ESPN: Mason to start in place of Ginobili

[CubanMustGo]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4049775

(AP article, can't copy)

[crc21209]

I think we all knew this already

[Marcus Bryant]

Hopefully Mason has the green light from here on out as he's seemed to have had at different times during the season. Might as well use the remainder of this season to give the younger members of the team some playoff experience and to see what they can really do.

[lefty]

Really ?

WOW

[CubanMustGo]

Laugh all you want, with some of the brain dead moves Pop has been making this year he could easily have continued the trend.

[WalterBenitez]

I hope Roger play better than Federer

[duncan228]

A little from Mason Jr.

Roger Mason Jr., the player who will take Manu Ginobili's spot in the starting lineup against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ford Center here tonight, called Monday's news about Ginobili's injury “devastating,” but said the team's at ude at Tuesday's shootaround was one of determination to do what will be necessary to adjust to his absence.

“We were going to take those last six games to get back adjusted to having him on the floor,” Mason said. “Now, he's back off, and we've got to get adjusted to not having him again. But it was devastating.

“At the same time, it's going to test our will and our character to see how we respond.”

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122050

[MoSpur]

Water is wet

In all seriousness, the better news would be that Bowen is gonna start in place of Bruce Bowen.

[Dex]

While this may seem like a no-brainer, here's the problem I have with that lineup:

Parker
Mason
Finley
Bonner
Duncan

That group has some huge liabilities defensively. Especially with the way Duncan has been moving some nights. Bonner and Finley are both known for getting abused, and even Mason seems to have slipped with the defensive philosophies lately and, for a shooting guard, spends a lot of time camping in the paint and leaving shooters open.

If Pop is going to insist on keeping Fin in the starting lineup, then I'd rather see Bruce replace Manu to bring in some defense. Or go Bowen/Mason, and let Finley bring scoring to the bench unit.

Either way, this season will only be further maddening if Pop does not find a way not to utilize number 12.

[SA210]

We need to start Bruce Bowen too. Mason is now part of the big three, not the same, but he has offense. Let sorry ass Finley be offense off the bench. Bruce needs to start, I still believe this. DEFENSE!

[SPURS50]

I'd rather have Bowen take back his role!

[EricB]

My proposed starting 5 doesn't change.

Let hill assume the 2003 ginobili role.

[SA210]

I'd rather have Bowen take back his role!

[Obstructed_View]

I think we all knew this already

No, there was a good chance Mason was going to end up getting thrown back into the backup point guard role. Considering Pop's apparent and puzzling elevation of JV over Hill, it's not definite that Mason might not put there again if JV looks as horrible as he has.

[Marcus Bryant]

While this may seem like a no-brainer, here's the problem I have with that lineup:

Parker
Mason
Finley
Bonner
Duncan

That group has some huge liabilities defensively. Especially with the way Duncan has been moving some nights. Bonner and Finley are both known for getting abused, and even Mason seems to have slipped with the defensive philosophies lately and, for a shooting guard, spends a lot of time camping in the paint and leaving shooters open.

If Pop is going to insist on keeping Fin in the starting lineup, then I'd rather see Bruce replace Manu to bring in some defense. Or go Bowen/Mason, and let Finley bring scoring to the bench unit.

Either way, this season will only be further maddening if Pop does not find a way not to utilize number 12.

ROFL. The Spurs will lose games 115-109 with that lineup.

[Creation88]

Pop get your head outta your ass and play Bruce.

[Taco's Troll]

MASON 20+ points tonight

[Obstructed_View]

Bruce has lost 7 steps...haven't you heard?

[SA210]

Pop get your head outta your ass and play Bruce.

[Borosai]

Mason, Finley and Bonner in the starting lineup is bad news. I expect any team to get off to a hot start against that crew. Bowen should start. That's final.

[Obstructed_View]

Agreed. Mason starting makes Fin redundant. Mason can do all the things Finley can do plus he's a better defender.

[VI_Massive]

.....only because Finley can't play two wing spots at once.

[SA210]

Mason, Finley and Bonner in the starting lineup is bad news. I expect any team to get off to a hot start against that crew. Bowen should start. That's final.

[Mal]

Wow, didn`t expect that. Thanks you ESPN

[montgod]

This is a big news flash alright. Mason was initially the starter... geez. I do wonder if it's too late to add anyone else to the roster for the playoffs to replace him. I don't think you can... but just curious.