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02-09-2007, 02:10 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA020907.01D.BKNspurs.magic.21317d9.html
Big three heat up for Spurs: Duncan, Ginobili and Parker worked hard during time off
Web Posted: 02/09/2007 12:22 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
ORLANDO, Fla. — During the day-to-day grind of the NBA season, it's not unusual to see Tim Duncan sitting on the sideline during practice. Or Manu Ginobili catching a quick nap in the corner. Or Tony Parker shooting alone at a basket as the reserves scrimmage nearby.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich usually tries to give Duncan, Ginobili and Parker a chance to rest whenever the schedule allows. Usually.
Granted a rare five-day break between games after the team returned from the first leg of its rodeo trip, Popovich put his stars to work this week. The Spurs had three consecutive days of practice, and much of the time was devoted to some spirited scrimmaging between the starters and reserves.
"The practices were intense — to the point where coach had to stop it maybe a little earlier than he wanted to," Michael Finley said. "But I think it helps everybody. It gives the starters a chance to go against competition before they get into the game and maybe work on some things."
The work — coupled with the two days of rest that preceded it — looked like it benefited Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. All three were sharp in Wednesday's victory as each took turns leading the team.
Parker made seven of his first eight shots and scored 14 points in the first quarter to help the Spurs race to a 17-point lead. Duncan steadied the team in the third quarter, making five of his six shots and scoring 12 points.
Ginobili put the game away by making three 3-pointers and a pair of free throws in the first 2 minutes, 32 seconds of the fourth quarter.
"We all had our periods of time where we were all kind of able to do our thing, but we have to find a way to do it together," Duncan said. "I think we're doing a lot better at that. We're moving the ball well ... people can touch the ball.
"Not only Manu, Tony and myself, but guys are stepping up and getting open shots and knocking them down."
The Spurs hope that continues tonight when they face the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena.
"It's almost like the three guys we count on the most ... it seems like they never have a good game on the same night," Popovich said prior to Wednesday's game. "And that, combined with the bench not playing well, has been a negative for us this season."
That could be changing. Duncan has played at a high level for the past four weeks, particularly on defense, where he's averaged 12.5 rebounds and 3.6 blocks in a 13-game stretch. Ginobili averaged 17.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in January, then opened this month with a 32-point performance in last week's loss to Phoenix.
Parker's production dipped, possibly because of fatigue, but he recently seems to have caught a second wind.
In three of the past four games, the Spurs' stars have each scored at least 18 points. That happened just once in the first 45 games of the season.
"It's not always going to show up on the stat sheet," said Ginobili, who, whether starting or coming off the bench, has led the team with his energy and aggressiveness. "During some games, I'm not going to score a lot of points, but I feel useful."
The Spurs' biggest problem of late — evidenced most by their loss in Phoenix — has been generating enough support from their role players. On Wednesday, however, nearly everyone who played contributed.
Finley made three 3-pointers and scored 10 points in 18 minutes. Francisco Elson made his first start in more than a month and totaled nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
"You need to take advantage of your minutes — no matter if you're getting five or 40," Finley said. "I think it's very important the team as a whole accept their roles and thrive in (those) positions."
For the reserves, that included giving the Spurs' starters a little run this week.
"I think the five days off definitely helped us not only get our legs back, but also gave those guys a chance to get back on the court," Finley said. "As a result, they got a little rhythm in practice and it carried over.
"It's a lot easier when you have your top three guys playing at the top of their game."
Notebook: Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry, Washington's Gilbert Arenas, Miami's Jason Kapono, Cleveland's Damon Jones and Memphis' Mike Miller will compete in the All-Star 3-point Shootout, the NBA announced Thursday. Brent Barry, whose .465 3-point percentage ranks third in the league, was not selected. "It's kind of like not getting voted class valedictorian," Barry said. "And I had the credentials for that, too."
Big three heat up for Spurs: Duncan, Ginobili and Parker worked hard during time off
Web Posted: 02/09/2007 12:22 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
ORLANDO, Fla. — During the day-to-day grind of the NBA season, it's not unusual to see Tim Duncan sitting on the sideline during practice. Or Manu Ginobili catching a quick nap in the corner. Or Tony Parker shooting alone at a basket as the reserves scrimmage nearby.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich usually tries to give Duncan, Ginobili and Parker a chance to rest whenever the schedule allows. Usually.
Granted a rare five-day break between games after the team returned from the first leg of its rodeo trip, Popovich put his stars to work this week. The Spurs had three consecutive days of practice, and much of the time was devoted to some spirited scrimmaging between the starters and reserves.
"The practices were intense — to the point where coach had to stop it maybe a little earlier than he wanted to," Michael Finley said. "But I think it helps everybody. It gives the starters a chance to go against competition before they get into the game and maybe work on some things."
The work — coupled with the two days of rest that preceded it — looked like it benefited Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. All three were sharp in Wednesday's victory as each took turns leading the team.
Parker made seven of his first eight shots and scored 14 points in the first quarter to help the Spurs race to a 17-point lead. Duncan steadied the team in the third quarter, making five of his six shots and scoring 12 points.
Ginobili put the game away by making three 3-pointers and a pair of free throws in the first 2 minutes, 32 seconds of the fourth quarter.
"We all had our periods of time where we were all kind of able to do our thing, but we have to find a way to do it together," Duncan said. "I think we're doing a lot better at that. We're moving the ball well ... people can touch the ball.
"Not only Manu, Tony and myself, but guys are stepping up and getting open shots and knocking them down."
The Spurs hope that continues tonight when they face the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena.
"It's almost like the three guys we count on the most ... it seems like they never have a good game on the same night," Popovich said prior to Wednesday's game. "And that, combined with the bench not playing well, has been a negative for us this season."
That could be changing. Duncan has played at a high level for the past four weeks, particularly on defense, where he's averaged 12.5 rebounds and 3.6 blocks in a 13-game stretch. Ginobili averaged 17.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in January, then opened this month with a 32-point performance in last week's loss to Phoenix.
Parker's production dipped, possibly because of fatigue, but he recently seems to have caught a second wind.
In three of the past four games, the Spurs' stars have each scored at least 18 points. That happened just once in the first 45 games of the season.
"It's not always going to show up on the stat sheet," said Ginobili, who, whether starting or coming off the bench, has led the team with his energy and aggressiveness. "During some games, I'm not going to score a lot of points, but I feel useful."
The Spurs' biggest problem of late — evidenced most by their loss in Phoenix — has been generating enough support from their role players. On Wednesday, however, nearly everyone who played contributed.
Finley made three 3-pointers and scored 10 points in 18 minutes. Francisco Elson made his first start in more than a month and totaled nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
"You need to take advantage of your minutes — no matter if you're getting five or 40," Finley said. "I think it's very important the team as a whole accept their roles and thrive in (those) positions."
For the reserves, that included giving the Spurs' starters a little run this week.
"I think the five days off definitely helped us not only get our legs back, but also gave those guys a chance to get back on the court," Finley said. "As a result, they got a little rhythm in practice and it carried over.
"It's a lot easier when you have your top three guys playing at the top of their game."
Notebook: Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry, Washington's Gilbert Arenas, Miami's Jason Kapono, Cleveland's Damon Jones and Memphis' Mike Miller will compete in the All-Star 3-point Shootout, the NBA announced Thursday. Brent Barry, whose .465 3-point percentage ranks third in the league, was not selected. "It's kind of like not getting voted class valedictorian," Barry said. "And I had the credentials for that, too."