duncan228
11-03-2010, 04:30 PM
Nothing really new, lots of quotes in one place though.
Spurs Focused On Execution (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17803)
By: Eric Pincus
Hoopsworld
Since drafting Tim Duncan in 1997, the San Antonio Spurs have been a Western Conference powerhouse. After four titles, the Spurs haven't been back to the NBA Finals since 2007. This past season they were upset in the playoffs by Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns in the second round.
The challenge for Coach Gregg Popovich has been keeping his three stars (Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Duncan) injury-free.
"For us, all three of those guys need to be healthy," said Popovich. "We're not going to do much if one of them is hurt. It's just the way we're built."
Duncan is now 34 years old. Ginobili is 33. Age is a double-edged sword - as a player matures and his understanding of the game climbs, inevitably his athleticism begins drops off.
"Keeping Timmy fresh is important obviously," said Popovich. "Manu and Tony didn't play for their national teams this summer, so they're healthier than they've been in a few years. That's a good thing for us."
The Spurs added on Brazilian forward Tiago Splitter to help Duncan carry the load. San Antonio also boast DeJuan Blair, Antonio McDyess and Matt Bonner in the power positions.
Popovich speaks highly of Splitter, who made his debut Monday night against the Los Angeles Clippers after missing almost the entire preseason with a calf injury, but warned that Tiago isn't not likely to become a franchise centerpiece.
"This isn't the next Tim Duncan," said Gregg. "This is a blue collar guy who is a good rebounder, a good defender, a high quality worker . . . this isn't throw the ball and go score 24 tonight."
Pop liked what he saw in Splitter's brief 10-minute debut in L.A.
"Tiago, in those minutes, he showed that he knows how to play," said Popovich. "He didn't look like a fish out of water at all."
Keep Reading... (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17803)
Spurs Focused On Execution (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17803)
By: Eric Pincus
Hoopsworld
Since drafting Tim Duncan in 1997, the San Antonio Spurs have been a Western Conference powerhouse. After four titles, the Spurs haven't been back to the NBA Finals since 2007. This past season they were upset in the playoffs by Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns in the second round.
The challenge for Coach Gregg Popovich has been keeping his three stars (Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Duncan) injury-free.
"For us, all three of those guys need to be healthy," said Popovich. "We're not going to do much if one of them is hurt. It's just the way we're built."
Duncan is now 34 years old. Ginobili is 33. Age is a double-edged sword - as a player matures and his understanding of the game climbs, inevitably his athleticism begins drops off.
"Keeping Timmy fresh is important obviously," said Popovich. "Manu and Tony didn't play for their national teams this summer, so they're healthier than they've been in a few years. That's a good thing for us."
The Spurs added on Brazilian forward Tiago Splitter to help Duncan carry the load. San Antonio also boast DeJuan Blair, Antonio McDyess and Matt Bonner in the power positions.
Popovich speaks highly of Splitter, who made his debut Monday night against the Los Angeles Clippers after missing almost the entire preseason with a calf injury, but warned that Tiago isn't not likely to become a franchise centerpiece.
"This isn't the next Tim Duncan," said Gregg. "This is a blue collar guy who is a good rebounder, a good defender, a high quality worker . . . this isn't throw the ball and go score 24 tonight."
Pop liked what he saw in Splitter's brief 10-minute debut in L.A.
"Tiago, in those minutes, he showed that he knows how to play," said Popovich. "He didn't look like a fish out of water at all."
Keep Reading... (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17803)