I really don't understand how the Spurs use him but they win so I really cannot critize them for it. He plays at a faster pace than the rest of the lineup and it is more for a boost then for an entire game. He would be a superstar with Phoenix.
Their an older team and need his energy off the bench. He's a spark plug on offense.
As far as 'dynamic', that still goes to Tim Duncan easily.
Easy choice as 6th man, which all a 6th man means is starting less games then you do coming off the bench, and that he does, so he wins easily and for good reason.
Poppovich has said he tries not to play him too many minutes, 30 to 34 a game. I belive that is why is such a spark. If he played 40 minutes a game every game, he would get wore down. This way he stays a little fresh. And he and Parker play with the same sort of reckless abandon. Besides he is not real tall. If the Spurs started both Parker and Ginobli, they would sacrifice size and be a much smaller team. Pop knows how to use him and does it well. I'm not about to start second guessing one of the best coaches in the league.
Ginobili is a 6-6 shooting guard. That is plenty tall for his position.
I think another reason why they bring him off the bench (other than the fact that he plays better that way) is that he has so much international experience that his body is probably closer to 35 years old than it is 30 years old.
While it pains me to say this as a Suns fan, Manu deserved an award this year but I still find the Sixth Man Award to be one of the most irrelevant awards in professional sports. I know there are some incredible players who come off the bench but it just makes no sense. It is rewarding mediocrity in a way (and no, I'm not saying Manu is mediocre) by saying someone is the best player who is not good enough to start. Personally, I find Most Improved Player a far more distinguished award as it rewards players for their hard work not only during the season, but also likely in the off-season.
I stand corrected on the height issue. I always thought he was only 6'3". I think Manu is good enough to start, and do it for most teams in the league. Any coach would kill to have a player like Manu. And to be so loaded that you bring him off the bench most of the time just speaks volumes for the kind of team that the Spurs have. Duncan said recently that if Manu got starter's minutes he could probably be in the top 5 to 10 in scoring in the league. I believe that as long as he could still have the same energy and not break down.
I believe there's a place for both awards.... I think the 6th man award is dedicated to a player who has determined in their mind that they will do what is best for the team to be successful without being a distraction because they're not being announced during the starting lineups. Look around at certain players around sports... their egos get in the way of their success because they're so intent on getting the "respect they deserve." Players like Manu & Barbosa are gems because they're not worried about their starting position... they want to win. Look at Joe Johnson... He wanted a role where he was a star... Now he's getting blasted in the first round by the Celtics. I'm a Lakers fan and when I see Farmar and Sasha go out there and the energy they bring, it makes me happy to know our squad has some guys with the right mindset out there. While it's not an MVP award, the players who receive the award can see the value in it.
True. Also, what are the parameters for sixth man? He plays starter minutes - third most minutes on the team. So, is he really a 6th man? If he plays minutes comparable to other starters why does he get special distinction? Just because he waits a couple minutes before getting into a game? I think the reward should be limited to true bench players - those who don't start and play less than 25 minutes a game. Otherwise, you're just creating a mini-mvp award.
I see your point, but like the oter guy said, in the 20 somthing games e started, i tink his stats lowered. o, basically he is better as a relief player.
***Weak bench. With Manu as a starter, they would have no bench. Sure they have Kurt Thomas and Brent Barry as part of the bench but its still spread pretty thin. Not to mention Horry out. Vaughan is tough but can't match up all that well against bigger players. Manu is one of the best in the league. The man has no fear. He is the x-factor for the Spurs. When Tony P. fouled out. Who is left to score when they doubled Timmy?? Shaq scored 11 pts??Double OT playoff game??
I definitely see your point eyedie and it is very valid but Manu didn't earn the award in the sense it is intended to be given. While he did come off the bench for more games than he started, there has to be some kind of line. Manu played an insane amount of minutes for a "bench" player, I suppose the fact remains he was coming off the bench. I guess this is just one of the gray areas. The type of unselfish players that come off the bench and provide that spark do deserve recognition, I'm just not sure the criteria of the Sixth Man award is serving that point. I suppose my incessant ramblings will not change anything but I just felt like sharing my opinion.
Congrats Manu on a good season, now choke and make this series easier on my Suns!!!
The Spurs aren't known for their dynamic super starts and him being a 6th man represents it perfectly. Ginobli, Parker, and Duncan are as consistent of a trio as there is in the league. Bringing him in off the bench is perfect for relieving the load off the other two when they are getting tired. It's a smart system and its just too bad for other team they don't have the luxury of bringing in a start off the bench.
Who starts a game isn't nearly as important as who finishes a game since the end of the game is when things are usually decided. I would imagine if you looked at the game logs for the Spurs, Manu Ginobili was probably in there at the end of all of their competivie games. And in looking at the stats, he averaged the third most minutes on the team during the regular season, so it's not like he is just going out there to give the regulars a breather. I think in his case, calling him a "Sixth Man" is a huge misnomer since he is obviously not the sixth most important player on his team.
ahh but it is relevant. especially in the modern world of all the Kobes and Lebrons who would scream and cry and demand trades if they dont get what they want. this award is about the quiet dagger. the person who puts his ego aside in order to help his team. can you imagine the spark kobe would bring off the bench? it would be demoralizing for opposing teams to make it halfway through a quarter, running neck and neck with the Lakers and all of the sudden kobe steps in and there is a whole new problem. that is what Gino does for the Spurs, and barbosa for the Suns. barbosa is one of my favorite guards. he is an entiely new problem when nash is out and i really enjoy watching him play. (but Tony Parker will always be my favorite guard, just for good measure). the point is is that the 6th man is the one who can truely change a game. he is the one that noone prepares a gameplan around. on some teams he is the most important player
