http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...r.3679b86.html
Spurs' Ginobili adds midrange jumper to signature drives
Web Posted: 10/15/2006 12:23 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Five months after walking off the court with their heads hanging and their season over, the Spurs returned to the AT&T Center on Saturday night full of the type of optimism only the preseason breeds.
Manu Ginobili, last seen in these parts sitting dejectedly in front of his locker, needed only two seconds to show he was back to feeling spry.
After taking the opening tip, Ginobili drove hard to the rim and banked in a reverse layup, giving the fans an instant jolt before most had even settled into their seats. Ginobili continued to liven the Spurs' otherwise uneventful 92-87 loss to Orlando, scoring 14 points, all in the opening quarter.
"I feel like this year," Ginobili said, "I'm already ready to go."
Tony Parker also looked sharp in his return from France, making 4 of 5 shots and scoring 10 points. He and Ginobili combined to go 8 for 8 in the first quarter.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich cut back the minutes of starters, playing them the entire first quarter and a little more than half of the third. At the end of the first quarter, they led the short-handed Magic 30-19.
Ginobili had a lot to do with the Spurs' surge. He buried a 3-pointer, threw a perfect skip pass to Parker for a layup, drove for a basket and foul, and then hit another 3-pointer.
"We wanted him to shoot the basketball, so he concentrated more on that," Popovich said. "If he peppers his drive with more open jumpers, I think it's going to make his drive more effective."
Ginobili hopes to improve his midrange shot. But he also has no plans to dial down his aggressiveness.
"I'm going to try to use the preseason a little bit on that to get more confident," he said. "But I know once it really counts, I'm going to do more what I feel at the moment. I'm not good at preserving anything."
Unlike in France, where he was determined to win both of the team's exhibition games, Popovich had no reason to save his bench Saturday. He used all 18 players he had in uniform. No one played more than 19 minutes.
Fabricio Oberto continued to show why he may be the Spurs' starting center on opening night, grabbing five rebounds, poking away a pair of steals and blocking a shot. Francisco Elson had only two turnovers and two fouls to show for his 17 minutes.
The Spurs' third center, Jackie Butler, fared better. After not playing in the team's previous exhibition game, he had his best practice of the preseason on Friday then displayed a nice touch around the basket against Orlando.
Butler also put his 6-foot-10, 270-pound frame to good use when he nearly hip-checked Bo Outlaw into the first row of seats.
Butler and Outlaw continued to jostle and talk to each other for a few more possessions. After batting the ball away from Outlaw near the top of the key, Butler — much to the amusement of his teammates and coaches — elected to lumber the length of the court with it before drawing a foul at the rim.
"I wanted him to go between his legs," Popovich said. "I thought he had a chance to go between and spin."
Popovich also gave Brent Barry the opportunity to show off his ball-handling skills. With Beno Udrih still sidelined by a sore right hamstring, Popovich used Barry at point guard to help back up Parker.
"We're talking dire straits if I'm going to be playing the point," Barry said. "But it's a good challenge and a matter of getting my legs under me and thinking a little differently if I'm playing that position. Tony plays it one way, and there aren't many people that can play at his speed."
The Spurs had a hard enough time keeping track of Orlando's usual No. 3 point guard, Travis Diener. With Jameer Nelson and Carlos Arroyo both out with injuries, Diener played 43 minutes and scored a game-high 23 points while making all four of his 3-point attempts.
"He had a great training camp and preseason seems to be more of the same token," Magic coach Brian Hill said.
Ginobili, meanwhile, also seems to have found his rhythm early. A year ago, he struggled after having the summer to rest.
"So far this year nothing is wrong," he said. "I feel very good. I can't wait for the season to start."
Notebook: In addition to Udrih, Eric Williams (right Achilles' tendon contusion) also did not play. ... The Spurs' ticket counters already seem to be in regular-season form. The team announced Saturday's game as a sellout even though more than 1,000 seats were empty. Last season, the Spurs called every game a sellout. Some team officials have privately said the attendance was inflated at more than a handful of games to prolong the franchise's supposed "sellout" streak.
Gee, really?? I thought the Spurs would never lie.The team announced Saturday's game as a sellout even though more than 1,000 seats were empty. Last season, the Spurs called every game a sellout. Some team officials have privately said the attendance was inflated at more than a handful of games to prolong the franchise's supposed "sellout" streak.
Butler and Outlaw continued to jostle and talk to each other for a few more possessions. After batting the ball away from Outlaw near the top of the key, Butler — much to the amusement of his teammates and coaches — elected to lumber the length of the court with it before drawing a foul at the rim
butler saids like an enforcer
Ginobili hopes to improve his midrange shot.
that would help him last in the nba longer
because he would not have to drive and have a chance to get hurt
And anyone quoting Sam Mitc talking about a below average stiff center, loses all cred.Gee, really?? I thought the Spurs would never lie.
Congrats.
agree. i am also happy to hear that Oberto is playing good. Hopefully he will improve a lot more during the regular season.
Kori i love the new emoticons
Does anyone know how long Nelson and Arroyo will be out?With Jameer Nelson and Carlos Arroyo both out with injuries, Diener played 43 minutes and scored a game-high 23 points while making all four of his 3-point attempts.
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