Manu20
04-01-2005, 10:31 AM
No T.D., No Problem
http://www.nba.com/blog/blog30.html
Tim Duncan goes down with a severe sprain ankle and what happens? The Spurs initially stumble but then regain their footing and now they're on a roll. Winners of three out of their last four games, it's really amazing that they're playing this type of basketball without one of the best players in the game. You wouldn't expect them to be able to put it together. They've been beating teams. Last Sunday they defeat a Houston team that had won 8, 9 games in a row. They went in there and Manu Ginobili just dominated the game.
I'm not seeing why there are teams that are playing down to San Antonio. Because of what they've done in years past, there should be instant respect any time this team is on the basketball court. They're gonna come at you. Seattle and Houston allowed this team to come in without Duncan in the middle and beat them. That says a lot for Coach Popovich. He has this team prepared and really playing some of the best basketball at this stage of the season. It doesn't matter who's on the floor.
Even though Popovich earned NBA Coach of the Year honors two years ago, it still seems he gets either gets overlooked or people just take the job he does for granted. Whenever a team has two All-Stars, it's very difficult to give the coach a lot of credit. But Pop deserves all the credit in the world for setting that team up and putting them in the right direction. They weren't always a big-time contender. With his guidance and his preparation, he's developed such a strong attitude in this team. They're one of the most fun teams to watch because they're going to be consistent and play with intensity. That says a lot for Pop as a coach. A lot of times a team will take a little dip if they lose their superstar player or they may get out of rhythm and other guys may try to take too many shots. But on this team, it looks like every player gets just as much respect with the basketball and feels just as comfortable making decisions as Tim Duncan does. I think that has a lot to do with the way Popovich coaches his team.
Tony Parker is also a big reason why this team is winning. He fills the numbers up across the board with scoring, assists, steals. He does a great job of getting his teammates involved and pushing the ball up the court. He's also a great pick-and-roll guy. He's still a young player, but he's going to be effective and he's going to continue to get better and build confidence as he goes. I think Tony Parker is capable of being an All-Star player in this league. It's very difficult for him right now because of some of the other players in the league. Guys like Steve Nash, Mike Bibby and Kobe and others keep him from being an All-Star player. But his performance on the basketball court is quality and it's definitely All-Star, superstar-type basketball. I'm sure that San Antonio appreciates having him. There was talk about Jason Kidd signing there a couple years ago, but this kid has a lot more upside right now.
The Spurs are playing great right now and you have to say they're going to play better when Duncan returns. Phoenix is another team out there now that is really feeling good, comfortable and confident about the way they're playing. They feel like they can be the offensive team that can win a championship. We all preached that defense wins championships, but I think the Suns want to prove everybody wrong. They feel like they got guys that can put the ball in the basket as well as defend. I think Phoenix just keeps getting better. They're not at San Antonio's level, but they're gonna get there. Who knows where they're gonna be in the next three weeks? They may end up with the best record and have homecourt advantage. That would be huge for them because they need some home cookin' but they're a strong road team, too. Homecourt advantage would really give them a leg up going into the playoffs. I think people will start to give them a little more credit for the type of basketball they play. Their style could work in the playoffs if they're able to get homecourt advantage.
Still, I think the Spurs have to be looked at as one of the top contenders. They got guys who come off the bench and can put up numbers and I think if they get back healthy and get Duncan back on the court, I think we will see them march right through to the championship.
http://www.nba.com/blog/blog30.html
Tim Duncan goes down with a severe sprain ankle and what happens? The Spurs initially stumble but then regain their footing and now they're on a roll. Winners of three out of their last four games, it's really amazing that they're playing this type of basketball without one of the best players in the game. You wouldn't expect them to be able to put it together. They've been beating teams. Last Sunday they defeat a Houston team that had won 8, 9 games in a row. They went in there and Manu Ginobili just dominated the game.
I'm not seeing why there are teams that are playing down to San Antonio. Because of what they've done in years past, there should be instant respect any time this team is on the basketball court. They're gonna come at you. Seattle and Houston allowed this team to come in without Duncan in the middle and beat them. That says a lot for Coach Popovich. He has this team prepared and really playing some of the best basketball at this stage of the season. It doesn't matter who's on the floor.
Even though Popovich earned NBA Coach of the Year honors two years ago, it still seems he gets either gets overlooked or people just take the job he does for granted. Whenever a team has two All-Stars, it's very difficult to give the coach a lot of credit. But Pop deserves all the credit in the world for setting that team up and putting them in the right direction. They weren't always a big-time contender. With his guidance and his preparation, he's developed such a strong attitude in this team. They're one of the most fun teams to watch because they're going to be consistent and play with intensity. That says a lot for Pop as a coach. A lot of times a team will take a little dip if they lose their superstar player or they may get out of rhythm and other guys may try to take too many shots. But on this team, it looks like every player gets just as much respect with the basketball and feels just as comfortable making decisions as Tim Duncan does. I think that has a lot to do with the way Popovich coaches his team.
Tony Parker is also a big reason why this team is winning. He fills the numbers up across the board with scoring, assists, steals. He does a great job of getting his teammates involved and pushing the ball up the court. He's also a great pick-and-roll guy. He's still a young player, but he's going to be effective and he's going to continue to get better and build confidence as he goes. I think Tony Parker is capable of being an All-Star player in this league. It's very difficult for him right now because of some of the other players in the league. Guys like Steve Nash, Mike Bibby and Kobe and others keep him from being an All-Star player. But his performance on the basketball court is quality and it's definitely All-Star, superstar-type basketball. I'm sure that San Antonio appreciates having him. There was talk about Jason Kidd signing there a couple years ago, but this kid has a lot more upside right now.
The Spurs are playing great right now and you have to say they're going to play better when Duncan returns. Phoenix is another team out there now that is really feeling good, comfortable and confident about the way they're playing. They feel like they can be the offensive team that can win a championship. We all preached that defense wins championships, but I think the Suns want to prove everybody wrong. They feel like they got guys that can put the ball in the basket as well as defend. I think Phoenix just keeps getting better. They're not at San Antonio's level, but they're gonna get there. Who knows where they're gonna be in the next three weeks? They may end up with the best record and have homecourt advantage. That would be huge for them because they need some home cookin' but they're a strong road team, too. Homecourt advantage would really give them a leg up going into the playoffs. I think people will start to give them a little more credit for the type of basketball they play. Their style could work in the playoffs if they're able to get homecourt advantage.
Still, I think the Spurs have to be looked at as one of the top contenders. They got guys who come off the bench and can put up numbers and I think if they get back healthy and get Duncan back on the court, I think we will see them march right through to the championship.