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hope. We are going to win this whole mother ing thing. We must have a bunch of new Spurs fans in here given how they run at the first sign of playoff trouble.
Spurs hoping for help: Those around Duncan bear burdens on both end
Web Posted: 04/27/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...218d5bfa9.html
The Spurs realized it sometime Sunday night. Tim Duncan spun on the baseline and released an 8-foot turnaround only to watch it fall two feet short of the basket. His layup slid halfway through the rim then mysteriously popped out. His jump hook drew only iron.
"Just because Tim Duncan comes back," Brent Barry said, "doesn't mean you wave a magic wand over the team and the rest of the league is going to lay down."
Sunday's loss taught the Spurs that much. If they intend to even their best-of-seven, first-round series against the Denver Nuggets tonight at the SBC Center — let alone eventually win it — they're going to have to work.
They can't expect Duncan to carry them. They can't rely on the experience gained two years ago when they won the championship after suffering series-opening home losses to Phoenix and Dallas.
"Every team is different," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "What's happened in the past, both negative or positive, to me, has no bearing on what happens now."
To win tonight, the Spurs need to play both smarter and more aggressive than they did Sunday. Making a few shots in the fourth quarter also would help.
The Spurs will try to limit the Nuggets' second-chance opportunities as well as their own turnovers. They need their big men to help contain Andre Miller off Denver's pick-and-rolls. And they need to get more production from their own point guard, Tony Parker.
Popovich was pleased with Parker's effort and direction of the offense in Game 1 but thought he turned down a couple of open shots.
"We need to inject a little bit more offense," Popovich said. "He's probably going to look to be a little more aggressive."
Parker missed 11 of his 17 shots as Miller outscored him 31-12. Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby each swatted away one of his attempts and caused him to hesitate on a few others.
Said Miller: "I think (Parker) knows what happened. He'll make his adjustments. He'll come back ready."
Said Parker: "I miss a lot of teardrops in the first game. I got in the paint. I just didn't finish like I usually do."
Parker at least had the chance to try. Barry and Bruce Bowen took only three shots between them. The Spurs hope to move the ball more freely to their perimeter shooters tonight.
"That improves everybody's rhythm and gets everybody involved," Barry said. "I think one thing you'll see (today) is an aggressive Tim Duncan down on the block, making quick moves and trying to take advantage inside as much as possible."
Denver rotated defenders on Duncan, using Camby, Martin and backup Nenê. While the Nuggets often crowded Duncan when he tried to make a move, they brought a full double-team on only a handful of occasions.
Duncan finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, but he missed 15 of his 22 shots.
"I'll take a repeat," Denver coach George Karl said. "I'll take 7 for 20 the rest of the series and pay a lot of money for it. I think we can get (Nuggets owner) Mr. (Stan) Kroenke to contribute to the David Robinson Foundation or whatever."
Parker thinks Duncan, like himself, will play better tonight. While Duncan didn't re-injure his right ankle Sunday, he did look fatigued at times. He missed all seven of his shots in the fourth quarter.
"Throughout the game, I thought he was a good player," Karl said. "But he wasn't that dominant, 'Oh, (bleep)'-type player."
The Spurs hope Duncan gives Karl a few four-letter moments tonight. But they also have learned this: If the Nuggets aren't going to wait on him to return to form, nor should they.
"We've talked so much about injuries and trying to work and nurse guys back to health," Barry said. "It's just not time for that anymore. It's time to step up and play."
hope. We are going to win this whole mother ing thing. We must have a bunch of new Spurs fans in here given how they run at the first sign of playoff trouble.
Barry: "It's time to step up and play."
Ok, for Barry we need hope, but I digress.
Has the wake up call been finally made??
I ho inope so.
Alright Brent, your talkin the talk, now walk the MFin walk.
Now THAT is funny lmao.Ok, for Barry we need hope, but I digress.
“Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.”
Barry needs to be kept off the court...Pop knows all. We might lose if we play him in the 4th. Stop expecting Barry to be the difference maker...he's not the guy handling the ball. Our starters won't meltdown again...If there's one thing Pop knows it's how to build an offense. And until we get this idiot shooter who doesn't know about offense straightened out...it's best he just stay on the bench until he masters the art of 4th quarter choke like the rest of the team.
Barry just every once in awhile needs to mix in an attack down the ing middle. I mean he can make free throws when he is whacked on the drive right?
Attack the middle Brent, you'd be surprised by how much space you'll receive behind the arc if you drive every once in awhile.
If the fans can figure this out, why can't the Spurs?
If the fans can be ready for the playofss, why can't the Spurs be ready?
That defines Brent's role with the Spurs, too, and he lives within the system. When Brent found Boykins guarding him Sunday, his ego didn't get in the way.
Shouldn't he have posted up a player a foot shorter? That's exactly what George Karl would have wanted, because the Spurs then would have been abandoning what they normally run.
As Brent said Tuesday, "That's not something we do."
That's team player speak for: Our coach is an offensive re who doesn't want to take advantage of mismatches that might help us, he wants me to camp out at the 3 and hit 70% from 3 like Kerr did...and he'd rather pretend Earl Boykins is Bruce Bowen than make the Nuggets pay for the mismatch and break his precious choking system.
You kept Brent and Big Dog on the bench the majority of the game. They are offensive players damn it.
i would say that's the last thing pop knows. player rotations and creative plays on offense are a couple things pop is really weak at. and the worst part is, he's slow to make adjustments on the offensive end. i don't think the spurs will lose this series, but popovich isn't going to make it any easier. we're just going to have to hope for some strong dominant offensive performances from several players.
Whott, this act is getting old.We get it, you are secretly in love with Brent Barry.
Seriously, I think people around here know and understand Barry's potential and we've all seen how clutch he can be. But until he learns to put his shot up....you need to shut up.
Whott, this act is getting old.
Seriously, I think people around here know and understand Barry's potential and we've all seen how clutch he can be. But until he learns to put his shot up....you need to shut up.
Secretly???!!!!
Good thing Operation Overlord was a better secret than that, or we might all be speaking German.
If the Spurs want to use Brent Barry in the 4th, they will need to use more zone or he will have to defend one of these 3 players: Earl Boykins, Andre Miller, Carmelo Anthony.
whottt was being sarcastic...
We know, it was obvious...it was just another show of affection for his man.whottt was being sarcastic...
If (when) Rasho returns it also opens up that possibility; much jocularity is levied at him being a good "position" defender. It matters.
Yes it does, 101A. Good point.
That is a great point. I am really hoping Rasho is back tonight. He looked fine before the game on Sunday. Brown I'd love back as well, but I'm more anxious to get back Rasho.
^^^ Someone has done a 180 since the last met Beno
heheeh.
If Rasho can play tonight, the Spurs definately win, although I think after the film session, they have figured out quite a bit.
Yeah, and his name is Rasho.
oh I know....
IMO, Rasho should play tonight, doubtfull?? HOW, that ankle must have been worse than first expected.
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