loveforthegame
12-01-2006, 12:51 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA120106.05D.BKNspurs.main.304d0bc.html
Spurs want to regroup after recent struggles
Web Posted: 11/30/2006 10:56 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
With three losses in four games having dislodged them from their perch atop the Southwest Division, the Spurs return today to that most unfamiliar of locales, their practice facility.
"We're just kind of in a bad stretch right now," Tim Duncan said. "There's not too much you can do in the swing of things, so you just have to take a step back.
"That's why practice will be good for us. It will let us take a step back."
The Spurs hope to use their first workout in 18 days to regroup. With five back-to-backs crowding the first month of the schedule, the team has practiced only twice since opening night.
If nothing else, the Spurs should have plenty to discuss today. In each of the three losses they suffered in the previous week — Dallas at home and Golden State and Utah on the road — they were in position to win in the final quarter.
"We've had some slippage here of late," Bruce Bowen said. "Rest is good, but we kind of need to go over some things in areas we lack at this point of the season."
Among those areas of concern:
Getting Manu Ginobili healthy.
Ginobili hasn't played since bruising his lower back late in the third quarter against Dallas. The Spurs don't expect him to return for at least a couple more games.
Ginobili was examined Thursday by the team's medical staff, which prescribed more rest and treatment. So far, he has been unable to put much pressure on his right leg without having his back tighten.
Without Ginobili's ability to penetrate and create, the Spurs' offense has grown stagnant.
Finding someone who can hit a shot.
So far, Brent Barry has been the only productive reserve. Opposing teams, like Utah, have taken notice and worked harder to limit his attempts.
Michael Finley is shooting a career-low 32.2 percent; Robert Horry, a career-low 25.9 percent; and Beno Udrih, a career-low 36.7 percent. Finley's struggles have been the most damaging because the team has leaned on him during Ginobili's absence.
Francisco Elson's minutes have been sporadic, but he was productive when given a chance to play Wednesday. He blocked a pair of shots, grabbed five rebounds and hit a timely jump shot.
What Spurs coach Gregg Popovich wants to see now from Elson is consistency. He has played a little out of control, at times, and has had trouble catching passes.
Rebounding better as a team.
The Spurs are tied for sixth in the league in rebounding differential, but those numbers are somewhat skewed by the 63-41 advantage they had over Charlotte on Nov. 15 — a game they lost.
Not every team is going to be as ferocious on the boards as Utah was Wednesday, but the Spurs can still improve their gang rebounding. Duncan was the only starter to grab more than two boards against the Jazz.
One play summed up the Spurs' struggles. With Utah leading by five with 1:32 left, Matt Harpring missed an 18-foot shot. With no one bothering to block him out, Harpring dashed along the baseline, plucked the rebound out of the air and made a layup.
Establishing some type of home-court advantage.
Three of the Spurs' five losses have come at the AT&T Center, which doesn't bode well considering 10 of the team's 15 games in December are at home.
Last season, the Spurs didn't lose their third home game until Jan. 22. Two years ago, they lost only three home games all season.
With the exception of last week's loss to Dallas, the crowds have been lethargic. The earlier 7 p.m. start time may be somewhat to blame, but the team's play hasn't always been inspiring, either.
The Spurs offset their struggles at the AT&T Center by winning their first seven road games, a franchise-record.
"I wish I could figure out exactly what it takes (to win on the road)," Popovich said, "because we'd use it at home and see how that works."
Spurs want to regroup after recent struggles
Web Posted: 11/30/2006 10:56 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
With three losses in four games having dislodged them from their perch atop the Southwest Division, the Spurs return today to that most unfamiliar of locales, their practice facility.
"We're just kind of in a bad stretch right now," Tim Duncan said. "There's not too much you can do in the swing of things, so you just have to take a step back.
"That's why practice will be good for us. It will let us take a step back."
The Spurs hope to use their first workout in 18 days to regroup. With five back-to-backs crowding the first month of the schedule, the team has practiced only twice since opening night.
If nothing else, the Spurs should have plenty to discuss today. In each of the three losses they suffered in the previous week — Dallas at home and Golden State and Utah on the road — they were in position to win in the final quarter.
"We've had some slippage here of late," Bruce Bowen said. "Rest is good, but we kind of need to go over some things in areas we lack at this point of the season."
Among those areas of concern:
Getting Manu Ginobili healthy.
Ginobili hasn't played since bruising his lower back late in the third quarter against Dallas. The Spurs don't expect him to return for at least a couple more games.
Ginobili was examined Thursday by the team's medical staff, which prescribed more rest and treatment. So far, he has been unable to put much pressure on his right leg without having his back tighten.
Without Ginobili's ability to penetrate and create, the Spurs' offense has grown stagnant.
Finding someone who can hit a shot.
So far, Brent Barry has been the only productive reserve. Opposing teams, like Utah, have taken notice and worked harder to limit his attempts.
Michael Finley is shooting a career-low 32.2 percent; Robert Horry, a career-low 25.9 percent; and Beno Udrih, a career-low 36.7 percent. Finley's struggles have been the most damaging because the team has leaned on him during Ginobili's absence.
Francisco Elson's minutes have been sporadic, but he was productive when given a chance to play Wednesday. He blocked a pair of shots, grabbed five rebounds and hit a timely jump shot.
What Spurs coach Gregg Popovich wants to see now from Elson is consistency. He has played a little out of control, at times, and has had trouble catching passes.
Rebounding better as a team.
The Spurs are tied for sixth in the league in rebounding differential, but those numbers are somewhat skewed by the 63-41 advantage they had over Charlotte on Nov. 15 — a game they lost.
Not every team is going to be as ferocious on the boards as Utah was Wednesday, but the Spurs can still improve their gang rebounding. Duncan was the only starter to grab more than two boards against the Jazz.
One play summed up the Spurs' struggles. With Utah leading by five with 1:32 left, Matt Harpring missed an 18-foot shot. With no one bothering to block him out, Harpring dashed along the baseline, plucked the rebound out of the air and made a layup.
Establishing some type of home-court advantage.
Three of the Spurs' five losses have come at the AT&T Center, which doesn't bode well considering 10 of the team's 15 games in December are at home.
Last season, the Spurs didn't lose their third home game until Jan. 22. Two years ago, they lost only three home games all season.
With the exception of last week's loss to Dallas, the crowds have been lethargic. The earlier 7 p.m. start time may be somewhat to blame, but the team's play hasn't always been inspiring, either.
The Spurs offset their struggles at the AT&T Center by winning their first seven road games, a franchise-record.
"I wish I could figure out exactly what it takes (to win on the road)," Popovich said, "because we'd use it at home and see how that works."