carina_gino20
02-03-2006, 06:43 AM
pls lock if posted already...
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/brian_meehan/index.ssf?/base/exclude/1138859904289770.xml&coll=7&thispage=1
Thursday, February 02, 2006
The Oregonian
A lmost two hours before tipoff Wednesday night, one emblem of the San Antonio Spurs' success went about his work in the near-empty Rose Garden.
Tim Duncan, the two-time most valuable player and three-time NBA champion, was running through his nightly warm-up. The 6-foot-11 forward wasn't chucking threes or goofing around as many NBA players do before games. Instead, Duncan was shooting jumpers from the elbow. The Spurs' best player was showing his best example -- again.
Portland coach Nate McMillan needs a superstar like this. Duncan's work ethic makes coaching look easy -- even if the Spurs' 86-82 victory Wednesday was a struggle against a hardworking Portland team.
Spurs assistant P.J. Carlesimo says Duncan is the best teammate he's ever been around. Whether you're the ball boy or a star, Duncan treats everybody the same.
His outlook is a reflection of his coach, Gregg Popovich, who isn't shy about demanding the best of everybody.
"The thing about 'Pop' is he treats all the players the same," said veteran forward Robert Horry, owner of six NBA championship rings. "He'll yell at anybody no matter who you are."
The Spurs should run clinics for professional sports franchises or Fortune 500 companies. If you want to know how to build a culture of victory and assemble an organization in which goals and ethics are shared, turn your eyes toward San Antonio.
Duncan's focus on team is an extension of a chain of trust that runs through this organization -- from chairman Peter Holt to general manager R.C. Buford to Popovich to Duncan.
"It is the most important factor in our success other than talented players," said Popovich. "That cohesion is key and most organizations don't have it."
Popovich is the chief architect of San Antonio's basketball vision. The Air Force Academy graduate is a lover of fine wines, foreign travel and all things basketball. In the late 1970s, when he was coaching at Division III Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, he never dreamed he would be at the top of the NBA pinnacle. He blends a rare understanding of people with a fiery approach.
"Players have to know you care," said Popovich. "You can't get on a guy and then just walk away from him."
During Tony Parker's rookie season in 2001, Popovich gave him the ball five games into the season. He pushed Parker hard, wanting to see if the rookie from France could take the criticism.
Parker did and reinforced Popovich's faith that Parker's talent and toughness foreshadowed NBA greatness. "We could see his toughness and anyone who watched could see how fast he is. He just didn't have any fear."
Four seasons later, Parker still pushes Popovich's buttons, but the point guard entered Wednesday's game shooting .546 from the floor, second in the NBA.
Handling Manu Ginobili has been more an exercise in trying to keep the relentless Argentine healthy. All of last season, Popovich railed at Ginobili to ease up in practice and save his body. He would stop practice and tell Ginobili to pull up and shoot a jumpshot; save the "crazy-boy" drives for game night. A few minutes later, Ginobili would be flying to the rim trying to dunk over 7-footer Nazr Mohammed.
This season, Popovich is trying a new approach. "I just sit him at practice," he said. "I say 'pool. Go to the pool.' " :lol
The ninth-year coach uses humor to keep his team loose.
"For us, humor is very important," he said. "We don't let anyone get away with anything."
In the pregame meeting Wednesday, Popovich referred to Portland guard Juan Dixon as "Nixon."
A player corrected him and cracked, "Coach, you know that is the first sign of dementia."
Maybe so, but there is method in Popovich's madness -- as the NBA is well aware.
Brian Meehan, 503-221-4341; [email protected]
©2006 The Oregonian
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/brian_meehan/index.ssf?/base/exclude/1138859904289770.xml&coll=7&thispage=1
Thursday, February 02, 2006
The Oregonian
A lmost two hours before tipoff Wednesday night, one emblem of the San Antonio Spurs' success went about his work in the near-empty Rose Garden.
Tim Duncan, the two-time most valuable player and three-time NBA champion, was running through his nightly warm-up. The 6-foot-11 forward wasn't chucking threes or goofing around as many NBA players do before games. Instead, Duncan was shooting jumpers from the elbow. The Spurs' best player was showing his best example -- again.
Portland coach Nate McMillan needs a superstar like this. Duncan's work ethic makes coaching look easy -- even if the Spurs' 86-82 victory Wednesday was a struggle against a hardworking Portland team.
Spurs assistant P.J. Carlesimo says Duncan is the best teammate he's ever been around. Whether you're the ball boy or a star, Duncan treats everybody the same.
His outlook is a reflection of his coach, Gregg Popovich, who isn't shy about demanding the best of everybody.
"The thing about 'Pop' is he treats all the players the same," said veteran forward Robert Horry, owner of six NBA championship rings. "He'll yell at anybody no matter who you are."
The Spurs should run clinics for professional sports franchises or Fortune 500 companies. If you want to know how to build a culture of victory and assemble an organization in which goals and ethics are shared, turn your eyes toward San Antonio.
Duncan's focus on team is an extension of a chain of trust that runs through this organization -- from chairman Peter Holt to general manager R.C. Buford to Popovich to Duncan.
"It is the most important factor in our success other than talented players," said Popovich. "That cohesion is key and most organizations don't have it."
Popovich is the chief architect of San Antonio's basketball vision. The Air Force Academy graduate is a lover of fine wines, foreign travel and all things basketball. In the late 1970s, when he was coaching at Division III Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, he never dreamed he would be at the top of the NBA pinnacle. He blends a rare understanding of people with a fiery approach.
"Players have to know you care," said Popovich. "You can't get on a guy and then just walk away from him."
During Tony Parker's rookie season in 2001, Popovich gave him the ball five games into the season. He pushed Parker hard, wanting to see if the rookie from France could take the criticism.
Parker did and reinforced Popovich's faith that Parker's talent and toughness foreshadowed NBA greatness. "We could see his toughness and anyone who watched could see how fast he is. He just didn't have any fear."
Four seasons later, Parker still pushes Popovich's buttons, but the point guard entered Wednesday's game shooting .546 from the floor, second in the NBA.
Handling Manu Ginobili has been more an exercise in trying to keep the relentless Argentine healthy. All of last season, Popovich railed at Ginobili to ease up in practice and save his body. He would stop practice and tell Ginobili to pull up and shoot a jumpshot; save the "crazy-boy" drives for game night. A few minutes later, Ginobili would be flying to the rim trying to dunk over 7-footer Nazr Mohammed.
This season, Popovich is trying a new approach. "I just sit him at practice," he said. "I say 'pool. Go to the pool.' " :lol
The ninth-year coach uses humor to keep his team loose.
"For us, humor is very important," he said. "We don't let anyone get away with anything."
In the pregame meeting Wednesday, Popovich referred to Portland guard Juan Dixon as "Nixon."
A player corrected him and cracked, "Coach, you know that is the first sign of dementia."
Maybe so, but there is method in Popovich's madness -- as the NBA is well aware.
Brian Meehan, 503-221-4341; [email protected]
©2006 The Oregonian