Spurs notebook: Free-throw shooting improves
Web Posted: 12/07/2006 12:06 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...k.352a6a2.html
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When the Spurs get around to compiling a list of the most monumental dates in franchise history, they would be wise not to forget the historic evening of Dec. 6, 2006.
For it was on that day the Spurs' free-throw shooting rose to a remarkable 75 percent.
The Spurs began Wednesday ranked 21st in the NBA in free-throw percentage — already a considerable improvement from the No. 28 status they held at the end of last season — before making 19 of their 21 foul shots against Charlotte. In the past two games, the Spurs are 37 of 40 from the line.
Tony Parker has had a lot to do with the improvement. A career 69.9 percent foul shooter entering the season, he's made 63 of his 79 free throws (79.7 percent).
Tim Duncan, who like Parker, is working with shooting coach Chip Engelland, also has shown signs of getting better. He went 7 of 9 from the line against the Bobcats and is 31 of 40 (77.5 percent) in the past five games.
The Spurs' best foul shooter? Beno Udrih, who has missed only one of his 28 attempts. Brent Barry (27 of 30) and Francisco Elson (12 of 13) also are above 90 percent.
Another from Argentina: Charlotte forward Walter Herrmann scored his first NBA points on a 3-pointer late in the second quarter.
Herrmann became the fifth member of Argentina's national squad to sign with an NBA team when he joined the Bobcats this summer. He had appeared in only one game before Wednesday.
Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto went to dinner with Herrmann, who speaks only limited English, on Tuesday night.
"He's very happy being here, but it's hard when you make such a big change and you're not playing," Ginobili said.
Feeling fine: Bruce Bowen missed Tuesday's practice with sore ribs, but he was back in his regular spot in the lineup.
Bowen has played in a franchise-record 373 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the NBA. Atlanta's Joe Johnson has played in 374.
Bowen said his ribs began bothering him when he came out of Monday's game against Golden State in the first quarter.
"It was a cramp-spasm kind of deal," Bowen said. "Nothing big."
Quick exit: The Bobcats lost guard Brevin Knight early in the third quarter when he was ejected by Tony Brothers. Brothers gave Knight his first technical for complaining about a non-call. The second came a minute later after Knight threw a towel during a timeout.
Only in the NBA: Seated courtside for the game were Carolina Panthers receiver Keyshawn Johnson, former Charlotte Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues and ... Tim Reid, who played Venus Flytrap on "WKRP in Cincinnati." Tennis star Serena Williams showed up in the third quarter.
Helping hand: George Gervin, Duncan and Parker are among 18 former and current NBA players participating in a fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Wristbands featuring each player's name, jersey number and signature are $3 at the NBA Store in New York and online at NBAStore.com and prostatecancerfoundation.org.
Go break that record Bruce!Bowen has played in a franchise-record 373 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the NBA. Atlanta's Joe Johnson has played in 374.
i wonder what this looks like...Wristbands featuring each player's name, jersey number and signature are $3 at ...
Sure he'll break the record, if he plays till he's 50
are you kidding me? he needs only 2.
you're making me
No.He need 2more games in a row,than JJ.are you kidding me? he needs only 2.
you're making me
1. Joe Johnson's streak is also active.
2. They are only the longest current streaks. The longest all-time is AC Green with over 1100.
That's always been one of the most amazing records in my mind. That many games in a row playing as a rugged PF during a very physical period of the NBA and never even rolling your ankle bad enough to miss a game? Ridiculous.
I guess virginity goes a long way...
i fully expect a horrendous night from the line friday as a reult of the jinx this article will put on the spurs.
AC's streak is amazing, unfortunately, at least once (and maybe a couple of times) he logged a single bogus minute just to keep the streak going.
i am a little puzzled as to johnson's streak - this must be a regular season stat since he missed a lot of the spurs series in 05 when his face got jacked... wouldn't bruce technically be ahead?
that's what is was wondering leemajors
jj missed then end of the suns conference semifinals and the beginning of the conference finals against us because of a cracked orbital bone
They count regular season games.
Not playoff games, when talking about these games.
Or not.
If it weren't for Paul Pierce's machete chop down on Bruce's hand, Bowen would be the current leader in consecutive games.
If it weren't for Bruce's big-ass feet, Vince Carter might be.
Vince is a puss...he misses games when his dog is fed people food.
***jinx***
Tim's FT shooting has REALLY improved. His motion is so much better now. If you watch, the way he's been doing it is as follows: He holds the ball out steady in front of him, then brings it down and in towards his body then pushes it up and out, in a sort of nautilus shaped curve, and releases at the right point. It's very fluid and very consistent. He's up to 64% now, after starting in the 40s. I think he'll finish around 75%.
Tony is shooting a hair under 80% and Manu is smokin' at 88%. After those three, I don't really care what anyone else shoots. Good or bad, it won't affect the overall numbers much, since TT&M shoot about 64-65% of the FTAs.
Damn, you guys are going for the super-duper pull-out-all-stops jinx in this thread.
As an aside the Spurs are the 6th best offensive team in the league. Great sign so far.
Just behind the Pistons, Suns, Jazz, Mavericks, and Nuggets.
On defense they are actually #2 behind the Rockets.
But still, great to see the balance on both ends. Would be nice if they became a Top 4-5 Offensive team, while regaining their #1 status on defense.
http://www.knickerblogger.net/stats/2007/d_de.htm
I believe Manu has a chance of breaking that record
Don't forget, the Spurs are #1 in point differential (+8.15) as of tonight, and it's not very close (Houston is #2 with +5.16).
The Spurs still lead the league in point differential at +8.15 (3 points better than any other team). Houston is 2nd at +5.16 and then Dallas at +4.83. That's one of Hubie Brown's key stats indicating how good a team is.
nice timing there Boro and Solid
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