THE SIXTH MAN
05-08-2007, 12:53 AM
Link (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA050807.1D.spursADV.34306e7.html)
Suns look for ways to stop Duncan
Web Posted: 05/07/2007 10:23 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
PHOENIX — Sean Marks spent three seasons with the Spurs, and while he appeared to be affixed to a chair behind the team's bench for much of that time, his teammates knew otherwise.
For at least two of those seasons, Marks served as Tim Duncan's personal workout partner. During practice — and sometimes after — it was Marks who went 1-on-1 with Duncan, banging against the Spurs forward and giving him a 7-footer on which to test his game.
So it came as little surprise that as Marks' newest employer, the Phoenix Suns, finished practice Monday afternoon, Amare Stoudemire sought out the team's Encyclopedia Spurtannica.
For about 10 minutes, Marks demonstrated some of Duncan's moves. He told Stoudemire what to expect and how he should best position himself.
"I showed him a couple of things, but at the same time, Amare has his work cut out for him," Marks said. "Anybody does."
The Suns realize as much. After Duncan totaled 33 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks in the Spurs' series-opening victory Sunday, Phoenix is considering making a lineup change tonight when the teams resume their Western Conference semifinal at US Airways Center.
Stoudemire said he expects the Suns to start center Kurt Thomas alongside him in place of swingman James Jones. The move would give Phoenix a slower but bigger lineup.
Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni wouldn't confirm the change except to say, "It's something we'll definitely look at."
Stoudemire opened Sunday's game on Duncan but picked up three fouls in the first half. Shawn Marion didn't have much success during his time guarding Duncan, making Thomas the Suns' most effective interior defender.
A sturdy 6-foot-9 forward, Thomas did a credible job of anticipating Duncan's moves and making him work to establish position.
"Kurt's an excellent defender," Duncan said. "He does a very good job against me, very physical, very smart.
"We've obviously played against each other for many years, and he understands what to bring to the table. I don't think they lose much when he's on the floor."
Duncan has often given the Suns trouble the past few seasons — he averaged 27.4 points and 13.8 rebounds against them in the 2005 Western Conference finals — and Sunday was no different. After missing all four of his shots in the first quarter, he scored 21 points in the second half.
"I can see a little bit flashbacks from two, three years ago when he used to really, really dominate," Tony Parker said. "It's good to see that."
Duncan is considerably healthier than a year ago when he was slowed much of the season by plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Even while helping lead the Spurs to the 2005 championship, he played much of the time on a pair of sore ankles.
"He's able to lift his legs up and run and plant now," Robert Horry said. "It makes a big difference on how he can spin because he has that push-off."
That was evident late in Sunday's game when Duncan spun on the baseline and buried an impressive 12-foot jump hook to give the Spurs the lead for good. The Suns didn't double-team Duncan on the possession, and they sound like they don't plan to change that strategy tonight because they don't want to risk leaving the Spurs' shooters open.
"It's almost Kobe-ish," Suns guard Raja Bell said of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. "If Kobe scores 40, we can still beat them. It's limiting other people's opportunities.
"So I don't think we're going to panic with Tim getting 30."
The Spurs coaches, however, think Duncan can further raise his aggressiveness and have an even greater impact. And with the Spurs having already taken one game from the Suns on their floor, Duncan understands the importance of tonight's game.
"We put these guys down 2-0 going back to our house, that's some incredible pressure," he said. "I think there's some incredible pressure anyway with us up 1-0.
"We just lost our first game against Denver and coming into that second game, there were a lot more nerves, a lot more pressing to get that game."
Which is why Stoudemire looked to Marks for advice. Duncan's wife, Amy, also noticed Marks trying to help the Suns' big men during Sunday's TV broadcast.
Duncan went to dinner with Marks, Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto after the game.
He joked with his former teammate that Amy "had a couple of choice words for him."
"She said, 'I've got a bone to pick with Sean, what's he doing giving your secrets away?'" Marks said. "I told Timmy those guys are paying the bills now."
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[email protected]
Suns look for ways to stop Duncan
Web Posted: 05/07/2007 10:23 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
PHOENIX — Sean Marks spent three seasons with the Spurs, and while he appeared to be affixed to a chair behind the team's bench for much of that time, his teammates knew otherwise.
For at least two of those seasons, Marks served as Tim Duncan's personal workout partner. During practice — and sometimes after — it was Marks who went 1-on-1 with Duncan, banging against the Spurs forward and giving him a 7-footer on which to test his game.
So it came as little surprise that as Marks' newest employer, the Phoenix Suns, finished practice Monday afternoon, Amare Stoudemire sought out the team's Encyclopedia Spurtannica.
For about 10 minutes, Marks demonstrated some of Duncan's moves. He told Stoudemire what to expect and how he should best position himself.
"I showed him a couple of things, but at the same time, Amare has his work cut out for him," Marks said. "Anybody does."
The Suns realize as much. After Duncan totaled 33 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks in the Spurs' series-opening victory Sunday, Phoenix is considering making a lineup change tonight when the teams resume their Western Conference semifinal at US Airways Center.
Stoudemire said he expects the Suns to start center Kurt Thomas alongside him in place of swingman James Jones. The move would give Phoenix a slower but bigger lineup.
Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni wouldn't confirm the change except to say, "It's something we'll definitely look at."
Stoudemire opened Sunday's game on Duncan but picked up three fouls in the first half. Shawn Marion didn't have much success during his time guarding Duncan, making Thomas the Suns' most effective interior defender.
A sturdy 6-foot-9 forward, Thomas did a credible job of anticipating Duncan's moves and making him work to establish position.
"Kurt's an excellent defender," Duncan said. "He does a very good job against me, very physical, very smart.
"We've obviously played against each other for many years, and he understands what to bring to the table. I don't think they lose much when he's on the floor."
Duncan has often given the Suns trouble the past few seasons — he averaged 27.4 points and 13.8 rebounds against them in the 2005 Western Conference finals — and Sunday was no different. After missing all four of his shots in the first quarter, he scored 21 points in the second half.
"I can see a little bit flashbacks from two, three years ago when he used to really, really dominate," Tony Parker said. "It's good to see that."
Duncan is considerably healthier than a year ago when he was slowed much of the season by plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Even while helping lead the Spurs to the 2005 championship, he played much of the time on a pair of sore ankles.
"He's able to lift his legs up and run and plant now," Robert Horry said. "It makes a big difference on how he can spin because he has that push-off."
That was evident late in Sunday's game when Duncan spun on the baseline and buried an impressive 12-foot jump hook to give the Spurs the lead for good. The Suns didn't double-team Duncan on the possession, and they sound like they don't plan to change that strategy tonight because they don't want to risk leaving the Spurs' shooters open.
"It's almost Kobe-ish," Suns guard Raja Bell said of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. "If Kobe scores 40, we can still beat them. It's limiting other people's opportunities.
"So I don't think we're going to panic with Tim getting 30."
The Spurs coaches, however, think Duncan can further raise his aggressiveness and have an even greater impact. And with the Spurs having already taken one game from the Suns on their floor, Duncan understands the importance of tonight's game.
"We put these guys down 2-0 going back to our house, that's some incredible pressure," he said. "I think there's some incredible pressure anyway with us up 1-0.
"We just lost our first game against Denver and coming into that second game, there were a lot more nerves, a lot more pressing to get that game."
Which is why Stoudemire looked to Marks for advice. Duncan's wife, Amy, also noticed Marks trying to help the Suns' big men during Sunday's TV broadcast.
Duncan went to dinner with Marks, Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto after the game.
He joked with his former teammate that Amy "had a couple of choice words for him."
"She said, 'I've got a bone to pick with Sean, what's he doing giving your secrets away?'" Marks said. "I told Timmy those guys are paying the bills now."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[email protected]