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Nice, thanks EN
We have a lot of good players, and that's the difference
by Manu Ginobili
I feel we're better than we all thought we would be at this point in the season. With an impressive record, almost 84% winning percentage. We're playing well. The game against the Knicks perhaps wasn't our best game, but that stuff happens sometimes, mostly because we've been winning a lot of games by 20+ points. The team is in good shape now. We played games without Tony (Parker), some others without LaMarcus (Aldrige) and without Tim too and we won fairly comfortably. We got better on offense, we dropped a bit on defense, but these are all things that can happen during a 82 games season. Our game was supported by our defense in the first 30 or so games, where we were pretty solid and better than we expected considering the new additions [Aldrige and West]. We have one of the top defensive ratings in the league and that's a nice place to be. We just have to sustain it. It doesn't matter who's playing well on January 10, the important thing is to get better so we have that when the games are more important.
All this that's happening to us, and I include myself playing at a good level, winning various games by 20+ and having a good home record (22-0), it's due to the fact that we have a lot of talent, that we have a lot of good players. When we face top teams, perhaps their starters can complicate things for us, but it's difficult to find a team that can sustain that for 48 mins. And honestly we've been capable of doing that due to our rotation and that gives us an edge. There's not a lot of teams that have the luxury to have the amount of talent we have. And the fact that we're defending so well makes it easier to play on offense, because we normally don't have to make game winning shots or get a game defining stop. Perhaps against the Knicks was the exception, because we were fortunate that last shot didn't go in [the one from Calderon]. What happens, too, is that we're not getting into those situations much at all. So luck hasn't been an important factor this season.
We're fortunate to have Leonard [Kawhi], who's a beast defending; one of the best in that role; Tony [Parker], who changed his game a lot and this season is taking on bigger challenges and putting more pressure on the opposing PGs; Danny [Green], who has been improving as the season has come along, and Tim [Duncan], whose presence is always felt. Now we also have LaMarcus [Aldrige], who is very strong and long, grabs a lot of rebounds, and bothers opponents a lot, which gives us a clear advantage. We have a lot of good players, and that's the difference
We also found a lot of positives from players that surprised us. Simmons [Jonathon] was on the NBDL because he didn't start too well, was too raw, has a lot of energy but couldn't find his spot on the team. Nonetheless, when he came back from Austin, he was very useful. He gives us something that perhaps nobody else has: that freshness, speed, the sprints... He's super athletic, defends well and he's hitting his shots when he's open. It's a very gratifying surprise. He's a kid that is hungry, wants it and is confident. And Boban [Marjanovic] is also a very pleasing surprise: we already knew he was a good player, he was one of the best in the Euroleague last year, but we weren't sure if with that size [7'3] he could run the court with us and find his minutes... And honestly every time he went out there, he did things very well. He gives us more depth and a different look, because we really don't have a prototypical center and he brings something we didn't have. Even Kyle Anderson, who I really like, helped us a lot: he's a very versatile player, with good length, who can bring the ball up and pass really well. In the last few games he hasn't played because of that long rotation we have that gives us a lot of different options depending who we're playing. But we're a balanced team and we have a bit of everything.
There's also something else that's special to me, which is the chemistry with Boris [Diaw] and Patty [Mills]. It's spectacular. We feel really well with our roles. And away from the court it's even better. It makes me feel good to share things with them. Having that trust is important, because we're happy with the responsibility we have on the team. Perhaps somebody feels it's a secondary role, but we don't feel that way. Perhaps it's less flashy, because none of us play more than half the game. I play 22 mins, Boris 23 and Patty 18 or 19, and we're really happy doing what we do. We're proud of being the second unit and walk in to change games. It's a very nice situation and it helps the overall mood to be good. And it's not a minor detail, because if the subs play well and the starters are unhappy because they don't play enough, or the bench guys want to start, it can get uncomfortable. But here, in San Antonio, that doesn't happen, and it's very positive.
In the last few weeks there were also a few times where I ended up on the floor during a play and ultimately turned out good, but every time I'm involved in one of those, I end up regretting it later, because the hip hurts, the knee hurts, I get burned with the floor and I don't recover as easily as when I was 22 or 23 years old. The reality is that since I know I'm only going to play 20 or 22 mins, and I feel good and energized to play those minutes, and I enjoy them, I play them with a lot of intensity. We're all playing hard to make things as effective as possible. In a nuts , it's what we love to do. It's not what we do because it's our job. And that makes the hit, even if it hurts more than expected, not to matter that much.
I'm enjoying what the team is doing and I don't go as crazy when things don't work out. But it's true that the adrenaline of every game and the season takes me back to my instincts. So I'm still fighting to be the guy I was during the first month of the season. That said, if I compare to 8 years ago, I'm fully aware the difference is abysmal. It's just that playing a certain way for so long, sometimes it makes you get involved in trouble. That's why I have to do a mental work to be who I want to be and enjoy the way I want to enjoy these last few seasons.
We know everyone is expectant for the game against the Warriors [Golden State] and it could be used as a barometer as far as where we are. I frankly don't hear a thing of any talks about that. And honestly it doesn't mean a thing to face them, because it's a game where it's not clear who's going to play and who isn't. We don't know how we're going to be health wise at that point. So, they could beat us by 30 or we can beat them by 30 and it doesn't change a thing. Anything can happen because this is the NBA. I understand that whatever happens in that game is not going to be determinant or definitive. That's why I feel the press and fans are much more anxious about it than we are. We're 40 games into the season and they only lost two games. It's amazing! But there's nothing we can do or modify if we beat them, because we could cut their lead to 3 games, but that won't change a thing either. They're going to be the number one seed if they keep playing like that. I honestly admire the kind of game they're playing, it's fun to watch. But when the time comes, we'll see how to stop them. For us, now is the time to keep getting better and developing our own game. I'm not worried, perhaps some of my teammates or Pop are, but I doubt it.
Now we have a few tough days, because we're going to face Brooklyn and then a back to back with Detroit, who's extremely tough in their place. And after that we're going to be facing Cleveland at home. So they're going to be three really interesting games, where we're going to face the best team in the East by a wide margin. We have a really intense week.
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Link to original article in spanish:
http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1...-la-diferencia
Nice, thanks EN
Thanks OP for the effort..
Great read... Manu is the man
Lol an entire paragraph on the Worriers game but "he's not worried about it"
Thanks for the post and translation.
Thanks Nono.
Thanks as always Nono
I admire Manu for coming back and being such a catalyst for the team. He, Boris, and Patty just know how to play and positively effect the game from the bench. Guys like David West, Simmons, Boban, and Anderson fill out our bench so well. Most teams simply cannot keep up with the Spurs right now, which is great.
Tim, Tony, and Manu could have rested on the laurels and previous success, but they come back each year and find out what works best for them in the now for the current group of guys....
The record consecutive 50 win seasons will be extended again this year by SA - this pattern of success may continue for several more years given the younger blood on the roster.
It's amazing how the Spurs retool/rebuild on the run and the other Texas Teams (in particular) have to rebuild with a significant drop-off for a period of time (no playoffs, etc.)
Why is it that the Mavericks get a free pass for drafting so poorly in the first round compared to SA? Its been 18 years since picking up Dirk and no other top shelf players have been selected by the Mavies. None of the national media addresses this issue. Do they not want to offend Markie Mark Cuban?
I'm guessing he commented on it because he's had a few thousand fans asking him about the game. Pretty sure he knows the winner of the game doesn't automatically get the Larry O'Brien.Lol an entire paragraph on the Worriers game but "he's not worried about it"
No doubt they'll be mass panic and several suicides on Spurs talk though if the Spurs loose the game.
Thanks Nono. As all his posts this season, he is having incredible fun. It was endearing he mentions the 3 new additions to the bench and how each of them has contributed to wins. Kyle hasn't played much bc we have a deep rotation, but they like him. In another team, he would play more. So would Boban. Jon is super athletic with a unique skill set that no one else in the team has, able to really run and put pressure on the other team. The bench is happy in their roles and no expectation to change roles which in another team would cause drama.
He doesn't give windows to the future. The way he's playing, he could do another year, but he's living the moment.
Thanks for the translation, E-N. Always great to hear from Manu. He is so comprehensive kind of "this is the mid-point assessment for us". How cool.
Thanks OP.
But no mention by Manu of Bonner.
legend
Manu honest as always.
I wonder if his sometimes i try to do too much comments is a hit on parker
No it is on Leonard
That's why I have to do a mental work to be who I want to be and enjoy the way I want to enjoy these last few seasons
probably reading into something that means nothing, but that doesn't sound like someone leaning towards retirement
brains
articulate
wisdom
... matching his court vision.
I kind of agree with you.
I think there is a conflict for him bc he needs to pace himself at this point and let others carry more of a burden. He's pointing out how he gets carried away sometimes. It's vague but getting carried away can get him hurt and complicate his season. So far only a bruise or a scratch here or there, but he's aware that he needs to pace himself a bit. Just my take.
As always, good insight from Manu.
Confirmed. Manu's not retiring after this season
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