SenorSpur
01-23-2011, 04:39 PM
I decided to hop over to the Big Easy to take in a Spurs road game. I'll dispense with any direct details about the game, since we all know how that turned out. Instead, I wanted to share some random thoughts.
Pop clearly knew this team wasn't going to "get it done" on this night. I told my buddy that there was no way Pop would play his starters in the 4th quarter. This resulted in the 4th quarter becoming a glorified preseason game. However, it was good to see the reserves get some extended action. This is also part of Pop's brilliance in taking that opportunity to allow his reserves to get some valuable work in. Pop really seemed to relish the opportunity to "coach those guys up" during that time. He was seen exhorting, encouraging and applauding every contested shot, every drawn charge and every hustle play, by this group. He was really into it and it was good to see.
Speaking of Pop, and this should come as no surprise to anyone that has followed this team closely over the years, he and Duncan have a very unique relationship that really goes beyond just player and coach. It's almost like father and son. It was really neat watching them interact during timeouts and between quarters. Sharing information, a good-natured laugh or a pat on the back. It's almost like they have their own unique language. The deep affection that they have for one another is really evident and pretty awesome.
Speaking of Duncan, there was a timeout late in the 4th, where I saw Duncan pull aside newcomer SF, Larry Owens, for some personal instruction. Owens was listening intently and Duncan finished off his thoughts by giving the rook a pat on his chest. Similarly, George Hill also took some offer up some instruction, on what looked like defensive positioning, during another timeout. In fact, Owens received a lot of "dap" from his teammates for his effort and hustle. It's pretty clear the players like this kid.
As for Owens, he was especially impressive in that ill-fated fourth quarter. I was hoping that he would get some burn, but I didn't expect him to get that much. Still he did well. He looked present and very receptive to all the instruction given by coaches and players. Because his teammates really weren't looking for him, I was glad that he came down, on one sequence, and converted a pullup jumper. He has good form on his shot. He defended well and was active and ran the floor well. Standing next to and matched up against Hornets backup SF Quincy Pondexter, Owens looked every bit as tall as Q, but about 20 lbs. lighter.
I detected Spurs GM R.C. Buford milling around the lower bowl of the arena. He actually didn't sit in the arena, but I saw him moving back and forth from lockerroom-to-courtside and into the upper concourse area. It was funny to see him walking up the stairs, while simulataneously looking at his Blackberry, but pausing to peer back over his shoulder to catch the next piece of live action. It's a wonder he didn't trip because clearly was paying attention to where he was walking.
There's no doubt that Sean Elliott probably has one of the coolest jobs around, as broadcaster of the Spurs. As a former Spurs player, he's employed by the organization he played for, is well-liked and of course, very good at what he does. Because he travels with the team, he obviously gets enough inside information about team-related things. However, he's a trusted professional, who I'm sure does not and would not share any and every thing he knows about the team's inner workings. Still, he has the benefit of knowing this team, these coaches and this organizational culture very well and it comes across in the way that he shares his inisights to the audience. Incidentally, I met him very briefly after he wrapped up the broadcast. He still looks very fit and for anyone who didn't know, they would probably mistake him for a current player. He's a really cool and likeable dude, who practically had his own group of fans surrounding him, while his lovely wife waited for him so they could depart to the lockerroom.
Pop clearly knew this team wasn't going to "get it done" on this night. I told my buddy that there was no way Pop would play his starters in the 4th quarter. This resulted in the 4th quarter becoming a glorified preseason game. However, it was good to see the reserves get some extended action. This is also part of Pop's brilliance in taking that opportunity to allow his reserves to get some valuable work in. Pop really seemed to relish the opportunity to "coach those guys up" during that time. He was seen exhorting, encouraging and applauding every contested shot, every drawn charge and every hustle play, by this group. He was really into it and it was good to see.
Speaking of Pop, and this should come as no surprise to anyone that has followed this team closely over the years, he and Duncan have a very unique relationship that really goes beyond just player and coach. It's almost like father and son. It was really neat watching them interact during timeouts and between quarters. Sharing information, a good-natured laugh or a pat on the back. It's almost like they have their own unique language. The deep affection that they have for one another is really evident and pretty awesome.
Speaking of Duncan, there was a timeout late in the 4th, where I saw Duncan pull aside newcomer SF, Larry Owens, for some personal instruction. Owens was listening intently and Duncan finished off his thoughts by giving the rook a pat on his chest. Similarly, George Hill also took some offer up some instruction, on what looked like defensive positioning, during another timeout. In fact, Owens received a lot of "dap" from his teammates for his effort and hustle. It's pretty clear the players like this kid.
As for Owens, he was especially impressive in that ill-fated fourth quarter. I was hoping that he would get some burn, but I didn't expect him to get that much. Still he did well. He looked present and very receptive to all the instruction given by coaches and players. Because his teammates really weren't looking for him, I was glad that he came down, on one sequence, and converted a pullup jumper. He has good form on his shot. He defended well and was active and ran the floor well. Standing next to and matched up against Hornets backup SF Quincy Pondexter, Owens looked every bit as tall as Q, but about 20 lbs. lighter.
I detected Spurs GM R.C. Buford milling around the lower bowl of the arena. He actually didn't sit in the arena, but I saw him moving back and forth from lockerroom-to-courtside and into the upper concourse area. It was funny to see him walking up the stairs, while simulataneously looking at his Blackberry, but pausing to peer back over his shoulder to catch the next piece of live action. It's a wonder he didn't trip because clearly was paying attention to where he was walking.
There's no doubt that Sean Elliott probably has one of the coolest jobs around, as broadcaster of the Spurs. As a former Spurs player, he's employed by the organization he played for, is well-liked and of course, very good at what he does. Because he travels with the team, he obviously gets enough inside information about team-related things. However, he's a trusted professional, who I'm sure does not and would not share any and every thing he knows about the team's inner workings. Still, he has the benefit of knowing this team, these coaches and this organizational culture very well and it comes across in the way that he shares his inisights to the audience. Incidentally, I met him very briefly after he wrapped up the broadcast. He still looks very fit and for anyone who didn't know, they would probably mistake him for a current player. He's a really cool and likeable dude, who practically had his own group of fans surrounding him, while his lovely wife waited for him so they could depart to the lockerroom.