Waiting for Ginobili

by Peter W on May 6, 2008 7:19 AM CDT

"Let us do something, while we have the chance! It is not every day that we are needed. But at this place, at this moment of time, all mankind is us, whether we like it or not. Let us make the most of it, before it is too late!"
- Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot

If the Spurs are going to pull out this series, Wolves killer Manu Ginobili had better be found, and quickly. The Spurs are NOT the Mavs; they play much better defense and are the toughest minded ballers in the league. Plus, they have two of the dirtiest players in the league in Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry. There's no telling when Chris Paul or David West will be tripped, leg whipped, body checked, or kneed into a game changing injury. In the end, the Spurs need to find their offense, and that means waiting for Ginobili to show up. Will he ever come?

The Spurs are settling for too many threes, and letting the third quarter deflate their chances in the second half. I doubt that will happen back in SA, but they're going to have to break through in Orleans, and that means Parker and Ginobili relentless offensive attacks must be front and center. Duncan has his hands full otherwise. NO's youth and athleticism are making San Antonio's backcourt look a little slow; no one can yet keep up with Tony Parker on offense, but Paul had him literally turned around on defense. There is also a major difference down the lane between Duncan and Tyson Chandler. Chris Paul is able to penetrate the lane in the half court offense; since Duncan only occasionally blocks shots, he can shoot or distribute with impunity. Last night on the fast break he found Stojakovic trailing the pack; all he had to do was collapse the opposition just inside the key, then kick it back out to Peja for a three pointer.

Contrast that to Chandler, who's been clogging up the middle more effectively and stopping Parker's ball pentetration. Chandler still doesn't actually block a lot of shots, his length and activity down low gives the impression that the shot could be altered or blocked, thus the hestiation on the part of the opposition's back court. Again, for Wiolves fans, this is why Big Al can't be playing center, and if they were to get lucky with the number one pick, a Beasley/Jefferson tandem would fill up stat sheets, but not compete for championships, unless the K-Stater can move over to the three and let Gomes come off the bench. Finding some sort of defensive threat at the 5 will help the Wolves defense, who generally don't defend either the interior or the perimeter well at all.

In the end, the Spurs need a catalyst, and his name is Manu. 13 points on 4 of 10 shooting isn't going to get it done. San Antonio awaits; will he finally arrive in time to save the defending champs, before it is too late?

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It almost seems like Manu is injured. I haven’t seen him play this bad in quite some time. Along with Kobe and Lebron he’s one of the 3 best shot creators in the league and he hasn’t done much to get in the lane so far in this series.

by Stop-n-Pop on May 6, 2008 9:02 AM CDT 0 recs

That's what the SA papers are saying...

They’re saying he got a pop (no pun intended) in the Phoenix series…but they’re also still trying to call him out. Either way, he hasn’t been himself. They’re going to need him, or else they’ll have to :
Reanimate one of the vets
or
Take a pipe to Paul’s knee – Harding style

Something like that, anyway

by Peter W on May 6, 2008 10:49 AM CDT 0 recs

Boy, having Paul play like this at 23 years old makes Derrick Rose look like the “must have” in this year’s draft. I knew he was good but he’s playing at another level right now.

by Stop-n-Pop on May 6, 2008 11:22 AM CDT 0 recs

If Rose is 2/3 as good as Paul...

We’d almost have to draft him regardless of the one or two slot, wouldn’t we? Just think, an actual game changer feeding to Big Al. It would start to make my 20 win improvement cynicism recede a bit. I think we’d be at your “and then something magical happened”. Problem is, if we did get extremely lucky to get the number 1, I’m sure there would be all sorts of upheaval at Target Center. To use the Iron Ranger’s own words, I would shudder at the prospect of McHale thinking about which player to draft.

Paul’s pretty special; and considering he’s doing this against a great defensive team makes it all the more impressive. I would imagine if they do get to the next round (a BIG if), the Lakers just might want to put Kobe on him, and try to make someone else beat them. That’s when West is going to have to step it up, against Odom. Of course, this is all speculation right now. I think the Spurs will play much better at home; unlike the Mavs, they have a couple more gears they can ratchet into. I don’t think the Lakers are going to have any problems against the Jazz. Utah is just not shooting well.

by Peter W on May 6, 2008 12:26 PM CDT 0 recs

He’d be tough to pass up on. I’m still going to stick with Beasley as the top pick because I think he’s just as rare of a scorer as Rose is a rare guard. Big Al and Beasley at the 4 and 3 would be an offensive juggernaut and you could plug in the rest of the squad with defensive players and shooting specialists. On the offensive boards alone they would be problematic for opponents. I think you’re spot on about worrying about McHale making that pick. He’s likely to do something stupid in a situation where there should be no wrong pick.

Oh well, whatever happens, Rose and his agent have to be smiling right now as Paul tears through the post season.

by Stop-n-Pop on May 6, 2008 1:08 PM CDT 0 recs

My biggest concern with Beasley is the depth chart question. If the Wolves get #1, I think the choice is really Beasley and Telfair OR Rose and Gomes. If we get that pick, it will significantly impact the re-signing of the 2nd and 3rd best players we got for Garnett (without, of course, having used the draft picks yet).

I’d rather keep Telfair AND Gomes and ship off McCants. But a Rose, Foye, Telfair backcourt rotation seems awfully short.

by wyn on May 6, 2008 2:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

Don’t forget about Marko :)

I think they’re banking on using their 2nd round picks to fill in any roster gaps this season. They won’t sign anyone but Gomes and then they’ll hope for the best with a Mario Chalmers or a Kyle Weaver in the 2nd. What do you think about this:

Should the Wolves get one of the top 2 picks and Miami falls to 3rd, would you unload everything to the Heat (both 2nd rounders, Heat and Celtic pick) for the 3rd pick and Brook Lopez? Do you think they would listen to such an offer?

by Stop-n-Pop on May 6, 2008 2:39 PM CDT 0 recs

Wait, so the deal is 2 2nd rounders, Heat 1st and Boston 1st for #3? Heck yeah I’d take it. It’s essentially a #31 & 34 this year, #25-30 next year (BOS pick), and a heavily protected Miami 1st?

Getting picks 2 and 3 this year would be unbelievable. But, sadly, I’m not sure what the incentive for Miami is. If they’re rebuilding on the fly, a #3 this year would seem more valuable to them than the aforementioned set of picks.

by wyn on May 6, 2008 11:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, it’s far fetched. I was just thinking out loud there. I’d still make the call. Offer everything but Jefferson….both 2nd rounders, the Heat’s 1st, Boston’s 1st, Minny’s 1st. That’s a lot of picks for a club that should be able to catch Atlanta with a healthy D-Wade, Marion, and a free agent or two. Still….it’s pretty ridiculous.

by Stop-n-Pop on May 7, 2008 7:04 AM CDT 0 recs

Don’t get me wrong, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I just think Riles doesn’t care too much for rooks.

by wyn on May 7, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up 0 recs