loveforthegame
10-07-2005, 12:11 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA100705.1D.BKNspurs.popovich.1ce2b8b5.html
Popovich has to choose Spurs' minutes plan
Web Posted: 10/07/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands — Returning to San Antonio a few weeks ago to join the Spurs' informal workouts, Brent Barry walked into the locker room at the team's practice facility and marveled at the nameplates stretching across the top of the stalls.
Tim Duncan. Manu Ginobili. Tony Parker. Bruce Bowen. Michael Finley. Robert Horry. Nick Van Exel. Nazr Mohammed. Fabricio Oberto ...
"When you realize who's on this team this year, and what it could be capable of, it's really impressive," Barry said. "But that's from somebody who's on the team.
"I'd hate to be somebody who's on another ballclub and have to think of some of the combinations that we can put on the floor."
Having assembled the deepest roster in franchise history, the Spurs hope their new talent pool creates more headaches for their opponents than their coach. How well Gregg Popovich massages his roster and, more importantly, how well his players receive their roles will go a long way in determining whether the team wins its second-straight NBA title.
"Everybody knows in the NBA that players don't make a champion," Ginobili said. "A team does."
The Spurs rarely have had chemistry problems while winning three championships in seven seasons. Year to year, whether it be Bowen, Mario Elie, Steve Kerr, Danny Ferry or David Robinson, the team successfully has plugged in players next to Duncan.
Never, however, has Popovich had to manage this much talent.
Of the 13 players with guaranteed contracts, only Sean Marks didn't play regularly last season. Everyone but Marks and Beno Udrih averaged at least 18 minutes for their respective teams. Nine averaged more than 25.
Popovich acknowledged he will have to monitor minutes more than ever to "make sure people are getting enough playing time.
"There will be some nights," he said, "when that will be a real tough thing to do, I think."
Finley figures to have to make the biggest adjustment. Not only is he joining a new team, he also no longer is going to start regularly. The 36.8 minutes he averaged last season with Dallas would have led the Spurs.
"Minutes," Finley said, "aren't important."
Fewer minutes, however, also usually leads to fewer shots, and, for a shooter such as Finley, less time to find his rhythm.
Still, Popovich is confident Finley will make a smooth transition because the veteran swingman signed even after being told he would have to accept a reduced role. Popovich also said he has few worries about Van Exel, who could see the 30-plus minutes he averaged last season cut in half.
"I'm not saying it's going to be easy for Pop," Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo said, "but the problem is not going to be Pop's problem. The problem is going to be how players accept their roles and how players accept a night where their minutes are not as much as they were. That's everybody — starters and the other guys."
Barry, who figures to lose some time to Finley, doesn't foresee too much trouble because of the way "Pop handles an ego-less team." In other words, Popovich wouldn't have signed Finley, Van Exel and Oberto if he didn't think they could mesh with the holdovers from last season's roster.
It also doesn't hurt that the team's best player — Duncan — is its most unselfish.
"If you have 'X' amount of talent and you're a little weak on the character side, it's much more likely you're going to have problems with people not being satisfied," Popovich said. "But if you have pretty selfless people who have the character to understand why you're doing things, and they can handle that sacrifice, it's easier to dole out minutes."
In recent years, Popovich has employed a 10-man rotation until the final few weeks of the season. The lineup he starts often differs from the one he uses to finishes games, allowing reserves such as Finley, Horry and Van Exel the chance to play important minutes. Keeping Van Exel and Horry fresh for the playoffs will be a priority, perhaps affording others more playing time early in the season.
While the Spurs eventually may thin their roster — team officials will continue to explore trade opportunities for Rasho Nesterovic and possibly Barry to get under the luxury-tax threshold— the coaches already see the value in having a deep roster. In addition to providing security in case of injuries or foul trouble, the extra talent should make for better practices.
On Wednesday, the Spurs gave up more points during their transition defense drills than they usually do, in large part, because the team's offense has become more prolific with Finley and Van Exel.
"You've got guys pushing guys," Carlesimo said. "And that's a good situation."
Although Popovich shouldn't have any problems balancing minutes in tonight's scrimmage, the Spurs won't always have the luxury of playing themselves. As for a lesson in the importance of getting along, they need only look at recent history: After bringing together four likely Hall of Famers two seasons ago, the Los Angeles Lakers lost to Detroit in the NBA Finals.
"It doesn't necessarily mean that those names on your back are going to get you a trophy," Barry said. "There's a lot of work to be done. A lot of things need to come together and fall into place.
"A lot of people are going to have to be willing to sacrifice."
Popovich has to choose Spurs' minutes plan
Web Posted: 10/07/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands — Returning to San Antonio a few weeks ago to join the Spurs' informal workouts, Brent Barry walked into the locker room at the team's practice facility and marveled at the nameplates stretching across the top of the stalls.
Tim Duncan. Manu Ginobili. Tony Parker. Bruce Bowen. Michael Finley. Robert Horry. Nick Van Exel. Nazr Mohammed. Fabricio Oberto ...
"When you realize who's on this team this year, and what it could be capable of, it's really impressive," Barry said. "But that's from somebody who's on the team.
"I'd hate to be somebody who's on another ballclub and have to think of some of the combinations that we can put on the floor."
Having assembled the deepest roster in franchise history, the Spurs hope their new talent pool creates more headaches for their opponents than their coach. How well Gregg Popovich massages his roster and, more importantly, how well his players receive their roles will go a long way in determining whether the team wins its second-straight NBA title.
"Everybody knows in the NBA that players don't make a champion," Ginobili said. "A team does."
The Spurs rarely have had chemistry problems while winning three championships in seven seasons. Year to year, whether it be Bowen, Mario Elie, Steve Kerr, Danny Ferry or David Robinson, the team successfully has plugged in players next to Duncan.
Never, however, has Popovich had to manage this much talent.
Of the 13 players with guaranteed contracts, only Sean Marks didn't play regularly last season. Everyone but Marks and Beno Udrih averaged at least 18 minutes for their respective teams. Nine averaged more than 25.
Popovich acknowledged he will have to monitor minutes more than ever to "make sure people are getting enough playing time.
"There will be some nights," he said, "when that will be a real tough thing to do, I think."
Finley figures to have to make the biggest adjustment. Not only is he joining a new team, he also no longer is going to start regularly. The 36.8 minutes he averaged last season with Dallas would have led the Spurs.
"Minutes," Finley said, "aren't important."
Fewer minutes, however, also usually leads to fewer shots, and, for a shooter such as Finley, less time to find his rhythm.
Still, Popovich is confident Finley will make a smooth transition because the veteran swingman signed even after being told he would have to accept a reduced role. Popovich also said he has few worries about Van Exel, who could see the 30-plus minutes he averaged last season cut in half.
"I'm not saying it's going to be easy for Pop," Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo said, "but the problem is not going to be Pop's problem. The problem is going to be how players accept their roles and how players accept a night where their minutes are not as much as they were. That's everybody — starters and the other guys."
Barry, who figures to lose some time to Finley, doesn't foresee too much trouble because of the way "Pop handles an ego-less team." In other words, Popovich wouldn't have signed Finley, Van Exel and Oberto if he didn't think they could mesh with the holdovers from last season's roster.
It also doesn't hurt that the team's best player — Duncan — is its most unselfish.
"If you have 'X' amount of talent and you're a little weak on the character side, it's much more likely you're going to have problems with people not being satisfied," Popovich said. "But if you have pretty selfless people who have the character to understand why you're doing things, and they can handle that sacrifice, it's easier to dole out minutes."
In recent years, Popovich has employed a 10-man rotation until the final few weeks of the season. The lineup he starts often differs from the one he uses to finishes games, allowing reserves such as Finley, Horry and Van Exel the chance to play important minutes. Keeping Van Exel and Horry fresh for the playoffs will be a priority, perhaps affording others more playing time early in the season.
While the Spurs eventually may thin their roster — team officials will continue to explore trade opportunities for Rasho Nesterovic and possibly Barry to get under the luxury-tax threshold— the coaches already see the value in having a deep roster. In addition to providing security in case of injuries or foul trouble, the extra talent should make for better practices.
On Wednesday, the Spurs gave up more points during their transition defense drills than they usually do, in large part, because the team's offense has become more prolific with Finley and Van Exel.
"You've got guys pushing guys," Carlesimo said. "And that's a good situation."
Although Popovich shouldn't have any problems balancing minutes in tonight's scrimmage, the Spurs won't always have the luxury of playing themselves. As for a lesson in the importance of getting along, they need only look at recent history: After bringing together four likely Hall of Famers two seasons ago, the Los Angeles Lakers lost to Detroit in the NBA Finals.
"It doesn't necessarily mean that those names on your back are going to get you a trophy," Barry said. "There's a lot of work to be done. A lot of things need to come together and fall into place.
"A lot of people are going to have to be willing to sacrifice."