Ginobili gets job done as interim point guard
Web Posted: 10/15/2007 10:50 PM CDT
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
Fluent in English, Spanish and Italian, Manu Ginobili is a man of many tongues. When it comes to learning the language of a point guard, he is still very much a novice.
With Tony Parker and both primary backups out, Ginobili has been the Spurs' starting point guard in each of their two preseason games.
Though he's been solid and sometimes spectacular, Ginobili admits he won't be taking Parker's job anytime soon.
"I'm not going to get used to it in two or three games, after playing my whole career at shooting guard," Ginobili said. "There is a lot more to worry about as a point guard."
If there has been a silver lining to the rash of point-guard maladies, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says it has given Ginobili a chance to add another layer to his game.
Ginobili has been the Spurs' most consistent player so far in the preseason, averaging 14.5 points and 5.5 assists while logging most of his 25 minutes a night at the point.
"I think he kind of likes it (playing point)," Popovich said after the team's workout Monday. "He's in charge of what's going on out on the floor. He has a good head for the game, and this kind of practice is good for him."
Still, Ginobili's time as the quarterback of the Spurs offense is most certainly on the clock.
With Parker poised to begin full-speed workouts by the end of this week, Ginobili won't be a point guard — or perhaps even a starter — much longer.
Though the Spurs haven't begun to consider a firm playing rotation, their opening day lineup likely will look identical to the one that worked so well during the stretch run to an NBA le last year.
That would mean bringing Ginobili off the bench at shooting guard.
The role seems to suit the 30-year-old Argentine. He was the only player in the league to average more than 15 points while playing fewer than 30 minutes per game last year. He might have won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award had he not started 36 times.
More importantly, keeping Ginobili in reserve seems to suit the Spurs. With Ginobili anchoring their backups, the Spurs led the league in bench scoring last season (36.9 points per game).
Using Ginobili as a super-sub allows the Spurs to exploit some matchups. Not coincidentally, that's the same reason Popovich hasn't ruled out using Ginobili in spot duty at point guard even after Parker returns.
Such a move wouldn't be unprecedented. Ginobili logged time at point against Detroit in the 2005 Finals after coaches lost faith in Beno Udrih as a backup.
"We've done it now and then against certain teams for certain reasons," Popovich said.
Brent Barry, a converted off-guard who also has played scattered minutes at the point this preseason, says he can envision a scenario in which someone other than Parker would man the point — with Parker on the floor.
Such a twist could allow Parker to find shots without having to work so hard for them.
"Maybe that's something we'll explore later in the season," Barry said.
For now, and at least until next week, Ginobili is still the Spurs' starting point guard.
He knows his days in that role are numbered. And he's not completely disappointed.
"I prefer being a shooting guard, because it's what I'm used to," Ginobili said. "But if I can give a hand at point guard, it's OK."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...N.3405b93.html
I like the idea of Manu as the backup point come playoff time. In such a scenario, Udoka could take Vaughn's minutes and the rest of the rotation could stay the same.
Vaughn is decent but there were a lot of games in the playoffs last year where he hurt the Spurs instead of helped. Manu as the backup point guard on offense and Udoka as the backup point guard on defense sounds like something that can work for short stretches against the right teams.
The extra roster flexibility never hurts.
If the Spurs are giving up on Beno and put him on the IR, then Ginobili will see some minutes at PG. I like the idea of Ginobili and Udoka coming on the court at the same time, with Horry or Bonner. That would give the Spurs several 3-pt shooters on the court even with the 2nd team, along with decent defense.
Last edited by barbacoataco; 10-15-2007 at 11:36 PM. Reason: spelling
I don't know if I wouldn't start the season with Ginobili in the starting lineup and then switch him to the bench for matchup reasons after the all star break. It gives different looks to teams throughout the season and his coming off the bench might be a boost that sparks SPAM going into the playoffs.
I think playing some pg is a good thing for Manu.
While I'm admired Manu's talent and skill and really really appreciated that his is willing to do anything for the team without thinking about himself at all but I really do not like to see this guy become an ass cleaner just becasue he in being nice
I like the thought of Manu at the point in small doses. It puts a pretty interesting wrinkle in the Spurs offense and defense as timvp stated.
I think it's much ado about nothing. Whenever the second unit was in the game last year all Vaughn did was bring the ball up the court, pass it to Manu on the wing and get the out of the way. Manu was pretty much the de facto point when he played with the scrubs, he made all the decisions out there.
I agree...a couple pre season games will do nothing but help Obi-Wan GinobiliI think playing some pg is a good thing for Manu.
Is there anything Manu can't do? What a stud!
Nothing new.
Gino played a point guard in previews years. Excample detroit Finals series or some strach actions were TP took the 'two' spot.
He can create and is good passer as we all know. Some insainaty won't hurt in short term. Even could help providing havoc in other coaches heads.... well at least we have more flexability. barry can run PG as well.
What makes the Spurs backcourt so "herky jerky" is mostly Parker's and Ginobili's ability to improvise within Pop's system. That means they change their roles and positions at unprecedented times and reading the other teams defense at the instant.
I think Express news is needing this new guy to jell rather than this being "news".
Manu will keep developing his game until he retires and certainly will play point guard with or without Parker on the floor.
The difference with Manu actually playing as a real backup PG rather than being a SG that initiates and controls the offense is that you can bring another solid offensive player on the floor to replace Vaughn. So Manu would have more threats on the court with him, thus making him far more dangerous.
If the Spurs coaching staff can figure out some defensive strategies/matchups to cover not having a true defensive PG on the floor, this could be a nice little wrinkle to add to the Spurs gameplan.
I actually think Ginobili should be a starter from the begining of the season. Finley, Barry, Horry and the addition of Udoka is more than enough of a spark off the bench. Ginobili on the bench is putting way too much reliance on Parker and Duncan alone to carry the offensive load in the 1st unit.
If ever the Spurs were to entertain a thought like this, this is by far the best time to do so.
Thanks for getting hurt again Beno!
Yeah that wouldn't work in the playoffs either...I actually think Ginobili should be a starter from the begining of the season. Finley, Barry, Horry and the addition of Udoka is more than enough of a spark off the bench. Ginobili on the bench is putting way too much reliance on Parker and Duncan alone to carry the offensive load in the 1st unit.
you know that bald spot up there
Funny I just watched an interview with Manu where they asked him what was better for him : starting and getting point guard duties that he has been getting recently or being a bench player he said he'd rather come off the bench any day"I think he kind of likes it (playing point)," Popovich said after the team's workout Monday.
Lamest subs ution ever. Just going to cause more angles of attack in the parker vs ginobili threads for the season.
TMTTRio
spot friggen on, I said the same thing To Kori the other day she was saying how much he was barking at players, I said he seems to be really stepping forward this year being a vocal leader.
Ginobili would be fantastic cause he DOES back it up.
If Ginobili could become the third point, and run it while the Spurs are struggling in the playoffs, and you could have Udoka, Ginobili, Barry, whoever, Duncan, there wouldn't be a time where you would have to worry about offense.
Lamest subs ution ever.
???
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