duncan228
12-12-2009, 11:45 PM
Spurs relish upcoming road trip (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/Spurs_relish_upcoming_road_trip.html)
Jeff McDonald
LOS ANGELES — For the first time this season when packing for a road trip, the Spurs finally had to break out their big suitcases.
The three-game trip that begins tonight against the Clippers, before taking the Spurs to Phoenix and Golden State, is the Spurs' longest of the season so far. It is their first multi-city road trip since a back-to-back at Utah and Portland on Nov. 5-6.
The Spurs have not exactly thrived on the road this season, going 1-5. They have yet to win a game outside the state. Still, players said after Friday's 104-85 victory over Charlotte they are looking forward to their latest trek.
With nearly half the roster new to the team this season, the Spurs are hoping to use their first extended road trip of the season as a bonding experience.
“It's something that keeps the team together, and we need it, because we need to get to know the new guys better,” Manu Ginobili said. “So we're going to have some meals, talk and get to know one another better. It's going to be important.”
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich agrees.
“It's a lot more conducive to that, because we only have ourselves to deal with,” Popovich said. “There are no family or friends around. We're stuck with each other. Since we're so unfamiliar with each other, this would be a good way to learn a bit more.”
Pass-first Parker: Long regarded as one of the top scoring point guards in the NBA, Tony Parker is making an effort of late to be a facilitator first.
In his past two games, Parker has logged 21 assists, recording his first two double-digit outings of the season. In Friday's win over Charlotte, Parker had seven assists and no field goals at halftime.
He finished with nine points and 10 assists, while attempting just seven shots, and didn't make his first field goal until 6:55 left in the game.
Popovich said Parker's recent passing fancy has more to do with how teams are defending the Spurs, and hasn't resulted from any specific order from the coaching staff.
“That's just how things have unfolded,” Popovich said.
Manu's 20-20: After surpassing 20 points just once in his first 13 games, Ginobili has now accomplished that feat twice in a row.
After scoring 22 against Charlotte, Ginobili — who had his return from offseason ankle surgery interrupted by a groin strain in November — says he is finally beginning to feel healthy and confident.
“Hopefully, I can keep building from here,” he said.
Jeff McDonald
LOS ANGELES — For the first time this season when packing for a road trip, the Spurs finally had to break out their big suitcases.
The three-game trip that begins tonight against the Clippers, before taking the Spurs to Phoenix and Golden State, is the Spurs' longest of the season so far. It is their first multi-city road trip since a back-to-back at Utah and Portland on Nov. 5-6.
The Spurs have not exactly thrived on the road this season, going 1-5. They have yet to win a game outside the state. Still, players said after Friday's 104-85 victory over Charlotte they are looking forward to their latest trek.
With nearly half the roster new to the team this season, the Spurs are hoping to use their first extended road trip of the season as a bonding experience.
“It's something that keeps the team together, and we need it, because we need to get to know the new guys better,” Manu Ginobili said. “So we're going to have some meals, talk and get to know one another better. It's going to be important.”
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich agrees.
“It's a lot more conducive to that, because we only have ourselves to deal with,” Popovich said. “There are no family or friends around. We're stuck with each other. Since we're so unfamiliar with each other, this would be a good way to learn a bit more.”
Pass-first Parker: Long regarded as one of the top scoring point guards in the NBA, Tony Parker is making an effort of late to be a facilitator first.
In his past two games, Parker has logged 21 assists, recording his first two double-digit outings of the season. In Friday's win over Charlotte, Parker had seven assists and no field goals at halftime.
He finished with nine points and 10 assists, while attempting just seven shots, and didn't make his first field goal until 6:55 left in the game.
Popovich said Parker's recent passing fancy has more to do with how teams are defending the Spurs, and hasn't resulted from any specific order from the coaching staff.
“That's just how things have unfolded,” Popovich said.
Manu's 20-20: After surpassing 20 points just once in his first 13 games, Ginobili has now accomplished that feat twice in a row.
After scoring 22 against Charlotte, Ginobili — who had his return from offseason ankle surgery interrupted by a groin strain in November — says he is finally beginning to feel healthy and confident.
“Hopefully, I can keep building from here,” he said.