Manu is good and brings some good things to the team, but he is really being hyped way too much. He's being hyped way more than his play merits. He's not near as good or important to the Spurs as someone like Otis THorpe was to the Rockets in the early 90's. I would rank him just slightly above Chucky Brown. There is no doubt that chucky Brown was valuable to the Rockets when he was on the team, and did some great things for us, but he wasn't held in such high regard. There is too much hype about Manu. I've seen him make some uncontrolled wild plays and turnover the ball or lead to a turnover. He's also made some great plays and brings a good energy to the team. But he's not a star.
I don't think he is overhyped at all. He is a good player off the bench right now and has done a great job in that department. Has been a nice spark plug for the Spurs and has done better than Stephen Jackson the stater so far in the Laker series. So how is he overhyped?
Steve Jackson has been off, so it isn't the hardest for an NBA player to outplay him. I do agree that Manu is good, but not as good as some people claim. He makes some bad decisions had a bad game 3 for the Spurs, and occasionally plays out of control. He's young still and I think he can be really good. I do think that he benefits from not getting too much attention before the season. He was known to be good, but wasn't expected to produce like he has. Because he has exceeded expectations and surprised people he gets much more praise, maybe more than his play merits. He's good but he's not better than Mobes. He might know his role better and in that way play better than Mobes, but he's not a better player if that makes sense.
Mobley shot just as well percentage wise as Ginobilli and he doesn't have Tim Duncan drawing the defense. The Rockets would be a worse team with Manu instead of Mobley, and the Spurs would be a better team if they had Mobley--at least this year. Manu is a excellent back-up and promising soon to be 26 year old well seasoned rookie. He is valuable and potentially a fixure at the 2 spot for the Spurs--but lets not go overboard on what he can do and you have to remember his role is very simplified because of the Duncan anchored offense and defense.
Mobley's not exactly a good spot up open shot shooter so having Tim Duncan drawing the defense wouldn't mean much for him shooting wise. Do you know that his best shooting % performance came in 2001-02 season when he didn't have Francis (for most parts) and Yao drawing the defense away from him? Mobley needs the ball to be effective. Manu doesn't. And in Spurs' offense, the ball is in Duncan's hands 80% of time. Manu moves without the ball better, hit the open shots better, runs the break better and is a much better defender against the likes of Kobe Bryant because of his bigger size, quicker feet, quicker hands and more cleverness. So no, Mobley won't make the Spurs a better team.
Newgirl: Mobley is a career .434 FG shooter, .366 3 shooter and .843 from the line. This year he was right there except about 1% lower in 3s and higher in FT. Manu is a career (1 season) .438 FG shooter, .345 3 shooter and .737 from the line. Mobley isn't a great spot up shooter, but just like Manu he isn't a bad one either. You are correct Mobley's best season was 01-02, but that IMO was because that was his peak year so far in terms of his game development and health. I don't think for a minute his shooting would not be even higher that year with a young Hakeem, Barkley, Webber or Duncan as the centerpiece. Just look at how much these other average to below average shooters improves their clip from the outside (DA, Bowen, Claxton, Christie, B. Jackson) playing with a Duncan or Webber. To reinterate I think there is no question if the Spurs had Mobley this season he would start over Jackson or Manu and they would have had a better record this year. In a year or two Manu may be better for the Spurs or anyone else--but not yet. Of course if Manu is better than Mobley in 2 years (no sure thing Manu is less than 2 years younger than Mobley--it isn't like he was a young, unseasoned, undeveloped, player) the Spurs probably won't be able to re-sign him.
Hmm...I respect Ginobili now. He's a pretty darn good player. But he can never become a star. He's too small. At best...he will be a starting role player. But I would love to have him as a 6th man. He's a perfect 6th man...
I have not checked, is it expected that no team will be under the cap that year?--it would be quite a statistical oddity if true.
DD, turns out you are probably gonna be right picking the Spurs to win it all. Nice Job. regarding Genobli, how about that dunk he had in Game 1 against LA. That was just breathtaking.
An italian fan who's seen Gino for years here. 1) he's a legit 6-6, 6-7 player with his shoes 2) he can really jump. He's not as strong at finishing as others, but he has a 38 inch vertical leap 3) when watching his stats, split his pre ASG and post ASG ones: from february he shot 51% 2FG, 38% 3FG and 78 FT%
The reason Ginobili is in the league is because of his defense and his ability to anticipate and capitalize on that. His ability to hit a big shot, make a steal, and/or snag a key board has been amazing. He was told early on by the Spurs that he would have to be able to play D or he would never make it. This was when he was in the Italian League and couldn't guard a bottle of vino. He worked on his D and the results are now apparent. He's a big game player, no doubt about that. As for his size he's as big as KBryant is, not Mobley.
Yes indeed! He's great.......way better than Parker! Parker...stop jacking up shots for 5 minutes during clutch time! Give it to Manu!
I agree...Manu plays clutch, especially at the end of games. He has a talent for getting his hand on the ball while opposing players drive to the basket. Usually resulting in a turn over or wild shot. I agree, Parker stinks during clutch time. He seems to panic and loose focus. Claxton on the other hand plays with more composure and reminds me of a taller and skinnier Avery Johnson.
I thought they should have kept Oscar Torres. But then again...too many bodies not enough roster space.
