Kori Ellis
03-01-2005, 01:14 AM
Spurs notebook: Mohammed fits in on one front
Web Posted: 03/01/2005 12:00 AM CST
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030105.5D.BKNspurs.notebook.f3d3d75b.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
CLEVELAND If the Spurs had any concerns about whether Nazr Mohammed would fit in with the team, they probably dismissed them after his first foul shot Monday.
It fell a foot short of the rim.
Only four days after being traded from New York, Mohammed has inherited his new team's free-throw shooting skills. If only the Spurs' playbook were that easy to digest.
The rest of Mohammed's evening went a bit better he contributed six points and six rebounds in 16 minutes in the Spurs' 94-92 victory over Cleveland. He also picked up four fouls in his limited time on the floor, but some of that was to be expected considering he has yet to practice with the Spurs.
"I thought Nazr did a fine job, for not knowing anything about what we do," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Six points and six rebounds in that time were real good for a new guy."
Mohammed's toughest challenge is learning the Spurs' defensive terminology. Instead of reacting, he was thinking about what he needed to do.
Mohammed, who was traded by the New York Knicks in exchange for Malik Rose and a pair of first-round picks, didn't arrive in San Antonio until Friday afternoon. He has worked out with the coaches, but hadn't received any court time with his teammates until Monday night.
"Awkward," Mohammed said, describing how he felt on the court. "At the same time it felt good. In the second half, I felt a lot looser. My rhythm was a little bit off, but I was just excited about the game."
Super Manu: Manu Ginobili missed five free throws in the final quarter, three in the last 33.2 seconds. But he didn't have any trouble getting to the line.
Ginobili shot 12 free throws in the final quarter, most of which were the result of his aggressiveness. He scored seven of the Spurs' first nine points of the fourth quarter to help erase Cleveland's six-point lead. He did so by repeatedly attacking the basket.
"He didn't have a great night on the line," Popovich said, "but his competitiveness was there."
Looking golden: LeBron James might not have played as much as he preferred in last summer's Olympics, but Popovich thinks the Cleveland star probably benefited from the experience.
Popovich served as an assistant to Team USA coach Larry Brown during the Athens Games.
"Larry was a taskmaster," Popovich said. "He wants things done first defensively. Initially, I'm not sure LeBron was buying it and understood what Larry wanted. But as each day went by LeBron was better at it and became a sponge."
The disappointment of not winning the gold medal, Popovich thinks, also has motivated James.
"As crazy as it is, I think you see LeBron, in his second year, already maturing as a leader," he said.
Web Posted: 03/01/2005 12:00 AM CST
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030105.5D.BKNspurs.notebook.f3d3d75b.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
CLEVELAND If the Spurs had any concerns about whether Nazr Mohammed would fit in with the team, they probably dismissed them after his first foul shot Monday.
It fell a foot short of the rim.
Only four days after being traded from New York, Mohammed has inherited his new team's free-throw shooting skills. If only the Spurs' playbook were that easy to digest.
The rest of Mohammed's evening went a bit better he contributed six points and six rebounds in 16 minutes in the Spurs' 94-92 victory over Cleveland. He also picked up four fouls in his limited time on the floor, but some of that was to be expected considering he has yet to practice with the Spurs.
"I thought Nazr did a fine job, for not knowing anything about what we do," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Six points and six rebounds in that time were real good for a new guy."
Mohammed's toughest challenge is learning the Spurs' defensive terminology. Instead of reacting, he was thinking about what he needed to do.
Mohammed, who was traded by the New York Knicks in exchange for Malik Rose and a pair of first-round picks, didn't arrive in San Antonio until Friday afternoon. He has worked out with the coaches, but hadn't received any court time with his teammates until Monday night.
"Awkward," Mohammed said, describing how he felt on the court. "At the same time it felt good. In the second half, I felt a lot looser. My rhythm was a little bit off, but I was just excited about the game."
Super Manu: Manu Ginobili missed five free throws in the final quarter, three in the last 33.2 seconds. But he didn't have any trouble getting to the line.
Ginobili shot 12 free throws in the final quarter, most of which were the result of his aggressiveness. He scored seven of the Spurs' first nine points of the fourth quarter to help erase Cleveland's six-point lead. He did so by repeatedly attacking the basket.
"He didn't have a great night on the line," Popovich said, "but his competitiveness was there."
Looking golden: LeBron James might not have played as much as he preferred in last summer's Olympics, but Popovich thinks the Cleveland star probably benefited from the experience.
Popovich served as an assistant to Team USA coach Larry Brown during the Athens Games.
"Larry was a taskmaster," Popovich said. "He wants things done first defensively. Initially, I'm not sure LeBron was buying it and understood what Larry wanted. But as each day went by LeBron was better at it and became a sponge."
The disappointment of not winning the gold medal, Popovich thinks, also has motivated James.
"As crazy as it is, I think you see LeBron, in his second year, already maturing as a leader," he said.