Both Bonzi and Scola will be major contributors with the team this season, possibly ahead of all of the other contributors. Battiers role will become a specialist one of a defensive presence and will ne much more limited under Coach A than when playing for JVG.
Ginobili started the first 1/2 of last season, but the Spurs were mediocre, especially their bench. When Pop but him on the bench and started Finley is when the Spurs started to roll.
Dude, stop arguing this point!! Ginobili came off the bench when he first joined the Spurs in 2002-2003. In the 2003-2004 season, he was in the starting roster for more than half of the total regular season games. In the 2004-2005 season, he was a full-time starter in every regular season game. In 2005-2006, he had some bad injuries and he played sparingly but started in all the games he was in. He was a starter during the first half of last season, but came off the bench in the second half to add more energy to the bench. So what's your point? Did he ever act as a 6th man, yes! But during his Spurs tenure, he's started more often than not. And if it wasn't because of his injuries, he would've started in even more games. Finely only took over in the second half of last season. But how many times did Finely start in the playoffs? Ask any Spurs fan, between a healthy Ginobili and an aging Finley, Ginobili would definitely get the starting spot.
The last few posts were only disputing your point that Ginobli was a full-time starter. Which he technically wasn't, as you also admitted now.
Pop brought him off of the bench because they needed the energy and scoring. He played the majority of the minutes and is pretty much the same as here - it doesn't matter who starts as long is it is best for the team. The best player is still going to get the majority of the minutes. What I'm saying is, it didn't have anything to do with injuries. It had everything to do with what Pop decided was best for the team. He turned out to be right. as to how many games he started in the playoffs: game 1 Den/SA - nope game 2 Den/SA - nope game 3 Den/SA - nope game 4 Den/SA - nope game 5 Den/SA - nope 2nd round games 1-6 Suns/Spurs - none conf finals games 1-5 Jazz/Spurs - none Finals well, I think you know where this is going. Finley started all playoff games last year for the Spurs... considering they won the championship I'm fairly sure that every Spurs fan was fairly satisfied with the starting lineup (minus manu).
Maybe you should get your facts straight. Ginobili started ZERO games this past playoffs. basketball is all about matchups. the reason Ginobili comes off the bench is because he provides an offensive spark and because he's usually the best player when 2nd units are on the floor. i'm sure if i asked any spurs fan that they would agree that the Spurs are best when he comes off the bench. .
You came to this assessment watching last nights game? Did you actually watch last nights game?!? What on earth could you have seen last night that says SCOLA=3rd option on a team with proven vets who have been the #1 or 2 man for years in their career. I'm not saying Scola isn't going to be good, but wait. I hope he pans out to be great, but I haven't seen it yet.....probably because I've seen 1 pre season game
Okay, my mistake on the the playoffs. Geez, pound a man for making one little error in his comments. Yes, I agree with everything you said about matchups. And I never said Ginobili wasn't a 6th man. All I said was he started more in his career on the Spurs than he has coming off of the bench. Regardless of this technicality issue, we both agree on one thing and that he's an important 3rd option for the Spurs behind Duncan and Parker. And HOPEFULLY Scola can do the same for the Rockets. I acknowledge that Scola isn't the most physically talented player on the team nor is he the best scorer outside of the Yao/TMAC. And yes, he's not a seasoned NBA vet. But he has tremendous skills, and most all, he has high basketball IQ. Judging by his previous performances on the international stage and from last night's game, all I'm saying is I forsee a potential to become the 3rd piece. It's no secret we don't lack guards. But for years, we've tried to get some help for Yao on the inside by trying to get a legitimate PF. Howard didn't work out due to his increasing age and diminishing talent. Hopefully Scola can fill that void.
Scola is active and i think he would excell in this motion offense as far as the game pace go. He would be much efficient playing as Yao ming's counterpart when Yao take a breather. PS. it is my first post..
i found it interesting that scola's average minute's played are "0" according to realgm.com he's basically like an undrafted rookie and it would be unfair to have high expectations at this point
