Perhaps it explains:

1) Ginoboli in the starting rotation. Pop knows his starting five is strong, but worries about the second unit. Putting Ginoboli in the starting five put less pressure on him (and his ankle) and gives Pop the freedom to juggle rotations in the second unit.

2) Knowing he’s probably without Ginoboli, Pop trys anything and everything regarding rotations, just trying to find something that *might* catch fire. If it does, then he’s a genius. If not, all he loses is maybe a homecourt advantage — which won’t matter anyway as they’re surely not going to advance far.

3) If and when Ginoboli was ‘back,’ Pop could then lean on him more and put him with the second five. It never got that far.

4) What makes anyone here think they know about Ginoboli’s health and the team situation more than Pop? If Ginoboli was a probable longshot for making the playoffs, does anyone really think Pop, or anyone in the Spurs organization would announce it while Ginoboli was playing?

Pop, unlike some Spurs fans, is a realist, and knows his team can’t win with both Duncan and Ginoboli unhealthy. His only hope is to keep tweaking rotations and see if something catches fire, else the Spurs are done.

Sincerely,

Sleepless in S A

I wanted to add, the Spurs had their, “not go softly into the night” season in 2007 when the Mavs and Suns were clearly better. Last year they upset a more talented Hornets team. The Spurs don’t have anything to prove. But a first round win would be sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

The majority of the Spurs players are over 31. The Spurs need to bring in young talent. Some fresh legs. The legs that can play back to backs. Parker can only do so much.

The man needs some help. Sure TD is there. But for how long can he play at a all-star level?

We’ve been ensconced “in the pack”
for four years! We have not been the best team in the West since 2005. Even in 07, the Suns and Mavs were better teams on paper.

Are you suggesting Duncan should get hurt, we forfeit a full NBA season, win the lottery, and Duncan returns as the #2? I like it!

Most Spurs writers are unrealistic homers (though that’s what I want from them), even though its been the Lakers and the “West’s Rest” the entire season. The Spurs were head and shoulders better than the “West’s Rest” only in the minds of Spurs fans. Even with a healthy Ginobili they lost to OKC, didn’t even try v the Cavs, and would have probalby be seed 4. Now, our rotation keeps the SPuRS realistically BEHIND the Jazz and the Hornets.

Jimbo, great points, I like your team-over-individuals mentality. BUT, Rod Thorn expects picks and youth in return for Carter; he wants a Maverick type steal instead of just getting back our expiring contracts. Nets arent ready to recompense for the fact that any team is doing them a favor taking on a bloated multi-year contract. Carter is not head and shoulders better than what other teams could offer.

As to “Pop’s thinking” lately, he knows they were limping into the playoffs, He is trying to rest and move down to see the Lakers in Round 2. He gave Vaughn minutes so another team will pays JV in the offseason. OR Pop is a complete idiot when it comes to players he knows personally. This could explain Finley’s minutes and Bowen’s extended contract.

Pop is one of the best in the NBA, but he’s not a saint. I hated that he fired Hill right as Duncan and Robinson were finally healthy again, then quickly took the credit. Since last year, I hated that Pop kept us old and slow at wing. Udoka is our youth movement! His Euro-love cost the Spurs two first round picks on players that have never contributed. Other than that, he’s beaten the unbeatable Lakers. And for that I love him.

Today I am sorry I ever insulted him. I want Pop Menbensa-Whatever back. I’d rather have him today than Drew Gooden.

Meanwhile, even as we miss our Manu’s heady plays, the postseason can be anticipated with new found regard for what our team might accomplish through pure gutsy performances.

Go Spurs Go!