Postgame Quotes : Spurs vs. Bulls : 11/26/08

[timaios]

http://www.nba.com/spurs/gameday/081126.html
http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/quotes_081126.html

Postgame Quotes : Spurs vs. Bulls : 11/26/08

Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich

On the game - “Our defense really picked us up in the second half. I thought we got real aggressive defensively and on top of that we made some shots. So we were able to get the win.”

On Manu getting better since his last game - “Every game he’s going to get into better shape.”

On George Hill’s performance tonight - “Well George has had a good season for a rookie that is learning his position; and coming in and having the pressure on learning that position, I think that he’s done fantastic. He does a lot of things that goes unnoticed, but it helps the team win. He plays an all around game and he’s been doing a great job for us.”

On Kurt Thomas tonight - “Kurt is starting to get back into shape and get into rhythm. He basically missed camp, so it takes sometime to get back into rhythm. I thought tonight was a good night for him.”

On George and Manu on the flood at the same time - “Well they’re both good players and they both play complete games; they are a tough duo.”

On Vinny Del Negro as Head Coach of the Bulls - “Vinny has done a great job. It’s a brand new program as far as coming in with his new system and trying to get that across with a lot of players and that takes time. The position he’s got them in right now is a great one. They compete, they know what they’re doing and it’s going to take time before everyone is familiar with what has to be done. Vinny has done a really good job of putting it together.”

George Hill

On the game - "Coach Pop said it’s going to be a big rebounding night…in order for us to get this game all five players are going to have to rebound, so that’s what I tried to focus on tonight. I tried to hit the offensive and defensive glass and get as many as I could, and I think it worked out for us.”

On doing the little things to play for Pop - "That’s me…that’s what I’m here for. I think that’s why they chose me to be here. I compete…I don’t give up on things and I try to defend to the best of my ability no matter who is in front of me. I’m up to take the challenge…I think that’s what got me here.”

On getting used to the system - "It’s a big step. Anytime you get into a rhythm and start to get comfortable, that’s a huge step. I think that I can only get better in this program. We have a great coaching staff and a great strength and conditioning staff that all help you get better.”

On Manu - “He’s an amazing player. I asked him if he played soccer or learned his moves from a DVD or something and he said it was just natural. I’ve been spending time trying to get steps like him, so I guess I’m going to have to take ballroom dancing or something, because I need those steps in my game.”

On the talk about Derrick Rose - “I don’t worry about things like that…I just go out there and play basketball. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-round pick, second-round pick, or the last pick…you made it here, so you are here for a reason. I don’t take anything for granted…I respect everyone. I like to step up to the challenge though.”

Roger Mason

On George Hill’s performance tonight - "He continues to play well. For a rookie to have the poise that he has says a lot about him.”

“That’s what you have a team for. You hope to have talent, and right now we have different guys stepping up. George has been consistent. That’s why you have teammates. I think he and Manu were huge for us tonight.”

On his perceptions of George coming to the team - "One thing I’ve learned is not to judge people until I see them. I got down here and was pleasantly surprised. He’s a sponge...he listens…he respects the game. I think for a young player, when you listen and you have talent like he does, you’re going to see results.

Head Coach Vinny Del Negro

On the game - "I thought we played well, pretty well for the first three quarters. We ran out of gas a little bit as their high screen and roll affected us as well as their penetration as we settled for too many jump shots and got out of rhythm for a little bit, but you have to give them credit for their defensive effort on some of those things. Our guys fought, we turned the ball over too much in the second half and gave them too many penetrations to the glass for easy attempts but overall the guys battled now we just have to get some rest and get our legs under us a little bit”

On losing the 9-point lead in the third quarter - "Yeah, we did. We had a nice lead and they made a couple of adjustments. The boys got a little fatigued out there and they got us back on our heels as we would turn it over, they would get transition and some easy scores. Then seeing they were up, we weren’t able to get the momentum back.”

On if it was the lack of energy that determined losing the lead in the third quarter - "I don’t like to make excuses like that, but the factor is [Spurs] made plays, executed better than we did and made plays when they had to. They guarded our screen and roll in the third quarter and we weren’t able to guard theirs as well, so give them some credit as well.”

On the summary of this road trip - “I don’t rate them, I don’t rate any of that stuff. Part of the trip was trying to get Deng back in the rotation, so we’re just behind the eight-ball with it there. I need to do a better job to get him more involved, early in the games especially, so hopefully his health will be good the next couple of days but we need everybody right now, so we’ll go from there.

On Deng getting into rhythm at the end - "He had it a little bit. It was kind of a sloppy game at that point, but it was good for him to get some minutes as I had to play him at both the three and four-positions tonight. I have to a better job to get him involved.”

On Gordon being hot in the third and not touching the ball after that - "We went to the pick and roll as they made a couple of adjustments there, we were a little fatigued a little sloppy with the ball. Like I said too many turnovers and they executed better than we did at both ends. Offensively we got into a tempo game that they liked but we have to push the tempo back at them because their so efficient at that.”

Drew Gooden

On the game - The Spurs second team came out and arguably played harder than their first team tonight. We started out on our on heels when we saw that Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili weren’t in the game. But George Hill and Kurt Thomas killed us with the pick and roll that they ran. The game is like a chess match with a great coach like Coach Popovich. He always makes adjustments in games and we have to be able to cover everything he throws at us.

On defending Gooden’s jumper - When the Spurs started to take away my shot, I rotated the ball when it came to me. We keyed on it every time and we made the right play but we didn’t capitalize by making the shots we needed.


Ben Gordon

On the game - In the key moments of the game we didn’t make the right plays to extend our lead or get back into the game. We gave them what they wanted on offense and we didn’t make adjustments. They got back into the game shooting 3-poiners – Udoka and Bonner were big for them. We were good on the fast break for a while but after they eliminated that and started hitting their 3-pointers, it really hurt us. Even though they didn’t have everyone healthy, they were still good and got back into the game with 3-point shooting.

On the Chicago road trip - We lost more than we won, I wouldn’t consider it a successful trip.

[Frenchise player]

THe Most important information for me is that Thomas wasn't in shape and may be getting ready to play just know, if we can have a good K. Thomas it would be a great improvement for the frontcourt

[duncan228]

Bulls notes

Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro played for five organizations during his 12-year NBA career, but he spent nearly half of his career playing for the San Antonio Spurs, so Wednesday night’s game was as big a homecoming as he will have. ‘‘It’s great coming back here, seeing all the great fans,’’ Del Negro said before the game. ‘‘I have a lot of great memories, and they’ve had success here for a very long time. There are a lot of great people here. But tonight the focus is on what we need to do to give ourselves a great opportunity.’’

The fans still remember Del Negro. He received a loud ovation when his name was called during pregame introductions.

Even though Del Negro never coached for the Spurs, he must be considered among the former proteges of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, a growing list that includes Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown. ‘‘I’ve learned a lot from Pop,’’ Del Negro said. ‘‘It’s not surprising that a lot of guys have gone on to coach or be in the front office because you learn a lot of core values, not only about the game but how the game should be played.’’

Bulls power forward Drew Gooden on facing future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan: ‘‘On that left block, he’s a beast. You give him a little bit of space, he can shoot well enough off the backboard consistently to keep you honest. You take his airspace, he does a nice job of not getting the foul and finishing going middle. With those two moves right there, he’s sort of been unstoppable for years.’’

With Spurs point guard Tony Parker still sidelined by a sprained ankle, former Bull Roger Mason Jr. has been starting alongside Michael Finley in the backcourt.

Even though Luol Deng (left hamstring) was back for a second straight game, Del Negro stayed with his starting lineup that included the three-guard lineup of Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon and Larry Hughes.

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili made his season debut Monday night after ankle surgery in the summer. Wednesday was his first home game, and he received a standing ovation when he entered the game midway through the first quarter.

John Jackson