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Wow, that was some deep and insightful investigative reporting right there. I don't know why I didn't see it before? Rebounding?!? That's just confabulous!
Mike MonroeLack of rebounding hurts Spurs
Express-News
After two days off to think about deficiencies that contributed to losses at Utah and Phoenix, the Spurs got a visual reminder before a lengthy practice session at their team facility on Super Bowl morning.
A film session that lasted nearly an hour before they took the court revealed outstanding defensive effort was often negated when the Jazz and Suns got second, and sometimes third, opportunities by beating the Spurs to rebounds after defensive stops.
Utah, one of the NBA's best rebounding teams, had a 50-32 advantage on the glass in its 97-93 victory over the Spurs.
Phoenix, hardly one of the league's more physical units, outrebounded the Spurs, 51-41, with 15 offensive rebounds in its 103-87 victory.
Tim Duncan had 12 rebounds against the Jazz, 18 against the Suns. None of his teammates had more than six in either game — and point guard Tony Parker had six against Utah.
"Utah, it's hard to beat them on the boards, because they are really good," Manu Ginobili said. "But usually Phoenix is a team that's not that good a rebounding team, and they got us, too. So we just have to think more about it, everybody (has to) go hard, try to compete every single possession, and try to change that. But it's not something you can practice. You've just got to go at it."
Starting center Fabricio Oberto did not grab a single rebound against Utah, and had only four against Phoenix. The solution, he said, is simply to keep working hard and remembering that when Duncan is double-teamed, it creates openings for other players to get to the boards.
"We know that sometimes when they overplay him, even our guys try to help him, and we have to get more adjusted to finding the empty spot, the hole in the paint, so we can help.
"Most of the time, I think we just have to play with more energy every game, hustle and run the floor. Tim is really the best four/five man in the league, passing and shooting and rebounding and blocking shots. Sometimes he simplifies the game for the other big on the other side, so we have to give more effort and help him."
Francisco Elson, who had moved into the starting lineup at center before suffering a small tear in his right rotator cuff in December, had nine rebounds in the Spurs' two losses, but his playing time has remained limited as he works his way back into the playing rotation.
Now, Elson says he is fully recovered and ready to play more.
"It's just a matter of time to get back in the rotation and get comfortable," he said.
If coach Gregg Popovich is considering another lineup change to jump-start the team's rebounding by starting Elson at center, he has not said. Popovich recently shook up the starting lineup by replacing Ginobili with Brent Barry.
Like his fellow Argentine, Oberto said he would have no problem going back to a bench role if Popovich believed it would help the Spurs solve problems.
"All my career, I love the teamwork," said Oberto. "I am a team player. Even with the national team, I always say I don't need a lot of minutes. I only prefer to win. It's the only thing that matters, and that's what we are here for.
"The coaches know better than us the game and what is best for the team."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...s.17948a9.html
Shocking.
Wow, that was some deep and insightful investigative reporting right there. I don't know why I didn't see it before? Rebounding?!? That's just confabulous!
Damn guys!!!
Rebounding!!!
What didn't we think of that!!!
THat Pop is a ing genius!!!
It will be interesting to see if Pop puts Elson back in the starting lineup. He will probably rebound more (maybe) than Oberto but the D would probably get even worse.
Too bad there's not an available PF or C that can rebound and defend.
My 85 year old mother screams at the TV set for somebody to grab a damn rebound--I think even casual fans know the problem.
we have rebounding problems.
I never would have guessed it.
I'm glad they've recognized the problem, now let's hope they can physically correct it. All season long the Spurs have intelligently articulated their awareness of their weaknesses, but we still tap our thumbs on the table waiting for words to be translated into action. In other words, hit the damn boards.
The first step in solving a problem is to acknowledge it.
"My name is Spurs Bench.
"I am a reboundaholic..."
Crowd responds in unison:
" o Reboundaholic..."
We look forward to future E-N headlines:
"Aging role players an issue for Spurs"
"Interior defense still a work in progress for Spurs"
"Backup point play a problem"
"Help lacking for Duncan inside"
"Weary veteran legs prepare for playoff run"
"Rebounding, hot shooting propel Mavs to 2-0 lead"
"Season in review: Aging roster, disappointing acquisitions lead to season cut short"
"Offseason report: Pop insists roster OK as is for 2007-08"
The bad RB problem was very evident last year during the season.
Fixed, stepped up for the playoffs?
No, Spurs lost RB in all 7 games vs Mavs.
<sigh> Sad but probably also the most dead on prediction of the year, if they don't get some help.
That would imply they robound alot. And the croud wouldn't say " o reboundaholic", it would say " o spurs bench"
I know it would have repulsed people but I wish the Spurs moved Tim to C and had pursued Reggie Evans in the summer. At least he could have rebounded the ball, or balls.
You know--damn!--you're right.
Let me re-phrase--
"I am Rebound-aphobic..."
it really bothers me that the FO/coaching staff seem to be a step behind this board...if we can see the gaping holes, what takes them so long to recognize them?
rebounding a problem...no !!!! it's been a problem since the first game of the season.
Why not sign Reggie Evans or even Melvin Ely? They can't be worse, can they
sad but true....
Ahhhhhhhhhhh
I still want to believe.... heck...
I still believe.... YES!
I BELIEVE!
I've seen worse teams lifted to championships by a single player. Hakeem did it. Thats probably what its going to take for the Spurs to win it.
Are Tony, Tim, and Manu capable of that kind of a performance? Perhaps. But It certainly isn't all too likely.
Its going to have to be Timmy or Manu that lifts their performance to some ungodly level.
I would say Tony, but I just dont think its possible for him to take over a game like them two can, mostly because his range hasnt fully developed yet.
Tim, Tony and Manu though alone could take this team to the Promised Land. Will it be tough? You bet your sweet ass. Do I want that to be the case? No.
But if its what has to be done, it could happen. Its going to come down to desire.
how come td doesnt pull down 15+ rebs sometimes like how KG does on a one man n team.....very
Guys--
We still need to believe!
Did the Americans quit after we were bombed by the Germans at Pearl Harbor?!
it didn't hurt that smith, horry, elie and cassell were raining threes either.
Yeah, their role players were incredible.
Slide Duncan to Center and get a 3rd team involved for a trade that brings Reggie to the Spurs and something decent to Denver
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