Spurs notebook: Brown not expected to play key role now

**Kori Ellis** · 05-09-2005

Spurs notebook: Brown not expected to play key role now
Web Posted: 05/09/2005 12:00 AM CDT

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...256fe4cb4.html

Devin Brown played the final 2:08 of Sunday's game, but Spurs coach Gregg Popovich doesn't expect him to be able to contribute much during the series.

"He's out," Popovich said. "I don't even think about him playing. If it changes as the series goes on, that will be great, but he still doesn't have the explosiveness needed to play at this level."

Brown was valuable during the regular season when the Spurs used a small lineup against Seattle, Phoenix and Dallas.

"It's very difficult against those teams to play two bigs all the time," Popovich said. "For instance, it's hard to chase ... (Vladimir) Radmanovic and (Jerome) James around with Nazr (Mohammed) and Tim (Duncan). Over time, that doesn't work.

"Devin was a huge part of it. It hurts significantly not to have him. He understood how we wanted to play it, and we didn't have to give an inordinate amount of minutes to people like Manu (Ginobili)."

Johnny Ludden

Allen a big Nash fan: Sonics guard Ray Allen said he was pleased to hear Phoenix's Steve Nash was named the league's Most Valuable Player. Allen said he would have voted for Nash over Miami's Shaquille O'Neal because "it sends a great message to the point guards around the league, if you make your team better, you've got a great chance to win the MVP."

"He's not the best player (in the league)," Allen said. "But as far as making that team go, it's Steve Nash."

Allen also predicted Nash's Suns will have little trouble with Dallas in their second-round playoff series.

"I think Dallas will win one game," Allen said. "Phoenix is going to run on them. And I think sometimes with Dallas, they don't know what they're going to do."

No recovery in sight: Sonics forward Rashard Lewis missed three games this season with tendinitis in his left knee, and coach Nate McMillan said Lewis' knee still isn't 100 percent. But it's to the point where the Sonics aren't too worried about it.

"That's going to be day-to-day for the rest of the season," McMillan said. "It will come and go."

Mike Finger

Popovich pleased for Johnson: When Avery Johnson was playing for the Spurs, particularly during their first championship run, Popovich often let Johnson give the team a motivational talk before big games.

So Popovich wasn't surprised when the Dallas Mavericks, now coached by Johnson, scored a decisive victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series Saturday.

"I couldn't be happier for Avery," Popovich said, "especially after they lost the first two games and everybody wanted to bury him. He went from idiot to genius in a matter of a week-and-a-half. That's what is funny about this sport. He was the same guy at the beginning of the playoffs that he was at the end. But for him to pull that group through that — and you know some of his mental toughness was huge, in that regard — I'm thrilled for him."

**T Park** · 05-09-2005

"I couldn't be happier for Avery," Popovich said, "especially after they lost the first two games and everybody wanted to bury him. He went from idiot to genius in a matter of a week-and-a-half. That's what is funny about this sport. He was the same guy at the beginning of the playoffs that he was at the end. But for him to pull that group through that — and you know some of his mental toughness was huge, in that regard — I'm thrilled for him."

and with that Whottt's hate of Popovich grows even more....

**HB22inSA** · 05-09-2005

I told you guys that Marks should have been on the roster.

There's always the risk of re-injury, and he's not nearly at full strength, so Pop's missing a body now.

**T Park** · 05-09-2005

Marks blows are you nuts.

The only one to make the case for wouldve been LJ3 and that wouldve been for his defense and ability to guard a Rashard Lewis, or a Shawn Marion.

Other than that, Marks, Wilks, or LJ3 <<<<< injured Devin Brown.

**Kori Ellis** · 05-09-2005

Originally Posted by HB22inSA

I told you guys that Marks should have been on the roster.

There's always the risk of re-injury, and he's not nearly at full strength, so Pop's missing a body now.

They have plenty of bigs -- Massenburg barely gets into games, so having Marks on the roster would do nothing. Devin will be good to go in later rounds. They don't need Marks at all.

**HB22inSA** · 05-09-2005

Devin will be good to go in later rounds

Do you really think so?

I don't.

**Kori Ellis** · 05-09-2005

Originally Posted by HB22inSA

Do you really think so?

Yes.

**mookie2001** · 05-09-2005

devin will not be denied
i mean its lame but he's from SAN ANTONIO TEXAS

**baseline bum** · 05-09-2005

It's better to have Devin on for the chance that maybe he can come in and give the Spurs 5 good minutes in a game or two than it is to have someone so bad that he'll never give the Spurs anything.

**T Park** · 05-09-2005

than it is to have someone so bad that he'll never give the Spurs anything.

coughseanmarkscough

Its too bad, i called it back in March when he got hurt this injury would dampen him for the rest of the year and it is looking like I was right.

I hope he can contribute in later series, (god willing)

**HB22inSA** · 05-09-2005

Yes.

Thanks for the elaboration.

But seriously, I don't see his back improving to a point where he can be nearly as effective as he was before.

But it may not matter anyway, since the rotations are so much shorter, and if Robinson and Horry continue to play well.

Maybe I'm just over-analyzing.

, I didn't even realize Ray Allen was gone until the end of the third quarter. I was like, Damn, Flip Murray sure is getting alot of playing time.

<---And not one drop of alcohol.

**Kori Ellis** · 05-09-2005

I think Devin is a lot closer to being healthy than most people think. The Spurs don't need him right now. Whatever he gives will be a bonus in later rounds. The Spurs are a machine. Every role player (including Devin) will be key at one point or another in this playoff run.

**T Park** · 05-09-2005

I didn't even realize Ray Allen was gone until the end of the third quarter

your not the only one, I didnt realize he was gone until they started the 3rd, i was like, Dude where the is Ray Allen?

I wonder if he got hurt...

**HB22inSA** · 05-09-2005

I'm not trying to rag on Devin, I love what he brings.

I'm just scared that the next time he goes down, he won't get back up.

But like you said, the Spurs don't need him--right now.

**HB22inSA** · 05-09-2005

Dude where the is Ray Allen?

Yeah, that's more of what I said, too!!!

**Kori Ellis** · 05-09-2005

Originally Posted by HB22inSA

I'm just scared that the next time he goes down, he won't get back up.

He's had back problems on and off for three years.

Have you always been scared?

**timvp** · 05-09-2005

Originally Posted by HB22inSA

Yeah, that's more of what I said, too!!!

I saw Ray Allen walk passed me into the tunnel with a defeated look. If there was a white flag handy, he would have been waiving it.

**T Park** · 05-09-2005

???^^^^

**HB22inSA** · 05-09-2005

Have you always been scared?

No, because I didn't think those other back injuries were as serious, and I don't think they were.

Backs aren't like knees and ankles, they can end careers in a heartbeat.

**HB22inSA** · 05-09-2005

saw him walk passed me into the tunnel with a defeated look. If there was a white flag handy, he would have been waiving it.

Who, Devin?

**timvp** · 05-09-2005

Damn it you people post too fast

**texasqb2** · 05-09-2005

Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

I think Devin is a lot closer to being healthy than most people think. The Spurs don't need him right now. Whatever he gives will be a bonus in later rounds. The Spurs are a machine. Every role player (including Devin) will be key at one point or another in this playoff run.

Sorry Kori, I believe Devin Brown has played his last key minutes in a spurs uni. I dont know if they will bring him back especially if the Big Dog re-ups.

I could be wrong, but I am not a big Devin fan. The way the Big Dog can score quickly and is actually playing D, I just dont see it.

**T Park** · 05-09-2005

was this before the game, or after the game??

If so, I wonder if that spells the back is plateauing and not getting better.

**HB22inSA** · 05-09-2005

Timvp, how did you edit without it saying you edited, or am I seeing things again?

Man I'm losing it...

**HB22inSA** · 05-09-2005

was this before the game, or after the game??

If so, I wonder if that spells the back is plateauing and not getting better.

Timvp was talking about Ray Allen.

Thread Tools

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions