boutons
04-01-2005, 03:12 AM
Marks earns cheers after leading them
Web Posted: 04/01/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
SeanSean Marks watched his 19-foot shot settle through the net in the closing seconds of Wednesday's first quarter, then looked up at the heavens. His teammates leaped from their seats on the bench.
Dion Glover gave Marks a chest bump. Manu Ginobili patted him on the back.
The basket increased the Spurs' lead over Seattle to 13 points. Marks' coaches and teammates saw it as a watershed moment in their season for other reasons.
"Before that went in," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, "I think he was 0 for 94."
Marks may need some time to knock the rust from his jump shot, but the Spurs — who face the charging Nuggets tonight in Denver — have no reason to doubt his perseverance. In the past week, he has gone from being the self-described "practice dummy" for Tim Duncan to one of Duncan's part-time replacements.
"That's why you put in the hours when everybody else is going home," Marks said. "You get in the extra conditioning, the extra shots up, so you're ready just in case there is an injury.
"It's just too bad it's our MVP, maybe the league's MVP."
For much of his two seasons with the Spurs, Marks has been more commonly affiliated with the letters DNP. He did not play in a single game last season and only seven in the first 4 1/2 months of this one.
His court time in practice, however, has not been limited. Nicknamed Kiwi because of his New Zealand heritage, Marks has worked dutifully to prepare not only himself but his teammates. The Spurs have appreciated his enthusiasm.
"Sean is the best teammate I think I've ever had," Bruce Bowen said. "He's been on the injured list, but he's the first guy to jump up when somebody scores.
"When guys like that get an opportunity, you're so happy for them because you know they have your back."
Marks' most recent chance came after Duncan sprained his right ankle. Used to spell Robert Horry in the first quarter of each of the past three games, Marks responded against Seattle with season highs of nine points and five rebounds.
"We think Sean has a lot of skills," Popovich said, "and we want to give him an opportunity to show those skills."
Marks didn't need long to put his athleticism on display. Last week against Atlanta, he drove 18 feet, hard, to the rim. Though Tony Delk interrupted Marks' dunk attempt by fouling him, the play put a charge into the Spurs and their fans.
"Sometimes you're just going to have an off night," Marks said. "That happens to anyone who plays the game. But the one thing you can control is your energy."
While Marks' spiritedness has led to the occasional turnover or foul, it also has earned him 17 trips to the free-throw line in only 98 minutes. Rasho Nesterovic, by comparison, has attempted 28 foul shots in 1,658 minutes.
The Spurs' coaches would like to see Marks extend his range to the 3-point line so he can better space the floor. For now, he would be happy to consistently knock down an 18-footer.
After going 0 for 6 against Atlanta and Houston, he missed three jumpers Wednesday before his drought-ending shot found the net.
"I was more relieved than surprised," Marks said.
"It's hard when you didn't play for almost two years to come in and have a rhythm," Tony Parker said. "In practice he makes that shot every time. It's just a matter of time before he makes it in games. I like how he's not afraid to take it."
Marks hasn't hesitated to pull the trigger when open. His hope is to reward the team's confidence in him more often.
"The coaches have been so good in telling me to keep shooting, so that's what I'm going to do," he said. "It's a better situation to be in than them saying don't shoot."
Web Posted: 04/01/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
SeanSean Marks watched his 19-foot shot settle through the net in the closing seconds of Wednesday's first quarter, then looked up at the heavens. His teammates leaped from their seats on the bench.
Dion Glover gave Marks a chest bump. Manu Ginobili patted him on the back.
The basket increased the Spurs' lead over Seattle to 13 points. Marks' coaches and teammates saw it as a watershed moment in their season for other reasons.
"Before that went in," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, "I think he was 0 for 94."
Marks may need some time to knock the rust from his jump shot, but the Spurs — who face the charging Nuggets tonight in Denver — have no reason to doubt his perseverance. In the past week, he has gone from being the self-described "practice dummy" for Tim Duncan to one of Duncan's part-time replacements.
"That's why you put in the hours when everybody else is going home," Marks said. "You get in the extra conditioning, the extra shots up, so you're ready just in case there is an injury.
"It's just too bad it's our MVP, maybe the league's MVP."
For much of his two seasons with the Spurs, Marks has been more commonly affiliated with the letters DNP. He did not play in a single game last season and only seven in the first 4 1/2 months of this one.
His court time in practice, however, has not been limited. Nicknamed Kiwi because of his New Zealand heritage, Marks has worked dutifully to prepare not only himself but his teammates. The Spurs have appreciated his enthusiasm.
"Sean is the best teammate I think I've ever had," Bruce Bowen said. "He's been on the injured list, but he's the first guy to jump up when somebody scores.
"When guys like that get an opportunity, you're so happy for them because you know they have your back."
Marks' most recent chance came after Duncan sprained his right ankle. Used to spell Robert Horry in the first quarter of each of the past three games, Marks responded against Seattle with season highs of nine points and five rebounds.
"We think Sean has a lot of skills," Popovich said, "and we want to give him an opportunity to show those skills."
Marks didn't need long to put his athleticism on display. Last week against Atlanta, he drove 18 feet, hard, to the rim. Though Tony Delk interrupted Marks' dunk attempt by fouling him, the play put a charge into the Spurs and their fans.
"Sometimes you're just going to have an off night," Marks said. "That happens to anyone who plays the game. But the one thing you can control is your energy."
While Marks' spiritedness has led to the occasional turnover or foul, it also has earned him 17 trips to the free-throw line in only 98 minutes. Rasho Nesterovic, by comparison, has attempted 28 foul shots in 1,658 minutes.
The Spurs' coaches would like to see Marks extend his range to the 3-point line so he can better space the floor. For now, he would be happy to consistently knock down an 18-footer.
After going 0 for 6 against Atlanta and Houston, he missed three jumpers Wednesday before his drought-ending shot found the net.
"I was more relieved than surprised," Marks said.
"It's hard when you didn't play for almost two years to come in and have a rhythm," Tony Parker said. "In practice he makes that shot every time. It's just a matter of time before he makes it in games. I like how he's not afraid to take it."
Marks hasn't hesitated to pull the trigger when open. His hope is to reward the team's confidence in him more often.
"The coaches have been so good in telling me to keep shooting, so that's what I'm going to do," he said. "It's a better situation to be in than them saying don't shoot."