineup would be the most successful balance of defense and offense. i think thomas will eventually start against some teams in the playoffs, bowen i'm not so sure anymore.
I've never understood this switching back and forth with Manu over the years. As for now I agree that it's good for him to be a starter so that he doesn't have to feel pressured to produce offensively right away playing with both Tim and Tony and that he can let his game come to him. Also it might be able to keep him healthy that way.
Whatever. Pop trusts no one that hasn't been in the system more than 3 years. He should just play his starting five the entire game.
If Manu starts, Bowen should start....IT MAKES SENSE!!!!
STUPID F'N POP!!!! WHAT THE F$$%$$
God, want a tissue?
Manu stays a starter until the second unit offense is nowhere to be seen for three or four games in a row. Then Pop remembers why Manu was coming off the bench and switches it back.
Try watching the games for a change.
Youve been a spurs fan for awhile havent you??? haha
We've been here before.Youve been a spurs fan for awhile havent you??? haha
yea 2005 comes to mind...Manu starts, goes back to bench.....then goes back to the starting lineup
Mason as a starter > Mason 6th man
Right now Manu needs as many minutes as possible to get back in shape and get some rhythm... He didn't have a brilliant game, but I thought he played fairly well and I think he connected well with Gooden also. Plus he only played half a season really, so this might be the first time Pop uses him for extended minutes, considering he should be fairly fresh...
I think the addition of Gooden's potential with the 2nd unit makes it possible to start Manu. Gooden is not going to demand double teams, but he will garner attention which will free Mason Jr. up just enough. In the past, Manu was the only that could score on his own with the 2nd unit. Just my opinion.
It's great to see them play at the same time but since Manu if he starts who will move the ball on the bench? George Hill has been in his rookie slump. Roger Mason has been struggling in his last games and the rest are fowards. I think for the long term solution Manu should come off bench, but Pop might not even keep Manu starting.
Manu comes out really early anyways so they can work it out where he comes in when either Tim, Tony, or both are out so that shouldn't be a big deal.
i don't care who starts or not as long as there's always at least one member of the big three on the court.
Agree.
I still think it make sense not to overlap the ability. TP and TD should start, then Manu and Gooden can create offense coming off bench.
If he helps us win games, do whatever the you want with him.
I like the way he's been playing thus far, but history shows us that his gambling style of play slash hurting himself to play for team argentina almost always hurts us in the playoffs, with the exception of the year 2005.
now that everyone is healthy, at least one member of the big three will be on the court at all times and i think the bench is one of the best since the formation of the big 3. ginobili doesn't need to come off the bench because the spurs have a bench now. if the big 3 can close out important playoff games together, they can definitely work together at the start of the game. mason has been the spark of the bench for the wizards last year so he might slip back into that role. i kind of want gooden to start next to duncan and see how he plays but if gooden becomes comfortable off the bench, that will be good as well.
With Manu starting, I don't think we have enough offense off the bench at all.
Also, Mason at SG > > > > > > > > > > Mason at PG
2nd unit should be: (with Parker gradually taken out)
Hill PG
Mason SG
Fin SF
Gooden PF
Thomas C
Only spot that is hairy is the Small Forward Position. Bowen would be nice in second unit but I think we benefit most from him being with big three.
Manu starting right now is OK because he needs the court time. I think he will go back to coming off the bench when we get into the playoffs and Pop realizes that there are no creators off the bench. Furthermore, I like the Gooden/Manu combination. Manu sets Gooden up for success offensively and keeps him isolating himself with the ball. I also think Mason having any chance of regaining his rhythm hinges on him being back with the starting lineup. All in all, Manu off the bench has the best chance of bringing out the best in our role players.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
