duncan228
12-06-2008, 11:39 PM
Updated.
Spurs run wild over Warriors (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/Spurs_wallop_Warriors.html)
By Jeff McDonald
Ninety minutes before his team ran headfirst into a silver and black buzz saw Saturday night, Golden State coach Don Nelson stood on the AT&T Court and accused his good friend and former assistant Gregg Popovich of thievery.
Nelson had just finished watching film of Popovich's Spurs team, running offensive schemes that looked more than vaguely familiar.
“A lot of it he stole from me,” Nelson said with a wink.
The next time the two coaches break pregame bread together, Nelson would be well served to hit Popovich for tips on coaxing a team to play defense. It's only a fair trade.
In a game that was competitive for all of six minutes, the Spurs had seven scorers crack double figures Saturday en route to a 123-88 dismantling of the Warriors that ranks as their most lopsided victory of the season.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 20 points and 13 rebounds in just 21 minutes, while Tony Parker and Michael Finley each chipped in 17 points in a short night's work. Matt Bonner (14), Fabricio Oberto (12), Roger Mason Jr. (10) and George Hill (10) also reached double digits.
Apprised of the Xs and Os robbery charges Nelson had levied against him pregame, Popovich pled no contest.
“I would imagine he's probably right,” Popovich said. “It's all either his play, or a variation.”
Using Nelson's own medicine against him, the Spurs (11-8) set a season scoring high for a regulation game, surpassed only by a 129-125 double-overtime victory at Minnesota.
The Spurs' first seven field goals Saturday were all layups. By the end of the first quarter, the Spurs led 35-21.
They scored on 16 of their first 18 possessions in the third quarter and went into the fourth ahead 104-67. By then, the Spurs already had posted more points than they had in 14 of their 18 previous games.
“It's not just one guy scoring,” Bonner said. “When a bunch of guys are hitting their shots, it becomes contagious.”
In a telltale sign of offensive efficiency, the Spurs assisted on a season-high 35 of their 47 field goals Saturday.
“In instances we might have over-passed,” Finley said, picking nits. “For the most part, we were sharing the ball. When we do that, we're a tough team to defend.”
By night's end, the Spurs left the building Saturday with their second consecutive blowout victory, making Thursday's 108-91 triumph in Denver look like a nail-biter by comparison. The 35-point margin of victory against the Warriors was their largest since March 26, 2007, when they beat — surprise! — Golden State, 120-79.
Saturday night's face plant was the ninth straight loss for 5-15 Golden State, which gave up at least 100 points in eight of them.
Saturday's sieve-like defensive performance was actually the Warriors' stingiest in four games. Their previous three opponents had all topped 130.
“I went through this with the Clippers,” said Golden State's Corey Maggette, who went 1 for 10 in his first game against the Spurs since rebuffing their offseason free-agent pitch. “Trust me, it's getting old.”
Sign No. 104 your season has officially bottomed out: Players are beginning to reminisce wistfully about playing for the Clippers.
The Spurs took a 65-49 lead into halftime, then used their efficient third quarter to transform the game into what Nelson would later call “a good old-fashioned (butt) kicking.”
By the fourth, Popovich had all but emptied his bench. He also was running an offense Nelson could scarcely recognize. In the NBA equivalent of a quarterback taking a knee, Popovich prohibited his team from fast breaks.
After the game, Popovich was asked if the Spurs' triple-digit scoring nights could continue.
“Sure, why not?” Popovich said. “We're known for that.”
Forgotten in Popovich's playfully sarcastic response is this: The Spurs face the Warriors two more times this season.
Spurs run wild over Warriors (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/Spurs_wallop_Warriors.html)
By Jeff McDonald
Ninety minutes before his team ran headfirst into a silver and black buzz saw Saturday night, Golden State coach Don Nelson stood on the AT&T Court and accused his good friend and former assistant Gregg Popovich of thievery.
Nelson had just finished watching film of Popovich's Spurs team, running offensive schemes that looked more than vaguely familiar.
“A lot of it he stole from me,” Nelson said with a wink.
The next time the two coaches break pregame bread together, Nelson would be well served to hit Popovich for tips on coaxing a team to play defense. It's only a fair trade.
In a game that was competitive for all of six minutes, the Spurs had seven scorers crack double figures Saturday en route to a 123-88 dismantling of the Warriors that ranks as their most lopsided victory of the season.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 20 points and 13 rebounds in just 21 minutes, while Tony Parker and Michael Finley each chipped in 17 points in a short night's work. Matt Bonner (14), Fabricio Oberto (12), Roger Mason Jr. (10) and George Hill (10) also reached double digits.
Apprised of the Xs and Os robbery charges Nelson had levied against him pregame, Popovich pled no contest.
“I would imagine he's probably right,” Popovich said. “It's all either his play, or a variation.”
Using Nelson's own medicine against him, the Spurs (11-8) set a season scoring high for a regulation game, surpassed only by a 129-125 double-overtime victory at Minnesota.
The Spurs' first seven field goals Saturday were all layups. By the end of the first quarter, the Spurs led 35-21.
They scored on 16 of their first 18 possessions in the third quarter and went into the fourth ahead 104-67. By then, the Spurs already had posted more points than they had in 14 of their 18 previous games.
“It's not just one guy scoring,” Bonner said. “When a bunch of guys are hitting their shots, it becomes contagious.”
In a telltale sign of offensive efficiency, the Spurs assisted on a season-high 35 of their 47 field goals Saturday.
“In instances we might have over-passed,” Finley said, picking nits. “For the most part, we were sharing the ball. When we do that, we're a tough team to defend.”
By night's end, the Spurs left the building Saturday with their second consecutive blowout victory, making Thursday's 108-91 triumph in Denver look like a nail-biter by comparison. The 35-point margin of victory against the Warriors was their largest since March 26, 2007, when they beat — surprise! — Golden State, 120-79.
Saturday night's face plant was the ninth straight loss for 5-15 Golden State, which gave up at least 100 points in eight of them.
Saturday's sieve-like defensive performance was actually the Warriors' stingiest in four games. Their previous three opponents had all topped 130.
“I went through this with the Clippers,” said Golden State's Corey Maggette, who went 1 for 10 in his first game against the Spurs since rebuffing their offseason free-agent pitch. “Trust me, it's getting old.”
Sign No. 104 your season has officially bottomed out: Players are beginning to reminisce wistfully about playing for the Clippers.
The Spurs took a 65-49 lead into halftime, then used their efficient third quarter to transform the game into what Nelson would later call “a good old-fashioned (butt) kicking.”
By the fourth, Popovich had all but emptied his bench. He also was running an offense Nelson could scarcely recognize. In the NBA equivalent of a quarterback taking a knee, Popovich prohibited his team from fast breaks.
After the game, Popovich was asked if the Spurs' triple-digit scoring nights could continue.
“Sure, why not?” Popovich said. “We're known for that.”
Forgotten in Popovich's playfully sarcastic response is this: The Spurs face the Warriors two more times this season.