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You were also right about Barry getting hurt and Bruce's streak getting broken, ya jinxy bastid'
Spurs Mailbag: Answers from a certified genius
Web Posted: 03/31/2008 07:14 PM CDT
Jeff McDonald
Express-News Staff Writer
So, it turns out I’m a genius. Maybe not an Albert Einstein, theory-of-relativity kind of genius.
But at least an idiot savant, along the lines of Dustin Hoffman’s character in “Rain Man.”
Exactly one week ago, my inbox began to overfill with emails questioning Michael Finley’s worth to the Spurs, and Gregg Popovich’s sanity for continuing to start him.
Finley was in the middle of a horrendous shooting slump, and the way some of Spurs fans carried on, they’d rather see Chuck Finley at off-guard. And that guy once got beat up by a girl.
Here was my response to a flurry of such missives in last week’s Mailbag:
“Call us crazy, but we don’t think Finley is done. He’s just become a very streaky shooter in the twilight of his career. It could be that the grind of March is catching up to Finley, and he will be better in April or in the playoffs as the schedule spreads out.”
How’s this for better? Since I typed those words, Finley has made 31 of his next 45 shots. He’s scored in double figures in four straight games.
You people really should learn to listen to me.
Here’s another one.
Popovich’s decision to move Manu Ginobili to the bench went over about as well among Spurs fans as a set of tie-dyed jerseys. I understood the logic.
To wit: “It seems Gregg Popovich finally got tired of his bench not producing when Ginobili was not on it. With Ginobili as a starter, the Spurs had to ask Michael Finley to carry the scoring load off the bench, and it didn’t work.”
Anybody check how the Spurs’ bench is performing since Ginobili rejoined it? Spurs reserves are averaging 39.6 points in the past eight games. More importantly, the Spurs are 7-1.
Here’s one that might just freak you out.
Before March began, I was asked to supply copy for a graphic previewing the toughest month in Spurs history. As part of it, I had to predict how the Spurs would finish.
My thoughts: “Give the surging Spurs the benefit of the doubt for now, and chalk them up for a respectable 12-6 finish.”
Sunday’s victory over Houston gave the Spurs a – you guessed it – 12-6 record in March, cementing my status as a bona fide genius.
Now that I’m predicting the future at an All-Star level, I’m thinking about putting my powers of prognostication to use in the lottery.
If I win, this will be the last Mailbag you’ll ever read from me.
Any questions?
Did Bruce Bowen's streak of consecutive starts of 500 games snapped? He was suspended in that game in Detroit.
-- John, San Antonio
Now these are the kind of questions we like. Asked and answered, and I didn’t have to lift a finger.
What do you think about Kurt Thomas and the minutes he had in the last games? In my opinion, it’s not clear his role in the team. He could be an important option at the offense, perhaps more than Fabricio, and he is a great defender.
-- Fernando, Buenos Aires
Thomas will be a key cog in Gregg Popovich’s playoff rotation. We’ll go out on a limb right now and say he’s going to have at least one double-digit scoring night that wins the Spurs a game in the postseason.
His minutes, like those of every Spurs big man without the word “Duncan” on his back, will fluctuate when they opt to go small. The reasons are mathematical, when you play only one big man at a time, there are fewer minutes to go around for guys like Thomas and Fabricio Oberto.
Over and over I've read and heard many Spurs fans upset about Manu coming off the bench and cannot for the life of me understand why. Are they not realizing that HE STILL PLAYS THE SAME AMOUNT OF MINUTES PER GAME?!?! What is the difference with him coming off the bench? A starter in Manu's case means nothing more than not getting to play first, but STILL getting a starter's share of the minutes none the less. Can you explain to the Manu fans out there that they are still getting the same amount of Manu time whether he's starting or coming off the bench?
-- Barry Andrews, San Antonio
As much as I’ve defended the move of Ginobili to the bench, or at least the logic behind it, I’ve got to set the record straight here. You’re wrong. This season, Ginobili is averaging a full six minutes per game less as a reserve than as a starter (35.4 compared to 29.4). This is always a point that goes on the “con” side of the ledger when the Spurs coaching staff debates whether to bring Ginobili off the bench.
However, it also could be considered a “pro.” By limiting some of Ginobili’s minutes early in the game, Ginobili is able to conserve his energy for crunch time.
I just want to tell the Spurs that the only play that never works is the one where Parker brings the ball upcourt for a play and decides not to pass to any of his teammates and dribble's around for the duration of the shot-clock and then gets a screen from Duncan, then tries to drive but gets blocked out and tries a jumper that rarely falls.
-- Michael Saldana, San Antonio
We’ll have Pop remove that play from the playbook immediately, just for you.
My concern is the problems with all the people that narrates these games, especially the Spurs. They need to stop talking about how good of a free throw shooter the player is when they are shooting those free throws. It seems that every time they say something like that they jinx that player. So stop please. Thank you
-- Tony, Las Vegas
Not surprisingly, this letter comes from Las Vegas, the supers ion capital of the world. But you know what, Tony, Tim Duncan would agree with you. Couple days ago, E-N NBA reporter Mike Monroe had the gall to ask Duncan about his hot foul shooting since the All-Star break. Duncan looked at Monroe as if he’d just asked permission to strangle his dog.
Sure enough, the first free throw Duncan took in a game after Monroe’s question, he clanked. Maybe there’s something to this after all.
Okay, I want to know exactly what Ginobili eats, what he drinks, how many hours he sleeps, how he practices his shooting, how he prays, what brand of socks he wears, what kind of car he drives... EVERYTHING!!! MANU is the man.
-- Jared, San Francisco
Attention, Manu: If you happen to catch a guy rifling through your garbage, it’s probably this guy.
Since the Spurs can only have 12 players on the bench during a game, who will they remove in order to find a spot for Brent Barry?
-- Bruce Utley, San Antonio
Early educated guesses would be Matt Bonner or Damon Stoudamire. But if Robert Horry doesn’t come back from his left knee contusion any time soon, it might be a moot point.
Wouldn't it be a good idea to bring the rookie from France from the toros for the playoffs. I hear he is progressing real good. He could replace Horry if he is to be out for a long time.
-- Calvin Luddington, Anchorage
The rookie from France to whom you are referring is Ian (pronounced Yon) Mahinmi (pronounced Maheenmee). Learn the name. He’ll probably play in San Antonio next season.
He won’t this season, for a simple reason. Already, the Spurs are going to have to deactivate someone in order to slap a jersey on Brent Barry. Adding Yon Maheenmee isn’t going to solve the overcrowding in the Spurs’ rotation.
Online at: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....1c56914a.html
You were also right about Barry getting hurt and Bruce's streak getting broken, ya jinxy bastid'
I miss Ludden
The guy had to include in the article 2 paragraphs of propping himself........................................... ...........
Can anybody confirm this? CD, Kori, Timvp? I don't believe this guy, I always called him E-IN.The rookie from France to whom you are referring is Ian (pronounced Yon) Mahinmi (pronounced Maheenmee). Learn the name. He’ll probably play in San Antonio next season.
You do well ! lol
You have to pronounce ee-an like in Caribbean.
Everyone says Yon. Maybe it's wrong, but that's as close as non-Francophones will probably get.
Not surprising, how can one forget Mr "Nazeeeeeeeee" Mohammed lol
Patting himself on the back?
Yup not easy. I won't quote myself but I had to think a couple minutes before finding a word matching the sound.
It's Yon. The French say Yon.
The correct way to pronounce it is "Yee-Ah-nn" but passing quickly on the "Yee". The "Ah-nn" part would sound the same as in "Kahn".
I'll just call him Yawn.
Yawn is the French pronounciation. E-in is the Irish pronounciation.
Since he's French..........
no, I think the French is more "yan" than "yawn"
Almost there, as long as the 'a' is pronounced as "AH' instead of "EH'
McDonald sucks so much.
this guy pats himself in the back more than timvp
I miss Ludden also Slomo
Who's to say Finley won't have another streak like he did in March right smack in the middle of an important playoff series in the 1st or 2nd round? Where will the 4th scoring option come from with Barry obviously not being able to play a lot this postseason. I keep saying it, but Finley is useless and probably has a horrible +/- when he's not making shots, he's not doing anything else. It's no conincidence his rebounding and defense efforts when up the last couple of games. It's like day and night. If he plays like that in a playoff series, Spurs are doomed.He’s just become a very streaky shooter in the twilight of his career.
I am still trying to figure out who deserves to be fired from his job more:
Isiah Thomas or Jeff McDonald
Yikes. Lots of hate from SA guys. Guess he's not welcome there.
I thought he was funny.
-Mars
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