Kori Ellis
12-19-2004, 03:01 AM
Sato patient, not idle, in rookie season with Spurs
By Dave Goldstein
Enquirer contributor
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041218/SPT0102/412180413/1063/SPT
Romain Sato has yet to represent the San Antonio Spurs on the court in his rookie season, but he has proven to be a perfect franchise fit.
Under coach Gregg Popovich, the Spurs have become known for their quiet effectiveness, achieving great success on the floor with players known for their strong character off it. Although he hasn't yet flashed the skills that made him a four-year star at Xavier, Sato has fit right in.
So far the Spurs have kept him on the injured list, a common practice that allows rookies to improve in practice while teams keep more veterans on the active roster. Sato has made the most of an oft-wasted opportunity, displaying an attitude that delights his coach.
"(Sato's) a hard-working young man and he's like a sponge, in that he just wants to learn everything he can," Popovich said. "If you have guys who tend to drift, don't focus or can't concentrate, sometimes being in a winning environment does help them a bit, but Romain doesn't have any of those problems."
Sato's activities in practice include scrimmaging and individual, two-on-two and three-on-three drills. It doesn't seem like much for a former All-Atlantic 10 performer who started every game of his Xavier career. But for a second-round pick on a veteran-laden team, it's not a bad situation. Sato notes the significant upgrade in the strength and speed of NBA players, as well as the faster pace of the play-calling, execution and the game itself. Learning from the bench prepares him to contribute in the future without compromising the Spurs' present. Led by Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, San Antonio is a team with championship aspirations.
"(Sato) gets to see how the best players on the team conduct themselves in practice," Popovich said. "He realizes how hard these guys work and what they put in to get where they are."
Sato joins several other Xavier alumni in the NBA. He and fellow rookie Lionel Chalmers talk often, discussing the game and life in the league. Sato also has been greeted with smiles from other Musketeers in different cities.
"I saw Brian Grant when we went to L.A. and he was really cool with me," Sato said. "We talked a lot and he told me how proud he was to see me make it this far. ... There's David West and a lot of other guys here. It's just good to see the Xavier tradition in the league."
Sato showed explosive athleticism, 3-point shooting range and a nose for the ball at Xavier, but displaying those skills in the NBA has not been as easy. But Sato is growing and learning more with every practice.
"This is God's plan, and God put me here for a reason," Sato said. "It's special, being part of the best organization in the league. I'm glad I get to be a member of the Spurs."
By Dave Goldstein
Enquirer contributor
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041218/SPT0102/412180413/1063/SPT
Romain Sato has yet to represent the San Antonio Spurs on the court in his rookie season, but he has proven to be a perfect franchise fit.
Under coach Gregg Popovich, the Spurs have become known for their quiet effectiveness, achieving great success on the floor with players known for their strong character off it. Although he hasn't yet flashed the skills that made him a four-year star at Xavier, Sato has fit right in.
So far the Spurs have kept him on the injured list, a common practice that allows rookies to improve in practice while teams keep more veterans on the active roster. Sato has made the most of an oft-wasted opportunity, displaying an attitude that delights his coach.
"(Sato's) a hard-working young man and he's like a sponge, in that he just wants to learn everything he can," Popovich said. "If you have guys who tend to drift, don't focus or can't concentrate, sometimes being in a winning environment does help them a bit, but Romain doesn't have any of those problems."
Sato's activities in practice include scrimmaging and individual, two-on-two and three-on-three drills. It doesn't seem like much for a former All-Atlantic 10 performer who started every game of his Xavier career. But for a second-round pick on a veteran-laden team, it's not a bad situation. Sato notes the significant upgrade in the strength and speed of NBA players, as well as the faster pace of the play-calling, execution and the game itself. Learning from the bench prepares him to contribute in the future without compromising the Spurs' present. Led by Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, San Antonio is a team with championship aspirations.
"(Sato) gets to see how the best players on the team conduct themselves in practice," Popovich said. "He realizes how hard these guys work and what they put in to get where they are."
Sato joins several other Xavier alumni in the NBA. He and fellow rookie Lionel Chalmers talk often, discussing the game and life in the league. Sato also has been greeted with smiles from other Musketeers in different cities.
"I saw Brian Grant when we went to L.A. and he was really cool with me," Sato said. "We talked a lot and he told me how proud he was to see me make it this far. ... There's David West and a lot of other guys here. It's just good to see the Xavier tradition in the league."
Sato showed explosive athleticism, 3-point shooting range and a nose for the ball at Xavier, but displaying those skills in the NBA has not been as easy. But Sato is growing and learning more with every practice.
"This is God's plan, and God put me here for a reason," Sato said. "It's special, being part of the best organization in the league. I'm glad I get to be a member of the Spurs."