Bruno
05-06-2006, 04:50 AM
http://www.tp9.net/en/itw.php?id=130
Mission accomplished, the series is over following this convincing win against Sacramento, 105 to 83.
Frankly, it is very good. By winning on the road, we have proven that we were a big team. It is the mark of fabric of great teams to be able to win on the road. It is very good for the confidence, especially since tonight’s win was on a wide margin. We have sent a message to our opponents. Sacramento was not playing like the eighth seed of the conference. They were stronger. They’ve forced us to fight. Tonight, the entire team was focused and we were conscious that we had to avoid a Game 7.
Was the key to your success in Game 6 the defense ?
It is our best defensive game. We were able to tame Bonzi Wells and Artest. We have defended by controlling Mike Bibby as well. There was no real special set up to stop Artest and Wells. We have defended as usual but we were much more focused. It often happens in the playoffs to find some red-hot players. You just have to weather the storm.
You finish the game as the best scorer with 31 points. Despite a sore groin, you have had a great game.
My groin hurts me a bit in the first quarter. Once I warmed up, the pain dissipated. The satisfaction of the evening was my outside shooting. I was feeling well and was in luck. Gregg Popovich had asked me prior to the game to take at least twenty shots. This is just what I tried to do. I took advantage of Sacramento’s defense. They were letting me shoot and once they’ve decided to move up on me, I made the difference inside the paint. It was a very good game.
Also, you are becoming an end of quarter three points specialist…
(Laughs) yes, it is true. I had done the same at the end of the first quarter of Game 5. Right before the half, I had made a mid-court shoot that was denied as the ball had left my hands a bit too late. Counting tonight’s shoot, it amounts to three in two games. I just try to keep my focus for the entire game. I do not have many occasions to shoot from the long range so when the occasion is there and despite the distance, I am trying my hardest.
You had done the difference in the third quarter by scoring a 14-1 in Sacramento. From this moment, we felt like nothing could happen to the Spurs.
Our shooters have taken advantage of the free spaces on the court, created by the many double teams on Tim Duncan. As luck was with us, the gap widened. Sacramento could not do anything; they could not have come back.
What is your personal feeling of this first round ?
I did not jump in these playoffs with the same state of mind as in the regular season. I was on a mission for 82 games. I wanted to become an All Star Game but for these playoffs, I have the feeling I do not have anything to prove. I have two rings and today, I just want to bring another one to the Spurs. It is my objective.
Now, time for the much anticipated series against Dallas…
It will be a big series. The inconvenience is that the first game is on Sunday at twelve. We do not really have the time to recover while Dallas as been off for five days. It is extremely difficult to have less than 48 hours to recovers for such game. It will be extremely hard. We are going back to San Antonio tomorrow (Saturday) at 3pm and will have to go directly to the practice facility to study the Mavericks’ game. We won’t have time t take care of that on Sunday at 8am. One thing is for sure is that we need not to cry. We have to play on Sunday; that is it.
Not too worried about your groin ?
It does not feel very well. I have more and more difficulties walking. What worries me is the pain uncovers other physical problems. I have now some hip and knee pains. It starts to be more and more difficult. I will see with the team trainer if he can put me back in shape with his golden hands. I hope it will be ok of Sunday.
Mission accomplished, the series is over following this convincing win against Sacramento, 105 to 83.
Frankly, it is very good. By winning on the road, we have proven that we were a big team. It is the mark of fabric of great teams to be able to win on the road. It is very good for the confidence, especially since tonight’s win was on a wide margin. We have sent a message to our opponents. Sacramento was not playing like the eighth seed of the conference. They were stronger. They’ve forced us to fight. Tonight, the entire team was focused and we were conscious that we had to avoid a Game 7.
Was the key to your success in Game 6 the defense ?
It is our best defensive game. We were able to tame Bonzi Wells and Artest. We have defended by controlling Mike Bibby as well. There was no real special set up to stop Artest and Wells. We have defended as usual but we were much more focused. It often happens in the playoffs to find some red-hot players. You just have to weather the storm.
You finish the game as the best scorer with 31 points. Despite a sore groin, you have had a great game.
My groin hurts me a bit in the first quarter. Once I warmed up, the pain dissipated. The satisfaction of the evening was my outside shooting. I was feeling well and was in luck. Gregg Popovich had asked me prior to the game to take at least twenty shots. This is just what I tried to do. I took advantage of Sacramento’s defense. They were letting me shoot and once they’ve decided to move up on me, I made the difference inside the paint. It was a very good game.
Also, you are becoming an end of quarter three points specialist…
(Laughs) yes, it is true. I had done the same at the end of the first quarter of Game 5. Right before the half, I had made a mid-court shoot that was denied as the ball had left my hands a bit too late. Counting tonight’s shoot, it amounts to three in two games. I just try to keep my focus for the entire game. I do not have many occasions to shoot from the long range so when the occasion is there and despite the distance, I am trying my hardest.
You had done the difference in the third quarter by scoring a 14-1 in Sacramento. From this moment, we felt like nothing could happen to the Spurs.
Our shooters have taken advantage of the free spaces on the court, created by the many double teams on Tim Duncan. As luck was with us, the gap widened. Sacramento could not do anything; they could not have come back.
What is your personal feeling of this first round ?
I did not jump in these playoffs with the same state of mind as in the regular season. I was on a mission for 82 games. I wanted to become an All Star Game but for these playoffs, I have the feeling I do not have anything to prove. I have two rings and today, I just want to bring another one to the Spurs. It is my objective.
Now, time for the much anticipated series against Dallas…
It will be a big series. The inconvenience is that the first game is on Sunday at twelve. We do not really have the time to recover while Dallas as been off for five days. It is extremely difficult to have less than 48 hours to recovers for such game. It will be extremely hard. We are going back to San Antonio tomorrow (Saturday) at 3pm and will have to go directly to the practice facility to study the Mavericks’ game. We won’t have time t take care of that on Sunday at 8am. One thing is for sure is that we need not to cry. We have to play on Sunday; that is it.
Not too worried about your groin ?
It does not feel very well. I have more and more difficulties walking. What worries me is the pain uncovers other physical problems. I have now some hip and knee pains. It starts to be more and more difficult. I will see with the team trainer if he can put me back in shape with his golden hands. I hope it will be ok of Sunday.