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She obviously didn't go to the Church of Manu. There you find answers, not questions.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....21bf2ca5.html
Spurs Mailbag: Uh, maybe Manu should have been an All-Star
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
Over the past week or so, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been telling anyone who would listen something that fans in both San Antonio and Argentina have known for a long time.
Manu Ginobili should never have been in Las Vegas for this year’s All-Star Game. He should have been in New Orleans. You know, with the rest of the All-Stars.
“Manu has been an All-Star performer, without any doubt,” Popovich said. “I was disappointed he didn’t make the All-Star team. I thought that was pretty close to a no-brainer, for a lot of reasons.”
If the two weeks that have passed since the All-Star game have taught us anything, it’s that sometimes the voters and the coaches get it wrong.
In the past 10 games, Ginobili is averaging 27 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists a night. More than that, he’s been ice-cold in the clutch, hitting a pair of game-winners during that stretch over Minnesota and Milwaukee.
In a Feb. 13 comeback victory at Cleveland, Ginobili scored 18 of his 46 points in the fourth quarter.
“He’s been amazing,” Popovich said. “He’s really carried us during this period.”
So why didn’t Ginobili make the All-Star team?
Part of the blame probably goes to Popovich. Minutes after making the above comments before Sunday’s victory at New Jersey, Popovich trotted out a starting lineup that did not include Ginobili.
Ginobili only started two games before the All-Star break. Like it or not, fans aren’t apt to cast All-Star ballots for sixth men.
The coaches, who choose the reserves, should probably know better.
At the time, however, Ginobili’s absence was almost understandable. The Western Conference boasted a glut of deserving guards. The Spurs already had one player headed to New Orleans (Tim Duncan), and were in the midst of a slump that made it easier for pollsters to ignore other options from their roster.
If there were an All-Star game at the three-quarter mark of the season, Ginobili would be nothing short of a no-brainer. At midseason, apparently not.
But don’t cry for him, Argentina.
He spent his All-Star break in Vegas with his feet propped up. He even got to check out the Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor middleweight le fight at the MGM Grand.
“I got four days of rest,” Ginobili said. “Sometimes, that’s better.”
Unless, of course, you’re the rest of the league.
Now, on to your questions …
Will Brent Barry be a difference-maker in the player in the playoffs?
-- Vince Garcia, Los Angeles
Interesting question, indeed. There was much hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth about whether Barry would return to the Spurs. Less thought was given to the question of how the Spurs might actually use him. With Ime Udoka’s ascension in the rotation, and with Michael Finley and some guy named Ginobili still around, there won’t immediately be a lot of minutes for Barry on the perimeter.
Still, there seems to be at least one game each postseason Barry wins for the Spurs. We wouldn’t put it past him again this season.
What happened to James White? I know the Spurs waived him but he seemed he had the ability to be a Tracy McGrady.
-- Al, San Antonio
White is a spectacular talent, and not without potential, but he has as much chance of becoming the next Tracy Chapman. He’s playing overseas in Turkey now, which should tell you something. Nobody else in the NBA thought he looked much like T-Mac, either.
Why isn't Matt Bonner playing more? I'm afraid he's losing his rhythm and confidence sitting on the bench so much.
-- Annette, San Antonio
There are only so many minutes to go around. As the playoffs approach and rotations shrink, there are even less. Bonner has fallen to the end of the rotation, especially with Kurt Thomas taking more big-man minutes than Francisco Elson did.
Either that, or Pop just hates players from New Hampshire.
When Barry is able and eligible to play, someone is going to have to sit behind the bench wearing the sport coat. Who's going to be the odd man out?
-- Charlie Walker, San Antonio
We’re guessing it will be a guy from New Hampshire.
What's the deal with Marcus Williams? I believe he is a valuable player who was signed, waived, signed and waived. Is he progressing and will he ever get to play a bigger role on the Spurs roster?
-- Daniel, Australia
Williams is playing fairly well in with the D-League’s Austin Toros (17 points, 6.4 rebounds in 27 games). He’s no longer the property of the Spurs, meaning he could ostensibly be signed and called up by any NBA team. He hasn’t, which tells you a little about his stock across the league.
He’s still on the Spurs’ radar, but only as a blip at this point.
A great game last night (against Dallas), but something I observed has disturbed me. As the flag and Star Spangled Banner was played, I noticed not a single Spur held their hand over their heart. The Mavericks’ back was to me but I did see at least some of them did. Hey, I love those Spurs but we should all pay homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
-- David Harrell, Natalia
You know, you have a point. And far be it from us to make excuses for the Spurs, or put words in their mouths. But …
We wonder if hearing the Star Spangled Banner 82-plus times a year makes it easier to tune it out. It becomes just another part of the pre-game routine. It’s just human nature. Next time you are at an NBA game, check out press row. Most of us writer-types don’t deign to show our faces until after the anthem is over. Not sure which approach is worse.
I don't have a question, just praise for Manu Ginobili. I'm a 62-year-old grandmother of five, and when I watch him play, I feel like I'm 25. He is absolutely great and I collect all his souvenirs. Matter of fact, I wore some of them to Mass the other night and got many questions, even from my priest.
-- Carolee Moretti, Frankfort, Ken.
That’s Ginobili. So good, not even men who deal in miracles for a living can figure him out.
She obviously didn't go to the Church of Manu. There you find answers, not questions.
Hahahhahaaa...good stuff!I don't have a question, just praise for Manu Ginobili. I'm a 62-year-old grandmother of five, and when I watch him play, I feel like I'm 25. He is absolutely great and I collect all his souvenirs. Matter of fact, I wore some of them to Mass the other night and got many questions, even from my priest.
-- Carolee Moretti, Frankfort, Ken.
That’s Ginobili. So good, not even men who deal in miracles for a living can figure him out.
Not quite, there are always questions at the Church of Manu.
Like... Why doesn't Parker ever pass Manu the ball?
TP>>>Manu.
[/thread]
Thanks for posting the article!
I like this quote:
“Manu has been an All-Star performer, without any doubt,” Popovich said. “I was disappointed he didn’t make the All-Star team. I thought that was pretty close to a no-brainer, for a lot of reasons.”
Now, I don't get why the coaches didn't figure that out...
Man, this ing blows my up. ing idiotic question, ing worse answer.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT YOUR MOTHER ING HAND OVER YOUR HEART TO STAND AT ATTENTION TO THE MOTHER ING FLAG AND RESPECT IT, YOU INCIPIENT FASCIST. Goddamn, you people and your flag decals and 'you're not wearing your flag lapel pin!!!' SOME people understand gestures are just gestures and not freakazoid signs of fealty to lockstep patriotic correctness.
Learn how to be a real patriot, you idiotic gasball. Goddamn FOX News, Goddamn imbeciles.
Mr. Boutons?
Manu is my favorite Spur but people have short memories. He was not playing even close to the level at which he is playing now when the balloting was going on for the All -Star game.
Manu is the 2nd best all around SG in the game and not as far behind Kobe as many think - Duh he should have been in the ASG?
The question was not that bad
At this point who really gives a damn if Manu was an Allstar?
You earn your spot as an all-star the first half of the season, not the second.
He's certainly a second-half all-star for whatever that's worth...
Manu Ginobili, 2-time All-Star would be nice.
but I will take Manu Ginobili, 4-time NBA Champ instead.
Consider Quaaludes.
This seems, oh I don't know, just a bit... intolerant? Bigoted? Pick your label.
What is this "You people" ? If some conservative referred to "you people" you'd be screaming "racist pig" at him.
What happened to live and let live, it's a free country, everyone has a right to believe in their own beliefs, I will fight to the death to defend your right to say things I don't agree with, ... ??
I guess if you had your way, "those people" would all be sent to re-education camps? Until they believed the "right way" ??
Sometimes, in order to make an omelette, you have to break a few eggs.
It doesn't really make any sense. I don't put my hand on my heart, yet when the Star Spangled Banner plays, my hands are behind my back, my attention is on the flag and I am not talking. Respect can be shown in more than one way, unless otherwise specified. Unless I see Spurs jumping around or joking during the ceremony, it's a completely pointless topic.
Someone accusing me of not being a patriot because I don't put my hand over my heart during a song has a lot to learn about life and judgment.
I'm glad you're not in charge, then.
Boy, talk about missing the boat.
You can't make me flash your empty gestures. I'm an American.
That's right, but that was not my point. You missed my boat.
My point is... you say very strong words against those who DO make the "empty gestures" because they want to. You express intolerance and dare I say bigotry towards them. If it's OK for you to do what you want, it should be OK for them too.
The original poster was talking about the basketball players, not you.
When did anyone accuse you of being unpatriotic? No one ever said anything like that. Where is this coming from?
I don't suppose it's worth pointing out that several of our players are not American, and therefore are not under any sort of obligation to show that level of respect to our national anthem?
And that David Robinson, who served our country in the Navy, rarely put his hand over his heart. Instead he stood at attention and looked at the flag.
Respect isn't about covering your heart - there are many ways to show respect.
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