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You know how en of january affects POP's coaching... this is season time for Manu coming from the bench ... he'll finish the season as starter and in the second round of the playoff back to bench, later ....you know
I don't know. Yes it worked for this last game but it's starting to seem like a desperation move. Hopefully it works out.http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...s.1bd09ea.html
Ginobili sparks Spurs in reserve
Web Posted: 01/29/2007 11:21 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
LOS ANGELES — Tim Duncan took one look at the stat sheet after Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and confronted Spurs coach Gregg Popovich with the evidence.
Brent Barry had missed all four of his shots, Manu Ginobili had gone 5 for 16, and the team had shot a season-worst 33.7 percent.
"That little experiment of yours, Pop?" Duncan said. " Niiiice job."
While the Spurs laughed at the results from Barry's first start of the season, Barry didn't need long to point out the one reason the move was a success.
"We're 1-0, baby," Barry said. "One and oh."
Popovich said after Monday's practice that he plans to keep Barry in the starting lineup in hopes that Ginobili can strengthen the team's bench. Despite his poor shooting, Ginobili finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and one black eye in 28 minutes against the Lakers.
"It's not easy," Ginobili said. "You get used to being a starter, you have your routine, and you know how to manage your minutes. Then you got to change it.
"But I've done it before. And as I always say, if it's better for the team, then I don't care."
Not only was Ginobili not surprised by the lineup change, he predicted to his teammates more than a week ago that Popovich would probably make the move.
In each of the past four seasons, Popovich has moved Ginobili to the bench for at least a handful of games. After starting every game during the regular season in 2004-05, he returned to the bench as soon as the Spurs lost their playoff opener. He also came off the bench for two games in last season's playoffs.
"I know how he thinks," Ginobili said of Popovich. "He really believes it can make us better. Whenever it's a situation where we need to do something, it's going to be that."
While Barry had been the team's most consistent reserve, making 46.5 percent of his 3-point attempts, playing with the starting unit should allow him to help space the floor for Duncan. Popovich also said Barry has done a good job of penetrating and creating for his teammates.
After missing all four of his shots Sunday, three of which came in the first three minutes, Barry jokingly told Ginobili he should ask for his job back. He then offered it to Michael Finley, who made five 3-pointers, including the game-winner with 1.3 seconds left in overtime.
"I'm trying to roll with the punches and trying to just go out and play like I've played," Barry said. "Just being on the court, I should be able to stay in a rhythm.
"Obviously, subs ution patterns are going to change, maybe some combinations of guys are going to change ... but it's about just trying to get some wins."
Sunday's victory was arguably the biggest of the Spurs' season. In addition to trailing by nine points with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter, they had already lost to the Lakers twice and were playing the first of eight consecutive road games.
After missing eight of his 10 shots through the first three quarters, Ginobili rallied the Spurs in the fourth by scoring eight consecutive points. He made a pair of 3-pointers a little more than a minute apart from each other.
"Honestly, it doesn't even matter if he makes a shot all game," Duncan said. "Just having him out there on the floor, making the hustle plays, knowing he's fighting and scrapping all he can, it's a big boost for us."
Ginobili also came up with the game's biggest block, snuffing out Kobe Bryant's shot from behind on the final play of regulation. Bryant swung his right arm after the shot, catching Ginobili flush in the nose and face.
Ginobili's face was still swollen Monday, and the welt under his eye had turned black. But he didn't break his nose — a surprise given the force of the blow — which allowed him to return with a little more than two minutes left in overtime.
On Ginobili's first possession back, he drove down the middle of the lane, drawing a foul.
"He goes out there and tries to make a difference in the game, with the same abandon and courage that he always does," Popovich said. "A lot of guys would have a big problem with (moving to the bench) in this league. But not him.
"He'll do whatever he can do if he thinks it can help our team win."
You know how en of january affects POP's coaching... this is season time for Manu coming from the bench ... he'll finish the season as starter and in the second round of the playoff back to bench, later ....you know
LOS ANGELES — Tim Duncan took one look at the stat sheet after Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and confronted Spurs coach Gregg Popovich with the evidence.
Brent Barry had missed all four of his shots, Manu Ginobili had gone 5 for 16, and the team had shot a season-worst 33.7 percent.
"That little experiment of yours, Pop?" Duncan said. " Niiiice job."
Winning, good. Losing bad.While the Spurs laughed at the results from Barry's first start of the season, Barry didn't need long to point out the one reason the move was a success.
"We're 1-0, baby," Barry said. "One and oh."
I'm glad somebody does."I know how he thinks," Ginobili said of Popovich.
Gino is so awesome. The team is super blessed to have him."It's not easy," Ginobili said. "You get used to being a starter, you have your routine, and you know how to manage your minutes. Then you got to change it.
"But I've done it before. And as I always say, if it's better for the team, then I don't care."
"Honestly, it doesn't even matter if he makes a shot all game," Duncan said. "Just having him out there on the floor, making the hustle plays, knowing he's fighting and scrapping all he can, it's a big boost for us."
Sounds like I am not the only one who thinks Kobe did it on purpose.Ginobili also came up with the game's biggest block, snuffing out Kobe Bryant's shot from behind on the final play of regulation. Bryant swung his right arm after the shot, catching Ginobili flush in the nose and face.
Ginobili's face was still swollen Monday, and the welt under his eye had turned black. But he didn't break his nose — a surprise given the force of the blow — which allowed him to return with a little more than two minutes left in overtime.
Good.
I hope it works.
Hopefully it actually sticks this time. Without Manu coming off the bench, this team's second unit is just too horrible to win a championship. The simple switch of putting Manu on the bench fixes that.
true,but the team needs more from guys like barry and finley,if they´re not consistent it wont be enough to just bring manu from the bench to get better this year.i hope finley keeps up the good work.
Where did you get that from? Even Manu doesn't think Kobe did it on purpose.
Barry is the third best 3 pt shoter in the League. What else do people want from him?
I'm sure Ducks must have had multiple orgasms upon hearing of manu's "demotion."
Manu coming off the bench!!! Pop is a ing genius
I really thought Kobe broke Manu's nose. it could have easily happened. WTF was Kobe thinking?
Good move for a few reasons:
1) Tony and Tim are capable of handling the offense for the starting squad.
2) With Duncan likely out when Manu subs, Ginobili can be aggressive; the primary offensive weapon.
3) It provides a reliable scorer on the bench, not one that counts on outside shooting for all of their points.
Overall, it's a good/potentially great move.
People want him to be a 20/10 guy, but i think hes been good this year for a 35 year old.
yeah I don't understand what Spur fans expect of Barry. He's been satisfactory all season. Consistently hitting the 3s that's the only reason the Spurs office brought him here for.
He is nothing more than Jon Barry's funny little brother.
Spurs lose next game and Pop looks stupid.
As I have said all along, Pop should have listend to TiMVP all along..)
it will help. It would be better if Barry can make the most of it as a starter.
I'm going to state the obvious: Manu is an absolute professional. This guy could have the biggest ego in the world wth all that he has accomplished individually and in terms of the all successful teams which he has been on--internationally and in the NBA.
Go Manu!
He's a solid 6th man...I wouldn't mind having him as a 7th man for the Mavs...
I always have mixed feelings about this. I want what is best for the team, but I always think it is unfair to Manu.
It definitely is unfair to Manu. Stop to think how Tony would feel if Pop had to prop Beno's confidence for a few games by sending Tony to the bench. Think how Bowen would feel if he were benched to help Finley's game.
Manu is a big big man to hide his real feelings and go along with Pop because pop is the boss.
I think he would react exactly like Manu.Think how Bowen would feel if he were benched to help Finley's game.
I agree that outwardly he would react like manu, but how would he really feel?
How does Manu really feel?
Nobody will ever really know until he writes his memoir, but i suspect that he feels that he should be a starter.
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