Kori Ellis
06-03-2005, 12:31 AM
Spurs successful at waiting game
Web Posted: 06/03/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA060305.1D.BKNspurs.main.2d75f581c.html
About 20 minutes had passed since the Spurs, hugging each other and laughing, skipped off the floor at America West Arena on Wednesday night. The players had pulled on their ready-made Western Conference champions T-shirts and hats, smiled for the cameras and accepted their trophy before taking the party to the privacy of their locker room.
The team's brief celebration was just starting to break up as coach Gregg Popovich met the media. As elated as Popovich was to be taking the Spurs to their third NBA Finals in seven years, he was equally relieved to be rid of the Phoenix Suns.
"I'm just very happy," Popovich said, "we don't have to play those guys again."
The Spurs will have plenty of time to prepare for their next challenge. The Finals won't begin until Thursday, giving the team seven days to rest, heal, practice and, quite possibly, grow bored.
With Detroit and Miami still battling for the Eastern Conference title, the Spurs won't even know their opponent until Saturday, at the earliest.
"I won't obsess over it because it is what it is," Popovich said of the wait. "We'll just figure out how to keep these guys in shape, how to stay sharp and do the best job we can.
"And when Detroit or Miami come along, we will find out if we were successful at doing it."
Whether they face the Pistons or the Heat, the Spurs doubt the Finals will be played in the same free-flowing style as their series against Phoenix. The Pistons finished the season second to the Spurs in scoring defense. During the playoffs, the Heat have held their opponents to 41.2 percent shooting.
The Spurs won't completely abandon their up-tempo ways but likely will be forced into more of a halfcourt game.
"I think our guys are more suited for that overall," Popovich said, when asked if the team would have to adjust to a grind-it-out game in the Finals. "We sort of have a split personality because of the personnel on our team.
"We'll play the same way. We'll try to push it. If we don't have it, we will try to get something decent in the half court. But Detroit and Miami do that, too ... Teams are a little bit more multifaceted than you might guess."
Until then, the Spurs will try to keep some momentum they have picked up the past month.
Popovich and his staff have experience managing a lengthy layoff. The Spurs had a nine-day break before starting the 1999 NBA Finals. Two years ago, they had five days off after beating Dallas in the conference finals.
Even last season, they waited six days between the first and second rounds.
The Spurs, however, have reason to welcome their current break. Neither of Tim Duncan's ankles has completely healed. Manu Ginobili, to no surprise, is bruised and needs time to re-energize. Tony Parker also has been playing with tendinitis in his left knee.
"I would love a little shorter time," Duncan said, "but you can't beat (the layoff)."
In addition, the break allows Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo, if needed, to meet again with Minnesota officials about the Timberwolves' head-coaching vacancy. Danny Ferry, the Spurs' director of basketball operations, also has been in discussions with Cleveland about becoming the Cavaliers' general manager.
Carlesimo and fellow assistant Mike Budenholzer might even need the time to expand their own families. Each coach's wife is expecting a baby soon.
After taking Thursday and today off, the team will meet Saturday. In past layoffs, the Spurs have varied the intensity and length of their workouts in an effort to stay focused but not burn out.
"Just knowing the guys we have on this team, between Robert (Horry) and the other guys who have been there before — and certainly Pop — the rest of us will just fall in line behind them," Brent Barry said. "Whether (the layoff) is good or bad, I don't know. But these guys will know how to handle it and find a way to keep us sharp."
Horry will be playing in his sixth Finals, having won the previous five. Duncan will be in his third. Ginobili, Parker and Bruce Bowen will be in their second.
Of the other seven players on the playoff roster, only Glenn Robinson had advanced even as far as the conference finals before this season. All of them, however, have learned enough to know one thing.
"We're not satisfied with just winning the West," Barry said. "As great as that is, there's a greater goal ahead of us."
Web Posted: 06/03/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA060305.1D.BKNspurs.main.2d75f581c.html
About 20 minutes had passed since the Spurs, hugging each other and laughing, skipped off the floor at America West Arena on Wednesday night. The players had pulled on their ready-made Western Conference champions T-shirts and hats, smiled for the cameras and accepted their trophy before taking the party to the privacy of their locker room.
The team's brief celebration was just starting to break up as coach Gregg Popovich met the media. As elated as Popovich was to be taking the Spurs to their third NBA Finals in seven years, he was equally relieved to be rid of the Phoenix Suns.
"I'm just very happy," Popovich said, "we don't have to play those guys again."
The Spurs will have plenty of time to prepare for their next challenge. The Finals won't begin until Thursday, giving the team seven days to rest, heal, practice and, quite possibly, grow bored.
With Detroit and Miami still battling for the Eastern Conference title, the Spurs won't even know their opponent until Saturday, at the earliest.
"I won't obsess over it because it is what it is," Popovich said of the wait. "We'll just figure out how to keep these guys in shape, how to stay sharp and do the best job we can.
"And when Detroit or Miami come along, we will find out if we were successful at doing it."
Whether they face the Pistons or the Heat, the Spurs doubt the Finals will be played in the same free-flowing style as their series against Phoenix. The Pistons finished the season second to the Spurs in scoring defense. During the playoffs, the Heat have held their opponents to 41.2 percent shooting.
The Spurs won't completely abandon their up-tempo ways but likely will be forced into more of a halfcourt game.
"I think our guys are more suited for that overall," Popovich said, when asked if the team would have to adjust to a grind-it-out game in the Finals. "We sort of have a split personality because of the personnel on our team.
"We'll play the same way. We'll try to push it. If we don't have it, we will try to get something decent in the half court. But Detroit and Miami do that, too ... Teams are a little bit more multifaceted than you might guess."
Until then, the Spurs will try to keep some momentum they have picked up the past month.
Popovich and his staff have experience managing a lengthy layoff. The Spurs had a nine-day break before starting the 1999 NBA Finals. Two years ago, they had five days off after beating Dallas in the conference finals.
Even last season, they waited six days between the first and second rounds.
The Spurs, however, have reason to welcome their current break. Neither of Tim Duncan's ankles has completely healed. Manu Ginobili, to no surprise, is bruised and needs time to re-energize. Tony Parker also has been playing with tendinitis in his left knee.
"I would love a little shorter time," Duncan said, "but you can't beat (the layoff)."
In addition, the break allows Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo, if needed, to meet again with Minnesota officials about the Timberwolves' head-coaching vacancy. Danny Ferry, the Spurs' director of basketball operations, also has been in discussions with Cleveland about becoming the Cavaliers' general manager.
Carlesimo and fellow assistant Mike Budenholzer might even need the time to expand their own families. Each coach's wife is expecting a baby soon.
After taking Thursday and today off, the team will meet Saturday. In past layoffs, the Spurs have varied the intensity and length of their workouts in an effort to stay focused but not burn out.
"Just knowing the guys we have on this team, between Robert (Horry) and the other guys who have been there before — and certainly Pop — the rest of us will just fall in line behind them," Brent Barry said. "Whether (the layoff) is good or bad, I don't know. But these guys will know how to handle it and find a way to keep us sharp."
Horry will be playing in his sixth Finals, having won the previous five. Duncan will be in his third. Ginobili, Parker and Bruce Bowen will be in their second.
Of the other seven players on the playoff roster, only Glenn Robinson had advanced even as far as the conference finals before this season. All of them, however, have learned enough to know one thing.
"We're not satisfied with just winning the West," Barry said. "As great as that is, there's a greater goal ahead of us."