Kori Ellis
04-29-2005, 12:17 AM
Spurs notebook: Blowout allows Brown floor time
Web Posted: 04/29/2005 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA042905.6D.BKNspurs.notebook.222ecbd78.html
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn't think he would have the opportunity to play Devin Brown on Wednesday, but he's glad he did.
With the outcome no longer in doubt, Popovich let Brown play the final six minutes. It was Brown's first appearance since he hurt his back March 21.
"We're thrilled he was able to get some minutes on the court and get comfortable in some very small degree," Popovich said. "He needed to get in any sort of rhythm he could. We told him, 'Don't even rebound, just run up and down the court. If you get a shot, shoot it. Go bump into somebody just to see how it feels.'"
Popovich said neither Brown nor Rasho Nesterovic, who also returned Wednesday, will be part of the team's "immediate rotation" anytime soon.
Brown, who was given a standing ovation when he stepped onto the court, made his first shot: a 24-foot 3-pointer from the right wing.
"I'm glad it went in," he said. "You want to let the coaches know, 'Hey, I'm still here if you need me.' You don't want to look bad and have them tell you, 'That's OK, go ahead and take another six games off.'"
While Brown and Nesterovic might not see significant minutes soon, their availability still strengthens the team's bench.
Glenn Robinson, who played only six minutes in Game 1, also had seven points and four rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench Wednesday. Popovich used Robinson for a few minutes in the first half, but most of his time came after the Spurs had the game under control.
Injury update: Nuggets forward Eduardo Najera, held out of Game 2 by coach George Karl because of the blowout nature of the game, practiced Thursday. Karl said Najera likely will play in Game 3.
Najera continues to be bothered by a broken bone in his right (shooting) hand.
"I think you can play him (even if he isn't comfortable shooting)," Karl said. "He is our best screen setter. To open up the middle for Earl (Boykins) and Andre (Miller), we need that. He'll get to the baseline and get to the boards. And he will hurt you with extra possessions."
Starring in reserve: Karl thought Popovich's decision to bring Manu Ginobili off the bench was a good move.
When the Spurs were in Orlando early last season, Karl, who was working as an ESPN analyst, told reporters and Popovich he thought the team needed Ginobili's energy off the bench. Ginobili was starting at the time while Hedo Turkoglu, who was struggling with his shot, was coming off the bench.
"Ginobili gives them that special energy off the bench," Karl said, "and I don't know that he has necessarily found that special starting spirit."
Ginobili was spirited enough as a starter this season to make the Western Conference All-Star team. Bruce Bowen complimented him for agreeing to return to the bench Wednesday.
"It shows the true character of somebody to put ego aside," Bowen said, "and say this is best for the team."
Ginobili OK: Ginobili tweaked his left ankle late in Wednesday's second quarter when he stepped on the foot of Denver center Marcus Camby. He returned after halftime.
"I was worried, but then I came back to the locker room and the doctors manipulated (the ankle) and I was fine," Ginobili said. "I was just a little stiff for the second half."
Popovich said Thursday he expects Ginobili to play in Game 3.
History lesson: Karl harkened back before any of his players was born to show how meaningless a huge margin of loss can be in a seven-game series.
"The first thing I remember from my lifetime in sport was the 1960 World Series," Karl said. "I was growing up in Pittsburgh and the Pirates were playing the Yankees. I think the cumulative score of the series was 400-12, Yankees. And the Pirates won."
Briefly: As of Thursday, the Spurs had about 1,000 tickets left for Wednesday's Game 5. The team watched film Thursday and will practice today before flying to Denver.
Web Posted: 04/29/2005 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA042905.6D.BKNspurs.notebook.222ecbd78.html
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn't think he would have the opportunity to play Devin Brown on Wednesday, but he's glad he did.
With the outcome no longer in doubt, Popovich let Brown play the final six minutes. It was Brown's first appearance since he hurt his back March 21.
"We're thrilled he was able to get some minutes on the court and get comfortable in some very small degree," Popovich said. "He needed to get in any sort of rhythm he could. We told him, 'Don't even rebound, just run up and down the court. If you get a shot, shoot it. Go bump into somebody just to see how it feels.'"
Popovich said neither Brown nor Rasho Nesterovic, who also returned Wednesday, will be part of the team's "immediate rotation" anytime soon.
Brown, who was given a standing ovation when he stepped onto the court, made his first shot: a 24-foot 3-pointer from the right wing.
"I'm glad it went in," he said. "You want to let the coaches know, 'Hey, I'm still here if you need me.' You don't want to look bad and have them tell you, 'That's OK, go ahead and take another six games off.'"
While Brown and Nesterovic might not see significant minutes soon, their availability still strengthens the team's bench.
Glenn Robinson, who played only six minutes in Game 1, also had seven points and four rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench Wednesday. Popovich used Robinson for a few minutes in the first half, but most of his time came after the Spurs had the game under control.
Injury update: Nuggets forward Eduardo Najera, held out of Game 2 by coach George Karl because of the blowout nature of the game, practiced Thursday. Karl said Najera likely will play in Game 3.
Najera continues to be bothered by a broken bone in his right (shooting) hand.
"I think you can play him (even if he isn't comfortable shooting)," Karl said. "He is our best screen setter. To open up the middle for Earl (Boykins) and Andre (Miller), we need that. He'll get to the baseline and get to the boards. And he will hurt you with extra possessions."
Starring in reserve: Karl thought Popovich's decision to bring Manu Ginobili off the bench was a good move.
When the Spurs were in Orlando early last season, Karl, who was working as an ESPN analyst, told reporters and Popovich he thought the team needed Ginobili's energy off the bench. Ginobili was starting at the time while Hedo Turkoglu, who was struggling with his shot, was coming off the bench.
"Ginobili gives them that special energy off the bench," Karl said, "and I don't know that he has necessarily found that special starting spirit."
Ginobili was spirited enough as a starter this season to make the Western Conference All-Star team. Bruce Bowen complimented him for agreeing to return to the bench Wednesday.
"It shows the true character of somebody to put ego aside," Bowen said, "and say this is best for the team."
Ginobili OK: Ginobili tweaked his left ankle late in Wednesday's second quarter when he stepped on the foot of Denver center Marcus Camby. He returned after halftime.
"I was worried, but then I came back to the locker room and the doctors manipulated (the ankle) and I was fine," Ginobili said. "I was just a little stiff for the second half."
Popovich said Thursday he expects Ginobili to play in Game 3.
History lesson: Karl harkened back before any of his players was born to show how meaningless a huge margin of loss can be in a seven-game series.
"The first thing I remember from my lifetime in sport was the 1960 World Series," Karl said. "I was growing up in Pittsburgh and the Pirates were playing the Yankees. I think the cumulative score of the series was 400-12, Yankees. And the Pirates won."
Briefly: As of Thursday, the Spurs had about 1,000 tickets left for Wednesday's Game 5. The team watched film Thursday and will practice today before flying to Denver.