Spurs' Ginobili shines whether as starter or sub
Web Posted: 02/28/2007 11:21 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
Three seasons ago, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich replaced Manu Ginobili in the starting lineup with Hedo Turkoglu in an effort to boost Turkoglu's confidence. At the time, Popovich might as well have announced he was removing steak from the menu of every restaurant in Argentina.
In addition to their love for all things beef, Argentines share a deep passion for Ginobili, and Popovich's decision didn't settle well in their stomachs. In the weeks that followed, Spurs officials and San Antonio media members received a torrent of e-mails from the South American country questioning Popovich's sanity, as well as a few of his other mental faculties.
So it came as a surprise last month that when Popovich again asked his frenetic guard to go to the bench to help the team, nary a complaint was heard from Ginobili's countrymen.
"They got used to it, too; I'm not the only one," Ginobili said, laughing. "Before they took it like it was degrading. I tried to explain it to them, but I guess they didn't understand it at that point.
"But with time, after a championship season, they realize I'm doing good coming from the bench, too. They just don't care."
Ginobili insisted he also doesn't mind. What matters, he said, is the Spurs have won six consecutive games and are playing their best ball of the season.
Ginobili has played a large role in the success, averaging 16.9 points and shooting 40.2 percent from the 3-point line, both career bests. But neither he nor Popovich can quantify how much his move to the bench has helped. Or how long it will last.
"It's definitely subject to change," Popovich said.
In addition to debating whether to resume starting Ginobili, the coaching staff also has discussed keeping him on the bench and starting Michael Finley in place of Brent Barry. But with the Spurs on their longest winning streak of the season, Popovich has held off making another lineup change.
"It's probably a more potent attack night after night after night," Popovich said of Ginobili coming off the bench. "I think it makes our bench longer."
Ginobili has been slightly more productive as a reserve, despite playing fewer minutes. Popovich also thinks Ginobili looks to score more quickly when coming off the bench.
While Popovich still occasionally hangs his head in frustration when Ginobili forces a shot or dribbles into a turnover, he values his aggressiveness.
"I just want Manu to be Manu more than anything else," Popovich said. "I want to make sure I'm not limiting him in anyway. It's always way more good than bad, so I just try to leave him alone and let him use his judgment."
Ginobili, who typically enters midway through the first quarter, said he tries to assume more of a scorer's role once Tony Parker goes to the bench. With Parker struggling last week in Atlanta, Ginobili scored 40 points, 24 of which came in a 4-minute, 47-second burst.
"I'm just in a period where I'm feeling good with my shot, so I'm trying to use it," Ginobili said. "I'm still trying to get comfortable with my midrange, so I try to take a couple more a game. So far, it's been working good."
Although Ginobili's minutes have dipped recently because of the Spurs' lopsided victories, Popovich tries to play him for longer stretches off the bench, particularly in the second half.
"A lot of times when he's starting, or like I'm doing now, you play the first six minutes and by the clock you're coming out," Barry said. "There are some games where he might score 14 points in the first six minutes and his number will be called and I don't think he was all that happy coming out of the game.
"Now, he sits there and gets ready to go, and if he gets it going the minutes are just going to be extended. That's a good thing, because once Manu finds his rhythm he's going to have that kind of confidence the whole game."
More than one opposing coach also thinks the Spurs have become more productive by using Ginobili as a reserve.
"Having their top three guys on the court together for 25, 30 minutes was unbalanced," Denver's George Karl said. "Now that they only have their three best players on the court together for 15 or 20 minutes it's easier to balance out the egos and the touches, and that's part of basketball."
Only Chicago's Ben Gordon has averaged more points as a reserve than Ginobili's 18.1. Ginobili would need to come off the bench for at least 23 of the Spurs' remaining 25 games to be eligible for the NBA's Sixth Man award, though that, he said, is the least of his concerns.
"Pop told me that sooner or later I was going to go back to the starting lineup, so I think it's going to happen," Ginobili said. "But I just don't care."
* * *
BETTER OFF THE BENCH?
Manu Ginobili's individual numbers are better this season as a subs ute, but the Spurs' winning percentage is higher when Ginobili starts. The Spurs are 2-3 when he hasn't played.
G MPG FG% 3Pt% RPG PPG Team recordStarter 36 28.9 45.1 38.9 4.5 16.4 26-10 (.722)Sub 16 25.2 50.8 42.9 4.2 18.1 11-5 (.688)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...i.38416a4.html
In a bit, that percentage will flip. The team is coming together very well with Manu off the bench. We've been calling for this for a long time, and this is the longest Pop has ever run with it and I don't think the recent win streak is in spite of that but rather because of that (in part).
I predict he'll go back to starting within a month
I've always thought the Spurs were at their best with Manu coming off the bench. Not only does he play as well or better off the bench, it makes rotations go a lot smoother.
I really hope that Pop holds out and stays with this strategy for the rest of the season but knowing the history, Pop will put Manu back in the starting lineup at some point.
It's just a matter of when.
I agree, it works better this way. Him and Tony are friends off the court, but on it they don't have much chemistry. The fewer the two of them play together, the better. Unfortunately in the playoffs, Manu and Tony will probably be on the floor together at least 20 mins a night, maybe 25.
I don't think it's a matter of chemistry. Moreso that they both do well when they are the primary ball handler. But even currently, I think they still have a good amount of minutes on the floor together and things seem to be working.
The reason I think that they'll go back to Manu starting is because in the stretch run and the postseason, they'll need to get off to good starts more than ever. And for that, I think they need to have their best players on the court from the get-go. Plus in the postseason, most teams have two swingmen that start that need to be defended and Barry can't defend much of anyone.
Last season, Manu had his best +/- when paired with Parker. In the playoffs, Manu had his best +/- when paired with Parker and vice versa. Parker and Manu play best when they are on the court together.
Starting Manu lets them be on the court together in more important junctures -- like the last ten minutes of the game.
Yeah, I remember the Tony-Manu tandem pretty deadly in the playoffs.
They usually get good balance if they both get enough touches in enough minutes.
But I remember hearing the announcers saying something lately there had been runs where Pop acknowledged that Tim and Tony would sometimes forget Manu was on the court, for whatever reason.
The other problem is the Spurs don't get much out of either Barry or Finley as the starter. They are truly inconsitent, weak links to what should be a solid perimeter rotation.
I think Vaughn has helped our second team tremendously as well. Certainly not the to the extent of manu but that boy plays with energy and I love that! He is the anti-Beno !
Manu should be starter
Manobili is the best thing to ever happen to the world of basketball!!!!!
I just wish that the guy replacing Ginobili in the starting lineup (whether Barry or Fin) would be consistent. Barry hasn't really "stepped up" as a starter, but it hasnt' been that many games, so he might get in a groove...
barry will come into his role soon enough....they havent lost since the switch so things are gonna happen dont worry
What do you mean they haven't lost since the switch?
The Spurs are 8-4 since Manu moved to the bench on Jan 28th.
"I think it makes our bench longer."
... and make our starters shorter.
my bad kori i meant after the all star break ha ha ha ha ha my blunder
EXACTLY what I was thinking - that the reason it works so well to have Manu come from the bench is that it allows both Parker and Manu to take turns being the primary ballhandler, the PG, the floor leader, and both to play with TD.
without Manu these last 3 or 4 years not only would we only have 2 championships, we'd be merely a top 8 team that loses in the 1st round.
Buck Harvey wrote: "And if the Spurs somehow sign Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni in the offseason? Then they might want to schedule a playoff series (in Argentina)."
Is Nocioni a FA next season?
It's a tribute to Manu's versatility...
A lot of Argies and others have asked why Parker doesn't do it...
Parker couldn't do it like Manu...Parker has Superstar talent, but he's not an energy guy. I'm not sure Duncan could energize the bench like Manu does either.
Manu has the ability to serve in the role of Superstar or Energy guy...much like he also has the ability to be the leader(as he is on Team Argentina) or a supporting talent...
Most players just don't have the ability to change roles and be effective like Manu does.
I'd say that Manu is the successor to David Robinson in that way...the way David constantly changed his role and game for the betterment of the team...it's what Manu does now. It won't win him the gra ude of the casual fan(see Robinson, David)...but the people that know the game will only respect him more because of it...
It's definitely not a slight on Manu...as long as there's no confusion as to who the man truly is...like there was with Hedo.
Manu is the no-brainer lock for 6th man of the year if he stays in this role(Gordon scores but he doesn't do it at a great PCT)...
I'd like to see him get that award since it is unlikely he will ever win the regular season MVP.
Manu's great all the time. I'm verry happy that the Spurs pick him on the draft.
oh man, this has been my dream all along.
please!
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
