Kori Ellis
12-07-2006, 01:12 AM
Spurs notebook: Free-throw shooting improves
Web Posted: 12/07/2006 12:06 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA120706.07C.BKNspurs.notebook.352a6a2.html
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When the Spurs get around to compiling a list of the most monumental dates in franchise history, they would be wise not to forget the historic evening of Dec. 6, 2006.
For it was on that day the Spurs' free-throw shooting rose to a remarkable 75 percent.
The Spurs began Wednesday ranked 21st in the NBA in free-throw percentage — already a considerable improvement from the No. 28 status they held at the end of last season — before making 19 of their 21 foul shots against Charlotte. In the past two games, the Spurs are 37 of 40 from the line.
Tony Parker has had a lot to do with the improvement. A career 69.9 percent foul shooter entering the season, he's made 63 of his 79 free throws (79.7 percent).
Tim Duncan, who like Parker, is working with shooting coach Chip Engelland, also has shown signs of getting better. He went 7 of 9 from the line against the Bobcats and is 31 of 40 (77.5 percent) in the past five games.
The Spurs' best foul shooter? Beno Udrih, who has missed only one of his 28 attempts. Brent Barry (27 of 30) and Francisco Elson (12 of 13) also are above 90 percent.
Another from Argentina: Charlotte forward Walter Herrmann scored his first NBA points on a 3-pointer late in the second quarter.
Herrmann became the fifth member of Argentina's national squad to sign with an NBA team when he joined the Bobcats this summer. He had appeared in only one game before Wednesday.
Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto went to dinner with Herrmann, who speaks only limited English, on Tuesday night.
"He's very happy being here, but it's hard when you make such a big change and you're not playing," Ginobili said.
Feeling fine: Bruce Bowen missed Tuesday's practice with sore ribs, but he was back in his regular spot in the lineup.
Bowen has played in a franchise-record 373 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the NBA. Atlanta's Joe Johnson has played in 374.
Bowen said his ribs began bothering him when he came out of Monday's game against Golden State in the first quarter.
"It was a cramp-spasm kind of deal," Bowen said. "Nothing big."
Quick exit: The Bobcats lost guard Brevin Knight early in the third quarter when he was ejected by Tony Brothers. Brothers gave Knight his first technical for complaining about a non-call. The second came a minute later after Knight threw a towel during a timeout.
Only in the NBA: Seated courtside for the game were Carolina Panthers receiver Keyshawn Johnson, former Charlotte Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues and ... Tim Reid, who played Venus Flytrap on "WKRP in Cincinnati." Tennis star Serena Williams showed up in the third quarter.
Helping hand: George Gervin, Duncan and Parker are among 18 former and current NBA players participating in a fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Wristbands featuring each player's name, jersey number and signature are $3 at the NBA Store in New York and online at NBAStore.com and prostatecancerfoundation.org.
Web Posted: 12/07/2006 12:06 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA120706.07C.BKNspurs.notebook.352a6a2.html
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When the Spurs get around to compiling a list of the most monumental dates in franchise history, they would be wise not to forget the historic evening of Dec. 6, 2006.
For it was on that day the Spurs' free-throw shooting rose to a remarkable 75 percent.
The Spurs began Wednesday ranked 21st in the NBA in free-throw percentage — already a considerable improvement from the No. 28 status they held at the end of last season — before making 19 of their 21 foul shots against Charlotte. In the past two games, the Spurs are 37 of 40 from the line.
Tony Parker has had a lot to do with the improvement. A career 69.9 percent foul shooter entering the season, he's made 63 of his 79 free throws (79.7 percent).
Tim Duncan, who like Parker, is working with shooting coach Chip Engelland, also has shown signs of getting better. He went 7 of 9 from the line against the Bobcats and is 31 of 40 (77.5 percent) in the past five games.
The Spurs' best foul shooter? Beno Udrih, who has missed only one of his 28 attempts. Brent Barry (27 of 30) and Francisco Elson (12 of 13) also are above 90 percent.
Another from Argentina: Charlotte forward Walter Herrmann scored his first NBA points on a 3-pointer late in the second quarter.
Herrmann became the fifth member of Argentina's national squad to sign with an NBA team when he joined the Bobcats this summer. He had appeared in only one game before Wednesday.
Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto went to dinner with Herrmann, who speaks only limited English, on Tuesday night.
"He's very happy being here, but it's hard when you make such a big change and you're not playing," Ginobili said.
Feeling fine: Bruce Bowen missed Tuesday's practice with sore ribs, but he was back in his regular spot in the lineup.
Bowen has played in a franchise-record 373 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the NBA. Atlanta's Joe Johnson has played in 374.
Bowen said his ribs began bothering him when he came out of Monday's game against Golden State in the first quarter.
"It was a cramp-spasm kind of deal," Bowen said. "Nothing big."
Quick exit: The Bobcats lost guard Brevin Knight early in the third quarter when he was ejected by Tony Brothers. Brothers gave Knight his first technical for complaining about a non-call. The second came a minute later after Knight threw a towel during a timeout.
Only in the NBA: Seated courtside for the game were Carolina Panthers receiver Keyshawn Johnson, former Charlotte Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues and ... Tim Reid, who played Venus Flytrap on "WKRP in Cincinnati." Tennis star Serena Williams showed up in the third quarter.
Helping hand: George Gervin, Duncan and Parker are among 18 former and current NBA players participating in a fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Wristbands featuring each player's name, jersey number and signature are $3 at the NBA Store in New York and online at NBAStore.com and prostatecancerfoundation.org.