Big Shot Rob
01-16-2007, 04:29 PM
BY AL HAMNIK
[email protected]
219.933.4154
CHICAGO | Spurs coach Gregg Popovich spotted Scott Skiles holding court for 15 reporters outside the Bulls' dressing room prior to Monday afternoon's tip-off.
At the time, "Pop" was being interviewed by two writers. He stepped back, pointed toward Skiles at the end of the hallway, and laughed. "Hey, they haven't won three NBA titles. Over here, over here. Gee, that's all the respect we get? Oh, well."
As another reporter scurried by to join the Skiles gabfest, Popovich ran a few steps behind, playfully pleading for him to come back.
The 1966 Merrillville grad has maintained his sharp wit and sense of humor while leading San Antonio to NBA championships in 1999, 2003 and 2005 and compiling a 545-263 record in 10 wildly successful seasons.
But after Monday's 99-87 stomping by the Bulls, Popovich could barely grin watching the Spurs' four-game win streak end.
"The Bulls did a great job today. They came with a lot of energy and a lot of aggressiveness," Popovich said. "I thought (Kirk) Hinrich and (Ben) Gordon really created a lot of offense, not just for themselves, but for everybody. We didn't handle them very well."
Hinrich's 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists led the Bulls (22-17). Gordon added 20 points.
San Antonio (27-12) got 22 and 21 points, respectively, from Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, the latter also grabbing 16 rebounds. But it was point guard Tony Parker who found a place in Popovich's doghouse with just six points and two assists in 27 wasted minutes.
The Bulls kept Parker from penetrating, where he's at his very best, and took away his outside game as well. Was he hurt?
"It would've made more sense if he was hurt, but he's fine, which is not the way that he played if you catch my drift," said Popovich, gritting his teeth.
Did the Bulls do anything differently against the Spurs' second-leading scorer? "Not a damn thing," Popovich replied. "He came up with that game all by himself. Very 'creative.' He couldn't do that twice, hopefully."
The Spurs shot .395, gave up 17 points off turnovers, and 20 on second-chance points.
"It was probably my worst game of the season. I had nothing going," Parker said.
Chicago was without center Ben Wallace (back) for the second straight game and guard Chris Duhon (one-game suspension).
"We're going on maybe a month now where we're playing pretty solid defense. We're not having as many overall breakdowns," Skiles said. "Down the road, it's going to pay off at some point."
"I'd rather win than lose, but I'm gonna go get a glass of wine, have a good dinner and hope my wife hasn't left me since the game ended," Popovich said. "You guys got to take this more seriously. This loss stuff is hard on people. People's lives and careers depend on these games."
Pop was smiling now, the kidder.
[email protected]
219.933.4154
CHICAGO | Spurs coach Gregg Popovich spotted Scott Skiles holding court for 15 reporters outside the Bulls' dressing room prior to Monday afternoon's tip-off.
At the time, "Pop" was being interviewed by two writers. He stepped back, pointed toward Skiles at the end of the hallway, and laughed. "Hey, they haven't won three NBA titles. Over here, over here. Gee, that's all the respect we get? Oh, well."
As another reporter scurried by to join the Skiles gabfest, Popovich ran a few steps behind, playfully pleading for him to come back.
The 1966 Merrillville grad has maintained his sharp wit and sense of humor while leading San Antonio to NBA championships in 1999, 2003 and 2005 and compiling a 545-263 record in 10 wildly successful seasons.
But after Monday's 99-87 stomping by the Bulls, Popovich could barely grin watching the Spurs' four-game win streak end.
"The Bulls did a great job today. They came with a lot of energy and a lot of aggressiveness," Popovich said. "I thought (Kirk) Hinrich and (Ben) Gordon really created a lot of offense, not just for themselves, but for everybody. We didn't handle them very well."
Hinrich's 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists led the Bulls (22-17). Gordon added 20 points.
San Antonio (27-12) got 22 and 21 points, respectively, from Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, the latter also grabbing 16 rebounds. But it was point guard Tony Parker who found a place in Popovich's doghouse with just six points and two assists in 27 wasted minutes.
The Bulls kept Parker from penetrating, where he's at his very best, and took away his outside game as well. Was he hurt?
"It would've made more sense if he was hurt, but he's fine, which is not the way that he played if you catch my drift," said Popovich, gritting his teeth.
Did the Bulls do anything differently against the Spurs' second-leading scorer? "Not a damn thing," Popovich replied. "He came up with that game all by himself. Very 'creative.' He couldn't do that twice, hopefully."
The Spurs shot .395, gave up 17 points off turnovers, and 20 on second-chance points.
"It was probably my worst game of the season. I had nothing going," Parker said.
Chicago was without center Ben Wallace (back) for the second straight game and guard Chris Duhon (one-game suspension).
"We're going on maybe a month now where we're playing pretty solid defense. We're not having as many overall breakdowns," Skiles said. "Down the road, it's going to pay off at some point."
"I'd rather win than lose, but I'm gonna go get a glass of wine, have a good dinner and hope my wife hasn't left me since the game ended," Popovich said. "You guys got to take this more seriously. This loss stuff is hard on people. People's lives and careers depend on these games."
Pop was smiling now, the kidder.