Kori Ellis
06-09-2005, 12:55 AM
Spurs notebook: Duncan's latest move not exactly smooth
Web Posted: 06/09/2005 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA060905.3S.BKNspurs.notebook.2f619a14b.html
San Antonio Express-News
Tim Duncan's footwork might have helped earn him the nickname "Big Fundamental," but he didn't display the smoothest of moves Wednesday.
Duncan was climbing steps to the podium to speak with the media when he tripped. For a brief moment, the Spurs' two-time MVP looked like he was about to fall hard on his face.
Duncan, much to the relief of the Spurs' brass, somehow recovered, steadied himself and finished off the performance by pantomiming a jump shot.
Carlesimo put on hold: If Minnesota or New York plan on hiring P.J. Carlesimo as their coach, it will have to wait until after the NBA Finals.
Carlesimo interviewed with both teams during breaks in the playoffs, but didn't sound too confident Wednesday about landing either job.
"They both said that they are not going to try to interfere with what you're doing and we'll reach out," Carlesimo said. "Obviously, when people are reaching out more often and you're talking to them more often, you feel better. I felt better a couple weeks ago than I do now."
Coaches who serve on the staffs of successful teams typically have to overcome logistical difficulties to land another job because they're busy working in the playoffs.
"The pros are you have a great job and generally the further you go it enhances your chances," Carlesimo said. "The negative is the obvious: Teams can't wait, sometimes, to do what they want to do. But in my opinion, there are way more pros than cons. I wouldn't be involved in as many situations if I wasn't in San Antonio."
Tranquility base: Asked during his turn on the interview podium Wednesday what Robert Horry meant to the Spurs, Manu Ginobili may have surprised his interrogator.
"He's a guy that transmits tranquility," Ginobili said. "He makes you feel comfortable, confident, knowing that you're going to get there, that he's going to be there to help you out. If you're going to depend on him for a shot, he's going to make it."
No sizzle: There has been a lot of talk about the Spurs-Pistons series not matching the glamour of previous Finals matchups that have included such popular stars as Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant or Allen Iverson.
According to Spurs defensive standout Bruce Bowen, one group of Finals viewers believes the series is well worth watching.
"Unfortunately, it doesn't sell," Bowen said, "but for those coaches who are doing clinics throughout the summer, I guarantee you they talk about (Pistons) coach (Larry) Brown and (Spurs) coach (Gregg) Popovich. They emphasize the little things, as far as defense, defense, defense, and move the ball."
Fair is fair: Pistons backup forward Darvin Ham said he hoped to find some time to chat briefly with Spurs backup forward Glenn Robinson during the series. The two were teammates, and close friends, on the Milwaukee Bucks for three seasons.
"Tell Darvin he's already got a (championship) ring," Robinson said. "It's time for him to hand it over."
'Mom comes first': Devin Brown, the Spurs' only San Antonio native, said his many friends in town know better than to ask him for tickets to the NBA Finals.
"I've got them trained," Brown said with a laugh. "Nobody's really harassing me right now. They know mom comes first."
Brown said he hopes to get some minutes even though he has a herniated disc in his lower back, an injury that has robbed him of much of the strength in his right leg.
"The long layoff after we wrapped up the Phoenix series was a bonus for me," Brown said. "I was cheering for the Detroit-Miami series to keep going so I could get my leg together. I'm good now. I'm looking forward to some good minutes (tonight)."
Brown, a West Campus graduate and former UTSA standout, said reaching the Finals is a dream come true.
"It's something I can't believe right now," Brown said. "Maybe it will sink in five or 10 years from now when I look back at it and say I went to high school here, played college here and played for an NBA championship with my hometown team. But I can't look at it that way right now. We need to get four games."
Fans can submit photos: As the NBA Finals kick off, the Express-News and MySA.com are accepting electronic submissions of Spurs fans' own photos of local people expressing their support for their hometown team.
Selected photos will be published on Page 2B of the Metro section throughout the remainder of the playoffs, with more available for viewing online at MySanAntonio.com, keyword: Spurs. All photos should be e-mailed to [email protected] in .jpg format.
Johnny Ludden, Mike Monroe, Tom Orsborn, Express-News staff
Web Posted: 06/09/2005 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA060905.3S.BKNspurs.notebook.2f619a14b.html
San Antonio Express-News
Tim Duncan's footwork might have helped earn him the nickname "Big Fundamental," but he didn't display the smoothest of moves Wednesday.
Duncan was climbing steps to the podium to speak with the media when he tripped. For a brief moment, the Spurs' two-time MVP looked like he was about to fall hard on his face.
Duncan, much to the relief of the Spurs' brass, somehow recovered, steadied himself and finished off the performance by pantomiming a jump shot.
Carlesimo put on hold: If Minnesota or New York plan on hiring P.J. Carlesimo as their coach, it will have to wait until after the NBA Finals.
Carlesimo interviewed with both teams during breaks in the playoffs, but didn't sound too confident Wednesday about landing either job.
"They both said that they are not going to try to interfere with what you're doing and we'll reach out," Carlesimo said. "Obviously, when people are reaching out more often and you're talking to them more often, you feel better. I felt better a couple weeks ago than I do now."
Coaches who serve on the staffs of successful teams typically have to overcome logistical difficulties to land another job because they're busy working in the playoffs.
"The pros are you have a great job and generally the further you go it enhances your chances," Carlesimo said. "The negative is the obvious: Teams can't wait, sometimes, to do what they want to do. But in my opinion, there are way more pros than cons. I wouldn't be involved in as many situations if I wasn't in San Antonio."
Tranquility base: Asked during his turn on the interview podium Wednesday what Robert Horry meant to the Spurs, Manu Ginobili may have surprised his interrogator.
"He's a guy that transmits tranquility," Ginobili said. "He makes you feel comfortable, confident, knowing that you're going to get there, that he's going to be there to help you out. If you're going to depend on him for a shot, he's going to make it."
No sizzle: There has been a lot of talk about the Spurs-Pistons series not matching the glamour of previous Finals matchups that have included such popular stars as Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant or Allen Iverson.
According to Spurs defensive standout Bruce Bowen, one group of Finals viewers believes the series is well worth watching.
"Unfortunately, it doesn't sell," Bowen said, "but for those coaches who are doing clinics throughout the summer, I guarantee you they talk about (Pistons) coach (Larry) Brown and (Spurs) coach (Gregg) Popovich. They emphasize the little things, as far as defense, defense, defense, and move the ball."
Fair is fair: Pistons backup forward Darvin Ham said he hoped to find some time to chat briefly with Spurs backup forward Glenn Robinson during the series. The two were teammates, and close friends, on the Milwaukee Bucks for three seasons.
"Tell Darvin he's already got a (championship) ring," Robinson said. "It's time for him to hand it over."
'Mom comes first': Devin Brown, the Spurs' only San Antonio native, said his many friends in town know better than to ask him for tickets to the NBA Finals.
"I've got them trained," Brown said with a laugh. "Nobody's really harassing me right now. They know mom comes first."
Brown said he hopes to get some minutes even though he has a herniated disc in his lower back, an injury that has robbed him of much of the strength in his right leg.
"The long layoff after we wrapped up the Phoenix series was a bonus for me," Brown said. "I was cheering for the Detroit-Miami series to keep going so I could get my leg together. I'm good now. I'm looking forward to some good minutes (tonight)."
Brown, a West Campus graduate and former UTSA standout, said reaching the Finals is a dream come true.
"It's something I can't believe right now," Brown said. "Maybe it will sink in five or 10 years from now when I look back at it and say I went to high school here, played college here and played for an NBA championship with my hometown team. But I can't look at it that way right now. We need to get four games."
Fans can submit photos: As the NBA Finals kick off, the Express-News and MySA.com are accepting electronic submissions of Spurs fans' own photos of local people expressing their support for their hometown team.
Selected photos will be published on Page 2B of the Metro section throughout the remainder of the playoffs, with more available for viewing online at MySanAntonio.com, keyword: Spurs. All photos should be e-mailed to [email protected] in .jpg format.
Johnny Ludden, Mike Monroe, Tom Orsborn, Express-News staff