Solid D
10-14-2006, 12:27 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA101406.01C.spurs.3555b22.html
Web Posted: 10/14/2006 12:19 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
The Spurs make their first appearance of the season at the AT&T Center tonight. Some of them, at least. Others may be doing more sitting than appearing.
After treating the team's two exhibitions in France as regular-season games, the Spurs will prioritize development over winning against Orlando.
Coach Gregg Popovich traditionally has scaled back the minutes of his starters — occasionally giving some the night off — during the first half of the preseason schedule to give him a chance to evaluate the new players and experiment with lineup combinations.
"To me, Europe was different," Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "We didn't want to lose over there.
"Because of that and because we had had just four days of practice, we played the experienced guys probably more minutes than they would play in the first two exhibition games in any of the other prior years."
Tony Parker and Tim Duncan totaled 57 and 56 minutes, respectively, in the two games. Parker, who admitted the trip to France left him a little fatigued, expects to have a lighter workload.
"I don't think Pop's going to play me too much in the next two or three games," Parker said. "I'm going to take that time to make sure my body is ready for the season."
The Spurs haven't played since Sunday and will have another four days to rest or practice after tonight. The layoff between games has led the team to scrimmage more than in previous seasons.
"I would say we're further along from a conditioning standpoint than we've ever been after two weeks," Carlesimo said.
Francisco Elson, Jacque Vaughn and Matt Bonner, three of the team's new additions, received decent minutes in France. The six players competing for the last roster opening have primarily had to use the scrimmages to show their worth.
Of the six, swingmen Melvin Sanders and Rich Melzer and guard Charles Lee have looked the best. Guard Olu Famutimi also just strung together a pair of good practices.
None, however, has done enough to be worthy of a roster spot. A good showing in upcoming games could change that.
"There's practice players and there's game players," Carlesimo said. "Until you put somebody out on the floor, even if it is an exhibition game, and even if it's not going to be quality minutes, there usually is a surprise. There's somebody in practice you don't see that much and then you play a game and that guy gets more done than other people. So I don't think we have seen those guys enough yet."
Elson doesn't have to worry about a job. But he hopes tonight is another step in helping him acclimate to his new team.
"It's a chance to get your feet wet, get your jitters out, get used to the Spurs crowd," he said. "I'm looking forward to the game."
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Web Posted: 10/14/2006 12:19 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
The Spurs make their first appearance of the season at the AT&T Center tonight. Some of them, at least. Others may be doing more sitting than appearing.
After treating the team's two exhibitions in France as regular-season games, the Spurs will prioritize development over winning against Orlando.
Coach Gregg Popovich traditionally has scaled back the minutes of his starters — occasionally giving some the night off — during the first half of the preseason schedule to give him a chance to evaluate the new players and experiment with lineup combinations.
"To me, Europe was different," Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "We didn't want to lose over there.
"Because of that and because we had had just four days of practice, we played the experienced guys probably more minutes than they would play in the first two exhibition games in any of the other prior years."
Tony Parker and Tim Duncan totaled 57 and 56 minutes, respectively, in the two games. Parker, who admitted the trip to France left him a little fatigued, expects to have a lighter workload.
"I don't think Pop's going to play me too much in the next two or three games," Parker said. "I'm going to take that time to make sure my body is ready for the season."
The Spurs haven't played since Sunday and will have another four days to rest or practice after tonight. The layoff between games has led the team to scrimmage more than in previous seasons.
"I would say we're further along from a conditioning standpoint than we've ever been after two weeks," Carlesimo said.
Francisco Elson, Jacque Vaughn and Matt Bonner, three of the team's new additions, received decent minutes in France. The six players competing for the last roster opening have primarily had to use the scrimmages to show their worth.
Of the six, swingmen Melvin Sanders and Rich Melzer and guard Charles Lee have looked the best. Guard Olu Famutimi also just strung together a pair of good practices.
None, however, has done enough to be worthy of a roster spot. A good showing in upcoming games could change that.
"There's practice players and there's game players," Carlesimo said. "Until you put somebody out on the floor, even if it is an exhibition game, and even if it's not going to be quality minutes, there usually is a surprise. There's somebody in practice you don't see that much and then you play a game and that guy gets more done than other people. So I don't think we have seen those guys enough yet."
Elson doesn't have to worry about a job. But he hopes tonight is another step in helping him acclimate to his new team.
"It's a chance to get your feet wet, get your jitters out, get used to the Spurs crowd," he said. "I'm looking forward to the game."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[email protected]