Robinson still learning system, spot in rotation
Web Posted: 04/26/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Mike Finger
San Antonio Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...213b144c6.html
If there were moments Sunday when Glenn Robinson was tempted to tap Spurs coach Gregg Popovich on the shoulder, or rip off his warmups and make a mad dash for the scorer's table, he let them pass.
After all, demanding more playing time is one thing in Atlanta or Philadelphia. But less than a month into a career with the Spurs, who know a thing or two about winning in the postseason?
"These guys," Robinson said, "have done it without me."
So even when they weren't doing it without him in the 93-87 opening-game loss to Denver even when he watched the Spurs miss 17 shots in a row after he swished a 14-foot jumper with 10:20 remaining Robinson didn't think about pushing for more shots or more minutes.
He didn't finish with many of either. After averaging 19.6 minutes and 12.8 points over the final six games of the regular season, Robinson didn't even enter Sunday's game until the start of the fourth quarter. With Popovich shortening his bench and each of the team's five starters playing at least 33 minutes, Robinson wound up with just two points in six minutes.
But even though he never has been a player to doubt his abilities, he said he realizes he can't expect to be as big a factor in the playoffs as he was the past few weeks.
"I know deep down I'm not ready," Robinson said. "This is a tough organization to come right in (and play). I've only been here for three weeks."
Robinson, who hadn't played in a postseason game since averaging 19.4 points per game in Milwaukee's run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2001, said he's willing to play a bigger role if called upon.
For the time being, though, Popovich isn't considering making major changes to Sunday's rotation. With Rasho Nesterovic sidelined, Popovich has been forced to thrust midseason acquisition Nazr Mohammed into the mix, but he can afford to take things more slowly with Robinson.
"Nazr and Glenn are trying to learn on the fly what's going on," Popovich said. "Glenn hasn't had any time at all."
Which isn't to say Robinson isn't contributing. Having played for Denver coach George Karl in Milwaukee, Robinson has plenty of pointers to pass along to his younger teammates.
He's also continuing to work on his shooting stroke, because he knows it might be needed by the end of the series. With Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili penetrating against the Nuggets, Robinson said either he or other Spurs such as Brent Barry, Bruce Bowen or Robert Horry need to knock down outside shots.
"We can't hesitate," Robinson said. "We have to let it fly when we're open."
And even though he's not counting on letting too many shots fly in Game 2 on Wednesday, he said that could change as the postseason wears on.
"We're looking to go a long way," Robinson said. "The farther we go, the more I get a chance to learn the system a little better."
It makes me a little uneasy that he doesn't think that he's ready.But even though he never has been a player to doubt his abilities, he said he realizes he can't expect to be as big a factor in the playoffs as he was the past few weeks.
"I know deep down I'm not ready," Robinson said. "This is a tough organization to come right in (and play). I've only been here for three weeks."
ya thats a bit discouraging.
and if and when devin gets back you know that big dog will be pushed a bit further out of the rotation.
did you expect him to be ready?
Yes. He was ready in the regular season and the Spurs need him now. I doubt he'll get a lot of minutes, but he should be ready to contribute when he's on the floor.
No doubt. I have confidence in glenn. He's a veteran, a playoff tested veteran. Thats enough right there.
"It makes me a little uneasy that he doesn't think that he's ready."
Pop doesn't think he's ready, Glenn doesn't think he's ready, facts is facts. Everybody says it takes time, many months, to learn Pop's Xs and Os, and his defense. Isn't one of the reasons for SPAM is that it takes the team half the season, esp any new players, to get in sync with PopBall?
Glenn hasn't played all year for anyody, how could he possibly be ready in Pop's system after 3 weeks?
A much greater sense of uneasiness has to be the health of Tim, Rasho, and Devin.
He's a shooter. He should at least be ready to come in shoot. I don't expect him to know all the nuances of the system.
Devin's injury and Barry's reluctance to shoot are the reasons I hope he's ready.
Kori does pop take alot of input or in-game feedback from carlismo and the other assts?
Yes, from all of them.
I think he feels ready to contribute, but he's got to tote the party line.
The goats have already been pegged should we screw this up: the French point guard with the Hollywood girlfriend, the off-season gunner acquisition who's not hitting the three ball, and two bum ankles.
Glenn has done nothing but impress in his time with this team, there was even games last week where he was forcing turnovers on defense, but hey, you've got to be here a year before you'll cool enough to play for Pop in the post-season (unless injury dictates otherwise).
Probably the only reason Robinson looks so good is because his minutes have been limited. It's the backup-quarterback syndrome. That said, it sure seems like the Spurs could have used a bucket last night and it would have been worth the potential defensive liability to get someone who could shoot with confidence.
I asked because either they always collectively seem to agree on the same things in certain situations, or he Pop just doesnt like to try new ideas.
What is the harm in trying Barry at point guard when beno is rookie-ing it up and Parker is sucking it up? Or setting up Glenn at the elbow like someone else said?
Are these ideas really that stupid or are they not mentioned in games or what?
April 20 at Minny: 27 minutes, 6-13 FGs, 4-5 Fts, 16 points.Probably the only reason Robinson looks so good is because his minutes have been limited. It's the backup-quarterback syndrome.
April 18 at Memphis: 22 minutes, 9-11 Field goals, 4-4 FTs, 23 points.
I can see where you'd get that impression. Look, Glenn's not the perfect defender, but I don't know how you can expect anyone to get warmed up in 3 minutes of PT.
Nazr's certainly not 100% acclimated, he's still playing. Yeah, I know it's a necessity, but so is getting Glenn some more run.
No, but I think he's proven that he can come in and hit shots, so that further reinforces the argument that he should have gotten some PT. The rotation isn't so established that you wouldn't think about putting the guy in when you are in the midst of an offensive funk. I'm just suggesting that perhaps the coaches know something we don't.
Look, we went 0 for 17. Humor me, make a sub.
GRob was in for the first five minutes of the drought and then was subbed by Bowen.Look, we went 0 for 17. Humor me, make a sub.
Beno was in for the first three minutes of the drought and then was subbed by Parker.
Duncan was in for the first six minutes of the drought and then was subbed by Horry.
Duncan then came back in for Mohammed, who was in for the first five minutes of the drought.
Mohammed came back for the last three minutes of the drought for Horry.
That's not to mention four subs in the last minute.
So, there were plenty of subs. Pretty much every combination possible was on the floor with the except of one person -- Brent Barry. So, are you just ing about Barry?
No. I wanted more Horry and more GRob.
The Beno-Parker sub was a wash. Suck for suck.
ugh is brent barry ready?
wow it's not like we we're able to stop denver anyway so go ahead through Grob in there
All I know is that whoever is in the next game that is paid to make a jump shot should damn well make a jump shot.
barry is playing like a coward. beno is playing like a rookie. parker is playing as if he's already won the le.
will somebody on the team please grab a hold of these guys, and at the risk of losing their friendship, tell them that they are embarrassing themselves?
One of the biggest problems with the spurs is that they are so smart. they think too much. That's why they lose so many big leads. that's why they go a whole quarter without scoring. that's why they collectively shoot free-throws poorly.
They need to let that go. Lose their minds and let their bodies react to basketball.
i agree with obstructed.
damnit brent was brought here to make wide open 3's... especially n the playoffs!
that has been our prob last year with hedo.. freak me were having the same disposition again with barry!
In the final 5 minutes of the game(when Denver went up by 2) the Spurs made exactly 1 sutbs ution until there were 22 seconds left in the game(when we were down by 7).
But hey let's give Pop credit...he put Barry in with 15 seconds left so he could try and hit a 7 point shot.
You notice the only time we scored in that entire time was the play after Barry got put in the game.
And Aggie is right....
Bigg Dogg is just toeing the team line...what is he supposed to say? I think I should have gotten more time?
If he says that the media is all over it...and the entire team spends the next week answering questions about if Glenn Robinson is becoming a cancer.
What scares the living out of me is that Pop is saying he is going to continue to do the same thing.
But let's go ahead and hate on the two guys that weren't responsible for that loss...
Barry the coward, and Robinson the unready.
It's all on them.
I appreciate Glenn Robinson's honesty, but damn...now I have some direct insight into why those Milwaukee teams with Robinson, Ray Allen, Tim Thomas and Sam Cassell choaded so often in the clutch. Even if "deep down" you don't feel you are ready, don't share it with the f-ing media and opposition, "Big" Dog. Good grief.
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