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No question that Manu could have tried something other than what he did, which ended up being the worst possible results from beginning to end.
But Bonner was the guy who lit the fuse and then shoved the dynamite down his pants.
I've always thought that stamina is a big factor. I think Pop overdoes the resting in some cases. I understand resting Tony, Manu, Tim... the old fellas. But guys like Green or Splitter should be able to play more minutes, but I get the impression that they cannot because they haven't gotten their minutes ramped up during the regular season, and whenever you actually do go over their regular time, they get gassed like crazy. Just my 2c.
No question that Manu could have tried something other than what he did, which ended up being the worst possible results from beginning to end.
But Bonner was the guy who lit the fuse and then shoved the dynamite down his pants.
True his Achilles just explodes.
They're older now than the point in time you're comparing it to, tbh.
I remember the behind-the-Spurs-basket camera, he tries to pass it over the two Memphis guys to Bonner, who's just looking at Manu, and I think it's Allen that blocks the shot and off they go. It was definitely a botched play, clock running out, and basically "here Manu, you deal with the hot potato".
Obvious Kobe shot. Dude has never been injured and has been aging for a while, yet could play max minutes without getting gassed.
Maybe it's just me, but while having an older team certainly makes sense, it still seems odd that they get so gassed to the point they literally can't do anything despite having the most managed minutes in the history of the game.
Kobe is a physical freak though... look at how guys like McGrady have aged... some players just look supernatural out there...
This. If Manu fouled right at the spot he lost the ball, it's more forgivable as he might just act by instinct. But when he chased down the court, he had the time to think it through.
That's not what happened, though. Watch it again. It looks like Manu is going up for a shot (which is the right move) and the ball just slips out of his hands. There's no deflection by Allen. It slips out, Grizzlies get it, pass it to Allen and Manu fouls him hard.
I'll take your word for it. Game's too fresh for DVR right now...
That would be a clear path foul, and it's the same as flagrant.
@ ElNono
This is basically what I was referring to. Either way I'm so fed up with Manu's 30% shooting, poor shot selection, poor FT shooting, and timely errors down the stretch as the icing on the cake. I think he should really stop shooting altogether and focus on creating shots for others. If the layup is there, take it.
We don't even need much of a defensive contribution from him against these guys.
I'm not saying the result would be better. All I'm saying is that Manu's behavior might be easier to 'forgive'.
Sure, but TP is not old. He doesn't look injured when he's shredding dudes through the first 7 quarters either. Are the injuries so bad he gets gassed like that? I guess it's just me, but that is pretty damn alarming.
I think his 3-pointer by Timmy's assist might give him some false hope. I've never seen Tony take 4 3-pointer attempts, and those shots are not last second heaves.
Manu was definitely shooting it otherwise they would have had a shot clock violation.
Is this a flagrant? Is it Gino?
One more thing to add. At least to me, I don't think Manu played a very bad game. With Tony handling the ball with so many shot attempts and assists, Manu was just not used much in this game. Overall, he played an otherwise forgettable game with one unnecessary, unforgettable foul.
1. TP is old for a point guard who relies on speed. Comparable players were declining at his age.
2. Yes, his fatigue is obviously at least partly injury related.
3. It's alarming for everyone. But it's the hand that was dealt. The Spurs having to survive age/fatigue/injury is a given with this squad.
Manu has averaged only 10 shots a game this entire postseason... tonight he took only 6 and made half of them (50%)... the Spurs haven't needed him to score much so far (thanks to Kawhi and Green), and he's been happy to contribute with creating plays and playing solid defense.
AFAIK, the only brainfart he had so far this playoffs was the ill advised 3 pointer... more than made up with the gamewinner, a game we had no business winning.
I share the frustration about the shooting slump and the free throws, but he's far from the only one having a shaky pulse at the line... you have to look no further than tonight's game in the clutch.
Like it or not, he's a very important cog in the system and opens up the game for a lot of guys.
You are crazy if you think Manu has made only one mistake the entire playoffs. I wish I had a log of the mistakes he's made in the Playoffs to share with you at this point. He has made several bad passes, fumbled balls, and generally done things these Playoffs that have been shocking IMO. I think the ill-advised three is the only one that is really sticking out in most people's heads.
Manu played fairly well for the most part tonight. He was very good finding others on PnRs. Its just stupid late game fouls that have a huge effect on a game that I have issue with.
This. Like I said in the above, Manu did not play a bad game before that foul. That he can recognize Kawhi/Danny are more efficient and is willing to defer to them despite himself being a HOF deserves a B+ by itself.
TBH, unless he can regain his shooting touch, this is a perfect type of game I'd like to expect from him.
Pop went out of his way not to give Parker a breather in the 2nd half. Bad coaching in that regard. Duncan was strong and eneregetic when he renentered the game. Manu was just bad Manu tonight.
Idiotic turnover by Manu in the first place. Super careless with the ball when there's 27 seconds left and a 4-point lead. Inexcusable. He knew he made a bonehead turnover, and tried too hard to make up for it. I had flashbacks of the infamous foul on Dirk's layup, and I'm sure 100% of Spurs fan did as well. I agree - of all people, Manu should know better.
I'm talking glaringly bad decision that could change the outcome of a game.
Mistakes in general happen to every player all the time. Tonight was a clear case of that: Tony forcing stuff when he was gassed, TD not picking up a board and going with a dumb tip-in. It's a game of mistakes, as Pop likes to say.
As bad you think Manu has been, per 36 with more than 100 mins played, he's only averaging 3.1 TOs (second is TP is at 2.1), while averaging a team best 7.8 APG (second is TP is at 6.6), he's third(!) in rebounding at 6.1 RPG, he's still the third highest scorer on this team despite his lack/poor shooting and he also leads the team in steals.
He can't play 36 mins consistently anymore, but he'll give you top notch production in 25...
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