Kori Ellis
06-17-2005, 01:39 AM
Newcomers struggling to find Finals rhythm
Web Posted: 06/17/2005 12:47 AM CDT
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA061705.6S.BKNspurs.sider.18b56150.html
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — As newcomers to the NBA Finals, the Spurs' Brent Barry, Nazr Mohammed and Beno Udrih have leaned on their more experienced teammates for guidance during the pressure-packed event.
"We look to see what kind of demeanor they have each game," Barry said. "What their approach is to each game."
Unfortunately for the trio, all of that help didn't prevent them from turning in sub-par performances Thursday night.
"Is there reason for concern? Maybe," Barry said after the Pistons ripped the Spurs 102-71 on Thursday night to even the best-of-seven series at 2-2. "We just need to get back to playing our brand of ball."
Asked to assess his performance the past two games, Barry paused and said: "I'm just trying, you know, to contribute."
Barry did just that in Game 3, scoring 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting. In Game 4, he attempted only two shots, sinking a 3-point attempt in the third period to finish with three points.
Mohammed's night was even worse. In 17 minutes, the center the Spurs acquired in a midseason trade with the New York Knicks for Malik Rose made only 2 of 6 shots and grabbed just five rebounds.
Mohammed, who finished with four points, missed all three of his shots in the third period. During one 31/2-minute stretch in the third, he lost the ball on a dunk attempt, had a shot blocked by Rasheed Wallace, missed a layup and was called for traveling.
"I guess I would call it mediocre," Mohammed said of his play. "I really didn't do anything. I felt I could have played better, but I felt it was a combination of things, too. I'm not really going to get into it."
Mohammed did say that he paid too much attention to the officiating, expressing disappointment when a few calls didn't go his way.
"I was definitely disappointed with some things out there," Mohammed said. "But I need to watch the film because sometimes you are wrong. But I was disappointed at times out there."
For the second-straight game, Udrih struggled with turnovers. He's had a total of five in the past two games, including two in Game 4, one of which Tayshaun Prince converted into a layup to give the Pistons a 10-point lead early in the second period.
The Spurs finished with 18 turnovers, 14 more than the Pistons. Barry and Mohammed each committed one.
"We didn't value the basketball again and got off to a rough start," Barry said, referring to the Spurs' seven turnovers in the first period, which ended with the Pistons leading 23-17.
"We just have to find ourselves again offensively and get back into a rhythm.
"We're just not moving the ball like we did the last two games," Barry said. "Some of it is (the Pistons') defensive pressure. But we have to find a way to get our rhythm back."
Until they do, Barry and the Spurs' other newcomers in the Finals will continue to look for their more-experienced teammates for help, although Mohammed said he feels like a Finals veteran after four games.
"Our inexperience means nothing," Mohammed said. "We all know the importance of each game. We all want it just as bad as anyone else. It being new was in Game 1. Now I feel like I have been here a hundred times."
Web Posted: 06/17/2005 12:47 AM CDT
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA061705.6S.BKNspurs.sider.18b56150.html
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — As newcomers to the NBA Finals, the Spurs' Brent Barry, Nazr Mohammed and Beno Udrih have leaned on their more experienced teammates for guidance during the pressure-packed event.
"We look to see what kind of demeanor they have each game," Barry said. "What their approach is to each game."
Unfortunately for the trio, all of that help didn't prevent them from turning in sub-par performances Thursday night.
"Is there reason for concern? Maybe," Barry said after the Pistons ripped the Spurs 102-71 on Thursday night to even the best-of-seven series at 2-2. "We just need to get back to playing our brand of ball."
Asked to assess his performance the past two games, Barry paused and said: "I'm just trying, you know, to contribute."
Barry did just that in Game 3, scoring 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting. In Game 4, he attempted only two shots, sinking a 3-point attempt in the third period to finish with three points.
Mohammed's night was even worse. In 17 minutes, the center the Spurs acquired in a midseason trade with the New York Knicks for Malik Rose made only 2 of 6 shots and grabbed just five rebounds.
Mohammed, who finished with four points, missed all three of his shots in the third period. During one 31/2-minute stretch in the third, he lost the ball on a dunk attempt, had a shot blocked by Rasheed Wallace, missed a layup and was called for traveling.
"I guess I would call it mediocre," Mohammed said of his play. "I really didn't do anything. I felt I could have played better, but I felt it was a combination of things, too. I'm not really going to get into it."
Mohammed did say that he paid too much attention to the officiating, expressing disappointment when a few calls didn't go his way.
"I was definitely disappointed with some things out there," Mohammed said. "But I need to watch the film because sometimes you are wrong. But I was disappointed at times out there."
For the second-straight game, Udrih struggled with turnovers. He's had a total of five in the past two games, including two in Game 4, one of which Tayshaun Prince converted into a layup to give the Pistons a 10-point lead early in the second period.
The Spurs finished with 18 turnovers, 14 more than the Pistons. Barry and Mohammed each committed one.
"We didn't value the basketball again and got off to a rough start," Barry said, referring to the Spurs' seven turnovers in the first period, which ended with the Pistons leading 23-17.
"We just have to find ourselves again offensively and get back into a rhythm.
"We're just not moving the ball like we did the last two games," Barry said. "Some of it is (the Pistons') defensive pressure. But we have to find a way to get our rhythm back."
Until they do, Barry and the Spurs' other newcomers in the Finals will continue to look for their more-experienced teammates for help, although Mohammed said he feels like a Finals veteran after four games.
"Our inexperience means nothing," Mohammed said. "We all know the importance of each game. We all want it just as bad as anyone else. It being new was in Game 1. Now I feel like I have been here a hundred times."