Last night's game also showed how much Manu means to our offense.

Manu is so important because he runs our 2nd unit. Without him, we are forced to rely on Neal to run the offense effectively and that isn't his strong suit given he's a SG playing PG.

It was the first game of the year though. Even if Manu is in and out of the lineup this season, the Spurs will and can win plenty of regular season games without him. Playoffs is a completely different story.

Should be a tough one tonight on the b2b. Especially if Manu is still out. Duncan and Parker played a good amount last night and OKC hasn't played for 7 days.

No Manu. At least the Thunder don't have Harden for tonight's game either.

When Tim gets old I will really be sad. I know he isn't where he was several years ago, but he is still so good and fun to watch.

Really liking the defense in the first half. Timmy thinks it's '03.

Cool facial that he served up.

Welp, that's the kiss of death.

wonder if westbrook will be fined for that flop...

Leonard with the great defensive play. and tony with the GW.

PARKER at the buzzer!!

Wow. Duncan got away with a huge moving screen. haha I love Kawhi.

TP!

quote:

---

Wow. Duncan got away with a huge moving screen. haha I love Kawhi.

---

I think it was Perkins who got away with an even worse one earlier in the quarter on a Kevin Martin 3.

And, wow, Tony has been clutch.

Barkley said Durant came at that last pass from Westbrook like he was at the prom.

NBA on TNT > everything

PINCHE SPURS, A LA VERGA!!! POW POW POW!!!

Barkley is hilarious. He nails it every time.

So glad it's back.

The Spurs are not scared of the Thunder at all. They can beat them.

If/when the Lakers work it out though....

Manu expected back on Saturday.

The spurs aren't scared of anyone. They are a veteran team and they have been through every aspect the league has to offer. Harden played great in the playoffs and the spurs couldn't contain all three of their superstars.

Harden kicked the door off the hinges when he left, and the spurs just walked up and made themselves at home. The thunder should have paid harden.

The argument is more likely "Harden should have accepted what the Thunder could afford". The cap is 58 mm. Durant/Westbrook make a combined 31.2 mm. Harden's new contract is for 16 mm per, which would put the Thunder at 47 mm in 2011-2012. That leaves them 11 million to fill out the roster, and Ibaka is getting paid 12 mm per year starting in 2012-2013. With their annual salary bumps, that puts the Thunder over 3 million over the cap with only 4 players. The smallest amount of money they can pay (league minimum for rookies) is 500K a pop, which means that filling out a 12 man roster with rookies would put them 7 mm over the cap (65 mm).

Figure that you're realistically going to end up with at least 12 million invested in the "non-big 4" part of the roster and they are 3 mm into the luxury tax... and that assumes that they get rid of Perkins 7 mm per and don't pick up any other posts with a pulse, because decent posts start at 4 mm and go up fast.

Their options were to
lose Ibaka, who is slated to get a very reasonable 12 mm, a premier shotblocker and developing offensive player
lose Durant (no)
lose Westbrook
completely gut their roster outside of Durant, Westbrook, Hardin, and Ibaka, probably only pay 8-9 people and half of them would be rookies or spares
lose Harden

As combo slasher guards, Harden and Westbrook are the closest things to redundant on that list. Do you invest 30 mm in PG/SG and erase your depth or defense, or do you trade the more expensive of your two guards for a quality role player (whose contract is up after this season), a prospect with potential, 3 draft picks, and payroll flexibility?


[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 11/2/2012 9:14a).]

Yep, Hardin just went for ALL the money. Not saying that was a wrong decision....

Parker getting the corner three up to about 35% means the Spurs' starting lineup features 4 legit three point threats. They have 9 shooters on the team, and basically every lineup has 3 shooters unless you go to two non-Diaw posts and De Colo or Joseph, which seems unlikely.

Parker
Neal
Green
Leonard
Jackson
Diaw
Mills
Manu
Bonner

De Colo might get some playing time if Mills continues to play poorly. Hopefully Patty can turn it around. He played so well in the Olympics.

Actually with Manu back, Mills won't get much playing time anyways. NVM.

BoooooooooooooooRING

Serve it up, Timmo!!

Go Espurs go!!!

Good 1st half. Manu with 6. 62-44 Spurs

Ballsy move to put DeColo in to start the fourth with a tied game. DG is having a great game.