Solid D
01-19-2007, 01:01 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA011907.01D.BKNspurs.hornets.19020a4.html
Spurs have many concerns: Defense, shooting, athleticism and bench are in need of a boost
Web Posted: 01/18/2007 10:59 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
An afternoon of film and practice — four-on-five drills not included — having convinced them they have more to fix than broken jump shots, the Spurs left work Thursday determined to at least correct their mindset.
The Spurs have lost their past two games, five of nine this month and 13 for the season, four more than they had on this date last year. Not even tonight's date with the visiting New Orleans Hornets — sans Chris Paul, David West and Peja Stojakovic — looks as appealing as it did three weeks ago.
"We're not playing very well right now," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, stating the obvious. "We're playing in spurts. You guys can say, 'Why is that?' Well, I don't know. If I knew, we'd be winning every game.
"Teams go through that. We're working hard to improve on the things we do poorly."
And that's not a short list these days. The Spurs' defense looked formidable in the final six minutes of Wednesday's 100-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, forcing eight turnovers to erase a 10-point deficit, but was equally spotty for the rest of the evening.
"We didn't play with that ferocity the first three quarters," Popovich said. "We have to figure out how to do that."
The Spurs hope to regain Francisco Elson, who could provide some energy, even if, as expected, he's available only on a limited basis.
Elson went through his first contact practice in almost a month Thursday. His right shoulder was a little sore after the workout, but Popovich is optimistic he's be cleared for tonight's game.
"He's a big part of our plans for down the road and he has to get used to the system and people have to get used to him," Popovich said. "He was making real good strides, so we're real anxious to get him back in there."
But even with Elson returns to full health, the Spurs know he's not the answer to all their problems. After leading the league in 3-point accuracy for much of the season, the Spurs have gone 12 for 45 the past two games, raising questions about whether they have become too reliant on the shot.
Popovich said he hasn't been too concerned with the shot selection as much as the misses.
Ball movement also has become a problem at times, namely because it sometimes hasn't moved from the hands of Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Manu Ginobili didn't attempt his first shot Wednesday until 11 minutes into the game. The Spurs' three stars accounted for 15 of the team's 19 turnovers.
Bruce Bowen even seemed overly determined Wednesday to initiate the offense, a skill that probably doesn't merit an entry on his career résumé.
"It's just little things," Bowen said. "It's not necessarily that because you lost focus, you took a bad shot at that moment. It might be shortcutting a play. Where if you didn't shortcut a play, we might get a layup instead of a jump shot."
The Spurs also continue to hurt for production from their bench. Even as his minutes fluctuate, Brent Barry has been the only thing close to a consistent scorer — which might explain why he's also one of the few role players with any trade value. Beno Udrih put together a pair of solid performances only to slip back Wednesday.
As they have for much of the past six weeks, the Spurs lacked an edge to their game Wednesday. They continue to drift for stretches while trying to force the action during others.
To improve, Ginobili said, the Spurs must regain their focus and play with a greater sense of urgency.
"When we play good 'D,' when we play aggressive, shots are going to fall," Ginobili said. "The same way they were falling 10 games ago. I don't think it has anything to do with the X's and O's or shots. It's just inside of us.
"I believe this team has it. I believe we're going to come back and be who we really are."
That could be good or bad, considering the Spurs still seem to lack an identity.
Last season, the Spurs didn't lose their 13th game until March 7. The Spurs already have seven losses at home, the same number they totaled for all of last season.
Yet with a month until the trade deadline and nearly three months left before the playoffs, the Spurs still think they have time to fix what needs fixing. At least, that's what they're telling themselves.
"I think if you just want to look at the record we're usually a little bit better than we are this year," Popovich said. "It makes you think, are we taking some things for granted?
"But I'm sure everyone's noticed Dallas, Phoenix and Houston are very good basketball teams and, at this point, better than we are. So we have a ways to go."
* * *
CHARTING THE SPURS
After the Spurs suffered a 100-96 loss to the Lakers on Wednesday, coach Gregg Popovich expressed frustration with the team's shooting. Here's a look at their shooting and scoring in wins and in losses this season:
FG% 3PT% PPG
Wins 49.6 43.2 102.9
Losses 42.5 32.0 90.2
Here's a look at how the Spurs' big three players have fared in wins this season:
Player FG% FT% PPG
Duncan 56.8 63.0 19.3
Ginobili 47.2 87.0 16.0
Parker 54.2 76.0 18.9
... and in losses:
Player FG% FT% PPG
Duncan 51.2 60.5 21.8
Ginobili 41.3 87.5 17.5
Parker 50.5 79.6 20.1
Spurs have many concerns: Defense, shooting, athleticism and bench are in need of a boost
Web Posted: 01/18/2007 10:59 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
An afternoon of film and practice — four-on-five drills not included — having convinced them they have more to fix than broken jump shots, the Spurs left work Thursday determined to at least correct their mindset.
The Spurs have lost their past two games, five of nine this month and 13 for the season, four more than they had on this date last year. Not even tonight's date with the visiting New Orleans Hornets — sans Chris Paul, David West and Peja Stojakovic — looks as appealing as it did three weeks ago.
"We're not playing very well right now," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, stating the obvious. "We're playing in spurts. You guys can say, 'Why is that?' Well, I don't know. If I knew, we'd be winning every game.
"Teams go through that. We're working hard to improve on the things we do poorly."
And that's not a short list these days. The Spurs' defense looked formidable in the final six minutes of Wednesday's 100-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, forcing eight turnovers to erase a 10-point deficit, but was equally spotty for the rest of the evening.
"We didn't play with that ferocity the first three quarters," Popovich said. "We have to figure out how to do that."
The Spurs hope to regain Francisco Elson, who could provide some energy, even if, as expected, he's available only on a limited basis.
Elson went through his first contact practice in almost a month Thursday. His right shoulder was a little sore after the workout, but Popovich is optimistic he's be cleared for tonight's game.
"He's a big part of our plans for down the road and he has to get used to the system and people have to get used to him," Popovich said. "He was making real good strides, so we're real anxious to get him back in there."
But even with Elson returns to full health, the Spurs know he's not the answer to all their problems. After leading the league in 3-point accuracy for much of the season, the Spurs have gone 12 for 45 the past two games, raising questions about whether they have become too reliant on the shot.
Popovich said he hasn't been too concerned with the shot selection as much as the misses.
Ball movement also has become a problem at times, namely because it sometimes hasn't moved from the hands of Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Manu Ginobili didn't attempt his first shot Wednesday until 11 minutes into the game. The Spurs' three stars accounted for 15 of the team's 19 turnovers.
Bruce Bowen even seemed overly determined Wednesday to initiate the offense, a skill that probably doesn't merit an entry on his career résumé.
"It's just little things," Bowen said. "It's not necessarily that because you lost focus, you took a bad shot at that moment. It might be shortcutting a play. Where if you didn't shortcut a play, we might get a layup instead of a jump shot."
The Spurs also continue to hurt for production from their bench. Even as his minutes fluctuate, Brent Barry has been the only thing close to a consistent scorer — which might explain why he's also one of the few role players with any trade value. Beno Udrih put together a pair of solid performances only to slip back Wednesday.
As they have for much of the past six weeks, the Spurs lacked an edge to their game Wednesday. They continue to drift for stretches while trying to force the action during others.
To improve, Ginobili said, the Spurs must regain their focus and play with a greater sense of urgency.
"When we play good 'D,' when we play aggressive, shots are going to fall," Ginobili said. "The same way they were falling 10 games ago. I don't think it has anything to do with the X's and O's or shots. It's just inside of us.
"I believe this team has it. I believe we're going to come back and be who we really are."
That could be good or bad, considering the Spurs still seem to lack an identity.
Last season, the Spurs didn't lose their 13th game until March 7. The Spurs already have seven losses at home, the same number they totaled for all of last season.
Yet with a month until the trade deadline and nearly three months left before the playoffs, the Spurs still think they have time to fix what needs fixing. At least, that's what they're telling themselves.
"I think if you just want to look at the record we're usually a little bit better than we are this year," Popovich said. "It makes you think, are we taking some things for granted?
"But I'm sure everyone's noticed Dallas, Phoenix and Houston are very good basketball teams and, at this point, better than we are. So we have a ways to go."
* * *
CHARTING THE SPURS
After the Spurs suffered a 100-96 loss to the Lakers on Wednesday, coach Gregg Popovich expressed frustration with the team's shooting. Here's a look at their shooting and scoring in wins and in losses this season:
FG% 3PT% PPG
Wins 49.6 43.2 102.9
Losses 42.5 32.0 90.2
Here's a look at how the Spurs' big three players have fared in wins this season:
Player FG% FT% PPG
Duncan 56.8 63.0 19.3
Ginobili 47.2 87.0 16.0
Parker 54.2 76.0 18.9
... and in losses:
Player FG% FT% PPG
Duncan 51.2 60.5 21.8
Ginobili 41.3 87.5 17.5
Parker 50.5 79.6 20.1