Spurs hope to avoid stumble on trip
Web Posted: 01/30/2005 11:51 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....5e72ff5b.html
SEATTLE — After waving farewell to family and friends, the Spurs touched down late Sunday afternoon, the first stop on a 19-day journey that will take them through seven cities and three time zones.
Like other great Northwest explorers — Lewis and Clark didn't have the luxury of leasing a charter jet or staying in five-star hotels — coach Gregg Popovich has come to value the Spurs' annual trail drive as a chance to bond in what he likes to call "a hostile environment."
"To do that night after night after night is a great opportunity," Popovich said. "Win or lose, time spent on the road like that can be invaluable."
That said, the Spurs will consider the experience even more useful if they can come away with a victory tonight in a most hostile of environments.
The Spurs' 113-94 loss at KeyArena on Nov. 7 still ranks as their worst of the season. Seattle also handed them their only defeat at the SBC Center on Dec. 8.
Nearly two months later, the Spurs are still looking for their first victory over the Sonics.
"We want to change that," Manu Ginobili said.
To do so, the Spurs will need to play considerably better defense. In only four of 46 games have they allowed their opponent to score 100 points. Seattle is responsible for two of those.
In addition to averaging 107.5 points in the two games, the Sonics shot a combined 49 percent. After routing the Spurs at KeyArena, Seattle looked like it would do the same at the SBC Center, opening a 20-point lead at halftime. The Spurs closed within two points in the fourth quarter before losing 102-96.
"Really, after six pretty bad defensive quarters, it was easily the first time we got a little bit of a handle on them," Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "We're not going to outscore them, but we've got to at least slow them down."
The Spurs have more confidence in their ability to do that after twice beating Phoenix, the league's most dangerous open-floor team. Popovich has used each of the games against the Suns, as well as the two against Seattle, to tinker with his defense and personnel. The Ginobili-Tony Parker-Brent Barry-Devin Brown-Tim Duncan small lineup he used after the third quarter of the team's most recent victory over Phoenix was especially proficient.
"I think we're learning how to play those (teams) and who has to be on the floor for us," Popovich said. "But it took four games to figure some things out. We're still not where we need to be come playoff time, but we're getting smarter."
Seattle, however, presents more matchup problems than Phoenix. Six-foot-10 forward Rashard Lewis, a good perimeter shooter, can post smaller defenders. Vladimir Radmanovic, another sharp-shooting 6-10 forward, can draw Duncan or the Spurs' other big men from the basket when the Sonics go small.
Danny Fortson, a 6-8, 260-pound bowling bowl of a center, has 29 points and 19 rebounds off the bench in the two games.
"They start wheeling in these guys," Carlesimo said, "and you just have trouble with the coverage."
The Spurs have struggled at times against Seattle's matchup zone, a defense similar to the one New Orleans used Saturday. Against the Hornets, the Spurs stagnated until Parker and Ginobili found lanes to penetrate.
"I think every game is a little bit of an experience, so it was great going against that zone (Saturday)," Duncan said. "Hopefully, we can be effective against (Seattle's) also."
The Spurs not only remember how the Sonics beat them; they haven't forgotten how some Seattle players reacted to the second victory. Center Jerome James tried to mock Duncan late in the game by questioning his toughness. His colorful language drew a technical.
Duncan finished with 39 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. James, whose next basket against the Spurs will be his first this season, had three rebounds and three blocks.
And his second victory over the Spurs.
"We know that most teams come (to the SBC Center) and want to beat us because of who we are," Ginobili said. "Before that, we hadn't lost (at home) in like (21) games, so it's normal that some of the teams get very excited.
"We don't care. We have to go there and do the same job as always, no matter what they said or what they did."
My wishlist reg. this game:
Duncan outsmarts Fortson, Evans, James and any other thugs they throw at him
Bowen lives up to his billing as a DPOY contender
TP and Manu drive to the hole more
Barry makes a few back-breaking 3 pointers
Horry/Rose/Mass make sure Spurs don't get outrebounded
Spurs win by 15+
I think rebounding, perimeter D and free throws are key to this game.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
"19-day journey"
Didn't we read last week that it will be 3 consecutive road-trips, 3 times out and back, over 19-days?
Ludden makes it sound like they won't be home for 19 days.
Last edited by boutons; 01-31-2005 at 11:06 AM.
Didn't the spurs go like 7-1 in 2003 and 6-1 in 2004 during rodeo time?
I think they won't be even close to that record this time IMHO.
Your humble opinion is worthless, no one cares.
hope marks does well. we dont get very much NBA news over here, but ive heard hes looking lost, and fair enough a NBA court would look pretty strange to me too if i didnt play on for that amount of time
yep, anybody in Sean's position has a hard row to hoe, especially worse when the team plays a system like the Spurs do (rather than just "grinding it out" without x'x and o's like some teams do)
Catch-22: not getting enough PT to get comfortable, but you can't get comfortable without PT.
you will eat your words baby!...
spurs will win by 17 tonight.(tomorrow here in the Philippines)...
Allen will be a crybaby again...Bruce you're the suspect!...
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