Kori Ellis
05-18-2005, 02:10 AM
Series notebook: Udrih takes foul with composure
Web Posted: 05/18/2005 01:00 AM CDT
It was a mismatch of epic proportions: 6-foot-3, 205-pound Spurs guard Beno Udrih taking a charge from Seattle's Danny Fortson (6-8, 260).
With 1:32 left in the third quarter Tuesday, Udrih stood his ground and became a hero to his teammates.
"I was ready," Udrih said. "I said, 'Just hit me.' Anything to help my team. Anything to win the game.
"It felt like nothing. Just get up off the floor and play the game."
No comparison to L.A. series: Bruce Bowen didn't buy into the talk comparing the Spurs' situation in this season's Western Conference semifinals to last year's.
The reason? A year ago, the Spurs were facing the Los Angeles Lakers, who had Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Gary Payton.
"The Lakers series was very much different because it's different players," Bowen said. "We're talking about three future Hall of Famers, possibly four in GP, a lot of basketball knowledge on that team. Not to slight Seattle, but it's not as much veteran leadership as L.A. had."
Glory years: Tony Parker celebrated his birthday Tuesday. Which one is up for debate.
"I'm finally 18," Parker said. "I finally made it."
Parker actually turned 23. Entering Tuesday, he ranked second all-time among players 23 and under with 863 playoff points. Kobe Bryant is first with 1,264.
Lewis sits again: Sonics forward Rashard Lewis missed his second consecutive game with an injured big toe. Lewis tried to get ready for Game 5, but couldn't put enough pressure on the toe to run or jump effectively.
Antonio Daniels replaced Lewis in the starting lineup, as he did in Game 4.
History says ...: Of the 123 previous NBA best-of-seven series that were tied at 2-2, the winner of Game 5 went on to win 103 times (84 percent).
No change in plans: Sonics coach Nate McMillan said before the game that the prospect of Manu Ginobili starting instead of Brent Barry made no difference in his planning.
"I know (Ginobili) is going to play a lot of minutes," McMillan said. "I think coach (Gregg) Popovich has used him in a number of different ways during the playoffs. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, I know he'll be in there when it matters."
Briefly: Former Spurs coach Bob Hill was at Tuesday's game as a guest of the Sonics. ... Devin Brown played two minutes, though Popovich doesn't sound as opposed about using him as he was earlier in the series. "I'm a little bit reticent to do it," Popovich said. "But we've thrown him out there a couple of times, given him a few minutes and he reacted pretty well."
Johnny Ludden, Mike Monroe and Mike Finger
Web Posted: 05/18/2005 01:00 AM CDT
It was a mismatch of epic proportions: 6-foot-3, 205-pound Spurs guard Beno Udrih taking a charge from Seattle's Danny Fortson (6-8, 260).
With 1:32 left in the third quarter Tuesday, Udrih stood his ground and became a hero to his teammates.
"I was ready," Udrih said. "I said, 'Just hit me.' Anything to help my team. Anything to win the game.
"It felt like nothing. Just get up off the floor and play the game."
No comparison to L.A. series: Bruce Bowen didn't buy into the talk comparing the Spurs' situation in this season's Western Conference semifinals to last year's.
The reason? A year ago, the Spurs were facing the Los Angeles Lakers, who had Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Gary Payton.
"The Lakers series was very much different because it's different players," Bowen said. "We're talking about three future Hall of Famers, possibly four in GP, a lot of basketball knowledge on that team. Not to slight Seattle, but it's not as much veteran leadership as L.A. had."
Glory years: Tony Parker celebrated his birthday Tuesday. Which one is up for debate.
"I'm finally 18," Parker said. "I finally made it."
Parker actually turned 23. Entering Tuesday, he ranked second all-time among players 23 and under with 863 playoff points. Kobe Bryant is first with 1,264.
Lewis sits again: Sonics forward Rashard Lewis missed his second consecutive game with an injured big toe. Lewis tried to get ready for Game 5, but couldn't put enough pressure on the toe to run or jump effectively.
Antonio Daniels replaced Lewis in the starting lineup, as he did in Game 4.
History says ...: Of the 123 previous NBA best-of-seven series that were tied at 2-2, the winner of Game 5 went on to win 103 times (84 percent).
No change in plans: Sonics coach Nate McMillan said before the game that the prospect of Manu Ginobili starting instead of Brent Barry made no difference in his planning.
"I know (Ginobili) is going to play a lot of minutes," McMillan said. "I think coach (Gregg) Popovich has used him in a number of different ways during the playoffs. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, I know he'll be in there when it matters."
Briefly: Former Spurs coach Bob Hill was at Tuesday's game as a guest of the Sonics. ... Devin Brown played two minutes, though Popovich doesn't sound as opposed about using him as he was earlier in the series. "I'm a little bit reticent to do it," Popovich said. "But we've thrown him out there a couple of times, given him a few minutes and he reacted pretty well."
Johnny Ludden, Mike Monroe and Mike Finger