My Sort of Midseason Spurs Recap
by sungo on Jan 10, 2009 9:02 PM CST
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PrintI want to believe that Walt Whitman would have liked The Shins.
I do not want to make it seem like I have any answers. I do not. Well, maybe I should take that back. I do not know if I have any answers, for I have never truly tested any idea that got lodged in my brain. (See what I did there? I deftly avoided implying that I have ever come up with an original idea, invoking the imagery of someone else's idea getting trapped in my brain, like a fly in an abandoned spider's web.)
Over the holidays I contemplated the subconscious ramifications of spending one's life chasing the fruits of zero-sum games. Money, land, power; none can be gained without taking from or denying it to another, and I wonder if deep down we do not all realize this, and suffer from the realization, augmented by the question of whether any of us lack something we truly need.
The Spurs are not winning the NBA title this year. The outcome for their season will be 0, not 1. I wish I could get past this and just enjoy the season.
You might think it would be hard for not to be optimistic about our chances. After all, we are 24-11, and might have even a better record if not for injuries to Tony and Manu. But we haven't beaten a team that has any prayer of even making the conference finals (the versions of UTA and HOU we beat were riddled with injuries), we've won a bunch of close games we could have easily lost, and we have a host of players playing way over their heads right now (Bonner, Finley and Mason are all in for severe reality checks). And, of course, if we lose any one of the Big Three we have zero shot.
Manu
Enjoying the season would be easier if it weren't for Manu Ginobili's inablity to play worth a shit during any game I watch. I swear, every game I catch a mere glimpse of is filled with him making one boneheaded decision after another. Seriously. It's like his head is made of bone or something. Passing up wide open threes, taking semi-contested threes with 19 seconds on the shot clock, trying to thread the ball between two sets of defenders hands, carrying the ball instead of calling time out, choosing penne over rigatoni.
I want the 2005 version of Manu to come through that door.
He's certainly, unequivocally, without a doubt unable to offensively carry this team right now, even for short stretches. We can hope it's his ankle or whatever his latest injury is, but the fact remains.
Tony
As always, PtR whipping boy Frenchie McWonderbutt is getting his unfair share of slagging. Averaging a career high in assists and points, shooting 50% from the field, 39% from 3 and 80% from the line, still only 26 and we're starting threads about trading him. Sounds about right. Look, I know he values his stats more than any other Spur. And I wish he'd pass the ball more, too. But why do we ignore the fact our offense is not exactly conducive to high assist numbers from the point guard? We don't run the break (3rd slowest pace in the NBA). Many of our plays are designed to go into Duncan, who either works one on one (negating the assist) or waits for the double team. Look at the guys above Parker on the assist leaderboard, and ask yourself how many play with back-to-the-basket big men that use 20+ possessions per game? Deron Williams. End of list. Try to ignore the fact he's a damn Frenchie and cut the man some slack.
Cubits
I know that excitement about George Hill has a lot to do with the Parker nonsense. He's certainly exceeded every expectation, but let's not ignore some important details. Like, for instance, the scouting report on George Hill, as transcribed by Burt Smitherson, Assistant to the Regional Manager of Houston Rocket Scouting and Baked Goods:
George Hill, PG, 6'-?", < 300 lb
-likely male
-likely has two arms
-sounds generic and unthreatening
My point is that no team has taken any time to figure out his weaknesses. I'm not criticizing him, just tempering expectations. Also, the man turns 23 this season. Tony Parker turned 23 in in 04-05, when he averaged 16.6 PPG on 48% shooting.
It is possible George Hill will turn out to be better than Tony Parker. It is also possible that George Hill we be out of the league in three years. You might want to wait until the second statement is untrue before you go send people packing.
Finley
I finally figured out why people like this guy. It's because he's as good as he can be. More than anything, sports fans hate guys who fall short of what is possible. They'd rather watch a scrub who makes the most of his talents than a decent player who slacks off from time to time. I guess it's because we'd all like to believe that we're all good enough, and that what sets us apart is effort and desire. That might be true in accounting; not so much in the NBA. Granted, Finley's shot the ball well and rebounded better than I expected.
But then again, the Spurs have also been outscored by 19 points while he's been on the court. I think this may have something to do with the fact he's not a good NBA basketball player. Unless you compare him to his abilities. Then he's great.
Duncan
He seems to have taken to griping at his teammates more this year, as well as long stretches of disappearing from the glass. Grab a rebound, you slacker. Why can't you be more like Findog? He sweats more than you, you know.
Bonner
His TS% is over 65% right now. Yeah, that'll last. Oh, and if you think we can beat the Lakers with Matt Bonner as our starting 4/5, you're insane. I can't believe our season may rest on the ankle of Ian Mahinmi.
Mason
The good: probably couldn't possibly play better.
Parker / Mason / Ginobili / Bonner / Duncan have played a total of 32 minutes together and outscored the opponent by 21 points.
Parker / Finley / Ginobili / Bonner / Duncan have played a total of 72 minutes and been outscored by 2 points.
Pop
The bad: Pop ignores this and still plays Finley down the stretch of games.
Stampler
Told me he was coming back to the blog January 5th. I assumed he meant 2009.
Bowen / The JV
via www.bbc.co.uk
I guess that's all I have to say.
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I love you matty!!!! Its all about balance. Its the yin yang, the chaos theory. Balance rules the universe, and we need it to avoid something Sagan-esque to happen.
When the blog is filled with joy and we seem to like our team, and somewhere hope seems to rise, then we need a reality check. We need a guy to tell us our dreams cant come true. We need a guy to tell us how fictional is our record. We need to come back to earth. Because 05 Manu isnt walking through that door. And Bonner is white, Hill is older than we like to think and Mason was playing in europe just 2 years ago. Mahinmi is injury prone, he is our golden egg but without the hard metal part.
Powell you are so right (and im so drunk right now, but my point its the same no matter how many keyboards I see right now). We are not going to win anything this year. We are a jump shooting happy team . We cant defend. We are barely winning against SHITTTTY teams. Findog is playing with heart but stil he is Michael Finley born in… a lot of years ago. Parker is french-prone. Duncan is Duncan. Pop is a genius…we he can only do so much. We dont have a big (outside bonny and TD) worth a shit.
Still…. WE WONT HEAR YA, WE….. WONT………. HEAR..YYYAAAA!!
IGNORANCE = HAPINNESS AND IM THE FUCKING KING OF IGNORANTS ….. WE ARE SECOND IN THE WEST, just like a lot of other times that we won the whole thing, we are second in the hard as nails west. YIPEEEEEEEEEEE YAY HOOOO MOTHERFUCKERS HERE COMES THE BIG FUNDAMENTAL, THE FRENCHY FRENCH, THE BIG NOSE AND THE REST OF THE UBER SCRUBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are going to sweep the Blazers, then the Suns and then the Lakers just to beat the Cavs 4-0 again in the FINALS……………. (Get Senator Roark behind bars? Sure. And maybe after I’ve pulled off that miracle, I’ll go and punch out God!)
PD: I love you Nancy
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
I like how Powell subtly lets us know he’s been monitoring everything. From the Whitman to the Cubits.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 1:39 AM CST reply actions
Yeah, I’m basically with Chilai.
You’re completely right in everything you say, but just as you accuse us of being too positive, you sin of excessive negativity. Truth it, with arguably a worse team, last season we got to the conference finals. We have a deeper bench, and Manu was playing on one leg in that series.
See? You can spin reality any way you want. All I know is that I can’t possibly enjoy a season if I think we’re going to lose, so I’m going to delude myself and support our guys to the very end. And if we lose, I’m immediately going to delude myself into knowing that we’ll win the next season, with Ian firmly in the rotation and Tiago playing for less money.
We’re fans of the fucking Spurs, so I don’t want to act like the Clippers fans we met last night. Sooner or later Duncan will retire and we’ll be struggling to rebuild. There’ll be time for harsh realities then.
LatinD please excuse me for having a man crush on your PTR posting skills.
by speedostuffer on Jan 10, 2009 2:15 AM CST up reply actions
Here’s the thing. Tim Duncan is still the best big man in the freaking world. Go ahead take Dwight and we’ll see how far he takes you when your backs against the wall. The other night the Clippers commentator said, “Fifty years from now they’re going to punch numbers into a computer then come to the the conclusion that Kevin Garnett was as good as Tim Duncan-and they will be dead wrong.” So perfectly put-numbers don’t say it all!
Some time ago someone smart said about some player “he does all the little things that don’t show up in the box score…” Ever since then thousands of idiots have been saying that same thing about every player who needs an excuse to be on the floor. The Jacque Vaughns and Jeff Fosters of the world. So let me rephrase that all too often used quote by saying Tim Duncan does all the GREAT things that don’t show up in the box score. Put him along side of two offensive wizzards and we will always have better than a punchers chance to win it all.
I live in soouther california and get to watch every Laker game rooting against them with almost all my might (I have to save some negitive energy for the San Diego Chargers). All of my friends except one warriors fan live and die for the Lakers. And believe it or not some of them are like you Powell. “We’re so fucking soft” they say about their Lakers. Or “Phil Jackson has lost his mind” or “We need to trade Gasol” or “Bynum isn’t worth his contract” or even “It’s not our year…” But most of them are optimistic and why shouldn’t they be? They went to the finals last year and their gained experience could prove the difference between another ring or another dissapointment. We have just as much to be excited about as any other NBA fans. Or if you chose, just as much to be concerned, disappointed, and upset about.
i agree with what you’ve said…except the bit about jeff foster. like chilai said, he’s a good rebounder (averaged over 9 for two seasons, over 8 two other seasons, and he’s consistently one of the best offense rebounders – currently sits 10th on per game average this season). chucking him in the same league as the JV isn’t fair. to be honest, i’d prefer foster to oberto.
by sleep research facility on Jan 10, 2009 4:45 PM CST up reply actions
Right and I should have thought that out better. But my point was when a player who has mediocre to bad stats very often some commentator will say about him “he does all the little things that don’t show up in the box score” or if they do only one thing good like Jeff Foster does they will say “he does more than just rebound…” Even though it might be he doesn’t do anything except rebound. I am not sure I’d prefer him to Oberto. Oberto works so well with duncan in the high-low set up. When teams are fronting Tim and Oberto is in there it’s easy baskets. Also I’m not sure what kind of defender Foster is, I haven’t watched him enough. Oberto isn’t exactly Ben Wallace on the defensive end either but he’s serviceable.
by speedostuffer on Jan 10, 2009 6:30 PM CST up reply actions
Oberto is 100 times better ofensively than Foster, but we dont use him. He rarely shots more than 2 per game. So in the Spurs case, because we dont use Oberto’s abilities, Foter could be better because of the rebounding.
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
i don’t know if oberto is 100 times the offensive player foster is. to me they’re very similar – opportunistic scorers, being in the right place at the right time.
foster is a decent defender, a comparable scorer, and a superior rebounder, hence i would prefer him to oberto. its a moot point anyway, cos a trade isn’t happening.
by sleep research facility on Jan 11, 2009 4:41 AM CST up reply actions
Powell is always emo...
Improvement #2 sighted on the horizon…
"I like to use my pump fake to make them come hard, that's when I use my penetration." -Manu Ginobili
Powell, who?
Wel, after reading some comments I think: I have enough intellenge to realize the good and bad in the Spurs, so I cant say you bring reality again in my life with all these craps. Why craps, because most of all the teams that leads the standings didnt play with most of the big teams, so… knowing that my question is: No team in NBA has chance to win this year?… the last words will be done in playoffs, and Im 100% sure this team will give all that they have and thats enough for me, no matter if they are champ or not.
I need some clarifications here
But we haven’t beaten a team that has any prayer of even making the conference finals (the versions of UTA and HOU we beat were riddled with injuries)
1. What teams have a prayer of making the finals in the West? I’m assuming your list is Lakers, Hornets, Utah, and Houston since we have beat the Mavs, Nuggets, and Suns The Jazz aren’t making it. They just aren’t that good this year. So I think we are down to 3 teams. Lakers, Hornets, Rockets.
2. Houston played that game without Rafer, who was out with a suspension.
I can’t believe you would bash Manu and praise Tony. That is just crazy talk. I completely agree.
Question for you: In reference to your Finley segment, name one Spur who isn’t as good as his talents allow? For me, this is the thing about the Spurs that I like. They are all as good as their physical abilities allow. They super-physically gifted guys trying to figure out how to play basketball.
Nice to have you back. I’m glad that you and LatinD are a hemisphere apart. If you were any closer you would probably slam into each other and create a black hole.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 9:51 AM CST reply actions
Put an “aren’t” between “they” and “super-physically”.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 9:52 AM CST up reply actions
1. LAL, HOU, UTA, NO, SA.
You’re right about HOU. When we beat them, they were only missing Alston. I was confusing that game to when we lost to them by ~20 w/o McGrady. I was also talking about EC teams. CLE, ORL, BOS, DET.
One Spur who isn’t as good as his talents allow? That’s obvious. Manu Ginobili. He’s as competitive as anyone in the league, and always give maximum effort, but his repeated mental mistakes and misplaced offensive aggression have always hampered him.
What? There’s another conference.
You should be careful. Lightning is striking in the Austin area today. Interesting choice though. I’ve never thought of Ginobili being a superior physical talent, but as somebody who is a good athlete who makes the most of his physical abilities with aggression and basketball skill and knowledge. Much like Duncan, but who is more, um, creative.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 1:13 PM CST up reply actions
We have 24 wins, and exactly one of them is against one of the top 8 teams in the league. That’s my point.
True. But we have only played 5 games against the top 8 teams (not counting the Utah game – 2 Hou, Orl, Det, NO)
Now through the end of February is when we find out what we have. If we continue to win 20% against the top team, then we will be plummeting in the standings and you will have a serious partner in the result==0 category.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 1:23 PM CST up reply actions
That is a totally insane statement. Manu is one of the top 3 or 4 SGs in the NBA, and he certainly is NOT in the top 3 or 4 athletes at that position. Manu’s a pretty good athlete, but he plays waaaay over his head in terms of what he would do on ability alone.
Catch the Spurs Spirit! It's a Fast-breakin' Fiesta!
Tony Parker needs to play DEFENSE!! It’s either he’s late in challenging jumpshots or he can’t keep step or he’s lost in the rotation because he’s not putting effort to play DEFENSE, which is why he can’t win fans’ allstar votes!!!!
i get the part about his defense. tony gets a lot of grief on here, but he is quite simply a nightmare for anyone trying to deal with him. the thing that makes him indespensable: the minute a team tries to shift their focus away from stopping fenchy, they are done. to beat the spurs, that is job 1A – but now you have tim and, manu to contend with…and oh by the way, they added a couple of guys who can fill in around them. sure the spurs dont look as good as the lakers right now, but we dont have to fight that battle for real until later in the year. you would be a fool to count this bunch out – especially right now.
and +! to ATS on the comment about every spur getting everything out of themselves that they can. this is exactly what to like about our spurs.
Get Real!
Manu Ginobili is the brightest star on that team weather you realize it or not. He is healing from a serious injury and still playing great basketball.
Powell – Why do you let your negativity consume you to where you can’t even enjoy the regular season? Quit forecasting our doom and gloom in the near future and enjoy the ride. It’s just like living brotha. Yeah we can spend all day thinking about how one day will be our last day, but I’d rather spend the time enjoying the ups and downs while we have them. What ever happened to sitting back and just watching a Spurs basketball game for the love of the game? The fundamentals, the team work, the JV sightings. It’s all good man and you know you love every bit of it. Focus on that!
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed.
Some of these concerns I’m less worried about than others.
Hill-I’d be worried about teams adjusting to him if he were our starting point guard, but I think it’s a moot point as he’s basically just doing what’s asked of him: stay within the offense and play good defense. I don’t think we’ll see a Udrih rehash, as Hill’s ball-handling, athleticism and defense are all much better than Udrih’s were. Thus far when he’s on the court its Mason or Ginobili initiating the offense half the time anyhow.
Tony-He is what he is.
Mason- He hasn’t been with us long enough to say for sure, but I just have a gut feeling he’s going to stay this productive. He’s just got that mojo going for him and fits in with the Spurs perfectly. Honestly, when has any role-player come in and gelled as quickly and efficiently as Mason has?
Finley- He does what he does, which unfortunately includes losing his shot for random months at a time. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come in the playoffs.
Bonner- I’m really worried here. He’s put up major choke jobs each time we’ve played good teams on National TV. We really need an athletic Defense/Rebounding Center.
Manu- Our wildcard really. If this is the best we’re going to get from him, our chances our slim. Decline will happen sometime, the ankle injury may be his first step. We’ll see.
Tim- After the pl…. fac….whatever season, I never doubt Tim come playoff time. He’ll be doing what he’s supposed to when it becomes necessary.
We also have a couple of possible upside cases.
Udoka- Honestly, he’s played pretty bad when he’s been in this season. If he can get back to last seasons playoff form, it’ll definitely improve us.
Thomas – He started off really poorly, but lately has been giving the team what’s expected of him. I still see room for improvement here, specifically if Bonner starts to falter.
Wow...I had to check the standings
I’m a Lakers fan and just came by to see what was up in Spursville. Man I had to go and check the standings again.
Haven’t watched the Spurs much this season (btw thanks for the Christmas present -punking the Suns) since they’ve been hurt and the Lakes haven’t play ‘em yet. You guys know you’re currently 2nd in the west, right?
I know you’all are used to championship level ball but that seems pretty good with all the injuries. The Lakers will have a tough time in Texas next week. Got a few players out and play the Rockets the night before the Spurs.
It is a long season and as you well know any team is just an ankle twist away from a long loosing streak.
Not bringing any hate just checking the competition.
Nice post, olf.
I especially agree with your comment “It is a long season and as you well know any team is just an ankle twist away from a long losing streak”.
Good luck to you and your team… except against us, of course.
I am happy. I am proud. - Manu Ginobili
Hey bellasa,
Don’t get me wrong I am a fiercely loyal Laker fan. In fact I hope they run the Spurs out of the gym next week. The Lakers’ play is pretty sloppy lately so it’ll be tough.
I do have some respect for the Spurs’ accomplishments and they play with precision that might pick the Lakers apart especially since they’re short handed.
Should be a good game. It’s better than another game with the Kings or Warriors (yawn).
BTW from your point of view who are the Spurs biggest rivals these days? Rockets, Mavs, Suns, Lakers? Or do you think of the Celts or Cavs as your biggest rivals. Just curious.
Can I cut in? Depends on what you consider rivals: if you’re talking about history, I wouldn’t mind knocking the Mavs out of the playoffs. The Suns and the Rockets are jokes.
Now, if you’re talking about serious opponent for us when it comes to the championships, the Lakers, the Cavs and the Celts are all rivals. But since we have a history with the Lakers, if you ask me to pick one, it’s definitely you guys.
Not to mention that the Celts are decomposing as we speak.
Thanks for the info LatinD.
I must agree it is always a pleasure to see Mark Cuban in the stands holding his head in his hands at the end of the game. (Although he’s probably been a plus for the NBA in shaking up the ownership ranks.)
The Celts will be there at the end of the season but I do like the thought that the Christmas loss to the Lakers might have nudged them off their pedestal and they’ve fallen down here to earth with the rest of us.
Glad you're back Matthew... you've been missed.
While I don’t particularly care for the over all tone of your recap, I believe you have some very valid points. I also think in the last few years (maybe since the 2006 playoffs?), you’re more apt to see the glass as half empty rather than half full with regards to our team.
Facts are still facts: Our big 3 are getting older, but we also have a better supporting cast than we did last year. I’ll take cubits and mason and a rejuvenated finley over last year’s cast.
I hate to admit it, but Manu does tend to force things when he’s not a 100%. However, he is still arguably the fiercest competitor in the NBA. I’ll take him any day on my team and again on Sunday.
We all need to cut Tony Parker some slack. He is definitely one of the best point guards in the NBA. I’m as guilty as anyone else for ragging on him (The phrase “pass the fucking ball, Tony” is firmly imbedded in my brain) and we all need to try to restrain ourselves. Baby steps, people.
Tim Duncan, greatest power forward ever. EVER. He’s still bringing it… day in and day out. We should all have his work ethic.
Coach Pop is still the gifted alchemist and will continue working each player/line-up until the dog days of April. Because in the end – we’ll still be in the mix.
Lastly, I also agree that we really haven’t been tested by a championship caliber team, however our Spurs have always had a tendency to play down to the capabilities of our opponents. That’s nothing new… however, I do thank the scheduling gods for the cotton candy first third of our schedule.
So although I agree with much of your insight, I also agree with Cmoney, LatinD and our new friend LA’s Olf. You’re right… but we’re also right. You gotta enjoy the ride… fate or good fortune or karma will decide the rest.
I am happy. I am proud. - Manu Ginobili
Beginning of season, I went in with not much expectation and every win was just a sweet bonus. My wild dream was punking everyone maybe come playoffs.
Now, we are really different. Every team is vulnerable. The celts and lakers more so from what I have seen. Pop hasn’t even been really angry this season. Manu hasn’t publicly talked about how everyone should grow balls soon, yet. Fact is, believe it or not, too many other guys have built up their own confidence. Whether its good or not, we will know in the playoffs. But the chances of us being mentally being taken out of a game atm is seriously low. Even the rookie Hill looks like he will come in and have a go at anybody.
Only thing that matters is health and conditioning. Too early to talk about that too. We will see in April how Finley looks. If he is not tired in the 4th quarter and the jumper is still effortless, you bet we got Rocky sequel like chances.
I love Hill, but who has said he was going to be as good as Parker?
Thats ridiculous, he can be an above average player for sure, but as good as TP….doubtful, I never got the impression anyone was making that claim
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Well he DID average 36 points in his senior year in high schoo.
www.sportzchat.com
by Linix129 on Jan 10, 2009 7:01 PM CST reply actions
It’s very quiet on here tonight. Crazy.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 9:03 PM CST reply actions
I’m here, but playing Mass Effect. Lots of free time when the GF is away. I should get to writing that game preview…
You slacker.
I’ve got Bulls/Thunder heading to over time on Sopcast.
Warriors/Blazers on Ppstream.
Streaming music.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 9:56 PM CST up reply actions
Share the PPStream link? Wouldn’t mind to see the Blazers lose. Especially considering the amount of bad mojo they’re racking up.
http://www.ppnba.com/en/623.html
I’m getting a good stream too. No choppiness
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 9:58 PM CST up reply actions
I would say “like shit” except he just had a really good sequence for a few points and boards.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 10:00 PM CST up reply actions
The jazz just put the pistons to sleep.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 10:02 PM CST up reply actions
Hey, you are the one making assumptions.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 10:04 PM CST up reply actions
Y’know, you were right: Durant’s having a good season. I think he’ll be big. I let my biases from last season cloud my judgment.
Another great game for Scola. It’s still so painful to watch him excel…
Yeah, that is looming as the Spurs FO big fuckup of their reign.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 10:10 PM CST up reply actions
Just being nice to his teammate. It wasn’t a smart play though. Outlaw had to dunk with a guy right on him.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 10:12 PM CST up reply actions
Seems like you have lots of free time all the time.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 9:57 PM CST up reply actions
I knew you were an engineer. I just didn’t know what you did for work. Saying you are an engineer is like saying you are a liberal arts major or something. It’s a degree, not a job description.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 10:01 PM CST up reply actions
Is hydraulic structures synonymous with dams or are they a subset of dam work?
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 10:04 PM CST up reply actions
Dams are a kind of hydraulic structure. You also have canal, tubings… and many others, but my technical vocabulary is a bit rusty. Anything that controls water or liquids in general.
Gotcha, you are an environmental terrorist!
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 10:09 PM CST up reply actions
Manu
“Manu, Enjoying the season would be easier if it weren’t for Manu Ginobili’s inablity to play worth a shit”
—————————————
They said the same thing about Jordan when he came back from baseball, you have to start from the bottom, the same with surgery.
How would you feel if you were a true starter, coming off the bench, when theres no reason to. Or getting slamed by critics about participating in the olympics when the Spurs gave him the ok, and even played him in the playoffs of 2008 knowing he was already injured. Further more all great players can turn it on and off. imagine Jordan in a melow rhythme early in the game, then in the forth he gives you the real deal. Explosion! Ginobili has done things basketball greats have not accomplished. Do the research! Does the word “basketball genius” mean anything to you. This is not lost on the coaching staff, but a Parker Duncan combo with sharp shooters on all sides, makes for a foul treat for defenders. They should recognize that most fans are just sitting back wating for a Ginobili explosion, So far we have seen spurts of this. You can see signs of improvement. Watch a quick clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCVYAG9uVmM
It’s funny how many people signed up just to tell Matthew off. Regardless of current opinions on his performance, Matthew is a big Manu fan. (Well, he did want to trade him at some point, but hey.) So really, guys, there’s no need to quarrel.
Come by tomorrow for the game thread – there are never too many people.
Manu
No hard feelings. The point is Manu deserves respect. That was a bit out of line.
http://manuginobilifans.proboards107.com/
If there’s something that this site has no shortage of, that’s Manu homers. You’ll be right at home. Drop by the Saturday rambling thread if you want to do some old style chatting.
No bashing is ever out of line unless it is on Duncan and it is really, really hard.
Btw, Ardis1, you wouldn’t be LatinD’s friend would you? Because he’s pretty protective of Manu too. But embarrassingly so.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 10:35 PM CST up reply actions
Still here? I thought you were busy writing that “trade Manu” thread you have kicking around in your head.
I can’t think of anybody who would want him.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 10, 2009 11:28 PM CST up reply actions
What?!
So many teams would pay him more and start him every game, but for some reason he likes San Antonio, dispite some of the bull that he has to deal with. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
http://manuginobilifans.proboards107.com/
who would want him? who would want duncan or parker? We might see. I do know , Manu has no problem going back to the euro league, if all else fails. It doesn’t seem to matter to him, but it matters to people like me, after hybernating from the Jordan era, woke up a few times when Olajuwon dominated and Elliot exited us. Ginobili is the main force behind most Spur fans and keeping them awake from a deep sleep of basketball bordom.
This is a business just like the the federal reserve that manipulates our economy, organizations like the Spurs will manipulate player for profitablility. So what is it that has been making this organization successful? Is it the so called “messiah” Duncan, who can do no wrong, no matter how much the Spurs try to market him. For instance, claiming that duncan is a power forword after Robinson has retired is perposterous. if you tip the opening ball your a center, if the next bigest guy starting is Matt Bonner, your the center. In return, you see power forword stats and the allstar votes have been manipulated to serve the purpose of the organizations franchize player. Because of this catagory label.
So what would be the benefit of switching franchise players from Duncan to Parker or say Ginobilil. Parker is French, most people are prejudice, same for Ginobili but worst. He’s got a bad rap from oposing fans who can’t stand to see him get rolling cause he is easly one of the most dangarous cluch player in the conversation. And beating teams that should have won otherwise in crushal Playoff, Finals or Olympic situations or letting them beat themselves by getting into their head anywa he can to win. Which reminds me of the Olympic games, when Argentina beat US twice, in the face of player like Duncan.
Back to Parker, love to see him finish the lay up, and now an outside threat also. What I notice is, greed has clouded some of his choices. Example, if Parker drives to the paint and someone is open who has a possibility of outscoring him, 90% of the time he will opt out and force a shot rather then utalizing full force team work. Duncan also has shown these characteristics but not towards each other. The repercussions of this phenominon, is the difference between being up there with the Lakers or where we are now.
On the contrary, if the coach is running most every play, then ignorance has some role. either they are purposely using it to hunger players, a mind game for productivity. Or they feel this is the best way to ensure productivity out of the organizations two favorite players. Do you believe this is lost on Ginobili, No I think not. betrail is present in the body language of my favorite player in the nba. If your gona bring Manu, gold metalist, multiple nba champion, euro mvp and chapion, all-star off the banch, then expect a second string performance out of him. So when these wonds heal and the surgury to, Until the mental picture of this thing called popaizm is realized. You begin to wonder why he doesn’t pack his bags and take the first jet out. and look forword to droping 30+ on the spurs every time they meet again. Many players have suffered or prospered from these situations like beno udrih, turkoglu, steven jackson, luis scola, are all victoms of this popaizm. I watch basketball not as a homer but as reflection of life. basketball can be applied to everyday life, decison making, consequences and so forth. the tightest family group or team is a reflection of there over all sucsess. And thus the evolution of a team.
Sci… ATS’ comment inspired this? If that’s so… He was joking. I’m positive.
Just for the record, Duncan started his career as power forward. Moving him to center would put him out of the All-Star starters, because those wacky Chinese will always get Yao in. Now that would be a travesty.
I think this wall of text wasn’t necessary. We’re all on the same page, even though it may not seem so.
Must see
Parker forces one up, Tim thinks he’s getting the rebound, then shazam!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba9df0wUwdQ
notice the chicken wing elbow of tim after the transaction, lol
http://manuginobilifans.proboards107.com/
Man….I dont like this. We cant even joke about Manu without a horde of his defenders popping out ready to cut our throats. The worst thing is that we are ALL manu lovers, PTR is a big MANU-loving blog.
To all people new to PTR: I recommend you to search older posts. Even Powell is a big manu fan.
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."
Matthew and Manu
Matt’s rant on Manu is way out line. Sure, he’s not playing his best ball. That’s to be expected working his way back from surgery. But that he has always made “bonehead” plays is evident to anyone who has followed his career (v. Dallas, Game 7, 2006 anyone!). What is ironic is that either Matt or Aaron wrote a brilliant piece shortly after the ‘07 title precisely extolling as one of Manu’s great virtues the fact that, inspite of a off-the-charts basketball IQ, Manu is so driven that he often acts before he thinks, especially when it comes to chasing the ball. Sean Elliott once keenly said of Manu: “(when it comes to going after the ball), Manu is like your dog when a sausage link falls off the barbecue pit, he’ll knock over the picnic table, trample your mother-in-law, and burn his tongue all to hell just to get to the damn thing.” (well, something to that effect). The same drive that led Manu to that brilliant block of Dwayne Wade last week is the one that led to the foul on Dirk in ‘06. It can’t be beaten, drilled or trained out of him. It is who he is. Live with it, or give up on him. Pop’s learned, why can’t we?
Sean Elliot
"when it comes to going after the ball), Manu is like your dog when a sausage link falls off the barbecue pit, he’ll knock over the picnic table, trample your mother-in-law, and burn his tongue all to hell just to get to the damn thing."
LOL! Sean Elliot is awesome at saying those crazy hilarious things during the game.
http://manuginobilifans.proboards107.com/
Is duncan gona school howard or what? this is the match up of the evening, or is it parker and nelson? or finely an lewis, or turkoglu and ginobili. almost a mirror image or the spurs. i cna’t freekin wait!
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