Kori Ellis
10-22-2006, 01:00 AM
Elson plays well with Spurs' starters
Web Posted: 10/22/2006 12:22 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
The Spurs gave Francisco Elson his first start Saturday night — a nice gesture had they also not given him Shaquille O'Neal.
O'Neal had 24 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes, but Elson and the rest of the Spurs' big men survived long enough to help beat Miami 103-93 in a preseason game in front of 18,009 fans at the AT&T Center.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich started Elson in place of Fabricio Oberto hoping the combination of playing next to Tim Duncan and against O'Neal would allow him "to just try to play a role." Elson's numbers were modest (four points, four rebounds and four fouls in 16 minutes), but Popovich said he still liked what he saw from the team's new 7-foot center.
"I thought he did a great job," Popovich said. "He ran the floor and played pretty good position. Hopefully, it made him feel a little bit comfortable being out there with that group."
Popovich and Heat coach Pat Riley both played some semblance of their regular rotation for most of the first three quarters. In addition to starting Elson, Popovich also put Michael Finley with the first team and brought Manu Ginobili off the bench "just to experiment."
While Finley scored 15 points, Ginobili struggled with his shot for the second consecutive game and also picked up five fouls in his 22 minutes. Tony Parker scored a team-high 17 points and Bruce Bowen and Brent Barry combined for 27 more.
Because Parker, Duncan, Ginobili and Bowen each played at least 23 minutes, Popovich is giving them tonight off. None of the four accompanied the team on its flight to Houston after the game.
"It was probably good to go out and win a basketball game, but more importantly we had a lot of guys do things the way we've practiced," Popovich said. "I thought we took a step in the right direction today as far as preparing for the regular season."
The Spurs didn't have too much trouble with the NBA's defending champions in the first half, opening a 21-point lead in the second quarter. Riley told his players before the game he wanted a good effort then criticized them after they failed to deliver.
"That team was a basket, a foul and a defensive stop from being in the Finals again," Riley said of the Spurs. "They will embarrass you if you let them."
Popovich hasn't said yet who will start next to Duncan for the Nov. 2 season opener against Dallas. But he was pleased Saturday with his committee of big men.
Oberto, who started the first four exhibitions, had four points, six rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes. Jackie Butler had his best performance of the preseason with 11 points, five rebounds and five fouls in 21 minutes. He ran the floor well enough to get a three-point play on a break and showed off his soft touch with a turn-and-face bank shot over O'Neal.
"I thought Jackie really did well tonight as far as understanding what we're trying to do as far as the effort and the second effort on the board," Popovich said. "Fab was solid. I was really happy with the way those two guys played."
Elson appreciated the chance to start — even if it came against O'Neal.
"Playing with those guys you're playing more freely because they open up a lot of things," Elson said. "When I first got here it was tough to relax because the plays are going so fast and you don't know exactly where you want to be at.
"Just give me some time and I'll be ready. I'll be rolling like they be rolling. For real."
Mourning explains: If the Spurs' free-agent search went a little differently, Miami's backup center could have been starting for them Saturday.
Before signing Elson and Butler to offer sheets, the Spurs tried to land Alonzo Mourning. They offered Mourning much of their $5 million midlevel exception in the form of a two-year contract and, for about 24 hours, thought they had a chance to sign him.
"I entertained it because in negotiations you want to hear everything," Mourning said. "You don't want to ignore it. I would have ended up here if it was up to my agent. But ultimately it came down to what was in my heart and how I felt about (Heat owner) Micky Arison, Pat Riley, the organization and the fans.
"That's what it came down to: My loyalty to them and how they supported me over the year, Pat giving me an opportunity to come back and be a part of this."
Web Posted: 10/22/2006 12:22 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
The Spurs gave Francisco Elson his first start Saturday night — a nice gesture had they also not given him Shaquille O'Neal.
O'Neal had 24 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes, but Elson and the rest of the Spurs' big men survived long enough to help beat Miami 103-93 in a preseason game in front of 18,009 fans at the AT&T Center.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich started Elson in place of Fabricio Oberto hoping the combination of playing next to Tim Duncan and against O'Neal would allow him "to just try to play a role." Elson's numbers were modest (four points, four rebounds and four fouls in 16 minutes), but Popovich said he still liked what he saw from the team's new 7-foot center.
"I thought he did a great job," Popovich said. "He ran the floor and played pretty good position. Hopefully, it made him feel a little bit comfortable being out there with that group."
Popovich and Heat coach Pat Riley both played some semblance of their regular rotation for most of the first three quarters. In addition to starting Elson, Popovich also put Michael Finley with the first team and brought Manu Ginobili off the bench "just to experiment."
While Finley scored 15 points, Ginobili struggled with his shot for the second consecutive game and also picked up five fouls in his 22 minutes. Tony Parker scored a team-high 17 points and Bruce Bowen and Brent Barry combined for 27 more.
Because Parker, Duncan, Ginobili and Bowen each played at least 23 minutes, Popovich is giving them tonight off. None of the four accompanied the team on its flight to Houston after the game.
"It was probably good to go out and win a basketball game, but more importantly we had a lot of guys do things the way we've practiced," Popovich said. "I thought we took a step in the right direction today as far as preparing for the regular season."
The Spurs didn't have too much trouble with the NBA's defending champions in the first half, opening a 21-point lead in the second quarter. Riley told his players before the game he wanted a good effort then criticized them after they failed to deliver.
"That team was a basket, a foul and a defensive stop from being in the Finals again," Riley said of the Spurs. "They will embarrass you if you let them."
Popovich hasn't said yet who will start next to Duncan for the Nov. 2 season opener against Dallas. But he was pleased Saturday with his committee of big men.
Oberto, who started the first four exhibitions, had four points, six rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes. Jackie Butler had his best performance of the preseason with 11 points, five rebounds and five fouls in 21 minutes. He ran the floor well enough to get a three-point play on a break and showed off his soft touch with a turn-and-face bank shot over O'Neal.
"I thought Jackie really did well tonight as far as understanding what we're trying to do as far as the effort and the second effort on the board," Popovich said. "Fab was solid. I was really happy with the way those two guys played."
Elson appreciated the chance to start — even if it came against O'Neal.
"Playing with those guys you're playing more freely because they open up a lot of things," Elson said. "When I first got here it was tough to relax because the plays are going so fast and you don't know exactly where you want to be at.
"Just give me some time and I'll be ready. I'll be rolling like they be rolling. For real."
Mourning explains: If the Spurs' free-agent search went a little differently, Miami's backup center could have been starting for them Saturday.
Before signing Elson and Butler to offer sheets, the Spurs tried to land Alonzo Mourning. They offered Mourning much of their $5 million midlevel exception in the form of a two-year contract and, for about 24 hours, thought they had a chance to sign him.
"I entertained it because in negotiations you want to hear everything," Mourning said. "You don't want to ignore it. I would have ended up here if it was up to my agent. But ultimately it came down to what was in my heart and how I felt about (Heat owner) Micky Arison, Pat Riley, the organization and the fans.
"That's what it came down to: My loyalty to them and how they supported me over the year, Pat giving me an opportunity to come back and be a part of this."