Kori Ellis
12-09-2004, 04:10 AM
Buck Harvey: In search of leaders: Popovich in charge
Web Posted: 12/09/2004 12:00 AM CST
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA120904.1C.COL.BKNharvey.d57b4aee.html
San Antonio Express-News
Gregg Popovich yelled at a ref for about 10 minutes. Slammed the scorer's table. And benched his starting center for the entire second half.
He also talked to the Spurs at halftime "in a Pop way," as Manu Ginobili described it.
In a Pop way.
With this franchise, it's often the only way.
It's worked, since Popovich has the highest winning percentage among active coaches. But he isn't accustomed to December showdowns between teams with the best records.
He's more accustomed to talk shows calling for his head, and he joked about that Wednesday night before the game.
It didn't take long for Popovich's mood to change. Since the Spurs were routed in Seattle last month, he thought his players now had what he calls "appropriate respect." The Spurs instead played as if the November night had been a blip.
By halftime the spread was 19 points, and Popovich then worked the only angle he could. He stayed on the lead referee, Eddie F. Rush, trying to get the aggressive Sonics off Tim Duncan, and Popovich never let go.
"Relax," Rush told him.
"You call the foul," Popovich said, "and I'll relax."
Popovich was technically right. An NBA scout in attendance said that, yes, the Sonics were dislodging Duncan from the block. The league has emphasized that dislodging is a foul that needs to be called.
But Popovich knew that wasn't the reason the Spurs were a step behind. The Spurs had to dislodge something themselves, and it was their lack of emotion.
For this franchise — through two championships — Popovich has done the dislodging. Duncan has become more of a leader every year, but it's not his nature to take over a locker room. That leaves a young core, as well as one of the few holes on this roster.
Whereas the title teams had veterans Mario Elie and Jerome Kersey, Steve Kerr and Danny Ferry, these Spurs don't have the same personalities.
Robert Horry's experience helps, and Brent Barry might ease into a similar role. But there is little else, just one reason the addition of Karl Malone makes sense.
Popovich says he's "always been interested" in Malone, but Popovich has recruited carefully. Popovich's strategy with Malone is what it was with Duncan's free agency. In short, Popovich has given Malone space.
"He stepped back and let me do my thing," Malone said in September of Popovich. "When the time is appropriate, we'll talk."
The time is as appropriate as it's ever going to get, what with Kobe Bryant running Malone out of L.A. this week. And when they talk, Popovich will tell Malone about nights such as Wednesday and what the Spurs need.
Malone, by every account, was the rational voice in the dysfunctional Lakers locker room last season. He couldn't always play as the Hall of Famer he will be, but, by his nature and his actions, he led.
Wednesday, when Rasho Nesterovic disappeared, Malone would have gotten a chance to do more. A Malone elbow likely would have found Danny Fortson.
As it was, Malik Rose filled in nicely for Nesterovic to start the second half. Popovich never went back to Barry, either, relying on his most aggressive group.
The Spurs had enough energy to win, as well as enough chances. One came when Horry cut for an open dunk toward the end of the third quarter — but lost the ball. That would have pulled the Spurs within two points and would have changed the volume in the SBC Center even more.
Midway through the fourth, the Spurs did cut the Seattle lead to 83-81. Ray Allen, swarmed by Bruce Bowen, followed with a miss. But Duncan couldn't chase down the rebound, ending several steps up an aisle in the stands. Allen followed with a three-pointer.
As for the remarkable turnaround of the Sonics: No one better symbolizes that than ex-Spurs guard Antonio Daniels, who has been solid off the Seattle bench. No one better symbolized the end of this game, either, with a three-pointer with just over a minute left.
Popovich waved to the Sonics' coaches as he walked off the floor. And within minutes he was talking to the media, managing the energy of his team, spending another evening as the emotional leader.
In a Pop way.
Web Posted: 12/09/2004 12:00 AM CST
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA120904.1C.COL.BKNharvey.d57b4aee.html
San Antonio Express-News
Gregg Popovich yelled at a ref for about 10 minutes. Slammed the scorer's table. And benched his starting center for the entire second half.
He also talked to the Spurs at halftime "in a Pop way," as Manu Ginobili described it.
In a Pop way.
With this franchise, it's often the only way.
It's worked, since Popovich has the highest winning percentage among active coaches. But he isn't accustomed to December showdowns between teams with the best records.
He's more accustomed to talk shows calling for his head, and he joked about that Wednesday night before the game.
It didn't take long for Popovich's mood to change. Since the Spurs were routed in Seattle last month, he thought his players now had what he calls "appropriate respect." The Spurs instead played as if the November night had been a blip.
By halftime the spread was 19 points, and Popovich then worked the only angle he could. He stayed on the lead referee, Eddie F. Rush, trying to get the aggressive Sonics off Tim Duncan, and Popovich never let go.
"Relax," Rush told him.
"You call the foul," Popovich said, "and I'll relax."
Popovich was technically right. An NBA scout in attendance said that, yes, the Sonics were dislodging Duncan from the block. The league has emphasized that dislodging is a foul that needs to be called.
But Popovich knew that wasn't the reason the Spurs were a step behind. The Spurs had to dislodge something themselves, and it was their lack of emotion.
For this franchise — through two championships — Popovich has done the dislodging. Duncan has become more of a leader every year, but it's not his nature to take over a locker room. That leaves a young core, as well as one of the few holes on this roster.
Whereas the title teams had veterans Mario Elie and Jerome Kersey, Steve Kerr and Danny Ferry, these Spurs don't have the same personalities.
Robert Horry's experience helps, and Brent Barry might ease into a similar role. But there is little else, just one reason the addition of Karl Malone makes sense.
Popovich says he's "always been interested" in Malone, but Popovich has recruited carefully. Popovich's strategy with Malone is what it was with Duncan's free agency. In short, Popovich has given Malone space.
"He stepped back and let me do my thing," Malone said in September of Popovich. "When the time is appropriate, we'll talk."
The time is as appropriate as it's ever going to get, what with Kobe Bryant running Malone out of L.A. this week. And when they talk, Popovich will tell Malone about nights such as Wednesday and what the Spurs need.
Malone, by every account, was the rational voice in the dysfunctional Lakers locker room last season. He couldn't always play as the Hall of Famer he will be, but, by his nature and his actions, he led.
Wednesday, when Rasho Nesterovic disappeared, Malone would have gotten a chance to do more. A Malone elbow likely would have found Danny Fortson.
As it was, Malik Rose filled in nicely for Nesterovic to start the second half. Popovich never went back to Barry, either, relying on his most aggressive group.
The Spurs had enough energy to win, as well as enough chances. One came when Horry cut for an open dunk toward the end of the third quarter — but lost the ball. That would have pulled the Spurs within two points and would have changed the volume in the SBC Center even more.
Midway through the fourth, the Spurs did cut the Seattle lead to 83-81. Ray Allen, swarmed by Bruce Bowen, followed with a miss. But Duncan couldn't chase down the rebound, ending several steps up an aisle in the stands. Allen followed with a three-pointer.
As for the remarkable turnaround of the Sonics: No one better symbolizes that than ex-Spurs guard Antonio Daniels, who has been solid off the Seattle bench. No one better symbolized the end of this game, either, with a three-pointer with just over a minute left.
Popovich waved to the Sonics' coaches as he walked off the floor. And within minutes he was talking to the media, managing the energy of his team, spending another evening as the emotional leader.
In a Pop way.