Start Rasho; bring Manu off the bench...

[Big Shot Bud]

After the poor results in games 3 and 4, how would you guys feel about making some adjustments--like starting Rasho and bringing Manu off the bench?

Whatever its worth--it may be the time to try some desperate measures.

[RichB]

You don't make adjustments like this in the middle of the NBA Finals, ok?

That's just a sign of panic.

The lineup worked fine in Games 1 & 2 - Pop is not going to change it after two losses.

We're tied 2-2, we're not down 0-3.

[A Rod]

Originally Posted by RichB

You don't make adjustments like this in the middle of the NBA Finals, ok?

That's just a sign of panic.

Yup, if Pop made drastic changes like that right now, the Spurs would be laughed at.

[SpursN'DaClutch]

Hmmm.. lets see here. The Spurs played soft and uninspired last night and your saying that we should start the softest player on the team and bring in our guy with the most heart and hustle off the bench.

[Big Empty]

I'd like to see Robinson and Brown on the floor at that same time here and there cause I bet they have their jock srtap on and not pink panties under their shorts. Also, have Manu dribble up the court when Parker is resting. We're playing like a bunch of sissy's and not trying to play through the calls. If we lose like that again Detroit deserves to win the series and we would need to bribe Robinson and Kerr out of retirement to bail our ass out again. Someone needs to rise to the occasion in a pretty damn hurry or well be down 2-3. This is a game of confidence and if we drop three straight I down care if we play in San Antonio and Jesus come ands blesses the court for us we're done. If we can come home up a game we'll be ok.

[Terry's Cracker]

Start Rasho hahahahahaha Bring Manu off bench haahahahahahaaha. That would be awesome of Pop to do that for the Pistons. RASHO lol

[DizzG]

stop the panic

[frenchfred]

well, just yell at Tim and Manu for playing like garbage. One is a two-times MVP and the other one was supposedly the MVP of the finals and they played like crap the past two games. TP also has been average the whole series, time to step up frenchy. If the trio is stepping up, the role players will play better because they will have more opportunities.

[greg11]

Manu hasn't played like crap. Other than Devin Brown, Bowen and Manu the spurs are a bunch of wimps. Duncan has to be the one of the softest big guys in the league when it comes to attacking the basket and Nazr couldn't finish anything these last two games. Benching Manu wouldn't do anything, if the spurs are going to win this series Manu has to be the catalyst!! At this point I don't see Duncan doing anything, he gets one shot blocked after another. The problem in these last two games is Manu hasn't touched the ball enough.

[frenchfred]

Originally Posted by greg11

Manu hasn't played like crap. Other than Devin Brown, Bowen and Manu the spurs are a bunch of wimps. Duncan has to be the one of the softest big guys in the league when it comes to attacking the basket and Nazr couldn't finish anything these last two games. Benching Manu wouldn't do anything, if the spurs are going to win this series Manu has to be the catalyst!! At this point I don't see Duncan doing anything, he gets one shot blocked after another. The problem in these last two games is Manu hasn't touched the ball enough.

he had the ball but couldn't do anything with it, hte lanes are clogged so he cannot penetrate like usual. The Pistons are forcing the Spurs to beat them on the outside and the Spurs have forced it inside where they get blocked or lose the ball, Manu is no exception.

[Blizz™]

I'd start Rasho. Only because we need someone to put a body on the Wallaces, we could then bring in Nazr when either one of those guys sits and he'd clean the glass AND it would also keep him from getting into early foul trouble.

[Ginobili!!!]

look I love manu, he is probally my fav. player but lets call a spade a spade he has lacked the agression and mental toughness the last 2 games that manu is known for, but the idea of starting rasho is a joke the spurs just need the take care of the ball and go back to playing spurs defense no phoenix suns defense and play with desperation like the pistions have in games 3 and 4. whats bothering me is the lack of agression, i can live with not making every shot because i know it will come around but the lack of agression both on the offensive and defensive end on games 3 and 4 was pathetic

[TimmyDthaWay2B]

i have a lineup change, take away crawford, javee, and bavetta

[brickowskay]

In my opinion...

it might be a good idea to start Rasho. It'll help Nazr and Tim, too.

Yeah I said it. Just hear me out, ok?

Reasoning:

1) Rasho is our biggest big. He's not perfect, but he's a pro. We need to even up the fight in the paint if we want to win two more games against these mofos. We need to use all our bullets. We need his height, we need his weight, we need his six fouls.

2) Nazr is getting in foul trouble early. Let's circumvent that by letting Rasho absorb those calls and then Nazr can come in and play free and nasty. Get some change of pace going and strengthen the bench unit. Save Nazr's energy for the second half, where we've been getting trounced. Let Rasho have some rhythm in case he's pressed into action.

3) Rasho does some things well on offense that we need more of. He sets solid screens. He swings the ball well. He keeps his hands up to get tip-ins.

4) Rasho does some things well on defense that we need more of. He plays good help defense. He alters shots. He keeps his hands up and I'm thinking he could come down with more of those tipped up rebound/caroms that keep giving the Pistons extra offensive possesions.

5) Tim needs help. He needs more than just Nazr the garbageman or Horry the utilityman. He needs Rasho the sevenfooter. He needs Pop to make Larry Brown think a little harder.

6) Why not? It's not something that will hurt us irrevocably if we at least try it. I got a feeling about Rasho. He's been watching and I think he's a smart player. His long arms and skill for positioning could help the Spurs get back to basics, where they can beat these guys.

[BobEX]

Originally Posted by Blizz™

I'd start Rasho. Only because we need someone to put a body on the Wallaces, we could then bring in Nazr when either one of those guys sits and he'd clean the glass AND it would also keep him from getting into early foul trouble.

I also agree that Rasho should start and that Nazr might be more effective coming off the bench. A good as Nazr played in the Western Conference, he's having a poor Finals. The Pistons' frontline has had their way with him. Rasho brings better defense, which the Spurs could really use right now.

[GUILLEDOC]

Start Rasho..... for Nazr or Manu

What a joke

[intlspurshk]

Rasho needs to be used more. At least he can foul B Wallace and let Naza take a rest. He and TP have good pick n roll game too.

Bench Manu is no use. Piston backcourt play substantial amount of min througout the game with some helps from Hunter. So there is no advantage to be taken by benching Manu. D Brown on the other hand can be used more as he can at least stronger than Beno to stop Piston backcourt.

[CajunSpur]

I would have Nazr starting and bring Rasho in very early. Nazr does well on the initial tip (usually) where Rasho doesn't jump.

[icango]

start him dont start him doesn't matter, but rasho need to play more. lets hope he get into the game more and prove us right.
Someone please ask, tell, beg the spur guards to play straight up defense. Force the piston guards to work on offense, and not give them a running start at the our bigs for a quick shot or a dump off past and dunk to the wallaces.
That is driving me crazy

[Ducks]

start horry he would draw defenders out to the three point line and give duncan,mnau and tp more room to work with