some_user86
01-09-2008, 03:05 AM
Spurs: Team hopes offensive outburst wasn't fool's gold
Web Posted: 01/08/2008 11:43 PM CST
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
In the 1840s, prospectors sojourned westward across the continent in the unquenchable search of gold.
One hundred and sixty years later, the Spurs trekked to California earlier this week in search of a commodity that, to them, seemed just as valuable.
As their scoring woes of December bled into January, the Spurs forged westward panning for points. Like the most fortunate among their prospecting predecessors, they appear to have found what they were looking for out west.
After scoring just 88 in beating the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, the Spurs exploded for 121 points in an overtime loss at Golden State on Monday night, by far their most prolific offensive outburst of the season.
"We improved a little bit," understated point guard Tony Parker said. "The flow is starting to come back."
That is the silver lining of the loss at Golden State. The Spurs, at long last, remembered how to put the ball in the basket.
Bedeviled by shooting struggles and chemistry problems exacerbated by injuries, the Spurs entered Monday night's game on the heels of a 10-game stretch in which their offense had averaged just 92.1 points — third-worst in the league.
Only twice during that span did they surpass 100 points.
During one particularly maddening five-game period, the Spurs begrudged a league-best 87.3-points per game — and still lost three times.
In Oakland on Monday night, the Spurs rediscovered their scoring mojo, albeit against a Warriors team not exactly renowned for its defensive stinginess.
Of course, the Spurs also allowed the Warriors to score 130 points, and lost for the seventh time in 13 games. But one problem at a time for now.
"When we've lost games this year, we've not made shots," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Our defense has been good, we just haven't generated much offense."
With Parker and Tim Duncan leading a scoring orgy, each topping 30 points, the Spurs had no such trouble against the Warriors. The 114 points they notched in regulation were their most since a 116-101 victory at Seattle on Nov. 25.
As defensive-minded Detroit heads to the AT&T Center on Thursday, the Spurs hope to bring the offensive firepower they found in California back home with them.
"(Before) shots just weren't going down for us," Duncan said. "But we always knew our offense would find its rhythm."
The best gauge of the Spurs' offensive proficiency — or lack thereof — this season has been their 3-point accuracy. They are shooting nearly 10 percentage points better from beyond the arc in victory (41.6) than in defeat (32.4).
Since the start of December, the Spurs are hitting 3-pointers at only a 31.8 percent clip.
"Shooting, it comes and goes," Parker said. "We know we can't count on that. We need to count on defense and rebounding."
At times, even that hasn't been enough.
Spurs players link their recent scoring slump — like most everything else that is bothering them these days — to a rash of injuries that dominated their December.
When Manu Ginobili came off the injured list Sunday, it marked the first time the Spurs had played a full game with their so-called "Big Three" complete since November. In all, six of the Spurs' 12 rotation players have spent time on the injury list this season.
In the meantime, Popovich was forced to play mix-and-match with makeshift lineups that gave rise to chemistry issues on offense. With key reserve Brent Barry still out with a torn calf muscle, the Spurs still aren't whole.
"We haven't had our entire club together for the last (several) games," Duncan said. "It will take us a while to get back in a rhythm with each other, and then the offense will come."
Against Golden State, the offense came for the Spurs in abundance. Ultimately, they found the points for which they were prospecting.
Whether that turns out to be more than just fool's gold remains to be seen.
[email protected]
LINK: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA010908.01CspursADV.en.2bd69bf.html
Web Posted: 01/08/2008 11:43 PM CST
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
In the 1840s, prospectors sojourned westward across the continent in the unquenchable search of gold.
One hundred and sixty years later, the Spurs trekked to California earlier this week in search of a commodity that, to them, seemed just as valuable.
As their scoring woes of December bled into January, the Spurs forged westward panning for points. Like the most fortunate among their prospecting predecessors, they appear to have found what they were looking for out west.
After scoring just 88 in beating the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, the Spurs exploded for 121 points in an overtime loss at Golden State on Monday night, by far their most prolific offensive outburst of the season.
"We improved a little bit," understated point guard Tony Parker said. "The flow is starting to come back."
That is the silver lining of the loss at Golden State. The Spurs, at long last, remembered how to put the ball in the basket.
Bedeviled by shooting struggles and chemistry problems exacerbated by injuries, the Spurs entered Monday night's game on the heels of a 10-game stretch in which their offense had averaged just 92.1 points — third-worst in the league.
Only twice during that span did they surpass 100 points.
During one particularly maddening five-game period, the Spurs begrudged a league-best 87.3-points per game — and still lost three times.
In Oakland on Monday night, the Spurs rediscovered their scoring mojo, albeit against a Warriors team not exactly renowned for its defensive stinginess.
Of course, the Spurs also allowed the Warriors to score 130 points, and lost for the seventh time in 13 games. But one problem at a time for now.
"When we've lost games this year, we've not made shots," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Our defense has been good, we just haven't generated much offense."
With Parker and Tim Duncan leading a scoring orgy, each topping 30 points, the Spurs had no such trouble against the Warriors. The 114 points they notched in regulation were their most since a 116-101 victory at Seattle on Nov. 25.
As defensive-minded Detroit heads to the AT&T Center on Thursday, the Spurs hope to bring the offensive firepower they found in California back home with them.
"(Before) shots just weren't going down for us," Duncan said. "But we always knew our offense would find its rhythm."
The best gauge of the Spurs' offensive proficiency — or lack thereof — this season has been their 3-point accuracy. They are shooting nearly 10 percentage points better from beyond the arc in victory (41.6) than in defeat (32.4).
Since the start of December, the Spurs are hitting 3-pointers at only a 31.8 percent clip.
"Shooting, it comes and goes," Parker said. "We know we can't count on that. We need to count on defense and rebounding."
At times, even that hasn't been enough.
Spurs players link their recent scoring slump — like most everything else that is bothering them these days — to a rash of injuries that dominated their December.
When Manu Ginobili came off the injured list Sunday, it marked the first time the Spurs had played a full game with their so-called "Big Three" complete since November. In all, six of the Spurs' 12 rotation players have spent time on the injury list this season.
In the meantime, Popovich was forced to play mix-and-match with makeshift lineups that gave rise to chemistry issues on offense. With key reserve Brent Barry still out with a torn calf muscle, the Spurs still aren't whole.
"We haven't had our entire club together for the last (several) games," Duncan said. "It will take us a while to get back in a rhythm with each other, and then the offense will come."
Against Golden State, the offense came for the Spurs in abundance. Ultimately, they found the points for which they were prospecting.
Whether that turns out to be more than just fool's gold remains to be seen.
[email protected]
LINK: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA010908.01CspursADV.en.2bd69bf.html