Bruno
12-19-2006, 06:09 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA121906.6D.spurs.notebook.2fd6cb1.html
Web Posted: 12/19/2006 01:06 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich long has believed his team is better off defending a potentially tying 3-point shot in an end-game situation, rather than fouling intentionally.
So it was interesting Monday to see the Spurs' black team, leading the silver team by three with a few seconds left in a spirited scrimmage at the team's practice facility, intentionally foul Brent Barry with four seconds remaining, rather than let the NBA's leading 3-point shooter attempt a tying shot.
Has Popovich changed his philosophy about fouling in such situations?
"They just did that on their own," Popovich said, laughing. "They don't like my philosophy."
Barry and the silver team got the last laugh.
After making the first free throw after he was fouled, he intentionally clanged the second hard off the rim. The ball bounced off a teammate back into his hands and he made a jumper that tied the score at the buzzer.
Popovich declined to have the teams play an overtime. He no doubt noted that his philosophy of not fouling intentionally was shown to be a sound one.
Money time: Popovich said the three days in between Saturday's victory over Philadelphia and Wednesday's game against Memphis will be put to good use.
"We had this same chance two or three weeks ago, had two or three practices, and I thought we made some money on that," Popovich said. "It helped us execute a little better, got us focused and gave some people time they needed to get comfortable in our system.
"We took advantage of it (Monday) and had a good, long practice. We'll practice again (today) and I'm really happy we've had the time finally."
Forward Bruce Bowen called the two days of practice a chance to work on aspects of the game that sometimes get lost when the schedule allows only for walk-throughs and video study.
"It's good to get back to the basics," Bowen said. "Coaches can stop the practice at certain times and teach more. Sometimes you fall into the rut of just trying to get through to the next play and the next play. It's important to take care of little things."
Web Posted: 12/19/2006 01:06 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich long has believed his team is better off defending a potentially tying 3-point shot in an end-game situation, rather than fouling intentionally.
So it was interesting Monday to see the Spurs' black team, leading the silver team by three with a few seconds left in a spirited scrimmage at the team's practice facility, intentionally foul Brent Barry with four seconds remaining, rather than let the NBA's leading 3-point shooter attempt a tying shot.
Has Popovich changed his philosophy about fouling in such situations?
"They just did that on their own," Popovich said, laughing. "They don't like my philosophy."
Barry and the silver team got the last laugh.
After making the first free throw after he was fouled, he intentionally clanged the second hard off the rim. The ball bounced off a teammate back into his hands and he made a jumper that tied the score at the buzzer.
Popovich declined to have the teams play an overtime. He no doubt noted that his philosophy of not fouling intentionally was shown to be a sound one.
Money time: Popovich said the three days in between Saturday's victory over Philadelphia and Wednesday's game against Memphis will be put to good use.
"We had this same chance two or three weeks ago, had two or three practices, and I thought we made some money on that," Popovich said. "It helped us execute a little better, got us focused and gave some people time they needed to get comfortable in our system.
"We took advantage of it (Monday) and had a good, long practice. We'll practice again (today) and I'm really happy we've had the time finally."
Forward Bruce Bowen called the two days of practice a chance to work on aspects of the game that sometimes get lost when the schedule allows only for walk-throughs and video study.
"It's good to get back to the basics," Bowen said. "Coaches can stop the practice at certain times and teach more. Sometimes you fall into the rut of just trying to get through to the next play and the next play. It's important to take care of little things."