Simmons: Sorting Out Week 1 in the NBA

I just included the parts about the Spurs

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...simmons/061108

SIX GUYS WHO LOOK SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE THAN THEY DID LAST SEASON

1. Bruce Bowen
Stick a fork in him. This is a significant problem for the Spurs, by the way -- they don't have anyone to cover the Gilbert Arenas and Corey Maggettes of the world right now. Why wouldn't they deal Brent Barry (his contract expires in 2008) and Eric Williams (his contract expires in 2007) and take the Completely Insane Stephen Jackson off Indy's hands? They already won one title with him, right?

2. C-Webb
Currently in the "Kathleen Turner when she was playing Chandler's transsexual dad on 'Friends'" stage of his career.

3. Boris Diaw
Some actual quotes from Boris' training regimen this summer as his agent hammered out his long-term deal with the Suns: "I already had ice cream today, but screw it -- I could go for a chocolate shake if you're going to Baskin Robbins." ... "Damn, I keep forgetting to get my exercise bike fixed!" ... "Trust me, you have NOT lived until you've had these donuts." ... "Hey, if you see Steve Nash, could you not tell him that I threw up when we were playing three-on-three today?" ... "Also, when you go to our practice facility, can you tell our equipment manager that I'm a 38-waist now?"

4. Channing Frye
Starting to look more than a little Loren Woodsy.

5. Manu Ginobili
Any time a guy loses two steps and develops a bald spot, that's usually a sign that he's on his way out of the league soon. We're sure he's only 28 and not 35, right?

6. Larry Bird
Can we get him a gift certificate to a spa? What about 10 free trips to a tanning salon? I'm worried about The Legend. He's never been the same since the Artest Melee.

Bowen looks exactly like last season. I haven't noticed a drop-off.

Also, I don't think Manu looks any slower. He hasn't played particularly well, but he'll be back.

Its only a few games into the season. No need to start jumping of bridges quite yet. Sure it is fun to take a shot at the Mavs for starting slow, but its just a few games into the season. Diaw was overweight and even his coach had some comments to make about that. But as far as Manu and Bruce go I haven't really noticed them being much slower.

Well Manu certainly lived up to the Simmons column tonight. What a stinker. He looks really timid out there and his shot is wild, whether it's a driving layup or a jumper.

I don't know what's wrong with Manu but he really hasn't had a good game yet and is doing too many jumpers and 3 pointers instead of driving it like he used too.

Though Manu is getting balder and balder.

And he forgot that the Spurs signed the next Bowen-James White!

kmgospurs wrote:I don't know what's wrong with Manu but he really hasn't had a good game yet and is doing too many jumpers and 3 pointers instead of driving it like he used too.

Maybe it's do to the wear and tear his body has taken over the year. You can't really expect him to play the same style he did a few years ago...maybe his body can't handle the beatings anymore. Constantly driving to the basket and getting beat up every night takes its toll eventually. I'm not saying he's too old, but maybe he's just trying to adjust his game so he can stay healthy.