Kori Ellis
09-04-2005, 03:16 PM
King killers now with the Spurs
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13517883p-14358645c.html
You think the Lakers will elicit a chorus of boos when they come to Arco Arena this season? Sure, some. They're the Lakers.
But wait until San Antonio comes to town.
Two of the most forever reviled players to crush the hopes of Kings fans will come off the bench to put up points and polish up a Spurs machine that's already loaded with extras - and collectively mess with that fan-fever psyche. Robert Horry - he of the "Big Shot Bob" dagger delivered in the 2002 playoffs when he was with the Lakers - still has plenty left for the Spurs, judging by his NBA Finals showing.
Now Nick Van Exel is in the mix, the assassin against the Kings in the 2003 postseason when he played for the Dallas Mavericks and had some of the best games of his career in that stirring seven-game series.
They're together in San Antonio now, two of the most fearless, cool, cocky and wildly effective gunners of their generation. By re-signing Horry this summer and then landing Van Exel (not to mention Michael Finley), the Spurs solidified their hold as NBA championship favorite for 2005-06.
It was a boon of a summer for the Spurs, who didn't have a vault-load of money to offer or a big city with big-city endorsements. But they had NBA championship shine, a coach in Gregg Popovich who may be the most respected mentor in the business and Tim Duncan inside to draw some defensive attention, thus presenting a lot of open shots.
The Spurs wanted more outside shooting, more scoring off the bench. Now they have three guns to wheel out, with two that Kings fans are already clearing their throats for.
Van Exel told San Antonio media his health is fine after he contemplated retirement during a lost season in Portland in 2004-05. His knees still make him feel creaky and old at times, he said, but he's pretty sure he can hit some shots.
Popovich said he has always been a "Van Slick" fan, having seen his act up close as rivals. Popovich said in a news conference that the Van Exel deal is similar to one he pulled before.
"It's bringing a smaller version of Robert Horry," Popovich said. "You get an experienced guy who really wants something and can contribute in a specific manner. ... Nick relishes taking the big shot, the last shot. And that's a rare quality in a lot of players."
Duncan met with Van Exel during the recruiting process and told him that while the Spurs would "love to have you," he added, "but we don't need you." Van Exel rolled with it, telling Popovich on signing day, "Hey, I'm coachable now."
'Fin' is in
It can't be any real surprise that the Spurs snuck up and nabbed Finley, the prize free agent left bobbing in the talent pool.
The Miami Heat offered considerably more money, and the Phoenix Suns offered a starting job and a chance to reunite with Steve Nash. The Spurs offered the best chance, seemingly, to win an NBA championship.
Advantage: Texas.
Still, Popovich played the "who us?" role just before the signing when he said, "I'd be really surprised" if Finley didn't wind up with Phoenix.
Avery's angst
Dallas coach Avery Johnson grew up in a part of New Orleans that is soaking wet now, changed forever. The landscape change is one thing.
As of late Friday, Johnson still had not heard from two sisters and a brother who live in the region. Other relatives and friends were able to escape the area and are staying with him in Texas.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13517883p-14358645c.html
You think the Lakers will elicit a chorus of boos when they come to Arco Arena this season? Sure, some. They're the Lakers.
But wait until San Antonio comes to town.
Two of the most forever reviled players to crush the hopes of Kings fans will come off the bench to put up points and polish up a Spurs machine that's already loaded with extras - and collectively mess with that fan-fever psyche. Robert Horry - he of the "Big Shot Bob" dagger delivered in the 2002 playoffs when he was with the Lakers - still has plenty left for the Spurs, judging by his NBA Finals showing.
Now Nick Van Exel is in the mix, the assassin against the Kings in the 2003 postseason when he played for the Dallas Mavericks and had some of the best games of his career in that stirring seven-game series.
They're together in San Antonio now, two of the most fearless, cool, cocky and wildly effective gunners of their generation. By re-signing Horry this summer and then landing Van Exel (not to mention Michael Finley), the Spurs solidified their hold as NBA championship favorite for 2005-06.
It was a boon of a summer for the Spurs, who didn't have a vault-load of money to offer or a big city with big-city endorsements. But they had NBA championship shine, a coach in Gregg Popovich who may be the most respected mentor in the business and Tim Duncan inside to draw some defensive attention, thus presenting a lot of open shots.
The Spurs wanted more outside shooting, more scoring off the bench. Now they have three guns to wheel out, with two that Kings fans are already clearing their throats for.
Van Exel told San Antonio media his health is fine after he contemplated retirement during a lost season in Portland in 2004-05. His knees still make him feel creaky and old at times, he said, but he's pretty sure he can hit some shots.
Popovich said he has always been a "Van Slick" fan, having seen his act up close as rivals. Popovich said in a news conference that the Van Exel deal is similar to one he pulled before.
"It's bringing a smaller version of Robert Horry," Popovich said. "You get an experienced guy who really wants something and can contribute in a specific manner. ... Nick relishes taking the big shot, the last shot. And that's a rare quality in a lot of players."
Duncan met with Van Exel during the recruiting process and told him that while the Spurs would "love to have you," he added, "but we don't need you." Van Exel rolled with it, telling Popovich on signing day, "Hey, I'm coachable now."
'Fin' is in
It can't be any real surprise that the Spurs snuck up and nabbed Finley, the prize free agent left bobbing in the talent pool.
The Miami Heat offered considerably more money, and the Phoenix Suns offered a starting job and a chance to reunite with Steve Nash. The Spurs offered the best chance, seemingly, to win an NBA championship.
Advantage: Texas.
Still, Popovich played the "who us?" role just before the signing when he said, "I'd be really surprised" if Finley didn't wind up with Phoenix.
Avery's angst
Dallas coach Avery Johnson grew up in a part of New Orleans that is soaking wet now, changed forever. The landscape change is one thing.
As of late Friday, Johnson still had not heard from two sisters and a brother who live in the region. Other relatives and friends were able to escape the area and are staying with him in Texas.