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Well, he certainly looks it. And, don’t be fooled by that seemingly over-time forcing dunk he had last night.

There’s really no way around it…Manu Ginobili has hit a wall.

And, I can’t really get mad at it. The numbers don’t particularly bear it out.

For the season, he’s averaging just under 30 minutes per game. Since Duncan went down, he’s only played more than 35 minutes twice. Shots per game? Not much different. But, this is not so much an issue of the amount of minutes, the amount of shots. Rather, an issue of the type of minutes and shots. Though TD has been back for the past 3 contests, its been solely Ginobili for the past four games. Any time the ball isn’t going directly into Duncan, it’s been Ginobili who has had to handle the responsiblity of running the offense, of scoring.

Apparently, it’s been a bit taxing. Since he dropped 37 for the second straight game against Utah, Manu’s shot just under 32%, and has only scored 20 or more once in 5 games. Oh, and there’s the petty matter of having one turnover for each of his 21 assists over that stretch.

What’s the solution? You can’t just rest him, not now, not during the middle of the season. Really, this is just one of those things, like a rash, or nervous tick, that won’t go away right away. When Parker comes back, which should be soon, hopefully Manu will get to rest at little bit. Then, hopefully, this whole “losing” 4 of 5 thing, can be put to bed for a while.

(http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/photo?slug=ad5e6a76b5474b67bcec8363edd08bdd.spurs_grizzlies_basketball_tnjw105&prov=ap )
yahoo sports again

Last night, I had the privilege of being able to watch the two teams that had just beaten the Spurs (the Lakers and Warriors) square off in a battle for ultimate “we just beat the depleted champs” bragging rights.

As a boxscore and/or recap will surely tell you, the Warriors won, largely thanks to the heroic play of PG Baron Davis. The UCLA-guard dropped a bomb from downtown with under half a minute remaining. Oh, and Derek Fisher was in his shorts.

And so, it got me to thinking, I really think I’d rather have Baron Davis running my team, over Tony Parker. Maybe I’m nitpicking, and it’s highly likely that I am because Parker has won 2 championships. That being said, I’ve never been a huge fan of his, and so I tried to compile, as best I could, the list of NBA PGs I’d rather have than TP.

In this order…

Steve Nash - Just about every player in the league wants to play with this guy, and how can you blame them?

Jason Kidd - Second prize for anyone in the previous group is this guy.

Chris Paul - Goes from 0-60 mph instantly. The most dynamic young PG in the game, and he’s the best defensive player yet listed.

Chauncey Billups - Has been to the Finals, has hit the big shot. No fear.

Baron Davis - Knee injuries are an issue, granted, but he gives you 150% and will take (and make) the big shot from anywhere.

Deron Williams - Not as fast or as good on defense as Paul, but sees the floor very well, and is a bull on offense. Already a superstar PG, and he’s only in his 3rd year.

As far as I’m concerned, you’re not elite if you can name 6 guys that nearly everyone in the world would rather have on their team than you. You want to say B. Davis is a stretch, I’ll give you him. Still, not top 5.

For the first time in almost a week, the Spurs finally played some defense. Sure, it took them about 35 minutes to get going, but it all worked out in the end.

After allowing both the Sonics and Kings to shoot significantly over 50% while scoring over 100 points, the Spurs, ranked 5th in scoring defense coming into the game, finally put the clamps down. They held the young T-wolves to just under 46%, while completely dominating them in the 4th quarter, 32-11.

Granted, this isn’t something to jump up and down about. The Wolves are terrible, and they were missing their starting PG (Marko Jaric) and starting SG (Rashad McCants), in addition to Randy Foye. And, for three quarters, anyone new to basketball would’ve thought Minnesota was the defending champs, not the Spurs.

Maybe that “we’ll wait til the 4th quarter” mentality will catch up to the Spurs at some point, though it hasn’t really burned them yet. They turned it up against, Seattle, beat them. Here again in Minnesota, after a lackluster three quarters of play, the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to close the 3rd and start the 4th. They never looked back.

Silver Spur:
Manu Ginobili
31 PTS in 35 minutes
7/9 3PT

The Dud:
Michael Finley
1/11 FG, just 2 PTs.
Continues to play inconsistently.

After the Spurs lost to the Kings the other night, there was really only one positive I could take away as a Spurs fan: Darius Washington.

As if he needed to convince me any further, he has once again proved that he needs to be this team’s backup PG. Or, at the very least, eased into that role, with Jacque Vaughn serving as a mentor.

The reasons are obvious. Washington hustles his behind off because he could be wearing a Toro’s uniform by week’s end. Washington can take people off of the dribble. Washington can hit jumpers, and three’s (how about that buzzer beater to end the 3rd Quarter from downtown Los Angeles?). Washington can do more than just the easy pass.

And, as for our pal Jackie? Well, he doesn’t do a whole heck of a lot well. He does dress well, that I do know. He air balled a shot yesterday; among a season full of low lights for the former Kansas guard that had to be at the top of the list.

Anyone watching D-Wash can see how much more he brings. Is he fully polished? No. Will he make some rookie mistakes from time to time? Yes. But, I must say, I was, and have been, very impressed with his ball handling and decision making. Against the Kings, after having scored a few baskets, grabbed a couple rebounds, he could have forced some shots where they weren’t needed. Instead, he hit Udoka for a three-ball, and kept his head while trying to steady the ship in Tony Parker’s brieff respite to start the 4th.

He started the year surprising everyone by making the roster. Maybe he’s got another surprise up his sleeve.

Yes, you read right. The Spurs, your father’s San Antonio Spurs, went small to beat the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. The Spurs that pride themselves on defense. The Spurs that hammer you down low until your ears bleed. Those Spurs.

Facing a Magic team that came in averaging just over 100 points per contest, Gregg Popovich and the Spurs apparently knew that they were going to have to play a variation of the ’small ball’ that they’ve avoided for so long.

At the end of the game, en route to a 128-110 victory, Duncan was surrounded by 4 shooters. Brent Barry may have been the best one, despite Tony Parker’s new season high 32 points. Barry, fresh after not having played against Atlanta, hit 5 of his 6 threes. Ginobili was on his game as well, he dropped 27 points. Surprisingly, the Magic shot better than the Spurs (56% to 52%). But, more importantly, the Spurs outrebounded the Howard-led Magic 40-37, and only turned the ball over three times. That’s a franchise low, in case you’re curious. Not to mention, the first TO came at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Though, despite the victory over one of the best teams in Eastern Conference, there are, of course, things to be concerned with. 110 points is just unacceptable. If this team wants to play that way for a few games, I’m sure it will work. You can run teams out of the gym during the regular season. But, as the Phoenix Suns stubborn persistance has proven, you can’t do it in the post-season if your ultimate goal is winning a championship.

I was encouraged with how the Spurs rebounded the ball, especially on the offensive glass, and with Elson/Oberto/Bonner playing a total of about 17 minutes.

After a quick T-day break, the Spurs welcome the Grizzlies on Friday. Should be another high scoring affair there as well. Marc Iavaroni’s high octane offense in the Memphis is 7th in the league in points per game ( 104.6). So, for one more game, air it out.

Complain about the first half disparity at the free throw line (Josh Howard 7-11, Spurs 10-13).

Complain about some lucky shots, Jason Terry going 7-9 from the field, or the Mavs shooting over 52%.

Find anything you like, the bottom line is this: the Mavericks, as of right now, are better than the Spurs. It’s that simple, and it’s that upsetting.

That’s not to say that come season’s end, any injuries or renewed sense of energy not normally found in mid-November couldn’t swing the momentum.

Let me first say, there’s no one, at least as far as I’m aware, that hates to see the Mavericks do well more than me. Just looking at them makes me sick. That being said, I try to be objective. “Try” being the operative word.

Still, they’re pretty damn good. They don’t miss easy layups (see Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Matt Bonner). They have a lot athletic, diversified depth (see Brandon Bass, Jerry Stackhouse, Erick Dampier, and Jason Terry).

The issue is, this team poses serious matchup problems. Bruce Bowen can only guard one of the three offensive threats on the floor. If it has to be Howard, than Duncan is left to Nowitzki, and that’s a problem that has nothing to do with Duncan’s age. Granted, Duncan does have the same advantage on the other side, but the Mavs run out so many bodies that they can weather any storm. Bass, Diop, Dampier. It’s enough to make your head spin. That’s even before you realize the second offensive option on this team doesn’t start (Jason Terry).

Rationalize it any way you want, Spurs fans. But, at some point, we’ll all have to come to grips with the truth.

Yes, the Spurs won by 12. Yes, they were up by more than 20 at points in last night’s game.

But, don’t discount this Hornets team. Are they going to challenge for the division? Most likely not, it’s too difficult with Houston, the Spurs, and Dallas already the heavyweights there. But that doesn’t mean that this team won’t play spoiler all season long.

First of all, if you have a chance, watch Chris Paul as often and for as long as you can. He’s one of the most dynamic, exciting, explosive players in the league. There isn’t a phase of the game he isn’t involved in.

His averages this season: 18.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 11.5 apg, and 2.8 spg. Most importantly, only 2.8 TO’s per game. That’s basically 4:1 Assist to Turnover. Not to get too statistically oriented here, but the guy’s phenomenal, and his stats back it up. Watch him, that’s an order.

Some Spurs notes:

• Tim Duncan looked to have picked a step up in the game against David West and primarily Tyson Chandler. Chandler’s a long, athletic big man, the sort of guy that’s given Duncan trouble. He looked real good, hook shots, using his body to create space, and hitting his jump shots.
• Ginobili air balled his first 3 shots, couldn’t hit the ocean from a row boat to start the game. He never really got his offense going, but the final line is a testament to how great this guy is. 10 rebounds and 2 steals, Ginobili never has a full game where his presence isn’t felt.
• Darius Washington isn’t afraid of anything. At least that’s the way he plays. At the end of half, he hit a nice layup in traffic/transition, also took it the length with about 2:40 left in the 1st half. These are things Jacque Vaughn not only won’t do, but can’t do.

Not really. It’s just one game. Just one bad game.

Is it just me, or does Bonzi Wells play like Charles Barkley against the Spurs?

Two years ago in the playoffs, when he was actually playing hard consistently in his contract year, Wells ripped the Spurs apart. Over 23 points per and 12 boards in a 6 game series loss. Last night against the Spurs, the man who had yet to eclipse 8 rebounds or 7 points in any single game this season, went for 14 points and 15 rebounds.

The most telling stat in this game: 25. That’s the number of offensive rebounds the Rockets had. The Spurs only had 4. Everything stems from here. The Spurs forced bad shots, played good defense (the Spurs out shot the Rockets 46 to 41%), and still lost by 8.

Even though it seemed like they were turning the ball over at an astronomical rate, they still had 6 less TO’s than Houston.

The issue is simple. Rebound. You want to let Yao get his? Fine. Even McGrady. Not Bonzi Wells.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again. Losing to the Rockets isn’t the worst thing in the whole world. Maybe it lights a fire under this team. Who knows. In the short term, we’ll find that out tonight against Miami, won’t we.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic

Big 3 is tough, but will lack of depth come back to hurt them?

Healthy, this Big 3 has been there before.

Andrea Bargnani’s development will be the key here.

Two issues: They don’t pass, they don’t play D.

Come on, they can’t be serious.

Southeast

They overpaid for sure, but Rashard Lewis takes a ton of pressure of Dwight Howard.

He only cares about himself, but Gilbert Arenas is good enough on his own to do it.

Age is catching up quick. Can anyone else hear the window slamming shut?

A ton of talent here. Jason Richardson allows Okafor to be what he really is: a defensive stopper.

Is there a more deceiving stat line than Josh Smith? Watch one game, then let me know.

Central

Window’s closing here too, just not as fast. Flip Saunders, enough already.

Injuries an issue, but Luol Deng is the real deal.

Will men named Boobie and Sasha step up long term?

Yi Jianlian, welcome to the NBA. People are a lot bigger here.

Jermaine O’Neal has to demand a trade, before his career entirely passes him by.

Western Conference

Southwest

If they’re not motivated after last year’s debacle, then they’ll never be.

Same team, same story, for the last 7 years.

Healthy Yao and T-Mac, new coach. What else, if this isn’t enough?

Peja’s back is back. More Pete. Healthy starters. All good things.

Being last in this division isn’t a bad thing.

Northwest

This is the year. This team is too loaded for it not to be.

Where is the AK-47 that we know and love?

If only they had a dominant, one year college big man in the middle. If only…

Kevin Durant will be wearing a Sonic uniform next year. The question is, where will he be wearing it?

10 to 12 men on this team could start. Problem is, none of them should.

Pacific

No one is seriously challenging here. Let’s be real.

Is scoring 100+ and not playing D a theme in this division?

As long as number 24 is there, they’ll be in games.

Losing Elton Brand is nearly impossible to get over. It’s that simple.

Reggie Theus gets his first job. No Mike Bibby for 6 weeks. Have fun.

Championship

Dallas over Boston

Awards

MVP: Carmelo Anthony, F
ROY: Kevin Durant, F
Coach of the Year: Byron Scott

All-Rookie Team

Al Horford, F
Kevin Durant, F
Luis Scola, F
Marco Belinelli, G
Acie Law IV, G

All-NBA Team

Kevin Garnett, F
LeBron James, F
Yao Ming, C
Kobe Bryant, G
Steve Nash, G

When will the Spurs play a real NBA ball club?

Ian Mahinmi, Ime Udoka, and Darius Washington hope the answer is
simple: not any time soon.

We finally got to see Udoka get some action last night (over 24
minutes), and Mahinmi blocked 2 shots in 5 minutes. At that rate,
he’ll be at a paltry 16 blocks per contest if he plays 40 minutes a
night. Do with that information what you please.

After the ridiculous opening week of Portland, Memphis, and depleted
Sacramento team, the Spurs get a much needed 4 days off and a trip to
actual competition, in Houston, a team they’ve struggled with in years
past. I believe we all remember the Tracy McGrady 1:30 explosion in
2004.

Am I crazy, or does Ginobili look as if he’s playing for his job? He
isn’t, that’s for sure. But, he is damn sure playing great ball.

Finally, I know it’s a week in, and late as of now, but I will be
posting my NBA predictions for the season, so that at the very least,
I’ll have visual proof of how awfully wrong I was.