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Why?

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Why? -
DMan343 Reputation:95 Level:Superstar Since:Oct 24, 2006
	April 21, 2008 1:30 pm Score: 91
	Why doesnt he start? He is by far their most dynamic player.
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Why? -
madgoober Reputation:94 Level:All-Star Since:Sep 1, 2006
	April 21, 2008 1:39 pm Score: 87
	he doesn't, and has never, had the same impact as a starter...odd, but the way he is
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Why? -
BallStateRulz Reputation:89 Level:All-Star Since:Nov 30, 2006
	April 21, 2008 2:02 pm Score: 91
	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.
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Why? -
bigdog2323 Reputation:94 Level:All-Star Since:Mar 29, 2007
	April 21, 2008 2:08 pm Score: 93
	Simple. 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.
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Why? -
kdrobins Reputation:95 Level:Superstar Since:Sep 27, 2006
	April 21, 2008 2:48 pm Score: 94
	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.
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Why? -
EatLeadCommie Reputation:91 Level:All-Star Since:Jul 11, 2007
	April 21, 2008 3:06 pm Score: 84
	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.
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Why? -
z_gusse Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:Mar 19, 2008
	April 21, 2008 3:53 pm Score: 50
	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.
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Why? -
eyediedaily Reputation:89 Level:All-Star Since:May 9, 2007
	April 21, 2008 4:04 pm Score: 92
	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.
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Why? -
spursfan212 Reputation:79 Level:Pro Since:Apr 27, 2007
	April 21, 2008 6:28 pm Score: 78
	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
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Why? -
kdrobins Reputation:95 Level:Superstar Since:Sep 27, 2006
	April 21, 2008 4:03 pm Score: 94
	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.<