http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.36d2841.html
Web Posted: 12/11/2006 12:41 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
LOS ANGELES — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich knows one team that won't be pursuing Philadelphia guard Allen Iverson.
His own.
Asked if it was safe to eliminate the Spurs from the Iverson sweepstakes, Popovich paused for effect, pulled on his chin, looked at the ceiling as if in deep thought, then said, "Yes."
Iverson has asked the 76ers to trade him and team officials have acknowledged they are working to grant his request. While the Spurs don't have any reason to dramatically reshape their roster, Popovich knows why other teams would be interested in making a blockbuster deal for Iverson.
"He's a gamer," Popovich said. "He's a compe or. He makes things happen, and he's obviously a huge draw any place he is. So I'm sure there will be a good enough number of teams talking to (Sixers president) Billy (King) right now."
The Lakers aren't expected to be in the mix for Iverson, but coach Phil Jackson isn't ready to completely rule them out of the trade talks.
"The owner of the Lakers (Jerry Buss) has always felt that All-Star talent is something he can accommodate, and is willing to accommodate," Jackson said. "So I wouldn't just outright say we have no interest."
Bruce Bowen spent the first half of the 1999-2000 season with the Sixers and is the only player on the Spurs' roster who played with Iverson. He said it's tough to imagine Iverson playing anywhere other than Philadelphia.
"The town definitely identifies with him," Bowen said. "He's a hard worker, is small in stature, but has great heart."
Finley tries to end slump: Michael Finley started his eighth consecutive game Sunday, the last four of which have coincided with Manu Ginobili coming off the bench.
Before Sunday, Finley had showed signs of emerging from his shooting slump. During the three previous games, he averaged 12.7 points on 14-of-26 shooting (53.8 percent).
He opened Sunday's game by missing his first six shots.
"Michael is a very focused player who wants to do well in all parts of the game," Popovich said before Sunday's game. "If he does something poorly, it really bothers him — and that's a good thing, as long as he doesn't go over the line.
"Sometimes he does worry a little bit too much. But I think when he sees our reaction, it helps him to relax a little bit because we tell him we don't care if he misses shots because he can't control it."
Briefly: Robert Horry had to leave the game midway through the second quarter after getting elbowed just above his left eye by Brian Cook. Horry leaned his head into the basket support for a couple of minutes before walking to the sideline. He returned in the second half. ... David Robinson attended Saturday's game in support of the Spurs. He and one of his sons accompanied the team on its flight to Los Angeles on Saturday. ... Lamar Odom entered Sunday averaging a career-best 18.4 points. His assertiveness has contributed to the Lakers' improvement this season. Popovich was an assistant coach when Odom played for the U.S. national team in the 2004 Olympics. "He's one of the most talented players in the league," Popovich said.
"we tell him we don't care if he misses shots because he can't control it."
ok ok, so Pop is gonna stay with Michael, NVE-style, to the bloody end.
but Michael's got to learn, old dog/new tricks, to compensate by RBs, moving the ball, not wasting possessions by forcing (missed) shots, take it to the hoop, anything but take up Manu's and Brent's minutes with nothing to show it.
It looks like he's trying on defense, at least.
The Monday Morning Quarterback Club is in session.
So then, Finley for AI wouldn't be fair?
Well, AI to SA wasn't going to happen anyways... But I do hope that the Spurs really try to be involved as a "3rd team". They have some assets to make a trade and there might be some interesting players available depending on which other team is involved. Best case would be a long, rebounding 3 but that would be too good...
Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesye syesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesy esyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes.Well, AI to SA wasn't going to happen anyways... But I do hope that the Spurs really try to be involved as a "3rd team". They have some assets to make a trade and there might be some interesting players available depending on which other team is involved. Best case would be a long, rebounding 3 but that would be too good...
Aw. Likely won't happen.
Ok, ok...I will make it fair....
Bonner and Finley for AI.
Here's tomorrow's article:
Johnny Ludden : Basketballs are Round
I agree. I wonder if they are one of the "3rd" teams that are in the mix.Well, AI to SA wasn't going to happen anyways... But I do hope that the Spurs really try to be involved as a "3rd team". They have some assets to make a trade and there might be some interesting players available depending on which other team is involved. Best case would be a long, rebounding 3 but that would be too good...
I certainly hope so.
Yeah it probably wasn't going to happen but that doesn't mean some people weren't wondering about it. Save your sarcasm for when it's wanted.
Actually, they're three dimensional spheroids. Being wrong isn't un-Ludden-like, though.
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