Jimcs50
06-13-2005, 12:07 PM
Mohammed at home with Spurs
By Greg Boeck, USA TODAY
SAN ANTONIO — When Nazr Mohammed was traded in February, he left the glitz of New York and the glare of Knicks basketball for arguably the most unglamorous organization in the NBA. That's not his take on life with the San Antonio Spurs, however.
Spurs center Nazr Mohammed, fending off the Pistons' Ben Wallace, had six points, five rebounds and two blocks in Game 2.
By Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
"Winning," the seventh-year veteran said, "is glamorous."
For Mohammed, that's reward enough for playing in the shadow of Tim Duncan and for a demanding coach who stresses team play and defense.
The 6-10 center was rewarded with another win in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. He totaled only six points, five rebounds and two blocks but was in the middle of the Spurs' 14-6 getaway that kicked off a 97-76 victory against the Detroit Pistons. He contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in the Spurs' 84-69 Game 1 win.
Since arriving with Jamison Brewer in a trade for Malik Rose and two first round picks, Mohammed has proven a near perfect fit in the Spurs' drive for their third title in the last seven years.
"He has surpassed all of our expectations," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "We would not be here without him. He has really used his minutes wisely."
Mohammed has embraced his role — "rebounding and defense and if I score a bucket, hey," he said. "To win, I'll do the dirty work."
He drew three-time All-Star center Ben Wallace in this series and knows he has his hands full. "I just try to keep him off the glass and find open spots on offense," said Mohammed. "He's a big spark for that team."
Mohammed provided similar spark for the Spurs when he filled in the final six games of the regular season, first for injured Rasho Nesterovic and then for an injured Duncan, and averaged 9.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.66 blocks.
"All of a sudden, he had minutes because those guys were getting hurt and he showed his intelligence and picked things up very quickly," said Popovich.
Mohammed has benefited most from playing next to Duncan. "He's so unselfish," he said. "Being a big guy playing alongside him, it makes it even better. He takes the attention and focus of two bug guys on the other team. It leaves you by yourself a lot."
By Greg Boeck, USA TODAY
SAN ANTONIO — When Nazr Mohammed was traded in February, he left the glitz of New York and the glare of Knicks basketball for arguably the most unglamorous organization in the NBA. That's not his take on life with the San Antonio Spurs, however.
Spurs center Nazr Mohammed, fending off the Pistons' Ben Wallace, had six points, five rebounds and two blocks in Game 2.
By Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
"Winning," the seventh-year veteran said, "is glamorous."
For Mohammed, that's reward enough for playing in the shadow of Tim Duncan and for a demanding coach who stresses team play and defense.
The 6-10 center was rewarded with another win in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. He totaled only six points, five rebounds and two blocks but was in the middle of the Spurs' 14-6 getaway that kicked off a 97-76 victory against the Detroit Pistons. He contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in the Spurs' 84-69 Game 1 win.
Since arriving with Jamison Brewer in a trade for Malik Rose and two first round picks, Mohammed has proven a near perfect fit in the Spurs' drive for their third title in the last seven years.
"He has surpassed all of our expectations," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "We would not be here without him. He has really used his minutes wisely."
Mohammed has embraced his role — "rebounding and defense and if I score a bucket, hey," he said. "To win, I'll do the dirty work."
He drew three-time All-Star center Ben Wallace in this series and knows he has his hands full. "I just try to keep him off the glass and find open spots on offense," said Mohammed. "He's a big spark for that team."
Mohammed provided similar spark for the Spurs when he filled in the final six games of the regular season, first for injured Rasho Nesterovic and then for an injured Duncan, and averaged 9.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.66 blocks.
"All of a sudden, he had minutes because those guys were getting hurt and he showed his intelligence and picked things up very quickly," said Popovich.
Mohammed has benefited most from playing next to Duncan. "He's so unselfish," he said. "Being a big guy playing alongside him, it makes it even better. He takes the attention and focus of two bug guys on the other team. It leaves you by yourself a lot."