ShoogarBear
03-25-2007, 05:17 PM
Link (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2007/03/25/awaiting_an_interesting_call/?page=3)
Popovich oversees a historical preservation group in San Antonio
Two years ago, the Spurs did something no team had ever done: They won an NBA championship without a player averaging 35 minutes a game.
Tim Duncan, who had averaged almost 40 minutes a game for the 2003 champion Spurs, averaged 33.4 minutes a game. Tony Parker was at a team-high 34.2, while Bruce Bowen averaged 32 and Manu Ginobili 29.6. (The NBA Guide started listing minutes played in the 1951-52 season.)
Last season, the Spurs again had no one averaging 35 minutes, and came close to a title. They are following a similar path this year. Coach Gregg Popovich decided long ago that body preservation in May and June was worth a lot more than expending minutes in March and April to secure the best record in the NBA. Prior to last weekend's game against the Celtics, Popovich was asked about keeping minutes down at the expense of perhaps having a better record.
"We haven't really focused on getting the best record in any year," Popovich said. "Some years we've gotten it, some years we haven't, but it's never been the focus." (It should be noted that the Spurs have never alone had the NBA's best record in the three years that they did win titles.)
"Our focus has been making sure our priorities are in order, beginning with defense, that we're as healthy as we can be, and that our bench has gotten enough minutes to be comfortable come playoff time. With that philosophy, it helps not to play starters an inordinate number of minutes to win games early at the expense of burning those guys out and not developing the bench."
It also should be noted that one staple of the Spurs' championship-caliber teams has been the ability to win on the road. Going into tonight's game in Seattle, the Spurs are 24-11 away from home.
Popovich oversees a historical preservation group in San Antonio
Two years ago, the Spurs did something no team had ever done: They won an NBA championship without a player averaging 35 minutes a game.
Tim Duncan, who had averaged almost 40 minutes a game for the 2003 champion Spurs, averaged 33.4 minutes a game. Tony Parker was at a team-high 34.2, while Bruce Bowen averaged 32 and Manu Ginobili 29.6. (The NBA Guide started listing minutes played in the 1951-52 season.)
Last season, the Spurs again had no one averaging 35 minutes, and came close to a title. They are following a similar path this year. Coach Gregg Popovich decided long ago that body preservation in May and June was worth a lot more than expending minutes in March and April to secure the best record in the NBA. Prior to last weekend's game against the Celtics, Popovich was asked about keeping minutes down at the expense of perhaps having a better record.
"We haven't really focused on getting the best record in any year," Popovich said. "Some years we've gotten it, some years we haven't, but it's never been the focus." (It should be noted that the Spurs have never alone had the NBA's best record in the three years that they did win titles.)
"Our focus has been making sure our priorities are in order, beginning with defense, that we're as healthy as we can be, and that our bench has gotten enough minutes to be comfortable come playoff time. With that philosophy, it helps not to play starters an inordinate number of minutes to win games early at the expense of burning those guys out and not developing the bench."
It also should be noted that one staple of the Spurs' championship-caliber teams has been the ability to win on the road. Going into tonight's game in Seattle, the Spurs are 24-11 away from home.