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01-30-2007, 02:44 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA013007.01D.1Dspurs.1bd09ea.html
Ginobili sparks Spurs in reserve
Web Posted: 01/29/2007 11:21 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
LOS ANGELES — Tim Duncan took one look at the stat sheet after Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and confronted Spurs coach Gregg Popovich with the evidence.
Brent Barry had missed all four of his shots, Manu Ginobili had gone 5 for 16, and the team had shot a season-worst 33.7 percent.
"That little experiment of yours, Pop?" Duncan said. " Niiiice job."
While the Spurs laughed at the results from Barry's first start of the season, Barry didn't need long to point out the one reason the move was a success.
"We're 1-0, baby," Barry said. "One and oh."
Popovich said after Monday's practice that he plans to keep Barry in the starting lineup in hopes that Ginobili can strengthen the team's bench. Despite his poor shooting, Ginobili finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and one black eye in 28 minutes against the Lakers.
"It's not easy," Ginobili said. "You get used to being a starter, you have your routine, and you know how to manage your minutes. Then you got to change it.
"But I've done it before. And as I always say, if it's better for the team, then I don't care."
Not only was Ginobili not surprised by the lineup change, he predicted to his teammates more than a week ago that Popovich would probably make the move.
In each of the past four seasons, Popovich has moved Ginobili to the bench for at least a handful of games. After starting every game during the regular season in 2004-05, he returned to the bench as soon as the Spurs lost their playoff opener. He also came off the bench for two games in last season's playoffs.
"I know how he thinks," Ginobili said of Popovich. "He really believes it can make us better. Whenever it's a situation where we need to do something, it's going to be that."
While Barry had been the team's most consistent reserve, making 46.5 percent of his 3-point attempts, playing with the starting unit should allow him to help space the floor for Duncan. Popovich also said Barry has done a good job of penetrating and creating for his teammates.
After missing all four of his shots Sunday, three of which came in the first three minutes, Barry jokingly told Ginobili he should ask for his job back. He then offered it to Michael Finley, who made five 3-pointers, including the game-winner with 1.3 seconds left in overtime.
"I'm trying to roll with the punches and trying to just go out and play like I've played," Barry said. "Just being on the court, I should be able to stay in a rhythm.
"Obviously, substitution patterns are going to change, maybe some combinations of guys are going to change ... but it's about just trying to get some wins."
Sunday's victory was arguably the biggest of the Spurs' season. In addition to trailing by nine points with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter, they had already lost to the Lakers twice and were playing the first of eight consecutive road games.
After missing eight of his 10 shots through the first three quarters, Ginobili rallied the Spurs in the fourth by scoring eight consecutive points. He made a pair of 3-pointers a little more than a minute apart from each other.
"Honestly, it doesn't even matter if he makes a shot all game," Duncan said. "Just having him out there on the floor, making the hustle plays, knowing he's fighting and scrapping all he can, it's a big boost for us."
Ginobili also came up with the game's biggest block, snuffing out Kobe Bryant's shot from behind on the final play of regulation. Bryant swung his right arm after the shot, catching Ginobili flush in the nose and face.
Ginobili's face was still swollen Monday, and the welt under his eye had turned black. But he didn't break his nose — a surprise given the force of the blow — which allowed him to return with a little more than two minutes left in overtime.
On Ginobili's first possession back, he drove down the middle of the lane, drawing a foul.
"He goes out there and tries to make a difference in the game, with the same abandon and courage that he always does," Popovich said. "A lot of guys would have a big problem with (moving to the bench) in this league. But not him.
"He'll do whatever he can do if he thinks it can help our team win."
I don't know. Yes it worked for this last game but it's starting to seem like a desperation move. Hopefully it works out.
Ginobili sparks Spurs in reserve
Web Posted: 01/29/2007 11:21 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
LOS ANGELES — Tim Duncan took one look at the stat sheet after Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and confronted Spurs coach Gregg Popovich with the evidence.
Brent Barry had missed all four of his shots, Manu Ginobili had gone 5 for 16, and the team had shot a season-worst 33.7 percent.
"That little experiment of yours, Pop?" Duncan said. " Niiiice job."
While the Spurs laughed at the results from Barry's first start of the season, Barry didn't need long to point out the one reason the move was a success.
"We're 1-0, baby," Barry said. "One and oh."
Popovich said after Monday's practice that he plans to keep Barry in the starting lineup in hopes that Ginobili can strengthen the team's bench. Despite his poor shooting, Ginobili finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and one black eye in 28 minutes against the Lakers.
"It's not easy," Ginobili said. "You get used to being a starter, you have your routine, and you know how to manage your minutes. Then you got to change it.
"But I've done it before. And as I always say, if it's better for the team, then I don't care."
Not only was Ginobili not surprised by the lineup change, he predicted to his teammates more than a week ago that Popovich would probably make the move.
In each of the past four seasons, Popovich has moved Ginobili to the bench for at least a handful of games. After starting every game during the regular season in 2004-05, he returned to the bench as soon as the Spurs lost their playoff opener. He also came off the bench for two games in last season's playoffs.
"I know how he thinks," Ginobili said of Popovich. "He really believes it can make us better. Whenever it's a situation where we need to do something, it's going to be that."
While Barry had been the team's most consistent reserve, making 46.5 percent of his 3-point attempts, playing with the starting unit should allow him to help space the floor for Duncan. Popovich also said Barry has done a good job of penetrating and creating for his teammates.
After missing all four of his shots Sunday, three of which came in the first three minutes, Barry jokingly told Ginobili he should ask for his job back. He then offered it to Michael Finley, who made five 3-pointers, including the game-winner with 1.3 seconds left in overtime.
"I'm trying to roll with the punches and trying to just go out and play like I've played," Barry said. "Just being on the court, I should be able to stay in a rhythm.
"Obviously, substitution patterns are going to change, maybe some combinations of guys are going to change ... but it's about just trying to get some wins."
Sunday's victory was arguably the biggest of the Spurs' season. In addition to trailing by nine points with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter, they had already lost to the Lakers twice and were playing the first of eight consecutive road games.
After missing eight of his 10 shots through the first three quarters, Ginobili rallied the Spurs in the fourth by scoring eight consecutive points. He made a pair of 3-pointers a little more than a minute apart from each other.
"Honestly, it doesn't even matter if he makes a shot all game," Duncan said. "Just having him out there on the floor, making the hustle plays, knowing he's fighting and scrapping all he can, it's a big boost for us."
Ginobili also came up with the game's biggest block, snuffing out Kobe Bryant's shot from behind on the final play of regulation. Bryant swung his right arm after the shot, catching Ginobili flush in the nose and face.
Ginobili's face was still swollen Monday, and the welt under his eye had turned black. But he didn't break his nose — a surprise given the force of the blow — which allowed him to return with a little more than two minutes left in overtime.
On Ginobili's first possession back, he drove down the middle of the lane, drawing a foul.
"He goes out there and tries to make a difference in the game, with the same abandon and courage that he always does," Popovich said. "A lot of guys would have a big problem with (moving to the bench) in this league. But not him.
"He'll do whatever he can do if he thinks it can help our team win."
I don't know. Yes it worked for this last game but it's starting to seem like a desperation move. Hopefully it works out.