Monroe: Spurs mindful of lineup lift

[Kori Ellis]

Spurs mindful of lineup lift
Web Posted: 05/28/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...2b83c67de.html

An hour before tipoff of Game3 of the Western Conference semifinals, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich discovered Seattle forward Rashard Lewis would not be playing because of a sprained left big toe.

The look on Popovich's face evoked visions of a wine aficionado sipping a vintage claret and discovering it had turned to vinegar.

"That," Popovich said of Lewis' absence, " is the worst possible scenario for us."

Popovich's theory of negativity when facing a team missing a star player revolves around an expected emotional letdown for his own team and the opponent's effort to win for the missing star.

Popovich should be delighted, then, at the prospect that Joe Johnson, one of the Phoenix Suns' key performers, is expected to return to the Suns' lineup for tonight's Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.

Johnson, who has missed six playoff games after fracturing the orbital bone around his left eye in a nasty fall in Game 2 of the Suns' second-round series against Dallas, practiced Friday in Phoenix. Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said that if Johnson feels he is comfortable enough to play, he will be in the starting lineup, as he was for all 82 of the Suns' regular-season games.

Johnson's effectiveness remains to be seen. He made 56percent of his 3-point shots in the Suns' first-round sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies. But after receiving his specially fitted protective mask on the morning of Tuesday's Game 2 with the Spurs, he struggled during a lengthy shooting workout with assistant coach Alvin Gentry.

Whether Johnson's shot is there, the Suns figure to benefit defensively and emotionally.

After losing the first two games on their home court, they are badly in need of a boost in both areas.

"You have to be mindful of (Joe giving them an emotional lift)," Spurs defensive standout Bruce Bowen said, "but at the same time you have to be mindful of their other players. They're not going to come in here and just say, 'Oh, well.' They're fighting for their lives. We understand that."

D'Antoni likely will have Johnson defending Spurs point guard Tony Parker at least some of the time, which will free Steve Nash from the physical challenge of keeping up with Parker on defense. Johnson also figures to be assigned some defensive work on Manu Ginobili, who was so vital to the Spurs in the deciding minutes of Game 2.

The Spurs' defensive game plan in Johnson's absence matched Bowen on Suns power forward Shawn Marion. It was such an effective defensive stratagem the Spurs likely will stick with it, as long as Marion doesn't start knocking in 3-pointers with the accuracy he displayed against the Grizzlies. In that case, Bowen, the Spurs' best perimeter defender, might end up on Johnson.

The ability to have Nash spend more time resting will be a bonus, too, and then there is the intangible factor. Even if Johnson doesn't take a shot, the Suns figure to enjoy a boost just from having him back on the court.

The Spurs don't want to get caught on an emotional roller coaster.

"Certainly our approach and our game plan is not going to change," backup shooting guard Brent Barry said. "Joe had an unbelievable season for them, and he could add an emotional lift, one that they need right now. We understand what he means to them, and we are prepared for Joe to play like he is at 100 percent."

Barry, whose shooting woes in the Seattle series disappeared in the first two games against Phoenix, is curious to see if Johnson's 3-point stroke is still hot after a protracted absence.

"Obviously practice time is key just to get your rhythm back and body mechanics back up and running again," Barry said. "To be on the court will take time for Joe to find his rhythm, but if he makes one or two shots he will be in rhythm right at the start.

"Hopefully he takes time getting it back, but I don't expect that. He's had a great year."

[Kori Ellis]

Suns look inward to improve defense
Web Posted: 05/28/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer


http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...2b83c6916.html

PHOENIX — Jim Jackson finally had heard enough.

After listening to people blame the Phoenix Suns' 0-2 deficit in the Western Conference finals on everything from turnovers to blown layups to poor shot selection, Jackson no longer could hide his lost-in-translation frustration.

"I don't think anybody's really understanding what I'm saying," Jackson said. "It's not the offense. It's the defense."

It might sound like an old political campaign slogan, but as the Suns visit the SBC Center tonight in desperate need of a Game 3 victory over the Spurs, it's what all of Phoenix's strategic adjustments boil down to.

The defense, stupid.

"We know we're not defensive stoppers," Phoenix forward Shawn Marion said. "But we can still show a defensive presence out there."

Thus far in the series, the Suns haven't. Not only have the Spurs averaged 116 points in the first two games, they have shot 51 percent from the field.

And the Spurs' offensive dominance has been even more pronounced with the game on the line. In the fourth quarters of Games 1 and 2, they made 70percent of their field-goal attempts.

That kind of efficiency enabled the Spurs to overcome fourth-quarter deficits in both games.

"They've been the dominant team and the smart team and the methodical team in the last five minutes," Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We have to do a better job there. With Joe (Johnson), we'll have fresher people in the last five minutes. Hopefully, that will help."

Johnson's return from a broken bone under his left eye could pay off in a number of ways.

Not only will the Suns be able to rest their starters longer, their defensive matchups should become much more desirable for them.

Johnson, who is 6-foot-7, will guard Tony Parker, who torched the smaller Steve Nash during the first two games. Nash will guard Bruce Bowen, who isn't as much of a threat to penetrate. And with the perimeter defense in better shape, Marion and Amare Stoudemire can focus on slowing Tim Duncan without having to worry about helping on driving guards.

But even though the Suns figure to benefit from those changes, Jackson said Phoenix can improve its chances simply by taking more pride in its defense.

"There's not a lot of talking, not a lot of strategy involved," Jackson said. "If they beat us, they beat us. But we can't allow ourselves to give up defensively."

And because the first two games have been so close, the Suns realize that if they can make two or three more defensive stops than they did in Games 1 and 2, they can find themselves right back in the series.

"It all comes down to a play here or there," Nash said. "Hopefully, we'll get those two plays here and there in the next two games."

[Russ]

Joe Johnson's rushed return (probably before he's ready) reminds me of Derek Anderson's sad insertion into game 3 of the Lakers' sweep of the Spurs in '01. The parallels are striking; both hurt in the prior series, their teams had the best regular season record but lost the first 2 games of the WCF at home in humiliating fashion, both probably not ready to really contribute but thrown in out of sheer desperation.

Let's hope the final parallel holds and the Spurs complete the sweep.

[DDS4]

Ugh. Just had flashes of 2001.

Not pretty.

[grjr]

And because the first two games have been so close, the Suns realize that if they can make two or three more defensive stops than they did in Games 1 and 2, they can find themselves right back in the series.

"It all comes down to a play here or there," Nash said. "Hopefully, we'll get those two plays here and there in the next two games."

Not in our building. You had your chances in your building and blew it.