Kori Ellis
06-18-2005, 04:42 AM
Mike Monroe: Hey, have a little faith — Spurs' recent problems are easily corrected
Web Posted: 06/18/2005 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/columnists/mmonroe/stories/MYSA061805.5S.COL.BKNmonroe.1d2eaf23.html
San Antonio Express-News
The Spurs have reached the desperate point in which they now find themselves in the Finals because they have forgotten what got them to the Finals.
A team that was able to defend inside with the Nuggets, muscle up with the Sonics and run with the Suns did so because it remembered that it could win with team basketball, no matter the style.
In Game 4 of the Finals, in particular, the Spurs turned too often to individual play.
This is more easily corrected than even the Pistons want to believe, but only if the Spurs believe it is possible.
It is going to take plenty of both belief and heart to keep the Pistons from winning Game 5 in the howling madhouse that is the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Tactically, the Pistons' ability to guard Tim Duncan without double-teaming him on every touch has made every other aspect of the Spurs' offense more difficult, including Tony Parker's and Manu Ginobili's drives to the basket. Detroit's inside defenders easily are the best the Spurs have faced thus far.
None of that matters as much as selective memory. If the Spurs are to have a chance in Game 5, they must remember what they did so well in their three previous playoff series: share the ball and play team defense.
SHOOTING OFF
24 thoughts about Game 4
Hour before tipoff: Only three Pistons in locker room, but 19 NBA Entertainment types.
Fan orders "two double shots of whatever white liquor you have ... and a club sandwich."
Now that's getting your game face on.
National anthem is sung by an "American Idol," Carrie Underwood.
Pregame intros: "Pah-kuh," that's Detroit for Parker.
Pre-tipoff and Tim Duncan helps ref Joe DeRosa pick up pieces of confetti from court.
7:14, first quarter: A tech for Popovich. Those weren't Serbian curses hurled at Eddie F. Rush.
6:23, first quarter: Uh-oh, period is not half over and Spurs already have four turnovers.
4:15, first quarter: Ben Wallace nails a 15-footer to beat 24-second clock. Is that fair?
Udrih hits his first two shots, but he still can't handle the Pistons' press.
Rasheed beats the first-quarter buzzer ... Is Derek Fisher coaching these guys?
First-quarter tally: Spurs' seven turnovers produce six easy points for Pistons.
8:05, second quarter: Devin Brown (remember him?) hits a three to stop Pistons' 14-0 run.
Timeout, and Pistons play look-alike game on big screen. Who looks like Eva Longoria?
That's entertainment? "The Spare Tires," 15 dancing fat guys. Avert your eyes.
38.3, second quarter: Another shot-clock buzzer-beater, this time by Billups. Sensing a trend?
Halftime, and Eminem signs autographs behind the Spurs' bench.
11:38, third quarter: Ginobili opens second half with strong drive to basket for a bucket.
Don't get excited. Ginobili won't score again for more than nine minutes.
2:35, third quarter: Hunter, the defensive specialist, scores Pistons' eighth-straight point.
Heckler to Popovich: "You're still the pupil, Pop. Larry's the teacher."
8:32, fourth quarter: Horry's first points of the game. There won't be "Big Shots" tonight.
5:37, fourth quarter: Duncan's done for night and Popovich has a heart-to-heart talk.
2:21 left and it's officially a blowout: Darko Milicic enters the game.
PLAYER REPORT
Tim Duncan
His ankles are fine. His psyche may be a tad bruised. Duncan clearly was frustrated in Game 4 by his inability to get where he wanted to be in the low post. He held the ball too much and hurried shots as a result. He has to assert himself in Game 5.
Brent Barry
Barry has been frustrated all season by his inability to shoot from long range as he once could. Now he can't seem to hang on to the ball, either. He has to be determined to play error-free, even if his shot isn't falling.
Ben Wallace
What possible sort of adjustment could Wallace need to make for Game 5? Simply to freak that 'fro out even more than it was for Games 3 and 4. With the old-school look came that old-school attitude.
THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS
NBA assistant says Spurs need more patience on offense
Typically, playoff series involve major adjustments — game to game — as losing teams try to counter what worked well for the previous game's winner and correct their own mistakes.
For the Spurs, the adjustments they need to make have less to do with X's and O's and a whole lot more to do with adjusting attitude and approach.
Here is how one NBA assistant coach sized up the changes the Spurs must make before Game 5:
"One thing I notice is that the Spurs, who always hang their hat on winning the last three minutes of quarters, haven't done that the last two games. And when they don't do that, they're in trouble.
"So they've got to be focused on that and you might expect to see their starters in the game at the end of the first period, for example.
"Plus, they're taking much quicker shots trying to get back in the last two games, as opposed to a lot of ball movement and unselfishness. It's as if they're rushing to try to catch back up, worried about the score.
"I'd say patience is as important for them as anything right now."
Web Posted: 06/18/2005 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/columnists/mmonroe/stories/MYSA061805.5S.COL.BKNmonroe.1d2eaf23.html
San Antonio Express-News
The Spurs have reached the desperate point in which they now find themselves in the Finals because they have forgotten what got them to the Finals.
A team that was able to defend inside with the Nuggets, muscle up with the Sonics and run with the Suns did so because it remembered that it could win with team basketball, no matter the style.
In Game 4 of the Finals, in particular, the Spurs turned too often to individual play.
This is more easily corrected than even the Pistons want to believe, but only if the Spurs believe it is possible.
It is going to take plenty of both belief and heart to keep the Pistons from winning Game 5 in the howling madhouse that is the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Tactically, the Pistons' ability to guard Tim Duncan without double-teaming him on every touch has made every other aspect of the Spurs' offense more difficult, including Tony Parker's and Manu Ginobili's drives to the basket. Detroit's inside defenders easily are the best the Spurs have faced thus far.
None of that matters as much as selective memory. If the Spurs are to have a chance in Game 5, they must remember what they did so well in their three previous playoff series: share the ball and play team defense.
SHOOTING OFF
24 thoughts about Game 4
Hour before tipoff: Only three Pistons in locker room, but 19 NBA Entertainment types.
Fan orders "two double shots of whatever white liquor you have ... and a club sandwich."
Now that's getting your game face on.
National anthem is sung by an "American Idol," Carrie Underwood.
Pregame intros: "Pah-kuh," that's Detroit for Parker.
Pre-tipoff and Tim Duncan helps ref Joe DeRosa pick up pieces of confetti from court.
7:14, first quarter: A tech for Popovich. Those weren't Serbian curses hurled at Eddie F. Rush.
6:23, first quarter: Uh-oh, period is not half over and Spurs already have four turnovers.
4:15, first quarter: Ben Wallace nails a 15-footer to beat 24-second clock. Is that fair?
Udrih hits his first two shots, but he still can't handle the Pistons' press.
Rasheed beats the first-quarter buzzer ... Is Derek Fisher coaching these guys?
First-quarter tally: Spurs' seven turnovers produce six easy points for Pistons.
8:05, second quarter: Devin Brown (remember him?) hits a three to stop Pistons' 14-0 run.
Timeout, and Pistons play look-alike game on big screen. Who looks like Eva Longoria?
That's entertainment? "The Spare Tires," 15 dancing fat guys. Avert your eyes.
38.3, second quarter: Another shot-clock buzzer-beater, this time by Billups. Sensing a trend?
Halftime, and Eminem signs autographs behind the Spurs' bench.
11:38, third quarter: Ginobili opens second half with strong drive to basket for a bucket.
Don't get excited. Ginobili won't score again for more than nine minutes.
2:35, third quarter: Hunter, the defensive specialist, scores Pistons' eighth-straight point.
Heckler to Popovich: "You're still the pupil, Pop. Larry's the teacher."
8:32, fourth quarter: Horry's first points of the game. There won't be "Big Shots" tonight.
5:37, fourth quarter: Duncan's done for night and Popovich has a heart-to-heart talk.
2:21 left and it's officially a blowout: Darko Milicic enters the game.
PLAYER REPORT
Tim Duncan
His ankles are fine. His psyche may be a tad bruised. Duncan clearly was frustrated in Game 4 by his inability to get where he wanted to be in the low post. He held the ball too much and hurried shots as a result. He has to assert himself in Game 5.
Brent Barry
Barry has been frustrated all season by his inability to shoot from long range as he once could. Now he can't seem to hang on to the ball, either. He has to be determined to play error-free, even if his shot isn't falling.
Ben Wallace
What possible sort of adjustment could Wallace need to make for Game 5? Simply to freak that 'fro out even more than it was for Games 3 and 4. With the old-school look came that old-school attitude.
THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS
NBA assistant says Spurs need more patience on offense
Typically, playoff series involve major adjustments — game to game — as losing teams try to counter what worked well for the previous game's winner and correct their own mistakes.
For the Spurs, the adjustments they need to make have less to do with X's and O's and a whole lot more to do with adjusting attitude and approach.
Here is how one NBA assistant coach sized up the changes the Spurs must make before Game 5:
"One thing I notice is that the Spurs, who always hang their hat on winning the last three minutes of quarters, haven't done that the last two games. And when they don't do that, they're in trouble.
"So they've got to be focused on that and you might expect to see their starters in the game at the end of the first period, for example.
"Plus, they're taking much quicker shots trying to get back in the last two games, as opposed to a lot of ball movement and unselfishness. It's as if they're rushing to try to catch back up, worried about the score.
"I'd say patience is as important for them as anything right now."