Reply With Quote
Spurs notebook:
Washington wears down Spurs at end, trip ends 3-2
Web Posted: 11/13/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
LINK
WASHINGTON — The Spurs concluded their longest road trip in almost eight years the same way they began it: On the wrong end of a rout.
Saturday's 110-95 loss to the Washington Wizards only gave the Spurs that much more reason to look forward to returning home. They finished the five-game, eight-day trip 3-2. Their other loss, a 19-point setback, came a week earlier in Dallas.
While the Spurs have played more consecutive games on the road in recent seasons when the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo moved into the SBC Center, each year they made at least two trips home in between games to practice or rest.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich refused to blame Saturday's performance on the team's travels.
"Everybody has games on the road, stretches that might be tough," Popovich said. "That's irrelevant. You come to play and try to do the best job you can.
"I thought our effort was great. I didn't think we played very smart. There were a lot of situations where we had a two- or four-point lead and turned (the ball) over or took a quick shot."
The Wizards, however, said they were fortunate to meet the Spurs at the end of the trip.
"We know that they're the champions, but we thought that they might be tired," Washington point guard Gilbert Arenas said. "And we had our crowd behind us, so we said, 'Let's try to keep it close, and then let's go for it at the end.'"
And that's pretty much what happened. The Wizards outscored the Spurs 28-17 in the final 12 minutes, 2.6 seconds.
On the mend: Brent Barry and Michael Finley each missed their third consecutive game. Popovich remains hopeful both will be able to play Tuesday against Atlanta.
Barry, who will have his back examined by the team's doctors Monday, has done a little shooting in recent days.
Waiting in the wings: Rookie forward Fabricio Oberto has averaged 4.4 minutes the past five games. Although Oberto, like the Spurs' other newcomers, needs to better learn the team's system, Rasho Nesterovic's performance also has something to do with his lack of playing time.
"Rasho beat everyone out and won that starting (center) spot," Popovich said. "Since Nazr (Mohammed) came back, he's played well. If anything, we're trying to get Nazr more minutes. At this point, they're just ahead of (Oberto)."
Brown-out: Larry Brown has yet to win a game as head coach of the New York Knicks. But Popovich thinks Brown will eventually have his new team pointed in the right direction.
"Given time, he'll get it straight," Popovich said.
Popovich has no interest in getting into the rebuilding business — unless Tim Duncan joins him.
"I'm smart enough not to ever get into that situation," Popovich said. "My moon is aligned very closely with Timmy's. I'm waiting for his retirement announcement because mine will be 30 seconds after it.
"I have no need to prove this, that or the other by going to this, that or the other city: 'Oh, he did it again, so he's for real.' For real can kiss my ass."
No faking allowed: Count Popovich among those happy with the NBA's new inactive list.
In the past, teams often created fake injuries to keep players on the injured list. Any player placed on the list had to remain there for a minimum of five games. The new list can be changed nightly.
"I love it," Popovich said. "It relieves the guilt of 30 coaching staffs and medical staffs and (general manager) staffs."
