MaNuMaNiAc
05-05-2005, 07:08 AM
Mohammed getting into a playoff groove
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA050505.8C.BKNspurs.mohammed.2429d41e0.html
Web Posted: 05/05/2005 01:00 AM CDT
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
It was the most fortuitous missed dunk of the Spurs' 4-1 Western Conference first-round playoff series with the Denver Nuggets: Nazr Mohammed's fourth-quarter jam attempt that careened high off the back rim and into the hands of Tim Duncan with eight minutes left in Game 5, with the outcome still in question.
Duncan spotted teammate Glenn Robinson, unguarded at the 3-point line, and fired him a pass that Robinson converted, turning Mohammed's momentary embarrassment into an instant of jubilation.
Denver had to call a timeout to try to quell the roar of the crowd, and Mohammed headed to the Spurs' bench, able to laugh at his own awkward moment.
The fact the Spurs went on to a 99-89 victory that advanced them to the conference semifinals enabled Mohammed to be one of the heroes of the night after a strong performance made more vital when Rasho Nesterovic, still nursing a sprained left ankle, played only one minute.
"It's always unfortunate when somebody goes down, but it's part of this league," Mohammed said. "Somebody has to be ready to step up and play. It's a great opportunity for me. I was still trying to learn the system, and I got an opportunity to play through some mistakes and get comfortable out there.
"I'm pretty comfortable now, but I've still got a long way to go. I'm reacting more and thinking less now, and that's always a good thing."
Mohammed played 32 minutes and had his second double-double of the series, a 10-point, 13-rebound outing against a Denver front line he called one of the league's toughest and most athletic. Mohammed also blocked two shots and limited Denver's Marcus Camby to six points.
"That's what Nazr does for us," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He's a defender and a rebounder. He's an especially good offensive rebounder, and that's his role. He plays it very well for the short time that he's been here."
Mohammed's play in the series — he started every game and was the Spurs' No. 2 rebounder against Denver, behind only Duncan — was vital to the team's success.
"It was huge for us," Spurs backup power forward Robert Horry said. "To come out and be big for us in a game like this, maybe that will take some pressure off of him for having replaced Malik (Rose), a guy that was so loved. Maybe now, he can relax and play some basketball."
Mohammed came to the Spurs in the Feb. 24 trade that sent Rose to the New York Knicks, angering a lot of fans who admired Rose's hustle and toughness.
"I felt comfortable out there tonight," Mohammed said. "I like to think I was playing pretty well before I got here. The biggest thing I have been trying to do is think less offensively than when I was in New York and more just defensively, and concentrating on rebounding."
Now Mohammed heads to the second round of playoffs for what he says is the first time in his career.
"That's almost like a trick question when you ask how deep I've gone," Mohammed said. "Reason I say that is I didn't play much when we went to the second round when I was in Philadelphia. One season, I didn't even make the playoff roster. Then, last year in New York, when I was playing a lot, we got swept in the first round."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA050505.8C.BKNspurs.mohammed.2429d41e0.html
Web Posted: 05/05/2005 01:00 AM CDT
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
It was the most fortuitous missed dunk of the Spurs' 4-1 Western Conference first-round playoff series with the Denver Nuggets: Nazr Mohammed's fourth-quarter jam attempt that careened high off the back rim and into the hands of Tim Duncan with eight minutes left in Game 5, with the outcome still in question.
Duncan spotted teammate Glenn Robinson, unguarded at the 3-point line, and fired him a pass that Robinson converted, turning Mohammed's momentary embarrassment into an instant of jubilation.
Denver had to call a timeout to try to quell the roar of the crowd, and Mohammed headed to the Spurs' bench, able to laugh at his own awkward moment.
The fact the Spurs went on to a 99-89 victory that advanced them to the conference semifinals enabled Mohammed to be one of the heroes of the night after a strong performance made more vital when Rasho Nesterovic, still nursing a sprained left ankle, played only one minute.
"It's always unfortunate when somebody goes down, but it's part of this league," Mohammed said. "Somebody has to be ready to step up and play. It's a great opportunity for me. I was still trying to learn the system, and I got an opportunity to play through some mistakes and get comfortable out there.
"I'm pretty comfortable now, but I've still got a long way to go. I'm reacting more and thinking less now, and that's always a good thing."
Mohammed played 32 minutes and had his second double-double of the series, a 10-point, 13-rebound outing against a Denver front line he called one of the league's toughest and most athletic. Mohammed also blocked two shots and limited Denver's Marcus Camby to six points.
"That's what Nazr does for us," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He's a defender and a rebounder. He's an especially good offensive rebounder, and that's his role. He plays it very well for the short time that he's been here."
Mohammed's play in the series — he started every game and was the Spurs' No. 2 rebounder against Denver, behind only Duncan — was vital to the team's success.
"It was huge for us," Spurs backup power forward Robert Horry said. "To come out and be big for us in a game like this, maybe that will take some pressure off of him for having replaced Malik (Rose), a guy that was so loved. Maybe now, he can relax and play some basketball."
Mohammed came to the Spurs in the Feb. 24 trade that sent Rose to the New York Knicks, angering a lot of fans who admired Rose's hustle and toughness.
"I felt comfortable out there tonight," Mohammed said. "I like to think I was playing pretty well before I got here. The biggest thing I have been trying to do is think less offensively than when I was in New York and more just defensively, and concentrating on rebounding."
Now Mohammed heads to the second round of playoffs for what he says is the first time in his career.
"That's almost like a trick question when you ask how deep I've gone," Mohammed said. "Reason I say that is I didn't play much when we went to the second round when I was in Philadelphia. One season, I didn't even make the playoff roster. Then, last year in New York, when I was playing a lot, we got swept in the first round."