Kori Ellis
11-19-2004, 02:18 AM
Spurs notebook: Coach can't stand prosperity
Web Posted: 11/19/2004 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA — The Spurs held Philadelphia scoreless for the first 7 1/2 minutes Thursday, though coach Gregg Popovich wasn't exactly cheering.
"It's a coach's worst nightmare: You get an early lead in the NBA," Popovich said. "It's the only thing every single one of us thinks every single time. You just sit there and wait for the score to get even."
The Sixers missed their first 16 shots and scored only six points in the quarter, one shy of their record low set 50 years ago. The Sixers finished the quarter 3 for 25.
"We were making them take tough shots," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said, "but we knew sooner or later they were going to come back."
It was sooner rather than later. After trailing 20-6 to start the second quarter, Philadelphia reduced its deficit to two less than five minutes later.
The Spurs suffered through their own poor shooting, making only 10 of 39 shots in the second and third quarters.
Bumps and bruises: Tim Duncan banged his knee and had to leave the court with 6.7 seconds left in the first half. He was able to return to start the third quarter and didn't seem to have any trouble planting on the knee.
"I hit it the last game (Tuesday against New York), then banged it in the same place tonight," Duncan said. "It's kind of an instant pain, but then it dies."
Odds and ends: Duncan, Tony Parker, Ginobili, Rasho Nesterovic and Brent Barry represent the Spurs on the All-Star ballot. ... The Spurs are 1-0 without assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo. Carlesimo did not attend Thursday's game because of jury duty. He is not expected to rejoin the team until Saturday in Toronto.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA111904.6C.BKNspurs.notebook.6e7eff1d.html
Web Posted: 11/19/2004 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA — The Spurs held Philadelphia scoreless for the first 7 1/2 minutes Thursday, though coach Gregg Popovich wasn't exactly cheering.
"It's a coach's worst nightmare: You get an early lead in the NBA," Popovich said. "It's the only thing every single one of us thinks every single time. You just sit there and wait for the score to get even."
The Sixers missed their first 16 shots and scored only six points in the quarter, one shy of their record low set 50 years ago. The Sixers finished the quarter 3 for 25.
"We were making them take tough shots," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said, "but we knew sooner or later they were going to come back."
It was sooner rather than later. After trailing 20-6 to start the second quarter, Philadelphia reduced its deficit to two less than five minutes later.
The Spurs suffered through their own poor shooting, making only 10 of 39 shots in the second and third quarters.
Bumps and bruises: Tim Duncan banged his knee and had to leave the court with 6.7 seconds left in the first half. He was able to return to start the third quarter and didn't seem to have any trouble planting on the knee.
"I hit it the last game (Tuesday against New York), then banged it in the same place tonight," Duncan said. "It's kind of an instant pain, but then it dies."
Odds and ends: Duncan, Tony Parker, Ginobili, Rasho Nesterovic and Brent Barry represent the Spurs on the All-Star ballot. ... The Spurs are 1-0 without assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo. Carlesimo did not attend Thursday's game because of jury duty. He is not expected to rejoin the team until Saturday in Toronto.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA111904.6C.BKNspurs.notebook.6e7eff1d.html