http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...r.914c26e.html
Spurs lose game, ground
Web Posted: 04/06/2006 12:04 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
By the time the Sacramento Kings were finished with the Spurs on Wednesday night, Mike Bibby had 31 points, Tony Parker was on a training table getting his head glued together, Ron Artest was boasting about his defensive prowess and Friday night's showdown with Dallas suddenly had a bit more drama.
Oh, and the Spurs had tacked on another back-to-back loss.
With Bibby and Artest leading the way, the Kings bullied the Spurs 97-87 in front of an AT&T Center crowd that arrived late and had every reason to leave early. The loss reduced the Spurs' lead atop the Western Conference to two games heading into Friday's Mavericks visit.
"They killed us," Manu Ginobili said, "everywhere."
In other words, Sacramento treated the Spurs the same way the Spurs usually have been treated when they haven't had a day to rest before playing. Ten of the Spurs' 17 losses have come in the second game of a back-to-back.
The average margin of defeat in those 10 games: 11.9 points.
"Thank God there's no back-to-back games in the playoffs," Brent Barry said, "because at this point, I don't know if maybe it creeps into your psyche."
If the playoffs began today, the Spurs would face the Kings in the first round. If the matchup holds, the Spurs would be wise to bring more energy than they showed Wednesday.
Sacramento led by at least seven points from the midpoint of the second quarter. The Kings hiked their advantage to 13 at the end of the first half, 16 at the end of the third quarter and led by as much as 19 in the fourth.
Bibby and Artest combined to make six 3-pointers as the Kings shot 50 percent from behind the arc and 47.5 percent overall.
"Defensively, we just didn't play our normal game," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "And it cost us."
The Spurs arrived in town around 2 a.m. Wednesday after winning in Utah. By rallying from a 24-point deficit to close within five, the Jazz forced the Spurs' regulars to play deep into the game.
"When we had the team down big last night, it was a great opportunity to rest our starters and give the bench guys a lot more playing time," Michael Finley said. "Instead, we made it a ball game."
The Kings also played Tuesday night. But after being routed in Dallas, they looked like a new team once they took the floor Wednesday.
Sacramento overwhelmed the Spurs on the boards early, back-doored them for layups and often beat them down the floor.
After a 3-pointer from Artest pushed the Kings' lead to 33-22 with 9:40 left in the second quarter, the Spurs' frustration boiled over. Popovich and Tim Duncan, upset over a non-call, received back-to-back technicals.
Duncan finished with 11 points and six rebounds in 31 minutes. In the 15 games he's played without a day of rest this season, Duncan has averaged 14.7 points on 39.8 percent shooting.
Much of Duncan's back-to-back problems have to do with the plantar fasciitis in his right foot. A stomach virus, however, also has sapped his energy since Friday.
"Hopefully," Popovich said, "he's getting stronger every day."
With 48 points in his previous two games, Ginobili seemed to be doing the same. Then he ran into Artest, who was facing the Spurs for the first time since Sacramento acquired him for Peja Stojakovic.
Artest, who said before the game he deserved the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, backed up his credentials by holding Ginobili to eight points on eight shots. He blocked Ginobili from behind midway through the third quarter, leading to a layup by Bibby that pushed the Kings' lead to 17.
When Artest posted Bruce Bowen on the other end, the Spurs double-teamed him. He also complained of Bowen "smacking" him.
"That's why I'm the defensive player of the year — because I play good defense," said Artest, who totaled 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. "No gimmicks."
Parker finally started to put the Kings on their heels in the fourth quarter when he scored eight of his 16 points. His layup brought the Spurs within 83-73 with 8:56 left.
But after a timeout, Artest juked Bowen and hit a jump shot. The Kings never looked back.
Clubbed on a drive to the basket, Parker left the game with a gash on the top of his head. Instead of s ches, the team's medical staff used glue to close it.
The cut further symbolized the back-to-back pain the Spurs have endured this season.
"It doesn't matter who our compe ion is, whether it's Sacramento or whoever," Barry said. "We've had some bad losses in back-to-back games. There's no excuse."
Artest can keep thinking that, but he's not going to ever win another individual award."That's why I'm the defensive player of the year — because I play good defense," said Artest, who totaled 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. "No gimmicks."
so artest has join the atron with rayallan and wince carter as the next whiny person about bowens defense.
Bowen is not that great of a defensive player.
Scottie said that and I belive him
Bowen needs to give someone a wally kick
The fact that he is campaigning for himself shows that this guy is a complete bag. Who self promotes themself for an individual award? Even the college kids fighting for the Heisman just go about their business and hope their actions speak louder than their words.
Artest's actions have already spoken. What a bag.
ron is not goin to win since his missed 1/3 of the season
That could be the clincher, although there's no doubt that he's a monster on defense.
Right or wrong I'd bet that some of those voting take character into account. That's a big minus for Ron.
Maybe this talk will give the Spurs some added emotional fuel for the playoffs.
Ron Artest needs to STFU already. gawddamn i can't believe he even has a job. that man is a poisenous ala spree & TO.
all 3 need to get into the bag hall of fame.
Diagnosis = a disorder, re-examination needed.
consult sent.
Reality - Bowen is DPOY, Artest needs to get over it an be glad he is even playing basketball.
Artest bragging about stopping someone who has struggled all season. Way to go, loser.
he also thinks he is a true warriorjust cause he plays basketball hard
Serious question; who is DPoY this year?
Try not to be homers...or at least back it up.
???? Good question. I thought about that when I posted the article. IMO, Bowen deserved the award LAST year.
That's no knock against Ben. I just think Bowen, for his game-to-game responsibilities of shutting down the opposition's top scorer, was more deserving.
I can't say who the frontrunner is for this year.
Bowen is DPOTY.
Kirilenko lost some time due to injures, Big Ben is not making an incredible job while Bowen 'locks' down the players like Iverson, Bosh, Randolph, Nowitzki. Almost every star has got problem with him.
For me it is Bruce - no question
Welcome to Spurstalk, SpursDee
artest also feels his records should sell more than a few thousand copies.
Something that the ESPN (in Spanish) commentators mentioned yesterday comes to mind.
Artest is always arguing with the refs about calls, he complains about every single foul that is called on him. The question is: Has ever one of his coaches shown a tape of how many calls the refs do not whistle on him? If he played in a league where stars aren't allowed many things from the refs, he would foul out before half-time in every game.
Same could be said about others, like Shaq or the entire Pistons.
That's why I believe that Bowen should be DPOY. He is always moving, his excellent defense is based on footwork and moving all the time, chasing his defensive assigment through screens. He bothers the other team best perimetral scorer, but not in a physical way, he just stays in there between his man and the rim, always with his hands up. He doesn't allow penetration just by quickly moving his feet. The only time Bruce goes physical (which aren't that many, and most of them are coincidental), frustrated spoiled crybabies like Vince Carter or Ray Allen start ing.
At this point it clearly has."Thank God there's no back-to-back games in the playoffs," Brent Barry said, "because at this point, I don't know if maybe it creeps into your psyche."
I'm a Detroit fan. I'm a Ben Wallace fan. I think Ron Artest is crazy. I think he ruined the Pacers organization. I think Andrei Kirilenko, Gerald Wallace, and Alonzo Mourning have all had phenomenal defensive season. I think Bruce Bowen has a great chance of winning the DPOY this year.
WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID ...
Ron Artest is the best defensive player in the NBA. And, it's not even close. I don't like him. I think he's a headcase. I think he doesn't deserve to win the rest of his career. But, HE IS THE BEST DEFENDER IN THE NBA. That's coming from a Piston fan and someone who completely respects the way Bruce Bowen, Ben Wallace, Alonzo Mourning, and Andrei Kirilenko play defense. But, no one plays better lock-down defense than Ron Artest. Again, it's not even close.
Artest won't get it. And, he is a y and delusional ass for campaignin for it. But, I agree that he's the best defender in the NBA.
How many games did Artest played?
thank you
I think Alonzo Mourning was in very good position to win the award before he started to play a lot less with the return of Shaq.
Bruce Bowen has been great most of the season, and I think he's a top candidate.
Ben hasn't been as good as in past years, but he's still a top 5 candidate.
The player I think who deserves DPOY most for this season won't get much pub because his team is not that good and even when he plays great defense, it doesn't often help his team win.
If I were to vote for DPOY this year, I would vote for GERALD WALLACE.
if your just going by last night then i agree. but ever since artest has been here he has done a great job not complaining to the refs. he usually just turns his head and goes back and plays defense. the technical he got yesterday is only his second since hes been here. i know most people dont like artest but i dont think he said anything wrong. i think he is a better defender then bowen but bowen deserves it this year because he has played the whole year. i dont think he just made that comment out of nowhere. i think one of the reporters asked him a question and he answered what he thought.
Great points....I disagree about Artest being the best but your argument is a good one. I think Bowen deserves it this year. In the years he came close but didn't win, I felt that those who did (Artest, Big Ben) were deserving of winning as well.I'm a Detroit fan. I'm a Ben Wallace fan. I think Ron Artest is crazy. I think he ruined the Pacers organization. I think Andrei Kirilenko, Gerald Wallace, and Alonzo Mourning have all had phenomenal defensive season. I think Bruce Bowen has a great chance of winning the DPOY this year.
WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID ...
Ron Artest is the best defensive player in the NBA. And, it's not even close. I don't like him. I think he's a headcase. I think he doesn't deserve to win the rest of his career. But, HE IS THE BEST DEFENDER IN THE NBA. That's coming from a Piston fan and someone who completely respects the way Bruce Bowen, Ben Wallace, Alonzo Mourning, and Andrei Kirilenko play defense. But, no one plays better lock-down defense than Ron Artest. Again, it's not even close.
Artest won't get it. And, he is a y and delusional ass for campaignin for it. But, I agree that he's the best defender in the NBA.
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