35 tonight on the front end of a back to back. Anyone else a little worried besides me? Can he keep this up and still have something left in the tank for the playoffs?
It's only NOVEMBER...
suns anounncer said spurs wanted manu to play mor e minutes this year
I think it is SO stupid
but maybe they want him to play more minutes and just brick three pointers like he did tonight 1-7
it's still early. if this keeps up thirty games in to the season, then i start getting worried.
Depends on how he spends those 33 minutes. But I'd be more comfortable if it were 25-27 mpg.
too many minutes.
it's important that Splitter assert himself on the offensive end (it would help if Pop played him) so that both Manu and Tim don't have to play extended minutes. it also sucks that JA is out. both those things have something to do with it.
If Pop can bring it down to 28-29 MPG, I'm okay with it. Gotta keep stretch Manu's prime to his retirement.
I'm impressed with the health and energy he has. He is taking it to the rack and even dunking with authority more than usual. I do agree his minutes need to come down though. He will be worn out at this pace.
I'm always worried about it, but the Spurs look like they're trying to build as much chemistry as possible to start the season, which is a good move..I'm sure Manu's minutes will be monitored once Anderson returns, and once the Spurs build enough chemistry to be beating ty teams without too much work from the best players on the team..
Also, Manu is shooting a lot more 3s than he usually does, taking 2+ more a game..he's also shooting less in the paint..it's definitely by design..so while he's playing, he isn't taking as much of a beating as he has in years past..
While its a worthless point, had Anderson stayed healthy Ginobili would be down in the high 20s. That said, if they take care of business tomorrow I'd say Green and Neal will play as many minutes as him.
What Harlem said, It really looks like Pop is trying to build the team chemistry up to the max in the beginning of the year so we aren't struggling to find it late. Someone posted it the other day but it was something ridiculous like Pop used 8 different starting lineups in the first 10 games last season and he has used the same starting lineup all year so far this season. It seems like he wants to rest the guys more as the season goes along but let them build some cohesiveness first.
Spurs just riding the gravy train early. Team is playing well and winning, don't wanna mess with that. Once you have a comfortable position in the standings it's a lot easier to sit guys down.
Like EricB said, without Anderson and Green being new and not much more then a project at the moment I don't think Spurs have a choice with Manu's higher minutes right now. Hopefully Spurs can jump to a big early lead next game so that Manu's minutes wont be needed as much.
Agree with the Anderson part. Shame to see him go down.
It's what, 3 or 4 min more than his usual average?
It's not THAT much (look what the Boston guys used to/ are averaging...)
If it allows us to have the homecourt advantage, that's as much energy he will save for the PO! (not counting eventual games where he could sit because our record is "good enough")
With Anderson out it was a given.
That being said, had Neal hit more shots ala against Charlotte (maybe not 5-5 but you get my point) Pop may have ridden that horse a few more minutes but with Neal not making anything and the offense stalling, his hand was pretty much forced.
George was playing SO poolry early that I think Pop had to play Manu. Maybe his minutes will come down now that George is playing well. We really only had Manu or Tony to run the offense.
BTW, last I heard, Phil was riding Kobe and his knee to the tune of 38 mpg. ing idiot.
That's a big concern for me too.
George taking manu's minutes depends on matchups and Hill's aggressiveness.
That being said, the Spurs are thin in the backcourt due to injuries and blowing the Cavs out early tomorrow would help get Manu some rest and get guys like Green Neal and others time.
Ya, these aren't the same kind of minutes Manu is used to playing. Come playoff time i don't think it will make a big difference if he plays 29 mpg or 33mpg, as long as he continues playing the majority of his minutes on the perimeter.
Well the thing that worries me, besides the minutes, are the SF minutes. Without a true back up SF now that Anderson is hurt, I hate the fact Manu is playing extended minutes and they are at the SF position often.
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