Gerryatrics
03-24-2007, 05:12 AM
Spurs' Popovich commends Barry for his defense
Web Posted: 03/24/2007 12:26 AM CDT
Mike Monroe
Express-News
It was a Spurs version of man bites dog.
In this case it was Pop praises Brent Barry's defense, and it was enough to make a grown man cry, if only for the laughs.
Barry's defense on Detroit's Tayshaun Prince was instrumental in the Spurs' 90-89 victory at the AT&T Center, and coach Gregg Popovich didn't mind saying so.
"His defense has gotten better," said Popovich, for whom defense is paramount. "He's concentrating on it. He's never going to be the best defender in the league, but he's definitely improving at it, and that's what's important."
You can call that a backhanded compliment if you like. Barry called it praise effusive enough to feign tears for a TV crew in the Spurs' locker room.
"Give me a minute, will you guys," Barry said, putting his head in both hands and faking a couple of sobs.
Prince scored 12 points, but three of them came on a meaningless shot launched with one second left and the Spurs ahead by four. Time expired with Prince's shot in the air, and no Spur had tried to prevent him from taking it.
"We did some things defensively for Tayshaun where we were just trying to make it tough for him to catch the ball," Barry said. "Some of the situations were the fact they weren't really going to him that much. I don't mind that one bit. It makes my defense look a lot better."
Barry, who has been starting since Jan. 28, says the Spurs are beginning to defend in the aggressive manner that will be required in the playoffs.
"As a team, I think in the last few weeks we've gotten better. Aside from the Milwaukee and Boston games, I think our defense has been very consistent through a 16- or 17-game stretch. We're going to need to keep that up."
Barry knows he did not replace Manu Ginobili in the starting lineup because of his defensive work. The league's No. 4 3-point shooter heading into Friday's game, Popovich wants him to look for his shots early. Barry made two 3-pointers in the first period and four of five for the game.
Barry was active in the Spurs' offense, and that earned him a longer run than normal in the first quarter. Ginobili, who usually comes in after no more than six minutes, didn't replace Barry until the 2:14 mark of the first period.
"I thought Brent played very confidently," Popovich said. "He's looking for his shot, as he has. But he's playing a good floor game, too. He's moving the basketball."
Barry didn't know what to make of the extended first-period time.
"Usually, we're pretty much on the clock," he said, "but we didn't make the change, so I went over to Manu at the four-minute mark and said, 'What's wrong, are you hurt?'
"He got a good chuckle out of that."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA032407.15C.BKNspurs.barry.3c8b867.html
Web Posted: 03/24/2007 12:26 AM CDT
Mike Monroe
Express-News
It was a Spurs version of man bites dog.
In this case it was Pop praises Brent Barry's defense, and it was enough to make a grown man cry, if only for the laughs.
Barry's defense on Detroit's Tayshaun Prince was instrumental in the Spurs' 90-89 victory at the AT&T Center, and coach Gregg Popovich didn't mind saying so.
"His defense has gotten better," said Popovich, for whom defense is paramount. "He's concentrating on it. He's never going to be the best defender in the league, but he's definitely improving at it, and that's what's important."
You can call that a backhanded compliment if you like. Barry called it praise effusive enough to feign tears for a TV crew in the Spurs' locker room.
"Give me a minute, will you guys," Barry said, putting his head in both hands and faking a couple of sobs.
Prince scored 12 points, but three of them came on a meaningless shot launched with one second left and the Spurs ahead by four. Time expired with Prince's shot in the air, and no Spur had tried to prevent him from taking it.
"We did some things defensively for Tayshaun where we were just trying to make it tough for him to catch the ball," Barry said. "Some of the situations were the fact they weren't really going to him that much. I don't mind that one bit. It makes my defense look a lot better."
Barry, who has been starting since Jan. 28, says the Spurs are beginning to defend in the aggressive manner that will be required in the playoffs.
"As a team, I think in the last few weeks we've gotten better. Aside from the Milwaukee and Boston games, I think our defense has been very consistent through a 16- or 17-game stretch. We're going to need to keep that up."
Barry knows he did not replace Manu Ginobili in the starting lineup because of his defensive work. The league's No. 4 3-point shooter heading into Friday's game, Popovich wants him to look for his shots early. Barry made two 3-pointers in the first period and four of five for the game.
Barry was active in the Spurs' offense, and that earned him a longer run than normal in the first quarter. Ginobili, who usually comes in after no more than six minutes, didn't replace Barry until the 2:14 mark of the first period.
"I thought Brent played very confidently," Popovich said. "He's looking for his shot, as he has. But he's playing a good floor game, too. He's moving the basketball."
Barry didn't know what to make of the extended first-period time.
"Usually, we're pretty much on the clock," he said, "but we didn't make the change, so I went over to Manu at the four-minute mark and said, 'What's wrong, are you hurt?'
"He got a good chuckle out of that."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA032407.15C.BKNspurs.barry.3c8b867.html