Kori Ellis
11-23-2004, 01:54 AM
Spurs end trip on down notes
Web Posted: 11/23/2004 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA112304.1D.BKNspurs.grizzlies.gamer.82a5d436.ht ml
MEMPHIS, Tenn. —— After the Spurs surrendered a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter Sunday in Toronto, coach Gregg Popovich gathered his players and told them they lost not with their shooting but their defense.
He didn't yell or scream. He said it matter-of-factly. He told them to get some rest, and then he left.
The Spurs responded by playing almost as poorly in a 93-90 loss to Memphis on Monday night at FedExForum. So Popovich took, well, a different approach.
"He was mad," Tony Parker said. "He was really, really mad."
Popovich had reason to be upset. The Grizzlies were missing their two best players, Pau Gasol (sprained right ankle) and James Posey (sprained left foot), then lost a third midway through the third quarter when Lorenzen Wright accidentally jabbed Stromile Swift in the left eye, leaving a scratch on Swift's cornea.
Memphis did not appear concerned by its dwindling numbers. The Grizzlies had 14 steals and, according to coach Hubie Brown, 37 deflections, an indicator of their aggressiveness, which led to 20 turnovers for the Spurs. Memphis also shot 48.8 percent, which, according to Popovich, was an indicator the Spurs were "soft" defensively.
"I thought we played as if we were entitled to something," Popovich said. "We just got out-worked, out-desired, out-physicaled. It was really disappointing.
"Losses are losses. You're going to lose some games, but they played harder than we played. They wanted it more. Hats off to them; they did a great job. We stunk up the court."
Before the game, Popovich said Sunday's collapse in Toronto was a perfect example of why the Spurs need to predicate their game on defense. He wasn't looking for more evidence against Memphis, but he got some. The Spurs committed eight turnovers in the third quarter, which Memphis cashed in for 10 points.
"I think we have a couple of players who are more worried with what's going on with them on the court, whether they're playing poorly or not, rather than what's good for the basketball team," Popovich said. "It's as if we're going to win with offense and, even if the offense isn't executed very well, they're just going say, 'Well, Tim Duncan is on the team so we're going to win.'"
Duncan scored 26 points, but it wasn't enough. Parker raised Popovich's ire with his decision-making and seven turnovers.
"I think Tony just forgot about pace and got into too many predicaments," Popovich said. "He was 'mano-a-mano' instead of just playing basketball and leading the team. He's got a lot to learn."
When the Spurs swept Memphis in the first round of last season's playoffs, Parker was the star. On Monday, it looked like he picked up where he left off when he scored 14 of his 18 points in the first quarter.
The Grizzlies, however, apparently have upgraded more than their uniforms and arena: They also play a little pick-and-roll defense. Memphis varied its look, sometimes switching on the screen-and-rolls, sometimes dropping into a zone.
Through it all, Parker kept trying to penetrate.
"Obviously it didn't work," Parker said. "I should have stopped and taken the outside jump shot. I'll adjust for the next game."
Despite their problems, the Spurs still had an opportunity to win or at least send the game into overtime. Bonzi Wells, who led Memphis with 26 points, hit a 3-pointer with Manu Ginobili running at him to put the Grizzlies up 90-87 with 47.3 seconds remaining.
The Spurs still trailed by three when Duncan's 24-footer with 2.9 seconds left fell a couple of feet short. Though the game appeared over, the officials convened and put 0.3 seconds on the clock. Brent Barry sprung free in the right corner but understandably couldn't get a shot off in time.
"From the get-go, from the jump ball, they were very excited to play us," Duncan said. "No excuses there. We just didn't defend very well."
The Spurs were playing their fourth road game in five nights, but neither Duncan nor anyone else saw that as cause for the loss.
"The same toughness and desire to play team defense is not there that was there at the beginning of the year," Popovich said. "That's my job, and I obviously haven't done a good job lately of keeping them in that mode."
He tried to at halftime. One player said he couldn't remember seeing Popovich more angry. He chewed on the entire team until his voice started to crack.
:wow
Needless to say, he wasn't in a better mood after the game.
"We need to stay together," Parker said, "and react in our next game."
Web Posted: 11/23/2004 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA112304.1D.BKNspurs.grizzlies.gamer.82a5d436.ht ml
MEMPHIS, Tenn. —— After the Spurs surrendered a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter Sunday in Toronto, coach Gregg Popovich gathered his players and told them they lost not with their shooting but their defense.
He didn't yell or scream. He said it matter-of-factly. He told them to get some rest, and then he left.
The Spurs responded by playing almost as poorly in a 93-90 loss to Memphis on Monday night at FedExForum. So Popovich took, well, a different approach.
"He was mad," Tony Parker said. "He was really, really mad."
Popovich had reason to be upset. The Grizzlies were missing their two best players, Pau Gasol (sprained right ankle) and James Posey (sprained left foot), then lost a third midway through the third quarter when Lorenzen Wright accidentally jabbed Stromile Swift in the left eye, leaving a scratch on Swift's cornea.
Memphis did not appear concerned by its dwindling numbers. The Grizzlies had 14 steals and, according to coach Hubie Brown, 37 deflections, an indicator of their aggressiveness, which led to 20 turnovers for the Spurs. Memphis also shot 48.8 percent, which, according to Popovich, was an indicator the Spurs were "soft" defensively.
"I thought we played as if we were entitled to something," Popovich said. "We just got out-worked, out-desired, out-physicaled. It was really disappointing.
"Losses are losses. You're going to lose some games, but they played harder than we played. They wanted it more. Hats off to them; they did a great job. We stunk up the court."
Before the game, Popovich said Sunday's collapse in Toronto was a perfect example of why the Spurs need to predicate their game on defense. He wasn't looking for more evidence against Memphis, but he got some. The Spurs committed eight turnovers in the third quarter, which Memphis cashed in for 10 points.
"I think we have a couple of players who are more worried with what's going on with them on the court, whether they're playing poorly or not, rather than what's good for the basketball team," Popovich said. "It's as if we're going to win with offense and, even if the offense isn't executed very well, they're just going say, 'Well, Tim Duncan is on the team so we're going to win.'"
Duncan scored 26 points, but it wasn't enough. Parker raised Popovich's ire with his decision-making and seven turnovers.
"I think Tony just forgot about pace and got into too many predicaments," Popovich said. "He was 'mano-a-mano' instead of just playing basketball and leading the team. He's got a lot to learn."
When the Spurs swept Memphis in the first round of last season's playoffs, Parker was the star. On Monday, it looked like he picked up where he left off when he scored 14 of his 18 points in the first quarter.
The Grizzlies, however, apparently have upgraded more than their uniforms and arena: They also play a little pick-and-roll defense. Memphis varied its look, sometimes switching on the screen-and-rolls, sometimes dropping into a zone.
Through it all, Parker kept trying to penetrate.
"Obviously it didn't work," Parker said. "I should have stopped and taken the outside jump shot. I'll adjust for the next game."
Despite their problems, the Spurs still had an opportunity to win or at least send the game into overtime. Bonzi Wells, who led Memphis with 26 points, hit a 3-pointer with Manu Ginobili running at him to put the Grizzlies up 90-87 with 47.3 seconds remaining.
The Spurs still trailed by three when Duncan's 24-footer with 2.9 seconds left fell a couple of feet short. Though the game appeared over, the officials convened and put 0.3 seconds on the clock. Brent Barry sprung free in the right corner but understandably couldn't get a shot off in time.
"From the get-go, from the jump ball, they were very excited to play us," Duncan said. "No excuses there. We just didn't defend very well."
The Spurs were playing their fourth road game in five nights, but neither Duncan nor anyone else saw that as cause for the loss.
"The same toughness and desire to play team defense is not there that was there at the beginning of the year," Popovich said. "That's my job, and I obviously haven't done a good job lately of keeping them in that mode."
He tried to at halftime. One player said he couldn't remember seeing Popovich more angry. He chewed on the entire team until his voice started to crack.
:wow
Needless to say, he wasn't in a better mood after the game.
"We need to stay together," Parker said, "and react in our next game."