Kori Ellis
12-10-2005, 01:46 AM
Spurs notebook: Rivers impressed Parker practices 'lost art' of layups
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA121005.11C.BKNspurs.notebook.22373ab3.html
Web Posted: 12/10/2005 12:12 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
After watching Tony Parker warm up before Friday's game, Boston coach Doc Rivers had a message for his own point guards.
"The guy actually practices layups," Rivers said of Parker. "I mean how many guards actually practice layups?
"I've been telling my son that for years. I've been watching guys in layup lines and they're dunking and give no thought to it.
"I tell you it's a lost art, making layups, and Tony Parker has brought it back."
Parker entered Friday's game shooting a career-best 55.2 percent in large part because of his effectiveness at getting into the lane.
"Fifteen years ago, we would have knocked him on his butt," Rivers said. "That's not done anymore.
"You did it then not to hurt anybody. You just knocked them down and you picked them back up. And then if he came back in, you knocked him back down.
"Now if you knock a guy down, guys stand over you and all that crap."
Parker wasn't quite as effective when he got into the lane Friday, missing 10 of 15 shots. He finished with 16 points and made all but one of his six free throws.
Pull them up: The Spurs have realized there are drawbacks to having several of their games broadcast on national television. For one thing, it allows the NBA's fashion police to more easily monitor them.
After Wednesday's victory over Miami, which was televised on ESPN, league officials called the Spurs to warn them five players were wearing their shorts too long. Under league order, a player's shorts must hang at least an inch above the knee.
The Spurs had been previously warned they were in violation of the rule, so the league is now threatening a fine. Individual players will be fined at least $10,000 for the offense while their respective franchises also are docked $50,000.
Fabulous: Fabricio Oberto, who has played sparingly this season, had four points and three rebounds Friday.
"I loved watching him go to the offensive boards," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "As far as everything else, he's just trying to get used to being on the court with these guys. He has no clue what anybody's going to do out there because he doesn't have any minutes."
Big mo: The Spurs and Celtics have experienced a couple of severe momentum shifts in their rivalry.
From 1980-89, Boston beat the Spurs 20 consecutive times.
David Robinson's arrival in 1989 made the series more competitive and the Spurs became the dominant team after winning the 1997 draft lottery — and the rights to Tim Duncan.
Entering Friday, the Spurs had won their past 23 games over Boston when either Robinson or Duncan were in uniform. The lone loss during that stretch came on Jan. 8, 1997, when Robinson was sidelined by injury.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA121005.11C.BKNspurs.notebook.22373ab3.html
Web Posted: 12/10/2005 12:12 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
After watching Tony Parker warm up before Friday's game, Boston coach Doc Rivers had a message for his own point guards.
"The guy actually practices layups," Rivers said of Parker. "I mean how many guards actually practice layups?
"I've been telling my son that for years. I've been watching guys in layup lines and they're dunking and give no thought to it.
"I tell you it's a lost art, making layups, and Tony Parker has brought it back."
Parker entered Friday's game shooting a career-best 55.2 percent in large part because of his effectiveness at getting into the lane.
"Fifteen years ago, we would have knocked him on his butt," Rivers said. "That's not done anymore.
"You did it then not to hurt anybody. You just knocked them down and you picked them back up. And then if he came back in, you knocked him back down.
"Now if you knock a guy down, guys stand over you and all that crap."
Parker wasn't quite as effective when he got into the lane Friday, missing 10 of 15 shots. He finished with 16 points and made all but one of his six free throws.
Pull them up: The Spurs have realized there are drawbacks to having several of their games broadcast on national television. For one thing, it allows the NBA's fashion police to more easily monitor them.
After Wednesday's victory over Miami, which was televised on ESPN, league officials called the Spurs to warn them five players were wearing their shorts too long. Under league order, a player's shorts must hang at least an inch above the knee.
The Spurs had been previously warned they were in violation of the rule, so the league is now threatening a fine. Individual players will be fined at least $10,000 for the offense while their respective franchises also are docked $50,000.
Fabulous: Fabricio Oberto, who has played sparingly this season, had four points and three rebounds Friday.
"I loved watching him go to the offensive boards," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "As far as everything else, he's just trying to get used to being on the court with these guys. He has no clue what anybody's going to do out there because he doesn't have any minutes."
Big mo: The Spurs and Celtics have experienced a couple of severe momentum shifts in their rivalry.
From 1980-89, Boston beat the Spurs 20 consecutive times.
David Robinson's arrival in 1989 made the series more competitive and the Spurs became the dominant team after winning the 1997 draft lottery — and the rights to Tim Duncan.
Entering Friday, the Spurs had won their past 23 games over Boston when either Robinson or Duncan were in uniform. The lone loss during that stretch came on Jan. 8, 1997, when Robinson was sidelined by injury.