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11-10-2005, 01:28 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA111005.1C.BKNspurs.gamer.84bfa42.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brent Barry unveiled the Spurs' "community" sports coat, Michael Finley joined him on fashion row and Manu Ginobili tried to keep from doing the same.
By Wednesday night, the Deepest Team in Franchise History had become the Home for Ailing Swingmen. Fortunately for the Spurs, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker appear to be feeling just fine.
Duncan scored 29 points and Parker added 23 more to hold off Charlotte in a 94-86 victory at Bobcats Arena.
"What we told our guys was that we played the best team in basketball; there's no doubt in my mind," Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "It was a night where Duncan just lifted the Spurs."
Duncan's workload increased because the Spurs have become lighter in their weeklong travels.
Out with a back injury he sustained two nights earlier, Barry wore a sports jacket the team purchased in Chicago in case Ginobili couldn't play. Finley at least was prepared to meet the requirements of the NBA's new dress code. That he needed his suit for the game, however, was a surprise.
Finley told the Spurs' training staff at Wednesday morning's shootaround he had some tightness in his left groin. He received treatment during the day but didn't feel much better after trying to shoot before the game.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn't know how long Finley would be sidelined. The team concludes its trip with games in Boston and Washington on Friday and Saturday.
"It's scary because groins are groins," Popovich said. "If he can't play (Wednesday), it doesn't just automatically heal by next game."
Barry is expected to miss at least the rest of the trip. Ginobili, still recovering from a bruised right quadriceps, had eight points, five assists and four rebounds in 31 minutes. He was replaced in the lineup by Nick Van Exel so the Spurs could better match up with Charlotte's top reserve, 6-foot-5 Keith Bogans.
"Health-wise, (Ginobili) is not going backward," Popovich said, "but if we play him too many minutes every night it might happen."
To protect against that, the Spurs signed guard Melvin Sanders about an hour before the game — about 20 minutes after he arrived at the arena.
Sanders caught a flight from his home in Oklahoma City but was not expected to sign until today. Those plans changed when Finley couldn't play.
Van Exel had 12 points in 25 minutes, and Parker was as dangerous as he's been all season. He helped draw three quick fouls on Charlotte point guard Brevin Knight and scored 15 first-half points, repeatedly attacking off pick-and-rolls.
"We have 7 feet and 6-10," Bickerstaff said of Bobcats center Primoz Brezec and forward Emeka Okafor, "but it seemed like (Parker) was the biggest guy."
Duncan also stood out, scoring 15 third-quarter points and finishing with his fifth double-double in as many games.
"There's not much flash with him," Popovich said. "He just rebounds, blocks shots, plays 'D' and scores every night."
Duncan also barked his way into his first technical of the season after complaining about a non-call late in the second quarter. Popovich then turned up the volume at halftime.
The Spurs came in averaging 17 turnovers, high for their standards, and added 15 in the first half. They finished with 22. The most they had in a game last season was 23.
"We got reamed when we came in here," Duncan said, "and rightfully so."
The Spurs' sloppiness was compounded by Charlotte's aggressive defense. The Bobcats split their first four games, three of which went into overtime. They also came close to making the Spurs work extra.
Knight's pull-up jumper brought Charlotte within 85-79 with 2:44 left, but Duncan answered with a running hook as Okafor fouled him. After Charlotte cut the lead to five a little more than a minute later, Parker drove for a layup.
"They are persistent in their pursuit of excellence," Bickerstaff said of the Spurs. "They just never stop. When we pause for a moment, they look at that as an opportunity to succeed."
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brent Barry unveiled the Spurs' "community" sports coat, Michael Finley joined him on fashion row and Manu Ginobili tried to keep from doing the same.
By Wednesday night, the Deepest Team in Franchise History had become the Home for Ailing Swingmen. Fortunately for the Spurs, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker appear to be feeling just fine.
Duncan scored 29 points and Parker added 23 more to hold off Charlotte in a 94-86 victory at Bobcats Arena.
"What we told our guys was that we played the best team in basketball; there's no doubt in my mind," Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "It was a night where Duncan just lifted the Spurs."
Duncan's workload increased because the Spurs have become lighter in their weeklong travels.
Out with a back injury he sustained two nights earlier, Barry wore a sports jacket the team purchased in Chicago in case Ginobili couldn't play. Finley at least was prepared to meet the requirements of the NBA's new dress code. That he needed his suit for the game, however, was a surprise.
Finley told the Spurs' training staff at Wednesday morning's shootaround he had some tightness in his left groin. He received treatment during the day but didn't feel much better after trying to shoot before the game.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn't know how long Finley would be sidelined. The team concludes its trip with games in Boston and Washington on Friday and Saturday.
"It's scary because groins are groins," Popovich said. "If he can't play (Wednesday), it doesn't just automatically heal by next game."
Barry is expected to miss at least the rest of the trip. Ginobili, still recovering from a bruised right quadriceps, had eight points, five assists and four rebounds in 31 minutes. He was replaced in the lineup by Nick Van Exel so the Spurs could better match up with Charlotte's top reserve, 6-foot-5 Keith Bogans.
"Health-wise, (Ginobili) is not going backward," Popovich said, "but if we play him too many minutes every night it might happen."
To protect against that, the Spurs signed guard Melvin Sanders about an hour before the game — about 20 minutes after he arrived at the arena.
Sanders caught a flight from his home in Oklahoma City but was not expected to sign until today. Those plans changed when Finley couldn't play.
Van Exel had 12 points in 25 minutes, and Parker was as dangerous as he's been all season. He helped draw three quick fouls on Charlotte point guard Brevin Knight and scored 15 first-half points, repeatedly attacking off pick-and-rolls.
"We have 7 feet and 6-10," Bickerstaff said of Bobcats center Primoz Brezec and forward Emeka Okafor, "but it seemed like (Parker) was the biggest guy."
Duncan also stood out, scoring 15 third-quarter points and finishing with his fifth double-double in as many games.
"There's not much flash with him," Popovich said. "He just rebounds, blocks shots, plays 'D' and scores every night."
Duncan also barked his way into his first technical of the season after complaining about a non-call late in the second quarter. Popovich then turned up the volume at halftime.
The Spurs came in averaging 17 turnovers, high for their standards, and added 15 in the first half. They finished with 22. The most they had in a game last season was 23.
"We got reamed when we came in here," Duncan said, "and rightfully so."
The Spurs' sloppiness was compounded by Charlotte's aggressive defense. The Bobcats split their first four games, three of which went into overtime. They also came close to making the Spurs work extra.
Knight's pull-up jumper brought Charlotte within 85-79 with 2:44 left, but Duncan answered with a running hook as Okafor fouled him. After Charlotte cut the lead to five a little more than a minute later, Parker drove for a layup.
"They are persistent in their pursuit of excellence," Bickerstaff said of the Spurs. "They just never stop. When we pause for a moment, they look at that as an opportunity to succeed."