ducks
05-23-2006, 10:26 AM
Inside Spurs-Mavs Game 7: Fast forward, hidden factor, not in the box
Web Posted: 05/23/2006 12:23 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
FAST FORWARD
The Spurs head into a summer of discontent after failing, once again, to defend an NBA championship. There aren't many personnel decisions in the offing, because 10 players remain under contract.
The only contributing player who becomes a free agent is center Nazr Mohammed. The fact he fell out of the playing rotation in both the first round and the conference semifinals likely means negotiations won't be easy for his agent. It may also mean Mohammed won't even want to return.
A replacement could be Argentine Luis Scola. The Spurs have his NBA rights, and may be able to buy him out of his deal with Tau Cerámica, of the Spanish League.
Lithuanian Robertas Javtokas, whose NBA rights the Spurs also have, is a possibility
Ian Mahinmi, their 2005 first-round draft pick, will be in their summer league, but is more apt to return to France for another year of development.
Nick Van Exel has announced his intent to retire. After his playoff performance, few Spurs fans will beg him to reconsider.
- Mike Monroe
HIDDEN FACTOR
With a small lineup on the court for all but a couple of minutes, the Mavericks' offensive rebounds turned out to be a huge factor.
Tim Duncan finished with 15 rebounds, which was amazing, considering he did not grab his first until 8:04 remained in the third period. By game's end, carrying the entire of the Spurs' load on the interior wore Duncan down.
With the Spurs trailing by three with 35 seconds left, Jason Terry's miss went high off the rim to the right side. Duncan and DeSagana Diop ended up in a tip drill for the ball, batting it up three times before Bruce Bowen was called for fouling Diop, who made one of two free throws. It was clear Duncan was at least partially out of gas by the time overtime arrived.
- Mike Monroe
NOT IN THE BOX
The Spurs were having a tough enough time stopping the Mavericks when Dirk Nowitzki was on the floor. But when they couldn't make up any ground even when Nowitzki was on the bench? That spelled the beginning of their summer vacation.
With Nowitzki sitting for four minutes early in the second quarter Monday night, the Spurs still appeared helpless against the hot-shooting Mavericks. And when he checked back in with 7:33 remaining in the half, Dallas had increased its lead from eight points to 16.
The Spurs, of course, made a big run and forced overtime. But in the end, they still were haunted by their inability to take advantage of the Mavericks when they were playing without their biggest star.
- Mike Finger
Web Posted: 05/23/2006 12:23 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
FAST FORWARD
The Spurs head into a summer of discontent after failing, once again, to defend an NBA championship. There aren't many personnel decisions in the offing, because 10 players remain under contract.
The only contributing player who becomes a free agent is center Nazr Mohammed. The fact he fell out of the playing rotation in both the first round and the conference semifinals likely means negotiations won't be easy for his agent. It may also mean Mohammed won't even want to return.
A replacement could be Argentine Luis Scola. The Spurs have his NBA rights, and may be able to buy him out of his deal with Tau Cerámica, of the Spanish League.
Lithuanian Robertas Javtokas, whose NBA rights the Spurs also have, is a possibility
Ian Mahinmi, their 2005 first-round draft pick, will be in their summer league, but is more apt to return to France for another year of development.
Nick Van Exel has announced his intent to retire. After his playoff performance, few Spurs fans will beg him to reconsider.
- Mike Monroe
HIDDEN FACTOR
With a small lineup on the court for all but a couple of minutes, the Mavericks' offensive rebounds turned out to be a huge factor.
Tim Duncan finished with 15 rebounds, which was amazing, considering he did not grab his first until 8:04 remained in the third period. By game's end, carrying the entire of the Spurs' load on the interior wore Duncan down.
With the Spurs trailing by three with 35 seconds left, Jason Terry's miss went high off the rim to the right side. Duncan and DeSagana Diop ended up in a tip drill for the ball, batting it up three times before Bruce Bowen was called for fouling Diop, who made one of two free throws. It was clear Duncan was at least partially out of gas by the time overtime arrived.
- Mike Monroe
NOT IN THE BOX
The Spurs were having a tough enough time stopping the Mavericks when Dirk Nowitzki was on the floor. But when they couldn't make up any ground even when Nowitzki was on the bench? That spelled the beginning of their summer vacation.
With Nowitzki sitting for four minutes early in the second quarter Monday night, the Spurs still appeared helpless against the hot-shooting Mavericks. And when he checked back in with 7:33 remaining in the half, Dallas had increased its lead from eight points to 16.
The Spurs, of course, made a big run and forced overtime. But in the end, they still were haunted by their inability to take advantage of the Mavericks when they were playing without their biggest star.
- Mike Finger