Spurs Brazil
01-31-2009, 06:35 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs-Hornets_A_familiar_buzz_in_town.html
It was hours before tipoff of the Spurs game against New Jersey earlier this month, and Tim Duncan was in his usual spot in front of his locker, casting a half-interested eye at the jumbo video monitor on the other side of the room.
On it, film of the previous night's Nets-Hornets game was playing on a lazy, constant loop.
Suddenly, a blur in a New Orleans jersey flashed across the screen, grabbing a pass from Melvin Ely and soaring for an uncontested dunk. Duncan practically leapt from his chair.
“Sean Marks!” he bellowed.
Just to make sure it really was his typically earthbound former teammate who had come within a Superman cape and about a foot on the vertical leap of pulling a Dwight Howard, Duncan walked across the room, hit the rewind button, and watched it again.
“Sean Marks!” Duncan repeated.
Duncan will get a chance to see Air Marks in person tonight, when he, Ely and a host of other ex-Spurs visit the AT&T Center.
The game is officially billed as a showdown between the top two teams in the Southwest Division, the Spurs and Hornets. With as many as five former Spurs players occupying roster spots for New Orleans, however, it could take on the feel of a family reunion.
There are Marks and Ely, who piggybacked their way to championship rings on the end of the Spurs bench earlier this decade. There is Devin Brown, another former Spurs ring-winner. There is Antonio Daniels, who, after a rookie season in Vancouver, won a title with the Spurs in 1999 and was here until 2002.
And there is Anthony Tolliver, who began this season with the Spurs before being waived, then washed up in New Orleans on a 10-day contract. (Tolliver's deal expired after Friday night's game against Golden State, and it is unclear whether the team plans to re-up).
Given the Hornets' raid on their bench, both past and present, you can forgive the Spurs for thinking in conspiracy theories.
“I guess they know us by heart, huh?” Spurs point guard Tony Parker said. “They probably know all our plays.”
Just call them the New Orleans Spurnets.
Hornets coach Byron Scott said it was not management's intention to transform the team's reserve corps into some Frankensteinian amalgam of Spurs' benches past. It just sort of worked out that way.
After watching his team lose to the Spurs in Game 7 of last season's Western Conference semifinals, a series decided largely by the Spurs' advantage in postseason seasoning, Scott sought to add players who could help close that gap.
The Hornets began by adding James Posey, an NBA champion with the Celtics and Heat, via free agency.
Then they signed Brown away from Cleveland. They brought in Marks from Phoenix to help round out the bench. In December, they swung a three-way trade to draw Daniels from Washington, in order to provide a veteran backstop to All-Star point guard Chris Paul.
Of the collection of Spurs-turned-Hornets, only one (Ely) was with New Orleans for last season's playoff meeting.
“Those guys have been through a championship program, and you know they've been well-coached,” Scott said. “They've been around big games and know what to expect. That can be invaluable.”
Marks and Ely, both big men, have seen their roles expand of late with injuries to All-Star forward David West and starting center Tyson Chandler. Brown, who grew up in San Antonio, played his high school ball at West Campus and collegiately at UTSA, has seen his minutes fluctuate as a reserve wing player.
Daniels, meanwhile, has been perhaps New Orleans' most valuable ex-Spur, providing 12 steady minutes a night and allowing Scott to keep Paul fresh.
From afar, Spurs players recognize a method to the Hornets' madness in stocking up on their former teammates.
“If they're going to get someone to do something for their club, why not have it be a Spurs-type player?” Bruce Bowen said. “That's usually someone who is pretty intelligent about the game of basketball, so they say, ‘Let's see what happens in our system.'”
Tonight, in a sort-of family reunion, the Spurs will get another chance to see for themselves.
NEW ORLEANS VIA S.A.
DEVIN BROWN
With the Spurs: Played in six NBA Finals games against Pistons in 2005 and won a title.
With the Hornets: Minutes fluctuate, but can provide offense off bench. After not playing previous three games, had season-high 18 points in a win over Denver on Wednesday.
ANTONIO DANIELS
With the Spurs: Started 37 games over four seasons here and won a title in 1999. Was traded after 2001-02 season to Portland in deal for Steve Kerr.
With the Hornets: Obtained in trade with Wizards this season, Daniels has been an important contributor off the bench in backing up Chris Paul.
MELVIN ELY
With the Spurs: Was on 2007 title team but was injured when he arrived from Charlotte. Played only six regular-season games and none in playoffs.
With the Hornets: Big man started two games when Tyson Chandler and Hilton Armstrong were out, but often registers a “DNP-Coach’s decision.”
SEAN MARKS
With the Spurs: Marks never played during postseason but was popular in locker room and was on 2005 title team.
With the Hornets: Has played more this season than in any since 2001-02, even registering 10 points, seven rebounds and a block last week in a start at Minnesota.
ANTHONY TOLLIVER
With the Spurs: Rookie never could find shooting stroke with Spurs and lasted only 19 games here. After D-League stint, joined the Hornets on 10-day contract.
With the Hornets: Entering Friday, had yet to play for the team. Contract ended last night, too.
It was hours before tipoff of the Spurs game against New Jersey earlier this month, and Tim Duncan was in his usual spot in front of his locker, casting a half-interested eye at the jumbo video monitor on the other side of the room.
On it, film of the previous night's Nets-Hornets game was playing on a lazy, constant loop.
Suddenly, a blur in a New Orleans jersey flashed across the screen, grabbing a pass from Melvin Ely and soaring for an uncontested dunk. Duncan practically leapt from his chair.
“Sean Marks!” he bellowed.
Just to make sure it really was his typically earthbound former teammate who had come within a Superman cape and about a foot on the vertical leap of pulling a Dwight Howard, Duncan walked across the room, hit the rewind button, and watched it again.
“Sean Marks!” Duncan repeated.
Duncan will get a chance to see Air Marks in person tonight, when he, Ely and a host of other ex-Spurs visit the AT&T Center.
The game is officially billed as a showdown between the top two teams in the Southwest Division, the Spurs and Hornets. With as many as five former Spurs players occupying roster spots for New Orleans, however, it could take on the feel of a family reunion.
There are Marks and Ely, who piggybacked their way to championship rings on the end of the Spurs bench earlier this decade. There is Devin Brown, another former Spurs ring-winner. There is Antonio Daniels, who, after a rookie season in Vancouver, won a title with the Spurs in 1999 and was here until 2002.
And there is Anthony Tolliver, who began this season with the Spurs before being waived, then washed up in New Orleans on a 10-day contract. (Tolliver's deal expired after Friday night's game against Golden State, and it is unclear whether the team plans to re-up).
Given the Hornets' raid on their bench, both past and present, you can forgive the Spurs for thinking in conspiracy theories.
“I guess they know us by heart, huh?” Spurs point guard Tony Parker said. “They probably know all our plays.”
Just call them the New Orleans Spurnets.
Hornets coach Byron Scott said it was not management's intention to transform the team's reserve corps into some Frankensteinian amalgam of Spurs' benches past. It just sort of worked out that way.
After watching his team lose to the Spurs in Game 7 of last season's Western Conference semifinals, a series decided largely by the Spurs' advantage in postseason seasoning, Scott sought to add players who could help close that gap.
The Hornets began by adding James Posey, an NBA champion with the Celtics and Heat, via free agency.
Then they signed Brown away from Cleveland. They brought in Marks from Phoenix to help round out the bench. In December, they swung a three-way trade to draw Daniels from Washington, in order to provide a veteran backstop to All-Star point guard Chris Paul.
Of the collection of Spurs-turned-Hornets, only one (Ely) was with New Orleans for last season's playoff meeting.
“Those guys have been through a championship program, and you know they've been well-coached,” Scott said. “They've been around big games and know what to expect. That can be invaluable.”
Marks and Ely, both big men, have seen their roles expand of late with injuries to All-Star forward David West and starting center Tyson Chandler. Brown, who grew up in San Antonio, played his high school ball at West Campus and collegiately at UTSA, has seen his minutes fluctuate as a reserve wing player.
Daniels, meanwhile, has been perhaps New Orleans' most valuable ex-Spur, providing 12 steady minutes a night and allowing Scott to keep Paul fresh.
From afar, Spurs players recognize a method to the Hornets' madness in stocking up on their former teammates.
“If they're going to get someone to do something for their club, why not have it be a Spurs-type player?” Bruce Bowen said. “That's usually someone who is pretty intelligent about the game of basketball, so they say, ‘Let's see what happens in our system.'”
Tonight, in a sort-of family reunion, the Spurs will get another chance to see for themselves.
NEW ORLEANS VIA S.A.
DEVIN BROWN
With the Spurs: Played in six NBA Finals games against Pistons in 2005 and won a title.
With the Hornets: Minutes fluctuate, but can provide offense off bench. After not playing previous three games, had season-high 18 points in a win over Denver on Wednesday.
ANTONIO DANIELS
With the Spurs: Started 37 games over four seasons here and won a title in 1999. Was traded after 2001-02 season to Portland in deal for Steve Kerr.
With the Hornets: Obtained in trade with Wizards this season, Daniels has been an important contributor off the bench in backing up Chris Paul.
MELVIN ELY
With the Spurs: Was on 2007 title team but was injured when he arrived from Charlotte. Played only six regular-season games and none in playoffs.
With the Hornets: Big man started two games when Tyson Chandler and Hilton Armstrong were out, but often registers a “DNP-Coach’s decision.”
SEAN MARKS
With the Spurs: Marks never played during postseason but was popular in locker room and was on 2005 title team.
With the Hornets: Has played more this season than in any since 2001-02, even registering 10 points, seven rebounds and a block last week in a start at Minnesota.
ANTHONY TOLLIVER
With the Spurs: Rookie never could find shooting stroke with Spurs and lasted only 19 games here. After D-League stint, joined the Hornets on 10-day contract.
With the Hornets: Entering Friday, had yet to play for the team. Contract ended last night, too.