Kori Ellis
10-03-2005, 06:48 PM
Spurs overview: Will rookie be the difference-maker?
By John Hollinger
ESPN.com
San Antonio Spurs Training Camp
Site: University of the Virgin Islands
Location: St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Start date: Oct. 3
2004-05 Record: 59-23, 2nd in West
Editor's Note: To preview training camp and the 2005-06 season, John Hollinger addresses three key questions concerning the Spurs.
1. What can Manu do for an encore?
He took advantage of the rules changes that limited contact on the perimeter, giving an advantage to quicker players such as him. He boosted his scoring average by more than three points per game -- without an increase in minutes -- while his shooting percentage rocketed from 41.8 percent to 47.1 percent. Ginobili's production escalated as the year wore on, culminating in a dominating postseason. He also won numerous fans with his audacious style, signified by an around-the-back move for a clutch basket against Phoenix in the conference finals.
The Spurs need Ginobili to stay at this level in order to repeat, but that's not the sure bet it seems. He hadn't played at nearly this high a level in his two previous seasons before he erupted at the fairly late age of 27.
There's also the question of whether the refs will officiate the game the same way they did in 2004-05 or will begin backsliding as they focus on the new season's points of emphasis.
Finally, there's the risk of injury. Ginobili's hard-driving style results in his taking a pounding, as evidenced by the bruised thigh that limited him in Games 3, 4 and 5 of the Finals. Thus, one has to wonder whether he'll hold up through another season.
Although San Antonio's concerns are trivial compared with those of most teams, Ginobili is one to keep an eye on.
2. Where do the new guys fit in?
San Antonio bolstered the roster in the offseason with three acquisitions -- point guard Nick Van Exel, swingman Michael Finley, and big man Fabricio Oberto.
Finley was the biggest catch, although his production diminished in his final season in Dallas. The Spurs will hope he can bounce back after offseason surgery for bone spurs in his ankle and regain some of the hops from his younger days. Even if he doesn't, Finley is a good outside shooter who rarely turns the ball over, so he should fit in easily as the Spurs' sixth man. His main adjustments will be learning how to come off the bench and getting used to the shuttle substitution methods of Gregg Popovich.
Van Exel might not see much action during the regular season, but he is Popovich's insurance policy if Beno Udrih flames out in the playoffs again (plus, signing Van Exel helped lure his former teammate Finley).
Instead, the most important addition might be the most unknown player of the group, Oberto. The big man from Argentina might be leaned on to play big minutes so the Spurs can keep Robert Horry fresh for the postseason, particularly if the Spurs decide to phase Rasho Nesterovic out of the rotation. Oberto has played in Spain the past few seasons, putting up very solid numbers, although -- unusually for a Spur -- his reputation is mainly as an offensive player.
3. Will Pop get his props?
Phil Jackson is the Zen Master. Larry Brown is a tormented genius. Pat Riley is the great motivator.
But Popovich? There's no mystique attached to him. He just wins. He now has claimed three championships in the past seven seasons and looks to be a good bet to make it four out of eight. So why doesn't his name come up more often when people talk about great coaches?
Part of the reason is Popovich's style. While most top coaches have egos the size of Greenland, Pop is content to let his players take the accolades and to remain anonymously in the background. You won't find Popovich comparing his playoff opponent to jackals or openly interviewing for another job in the midst of a playoff series, and it keeps his name off our radar.
Yet is there another coach who gets more from his team than Popovich? Yes, it helps to have Duncan, but consider this: The Spurs also have a winning record in games when Duncan doesn't play. That's because Popovich has sold his players on a selfless style that puts defense and teamwork ahead of individual accomplishments, making his squad the favorite to repeat in 2005-06.
John Hollinger writes for ESPN Insider. His new book, "Pro Basketball Forecast: 2005-06," is now available at both Amazon.com and Potomac Books, Inc.
OFFSEASON PLAYER MOVEMENT
Players lost: Devin Brown, Linton Johnson, Mike Wilks
Players re-signed: Robert Horry
Players added: Michael Finley, Sean Marks, Fabricio Oberto, Nick Van Exel
By John Hollinger
ESPN.com
San Antonio Spurs Training Camp
Site: University of the Virgin Islands
Location: St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Start date: Oct. 3
2004-05 Record: 59-23, 2nd in West
Editor's Note: To preview training camp and the 2005-06 season, John Hollinger addresses three key questions concerning the Spurs.
1. What can Manu do for an encore?
He took advantage of the rules changes that limited contact on the perimeter, giving an advantage to quicker players such as him. He boosted his scoring average by more than three points per game -- without an increase in minutes -- while his shooting percentage rocketed from 41.8 percent to 47.1 percent. Ginobili's production escalated as the year wore on, culminating in a dominating postseason. He also won numerous fans with his audacious style, signified by an around-the-back move for a clutch basket against Phoenix in the conference finals.
The Spurs need Ginobili to stay at this level in order to repeat, but that's not the sure bet it seems. He hadn't played at nearly this high a level in his two previous seasons before he erupted at the fairly late age of 27.
There's also the question of whether the refs will officiate the game the same way they did in 2004-05 or will begin backsliding as they focus on the new season's points of emphasis.
Finally, there's the risk of injury. Ginobili's hard-driving style results in his taking a pounding, as evidenced by the bruised thigh that limited him in Games 3, 4 and 5 of the Finals. Thus, one has to wonder whether he'll hold up through another season.
Although San Antonio's concerns are trivial compared with those of most teams, Ginobili is one to keep an eye on.
2. Where do the new guys fit in?
San Antonio bolstered the roster in the offseason with three acquisitions -- point guard Nick Van Exel, swingman Michael Finley, and big man Fabricio Oberto.
Finley was the biggest catch, although his production diminished in his final season in Dallas. The Spurs will hope he can bounce back after offseason surgery for bone spurs in his ankle and regain some of the hops from his younger days. Even if he doesn't, Finley is a good outside shooter who rarely turns the ball over, so he should fit in easily as the Spurs' sixth man. His main adjustments will be learning how to come off the bench and getting used to the shuttle substitution methods of Gregg Popovich.
Van Exel might not see much action during the regular season, but he is Popovich's insurance policy if Beno Udrih flames out in the playoffs again (plus, signing Van Exel helped lure his former teammate Finley).
Instead, the most important addition might be the most unknown player of the group, Oberto. The big man from Argentina might be leaned on to play big minutes so the Spurs can keep Robert Horry fresh for the postseason, particularly if the Spurs decide to phase Rasho Nesterovic out of the rotation. Oberto has played in Spain the past few seasons, putting up very solid numbers, although -- unusually for a Spur -- his reputation is mainly as an offensive player.
3. Will Pop get his props?
Phil Jackson is the Zen Master. Larry Brown is a tormented genius. Pat Riley is the great motivator.
But Popovich? There's no mystique attached to him. He just wins. He now has claimed three championships in the past seven seasons and looks to be a good bet to make it four out of eight. So why doesn't his name come up more often when people talk about great coaches?
Part of the reason is Popovich's style. While most top coaches have egos the size of Greenland, Pop is content to let his players take the accolades and to remain anonymously in the background. You won't find Popovich comparing his playoff opponent to jackals or openly interviewing for another job in the midst of a playoff series, and it keeps his name off our radar.
Yet is there another coach who gets more from his team than Popovich? Yes, it helps to have Duncan, but consider this: The Spurs also have a winning record in games when Duncan doesn't play. That's because Popovich has sold his players on a selfless style that puts defense and teamwork ahead of individual accomplishments, making his squad the favorite to repeat in 2005-06.
John Hollinger writes for ESPN Insider. His new book, "Pro Basketball Forecast: 2005-06," is now available at both Amazon.com and Potomac Books, Inc.
OFFSEASON PLAYER MOVEMENT
Players lost: Devin Brown, Linton Johnson, Mike Wilks
Players re-signed: Robert Horry
Players added: Michael Finley, Sean Marks, Fabricio Oberto, Nick Van Exel