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Arguably the best player on the Bulls comes off the bench.
Spurs sub in Barry and Mohammed
Web Posted: 04/29/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...223200244.html
He had grown accustomed to hearing Spurs public-address announcer Stan Kelly call his name when the lights went dark, to walking out to center court for the opening tip.
That's the way it had gone this season: If he was healthy enough to play, he started.
Then came Wednesday, and somebody walked out in his place. It was strange coming off the bench, he said later, but no big deal. He did his job as he usually does.
"If that's what needs to be done in this situation," Rasho Nesterovic said, "then I will do it."
Manu Ginobili isn't the only new face on the Spurs' bench these days. After not making a single lineup change the first two months, the team hopes to improvise its way through the opening round of the playoffs.
The Spurs evened the best-of-seven series against Denver at a game apiece Wednesday when coach Gregg Popovich made his most radical adjustment by starting Brent Barry in place of Ginobili. He made the move, in large part, to provide some punch to the team's bench.
"That's something we've been kind of looking for all year," Barry said. "When you bring Beno (Udrih) off the bench and sometimes me, we're not really offensive players in the sense that we attack and make things happen with the basketball the way Manu does. Nobody does it the way Manu does."
Popovich wouldn't say how long he would continue to bring Ginobili off the bench. The team gave up trying to develop any continuity a long time ago.
The Spurs began the season touting the "corporate knowledge" of their five starters: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Bruce Bowen, Ginobili and Nesterovic. The lineup remained intact for all but two of the first 42 games. The team didn't even make its first transaction until Jan. 23 when Nesterovic went on the injured list with a sprained left ankle.
The Spurs' good fortune ended about the same time. Duncan sprained his right ankle three times and ended up missing 16 games. Ginobili sat out five games after straining his groin. Nesterovic sprained his left ankle again and went back on the injured list.
In between, the Spurs traded Malik Rose for Nazr Mohammed. Devin Brown hurt his back. Glenn Robinson was signed.
Since March 8, the Spurs have had their opening-night starting lineup intact for only one game. Even then, the group lasted less than two minutes together before Duncan severely sprained his right ankle.
"Probably not having a steady lineup the last 20-30 games made (Wednesday's switch) easier," Ginobili said.
Had Brown been healthy and playing as energetically as he did the first three weeks of March, the Spurs probably would not have had reason to make the move. Brown and Nesterovic both returned Wednesday, but Popovich said he has no plans to make them part of the "immediate rotation."
Before Wednesday, Nesterovic hadn't come off the bench in more than four years.
"I'm not used to it, but Nazr is playing great," he said. "I just want to help continue the job (the starters) are doing."
Ginobili's return to the bench was more of a surprise yet logical. In addition to giving the bench some energy, the switch allowed Barry to get better shots — and more of them — while playing with Duncan.
Ginobili and Parker generate much of their scoring off penetration, so the ball sometimes doesn't move as freely around the perimeter. With Barry on the floor Wednesday, the Spurs were able to better take advantage when Duncan was double-teamed.
In the eight games he started in the regular season, Barry shot 48.6 percent compared to 41 percent in the 73 games he came off the bench.
"We remember what happened last year against the Lakers when no one could make shots," Parker said. "That's why we brought Brent here."
The move, in theory, also could help Ginobili avoid early foul trouble and keep him fresher for the fourth quarter. Because Ginobili tweaked his left ankle — he should be fine to play Saturday, Popovich said — and the game was already under control, he played only 18 minutes Wednesday.
"I was thinking before the game if I had to do anything different (coming off the bench)," Ginobili said. "But I can't play any different. I am who I am. I play that way. That's the way I help the team."
The lineup change appeared to work well Wednesday when Barry and Ginobili totaled 33 points while making 9 of 14 shots, including 6 of 7 3-point attempts. Denver coach George Karl said Thursday he's contemplating making his own switch: replacing starter DerMarr Johnson with Greg Buckner, a more physical guard, is an option.
Moving Ginobili to the bench isn't without risk. On the game's opening possession, Johnson drove by Barry and through the lane for a layup. After Johnson made two 3-pointers to start the second half, Popovich immediately replaced Barry with Ginobili — about three minutes earlier than he subbed him in the first quarter.
The Spurs also can't count on making 10 of 18 3-pointers in Denver, even if, as was the case Wednesday, many are open. And Ginobili's frenetic pace, as valuable as it is in reserve, made him an All-Star as a starter.
Like most players, Ginobili probably would prefer to start. But winning, he said, is the only reason he needs to continue his reserve role.
And if this season has taught Ginobili and his teammates anything, it's how to adapt.
Arguably the best player on the Bulls comes off the bench.
"He became the most difficult low-post player to defend -- once he made the catch -- in the history of the league," contended former NBA coach Hubie Brown in the Boston Globe. "He was totally unstoppable because of his quickness, diversification of moves and the long arms that gave him an angle to release the ball over a taller man or more explosive jumper."
2-Time Sixth Man of the Year Award Winner
"Making him the sixth man and selling him on it was important," said Bill Fitch, Boston's coach during McHale's first three seasons. "You've got to have those bench points and have them every night. Kevin got them." McHale quickly learned to appreciate the role, and he thrived in it.
McHale was the best sixth man of his generation at a time when key reserves were becoming fashionable. His scoring improved in each of his first six seasons, beginning with an average of 10.0 points per game as a rookie in 1980-81. He also chalked up 4.4 rebounds and 1.84 blocks per game that year and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. Although still playing limited minutes, McHale proved to be a key contributor to a Celtics team that won the 1981 NBA Championship.
McHale improved his output in each of the next two seasons, but the Celtics failed to return to the NBA Finals. After the team replaced Coach Bill Fitch with K. C. Jones, McHale and the Celtics enjoyed a magical campaign in 1983-84. Playing 31.4 minutes per game off the bench, McHale averaged 18.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg, shot .556 from the floor and won the NBA Sixth Man Award. He also made the first of his seven All-Star appearances. Boston won the Atlantic Division with a 62-20 record, then took the NBA Championship after a grueling seven-game battle with the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals.
If the Argentinian content knew what an honor it was to be mentioned in the same breath as McHale and Havlicek, they might unclench just a little.
You know why the Argies are upset about it this season?
Because last season a bunch of idiots started saying Hedo>Manu and wanted to Manu for his selflessness...
They are worried about clowns who don't know the game reading this move the wrong way...not just the clowns on this forum...but those in the national arena as well...
EG: Kenyon Martin thinking Manu must have done something wrong to be moved to the bench....in his interview.
They are proud of the greatest basketball player to come out of their country and don't want his legacy being tarnished by those too stupid to understand the move.
Last edited by whottt; 04-29-2005 at 01:00 AM.
I was waiting for that.
you and your lack of faith.
And anyone who listens to KMart opine about Manu.
You also said Manu wouldn't put up with being benched again.
Are you standing by that?
Can't we all just get along and turn this into another thread about Barry > "x"...
or "x" > Pop?
It happens...it happened last season.
It happened to Drob too...
Drob stepped back in a selfless manuever and took the thankless defensive gruntwork... and now everyone, including many Spursfans, act like he was a punk ass that had to be carried out of the lottery by 3rd string scrubs....He'll never be considered among the elite C because of his selflessness, even though he was easily as capable of dominating the injured and beat up Knicks frontline in that series.
Never underestimate the destructive power of stupid people in large numbers...
Link?
I said it wouldn't be the solution...
It hasn't been any other time this season...
Those starter bench stats are misleading...Barry's best games(I mean games against tough opponents) have come off the bench this season.
It does give us more energy off the bench...but if you look Manu the back up PG last night...why couldn't do they do that with Barry?
You must be snorting something.and now everyone, including many Spursfans, act like he was a punk ass that had to be carried out of the lottery by 3rd string scrubs....He'll never be considered among the elite C because of his selflessness, even though he was easily as capable of dominating the injured and beat up Knicks frontline in that series.
Ive never heard anyone say that about Robinson.
DerMarr made him look like a fool in Game 2. He needs to step up in that regard. Not play incredibly D or anything, but at least contest the shot and don't matador.BTW, I think Barry's D might be a tad bit better now that know what to do.
so your telling me Udrih was the SG???you look Manu the back up PG
give me a break.
Once again, look at the numbers
Barry starting 48%
off the bench 41%.
Goodnight.
Ah ah. That's the problem.
You weren't watching the same game. In the game the rest of us watched, Beno Udrih was the backup PG.
P.S.
David Robinson is still ashamed of you and how you've deserted the franchise in a way your hero never would.
Thats what I meant, I think contest a shot.DerMarr made him look like a fool in Game 2. He needs to step up in that regard. Not play incredibly D or anything, but at least contest the shot and don't matador
But, now your gonna make WHottt go on a 1 hour tirade on how he doesn't need to play D he should be exempt from that area.
Thos two plays where Pop got mad at Barry he was helping Bowen double team Carmelo...he had to run 12 feet to get back to his man...that's not asking Barry to be a passable defender...that's asking him to be Michael Cooper...and why are we doubling Melo with a 25 point lead anyway?
Thank you.You weren't watching the same game. In the game the rest of us watched, Beno Udrih was the backup PG.
opening play of the game dumbass. Demarr went at him and he folded like a cheap suit. But I digress, I think come out better saturday night.Thos two plays where Pop got mad at Barry he was helping Bowen double team Carmelo...he had to run 12 feet to get back to his man...that's not asking Barry to be a passable defender...that's asking him to be Michael Cooper...and why are we doubling Melo with a 25 point lead anyway?
Plus, Barry was never instructed to double Carmello, HENCE the reason he was benched.
.
It was because he wasn't supposed to be doubling, genius.
lmfao.
TIMVP STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!
Damn, me and TIMVP on the same page.
Im definately having a goddamn good night.
Yeah...the game you were watching must have been one where Barry also wasn't having to double team on the weakside as well as defend his own man
on the strongside...and then gets ripped for bad D.
P.S.
David Robinson is still ashamed of you and how you've deserted the franchise in a way your hero never would.
Exactly how did I desert the franchise? I am still here aren't I?
Again, he wasn't supposed to double. Don't you know the Spurs' defensive principles?
I hope that's what it is...because if it isn't then Pop just hates Barry...
So let's say you are right...even though I don't think that's what happened...
Then that means Barry is overplaying on D...hardly a reason to rip him...
Seems to me Pop could have just asked him to stop doubling Melo after the first time, without being a about it...
You sure he wasn't supposed to be doubling?
He wasn't supposed to be doubling. You are never even supposed to sag if you are coming off a player in the corner. He f'ed up twice in a row. What did you want Pop to do?
Give him even more PT?
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