...the next Bowen?
I mean, we are looking all over the world for a Bowen replacement. As Manu's age advance, he will have to change his game. He will lose some speed and ability to attack the rim, so he will need to hit more of his jump shots. His basketball IQ and court vision would allow him to do so without problems.
However, I've noticed his defense, which was good for the Spurs standards a couple of years ago, now has improved to a great level. He makes tough stops and key plays in defense in the clutch, only gambles on a steal when he is absolutely sure he will get it, and his foot work has really improved. I believe all these years alongside Bruce and under Pop's system have really made a difference in his defense.
On the bad side, he would need to get some tips from Bruce about taking care of his body, since they are opposites. Bruce can play 40 minutes a game in back to backs, or 82 starts for 5 consecutive seasons. Of course, Bruce doesn't get hacked like Manu, Tim or Tony in offense, so that helps him.
"only gambles on a steal when he is absolutely sure he will get it"
he gets called for fouls a lot on those steal attempts. Manu does steals better than most, but it's still a risky move
1) afoul
2) a miss and let your man by
3) get the steal
Of course, his successful steals cover a mul ude of misses.
Appart from the Game 5 fiasco (and we all know that had to do more with the refs than Manu), how many times was he in foul trouble?"only gambles on a steal when he is absolutely sure he will get it"
he gets called for fouls a lot on those steal attempts. Manu does steals better than most, but it's still a risky move
1) afoul
2) a miss and let your man by
3) get the steal
Of course, his successful steals cover a mul ude of misses.
I know you Argies don't like to hear this...but Manu is not going to have a long career IMO....the way he is always on the floor and beat up...IMO, Manu will be done as a player @32 or so. Then again...I never thought Bruce could maintain his effectiveness as long as he has...
Manu has stepped up his defense wonderfully in 3 years, but he plays hard on offense, too, where Bruce only plays on one end while shooting typically very occassional 3Gs on the other end. I don't think Manu is Michael Jordan and capable playing all-NBA on both ends.
lol manu is a flopper and he'll never live up to bowens defence..
I understand your point, and share it to some extent. However, if Manu is able to adapt once his body can't take any more punishment, he could be able to give some years more to his career. In his late years he could either be:
a) A playmaking point guard
b) A shooter (he needs to get more consistent with his jump shot for this)
c) A perimeter defensive specialst
He has the talent, the intelligence and the ability to adapt into those roles once he is past 30.
or maybe end up like a washed up veteran like hardaway and hill
Love Manu but he won't be Bowen on defense. Bowen is relentless and never gets tired. Also, Bowen is bigger and does have the offensive responsiblities that Manu has.
You are looking for Manu's future job ... I think he'll find out the way to stay in this league, not sure as defense specialist or sparking bench player.
What is amazing about BB compared with Manu (and everybody else in fact) is his health condition, Manu is not precisly that guy of player.
My guess?
@ 32 Manu will fire POP and take his possition, like POP did with Hill
If you want Manu to play his current offensive style AND put him on the best team's perimeter player, it can be done.
Though he'd only be able to play like 12 minutes per game.
i dont think manu can be as effective as bowen. bowen is alot longer so he can guard 1-4. manu had a difficult time against bonzi and artest. he would get killed trying to guard better players like paul pierce. i think he could an effective stopper but at bowens level.
I was told that Manu @ 32 will be ... the next COYOTE
what? bonzi and Artest owned bowen also. to bad adelmans dumb ass kept running plays trying to get bibby going. thats why hes fired.
still bitter about last seasons owning by Manu I see
Manu will not be the next Bowen and I'm not sure anyone will be the next Bowen. People like Bowen are rare. Apprecaite him, he's great.
Bowen is a machine. Manu is brilliant but mere mortal.
Last edited by nkdlunch; 05-18-2006 at 04:08 PM.
29 isn't the age that we are looking for
Manu has more of a basketball IQ than 99% of the people he plays against, plus he just has an intuitive feel for the game. The more his physical skills decline, the better he'll be at passing and shooting, picking and choosing his spots.
It's really not too hard to average 15-18 a night when you can shoot and dribble and play with other talented, unselfish players.
But actually, I look for him to be better next year than this year. I think his feet and ankles wil be right again and he'll be more explosive like he used to be. I think this summer he'll take his conditioning more seriously.
I think last year, for the first time he didn't have international team responsilbities and he was the playoff hero and he had his honeymoon and he spent too much time in Argentina on the banquet and rubber chicken cuircut. He came to camp a little out of shape.
That won't happen this year.
Bruce Bowen is a one of a kind; to say that manu makes good gambles is wrong...he is like 2 for 10 gambles in the last 2 games.
I was pissed at him for just not sticking on his own man and stop with those weak side steal attempts
Well he has 6 steals the last two games, so I don't know where the 2 for 10 comes from.
Oh wait...it's cos you're a moron.
Yeah I hate those breakaway dunks he gets. They're useless.
he gets two total breakaway dunks and in turn leaves his man open 4x more than those dunks, in a game where every stop (literally) is crucial
his gambling plays have led to two good steals, every steal isn't necessarily a gamble
if you knew anything about what you were talking about
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