duncan228
05-22-2008, 11:41 PM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA052308_SpursNotes.en.37bc46a.html
NBA: Kobe's unselfishness impresses the most
Tom Orsborn
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — One day after Kobe Bryant torched them for 25 second-half points, the Spurs seemed more impressed with another statistic: his assist total.
Forward Bruce Bowen and guard Michael Finley both noted Bryant's desire to keep his teammates involved offensively is a sign the man Spurs coach Gregg Popovich calls “the greatest player on the planet” has matured as a player.
Bryant, who finished with 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting, also dished out nine assists, including four after halftime, in the Lakers' 89-85 victory Wednesday.
“This year, unlike years in the past, he trusts his teammates a lot more,” Finley said. “Even in crucial situations, he is willing to give the ball up and make them make decisions and then live with them making the right or wrong one, where in the past he would pretty much try to do it all himself.”
Tossing and turning: The fact the Spurs squandered a 20-point third-period lead in Game 1 made for a difficult night after the team returned to its hotel.
“It was a tough night sleep-wise,” Bowen said. “You just replay so much. That's part of the nature of this game. You do that. And then you understand that there is only so much of that I can do. Then it's important to start preparation for the (next) game. We try to make amends by preparing for the next game.”
The Spurs did that by watching film. They did not practice.
The Zen Master on Pop: Lakers coach Phil Jackson has had plenty of barbs for the Spurs over the past decade, but offered nothing but praise when asked about Gregg Popovich on Thursday.
“Gregg's one of the coaches that's come into this game that's continually developed,” Jackson said. “A lot of coaches get static or get resistant and don't change. Gregg's one of the coaches that's been able to evolve and make changes with his team, and develop his team to the point where their options are almost countless.”
Not waiting on whistles: The Lakers have been the best team in the NBA playoffs at getting to the free-throw line, averaging 33.5 attempts per game. But they took only 18 foul shots in Game 1 against the Spurs, and Jackson said that wasn't an anomaly.
“I don't think that's going to change a lot,” Jackson said. “San Antonio has a reputation for not fouling. … There's a reason it happens. So we have to play, make baskets and make things count. Play through fouls, even if they are there.”
No excuses: Popovich said he's not concerned with the health of guard Manu Ginobili, who is dealing with a jammed ankle and torn fingernail.
“There's no concern for one reason — there's no time to be concerned,” Popovich said. “Nobody cares. It's playoff time, and you go play.”
Tim Duncan agreed with his coach's sentiment.
“There are two teams trying to make it to the Finals,” Duncan said. “We don't care how they feel, and they don't care how we feel.”
Express-News staff writers Jeff McDonald and Mike Finger contributed to this report.
NBA: Kobe's unselfishness impresses the most
Tom Orsborn
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — One day after Kobe Bryant torched them for 25 second-half points, the Spurs seemed more impressed with another statistic: his assist total.
Forward Bruce Bowen and guard Michael Finley both noted Bryant's desire to keep his teammates involved offensively is a sign the man Spurs coach Gregg Popovich calls “the greatest player on the planet” has matured as a player.
Bryant, who finished with 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting, also dished out nine assists, including four after halftime, in the Lakers' 89-85 victory Wednesday.
“This year, unlike years in the past, he trusts his teammates a lot more,” Finley said. “Even in crucial situations, he is willing to give the ball up and make them make decisions and then live with them making the right or wrong one, where in the past he would pretty much try to do it all himself.”
Tossing and turning: The fact the Spurs squandered a 20-point third-period lead in Game 1 made for a difficult night after the team returned to its hotel.
“It was a tough night sleep-wise,” Bowen said. “You just replay so much. That's part of the nature of this game. You do that. And then you understand that there is only so much of that I can do. Then it's important to start preparation for the (next) game. We try to make amends by preparing for the next game.”
The Spurs did that by watching film. They did not practice.
The Zen Master on Pop: Lakers coach Phil Jackson has had plenty of barbs for the Spurs over the past decade, but offered nothing but praise when asked about Gregg Popovich on Thursday.
“Gregg's one of the coaches that's come into this game that's continually developed,” Jackson said. “A lot of coaches get static or get resistant and don't change. Gregg's one of the coaches that's been able to evolve and make changes with his team, and develop his team to the point where their options are almost countless.”
Not waiting on whistles: The Lakers have been the best team in the NBA playoffs at getting to the free-throw line, averaging 33.5 attempts per game. But they took only 18 foul shots in Game 1 against the Spurs, and Jackson said that wasn't an anomaly.
“I don't think that's going to change a lot,” Jackson said. “San Antonio has a reputation for not fouling. … There's a reason it happens. So we have to play, make baskets and make things count. Play through fouls, even if they are there.”
No excuses: Popovich said he's not concerned with the health of guard Manu Ginobili, who is dealing with a jammed ankle and torn fingernail.
“There's no concern for one reason — there's no time to be concerned,” Popovich said. “Nobody cares. It's playoff time, and you go play.”
Tim Duncan agreed with his coach's sentiment.
“There are two teams trying to make it to the Finals,” Duncan said. “We don't care how they feel, and they don't care how we feel.”
Express-News staff writers Jeff McDonald and Mike Finger contributed to this report.