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GREGG POPOVICH
Q. The last play, what did you draw up and what happened after it went?
COACH GREGG POPOVICH: We drew up what you saw. We put all the people where you saw we put them, and Rasheed double teamed, things changed and Manu made a great pass.
Q. Can you just talk about Robert Horry, fourth quarter, overtime, just stepping up his game.
COACH GREGG POPOVICH: He was unbelievable. We started the overtime with Nazr trying to get the tip, and we were fortunate enough to get it and stuck him right back in because throughout the fourth quarter, he was unbelievable. We had to keep him on the court as much as we could, and he read the floor great. He drove it, he got to the open areas. He's just got a great sense about him. He's a really smart player.
Q. Can you explain his penchant for this stuff and late game shots?
COACH GREGG POPOVICH: That's who he is. That's one of the things he does. He does other things, too, but what people notice is that three, obviously, that he shoots.
Q. Robert was coming off his worst playoffs before you signed him, what made you decide to sign him?
COACH GREGG POPOVICH: I just thought that really whether we were right or wrong at the time, I just thought he wore down. I thought he played too many minutes in L.A., you know, his final year, and he just didn't have anything left at that point.
But the way the league is going and the way people are playing, it's good to have a four man who can shoot the ball and spread the court. I think he's still fairly young. It's not like he's 36 or 37.
So we decided because of his leadership, because he's going to have a summer to rest, if we guarded his minutes, he might be able to be really helpful to us in playoff situations. So we kind of limit him during the year.
Q. You talked about the other things he did besides the threes, what about the one dunk, what were you thinking as he took off on that, put it down and then comes up holding his arm?
COACH GREGG POPOVICH: Yeah, I was really worried about him, because he does have a problem in there and he keeps reinjuring it, but obviously it doesn't stop him from being aggressive. He made a great play, the lane opened up and he did something that was very aggressive and usually that works out well.
Q. During the time out with nine seconds left, did you anticipate that the Pistons might try to trap you guys, and have Horry in that position because of that?
COACH GREGG POPOVICH: Well, Robert no. That's not why Robert was there. Robert is almost always there. He's there a lot, to handle the ball in those situations because we think he makes great choices. He's got the length and he can see things out there. So he's there quite often.
No, we did not know they were going to trap.
Q. You've got a chance, one game away from yet another le, can you just talk about how you feel personally about this great run you have? I mean, there's not many NBA coaches that have won three or more NBA les, and you're closing in on that.
COACH GREGG POPOVICH: Is there another question?
Q. I mean, you don't want to any of the credit, that's a pretty incredible feat.
COACH GREGG POPOVICH: Any other questions?
Q. There were a lot of moments where you could have had frustration, Tim with the free throw problems and the crowd and everything, what was the tenor of the team during all of that and the spirit of what was going on in the last few minutes?
COACH GREGG POPOVICH: I think initially they were a little bit down, understandably so. But I thought Manu, especially, he went over there and grabbed Timmy and talked to him, touched him and, you know, got to him on the bench. And the players were great about supporting each other at that point and remembering that we're starting over again and we had to have that energy. We couldn't afford to hang our heads. I thought they helped each other in that situation really well.
TIM DUNCAN
Q. The play of Robert Horry, you were carrying the team, it seemed, about the first three and a half quarters and then he just took over and just had a big game from that point on.
TIM DUNCAN: Yeah, unbelievable. That was probably the greatest performance I've ever been a part of, to just see him there and to see him as calm as he was and willing to do whatever. He was picking up charges, getting the rebounds and although continue to show is the shots that he knocked down but he did so much more than that down the stretch.
Q. Did you think he had enough to get that final shot in, all the energy he expended in that ten minute span?
TIM DUNCAN: Do I think he had enough? It's Bobby Horry. He does whatever he wants to do. He's Big Shot Bob. He does whatever he wants to do.
Q. Did the fourth quarter seem like a nightmare to you with all of the missed free throws and then you missed the tip at the end, and what was going through your mind at the end of regulation?
TIM DUNCAN: Absolute nightmare, yes, and it all compounded itself in the fourth quarter. We were happy to get the last shot. That's what we wanted at the end of the game in regulation, we wanted that last shot and we talked about getting the ball up in time to have an opportunity for that offensive rebound. We did that, I had the chance, it didn't go down, and the overtime we continued to play, we just knew there was a whole lot of possessions to be had. Guys were just impressive all around, Tony Parker, Manu continuing to attack, and of course Bobby.
Q. Have you ever had a stretch like that from the free throw line in a big game before?
TIM DUNCAN: Absolutely. (Laughter).
Q. We saw in the replay after Horry's three pointer, a big hug from you, and was that relief we saw in your face?
TIM DUNCAN: Absolutely, yes, definitely. He pulled me out of an incredible hole that I put myself in. Just talking about the team, everybody just kept on playing, we just kept on pushing through.
As I said, we just know how many possessions were left and continued to play every possession. Whether they were down, they were up four, whatever, it looks really bleak, but guys just pressed through it. We got rebounds and pushed back up the floor. Some shots didn't fall but we kept on playing.
Q. The amazing thing about Rob is that he looked so out of it in the first half, he really could not finish, and you guys have seen that from him before, right? It's like you can't really put him on the bench because he may suddenly snap into it.
TIM DUNCAN: You know what, I'll tell you the deal with Rob, Rob just hangs out the entire game. He does it all season long, he doesn't do anything. He doesn't feel like playing. He shows up sometimes, and then you put him in the fourth quarter in a big game, whether it be regular season or the playoffs, and he's like, "Okay, it's time to play now. I've been hanging out the entire season, it's time to play now." And he just turns it on. (Laughter). As funny as that seems, it's how it looks. It's how it is. He doesn't show up, doesn't feel like playing until it's a big game. (Laughter).
TONY PARKER
Q: What does this do for the Spurs’ confidence tonight?
Parker: It’s huge. It was tough the last two days because we really played bad and we were not playing Spurs basketball and we were not being ourselves. So it’s just huge for our confidence and it gives us extra energy, especially going back home in front of our fans. It’s just going to be great and I’m just happy. It was a great win. It was ugly but we’ll take it.
Q: Everyone is going to talk about Robert Horry, but let’s first talk about how you and Manu Ginobili set the tone? How were you able to do that tonight?
Parker: It’s just in our heads and made sure we were in attack mode. And tonight me and Manu were aggressive early on and got some easy baskets and got us going and Timmy (Duncan) got some easy baskets and everybody was playing well and we just have to play like that. We have to be in attack mode and not worried about what’s going to happen. Especially me and Manu, we just have to make stuff happen. Even if we miss, Timmy got some rebounds, and offensive rebounds and Nazr (Mohammed), the same thing and then we kick it out. And Robert (Horry) had a lot of wide open threes.
Q: You watched Robert Horry growing up and now you get to play with him. How big was Robert Horry’s performance tonight?
Parker: Now I’m enjoying it. Now I’m next to him so it’s great. Before I was watching him on TV, then I played against him, and now he’s on my team and I’m very happy he’s on my team. He just showed what he does best, hit big baskets in big games.
Q: Take us in the huddle in that final three when Robert inbounded to Manu. Was that designed all the way?
Parker: That was the play. Manu penetrates and we see what happens. Bruce (Bowen) or myself or Timmy or Robert – every time Manu penetrates, somebody is going to be open. He found the right guy and he made it.
Q: Is Robert Horry much more of an impact player than he was last year?
Parker: Definitely. Last year he played great too. He was awesome in the first round against Memphis and then maybe he was a little too excited against the Lakers. He tried to do too much. He wanted to beat them so bad that he was not playing like he used to so this year he’s been awesome the whole playoffs, since the beginning. He makes big baskets at the right moments.
MANU GINOBILI
Q. Talk about the play that set up the Robert Horry play, did you think you could get the Pistons to trap in the corner?
MANU GINOBILI: No, I didn't think they were going to do it. The play was for me to try to take that shot or play one on one, but as soon as I saw 'Sheed coming, you know, always my first option is Robert, especially in those moments. So as soon as I saw him I just gave him the ball and he made an unbelievable shot.
Q. So Robert didn't say anything to you, as he does once in a while?
MANU GINOBILI: No. Sometimes you don't need to say anything, you just see the game. I couldn't do anything in the corner with Rasheed coming to me, so I just gave him the ball. I had nothing else to do. So the credit goes all to him.
Q. Why is the corner the best place for you to get it there, because it seems like that's where you were supposed to get it, right?
MANU GINOBILI: Yes, but we ran out of plays for me to get it in the top, so Pop wanted to change it a little bit and that was it. It's not that I love going to the corner, it's just another play.
Q. This is another chapter for Robert Horry in terms of the playoffs. From your eyes, what is it about him that he's able to come up clutch in so many situations?
MANU GINOBILI: Confidence, he's a winner, he's been in this situation so many times that he knows what it takes and he loves that moment. So he's always waiting for his chance, and today people are going to remember that three, the dunk, a lot of important plays, he was just unbelievable.
Q. Coach Popovich said after regulation, you had kind of said some things to try to get the guys back up after the missed opportunity there at the end. What kind of things did you say to try to get him back up?
MANU GINOBILI: Well, if they were going to try to put me back in the game, I was a little bit frustrated because I thought I had it, I took a good shot, thought I was going to make it. And if not, I thought that as Ben Wallace came to me, Tim was going to be open for the rebound, so I was very upset that we could not finish in regulation.
But still, you know, you've got to forget things. It was hard for me, I really struggled in overtime a little bit, but still, I think we showed a great character. We played with a lot of heart and we were able to win.
Q. You are a relative newcomer to the league, are you aware of the big play performances in Horry's career that he's had in The Finals and all the rings and everything?
MANU GINOBILI: Yeah, yeah, I've watched most of them. Still, I was in Europe, I was a big fan of the NBA, and especially the playoffs. I watched all of them. So I'm very aware. And even if I didn't watch those games, you know, when you've got a teammate, you've got to try to understand what his career, what he did in the past, how he likes playing and stuff like that.
You know, Robert is not a mystery. Everybody knows what he does.
Q. You seemed to be able to get to the rim a lot more tonight, was that something the defense was doing or were you just being more aggressive?
MANU GINOBILI: I just tried to be more aggressive, go to the basket harder, grabbing the ball better, because they were slapping the ball out of our hands in Game 3 and Game 4. But I think that the key was to move the ball better. It's easier to go to the basket after a couple of baskets than, you know, holding the ball and letting the defense set.
I think what we did well was to move the ball, play unselfish and find the open guy.
BRUCE BOWEN
Q: Talk about Robert Horry’s performance.
Bowen: Rob’s been in this situation numerous times. It was just a pleasure being on the winning side of it of course.
Q: How does he continue to do things like this?
Bowen: You have to give him credit. It’s not about how can that guy be in that spot. He’s been prepared for these types of situations. No one ever ever questioned Michael Jordan during his hero moments. Rob is a seasoned veteran. He’s been through thick and thin on both sides. He’s been there where he’s missed that last shot.
ROBERT HORRY
Q. Robert, we've all seen you hit big shots before, but do you recall a stretch like you had in the fourth quarter and in overtime, big play after big play in a playoff or Finals game?
ROBERT HORRY: I think the Orlando series back when the 3 point lane was a lot shorter and you could do things of that nature. That was a time where the ball just felt good and the ball kept coming my way and I was able to do things like I did tonight.
Q. We saw your face on the replay as you were going up for that dunk, and when you came down as you grabbed your shoulder, what's going through your mind as you're in the air there and then when you came down?
ROBERT HORRY: When I was going through the air I was like, "Please let me get there, please let me get there." Because, you know, if I took a fall maybe a younger Rob could have got there with ease, but I wanted to get to the rack. I was hoping they weren't going to call a charge on me and that would be my sixth foul, and I just said, hopefully it would go in and it went in. I took off so far, I kind of hurt my shoulder, just an old injury that keeps flaring up. I just wanted to get there and hope I make a basket.
Q. The guys said that at halftime, you were frustrated and kind of sitting by yourself, talking to yourself.
ROBERT HORRY: (Laughing).
Q. What were you saying, No. 1, and it must have worked because you came out in the second half.
ROBERT HORRY: Yeah, I get on myself more than anybody. Coaches get on me but I still get on myself more than anybody, and I wanted to be the best teammate I could be, and I wasn't a very good teammate. I was turning the ball over and blowing layups, I just told myself, you've got to come out and help the team play, you're worried about them contesting your threes so much that you've just got to let it flow.
Q. When you see them double Ginobili in the corner, in that last play and you're open, what's going through your mind?
ROBERT HORRY: Actually, I wasn't even thinking about it, I said, "Okay, I'm getting ready to cut through," and Manu, it was supposed to be a pick and roll with Tim and I saw Rasheed bite and I set said, "Oh, let me stay out here."
I just got the ball back, since I was shooting well I wanted to let it fly. I'm the type of player, I want to win a game, I don't want to go to overtime. I'm always going to go for a three.
Q. I can't let you get on the bus without commenting on Tim's description of your play, the regular season, fourth quarter, playoffs.
ROBERT HORRY: Oh, man, you know, I don't know how to even talk about that, man. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. People start with, "He's lazy in the season, but then in the playoffs he comes."
But I don't think that has anything to do with it. You know, you can feel the energy here, you're not even playing but you can feel the energy. When you're in the playoffs you feel that energy and that makes you hyped and gives you the energy to go out and the playoffs, the fans, the atmosphere, it just hypes you up to go out and try to play better.
Q. Is that your answer to the success over the years and all the big shots and the Finals and the rings, you don't get excited until April?
ROBERT HORRY: It's the playoffs, man. If you don't get excited about the playoffs, you don't even deserve to be playing basketball. I get excited for the regular season, also, but it's just added excitement when the playoffs start.
Hey, check the stats, they are basically the same. They are basically the same. (Laughter).
Q. Would you agree that that was the greatest half by an individual in The Finals game since Jordan's first half six three pointers against Portland in '92, from a historical perspective? And second of all what does that say, that the decisive player in such a big game this year is someone that always says, "Keep the game fun and don't take it too seriously"?
ROBERT HORRY: I would say that, you know, there have been a lot of guys who have played incredible in the NBA Finals. I don't know, that, my second half, probably ranks probably 25th, somewhere down there like that, you know, but that's the thing. If you go through a basketball game, if you can't have a smile on your face, that's my philosophy, you've got to have a smile on your face and enjoy the game, because there's a lot more serious things going on in this world than playing the game of basketball, I just try to go out there, have fun, keep a smile on my face and enjoy what I do.
Q. Obviously Tim struggled at the line and in other ways, in the fourth quarter, besides taking a 3 2 series lead, how nice is it to pick him up and get the win?
ROBERT HORRY: Forget about Tim. He needs to make his free throws. Where is he? (Laughter).
It's a team effort. Guys miss free throws, like I missed a free throw. You can't pinpoint, from the people that missed theirs at the beginning of the half, you can't just label, point out one aspect of the game. It's a total team effort and his fourth quarter was disappointing.
Q. You've been in a lot of big games, was this the same feeling that you've had in a lot of these other big games or was this one different? It just seemed to be so nip and tuck all the way through.
ROBERT HORRY: To be honest with you, it felt a little bit better. One time I shot a three from way out deep, and I made it, oh, I'm ready now, I just had that feeling, I had that energy like, man, this is a good game.
You know, people have always been talking about how this is not going to be watched and it's just going to be a defensive struggle. Tonight was a good game to watch. It was a nail biter, two teams battling hard, it was fun to play.
Q. They said at the end of the broadcast that you did not like the nickname "Big Shot Bob". Which part didn't you like, you want it to be Rob or what?
ROBERT HORRY: You can make it Rob, R o b, but B o b, that's not me. But Timmy, you see, he found out about that, just killing it, rubbing it in, "Bob, Bobby." Tim is just a jerk, man. Wait until I see him. (Laughter).
