timvp
05-08-2008, 02:07 AM
Barry wants to make impact
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich insisted there was no subliminal message in the all-bench lineup that opened the fourth quarter of his team’s 102-84 loss to the Hornets in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
“It’s not about sending messages,” Popovich said. “You’re trying to win.”
Maybe not, but during the fourth-quarter court time Monday, Brent Barry presented a point of his own. In a series in which the Hornets have chosen to make the Spurs beat them with perimeter shots, perhaps there is a role for a player who has made 61.5 percent of his 3-pointers in the first seven playoff games.
Barry, the 13-year veteran guard who made 44.5 percent of his regular-season 3-pointers, made 4 of 5 from long range in the fourth period. That helped the Spurs trim the Hornets’ 17-point lead to nine, with enough time to complete a comeback, if only their defense had been less porous.
Popovich has fretted about Barry’s lingering difficulty moving freely on a sore left leg, which sidelined him for nearly two months when he tore a calf muscle. If what Popovich saw in Game 2 gave him reason for optimism about Barry’s physical condition, he wasn’t tipping his hand. Barry’s playing time, he said, will continue to be situational.
“It just depends on how the game is going,” Popovich said. “We don’t have anything set that he’s going to play this many minutes. It’s just how the game is going and what we think would be best.”
“I think he’s pretty healthy. He’s not going to be 100 percent during these playoffs, but he feels pretty good about his leg. I think he’s got confidence that he’s not going to hurt it again.”
In fact, Barry said his calf is feeling much better now than it did at any time during the first round. He is eager for a chance to make an impact in something other than a relatively hopeless situation like the fourth quarter of Monday’s game, especially if the Hornets continue to double-team Tim Duncan and pack the lane.
“I’m just over there waiting,” Barry said. “All the guys on the bench are ready to contribute, whatever that is. If there’s an opportunity, you have to try to take advantage of that.”
Fellow reserve Manu Ginobili was an interested observer when Barry went on his long-distance tear on Monday.
“Well, so far, he is the only one making shots,” Ginobili said. “So for sure that is an option Pop is considering. I think we are all good and proven shooters. We are just not making them. If we keep finding the right guy in good position — we’ve been doing it in the first halves — we will be in better shape. We’ve been winning first halves, then we just stop.”
Used sparingly in the first seven playoff games — just 93 minutes — Barry has been putting in extra time on his shooting stroke in practice sessions. Ranked eighth among active players in career 3-point percentage (42.1), he has made eight of 13 3-point attempts in the seven postseason games this season.
Barry started the fourth quarter of Game 2 with Jacque Vaughn, Ime Udoka, Robert Horry and Fabricio Oberto.
“I’ve been taking extra shots and just trying to stay ready,” Barry said. “Guys on the bench are ready to go. When called on, we try to give our team a lift.”
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA.050808_BarrySpursSider.en.dbcfff9e.html
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich insisted there was no subliminal message in the all-bench lineup that opened the fourth quarter of his team’s 102-84 loss to the Hornets in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
“It’s not about sending messages,” Popovich said. “You’re trying to win.”
Maybe not, but during the fourth-quarter court time Monday, Brent Barry presented a point of his own. In a series in which the Hornets have chosen to make the Spurs beat them with perimeter shots, perhaps there is a role for a player who has made 61.5 percent of his 3-pointers in the first seven playoff games.
Barry, the 13-year veteran guard who made 44.5 percent of his regular-season 3-pointers, made 4 of 5 from long range in the fourth period. That helped the Spurs trim the Hornets’ 17-point lead to nine, with enough time to complete a comeback, if only their defense had been less porous.
Popovich has fretted about Barry’s lingering difficulty moving freely on a sore left leg, which sidelined him for nearly two months when he tore a calf muscle. If what Popovich saw in Game 2 gave him reason for optimism about Barry’s physical condition, he wasn’t tipping his hand. Barry’s playing time, he said, will continue to be situational.
“It just depends on how the game is going,” Popovich said. “We don’t have anything set that he’s going to play this many minutes. It’s just how the game is going and what we think would be best.”
“I think he’s pretty healthy. He’s not going to be 100 percent during these playoffs, but he feels pretty good about his leg. I think he’s got confidence that he’s not going to hurt it again.”
In fact, Barry said his calf is feeling much better now than it did at any time during the first round. He is eager for a chance to make an impact in something other than a relatively hopeless situation like the fourth quarter of Monday’s game, especially if the Hornets continue to double-team Tim Duncan and pack the lane.
“I’m just over there waiting,” Barry said. “All the guys on the bench are ready to contribute, whatever that is. If there’s an opportunity, you have to try to take advantage of that.”
Fellow reserve Manu Ginobili was an interested observer when Barry went on his long-distance tear on Monday.
“Well, so far, he is the only one making shots,” Ginobili said. “So for sure that is an option Pop is considering. I think we are all good and proven shooters. We are just not making them. If we keep finding the right guy in good position — we’ve been doing it in the first halves — we will be in better shape. We’ve been winning first halves, then we just stop.”
Used sparingly in the first seven playoff games — just 93 minutes — Barry has been putting in extra time on his shooting stroke in practice sessions. Ranked eighth among active players in career 3-point percentage (42.1), he has made eight of 13 3-point attempts in the seven postseason games this season.
Barry started the fourth quarter of Game 2 with Jacque Vaughn, Ime Udoka, Robert Horry and Fabricio Oberto.
“I’ve been taking extra shots and just trying to stay ready,” Barry said. “Guys on the bench are ready to go. When called on, we try to give our team a lift.”
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA.050808_BarrySpursSider.en.dbcfff9e.html