According to the associated press, PtR's poster boy is going to be back Saturday night to play "not many" minutes, as Pop said. In most, if not all, of the previous instances when the Argentine was making a come back from all sorts of injuries one can possibly think of, we would be ecstatic about it, as if LWM were a living hell and that his return to the roster would save us from all our miseries. For some reason, that hasn't actually been the case for this particular impending return against the Nets.
We can put the blame on a couple of guys on the Spurs roster for that. Blame Tony Parker for filling the huge hole left by our best player, logging some insane minutes and numbers to eke out close victories against formidable foes, producing when all else fails. Blame old man Tim Duncan for his consistency and an aura of rejuvenation never before seen in recent memory. Blame Tiago Splitter for proving during Manu's absence that our frontline is in good shape once the old man decides that he's finally too old for all this. Blame Kawhi Leonard for his Manu-like energy, especially on the defensive end. Blame Gary Neal and Matt Bonner for their sweet shooting on most nights. Blame Richard Jefferson for continuing to do what Pop expects him to do despite the outpouring of criticisms. Blame DeJuan Blair for not boxing out... okay, it didn't come out quite right. (I like Blair in our roster, by the way... just please, Pop, don't put him inside with Bonner.) Blame James Anderson for helping us win that home game against Houston. And most of all, Blame Danny Green for making us not miss Manu too much.
I'm sure all of us are excited and glad that Manu is back, but I'm also sure that some of us also feel a little bit of apprehension. How will his return affect the inspired play of our Shock Troopers (reserves: Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Gary Neal)? Many of us have joined the Green brigade and for an evenhanded sense, we have reason to believe that Manu's return could have an adverse effect on the growth of these youngsters.
Nonetheless, fret not, my friends. Manu isn't going to eat up much of their minutes. If my prophetic ball is telling me the truth, then Manu's return is going to significantly reduce Tony's extended minutes, thereby saving him before he gets burned out for the playoffs. RJamnesty's minutes will probably suffer, too, as well as Timmeh's... but isn't that a good thing? As for our shock troopers, Gary Neal will probably spend more time on the bench and return to his old role as a specialty shooter. He doesn't really need more minutes in order to produce numbers, anyway. He's like a Ben Gordon back in Chicago before... scores fast, but lacks defense. Kawhi would also probably get his minutes limited a bit because he won't be starting anymore, not unless RJamnesty has to come off the bench, which is not a good move, in my opinion. With the continued flak he's receiving, it won't help his confidence level if you bench him now. We need him and his confidence in the playoffs. We have to accept that.
Danny Green, if Manu resumes his starting role, ought to continue to be the first man off the bench. Well, we can also make a case for Tiago, too, but that entirely depends on game situation (foul trouble et al) and that's Pop's prerogative (what isn't?). Green will thrive with Manu. Aren't we excited about him, Manu, Tiago and perhaps Kawhi together on the floor?
The best thing about Manu's return is that we get another facilitator on offense. Manu's ballhandling skills will serve us well, to give Tony the much deserved respite... Gary Neal stops his poor impersonation of a point guard and just goes back to what he does best - shoot the ball.
Everybody's happy. I'm happy. Aren't you?
0 recs | 16 comments
I don’t know if I like Manu having to fill in for Tony. He’s not a point guard. Also one thing that concerns me is if the players will let off the gas now that Manu’s back relying on him so much and not play like they’ve been playing without Manu.
GoSpurs09 - February 10, 2012
Pop would want the same intensity from the bench players during LWM even when Manu is now with us.
TDzilla! - February 10, 2012
Whether Manu is a PG or not, the offense works with him in and does not when both he and Tony are out. After Tony & TJ, his assist% is higher than any other guard, and while Joseph is not far behind Manu either Neal or Green are almost doubled by Manu. Manu has by far the highest offensive rating of any Spur, and Tim is the only current Spur with a higher defensive rating. A number of the others are capable of bringing the ball up, but Manu makes the offense work.
Alamo - February 11, 2012
If Manu hadn’t been hurt and continued playing anywhere near the level he had been after 5 games, he should definitely had made the All-Star team.
Alamo - February 11, 2012
+1. It’s hard to understand what “he is not a point guard” means when we talk about Manu, who has been our most talented playmaker for years.
Kondor - February 12, 2012
Neal and Green also get in trouble with the ball far more often. Neal especially, when he gets caught in the air and has no one to pass to. Occasionally, Neal or Green running a play is nice, but over a long haul, it begins to get messier.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
Also takes them away from what they do best, shoot.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
After Parker, Manu is better at PG than all the other guys on the active roster. Most of the other guys need a penetrator to create shots for them. This is where a Parker/Manu/TJ (when healthy) do that damage.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
Manu was always the best guy to play with for our youngsters. I expect Blair, Splitter and RJ to be more effective with him around. Green, KLeo and Neal may see their minutes a bit reduced, but they should benefit from playing more in their comfort zone. Parker’s stats will probably suffer the most, but he has got his ASG invitation already, so may relax a little bit. Our D shouldn’t suffer, our energy shouldn’t suffer, and our offense should grow stronger. It may be a tarp somewhere if the team would grow overconfident, but I don’t think our guys are going to sit on their hands now and watch Manu doing everything for them. Backcourt competition for limutes should just get a bit more intense. I trust Pop will find a way to channel it into the wins, not infighting. Yes, the potential for greatness is exciting.
Kondor - February 10, 2012
I can only imagine the level of intensity will improve with Manu returning. Yes, some guys minutes/stats will suffer but I expect the level of play to improve not regress. Does anyone know when T.J is suppose to return? I thought him and Manu would return around the same time?
Afterglow - February 10, 2012
here’s a crazy idea: i’d like to see manu start the first and second halves, play about 5 minutes of each…and maybe MAYBE spot situations in the last 2 minutes of the 4th in a close game.
let’s work on getting back to our normal rotation with manu starting and t.j. backing up t.p. this is a good place for our team to be. let’s not switch things up now and have to switch things up again in the next couple of weeks when t.j. returns.
mikrobass3 - February 11, 2012
If anything, we will see equal scoring and even distribution of the ball with Manu’s return. I like how Parker and Duncan have stepped it up in Manu’s absence, but that is no longer necessary. Individual scoring, assists, and rebound stats are irrelevant; it’s the team’s effort as a whole that matters. The more players in double figure scoring the better; the more assists racked up as a team, the better.
The Augustus - February 12, 2012
I want TJ Ford back up! He was playing really well before his injury. When can we expect his return? What are the latest reports?
The Augustus - February 12, 2012
Whoops—just ‘back’. Any chance SB Nation will ever allow one the ability to edit one’s own comments?
The Augustus - February 12, 2012
And ruin all the funny typos and errors? I doubt it.
Big50 - February 14, 2012
This. I’ll be much happier when the full team is healthy, but it’s obviously great to have Manu back.
Tim C. - February 13, 2012
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