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tinysands

2006-03-06, 09:38 PM

时间限制：无

GLOBAL: Rasho Nesterovic

By Nikola Olic
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Mar 1, 2006, 02:18

http://www.hoopsworld.com/global/article_16345.shtml

Somewhere in NBA archives there is a photo of Rasho Nesterovic and Nazr Mohammed holding the 2005 NBA trophy. They are both tired and smiling, after 16 playoff victories and as a many bottles of celebratory champagne. They always replace each other on the basketball floor but on this night it was no more. As all the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) patiently waited to have their photos taken somewhere in the basement of the then-SBC Center, Nesterovic insisted Nazr join him on the floor this one time. A picture might be worth a thousand words, but only one word mattered to San Antonio fans. The word was "Center" and the question was who will it be next season.

The Slovenian seven footer got the job and helped the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to their best start in franchise history, approaching December with a 12-2 record. This probably came as a surprise to most of the 500,000 fans that a few months ago waved at Nazr, Rasho and the rest of the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) as they strolled down the Riverwalk as NBA Champs. It was right there, black on white for everybody to see, just like the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) logo itself: Mohammed, Duncan, Bowen, Parker and Ginobili were on all the posters for 2005. Perhaps Coach Greg Popovich just took time to make up his mind. In 2006, after their annual Rodeo road trip and 52 games into the season, Nazr again became the starter.

"I don't know what to think" explained Nesterovic after coming of the bench in a recent home game against Seattle. "Maybe it has its advantages. Our rotations are unpredictable. We will see, the change has just begun. I'll wait five or ten games to see how it will work out and then we can talk more. If a player likes to come of the bench, this might work better for them. I never really came of the bench; I think I would rather be a starter. I will have to wait and see how it is coming of the bench."

Of the twenty predictable Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) rotations, Nesterovic is -- or was -- in the two most often used ones. With him on the floor, San Antonio on average gains almost two points on the opponent while they break even with Mohammed in his place. San Antonio is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA -- keeping opponents to the league-low 88 points per game -- and Rasho has played for Popovich long enough to know where he needs to be on the floor to help keep that percentage. Fifty plus games into the season, how does coach Popovich pick a center?

"There is the classic way -- rebounds, blocks, defense but you have to ask Popovich for the details. He might have his own little tricks. I did not change my game. At the start of the season I came without the pressure of thinking about the starting role and how much will I play. I played my game and tried to do my best."

San Antonio’s intrastate rivals Dallas Mavericks benefited from shaking up their center roles. Veteran Erick Dampier is coming of the bench for a younger and less experienced DeSagana Diop and is playing better because of it. Call it healthy competition or the basketball version of The Survival Of The Fittest. Nesterovic agrees.

"There is tension there and I think that can help the team" he explained while in training camp in Virgin Islands this summer. "With more competition and more aggressiveness in practice you just carry that to the game and it's just easier for the team effort and for both of us."

Talking about competition in summertime for Nesterovic usually means something different -- international basketball. As the captain of the Slovenian national team, he led them to a sixth place finish at the European championships in Belgrade last summer, an impressive appearance that qualified them for the Basketball World Championships in Japan in August. Their leader already has a plan.

"Every team has weaknesses and strengths. We are ready to play. Our group is tough but we have our advantages against all of those teams. This is our first championship and we can't say we will be going for the gold medal but we have our game to play and we will not give up easily. If we can give a 100% in all our games, I think we will go far."

The group Rasho is talking about is their opponents in the qualification round, a list that includes formidable squads from United States and China. Slovenia has strong NBA weapons to choose from in Rasho Nesterovic, Sasha Vujacic, Beno Udrih, Primoz Brezec and Bostjan Nachbar, an impressive arsenal from a country with a population similar to Houston, Texas.

"Everybody expects the US to get first place. If we lose, everybody expected us to lose against them anyway. But if we win, that would be a great surprise. Slovenians are playing well both here and in Europe. Everybody is getting the minutes they need and deserve. We are ready to play."

Perhaps as a nod to its five international players -- most of any NBA team -- and to the World Basketball Championships in general, Spurs’ organization insists they are NBA Champions rather than World Champions. In Beno Udrih and Rasho Nesterovic they have two Slovenians that don't share the floor much but rather share a language. Can language be used against another team in the court of basketball?

"On the court, not so much" explains Nesterovic with a good laugh. "But of the court, it helps a lot. Two players from the same country, from the same part of the world, it certainly helps. It is a great psychological boost. We don't really have a way to take advantage of our language on the court, it is a team game and our coach is controlling the game. Two of us can't speak Slovenian while the rest are speaking English."

Sounds like a saying Popovich would yell out in practice.

Much like there can not be two centers at one starting spot, there is not likely to be competition without change. If Nesterovic still endorses his summer camp idea that competition is good, he will do so by changing his game. Mohammed got into the starting lineup by doing exactly that and as Nesterovic responds for the remainder of the season, Popovich will truly have a center spot with -- as he put it in another recent saying -- "a two-headed monster".

[Thanks to our Emmett Shaw for helping with this story]

tinysands

2006-03-06, 09:49 PM

时间限制：一周

Spurs' stars Duncan, Ginobili finding a rhythm

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030606.1D.BKNspurs.lakers.7f9e8fd.html

Web Posted: 03/06/2006 12:03 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES — Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) watched the 24-foot shot settle safely into the net before spinning on his heels and pumping his fist.

Ginobili ran back down court, muttering in who-knows-what language. His frustration gave way to relief.

"It was nice," Ginobili said, "to make one."

Ginobili hasn't had much personal success to celebrate the past three weeks. Still trying to regain the explosiveness — and confidence — that his troublesome right foot stole from him, he has averaged 10 points on 31.7-percent shooting in the past eight games.

"I don't feel as well as I want to, but I'm not upset," Ginobili said. "I know it's going to come."

Ginobili can afford to be patient. Including tonight's meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have 24 games remaining. And even with Ginobili and Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) playing below their usual standards, the team has continued to win.

"People talk about, 'Are you ready for the playoffs yet?'" Duncan said. "No. Manu needs to find his rhythm. I need to find my rhythm.

"Tony (Parker)'s been awesome all season long. He's been carrying us. But we need to step it up and get to the point where we're all playing at the right level going into the playoffs."

Duncan delivered one of his best all-around performances in the past month with 22 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in Saturday's victory over Portland. Ginobili also made some progress, albeit more subtle. In addition to making 5 of 12 shots, he grabbed six rebounds, one less than in the previous four games combined.

"I just need that one good game that unblocks me mentally," he said.

Ginobili appeared to put his troubles behind him Feb. 12 when he scored a season-high 29 points — including 10 in the final 88 seconds — to rally the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) past Indiana. But the next night in Cleveland, he again tweaked his right ankle after landing on someone's foot.

Ginobili already had hurt the same foot on three occasions in the first three months, costing him 13 games. Although his latest injury wasn't serious, it slowed the progress he had made.

"I don't think he has his total rhythm back," Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said. "The season is getting to the point where he's had all these nagging injuries that we just have to make sure he doesn't get in a rush to get it back."

The success of Ginobili's teammates has helped him be patient. When foul trouble limited Ginobili to 10 minutes against New York last week, Michael Finley came off the bench and made all eight of his shots for 22 points.

Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) also has given the team a jolt of energy. Since the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) nearly traded him to New Orleans on Feb. 23, he has averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 20.4 minutes over five games. While Ginobili made only 2 of 7 shots against Dallas on Thursday, Barry sparked the Spurs' comeback with four points and five rebounds in just nine minutes.

"On any given evening, it could be Manu or Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) or Michael Finley, I don't really care," Popovich said. "As long as somebody is playing well enough to fill those minutes for us."

Ginobili simply has tried to be, in his words, "useful." Admired for his fearlessness and willingness to absorb contact, Ginobili admitted the string of injuries sometimes has made him nervous to play in a crowd for fear of landing again on someone's foot. That also contributed to his rebounding struggles.

On Saturday, however, Ginobili looked more aggressive. He took the ball to the rim in the second quarter and rattled in a shot over Trail Blazers center Brian Skinner. Had he had his usual burst or lift, he likely would have dunked.

Ginobili drove inside in the third quarter only to watch his runner roll off the rim. The next time down, his 3-pointer popped in and out.

Early in the fourth quarter, Ginobili failed to finish another layup. Duncan grabbed the rebound and the ball swung back to Ginobili in the left corner. He set his feet and drilled a 3-pointer, hiking the Spurs' lead to 11 and sending Portland into a timeout.

"I don't think the team depends on some players as much as it used to," Ginobili said. "But when we're all back playing good, I think it will be great."

tinysands

2006-03-07, 02:53 PM

时间限制：两天

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) go distance with shots from deep

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030706.1D.BKNspurs.lakers.gamer.dbc1135.html

Web Posted: 03/07/2006 12:23 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES — Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) found the game he was looking for, along with his outside stroke, as did nearly everyone else wearing black Monday night.

Ginobili scored 21 points, throwing in four 3-pointers in a game-turning 3½-minute stretch in the third quarter, as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) beat the Los Angeles Lakers 103-96 at the Staples Center for their seventh consecutive victory.

Michael Finley and Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) also had 21 apiece as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) overcame 43 points from Kobe Bryant. Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) left midway through the fourth quarter after getting poked in the right eye, but he likely will play tonight when the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) return to the Staples Center to face the Clippers.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) made a season-high 12 3-pointers, including five each from Ginobili and Finley. In the second half, the team buried 10 of its 14 attempts to match the franchise record.

Los Angeles was coming off a victory over Detroit on Saturday. The Pistons were at the end of a four-game trip, and Lakers coach Phil Jackson said his team probably caught them on the right night.

He wasn't quite as confident the Lakers would catch the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) on the same.

"San Antonio looks like they're struggling a little bit physically with Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) and Ginobili, but they're still finding a way to win those ball games," Jackson said before the game.

"Whether they're going to fatigue — and a lot of times it happens to teams who have to go all the way through the playoffs — or not is still the big question. Because this is all just a dance to get to the playoffs, all these 82 games.

"For us, it's a Bataan March."

Ginobili, likewise, has trudged along for three weeks, seeking the explosiveness he's lost from repeatedly spraining his right ankle. He entered Monday averaging 10 points on 31.7 percent shooting in the previous eight games.

Despite his struggles, Ginobili had remained patient. The team was winning. Parker was playing well. Ginobili figured his own time would come.

During the first half, it didn't look like it would be Monday. Ginobili scored nine points but had trouble finishing inside.

Bryant didn't take his first shot until 5:30 remained in the first quarter. Naturally, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) wished he would have waited even longer.

Bryant reeled off 10 points over the next 2 minutes, 23 seconds as the Lakers surged ahead. His driving layup at the first-half buzzer left the Lakers with a 45-43 lead.

Los Angeles shot 47.6 percent in the first half, likely prompting Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich to counsel his team on the importance of defense.

As it turned out, the Lakers could have used a similar speech. By the time Jack Nicholson returned to his courtside seat four minutes into the second half, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) had a 58-49 lead. Ginobili buried two 3-pointers during the flurry and Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) had another.

Jackson signaled for a timeout, lectured the Lakers, then watched Ginobili set his feet behind the left side of the arc and drill two more 25-footers.

Ginobili's four 3-pointers were one shy of the franchise record for a quarter. The six the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) made as a team in the quarter matched the record they set last season against the Lakers.

Duncan, who finished with 18 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, took a shot in the eye from Lakers point guard Smush Parker midway through the final quarter as he was trying to get rid of the ball. Duncan fell to the floor and remained there for a few minutes holding his head before going to the locker room.

Parker nearly joined him a couple of minutes later when Lamar Odom clubbed him on a drive to the rim. After hitting the court with a thud, Parker bounced to his feet, missed his free throws then helped finish off the Lakers with three long jump shots.

tinysands

2006-03-08, 05:16 PM

时间限制：两天

Clippers roll over champs

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030806.1C.BKNspurs.clippers.gamer.3d89b1f.html

Web Posted: 03/08/2006 02:08 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES — Such is the state of Los Angeles basketball these days: You can beat Kobe Bryant's Lakers and return to the Staples Center one night later to discover you have to play the varsity.

With a 98-85 loss to the Clippers on Tuesday evening, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) learned why Billy Crystal, not Jack Nicholson, now has courtside seats for the city's best NBA team.

Unable to complete an L.A. sweep, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) jetted to Phoenix, where they will take a day's rest before facing the Suns on Thursday.

Having struggled much of the season when playing on consecutive nights, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were thankful they didn't have to board a plane following Monday's victory over the Lakers. Apparently, even the 40-minute bus ride from their Santa Monica hotel proved too exhausting.

Led by Elton Brand's 30 points, the Clippers overwhelmed the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) in the second half, which was not unlike what the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) did to Los Angeles' Other Team one night earlier.

After matching a franchise record with 10 second-half 3-pointers against the Lakers, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) went 5 of 17 behind the arc Tuesday. The Clippers, meanwhile, shot 59 percent in the second half.

“They were solid all along,” said Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), who had 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while spending much of the night with foul trouble. “That's kind of what killed us.

“We fought the whole way through, but they made shots when they needed to, made stops when they needed to. They just played better than us.”

The loss dropped the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) into a tie with Dallas atop the West and gave them further incentive to finish first in the conference. If the playoffs started today, they would face the Lakers as the top seed. If they slip to No..4, they would draw the Clippers.

Before the game, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy didn't sound too eager for such a matchup, either.

“They have all the components,” Dunleavy said of the Spurs. “Their Christmas list was answered. They've got a major low-post game. They've got a major penetrating point guard. They have all kinds of outside 3-point shooting.

“What else is there to want?”

Dunleavy also could have been describing his own team. Center Chris Kaman and Brand, who, in a sign of things to come, opened the game with a turnover over Duncan's head, provided a formidable tandem inside. Point guard Sam Cassell scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half while also distributing 11 assists.

One night after leaving early when Lakers point guard Smush Parker poked him in the right eye, Duncan was back on the floor, albeit without the pirate eye patch he had hoped to wear. Staying on the court proved more difficult.

The Clippers surged in front after Duncan went to the bench with 5:46 left in the third quarter after picking up his fourth foul on a charge call. Cassell, who had scored only three points in the first half, began to bully the Spurs' guards in the post. Brand tacked on another eight points to his total.

“It seemed like he didn't miss a shot,” Duncan said of Brand, who went 12 of 24.

After Vladimir Radmanovic drilled a 3-pointer on the opening possession of the fourth quarter, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were in a 72-59 hole. They made a late run, drawing within nine, but Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) stepped out of bounds and the crowd started to file out the exits.

Duncan spent the final 7 minutes, 16 seconds of the second quarter on the bench after collecting his third foul. The Clippers failed to take advantage of his absence, and the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) went into halftime with a 43-42 lead.

That was a small victory in itself. In addition to playing without Duncan for much of the second quarter, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) spotted the Clippers the game's first 10 points and attempted only three free throws to the Clippers' 19.

Dunleavy made containing Parker the top priority of his defense. Six-foot-six swingman Quinton Ross, Los Angeles' top perimeter defender, opened the game on Parker and 6-7 backup point guard Shaun Livingston also guarded him.

Parker missed five of his first six shots but played better in the second half, finishing with 20 points. Against the Lakers, that might have been good enough.

tinysands

2006-03-08, 05:19 PM

时间限制：两天

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) notebook: Clippers' upswing starts with defense

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030806.5C.BKNspurs.notebook.3dc35b0.html

Web Posted: 03/08/2006 02:12 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers have the Western Conference's fourth-best record after Tuesday night's victory over the Spurs, and it isn't hard to see why.

Elton Brand is enjoying an MVP-worthy season. Sam Cassell has provided some veteran leadership. And the Clippers are much improved defensively.

Last week, Los Angeles held New Orleans to an NBA-record low 16 points in the second half. For the season, the Clippers are holding teams to 42.9 percent shooting, the third-lowest mark in the league.

“My main emphasis has always been on the defensive end of the court,” Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. “If you really want to be a team that can contend, you have to be able to defend. It takes time to come in and get guys to understand different formations on the floor and react to them.”

“The first year, we made more mistakes. Last year, we made less mistakes. This year, we're making fewer mistakes. That translates into progress.”

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich has noticed.

“This year, they're one of the top three, four defensive teams, statistically,” Popovich said. “That's a huge, huge change.

“They've bought in. Mike's got his system in, and they've been persistent about it.”

Horry in, Van Exel out: Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) was back in uniform Tuesday, and Nick Van Exel went back on the inactive list.

For the second time in three games, Van Exel's left elbow was too sore to allow him to play.

Although Popovich said Monday he figures Van Exel would be in and out of the lineup for the remainder of the season, he had planned to play him against the Clippers.

Van Exel had five points and two assists in 15 minutes Monday against the Lakers.

Horry, meanwhile, returned from a two-game suspension for grabbing the arm of official Dick Bavetta and making as if he were going to bite Dallas guard Jerry Stackhouse during the Spurs' victory over the Mav8ericks on Thursday.

Screen envy: Dunleavy thinks the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are among the best at disguising illegal screens they set in pick-and-roll situations.

“They make it look like they're stepping in for an offensive play or something, but really they're trying to hold the rotators from getting to them,” Dunleavy said. “I've seen it get called one out of seven, eight times probably.”

Dunleavy sounded like he was complimenting the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) more than criticizing them.

“It's something you can learn from,” he said. “There are certain teams who do it well and get away with it.”

Dunleavy said it's the responsibility of the opposing team to make the officiating crew aware of illegal screens.

“If you're not in foul trouble, take a guy and just shove him through the play,” Dunleavy said. “That tells the referee, ‘If you're not going to call it, then I have to do this.'

“It brings more attention to it.”

Less than a minute into Tuesday's second quarter, Duncan was complaining about illegal screens.

Bad trend for Lakers: The Lakers are 0-6 against the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) since trading Shaquille O'Neal to Miami, though that doesn't seem to worry Phil Jackson. When asked if facing the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) in the first round of the playoffs would be daunting, the Lakers' coach said, “No. Not at all.”

Briefly: The seven free throws the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) attempted Monday against the Lakers was a season low, one more than they shot against Cleveland on Nov. 4.

..... The Lakers have Jack Nicholson. The Clippers? Actor and comedian Billy Crystal, who sat courtside Tuesday.

<_^

2006-03-08, 05:41 PM

060308 Spurs@Clippers Gamer

Clippers roll over champs

Web Posted: 03/08/2006 02:08 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES — Such is the state of Los Angeles basketball these days: You can beat Kobe Bryant's Lakers and return to the Staples Center one night later to discover you have to play the varsity.

With a 98-85 loss to the Clippers on Tuesday evening, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) learned why Billy Crystal, not Jack Nicholson, now has courtside seats for the city's best NBA team.

Unable to complete an L.A. sweep, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) jetted to Phoenix, where they will take a day's rest before facing the Suns on Thursday.

Having struggled much of the season when playing on consecutive nights, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were thankful they didn't have to board a plane following Monday's victory over the Lakers. Apparently, even the 40-minute bus ride from their Santa Monica hotel proved too exhausting.

Led by Elton Brand's 30 points, the Clippers overwhelmed the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) in the second half, which was not unlike what the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) did to Los Angeles' Other Team one night earlier.

After matching a franchise record with 10 second-half 3-pointers against the Lakers, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) went 5 of 17 behind the arc Tuesday. The Clippers, meanwhile, shot 59 percent in the second half.

“They were solid all along,” said Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), who had 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while spending much of the night with foul trouble. “That's kind of what killed us.

“We fought the whole way through, but they made shots when they needed to, made stops when they needed to. They just played better than us.”

The loss dropped the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) into a tie with Dallas atop the West and gave them further incentive to finish first in the conference. If the playoffs started today, they would face the Lakers as the top seed. If they slip to No..4, they would draw the Clippers.

Before the game, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy didn't sound too eager for such a matchup, either.

“They have all the components,” Dunleavy said of the Spurs. “Their Christmas list was answered. They've got a major low-post game. They've got a major penetrating point guard. They have all kinds of outside 3-point shooting.

“What else is there to want?”

Dunleavy also could have been describing his own team. Center Chris Kaman and Brand, who, in a sign of things to come, opened the game with a turnover over Duncan's head, provided a formidable tandem inside. Point guard Sam Cassell scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half while also distributing 11 assists.

One night after leaving early when Lakers point guard Smush Parker poked him in the right eye, Duncan was back on the floor, albeit without the pirate eye patch he had hoped to wear. Staying on the court proved more difficult.

The Clippers surged in front after Duncan went to the bench with 5:46 left in the third quarter after picking up his fourth foul on a charge call. Cassell, who had scored only three points in the first half, began to bully the Spurs' guards in the post. Brand tacked on another eight points to his total.

“It seemed like he didn't miss a shot,” Duncan said of Brand, who went 12 of 24.

After Vladimir Radmanovic drilled a 3-pointer on the opening possession of the fourth quarter, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were in a 72-59 hole. They made a late run, drawing within nine, but Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) stepped out of bounds and the crowd started to file out the exits.

Duncan spent the final 7 minutes, 16 seconds of the second quarter on the bench after collecting his third foul. The Clippers failed to take advantage of his absence, and the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) went into halftime with a 43-42 lead.

That was a small victory in itself. In addition to playing without Duncan for much of the second quarter, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) spotted the Clippers the game's first 10 points and attempted only three free throws to the Clippers' 19.

Dunleavy made containing Parker the top priority of his defense. Six-foot-six swingman Quinton Ross, Los Angeles' top perimeter defender, opened the game on Parker and 6-7 backup point guard Shaun Livingston also guarded him.

Parker missed five of his first six shots but played better in the second half, finishing with 20 points. Against the Lakers, that might have been good enough.

jludden@express-news.net

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030806.1C.BKNspurs.clippers.gamer.3d89b1f.html

tinysands

2006-03-08, 07:43 PM

时间限制：无

A Closer Look: Mailbag Inbox

http://www.nba.com/spurs/features/presti_060301.html

by Sam Presti, Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) Assistant G.M.
March 1, 2006

Q: Hi my name is Onur. I'm from Turkey and I'm 15 years old. I think that Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) is the top franchise in NBA and I never miss Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) games. Timothy Duncan is my favorite player too. My question is scouting. Are Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) scouts searching Turkey ? Thank for your time.

-Onur

SP: Thanks for taking the time to write. The answer is yes, our scouting process takes us to many different international locations and Turkey is of course one of them… Basketball has become a global sport and as a result NBA teams have had to account for this growth in their scouting departments. It is not uncommon to run into as many NBA Scouts at a game in Moscow as you would at an NCAA game nowadays…

On a side note, I may be heading to Izmir later this summer. I have heard it is a beautiful place and look forward to learning more about it…

Q: Is the coaching staff at all concerned with the fact that most of the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) losses this year are the second game of 2 days 2 games back to back? Since many of the playoff games are back to back like this I think it is something that needs to be addressed.

-Philip Vick

SP: You make an interesting observation on the impact of “back to backs” in the NBA. Between the physical rigors of the game and the travel demands of the NBA, these parts of the schedule are a challenge for everyone. As I write this, we are 4 and 6 in the second games of back to backs this year, that ranks 13th in the league at present. Over the last 5 years we have been better, having won 66% of our games on the tail end of back-to-backs, the league average during this period is 43%. We will need to pick it up down the line to maintain this level of consistency…

Our overall back-to-back record is a real credit to our Strength and Medical staffs.

Will Sevening and Chad Bergman, our trainers, along with Mike Brunghardt and Chris White, our strength coaches, do a wonderful job of researching various physical recovery and conditioning methods. Being that the season is so long, finding new and innovative ways to keep our team fresh is a constant focus of our program. Both Will and Mike lead the charge in those areas…

In terms of back-to-backs in the playoffs, the format is actually set up so teams are not playing back-to-back games in the post-season. I believe the last back-to-back post season game we played was in 1999…

Q: Where is Sean Elliott? been missing him on the broadcast team. he is an asset in making me feel apart of the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) team. i hope his health is good. looking forward to any information.

go spurs.
B-,

SP: Thanks for the question, and I have good news for you. Sean is on board to do all but one game of our local broadcasts remaining. He’s a great asset to the organization, and a very talented TV personality as well.

Q: First of all I'm a huge Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) fan and I live in California I have the opportunity to go see the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) vs. the Clippers on March 7th when they come out to L.A. and I can't wait. I dont miss a game on T.V. My question is how much of a challenge has it been getting the new guys into buying the system that is the Spurs? They seems to be doing a heck of a job and I only hope that we can repeat as champions this year. Keep up the good work.

Go Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) Go,
Jason Herron CA

SP: Thanks for your loyal support of our team, and make sure to cheer loud on the 7th as that will be the second game of a back-to-back…

To answer your question, our news guys have been great. Pop and the coaches do a wonderful job of communicating the system and defining roles. Another huge assist in helping guys make the transition into the Silver and Black is our returning core. Tim, Manu, Tony, Bruce etc…, combine for some serious “corporate knowledge” and serve as great resources to the new guys. As we discussed in the RRT Blog, finding an on-court rhythm is a process, it takes minutes, mistakes and successes to build the “habits” we strive to develop come play-off time.

tinysands

2006-03-09, 02:43 PM

时间限制：两天

Spurs' Parker taking valuable steps

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030906.1C.BKNspurs.parker.3f1a40a.html

Web Posted: 03/09/2006 12:00 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

PHOENIX — Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich, without hesitation, ticked off the names of this season's top MVP candidates.

Steve Nash. Dirk Nowitzki. Elton Brand was already having a phenomenal season, Popovich said, before he scored 30 points against the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) on Tuesday night.

Chauncey Billups merits consideration because of Detroit's success. Kobe Bryant's nightly 40-point performances have vaulted him into the race.

But mention the most consistent player on the team holding the Western Conference's top seed, and Popovich pauses.

Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) for MVP? Not yet, said his coach.

"I think if something like that should happen for Tony, it's down the road," Popovich said. "He was an All-Star this season, and that's quite a leap.

"Sometimes you don't want to bite off more than you can chew too quickly."

Depending on the health of the league's reigning MVP, Parker could have plenty to chew on tonight when the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) visit US Airways Center in a rematch of last season's Western Conference finals. Nash sprained his right ankle in Monday's victory over New Orleans and didn't practice Wednesday. His availability for tonight, according to Suns officials, will be a game-time decision.

Regardless, Parker thinks Nash has played well enough to repeat as MVP. With Amare Stoudemire sidelined all season after knee surgery, Phoenix's point guard has kept the team near the top of the West.

The Suns have won 11 games in a row and trail the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) and Dallas, whom they beat Sunday, by four losses. With two games left against the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) and one against the Mavericks, Phoenix still has a chance to catch one, if not both.

Of late, Nash and his teammates have left most opponents struggling to match their relentless pace. Nowitzki, the Dallas forward, on Sunday compared a game against the Suns to the equivalent of running eight miles.

After Tuesday's 98-85 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) said the best way to prepare for tonight was to get some rest.

"It's a big game for us," Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) said. "We'll come back a little more energized and ready to go."

They'll need to be. Phoenix again leads the league in scoring, averaging 108.1 points, despite being on pace to shoot fewer free throws than any other NBA team ever. Nash has scored a career-best 19.4 points per game — almost four better than last season — and could become the first player since Magic Johnson in 1991 to average at least 19 points and 11 assists.

"He's playing unbelievable," Parker said. "He's the key of that team."

Parker has inspired similar comments this season.

Tuesday, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy did what an increasing number of peers have done by making Parker the top defensive priority. Dunleavy assigned two long defenders — swingman Quinton Ross and point guard Shaun Livingston — to shadow Parker, and he had the Clippers' big men clog the lane when Parker came off screens.

Parker missed five of his first six shots before settling down. He buried four midrange jumpers — moments after a fan stood up and yelled, "Parker, you know you don't have a jump shot!" — before finishing with 20 points.

The Suns used a similar strategy against Parker in the teams' last meeting, having 6-foot-7 forward Shawn Marion guard him. Parker finished with 18 points on 9-of-19 shooting, but he also committed six turnovers and fouled out, the result of trying to penetrate inside when there was no room.

Parker said he's trying to balance his aggressiveness with the need to trust his teammates. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are 10-1 this season when he's had at least eight assists.

"That process takes a little bit of time, but he's moving along very quickly and trying to be just as good a distributor as he is a scorer," Popovich said. "That's where he made his largest stride this season."

Parker has tried to use Nash as a model, though the two have different styles. Whereas Parker uses his quickness to get to the rim, Nash slithers his way into the lane before pivoting or faking to create an open shot for himself or a teammate. Nash also is a much better perimeter shooter and one of the best at being able to dictate pace.

"I think he's the best point guard in the NBA," Parker said of Nash. "He's a good example for me."

So, for now, any MVP talk can wait.

"Let's let Tony settle into what he's doing now and become great at it," Popovich said. "He can worry about that kind of stuff in the future."

tinysands

2006-03-10, 03:45 PM

时间限制：2天

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) pass easy test

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031006.1D.BKNspurs.suns.metro.9bcd66e.html

Web Posted: 03/10/2006 01:13 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

PHOENIX — About an hour before Thursday night's tipoff, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) learned Phoenix would be without backup point guard Leandro Barbosa. A little more than 15 minutes later, they heard the man Barbosa backs up, Steve Nash, also wouldn't be playing.

So Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich made like the locals: He walked up to Suns coach Mike D'Antoni at midcourt, tucked his hands under his arms and flapped.

The fun didn't stop there for the Spurs. Taking advantage of Phoenix's injury-riddled roster, they rolled to a 117-93 victory in the teams' second annual Chicken Dance at US Airways Center.

With Nash sidelined by a sprained right ankle, Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) peppered the Suns for 29 points. Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) continued his efficient shooting of the past three games, scoring 18 points on just eight shots.

The game came one year to the day after Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) and Ginobili didn't play here because of injuries. When the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) took the court that night, Suns owner Robert Sarver flapped his arms and shouted, "Chickens!"

Although Thursday's victory didn't tell the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) much about their chances should they meet the Suns in the Western Conference finals, they weren't complaining. Not with tonight bringing their fourth game in five nights and the Los Angeles Lakers already in San Antonio relaxing.

Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) was the only Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) starter to play more than 30 minutes. Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) and Beno Udrih, who likely will back up Parker for the foreseeable future while Nick Van Exel rests his sore left elbow, each scored 13 points off the bench.

"Sometimes when a team is lacking their best players ... you can get overconfident, and the other team can step up and have a very emotional game," Ginobili said. "We really took care of business, and I'm proud of that."

D'Antoni has done a good job this season plugging the leaks in his roster, most notably the sizeable hole left by forward Amare Stoudemire, who has yet to play after undergoing surgery on his left knee in October. Phoenix carried an 11-game winning streak into Thursday and had only four more losses than either the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) or the Dallas Mavericks.

"Mike has done a good job of adjusting the talent," Popovich said. "He's created other situations that have to be guarded because the Steve-Amare thing isn't exactly there."

Unfortunately for the Suns, the "Steve-Amare thing" spent the evening in sport coats on the sideline. D'Antoni knew there was a chance Nash might not play after he sprained his right ankle Monday against New Orleans. He didn't know his backup also wouldn't be able to go.

A little more than an hour before the game, Barbosa complained of groin pain — enough so that the Suns took him to the hospital for tests. Nash, meanwhile, was testing his ankle on the arena's practice court.

As D'Antoni was updating reporters about Barbosa, the Suns' trainer popped his head into the room and announced Nash didn't look strong enough to play.

D'Antoni settled on using Raja Bell to initiate the offense. Of the five players Phoenix started, only Shawn Marion played in last season's conference finals.

As they did in their 91-86 victory over the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) on Jan.7, the Suns threw the 6-foot-7 Marion on Parker, hoping Marion's length would keep him out of the lane. But when Marion backed off, Parker simply buried jump shots over his head.

Parker made five midrange jumpers in the first quarter alone. After the Suns closed within 12 near the end of the third quarter, he buried another 17-footer — a promising sign for the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) considering more and more teams have started to use bigger defenders on their point guard.

"They just back off him because they know he's not going to shoot (3-pointers)," Popovich said. "It's part of his game he'll have to improve just like he's had to improve his midrange jump shot.

"Because of that, he hasn't allowed it to frustrate him. He's played the game, penetrated where he can, gotten the ball to his teammates, (and) picked and chosen his spots more in transition than in the halfcourt."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) pretty much picked and chose what they wanted. They made 12 of their first 15 shots and shot 71.4 percent in the opening quarter. Their 38 points were one shy of the most in any quarter this season.

At halftime, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) had 64 points and only three turnovers.

When Phoenix beat the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) without Duncan and Ginobili last season, Sarver apparently thought Popovich held out his two stars on purpose to keep the Suns from gaining any confidence heading into the playoffs.

"Yeah," Popovich deadpanned, "that was all my psychological voodoo.

"I'm going to tell (D'Antoni), 'You can't do that. That's my ploy, not yours.'"

邓不肯

2006-03-10, 06:15 PM

建议文章分类，已翻译、正翻译、未翻译，标题用不同颜色表示。如此一来，即使文章多如细沙，仍仍一目了然。

tinysands

2006-03-10, 07:59 PM

嗯，收到

这样吧，反正标注工地之后应该也还是比较清楚的，一般有时间限制的战报文章比较容易看是否有人已经开工了，而无时间限制的文章有人开工之后偶来标注一下颜色

tinysands

2006-03-10, 08:24 PM

这样，今后这个招工帖中，红色标题的表示无人接手，接受招工，而蓝色标题的则表明已经有人开工了……

tinysands

2006-03-11, 02:29 PM

时间限制：两天
长度：中等
难度：一般

Sapped Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) stifled by Lakers

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031106.1C.BKNspurs.lakers.gamer.e705ee4.html

Web Posted: 03/11/2006 12:12 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

With four games in five nights having emptied their energy, along with much of their spirit, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) ended their work week slumped in front of their lockers Friday night.

Unable, again, to find the juice needed to win on consecutive nights, they fell 100-92 to the Los Angeles Lakers, the same team they had buried four nights earlier. The loss was only the Spurs' fourth at the AT&T Center but eighth in the second game of a back-to-back.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) likely won't be asked to play on consecutive nights in the playoffs, but they didn't find that news heartening or even relevant.

"I can't understand it's just because it's a back-to-back," Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) said. "Every team does them, and probably nobody is as bad as us. One guy can be tired. Two, maybe. But the whole team didn't play well today."

In beating the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) for the first time since Shaquille O'Neal was shipped to South Beach, the Lakers outscored them 56-26 in the paint. Kobe Bryant had 10 of his 29 points in the game's final 7 minutes, 18 seconds, turning back the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) with one circus shot after another.

Input File ContentThe given include file is empty.

Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) scored a season-high 16 points, Gregg Popovich's vocal cords worked overtime, and just about everyone else looked in need of a long nap, most notably Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), who spent much of the evening getting pushed around by Kwame Brown. Brown, who appeared to take a step forward from what Lakers coach Phil Jackson called "his juvenile delinquency," had 10 points and eight rebounds to Duncan's 12 and four.

In 12 games when he hasn't had a day to recover, Duncan is averaging 14.4 points on 38.8 percent shooting. Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) also flat-lined with 10 points, 19 fewer than he scored against Phoenix one night earlier.

Both players, however, summoned the energy to leave the locker room without speaking to reporters.

"That's the attrition of the schedule in this league," Jackson said. "Playing back-to-backs like that can throw off a team.

"The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are a strong team, with a deep bench, so this is still a good win for us and probably tough for them to digest."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) beat the Lakers 103-96 in Los Angeles on Monday, and they seemed to also catch a break Thursday night, routing Phoenix as only Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) had to play more than 30 minutes. But for these Spurs, in this season, a little rest is as good as no rest.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) touched down at San Antonio International Airport around 3:30a.m., and they looked like they went straight from the tarmac to the court. They trailed 13-6 less than six minutes into the game, and Bryant had yet to take a shot.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) overtook the Lakers at the end of the first quarter when Beno Udrih provided a surge off the bench, but their energy emptied quickly again. Unable to keep Smush Parker from the rim and any of his teammates off the boards, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) surrendered 11 unanswered points.

By then, Bryant had settled into a groove. He drilled a 22-footer over Bowen as the shot clock expired and drove inside for another basket. When he cold-heartedly stuck a 3-pointer with Ginobili in his face and 2:26 left in the first half, the Lakers' lead ballooned to 50-35.

At halftime, Duncan, Parker and Ginobili were a combined 4 of 16, the team was shooting 34.3 percent as a whole, and Los Angeles held a 23-16 rebounding edge.

"A lot of guys didn't play a lot of minutes last night, so just give L.A. credit," Bowen said. "They kicked our tails."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) showed more spunk in the second half, thanks largely to Barry. His aggressiveness helped narrow the Lakers' lead to 10 on three occasions early in the fourth quarter. Each time, however, the Lakers corralled an offensive rebound, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) blew a defensive assignment or Bryant punctured their momentum himself.

After Michael Finley buried a 3-pointer to pull the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) within 86-75 with 5:35 left, Bryant answered with the shot of the night, drilling a 14-footer with two defenders in his face as he faded beyond the baseline.

"You think they're tough shots," Bowen said, "but he takes them so much, they're part of his repertoire."

tinysands

2006-03-11, 04:27 PM

时间限制：无
长度：短
难度：小

Coyote Named Best Mascot of the Year

San Antonio, TX - (Mar. 10, 2006) - The San Antonio Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) Coyote was named best mascot of the year, for 2005, by Gameops.com. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) organization will present the award during the second time out of the first quarter at the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) vs. Rockets game at the AT&T Center, on Sunday, March 12 at 2:30 pm.

The Coyote has been the San Antonio Spurs’ mascot for 23 seasons, and is now one of the most recognizable faces of the organization. “We take a lot of pride in all areas of organization, including Game Operations,” said Don Costante, director of game operations and promotions for the San Antonio Spurs. “The Coyote is a big part of game presentation, so it means a lot to us that our mascot is deemed the #1 mascot of all sports.”

Gameops.com, a website created in 1998, serves major sports organizations both at the professional and collegiate level. The website offers suggestions for promotions, music and video features, as well as a full dictionary of industry terminology. The website is only one of two in the nation that offer yearly game operation awards. The Best Mascot award considers creativity, enthusiasm, and value to the community. Mascots from all levels and kinds of sports are eligible for the award. “The continued success of the Coyote character is a true testament to both the performers and the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) organization,” said Gameops.com. “The Coyote is a model program and a true legend in San Antonio.”

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) work with three different mascots: The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) Coyote, Silver Stars Fox, and Rampage T-Bone. The Coyote appears at all 41 regular season home games each year, as well as all playoff games. In addition, makes nearly 400 community appearances every year. For more information about the Coyote and booking details, visit http://www.nba.com/spurs/mascot/coyotesden.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/coyote/coyote_20.jpg

-Was signed by the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) as a Flea Agent in June of 1983

-During the 2003-04 season appeared in 50 games - with 50 starts - averaging 29.9 guffaws and 11.8 chuckles per contest

-Was named the NBA's MVV (Most Valuable Varmint) for the twelfth time in his career(Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), move over).

-Registered a career-high 1118 hugs vs. the Lakers on 12/17/97

-The only mascot in the NBA who growls at "The Mailman" every time he is in town

-Makes over 400 community appearances each year, averaging 19.8 rib-tickles per visit

-During the 1993-94 season became the first mascot in NBA history to dunk both a basketball and a doughnut in a single game
-Full name is ENTERTAINUS CARNIVOROUS
-Single, but is considering Animal Husbandry
-Graduated from ACME University with hors d'oeuvres

-Favorite food is Roadrunner under glass, but admits a weakness for Fried San Diego Chicken
-Recently was cast in the lead role in the movie Lord of the Rings, but eventually lost the part to Elijah Wood after it was discovered that The Coyote had no ring finger

-Seen talking with the Disney people about "THE COYOTE KING 2 1/2"
-Would love to have Lassie over "for lunch" someday
-Favorite musical group is Los Lobos
-Spends his free time watching the Fox Network
-Admits living in "Bexar" County scares him.

http://www.nba.com/spurs/mascot/coyote_bio.html

tinysands

2006-03-12, 01:24 PM

时间限制：无
长度：中等
难度：小

Changing of the guards?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AkXN2d9eZZDfgKJJV.T4JQG8vLYF?slug=sk-nashparker031006&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

PHOENIX – After watching the San Antonio Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) dismantle the Phoenix Suns 117-93 on Thursday night, two things were clear to me: One, Steve Nash is this season's Most Valuable Player, and two, Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) may win the award in the future.

Nash's absence (due to a sprained ankle) changed the entire complexion of Phoenix's team, and it served as a reminder that Nash indeed makes every one on his team infinitely better. Without him, the Suns couldn't sustain the relentless pressure they normally put on their opponents because each player had to take on more responsibility.

Shawn Marion didn't shake free for easy hoops around the basket. Eddie House found his jump shots harder to come by. Boris Diaw became the sole playmaker and suddenly saw more attention from the defense. Phoenix went from a free-wheeling offensive juggernaut to a rudderless ship trying to steer itself to safety.

Parker, meanwhile, continued his sizzling play with a remarkable display of perimeter shooting.

Though he ranks second in the NBA in field-goal percentage at 55 percent, most of Parker's shots have been taken in the paint. The Suns decided to guard him with Marion, the idea being to close off the lane and force Parker into jump shots. Marion's job was also to leave Parker and double-team Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) each time San Antonio's big man caught the ball on the block. The Los Angeles Clippers had some success with a similar strategy Tuesday night in L.A., using lengthy players like Quinton Ross and Shawn Livingston to play off of Parker and keep him on the perimeter.

The first part of Mike D'Antoni's plan worked – Marion kept Parker out of the lane – but what D'Antoni didn't count on was Parker making jump shot after jump shot.

Parker's marksmanship was just another example of his progress with shooting coach Chip Engelland, whom the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) hired this season specifically to work with Parker. Engelland adjusted Parker's thumb placement on the ball, getting him to widen the right thumb in order to get a better grip on the ball and to ensure that the release of the shot comes off his middle and forefingers. In the past, Parker's narrow hand placement led to the ball sliding off his outside fingers, which caused much of his inconsistency.

Engelland estimates that Parker's production from a revamped shot won't really blossom for a year or so, but in the meantime his improvement is apparent. Parker has also gotten smarter, using better shot selection to increase his field-goal percentage. After averaging close to 200 three-point attempts his first four years in the league, he has taken just 26 threes all season.

Parker now realizes that he is so fast and so adept at finishing in the lane that he doesn't ever have to take a shot outside 18 feet. But with more and more teams forcing him to make shots from the outside by packing the paint, Parker's improved shooting is imperative for the Spurs. When he begins to consistently make shots from the perimeter, as he did against the Suns, he will be virtually impossible to guard. And the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) will be very tough to beat.

So while Nash is the frontrunner to win the MVP award this season for his work in leading the Suns, his counterpart in San Antonio has the look of a future Most Valuable Player. And in all likelihood, if Phoenix plays the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) in the playoffs, the performances of each point guard will be the key to which team wins the series.

Steve Kerr is Yahoo! Sports' NBA analyst. Send him a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

Updated on Friday, Mar 10, 2006 2:01 pm EST

tinysands

2006-03-12, 03:31 PM

时间限制：2天
长度：中等
难度：一般

Spurs' response to their recent struggles: tough luck

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031206.1C.BKNspurs.rockets.2b88f81.html

Web Posted: 03/12/2006 12:00 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

As news filtered through the locker room late Friday that Houston's Tracy McGrady might not play again until the final week of the regular season, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) said all the right things.

They talked about how McGrady's latest back injury is an unfortunate break for the Rockets, who are trying to make a late surge toward the Western Conference's final playoff seed. They wished McGrady a quick recovery.

They also admitted their sympathy will disappear as soon as Houston steps onto the AT&T Center floor this afternoon without its fallen star.

"This league is about having blood in the water, and making sure your sharks swim around that surface," Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) said. "That's what we expect to do Sunday."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) played the roles of both predator and prey last week, naturally preferring the former over the latter. After taking advantage of the Steve Nash-less Phoenix Suns on Thursday, they couldn't keep pace with the Los Angeles Lakers one night later.

Friday's loss was the Spurs' second in three games with both coming at the end of a back-to-back. Eight of their 14 losses have come when they haven't had a day to rest.

After going 10-9 in the second game of back-to-backs last season, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have frequently shown their age — rather than their much-hyped depth — when playing on consecutive nights. That's not comforting news for a team trying to fight through one of the most hectic stretches of its schedule.

This afternoon's game will be the Spurs' sixth in 81/2 days. Coach Gregg Popovich let the players use Saturday to rest before making an appearance at the franchise's annual fund-raising banquet, curiously scheduled for the evening before an afternoon tipoff.

"These haven't been the best logistics for us," Popovich said. "But everybody has a tough schedule."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) actually have a schedule that is more favorable than many teams. They play only 16 back-to-backs, three fewer than they played last season and five fewer than the 21 Orlando has on its schedule.

Like Popovich, the players also refused to cite last week's four-games-in-five-nights stretch as an excuse for their troubles.

"Once you allow that stuff to seep in," Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) said, "you start thinking, 'Oh man, that's a tough situation.' (Then) you've lost already."

Popovich will concede this much: Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) — and to a lesser extent Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) — need as much time to recover as possible because of their injuries.

In the 12 games when he hasn't had a day to rest, Duncan is averaging 14.4 points on 38.8 percent shooting. In the Spurs' three previous afternoon starts, he averaged 14 points while shooting 39.1 percent.

Against the Lakers on Friday, Duncan totaled only 12 points and four rebounds. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were outscored 70-54 when he was on the floor, raising questions whether the team would be better off sitting him in the second game of its four remaining back-to-backs.

Still, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) consider themselves deep enough to overcome the struggles of one or two players.

"We are a team of (13 players) and we lost eight back-to-backs?" Ginobili said. "It can't be that hard. The legs help, but it's in the head, too."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) admit they still have trouble maintaining the necessary night-to-night focus that comes with being the NBA's defending champions.

"The difference for us, and it's not an excuse, just reality, is that when teams play the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) it's a different game," Barry said. "We play a different schedule than everybody else — although Detroit is in that same mode — in that teams prepare. It's a big game, and people are excited when the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) come to town.

"The home team wants to beat the Spurs, feather in the cap, and all that stuff. So the level of the regular-season games we play is upped a bit, and it's up to us to respond to that."

The Rockets, of course, would love to trade their problems for those of the Spurs. Yao Ming missed 21 games to have surgery on his left big toe and McGrady has been in and out of the lineup all season because of back problems.

Houston had just begun to make a push toward the playoffs, winning seven of its past nine, when the team learned Friday that McGrady could be out up to five weeks after hurting his back in a fall against Portland. The Rockets are 2-13 without him this season.

"I can't allow that to take my edge off," Bowen said. "Whoever is going to play his spot, I have to look at them as I do him."

tinysands

2006-03-13, 12:40 PM

时间限制：无
长度：长
难度：一般

注：Hollinger这厮难得的关于Spurs的一篇文章，还不错

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) unfazed by season of nagging injuries

http://www.nysun.com/article/28586

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) unfazed by season of nagging Injuries
by John Hollinger
March 6 2006
Too often, we measure the strength of a team by how well it does when everything is going right. The Golden State Warriors, for instance, look at last year's run after the Baron Davis trade - when their whole team was healthy and clicking - and think that's "normal" for them.

In truth, pro basketball teams are nearly always in a state of disrepair. Either somebody is hurt, or an important player is in a slump, or there's a rough patch of schedule, or something else is going on that keeps a team from reaching its peak. Only the rare exceptions (such as this year's Pistons) keep clicking for 82 games.

The real measure of a team is not how it does when all the stars are aligned, but rather how well it fares when it hits a few bumps in the road. That's why one key question I look at, when assessing championship contenders, is "How many things would have to go wrong for this team to no longer have a shot at the title?" Even for some of the league's best teams - Detroit, for example, or Phoenix - this number is surprisingly small.

But for the San Antonio Spurs, the number is very large indeed. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have had all kinds of things go wrong for them this year, yet here they are at 46-12. They're tied for the best record in the Western Conference after Thursday's key win over Dallas, and sit only one game behind Detroit in the loss column for the best record in the league.

In fact, this could be the best season in San Antonio's illustrious history. At their current pace, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) would win a franchise-record 65 games - and even that may underestimate things. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have been picking up the pace of late, winning 25 of their past 30 games, and there's reason to believe they could perform even better down the stretch.

To see why, let's look at all the things that haven't gone San Antonio's way this season. We'll start with their best player, Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan).

Battling a persistent case of plantar fasciitis, Duncan hasn't been his usual dominant self, especially on offense. In the Spurs' 27 games since the start of the new year, he's broken the 20-point barrier only four times. His season scoring average of 19.1 is the lowest mark of his pro career, as are his 48.1% shooting and 2.1 blocks.

The good news, such as it is, is that it appears the injury isn't getting any worse. While it's painful and limits Duncan at times, he can stay on the court and may be able to improve his output once he gets used to his new limitations. However, chances are he won't be back at full strength until he gets a month or two to rest over the summer.

Then there's Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili). The sparkplug behind San Antonio's championship run a year ago, Ginobili has been in and out of the lineup all season with a variety of injuries. His daring playing style probably contributes to this problem, because he's constantly drawing contact and contorting his body at odd angles to finish his drives.

At 28, Ginobili is at an age where many players of this type begin breaking down. While his overall output hasn't declined much, his availability has: Manu has missed 13 games this season and played sparingly in several others. Even when he plays, he's averaging two minutes per game fewer than a year ago.

Beyond the two stars, the Spurs' free agents have been disappointments too. San Antonio was overjoyed in the offseason to bring in two veteran warhorses to solidify the bench: Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel. With that duo firing away, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) figured, their second unit would have more firepower than the previous season's mildly disappointing group.

It hasn't worked out that way. At 34, Van Exel is having his third straight poor shooting year and isn't creating shots with nearly the frequency he once did; put simply, he seems to have very little left in the tank. Finley, 33, hasn't fared much better, shooting a career low 39.4% and, like Van Exel, creating dramatically fewer opportunities than in previous seasons.

If all that isn't bad enough, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have worsened things with a few self-inflicted wounds. Until late February, they started Rasho Nesterovic ahead of the more productive Nazr Mohammed. And they have kept Finley and Van Exel in the rotation ahead of two players, Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) and Beno Udrih, who have been more productive in their limited minutes.

That's a lot of wrongs, yet the 46-12 record it adds up to is very, very right. How have the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) done it? With one glaring exception to the everything went-wrong premise: Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker). The blindingly fast Frenchman has put his career into another gear, becoming the Spurs' leading scorer (19.3 ppg) ahead of both Ginobili and Duncan while shooting a sizzling 55.0% from the floor.

The key for Parker has been the complete abandonment of his jump shot. A year ago Parker, took two 3-pointers per game but made only 27.6%. He also attempted a great many mid-range jumpers when defenders went under the screen against the pick-and-roll, and his accuracy wasn't much better. As a result, Parker wasn't useful as more than a third option behind Duncan and Ginobili.

This year, however, he's had a realization. Parker is so fast that even if a defender goes under the screen and tries to meet him on the other side, he can still get to that spot faster nine times out of 10 and either draw a foul or earn a lay-up. Thanks to his amazing jets, the 6-foot-2-inch, 177-pound Parker is one of the league's leaders in points in the paint.

In the bigger picture, the Spurs' success isn't just about Parker - it's about a team that accumulated so many assets that one or two of them were extremely likely to play at a high level. The decline of Duncan and the injuries to Ginobili would have been disastrous for teams lacking the secondary weapons to overcome such a huge loss. In San Antonio, however, Parker and others pick up the slack, and it ends up being a mere speed bump on the way to another successful season.

Thus, while Detroit's blistering start caught our attention and Dallas and Phoenix are writing amazing stories this season, San Antonio is quietly piling up wins despite injuries to its two best players. That, in a nutshell, is the difference between the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) and the rest of the league. Every other team enters the season hoping that if everything goes right, they'll contend for a title. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) enter the season knowing that even if lots of things go wrong, they'll still contend for a title. And that's why, come June, the smart money is on San Antonio.

Mr. Hollinger is the author of the 2005–06 "Pro Basketball Forecast." He can be reached at jhollinger@nysun.com.

tinysands

2006-03-13, 02:45 PM

时间限制：2天
长度：中等
难度：一般

Spurs' Duncan rounding into form

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031306.5D.BKNspurs.duncan.813a4f0.html

Web Posted: 03/13/2006 12:00 AM CST

Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer

With Sunday's game against the Houston Rockets at the AT&T Center being the first of the final 20 games of the regular season for the Spurs, All-Star power forward Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) understands what he needs to do between now and when the playoffs begin in April.

"I'm just playing," Duncan said after scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Spurs' 88-81 victory, "and trying to find my way back."

The place Duncan is trying to rediscover in a season spent battling pain in his right foot is the level that made him a first-team All-NBA selection in each of his first eight seasons. In each of those seasons, Duncan averaged no fewer than 20.3 points, but he entered Sunday's game averaging 18.8 points, second on the team to point guard Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker).

Since the All-Star break, Duncan has looked more comfortable making the variety of moves in the low post that have characterized his play in seasons past. One Duncan spin move that produced a dunk and a seven-point lead in the third quarter was so quick it left the Rockets' Juwan Howard sitting on the court, looking up in amazement.

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich was happy to see some assertiveness from Duncan on Sunday. He also would like to see Duncan occasionally consider being a bit selfish.

"He's still so unselfish, to a fault," Popovich said. "We've got to get him to be a little more aggressive offensively."

Duncan confesses that lingering self-doubt about the reliability of his perimeter shot occasionally leads him to stall the Spurs' offense. He's not sure he agrees with Popovich that being unselfish is a fault.

"I don't know," Duncan said of the perimeter shots that sometimes turn into passes to teammates. "If it's there, it's there. I've been passing up a lot of shots, whether it be from lack of confidence in my shot right now, or whatever. I've been passing some wide-open jumpers that are stalling out the offense. In that respect, I need to take those shots, of course.

"I'm taking them when they're there. I don't think I've been shy to shoot the ball. Things just haven't been going down for me."

Shots were going down for Duncan early in Sunday's game. He made four of eight shots in the first quarter, scoring 10 points. However, he missed all five of his shots in the second period.

Duncan got his shooting rhythm back in the fourth period when he scored on three-straight Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) possessions after the Rockets had trimmed a double-digit deficit to four points.

The first of the three baskets came after he rebounded Beno Udrih's missed free throw and fought through a block by Rockets' 7-foot-6 center Yao Ming, retrieving the ball and laying it in.

Duncan followed with another spin move on the low post for an easy basket, and punctuated his momentary domination with another dribble drive, hitting a 6-foot shot and drawing Yao's fourth personal foul.

The final basket put Duncan at 20 points, giving him only his second 20-point game since Jan. 28. It was, however, his second in March. He scored 22 against Portland on March 4.

"We did what we needed to do," Duncan said of the Spurs' performance on Sunday, which came after a Friday loss to the Lakers. "We had a letdown with the last game, the performances and the energy we didn't have in that game.

"We responded better in this one."

tinysands

2006-03-13, 02:49 PM

时间限制：2天
长度：中等
难度：一般

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) notebook: Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) might rest Duncan, Ginobili during back-to-back games

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031306.5D.BKNspurs.notebook.813a50d.html

Web Posted: 03/13/2006 12:00 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said he will consider sitting Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) and Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) in the second game of the team's four remaining back-to-backs if the players look fatigued.

"That's the classic dilemma: You want to keep going to win the division, but what's more important? Being healthy or winning the division?" Popovich said. "So each of those situations will have to be judged by how you think Timmy's body or Manu's body are."

Duncan has struggled when having to play on consecutive nights, averaging 14.4 points on 38.8-percent shooting in the second game of the team's 12 back-to-backs. His right foot feels better, but he looked particularly slow Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Spurs' fourth game in five nights.

Popovich said Duncan's and Ginobili's "level of juice" will determine whether he decides to rest them. He's also concerned about making sure Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) and Michael Finley are fresh for the playoffs.

Popovich isn't sure the Spurs' tight Southwest Division race with Dallas should be the team's priority. The winner will likely get the Western Conference's top playoff seed with the other team dropping to fourth.

"We've had the best record in the league and not gotten there (to the NBA Finals)," he said, "and not had home court and gotten there."

Making it too easy: Several Rockets said they were disappointed by defensive breakdowns in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game, when the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) finally started to penetrate and get easy shots around the rim. Forward Juwan Howard was especially upset about a play in which Ginobili drove down the lane for a dunk with just over a minute left.

"That's not allowed," Howard said. "Especially the way we play defense. We're supposed to cut off penetration and not allow them to lay the ball in. In that stretch, we did not."

Double trouble: Rockets center Yao Ming scored only eight of his 25 points in the second half, and he blamed the drop-off on the Spurs' aggressive double-teaming after the break.

"Usually, even when people come and double-team, I still can see what happens on the floor and find the open man," Yao said. "But (Sunday) in the second half, particularly with Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen), his finger was almost in my eye. And I (couldn't) see. And I (couldn't) make quick decisions."

Size matters: Duncan was asked how it felt to go against the 7-foot-6, 310-pound Yao, who outweighed him by 50 pounds.

"Ask Nazr (Mohammed) that question," Duncan said. "He was the guy limping off the court after trying to slow him up."

Mohammed, the Spurs' starting center, gives up even more weight (60 pounds) to Yao than Duncan. Yao presents a big problem at both ends of the court, but Mohammed managed to get five shots in over him.

"You do have to get sort of creative," Mohammed said. "He's long, so you've got to try to out-quick him to the basket and sort of put him in jail so he can't use his length so much."

Missing McGrady: The Rockets are awaiting results of MRI tests taken on the back of All-Star forward Tracy McGrady.

Trainer Keith Jones said the results were sent to a specialist in California. Team doctors will consult in the next few days to determine treatment.

The Rockets believe McGrady will miss at least five weeks.

秦南玥

2006-03-13, 05:41 PM

问：小二我如何表示接手啊？

<_^

2006-03-13, 05:47 PM

http://www.chinaspurs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6214

这里最后……

就是，在这个板块开新主题，然后在标题中注明“工地”，这样其他人就知道你在翻译那篇……

比如这个：http://www.chinaspurs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6304

tinysands

2006-03-13, 05:48 PM

问：小二我如何表示接手啊？
仔细阅读本帖一楼……还有…表忘记把本版的各个置顶帖……

七个太阳

2006-03-13, 08:29 PM

好,我也来添把柴火

tinysands

2006-03-13, 10:41 PM

居然全部被抢光鸟……哇咔咔……赞小二们的积极进取的精神……唔唔……好好干活，加油……

要是质量都ok的话集体发一次红包……哇哈哈……:-D

tinysands

2006-03-14, 12:25 PM

时间限制：无
长度：中等
难度：一般

A step in the right direction——Duncan keeps Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) rolling despite nagging injury

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/marty_burns/03/13/notebook/index.html

Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan)'s sore right foot is starting to feel better.

At least Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich thinks it is.

Popovich really doesn't know for certain because, well, Duncan doesn't exactly open up like Dr. Phil when he asks him about it.

"He's been a real competitor in the sense that he never talks about his injuries," Popovich said last Thursday before his team's victory at Phoenix. "Whenever I ask him, or people ask him, he just says he's fine.

"He doesn't want it to be an excuse. He just tries to figure out ways to get through this particular game or this particular week or whatever. He just wants to make sure he's as healthy as can be come playoff time."

Bothered by a case of plantar fasciitis, Duncan has not been himself much of this entire season. As of Sunday, the two-time MVP was averaging career lows in scoring (18.8 per game), field goal percentage (.482) and blocks (2.02). His rebounding rate (11.2) was the second lowest in his nine NBA seasons, just a tick over the 11.1 he posted a year ago. In late February he went through a stretch of 11 games in which he averaged just over 14 points on 38 percent shooting.

Lately, however, Duncan has appeared to move better on the court. He's been more aggressive in the post. He's catching up to rebounds. He had 20 points and 10 rebounds in Sunday's win over the Rockets. He had 22 points (on 10-of-16 shooting), 15 boards and three blocks in a win over the Blazers on March 4.

"I've been feeling a lot better, as healthy as I have all season," Duncan said afterward, in a rare revelation of his feelings. "Right now it's just about shots going down and continuing to work through it."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) know Duncan won't be 100 percent all season. Plantar fasciitis usually requires months of rest to heal completely. And there have been some setbacks, particularly on the second night of back-to-backs. But even a limited Duncan has been good enough for San Antonio to win 22 of 27 games to climb back to the top of the Western standings

"We think in the last two weeks or so it actually has bothered him a little less.... We think," Popovich said. "But, really, he'll need the summer to take care of it."

If Duncan is starting to feel better, the rest of the NBA should be very afraid. Despite injuries that have limited Duncan and Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) much of the year, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have a 49-14 record, the best in franchise history after 63 games. Their victory over the Rockets moved them into a tie with the Mavs for the best record in the West, and within 1½ games of the Pistons for the NBA's top mark.

Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) has been the obvious difference for San Antonio, but he has hardly been alone. Nazr Mohammed has had some big nights of late in the middle, joining Rasho Nesterovic in an effective center tandem. Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) once again leads the NBA in three-point accuracy while doing his usual yeoman's work on defense.

Other than some shaky rebounding nights and a problem with back-to-backs, San Antonio looks solid at both ends. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are back to their usual spot leading the NBA in points allowed (95.1) and field goal percentage allowed (42.6), but this year they also rank third in field goal percentage (.472). If they get hot down the stretch, San Antonio could become the first team to lead the league in both field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense since the 1980-81 Sixers.

With 10 of their final 19 games at home -- including a contest against the Mavs on April 7 -- the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) also appear to have the edge in the all-important race for the Southwest Division title and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. However, they do have four more back-to-backs. Eight of their 14 losses this season have come in the second game of a back-to-back, including last Friday's home loss to the Lakers.

Given the advanced age and the number of games this team has played over the past few seasons, along with the somewhat hobbled states of Duncan and Ginobili, it's not surprising the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) might have trouble summoning the energy to play at peak form on consecutive nights. Their age -- and lack of quickness in some areas -- also has shown up in the rebounding department. San Antonio ranks only 18th in the NBA in total rebound percentage (they finished sixth a year ago) and has been outrebounded in 26 of 63 games this season.

The good news for the Spurs, of course, is that there usually aren't any back-to-backs in the playoffs. Meanwhile, older veterans like Nick Van Exel, Michael Finley, Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) and Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) know how to pick up their intensity for the games that truly matter. At that point, age and experience usually become more of an asset than a liability.

Of course, it's still going to come down to Duncan's foot. Which means we'll just have to wait to find out, since Duncan isn't going to talk about it.

tinysands

2006-03-14, 02:34 PM

时间限制：4天
长度：中等
难度：一般

Barry wouldn't trade improved status

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031406.1D.spurs.d51f62d.html

Web Posted: 03/14/2006 12:00 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
San Antonio Express-News

Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) won't spend much time tonight envisioning what he would have looked like in a New Orleans Hornets uniform. Everyone else has done it for him.

Fans. Media. His own team.

Nearly traded for guard J.R. Smith almost three weeks ago, Barry has made the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) thankful they kept him. In the 10 games since the deal unraveled, he has averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 18.6 minutes.

What the stats don't measure is the energy Barry has provided. He missed his four shots in Sunday's victory over Houston but twice blocked shots by Luther Head. In the first quarter, he ran down an errant pass from Rafer Alston before rifling the ball ahead to Beno Udrih, who buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

"He's been determined to be a threat when he catches the basketball, either to shoot or to drive," Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said. "Just in general, he's competing and playing, rather than thinking and wondering."

Not that Barry hasn't had a lot to wonder about. On the morning of the Spurs' Feb. 23 trip to Memphis, Popovich told him there was a good chance he would be traded.

Although the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) didn't tell Barry where he might be headed, they were working to send him to New Orleans for Smith, 20, and Arvydas Macijauskas, a 26-year-old rookie who has been unable to play his way into the Hornets' rotation.

But when the Hornets traded Bostjan Nachbar for New Jersey's Marc Jackson and Linton Johnson III, they were $50,000 short of the cap room needed to absorb the difference between Barry's salary and those of Smith and Macijauskas. Scrambling, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) and Hornets asked Atlanta to take New Orleans forward Jackson Vroman.

But with Hawks general manager Billy Knight at a funeral, the teams ran out of time.

Told the trade was off, Barry joined the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) at the airport. The next night, he helped rally them past Memphis with seven points, five rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes — his most in a month.

Barry has been traded twice in his career, including once in the middle of the season, but this was the first time he rejoined a team knowing it had tried to move him but was unsuccessful.

"Pop is honest with guys, and guys respect that about him," Barry said. "Who knows, in hindsight, if I hadn't been told and didn't know about it, maybe he wouldn't have given me any minutes after everything shook down."

Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) can relate. Houston traded him to Detroit for Sean Elliott midway through the 1993-94 season only to have the deal rescinded two days later when Elliott failed a physical.

Horry already had joined the Pistons when he was told to go back to Houston. He ended up helping the Rockets to two consecutive championships.

"I came back with an I-don't-care attitude," Horry said. "If I had an open shot, I was taking it. I think that helped me."

The failed trade also taught Horry an important lesson: The NBA is a business. That knowledge helped him become a more relaxed player. Missed shots didn't upset him. His anger over losses didn't linger as long.

"I think this has helped Brent a little, too," Horry said. "Sometimes you need an eye-opener."

Barry acknowledged the difficult situation has been motivation — "I think you hold onto that," he said, "and use it when you need to" — but he's playing better because he's playing.

Before the trade deadline, Barry had lost his spot in the rotation. Popovich since has gone to using four players at the two wing positions instead of three.

Barry's minutes aren't consistent — after a season-high 16 points in 19 minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers, he played eight minutes Sunday — but he usually has contributed. His goal now is to improve his shooting.

"To be in rhythm, you have to play, and to play, you have to be in rhythm," he said. "I was never good with the Rubik's Cube, so I'm having trouble with this one, too."

Barry has appreciated the support he's received, though he can do without the pity.

"People come up to me and say, 'I'm so happy you're still here,'" he said. "Hey, it's business. I understand. I don't need my hand held."

Although Smith would have made the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) younger and more athletic, he may have lacked the experience to help this season. The team likely will address its aging perimeter corps — through the draft, trades or free agency — again this summer.

For his part, Barry has waited too long to be on a winning team to want to leave. The past three weeks also have proven he can help the Spurs.

"Who knows?" he said. "It might be one game, one shot, one block, one steal. All those things can make a difference."

tinysands

2006-03-14, 09:47 PM

以后尽量给每篇招工的文章分类，如战报、人物、新闻等

今后如果是发战报在阿拉莫的时候，请记得在CST标签后加注战报字样，避免战报被淹掉…

如 [CST]战报：瓜和猪大战300回合不分胜负
[CST]人物：瓜是猪头
[CST]新闻：瓜同某养猪场续约3年

bla bla bla……

kikikilian

2006-03-15, 12:13 AM

得出結論︰

沙特別愛好瓜與豬....

tinysands

2006-03-15, 02:34 PM

时间限制：3天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：战报

Parker responds after rest as Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) beat Hornets

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031506.1C.BKNspurs.hornets.gamer.127cbb15.html

Web Posted: 03/15/2006 12:14 PM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) arrived at practice Monday morning, in his words, feeling like a snail. Playing five games in seven days had left his legs heavy and his body weak.

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich saw the same. So after putting the team through a film session and a light stretching drill, Popovich uttered the three words his point guard most hoped to hear: Bring it in.

"When Pop gives us a day off, I really appreciate it," Parker said. "But you have to take advantage of it and reward him."

Parker did just that. Totaling 20 points, 11 assists and a season-high four steals, he paced the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to a 96-81 victory over New Orleans on Tuesday night in front of another sellout crowd of 18,797 at the AT&T Center.

The Spurs' 50th victory in 64 games also guaranteed them a playoff berth.

"He had his juice back tonight," Popovich said. "He looked like the Tony he's been all year long."

With Parker refreshed, Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) continued his own renaissance, albeit at the expense of the team that may have started it. He made all six shots, including four 3-pointers, against the Hornets, who were about 15 minutes from finalizing a trade for him Feb.23.

Barry's 16 points matched the season high he established only two games earlier and were 15 more than that scored by the player for whom he was nearly traded — guard J.R. Smith. In addition to compensating for Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili), who missed all seven shots, Barry continued to run the floor well, and his cross-court passing helped trigger more than a few fast breaks.

"Imagine if they call you in the morning and tell you you're traded and then two hours after, they tell you you're still on the team," Parker said. "That's got to be tough.

"Then he comes back and is playing better. It looks like he's shooting with confidence, and that's what we want from him."

The Hornets, meanwhile, could use a boost to their self-esteem. After winning nine of 10 games to surge into the All-Star break with the Western Conference's sixth seed, they limped into the AT&T Center with a six-game losing streak, having lost their grip, at least temporarily, on a playoff berth.

"You have to get that monkey off your back as soon as possible," New Orleans coach Byron Scott said. "I think they are getting angrier and angrier with each loss. To me, that is a good thing."

The Hornets began the game without center P.J. Brown, who was sidelined with an ankle injury, then lost starting small forward Desmond Mason in the opening minutes after he bruised his left knee. Two other starters, Marc Jackson and David West, picked up three fouls in the first half.

New Orleans' foul trouble allowed the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to parade to the free-throw line. They took 24 foul shots in the first half, almost one more than their per-game average. Even more surprising: They made 19.

Nazr Mohammed, who contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, was 4 of 4 from the line, making him 28 for his past 32.

"We haven't been real great at (free-throw shooting)," Popovich said. "But at this point, I think a lot of people who haven't done well before have become confident because of the work they've put in."

That includes Parker, whose foul shooting has improved over the past month. He made 4 of 5 free throws Tuesday and 8 of 16 shots from the field while dueling Rookie of the Year favorite Chris Paul.

Paul and Parker, who have become friends, had lunch Tuesday afternoon.

"We talk about the game and what I went through my first three years," Parker said. "He's already on his way. He's going to be great."

Paul, who hasn't completely recovered from a torn ligament in his right thumb, totaled 16 points, seven assists and three steals. Like most opposing point guards this season, he had trouble keeping Parker out of the lane.

Parker was glad to have his quickness back. In the previous two games, he had scored a total of 18 points.

"The last two, three games it felt like the whole summer was catching up with me," Parker said. "A day off to just rest felt great."

tinysands

2006-03-15, 02:36 PM

时间限制：3天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：新闻

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) notebook: Horry sends message with knee-high socks

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031506.6C.BKNspurs.notebook.126135de.html

Web Posted: 03/15/2006 12:14 AM CST

Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer

Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry), who has a locker next to Nick Van Exel at the AT&T Center, wore knee-high white socks in tribute to his ailing teammate, who always wears his socks up to his knees, and always sports a headband, white at home, black on the road.

"It's in honor of 31," Horry said, citing Van Exel's uniform number. "I can't wear the headband because I get headaches, but I can wear the socks. Until he comes back, I'm going to wear them. Nick said I look even skinnier than I already am when I wear them, but that's OK."

Van Exel has missed six of the last seven games because of soreness in his left elbow. He will go back to the doctor today to have the elbow examined.

With a pair of cortisone shots providing Van Exel only short-term relief, Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich has considered sitting him until close to the playoffs in hopes the prolonged rest will help.

Scott's spin: Hornets coach Byron Scott's team has dropped from seventh in the Western Conference playoff race to ninth. Scott, though, chose to put the most positive spin on the situation before Tuesday's game against the Spurs.

"The one thing I thought about the other day, after the Jersey loss," Scott said, "was that if someone walked up to me before the season and said, 'You can be 31-31 after 62 games,' you would have said, 'OK. That sounds good.'

"What I tried to do the other day was tell the guys they had done a terrific job all season, No. 1. No. 2, all the playoff talk, for a young team, got them tight. So I told them we're now in the ninth spot, so there's no pressure. Let's just go play and have fun, go back to playing like we did in January and February when we were having fun, but we were getting after teams. And let's see what happens."

The top eight teams in each conference advance to the playoffs.

Popovich backing Bzdelik: Popovich, the only Air Force Academy graduate ever to coach in the NBA, was thrilled when his alma mater, now coached by former Denver Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik, made the NCAA tournament after a 24-9 season. The Falcons will face Illinois in the first round Thursday.

Popovich and Bzdelik have enjoyed a friendship for some time, and Popovich recommended Bzdelik for the Falcons' coaching job when it came open after last season.

"I'm really happy for the school," Popovich said, "but I'm even happier for Jeff. He was left for dead up there (in Denver). But Jeff's always been a fine coach, and he's done a great job (at Air Force)."

Flippin' mad: Hornets center Marc Jackson directed an obscene gesture toward some rowdy fans seated near the court after one of them accused him of committing a "dirty foul" on Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) in the second quarter. Such gestures typically result in a fine from the league if reported by the referees.

Bank open: Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) fan Michael Marquez earned $10,000 for making a 3-pointer during a timeout in the first half.

He banked in the shot from the left side.

It was a reminder of another San Antonio shooter who once called such perimeter bank shots a major part of his offensive repertoire.

"Just like the good, old days, when I used to make bank shots," said Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), who has struggled with his perimeter shot all season, including his signature bank shot. "Get his name for me. I need to consult with him."

Moving back: ABC has dropped its broadcast of the Spurs' April 16 game at Minnesota. Originally scheduled for noon, the game will now begin at 5 p.m.

tinysands

2006-03-15, 02:53 PM

时间限制：无
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：专题

Load of back-to-back games drags down Spurs' record

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2006-03-13-scorers-table_x.htm

By David DuPree

Back-to-back games are the dread of NBA teams, though a necessary evil in an 82-game schedule.

http://images.usatoday.com/sports/nba/_photos/2006-03-13-in-spurs.jpg
(From left, Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) and Beno Udrih are part of a Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) squad struggling in the second leg of back-to-back games. By Kevork Djansezian, AP)

Only six teams have a winning record in the second game of back-to-back contests — the Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz. The most notable team not on that list is the San Antonio Spurs, the team with the NBA's second-best record.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are 49-14 but only 4-8 in the second game of back-to-backs, putting them in the bottom fourth of the league in that category.

"I can't understand, just because it's a back-to-back," said Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) guard Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili). "Every team does them, and probably nobody is as bad as us. One guy can be tired. Two, maybe. But the whole team?"

Part of the problem with the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) in back-to-back games is possibly fatigue, as they are the oldest team in the league with an average age of 30.2 years.

They still have four sets of back-to-back games remaining, and if their performance doesn't improve, it could cost them the home-court advantage in the playoffs. Their toughest Western Conference competition is the Mavericks, also 49-14. They are 9-6 in back-to-backs, however, with three sets left.

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) star Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) has played most of the season with plantar fascitiis in his right foot and has struggled in the second game of back-to-backs, averaging 14.4 points and shooting 38.8% in those 12 games.

Coach Gregg Popovich said he is considering resting Duncan and Ginobili in the second game of the Spurs' four remaining back-to-backs. He said his decision will be based on how fatigued he feels the two are. "That's the classic dilemma," Popovich said, "You want to keep going to win the division, but what's more important, being healthy or winning the division?"

If the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were at least .500 in the second game of back-to-backs, they'd have a 51-12 record, which would be the best in the NBA.

"That's the attrition of the schedule in this league," Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "Playing back-to-backs can throw a team off."

When Jackson's Chicago Bulls set the NBA record of 72 wins in the 1995-96 season, they were 22-2 in the second game of back-to-backs. The most back-to-backs any team plays this season is 22, by the Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) and Heat play a league-low 16 back-to-backs.

There is no set minimum or maximum number of back-to-back games a team plays, and the league tries to schedule as few of them as possible. "We try to minimize it as best we can," said Matt Winick, the NBA's vice president of scheduling and game operations.

No team plays games on three consecutive nights, and in the playoffs, back-to-backs are rare. When they do occur, they involve the same teams, so neither gains an advantage. The last time there were back-to-back playoff games was in the 2003 conference semifinals. Detroit and Philadelphia played back-to-back games in the East, and Dallas and Sacramento did it the same two days in the West. The 76ers won both games against the Pistons; the Mavs and Kings split.

"Extenuating circumstances could cause teams to play back-to-backs in the playoffs," Winick cautioned, looking to this postseason. But he added that the league will do everything it can to avoid them.

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/1206/bb0op.jpg

tinysands

2006-03-15, 02:55 PM

时间限制：4天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：人物

Barry non-trade working out just fine

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031506.6C.BKNspurs.barry.12da4d59.html

Web Posted: 03/15/2006 12:14 AM CST

Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer

Stumbling as he tried to negotiate his way through a crowded Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) locker room late Tuesday night, Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) looked toward Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry), possibly hoping for some sympathy.

Barry only shrugged.

"C'est la vie," Barry said.

Parker smiled back. After all, if any of his teammates could appreciate the meaning and subtle nuance of the French phrase for "That's life," it would have to be Barry.

Barry proved as much earlier Tuesday night, when he tied his season high with 16 points on perfect shooting in the Spurs' 96-81 victory over New Orleans.

Sure, Barry had nearly been traded to the Hornets three weeks ago. And yes, on Tuesday, he had to face off with J.R. Smith, the wet-behind-the-ears backup who the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) had wanted to replace him with.

But every time he drained a jumper over Smith's outstretched arms, grabbed a rebound or fired a pinpoint half-court pass to Beno Udrih, Barry seemed to be saying the same thing:

C'est la vie.

"He looks very comfortable," Udrih said of Barry, who made all six shots he attempted, including four 3-pointers. "We forgot (the near-trade) already. Everyone is happy he is here."

No one looks happier than Barry, who has averaged 7.5 points and 2.9 assists in the 11 games since the trading deadline and has been even better over the past week. He has scored at least 13 points in three of his last four games.

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said he's noticed a change in Barry's game recently.

"He looks aggressive to me, and that's what's important," Popovich said. "He really is taking advantage of opportunities."

Barry, for his part, has said his increased production has been more the result of playing time than extra motivation. To him, it has been no coincidence that his three big scoring games of the past week — 13 points at Phoenix last Thursday, 16 points against the Lakers on Friday and 16 points against the Hornets on Tuesday — came when he played at least 19 minutes.

"I'm just getting time on the floor and trying to find my rhythm," Barry said.

His surge hasn't gone unnoticed among his teammates, who said they appreciate having another reliable offensive option.

"Brent's really picked his game up," Duncan said. "He's been playing really well these last 10 games or so."

Barry, though, wasn't about to celebrate his rediscovered shooting touch.

"Well, that's good," Barry said of his 6-for-6 night. "We'll take that, but from now on, it's about what we need to do as a team."

A team he's still a part of.

tinysands

2006-03-15, 02:57 PM

今日更新了4篇招工的文章，30楼到33楼
昨天的一篇文章目前还无人认领，在27楼……

tinysands

2006-03-16, 02:41 PM

时间限制：4天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：人物

Signs (even from fans) point to Udrih filling Spurs' backup needs

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031606.1C.BKNspurs.udrih.1761ba21.html

Web Posted: 03/16/2006 12:00 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

As he waits for his left elbow to heal, Nick Van Exel sits behind the Spurs' bench and offers advice to Beno Udrih, as well as the occasional scouting report.

Sunday, Van Exel told Udrih to look across the court during a home game against Houston. Seated near the baseline was a girl whose sign read: "Beno, Will You Be My Prom Date?"

"If I wasn't shy," Udrih said with a smile, "I would go."

Udrih's teammates would laugh at that. Off and on the court, the Spurs' 23-year-old backup point guard has shed a lot of his naiveté.

Stronger and more confident, Udrih has done more than fill in for Van Exel. He has given the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) another valuable option off the bench, averaging 11 points on 57.1 percent shooting in 19.8 minutes over his past six games.

"I think he really understands there's a bright future in front of him," Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) said.

As Udrih's role has grown, so has his popularity. Google "Beno Udrih" and among the thousands of responses is a fan site declaring him "The Slovenian Phenom." If Sunday was any indication, "Beno's Girl" T-shirts may be on street corners by the playoffs.

Of course, 10 months ago the only people clamoring for Udrih were Detroit Pistons fans.

After a productive rookie season in which he averaged 5.9 points and 1.9 assists while backing up Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker), Udrih struggled in the NBA Finals. Lindsey Hunter stapled him to the sideline in Games 3 and 4, and Udrih responded to the pressure by losing the ball, helping trigger Detroit's two lopsided victories.

After coach Gregg Popovich benched Udrih and shortened the rotation to seven players for the rest of the series, Pistons fans pleaded with Popovich in Game 5 to put Udrih back in. Even when the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) visited Detroit on Christmas, a group of hecklers shouted, "We want Beno!"

"From a pride perspective, it definitely hurt," said Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) assistant coach Brett Brown, who has worked with Udrih the past two seasons. "So he didn't deliver in his first NBA Finals at (22)? There are a lot worse things that could happen."

Popovich made it clear after the season that Udrih needed to mature and get tougher. Signing a veteran point guard became a priority.

Van Exel's arrival initially made Udrih question his future, but he soon embraced the chance to learn from him. He also spent part of last summer training with Slovenia's national team and became a more frequent visitor to the weight room.

As a rookie, Udrih tested the patience of Brown and the other coaches. He arrived late to workouts, and when he did get there, he didn't fully dedicate himself.

"From a professional standpoint, he's improved dramatically," Brown said. "He's grown up."

And out. After losing some weight while suffering from the flu in January, he since has packed on more muscle.

"I feel stronger, more aggressive," Udrih said. "I have more energy. Last year, I was maybe shy, maybe not confident."

Udrih also is more knowledgeable about the NBA and his job. He admitted that, last season, when the coaches quizzed the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) on the morning of games about who they would be guarding, his usual response was, "I don't know him."

Popovich and his staff soon tired of Udrih using his inexperience as an excuse.

"Sometimes players need a hard hand, or somebody who's harsh on you," Udrih said. "I appreciate everything Pop did for me. I think that made me a better player."

Udrih also has needed thick skin to survive in the Spurs' veteran-filled locker room.

"If something's going on and Beno's around," Barry said, "he will be targeted."

When Udrih showed up for a game in Utah wearing red corduroy pants and a red corduroy overshirt with beige and white trim, Barry snapped off 10 photos. Barry initially planned to send the pictures to NBA commissioner David Stern in hopes of getting the league's dress code repealed. Now, he and Sean Marks may start a Web site to distribute them.

"Soon," Barry said, "they could be coming to an iPod near you."

Udrih has handled the ribbing well, in part, because Barry is his closest friend on the team. The two frequently go to lunch together on the road, and Barry has helped ease Udrih's transition.

"You can talk to him about anything," Udrih said. "I'm really lucky and happy he's here."

Udrih's also glad to have Van Exel, whom Popovich credits for helping Udrih and Parker. On those days when Van Exel's elbow troubled him, he reminded Udrih to stay ready.

Most of the time, he has been. In the 12 games in which he's played at least 15 minutes, Udrih has averaged 10 points. He ranks behind only Parker, Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) and Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) on the team in points per minute.

Udrih has given the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) another shooter — he's made 7 of 15 3-pointers in the past six games — as well as someone who can play behind and with Parker, helping the team match up against small lineups. With Popovich leaning toward resting Van Exel at least another three weeks, Udrih figures to get more time to contribute.

And maybe even a few more prom invitations.

tinysands

2006-03-16, 03:11 PM

时间限制：无
长度：长
难度：较难(医学术语)
类别：专题

Prognosis Spurs: Plantar Fasciitis

http://www.nba.com/spurs/doc/prognosis_060313.html

by Marque Allen, D.P.M.
Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio

http://www.nba.com/media/spurs/heel_273.jpg
http://www.nba.com/media/spurs/heel_strained_277.jpg

This season, many athletes – including the Spurs’ Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) – have suffered through nagging pain in the heel, which is one of the most common complaints of patients who seek medical treatment for foot problems. Heel pain can have many causes, but plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common diagnosis.

PF can affect persons of all ages, sexes, activity levels, and professions. The common thread is pain mostly in the heel area with possible extension into the arch. The pain most commonly occurs after an increased demand in standing or activity over a short or long period of time. The pain may be only transient at first but may evolve into a chronic unremitting discomfort that can eventually affect normal walking and athletic activity.

The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue that arises from the heel bone and runs along the bottom of the foot, attaching to the base of the toes (figure 1). The foot arch can be thought of as a triangle with the PF making up the base (figure 2). As we stand, the combination of our body weight, gravity, and foot mechanics moves the arch towards flattening. This flattening of the arch is opposed by the plantar fascia as it is stretched and compressed. Excessive demand upon the plantar fascia will result in pain as the body attempts to protect itself from injury.

The pain is most typical upon arising in the morning and with the first few steps. The discomfort may decrease as we walk only to return later in the day or after long periods of sitting. With continued activity, the severity of the pain will increase which usually causes the patient to seek medical help.

The diagnosis of PF is often made after a careful and detailed history from the patient, a physical exam, and exclusion of other possible causes of heel pain. Other causes of heel pain that can be mistaken for PF can range from stress fractures, inflammation of the growth plate in adolescents, or entrapment of the nerves arising from the lower back. Heel pain can also be an indicator of inherited inflammatory types of arthritis. Once an exact diagnosis of PF is made, the treatment regimen can be undertaken.

Treatments for PF are varied but all are intended to reduce the amount of inflammation within the plantar fascia either directly or indirectly.

Direct intervention is in the form of oral and/or injected medicines or topical application under ultrasound. Oral medications such as Motrin, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn and Celebrex are usually the first line of direct intervention. These medications will suppress the chemical process of inflammation, while oral steroids can directly affect the cellular events of inflammation. It should be noted that these medications are not specific for the foot and could have potentially harmful side effects throughout the body. Therefore, be sure to talk to your doctor about any other medicines you are taking before starting these treatments.

A second type of direct treatment includes injected medicines into the bottom of the foot, which introduce a large concentration of anti-inflammatory medications at the specific site affected. These medicines are most commonly in the form of short and long acting steroids. This method of treatment can also cause serious side effects but can produce a rapid and appreciable decrease in symptoms.

The application of medicines driven by ultrasound can also be considered but may have a muted effect due to the thickness of the skin on the heel.

http://www.nba.com/media/spurs/duncan_feet_060313_350.jpg
(Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) prepped for the 2006 All-Star game.
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty)

In addition to the direct treatment to reduce inflammation of the PF, the patient should attempt to identify the possible training error or increased demand which caused the inflammation. Indirect treatments such as equipment changes, new shoe gear, tapping maneuvers with or without padding, and in-shoe orthotics can help to redirect the mechanical movements of the foot and reduce stretch of the PF. The uses of night splints and stretching programs have been found to provide good results.

Lastly, patients who do not respond well to these direct and indirect treatments may need a period of complete immobilization of the foot.

Over 90% of patients diagnosed with PF can expect resolution of their symptoms with a disciplined and comprehensive program. If the symptoms persist despite intervention, then more aggressive options can be considered.

Treatment of PF in failed cases of greater than six months with restrictions in athletic activity of daily living could be candidates for either high energy sound wave treatment to the heel or surgical intervention.

High energy sound wave treatment has been met with encouraging results and quick return to activity, but in most cases requires a large monetary commitment from the patient as insurance companies have been slow to reimburse for this treatment.

Surgical intervention in the form of release of the PF should be reserved for the most chronic cases, with MRI confirmation of irreversible changes in the plantar fascia. Surgery, while providing relief of symptoms, could permanently destabilize the foot and should be used only as a last resort.

tinysands

2006-03-16, 03:17 PM

上面这篇足底筋膜炎的文章，如果有人肯接手而且翻译质量可以的话，偶私人奖励200盾……要求信息准确

秦南玥

2006-03-16, 03:56 PM

又是“足底筋膜炎”，上回就是碰到它没译出来，这回再试试。

而且，还有奖励。

小二我捷足先登了。

tinysands

2006-03-18, 02:50 PM

时间限制：2天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：战报

Mohammed unleashes repertoire as Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) beat Suns

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031806.1C.BKNspurs.suns.gamer.21f1dc2d.html

Web Posted: 03/18/2006 12:32 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

For the past two seasons, Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns have systematically downsized the NBA, using their frenetic pace and let-it-fly fearlessness to create a small-ball revolution.

As one of the many centers who has had his minutes slashed by the trend, Nazr Mohammed has developed a simple approach for facing the Suns or any of their many copycats.

Start aggressive. Or sit and watch.

Much to the demise of the Suns, Mohammed spent most of Friday evening on the floor. In a victory for big men everywhere, he matched his career-high with 30 points and took 16 rebounds as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) beat Phoenix 108-102 in front of a sellout crowd of 18,797 at the AT&T Center.

"I knew I had to come out early and kind of get something done," said Mohammed, who became the first Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) player other than Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) or David Robinson to record 30 points and 15 rebounds since Terry Cummings on March 30, 1992. "They play such a small lineup that if you don't, the rest of us bigs will be on the bench."

Eschewing their normal tendency to match down to the Suns, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) won by staying tall. Duncan contributed 20 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists while teaming with Mohammed to bully Phoenix inside.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) outrebounded the Suns 57-29 and scored 30 second-chance points off a season-high 27 offensive boards.

"I told some of the coaches at practice the other day that my biggest pet peeve is when, as soon as the other team goes small, it seems like you've got to change (the lineup)," Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) said. "Give your big guys a chance first."

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich did that Friday. With the Suns' top two big men, Amare Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/kurt_thomas), sidelined by injuries, Mohammed immediately went to work on the boards. Less than halfway into the second quarter, he already had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

"Nazr had an awesome first half, and you can't punish a guy in that respect," Duncan said. "Every time he missed a shot, he got an offensive board or finished around the rim. We stayed with that.

"Pop's been great with that, reading the situation and going with what works."

Duncan, in the words of Popovich, served as the Spurs' steady rock. He scored six consecutive points late in the third quarter to give the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) the lead for good but was frequently double-teamed by the Suns, who started 6-foot-8 Boris Diaw at center.

"All night long, he was very solid," Popovich said. "He really positioned himself well, and I thought guys did a good job of reading (the defense) quickly and either going to him or just forgetting about him and playing basketball."

Staying big often forced the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) into difficult matchups with Mohammed and Duncan sometimes getting switched onto Nash above the key. Even when Nash, who totaled 30 points and six assists, penetrated into the lane, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were instructed to stay on the Suns' shooters and not help.

When Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) left Eddie House open in the second quarter to help cut off Shawn Marion, Popovich screamed at him, benched him, then screamed at him some more. Mohammed also surrendered a 3-pointer to Marion early in the final quarter, cutting the Spurs' lead to 88-85, because he followed his natural instinct to go to the rim.

"It's extremely difficult," Mohammed said. "I'm used to running straight down the floor and finding their big on defense.

"When they go small, there's no one out there for us to really guard, so the only option is to really hit the glass hard to keep yourself on the court."

Mohammed did that, usually cleaning up his teammates' mistakes: Ginobili and Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) contributed only three points each in the first half.

Parker eventually fought through his struggles, burying three midrange jump shots in the final 4 minutes, 29 seconds to help hold off Phoenix. The Spurs, Duncan said, also "got a stop sparsely here and there."

With 1:00 remaining and the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) clinging to a four-point lead, Mohammed swept across the lane and tossed in a rare hook shot.

"I work on a lot of different stuff," Mohammed said.

tinysands

2006-03-18, 02:52 PM

时间限制：2天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：人物

Suns recognize Parker's shooting

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031806.7C.BKNspurs.parker.223fd143.html

Web Posted: 03/18/2006 12:00 AM CST

Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer

Spurs' point guard Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) took Phoenix Suns' forward Boris Diaw, his good friend and fellow Frenchman, to lunch on Friday afternoon and got some good news along with the entrees.

"I had lunch with Boris, and he told me, 'We're not going to leave you alone any more,'" Parker said after his three 17-foot jump shots in the final 4:29 helped the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) score a 108-102 victory over Diaw's Suns at the AT&T Center on Friday night. "He said, 'We see that you are working.'"

The Suns' defensive strategy in three previous games against the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) this season had been an insult to Parker's jump shot. By putting power forward Shawn Marion on Parker, then having Marion double team Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) whenever the ball went inside, they challenged Parker to shoot.

The fact Parker made 12 of 21 shots in the Spurs' 117-93 victory in Phoenix on March 9 helped convince Suns' coach Mike D'Antoni to keep Steve Nash on him most of the time Friday night.

"Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) hits every freaking shot no matter who we put on him," D'Antoni said. "The little ass."

Input File ContentThe given include file is empty.

D'Antoni's insult, of course, was meant as a compliment to Parker's improved shooting, and Parker took it that way.

"It means they respect me, and they're not going to leave me alone any more," said Parker, who had six assists for the game and a couple of defensive stops in crunch time.

Parker persevered in a game in which he struggled mightily for the better part of three quarters. The Spurs' leading scorer this season, Parker got off only one shot in the first half, scoring only three points. He had only seven heading into the final quarter.

"I think in the past couple years I didn't react that well if I had a bad first half," Parker said.

Things changed in the fourth quarter when the Suns again chose to have Nash leave Parker so he could double-team Duncan. Twice, Spurs' guard Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) recognized that Parker had been left uncovered and got the ball to him for uncontested jumpers.

"Manu had confidence to pass it to me," Parker said. "Steve Nash was staying with Timmy. I was wide open and I knocked down shots."

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich played Parker nearly the entire second half — all but 2 minutes, 45 seconds — and Parker responded.

"I thought Tony did a great job of really stepping up when he wasn't having a very good game. Down the stretch he really stepped up on both ends of the court," Popovich said.

<_^

2006-03-18, 10:16 PM

时间限制：2天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：战报

Mohammed breaks out repertoire as Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) beat Suns

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031806.1C.BKNspurs.suns.gamer.21f1dc2d.html

Web Posted: 03/17/2006 10:34 PM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

Nazr Mohammed had bullied the Phoenix Suns on the boards, thrown down an emphatic two-handed dunk and even shown off his fadeaway, leaving him only one small piece of work left to do.

With 1:00 remaining and the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) clinging to a four-point late Friday, Mohammed swept across the lane and tossed in a hook shot. The basket helped the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) finish off their 108-102 victory at the AT&T Center and allowed Mohammed to match his career-high with 30 points.

In a victory for big men everywhere, Mohammed and Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) punished the small-ball Suns, combining for 29 of the Spurs' 57 rebounds. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) scored 30 second-chance points on a season-high 26 offensive boards.

Mohammed had ...

拜托……

这篇又是未完成的文章，北京时间下午两点半左右……一般，才是完整的作品，之前的都是完全的战报……没有球员教练采访之类的

许多时候马刺的比赛在北京时间下午两点半都结束了，所以一般的都是"Web Posted: 03/18/2006 12:00 AM CST"之类，比如今天的：Web Posted: 03/18/2006 12:32 AM CST

而不是
Web Posted: 03/17/2006 10:34 PM CST

浪费了功力……

以后gamer、notebook下午四点再贴过来好了……

邓不肯

2006-03-18, 11:48 PM

汗，看来小沙子太心急了，完整的战报与此相距甚远啊。

tinysands

2006-03-19, 12:10 AM

时间限制：无
长度：长
难度：一般
类别：专题
额外奖励：200盾

These Suns just won't stop rising

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5423990#

Charley Rosen / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 8 hours ago

The Suns are certainly one of the most fascinating teams in the NBA. Without Amare Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/kurt_thomas), and with a small forward, Boris Diaw, playing center, Phoenix has still been able to turn virtually every ball game into a track meet.

Reversing the traditional wisdom preached and proved by NBA seers from Red Auerbach to Phil Jackson, the Suns' game plan is this: "The best defense is a good offense".

Thus far their high-octane point-making has forced most opponents to play at an incredibly accelerated pace — discomforting the bad guys, wearing them down physically and mentally, and forcing them to make decisions much faster than they want to.

On Friday, Phoenix zoomed into San Antonio looking for more of the same. And, indeed, the game was a legitimate litmus test for the Suns. Could Phoenix's frantic modus operandi overwhelm the defending champs in their own corral?

When the dust settled, the game belonged to the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) 108-102. Let's take a look at exactly how San Antonio derailed the Phoenix express.

THE SPURS DEFENSE

There's no doubt that 1-through-8, the Suns have the quickest, most athletic squad in the league. Obviously, they want to run on every possession, even when the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) scored and Phoenix was forced to take the ball out of the net. Four of the Suns' starters — Steve Nash, Shawn Marion, Boris Diaw, and Raja Bell — can swiftly move the ball into the attack zone. Only Jumaine Jones has a faulty handle on the run (he had one assist, 3 turnovers, and 3 points). Of their subs, Eddie House and Leandro Barbosa are also trustworthy trigger-men, and the newly recruited Tim Thomas can effectively put the ball on the floor only when he's creating his own scoring opportunities. The math reveals that six of the eight Suns who took the court in San Antonio are capable of leading a devastating fast break.

Compare this quotient with the nine Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) who saw daylight: Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen), Nazr Mohammed, Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry), Michael Finley, and Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) are strictly half-court players. Beno Udrih has improved as a shooter, but still has a shaky handle when pressured. That leaves Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) and Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) to conduct any fast-break opportunities.

http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5423998_36_2.jpg
(Steve Nash takes it to the hole against the Spurs.
D. Clarke Evans / Getty Images)

It was obviously nonsensical for the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to try to out-run the Suns. Indeed, among Gregg Popovich's pre-game instructions was an insistence that his team walk the ball across the time-line even if they had Phoenix temporarily out-numbered. This last restriction was exercised only once when, late in the fourth quarter, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) had a 4-on-3 advantage and Parker sat on the ball until they could get into a half-court set. Little wonder that one of the statistical categories dominated by the Suns was fast-break points wherein they outscored the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) 18-0.

By slowing down the game, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) forced Phoenix to play a half-court game. The Suns were not exactly slouches when the air is taken out of the ball and they have several strategies at their command.

With no true center on the court at any time, the Suns kept the middle unoccupied. This also spread out the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) defense and meant that whenever Phoenix ran a foul-line-level screen/roll, the defensive helpers had too much ground to cover to be of much help. This advantage was exacerbated by the sheer speed and tricky moves of each and every Phoenix player. All game long, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) defense never effectively stymied this tactic.

The Suns also changed up by running screen/fades for Thomas and Marion, a strategy which yielded undefended perimeter shots.

In spreading the defense, the Suns also created space and time for the likes of Nash, Marion, Diaw, Barbosa, House, and Thomas to be successful in iso situations. Layups were followed by layups. Even the usually reliable defensive prowess of Bowen was helpless against the Suns jet-footed penetrators (particularly Barbosa). When the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) tried to sag into the middle, the ball was whipped to open perimeter shooters. That's why Diaw had 7 assists, Nash had 6, Barbosa and Bell had 3 each. And that's why Phoenix shot 51.2% from the field — including 7-16 from long-distance.

Occasionally, Diaw was stationed at the high post while his teammates cut, slashed, and ran amok. This was another effective half-court tactic that the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) never really could contain.

When their half-court sets failed to generate any advantage, Nash simply yo-yo'd the ball, darting hither, thither and yon, driving into the bosom of the defense for tricky pull-ups, flips, and layups. And also finding open teammates whenever the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) concentration lapsed and they failed to plug the passing lanes.

With the ball positioned on the right wing, House and Bell came up from the strong-side baseline and received topside handoffs that left them (in the absence of any defensive help) with incredibly good looks.

In every situation, whether operating on the run or with a dead ball, every Phoenix player always made the extra pass. Always.

Mike D'Antoni sent only two players into the low post. Marion, who was bothered by Udrih's quick double-team and missed a complicated layup. And Diaw, who drew a foul, and later committed a charge. The lesson is that Phoenix gained very little whenever they tried using size and power instead of speed.

This lesson was not lost on Popovich. Therefore, in the second half the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) countered the Suns various S/Rs by switching. This left a big man (Duncan, Horry, or Mohammed) on Nash or Barbosa, and a small man (Parker, Udrih, or Ginobili) on Marion or Diaw. At first glance, these switcheroos created considerable advantages for the Suns. Not so. What happened was that Phoenix became so intent on trumping these mismatches that the flow of their half-court offense was fatally disrupted. Sure, Nash took all of the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) bigs to the hoop for nifty high-light layups (he was 13-22 for 30 points), but his teammates were transformed into spectators. This was the defensive strategy that helped turned the game � and was the same one used by San Antonio in beating Phoenix four games to two in last year's conference finals.

THE SPURS' OFFENSE

Since the Suns play defense like sprinters nervously crouched in the starting blocks, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) wanted to work the ball carefully and take advantage of the visitors' anxiety. Hey, hurry up and score so we can score! Phoenix showed absolutely no interest in buckling down and playing in-your-face defense.

The main thrust of the Suns defense was limited to collapsing on ball penetration and leaning into passing lanes. Both Parker (6-11, 13 points) and Finley (5-9, 13 points) were on the shooting end of inside-out passes, and had time to count the house before firing away. When the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) spread the floor (touch�!), the Suns had no answer for Ginobili's one-on-one forays (4-9, 5 assists, 14 points).

A specific point of attack was the low-post where either 6-8 Diaw or 6-10 Thomas (both of them notoriously lightweight defenders) was guarding 7-0 Duncan. Both tried fronting TD several times, but since there was no weak-side help whatsoever, lob passes led to just as many layups. Two-timing Duncan was only partially successful. He did turn the ball over thrice, but also managed to pass to open shooters to the tune of 7 assists. On one possession, Duncan was actually quadruple-teamed — and was whistled for taking an extra step.

Pop even called Mohammed's number several times, and he responded with a stat-sheet filled with jump hooks, turn-around jumpers, and a dunker or two. All told Mohammed, who's usually relegated to rebounding and defending, wound up with 13-21 from the field and 30 points.

It was Mohammed who also enabled San Antonio to take fullest advantage of the size differential. He collected 16 total rebounds, which included 8 off the offensive glass. On several possessions, Duncan and Mohammed played volleyball here — sharing three, and then four, offensive rebounds in succession — until the ball was ultimately dropped through the ring.

Numbers are always tricky, and never more so than in this game. The Suns had better accuracy from the field (51.2% to the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) 48.9%), from beyond the arc (7-16 to 6-20), and from the stripe (68.4% to 63.2%). Phoenix likewise registered more assists (28 to 21), steals (6 to 4), blocked shots (6 to 2), along with fewer turnovers (10 to 16) and few fouls (16 to 21).

But the one stat that demonstrated the biggest area of the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) domination was rebounding — both total (57 to 29) and offensive retrievals (26 to 6). This last number resulted in the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) taking 12 more shots (92-80) and tallying four more field goals (45-41). And that's how and why the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) triumphed.

What can the Suns do to rectify this critical imbalance when and if the two teams meet again in the playoffs? Nothing, because it's all about genetics. Sometimes speed kills. Sometimes it commits suicide.

Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 13 books about hoops, the current one being "The pivotal season — How the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers changed the NBA."

summerflower

2006-03-19, 01:46 AM

哇卡卡
２００盾奖励
木有时间限制．．．
这分明是为我度身定做的任务嘛．．．
拿下．．:-D :-D :-D

秦南玥

2006-03-19, 07:47 AM

哇卡卡
２００盾奖励
木有时间限制．．．
这分明是为我度身定做的任务嘛．．．
拿下．．:-D :-D :-D
summerflower一定是兴奋过头了，怎么能忘记在版面“开工”呢

我要是开工的话，是不是有点不“HD”

哎，200盾……

tinysands

2006-03-19, 09:35 AM

昨天比赛的战报招工，在40楼

tinysands

2006-03-19, 03:00 PM

嗯，今天开始，考虑大家一起来完成关于ABA的一段资料，也就是Spurs的前身在当时的ABA联盟的那段历史，虽然不是太有趣味，不过却是非常珍贵的资料，也算是将ChinaSpurs的历史资料部分补充完整……

今后会不定期的给出一段很短的文章，来源均是这个帖子：
http://www.chinaspurs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6339

偶会在招工帖贴出一个段落，而后大家谁时间多就顺手翻掉即可，一般都不会超过10分钟的时间吧……而招工部分的段子在上面那个链接里面会以红色显示，完工的段子以蓝色显示

翻译好中文直接贴到“San Antonio Spurs——History of ABA”的帖子中回复就可以了……

这个不需要占坑，如果有撞车了也无妨，正好我们可以用这个比较Formal的文章作为交流和练习用，尤其是对于其中的语句和词汇都可以拿来讨论。

为避免浪费版面，所有和这个ABA相关的事情都会在这里47楼来更新，小二们注意查看

招工中的段子：

On October 10, 1973, in their home opener against the San Diego Conquistadors, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) lost but attracted over 6,000 noisy fans to HemisFair Arena. This prompted guard Joe Hamilton to say: "It's just great to play for these people. They're rooting for us all the time. Last year at Dallas we'd have 600 or 700 people at our games, and if we got something going, maybe a dozen of them would start yelling. The rest of them just sat there." Over the course of the season, San Antonio's gaudy attendance figures surprised the entire league. In only 18 home games, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) managed to draw more fans than the Chaparrals had during their entire 42-game home schedule in 1972-73. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) ended up averaging 6,303 fans per game. ABA fans enjoyed pointing out that this figure far surpassed the 1973-74 average attendance of the nearby NBA Houston Rockets, whose top crowd that season barely exceeded 6,000. In fact, the Spurs' first-year attendance was so impressive that Drossos and the other San Antonio owners decided to "take the plunge." They canceled their three-year lease of the team, and bought the franchise outright from the Dallas owners.

<_^

2006-03-20, 12:32 PM

http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/sdotw_laura_060317.html

http://www.nba.com/spurs/dance/dayinthelife_laura_060317.html

tinysands

2006-03-22, 03:50 PM

时间限制：2天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：战报

Coach's ejection and Duncan's response used to pull away as Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) beat Warriors

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA032206.1C.BKNspurs.warriors.gamer.82a6365.html

Web Posted: 03/22/2006 12:25 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich already had exhausted his four-letter vocabulary Tuesday night, but Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) still had a few choice words to offer.

As he watched Popovich head to the locker room with his first ejection of the season, Duncan shared his opinion of the evening's officiating with referee Scott Foster. Foster, who apparently didn't agree, gave Duncan his own technical.

Grinning, Duncan saluted the call with a thumb's up, a gesture that symbolized not only the Spurs' frustration but their resolve.

With Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) scoring 29 points and Duncan adding 21 points and 13 rebounds, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) overcame the technical barrage before downing the Golden State Warriors 107-96 in front of 18,797 at the AT&T Center.

On a night in which they made only 3 of 18 3-pointers, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) received timely shooting from Parker and Michael Finley, along with an energy boost from Beno Udrih.

"I thought we were a little bit lethargic in the first half," Popovich said. "We depended on the three a little bit too much and tried to do it the easy way.

"We just had to get a little bit of passion going, a little bit of aggressiveness going."

Popovich supplied some fire himself. Angry that Duncan was being pushed under the basket without drawing a foul, he walked down the baseline midway through the third quarter to yell at Foster.

When Foster gave him his first technical, Popovich took a few steps closer and screamed. Foster quickly ejected him, and Popovich exited to a near standing ovation.

"It was about time to do it," Duncan said. "There were a lot of inconsistencies out there with the whistle. I think he got annoyed with it as I was."

After Duncan was charged with a technical, Derek Fisher made all three free throws to give the Warriors a 59-57 lead. Duncan was called for an early tip on the ensuing jump ball, prompting him to laugh and sarcastically clap his hands together.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, Duncan soon turned his frustration toward them. He dunked over Adonal Foyle, drew a foul in the process and wiped out the Spurs' three-point deficit with one play. The next time down, he muscled his way inside for a layup.

With assistant P.J. Carlesimo taking over for Popovich, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) finally gained separation early in the fourth quarter. Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili), who returned after a left calf contusion forced him to miss Saturday's victory in Houston, banked in a runner as he was fouled. After Monta Ellis' missed 3-pointer, Ginobili took the rebound and zipped a long, cross-court pass to Udrih, who faked Ellis before spinning back around him for a layup.

Udrih followed with a 3-pointer to hike the Spurs' lead to 82-74 and send Golden State into a timeout with 9:35 left.

"He really changes the game," Duncan said of Udrih, who scored 13 points in 15 minutes.

Duncan could have described Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) similarly. With Bowen hounding him, Warriors guard Jason Richardson — who had been averaging 26.8 points since the All-Star break — made 5 of 18 shots.

After Richardson stuck a 3-pointer to bring Golden State within 84-81 with 7:27 left, he didn't make another basket.

"You know Pop's in the back, watching, and I had just come back in," Bowen said. "He wasn't supposed to shoot threes, and he shoots a three right in my face. Now, I've got to put something extra on it."

Finley, who missed seven of his first eight shots, and Parker, who went 1 for 9 to start the second half, both found their stroke down the stretch to hold off Golden State. Parker also contributed seven assists.

"He's starting to scare me," Popovich said. "He's so confident in that jumper. He's becoming a real stud at that position, understanding when to give it up, when to do it himself."

Popovich, meanwhile, had some extra time to pack after getting ejected. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) flew to Denver immediately after the game, where they will face the Nuggets tonight, for the start of a five-game trip.

"Ten days out on the road at the end of the season is a long time, so I'm certainly concerned about that," Popovich said. "But it's also an opportunity to really focus much like we do on the rodeo trip."

As a result, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) wanted to make sure they didn't leave town with a loss. Credit for some of that, Parker said, went to their coach.

"He decided to take one for the team," Parker said. "Just go crazy and make us react."

tinysands

2006-03-22, 03:52 PM

时间限制：2天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：新闻

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) notebook: Ginobili back, says he feels good

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA032206.6C.BKNspurs.notebook.8911b39.html

Web Posted: 03/22/2006 12:25 AM CST

Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer

"El Contusion" is back, not entirely healthy, just a little angry and intent on playing for the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) when they meet the Denver Nuggets tonight.

Bounced around Tuesday like a ping-pong ball on the final play of the first half of the Spurs' 107-96 victory at the AT&T Center over the Golden State Warriors, Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) returned for the second half with new bruises and renewed resolve for the stretch run of the regular season.

Dubbed "El Contusion" last season by Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) because of his propensity for being hit and knocked to the floor, Ginobili said the left calf contusion that had kept him out of Saturday's game at Houston had healed well during the three days since the injury.

"It was good," Ginobili said. "Usually when you get hit in the muscle it's not serious. It was a back-to-back (Saturday), so I wasn't able to go.

"I felt very good today."

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich was relieved.

"He's trying to get everything together," Popovich said. "He felt good after the game. He said his body felt great. It's a good step in the right direction for him, so we can have him at a level where he was last year when the playoffs begin."

Ginobili was upset when he was hit three times in the final seconds of the first half without a foul being called on the Warriors. He was knocked to the floor once before recovering and resuming a drive to the basket, and Popovich railed at the referees on his way to the Spurs' locker room for halftime, perhaps setting the stage for his ejection by referee Scott Foster in the third quarter.

A vote for Bowen: Former Spur Mario Elie congratulated Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) on his selection to the U.S. national team, then gave Bowen a hearty endorsement to make the squad.

"By all means Bruce should be on that team," said Elie, who was an assistant coach with the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) before joining the Warriors' staff. "If they're serious about wanting it to be a true team, he needs to be on it. He could be that team's Ichiro (Suzuki), the guy who's out there for hours before the game, getting himself ready and making sure all his teammates are ready."

Suzuki, the Seattle Mariners' right fielder, was the inspirational leader of the Japanese team that won the World Baseball Classic.

Injury report: Popovich is still leaning toward holding Nick Van Exel out for at least a couple more weeks.

Coping with bone chips in his left elbow for much of the season, Van Exel received his third cortisone shot last week. The team considered waiting until closer to the playoffs to give him the injection — the first two provided relief for only a couple of weeks — but decided following the shot with additional rest might help more.

"It's better to give it to him now and see what we have," Popovich said. "As we wind down, it'll just be a decision when to get him into some games. But it's not going to be in the near future."

Sean Marks has been bothered by a sore left shoulder the past week, making it difficult, at times, for him to turn his head. He had begun to feel better in recent days until his shoulder tightened again after Tuesday's shootaround.

With Marks unavailable, Melvin Sanders has been on the active roster the past three games.

tinysands

2006-03-23, 11:22 AM

时间限制：无
长度：长
难度：一般
类别：专题

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) fans should be all jazzed up for this playoff run

http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2006/03/20/newscolumn1.html?page=1

San Antonio Business Journal - March 17, 2006
by W. Scott Bailey

Embrace the moment, Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) fans.

Love every minute of every Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) victory the rest of the way this season as the playoffs near.

Wince when Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) misses a shot or is slower than you remember in chasing after others' miscues.

But be thankful he is still a Spur.

Throw a shoe at the TV when the good guys lose a game they should have won.

But don't break it because you don't want to miss what may come next.

Be sad if the Black & Silver fail to win a fourth NBA title this summer.

But be thankful you are not a fan of those teams who have never won anything.

Why the need to be especially appreciative of the good times now?

Because history says they can't last forever.

It could all end tomorrow. Just like that, this franchise could forget what it means to finish a season with a parade.

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) fans who are old enough remember a quarter-century of frustrations.

Chorus of boos

For those who don't believe it can happen, that San Antonio's hoops heroes could step back into the morass of mediocrity that plagues the NBA, I offer the Utah Jazz.

Jazz fans know all too well that when it's gone, things can get ugly.

It wasn't all that long ago that the Jazz were a team Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) fans loved to hate. They were that good.

The Delta Center rocked.

The playoffs were an automatic.

Championship aspirations were legitimate goals.

Stockton to Malone was more than a play-by-play call; it was the reason teams feared the Jazz.

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) fans hated that torturing twosome as much as they hated the way sold-out crowds at the Delta Center would jeer every Jazz foul and cheer every Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) stumble.

They hated the post-season match-ups with Utah because they knew there were few, if any, tougher opponents.

Then something happened that changed everything. Two teams that had come to define a rivalry went dramatically separate directions.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have spent the last few years hanging championship banners in AT&T Center.

The Jazz have tried to regain that lost magic.

While Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) chairman Peter Holt nervously roots for his team to finish with the best record in the Western Conference, Jazz owner Larry Miller stands on the court in front of the team bench during a recent game, staring down his troops, later saying he wished he could unload them all.

Sour note

This Jazz ensemble has hit such a sour note in Salt Lake City that Miller has elected to do the unthinkable in professional sports -- cut ticket prices.

Next season, the Jazz will lower the price on more than 10,000 of the Delta Center's 19,911 seats.

Nearly 5,000 of those seats will sell for only $9 -- and only $5 when purchased in a season ticket package.

In all, according to published reports, more than 7,400 Delta Center seats will sell for less than $19 next season.

That's what happens when a team, which had some of the best fans in the NBA, only sells out three of its first 30 home games.

The cliché can't help but sting the passionate Miller: You don't know what you've got until it's gone.

The winning, the sold-out arena, the contending instead of pretending ... it's all gone in Utah.

As sure as Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) will miss another free throw, it can happen here.

And the sting could hurt even worse because those banners will become awful reminders of how things used to be.

I don't see Holt walking onto the AT&T Center floor and staring at his players.

I surely don't see Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) officials slashing ticket prices when sell-outs become a rarity.

But I can see a time when we look back and try to remember what it was like when our Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were the very best.

Wake-up call

Every once in a while, it seems, there are the slightest hints that this great ride may be coming to an end.

Use those moments to remind yourself that these are the best of times in Spursville.

They may never come again.

So enjoy them. Share them with others.

Celebrate every win from here out and be thankful that you've had an opportunity to root for a champion.

Plenty of folks never get that chance.

Some have been teased with such success only to have it all fall apart, never knowing what it is like to line up along a parade route in July.

Fans in Utah can only imagine. And they likely have a message for their counterparts in San Antonio: Love it while you've got it.

One day you won't.

One day the Stocktons and the Malones move on, taking the memories and the opportunities with them.

One day you are the fan of just another NBA team striving to win a final playoff seed.

There are no car flags for those occasions, no businesses hanging Go Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) Go signs in neighborhoods -- rich and poor, old and new.

So get out the lucky shirt. Paint the car windows one more time.

Do whatever it is that you did in 1999, 2003 and in 2005.

Whatever you do, don't treat these next several weeks with one of those been-there-done-that yawns.

You might, like Jazz fans, wake up one day and wonder where all the good times have gone.

W. SCOTT BAILEY is a staff writer for the San Antonio Business Journal. He can be contacted at sbailey@bizjournals.com.

tinysands

2006-03-23, 08:04 PM

时间限制：2天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：战报

Nuggets' Anthony dismantles Spurs

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA032306.1C.BKNspurs.nuggets.gamer.dcd4f2f.html

Web Posted: 03/23/2006 01:15 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/images/2005-2006/0323spurs_duncan_ap.jpg

DENVER — Maybe it was the sight of old friend George Karl, the boos that once again rained upon him from the rafters of the Pepsi Center or the forearm Kenyon Martin used to club him.

Or maybe, for the first time in six months, Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) felt whole again. Whatever the cause, Ginobili looked like, well, Ginobili on Wednesday night, sticking 3-pointers, dribbling behind his back, throwing no-look passes, driving fearlessly to the rim.

Now, if he could just find some help.

Ginobili scored 26 points in one of his best performances of the season, but his spirited attempt to rally the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) unraveled in the fourth quarter as Carmelo Anthony led the Denver Nuggets to a 104-92 victory.

Anthony scored 32 points and the Spurs, struggling again in the second game of a back-to-back, were outrebounded 58-27. Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) contributed 22 points but made only 6 of 14 free throws.

"They competed harder for more minutes than us," Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said. "I thought Denver did a good job of making it men and boys for a good part of the game."

Popovich blamed defensive breakdowns by the Spurs' perimeter corps and the team's inability to match Denver's aggressiveness in the first half. The Nuggets led by as many as 18 points in the second quarter and were still up 14 at the half before Ginobili led the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) back.

Making it clear they hadn't forgotten each other from their meeting in the first round of last season's playoffs, the teams traded words and elbows for part of the night. Duncan and Nazr Mohammed each got jabbed in the eye, while Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) bruised his right shoulder during a hard foul from Francisco Elson.

With the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) down 61-48 in the third quarter, Ginobili broke free for what looked like a certain dunk when Martin ran down and cracked him from behind. As Ginobili hit the court with a thud, Popovich stared at Martin and shouted, "That's bull...!" Martin smiled back.

A couple of minutes later, Martin hit Ginobili in the arm after the whistle, further incensing Popovich. In each instance, Ginobili simply pushed himself to his feet and stepped to the free-throw line.

Ginobili's aggressiveness seemed to shake the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) from their slumber.

Parker tossed in a runner. Ginobili hit a 3-pointer. Parker hit one. Duncan even made a bank shot.

The Spurs' surge pushed them ahead, briefly, late in the third quarter. The game stayed close until Anthony made another jump shot and found Greg Buckner for a layup to push Denver's lead to 93-86 with 4:36 left.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) never seriously threatened again.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were making the first stop of a five-game, 10-day trip, their longest since they spent 11 days in a row on the road from Feb. 25-March 6, 1993. They also knew they were walking into a buzz saw Wednesday.

While the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) labored to put away Golden State on Tuesday night, the Nuggets were enjoying their third day of rest, though many of them spent it on the training table.

Backup point guard Earl Boykins is expected to be out at least another three weeks after fracturing his left hand last week. Martin and Marcus Camby, both coping with knee injuries, were healthy enough to play Wednesday.

Despite their string of injuries, the Nuggets have taken firm control of the Northwest Division race. Anthony deserves a lot of credit for that. Ruben Patterson and Reggie Evans, acquired on the NBA's trade deadline four weeks ago, also have helped.

"It's even more of an intense, rock 'em, sock 'em group now," Popovich said. "I think they're one of the most physical teams in the league."

That wasn't good news for the Spurs, who, once again, looked like they were playing on dead legs. Denver ran out to a 13-4 lead in the first five minutes.

Ginobili responded with his own burst of energy, picking off a pass, burying a 3-pointer, driving for a layup and pulling up for a 17-footer. He helped the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) recover long enough to tie the game 15-15.

After Anthony went to the bench with 9:42 left in the second quarter, the Nuggets hiked their lead from four to 14. With the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) feeding them eight turnovers, seven in the opening quarter, the Nuggets totaled 17 fast-break points in the first half.

As it turned out, that set the stage for the Spurs' comeback, one that ultimately fell short.

"I scored more, but we lost," Ginobili said. "I think I prefer the way it was a week ago when I couldn't make a basket and we were still winning."

tinysands

2006-03-25, 07:16 PM

时间限制：2天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：战报

Barry blazes trail of threes to boost Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) past Portland

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA032506.1C.BKNspurs.blazers.gamer.6ffb9c5.html

Web Posted: 03/25/2006 12:21 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/images/2005-2006/0326spurs_barry_ap.jpg

PORTLAND, Ore. — By the end of the second quarter, Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) didn't even have to look. He launched the 25-foot shot, followed the ball for just a moment, then dropped his head and turned to run down the court.

The groan of 17,018 fans told Barry all he needed to know.

In a performance that kept his teammates bouncing to their feet and the Portland Trail Blazers shaking their heads, Barry made seven 3-pointers and scored a season-high 23 points to lead the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to a 98-79 victory Friday night at the Rose Garden.

Barry had a chance to tie the franchise record for most 3-pointers without a miss set by Steve Smith — which coincidentally also came at the Rose Garden — but rimmed out his eighth and final attempt with a little more than two minutes remaining. He instead settled for tying the team mark for most 3-pointers in a quarter with five.

"It felt like what I used to do for a long time," Barry said. "It feels good to be out there seeing the ball go in and seeing the things you know you're capable of doing."

With Portland packing in its defense and limiting Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) to a season-low six points, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) buried 12 3-pointers to match their season high. Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) had his second consecutive strong performance with 16 points while Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) added 14.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) moved the ball freely against the Trail Blazers, assisting on 26 of their 40 baskets. Duncan, who took only seven shots, had six assists.

"If people want to double him and keep him from shooting shots, they can do that," Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said. "It's not too tough to do with a big guy.

"But luckily for us, he's unselfish enough to find people and let his teammates play."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) broke open the game by making a franchise-record eight 3-pointers in the second quarter. Michael Finley had two of them, and Ginobili made one, but the quarter — as well as the game — belonged to Barry.

Even after Barry made his first two 3-pointers, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) continued to find him open behind the arc. By the end of the first half, Barry's teammates were hopping out of their sideline seats as soon as he touched the ball.

"He was real aggressive tonight, and that's when he plays best," Popovich said, "when he doesn't worry about making mistakes or missing a shot. You just play the game, and all that can happen is you win or you lose.

"Other than that, it's not very important. So you might as well let it fly."

Barry continued to do that when he returned to the floor in the fourth quarter. He promptly buried a 24-footer from the right corner. No.7 came not too much later, from the top of the arc.

Barry found himself open again in a similar spot, but Parker kept the ball himself and drove into the lane. He laughed and immediately apologized to Barry for not seeing him.

"Tony missed a guy?" Barry said, laughing. "That's unbelievable."

Even still, Barry looked like he might match Smith's team record when he hoisted his eighth 3-pointer. The shot, however, popped out of the rim.

"Michael Finley yelled at me, 'What are you doing?'" Barry said. "Close isn't good enough for this team I guess."

Before their 3-point barrage, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) labored to get any consistent scoring. They ended the first quarter leading 15-13 after making only 7 of 18 shots.

That Portland also struggled wasn't a surprise. The Trail Blazers began the evening averaging an NBA-low 88.8 points and were coming off their sixth consecutive loss, a 125-108 defeat in Phoenix on Thursday.

Friday's loss ended another difficult work week for the Trail Blazers. After losing to Milwaukee on Monday, coach Nate McMillan ripped the team for its effort. Darius Miles, Portland's second-leading scorer, slept through Thursday morning's shootaround in Phoenix and was benched for the game.

Miles was then given a two-game leave from the team Friday after his grandfather died.

Friday's loss extended Portland's streak to a season-high seven games.

"We were just outmanned," McMillan said. "They're the world champs, and we just couldn't match up."

Or stop Barry, whose efficiency took just 20 minutes.

"Good teams have a lot of guys who can come in and do that," Barry said. "It's a great time in the next couple weeks to start preparing yourself mentally and physically for what might happen in the playoffs and when those opportunities might come."

tinysands

2006-03-25, 07:17 PM

最近2场比赛的战报目前都还木有人接手……(52、53楼，对掘金和对开拓者)

tinysands

2006-03-25, 07:27 PM

时间限制：无
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：专题

"3-D": Late-Game Defensive Strategy with a 3-Point Lead

by Adrian Lawhorn
link (http://www.82games.com/lawhorn.htm)

We've all been there. Our team has a 3-point lead, and the clock is winding down. The opposing team has the ball, and it looks like we're one play away from victory. What should we do defensively to secure the win?

The purpose of this research article is to answer precisely that question. First, let's take a look at the most definable situation: when the game clock is down to a few seconds (final possession), and the team with the ball needs a '3' to tie the game and send it into overtime.

The league average for 3-point FG percentage (last full season) is 35.5%; however, late-game shots are known to have a higher degree of difficulty than the typical 3-point attempt. To do this analysis accurately, we need to find out what the 3-point FG percentage is in these exact situations...the following table contains the answer, using data from the past two seasons:

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/9233/tl1130wj.jpg

Therefore, with 10 seconds or less left in the game, and a 3-point deficit for the offensive team, the league-wide 3-point shooting percentage is 20.0%. This should be a large enough dataset to give us an accurate read on the situation...so, if our team chooses to defend the 3-point line in this scenario, these are the odds that we will be forced to play five more minutes of basketball, rather than walk off the court with a 'W'!

Now, what if our team chooses to foul? In order for this to play out in a favorable way for the trailing team, several things need to happen:

- The fouled player must make the first free throw.
- The fouled player must then miss the second attempt on purpose.
- The trailing team must then get an offensive rebound off the FT miss.
- The trailing team must then score off the rebound.

The big question is, "what is the probability of this happening?". Looking at data from the last couple years, we find that there were 32 occurrences of this scenario. Of those, the trailing team was successful 3 times...a percentage of 9.4%. Now, this is not very conclusive because the sample size we have is very small. If we had a much larger data sample, would that percentage go up, or would it go down?

So...are we stuck? Not at all! Fortunately, this is something we can calculate without too much trouble. Using Probability and Statistics principals, we can multiply the individual percentages of all the events above to determine what the percent chance is of these events happening in this order. And the numbers are...

- The fouled player must make the first free throw: 75.6%
- The fouled player must then miss the second attempt on purpose: 100.0%
- The trailing team must then get an offensive rebound off the FT miss: 13.9%
- The trailing team must then score off the rebound: (see below)

These stats are arrived at by using league averages. Although it is not unheard of that a player will actually make a FT when trying to miss, we'll assume here that a player can execute an intentional miss each time they try. Also, the percentage for scoring off an offensive rebound can be broken down two ways: put-backs (50.4%), or the ball is kicked back out by the rebounder to a teammate (42.2%). So, now we'll do the math...

(.756) * (1.00) * (.139) * (.504) = .053

(.756) * (1.00) * (.139) * (.422) = .044

There you have it...if our team fouls in this situation as the clock is running out, there is a 5.3% chance that the opposing team will force overtime with a put-back off the offensive glass, or only a 4.4% chance that the opposing team will force overtime when the rebounder passes the ball to a teammate. Now, let's summarize the findings so we can draw some conclusions:

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/9708/tl111mi.jpg

The basic conclusion we come to is this:
With time running out (final possession), and a 3-point lead, the defensive team is roughly 4 times more likely to "blow the lead" and have to play overtime if they choose to play defense, rather than foul in the waning seconds of the game.

This is a satisfying conclusion, but what about some of the other possibilities? A few words about that...

I don't think anyone would suggest that intentionally fouling a 3-point shooter in the "one possession" situation is a good idea, but let's see how that holds up statistically. If the player fouled in this case is an "average" NBA free throw shooter (75.6%), we can calculate the odds that he will make all three free throws and send the game into overtime:

(.756) * (.756) * (.756) = .432

Not that this is a surprise, but we would not recommend that the defensive team foul a 3-point shooter on the last possession, since the odds of him hitting the free throws and forcing overtime are relatively high (43.2%)!

Now, a look at what might happen when there is enough time left on the game clock for multiple possessions...

Because there are so many permutations of events that can occur when each team has the ball two or more times, it would be outside the scope of this article to do a study of every possibility. However, we can make some general statements about this case. When there is enough time left, some teams will go for the quick '2', then foul the opponent right away after the inbounds pass. Others may attempt a '3', and hope for the tying shot to go in, or at least try to get an offensive board off the miss, and then try again! So what can we say about this? The best thing we can do is look at our original data sample, and see what we've got...

As mentioned earlier, we found 32 cases where our base scenario was met (and the defensive team fouled) in the last two NBA seasons. When we include all outcomes (one possession, as well as multiple possession sequences), we find that the team with a 3-point deficit was able to tie the game 7 times...a percentage of 21.9%. As we've discussed, this is a small (inconclusive) sample size, but at least we can get a little information from this. Based on the data we have, we cannot make a blanket statement as to the best strategy for the multiple-possession scenario...the odds of success when fouling vs. not fouling are in the same range, according to our limited information.

Lastly, a note about turnovers. Yes, turnovers can occur in these situations. The reason we haven't really covered that here is two-fold: turnovers are not common in this scenario, particularly when you throw out things like bad pass turnovers that are "desperation" passes, many times from the backcourt, as the clock is running out. Also, to do this correctly, we'd need further information about how and why these turnovers took place - which would require some in-depth game charting information that we currently don't have available.

So, whether you are a fan of the game, or you own, manage, or coach an NBA club, keep this in mind: the next time your team finds itself up 3 points, and you need to make a final play on defense to win the game - think "3-D" strategy!

tinysands

2006-03-25, 07:28 PM

对了，小二们如果完成了专题类的翻译，除了在CS发之外，还可以发到hoopchina上的翻译团版面

http://bbs.hoopchina.com/thread.php?fid=39

tinysands

2006-03-27, 06:15 PM

时间限制：3天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：战报

Sonics' Allen answers kick by Bowen by scoring 33, including decisive 3-pointer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA032706.1D.BKNspurs.sonics.gamer.8914ccf.html

Web Posted: 03/27/2006 12:18 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

SEATTLE — Ray Allen couldn't stop the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) from closing out Seattle in last season's Western Conference semifinals. Apparently, however, he hasn't given up trying to keep them from winning the Southwest Division this season.

Allen's 3-pointer with 5.4 seconds left lifted the SuperSonics to a 106-102 victory over the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) Sunday night at Key Arena. Allen, who was motivated in part by another dustup with Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen), finished with 33 points.

The loss dropped the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) back into a tie with Dallas atop the Western Conference standings and spoiled an opportunity to gain a game in the overall NBA standings on Detroit, which lost earlier in the day to New Jersey.

"We're trying to fight for that top spot in the West," Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) said, "so we can't afford losing these games."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) appeared to have pulled off a stunning comeback against the Sonics after scoring nine consecutive points to erase a 100-93 deficit in the final two minutes. Parker's floater with 39.5 seconds left capped the flurry and left the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) clinging to a two-point lead.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/images/2005-2006/0327suns_allen_ap.jpg

Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) then intercepted Luke Ridnour's pass along the sideline, but was pressured by Chris Wilcox and stepped out of bounds with 13.8 seconds left. Horry thought Wilcox pushed him, but admitted he should have called timeout instead of waiting for a foul that never arrived.

"I left the game where I shouldn't have left it," Horry said. "I should have just called a timeout.

"Nine times out of 10 you'll get that (push) call. I just happened to get that unlucky one."

After a timeout, Allen drove to the rim, but Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili), who spent much of the fourth quarter in foul trouble, blocked his shot out of bounds with 9.4 seconds left.

Given another chance to inbound, Seattle again put the ball in Allen's hands. Allen took a handoff from Sonics center Johan Petro and freed himself from Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) on a pick-and-roll.

Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) jumped out on Allen, who raised up and buried the 3-pointer.

The Spurs, ironically, were playing in KeyArena for the first time since Allen missed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that would have forced a seventh game in last season's playoff series between the teams.

"I'm always ready to step up and take that shot," Allen said.

After a timeout, Ginobili tried to inbound to Duncan, but Petro got a hand on the pass and Rashard Lewis came up with the ball. Intentionally fouled, Lewis missed his second free throw, but got the rebound after the ball skipped off Ginobili's hands.

"The mistakes down the stretch made the difference," said Duncan, whose 28 points were wasted by the loss. "They gave it to us and we gave it back."

After missing 23 of 33 shots in the previous two games, Allen stayed after practice Saturday to work on his shot. Judging from Sunday's performance, he corrected whatever flaws he found.

Though Bowen and Allen were one-time acquaintances, their relationship started to sour three years ago when Bowen fouled Allen hard and tried to clear out Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry), who was then playing for Seattle, with an elbow. Since then Allen has publicly complained several times about Bowen's defensive tactics — or more specifically, his physicality — and accused him of, among other things, playing "sissy basketball."

The two players added another chapter to their feud Sunday. In the second quarter, Allen pump-faked Bowen and appeared to jump into him in hopes of drawing a foul. Both players hit the floor and TV replays showed Bowen kicked Allen with his right leg. Allen quickly pushed himself to his feet and started to lunge at Bowen, but was restrained by Nazr Mohammed.

Allen, who shouted at Bowen as players from both teams separated the two, was called for an offensive foul. Bowen was given a technical.

Bowen admitted to kicking Allen, saying it happened in the heat of the moment as he was trying to get Allen off him.

"It wasn't calculated," Bowen said. "I did what I did, and I'm sorry for that. But there's nothing I can say to take it back."

Allen said Bowen should be fined for the act, calling it "coward basketball."

"You guys have chronicled our battles over the last couple of years," Allen said. "I like the competition. But when guys start throwing elbows and kick you while you're down, it's dirty basketball. I don't respect guys like that.

"For a split second, when I stood over him, I thought (I might do something) because my emotions were flowing. But I had to catch myself. I wasn't going to allow him to bait me where I went at him."

Instead, Allen waited until the game's end to get revenge.

tinysands

2006-03-29, 07:13 PM

时间限制：3天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：战报

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) deliver point with Parker out

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA032906.1C.BKNspurs.clippers.gamer.12f2bce0.html

Web Posted: 03/29/2006 01:18 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES — The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) took the floor Tuesday night without Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) for the first time this season. Then they did their best to make sure no one noticed he was missing.

Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) and Michael Finley each scored 20 points and the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) assisted on 32 of their 36 baskets to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 98-87 in front of 17,978 at the Staples Center.

With Dallas losing in Detroit earlier in the evening, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) moved back in front of the Mavericks for the best record in the Western Conference.

Although the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were playing without Parker and coming off a frustrating loss in Seattle on Sunday, they regrouped and overwhelmed Los Angeles in the second half. The Clippers shot 37.8 percent for the game.

"We needed to get back to who we are and what our personality is," Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said, alluding to the fact the team's previous 12 opponents had shot a combined 47.2 percent. "I thought we did that tonight."

Duncan, who also had 13 rebounds, produced his fourth 20-point performance in five games. Finley made four of the Spurs' 10 3-pointers and Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) finished with 16 points, one off his season high.

Parker, who had appeared in every game, was still bothered by the deep bruise on his right shin he received when Seattle center Robert Swift kicked him during a drive to the basket Sunday. He tried to participate in the morning shootaround but was too sore.

"When I jump, when I plant — everything," Parker said. "The blood came up my calf, so now everything hurts."

The injury isn't considered serious and Parker might be able to play Thursday when the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) return to the Staples Center to face the Lakers. Popovich doubts he'll miss more than two or three games.

Beno Udrih started in Parker's place but rolled his left ankle and played only 12 minutes. Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) (eight points and nine assists) and Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) (11 points and five assists) assumed a lot of the ball-handling duties.

Playoff tickets for the Clippers went on sale Tuesday morning, and that's a sentence that hasn't been written in a while. Although the Clippers have yet to actually clinch their first postseason berth since 1997, they cling to the West's No. 5 seed.

Los Angeles, which needs one more victory to secure its first winning season since 1991-92, had already proven to be a challenge for the Spurs, taking them to overtime in their first meeting before losing, then beating them 98-85 on March 7.

Even with Parker sidelined, Popovich said Tuesday morning he didn't plan to play Nick Van Exel for the remainder of the trip. Van Exel has been bothered by bone chips in his left elbow and Popovich had hoped to hold him out until closer to the playoffs.

But Van Exel had begun pushing to return sooner. After shooting during warmups, he persuaded the coaches to include him on the active roster.

"He's old enough where it's not like he has to go practice for a week," Popovich said. "And with Tony out, he's really chomping at the bit to get a few minutes.

"It's not like he's going to get hurt. He's ready to go. It's just that I've been holding him back."

Popovich planned to plan Van Exel only a handful of minutes, but sent him to the scorer's table midway through the first quarter after Udrih picked up a couple of quick fouls. After missing his first four shots and slinging a pass out of bounds, Van Exel buried a 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left in the first half to send the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to the locker room with a 48-42 lead.

After watching the shot go through the net, Van Exel banged his hands together in relief.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) took control in the third quarter when they ran off 13 unanswered points. With the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) sometimes switching to a zone defense, the Clippers missed 10 consecutive shots during the 4-minute, 39-second stretch.

Although the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) had lost two of their three previous games, Popovich remains optimistic the team can regain the form it showed at the end of last season.

"It's not that people are coasting," Popovich said. "We just haven't been able to get a rhythm like we were in last year and have everybody firing on all cylinders at the same time. A lot of it's been health, nagging things here and there, so it makes it tough to really get that rhythm.

"Hopefully we can get that these last 10, 12 games."

tinysands

2006-04-01, 01:06 AM

时间限制：3天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：战报

Strong defense leads Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to win over Lakers

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA033106.1D.BKNspurs.lakers.gamer.71d06ef.html

Web Posted: 03/31/2006 01:27 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES — Another night's work complete, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) cleared out of the visitors' locker room at Staples Center late Thursday and headed home, finally, taking with them one more victory and a nice cushion for the rest of the Western Conference race.

With Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) scoring 19 points and Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) adding 15 of his 20 in the second half, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) blitzed the Los Angeles Lakers 96-85 in front of a sellout crowd of 18,997 at Staples Center.

Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) helped hold Kobe Bryant to 23 points on 26 shots, and Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry), having caught scent of the playoffs, contributed 12 points.

The victory left the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) with a 3-2 record on their nine-day, five-game trip and a two-game lead over Dallas atop the conference standings.

"Winning on the road is really sweet," Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said. "It's the most fun in the league as far as I'm concerned.

"It's always tough, and it really helps your team come together."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) won't meet the Lakers again unless the teams cross paths in the playoffs. The Lakers, who were trying to extend their winning streak to five games for the first time since April 2004, lead Sacramento by 11/2 games for the conference's seventh seed.

The Lakers ended a six-game losing streak to the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) when they visited the AT&T Center on March 10. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were playing their fourth game in five nights when they suffered the 100-92 loss.

Given a day to rest after beating the Clippers, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) returned with more energy, though they began the evening unsure whether they would have Parker, who was hobbled by a bruised right shin.

Parker had trouble pushing off on his right leg Thursday morning, and the team went through shootaround with Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) starting in his place. Not until Parker tested his leg during pregame warmups was he cleared to play.

"At halftime it tightened up on me a little bit," said Parker, who made 9 of 14 shots. "But after the first five, six minutes (of the third quarter) it was OK.

"I felt pretty good. It's a big bruise, so I need to play on it."

As Parker's leg warmed, so did his production. Midway through the second quarter he went by the Lakers and scored at the rim on three consecutive possessions. He turned back Los Angeles' final push in the fourth quarter with another layup.

"He's been the guy we've depended on pretty much night after night," Popovich said.

Having watched the Lakers repeatedly slip inside the Spurs' defense to take a 49-43 lead with 10 minutes left in the third quarter, Popovich signaled for a timeout.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) returned more focused and aggressive, running off nine unanswered points, with Parker capping it by finding Duncan for a dunk.

Brian Cook's 3-pointer brought the Lakers within a point midway through the quarter, but the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) closed the quarter by outscoring Los Angeles 16-1.

"I thought focus wasn't very good at that point, so we called a timeout to remind them what we're doing," Popovich said. "Where we are, what we're trying to be at the end of the year — just get a little bit of mental discipline back."

Called a coward earlier in the week by Ray Allen, Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) awoke Thursday morning to learn Lakers coach Phil Jackson had given him a different label: Edward Scissorhands.

Jackson, who delivered the nickname when speaking with Los Angeles reporters Wednesday, expanded on his comments about 90 minutes before tipoff.

"The more you move against Bowen, the quicker he reacts and the more chops he gets in," Jackson said. "He'll whack away at you while you're doing that.

"But more than anything else, Bruce plays with his feet a lot. He gets his feet underneath people, and he's tough to get through."

Bryant found that out again in the first half when Bowen stepped in front of him to draw a pair of charges.

Bryant made only 6 of 15 shots in the opening half but still had 16 points. Nick Van Exel reached in and pulled Bryant's arms down on one second-quarter drive, but the Lakers guard powered through the foul and released a high, arching shot that climbed halfway up the shot clock before dropping back through the rim.

Popovich laughed when told Jackson's name for Bowen.

"I think that's very creative and very clever," Popovich said. "I just call him Bruce."

tinysands

2006-04-01, 01:22 AM

时间限制：无
长度：短
难度：一般
类别：专题
注：这篇比较短，给小二们翻着练练手吧……唯一的要求，尽量翻的有文采一些……

Show respect to San Antonio to honor Spurs’winning tradition

http://www.redandblack.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/03/31/442ca45216443

By DAVID BETHEA
Published , March 31, 2006, 06:00:01 AM EDT

In the world of sports, winners tend to get respect. Teams that make the playoffs are considered good, teams that win in the playoffs are considered contenders and teams that win championships are considered dynasties.

So how come the NBA team with the most championships and playoff appearances over the past 10 years isn’t even an afterthought when talk of “dynasties” arise?

Despite a 17-year run as a perennial title contender and numbers that compare favorably with other modern “dynasties,” the San Antonio Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) don’t get the respect they deserve.

While few would argue that the Spurs’ accomplishments rival the eight consecutive titles won by the Boston Celtics of the 1950s and 1960s, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) measure up very favorably with other modern “dynasties” such as the Chicago Bulls, the L.A. Lakers and the Boston Celtics of the 1980s.

From 1979 to 1992, the Celtics made 14 consecutive playoff appearances and won three titles.

Their accomplishments in the ‘80s were trumped only by those of the “Showtime” Lakers, who made 16 consecutive playoff appearances and won five NBA titles from 1976 to 1991.

The Laker dynasty was revived in the late ‘90s, making 10 consecutive playoff appearances from 1995-2004, and winning three consecutive championships from 2000-2002.

Sandwiched between the two Laker dynasties, the Chicago Bulls made 14 consecutive playoff appearances from 1985-1998 and won six NBA titles between 1991-1998.

How do the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) stack up to these teams?

San Antonio, who currently boasts the best record in the Western Conference, has already clinched a playoff berth for the ninth-straight season, and the 16th time in the last 17 years. They enter this year’s playoffs seeking their fourth title in the last eight years.

Are the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) the greatest team in NBA history? No.

Yet, after nearly two decades of dominance and multiple championships, haven’t they won enough to be mentioned with other great teams of the last 30 years? The answer is yes.

Perhaps the problem is in the question: is winning enough to gain elite status for a franchise? If so, why aren’t the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) considered one?

Is it because Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) and David Robinson don’t have the flair and charisma of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan? Is it because they haven’t beaten another dominant team in the NBA Finals? Is it their lack of consecutive championships? Is it simply their bread-and-butter style of play?

Whatever the reason, it’s time the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) got the respect they deserve and took their place among the other elite franchises in pro basketball history.

tinysands

2006-04-01, 04:17 PM

时间限制：一周
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：新闻

Scraggly situation in West for Spurs

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA040106.1C.BKNspurs.wizards.bc59fff.html

Web Posted: 04/01/2006 12:01 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) returned from their longest trip in 13 years Friday, touching down at San Antonio International Airport a little after 4a.m. and looking considerably more scraggly than when they departed more than nine days earlier.

Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) and Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) sported beards. The only thing missing from Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry)'s goatee-and-shaggy-haired look was Scooby Doo. Beno Udrih's chin had even sprouted a tuft of brown fuzz.

While the redeye flight had contributed to the hirsuteness, so had purposeful neglect. For the past month, most of the players, along with some of the team's support staff, have joined in a bet to see who could allow their facial hair to grow unkempt — no trimmings or touch-ups allowed — until the final day of the regular season.

"Guys bearded, long sideburns — there (could be) all sorts of things in a team photo," Barry said. "But by the end of year, there will probably be only a few standing, so you'll know who's in the running."

The Spurs' other race of interest, in contrast, could prove to be less hairy than expected.

With Dallas losing in Orlando on Friday, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) (56-16) own a 2 1/2-game lead atop the Western Conference. With seven of their final 10 games at the AT&T Center, including next Friday's meeting with the Mavericks, they have put themselves in good position to secure the conference's top playoff seed.

"We're where we want to be record-wise. Physically, we're healthy, and we're playing pretty well," Duncan said. "So we're right where we want to be."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) begin their stretch run tonight against Washington, one of only three teams with a winning record left on their schedule. Entering Friday, the collective winning percentage of the Spurs' final 10 opponents was .496. The combined winning percentage of the Mavericks' nine remaining opponents was .563.

Friday's final regular-season meeting between the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) and Dallas figures to be, in Ginobili's words, "huge" in determining who finishes first in the Southwest Division and who enters the playoffs seeded fourth. But even if the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) lose that game, which would split the teams' season series, they likely would still have a good chance of claiming the head-to-head tiebreaker because they currently have four fewer conference losses.

Catching Detroit for the NBA's best record and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs will be difficult. Swept by the Pistons in the regular season, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) essentially have to make up three games in the standings.

"I think if we play the way we're playing right now, we can finish first (in the West)," Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) said. "We need to take care of the Western Conference, and we'll see what happens."

After allowing a victory in Seattle to slip away in the final 40 seconds Sunday, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) regained their poise when they arrived in Los Angeles. In the games against the Clippers and Lakers, the former of which they played without Parker, they overwhelmed their opponent in the second half.

On Thursday, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) found themselves trailing the Lakers 49-43 early in the third quarter when coach Gregg Popovich called a timeout and advised the team to start playing as if it wanted the West's top seed. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) responded by outscoring Los Angeles 33-9 over the remainder of the quarter.

"We still have sections where we go through lulls and don't play as well as we can," Duncan said. "But that's going to happen in a basketball game. It's about recovering, making adjustments on the fly and playing the game straight through."

Said Barry: "You can see we want to get going in these last (three) weeks and start to fire on all cylinders."

Getting healthy has helped. The bruise on Parker's right shin hasn't completely healed, but he scored 19 points against the Lakers and intends to keep playing. Udrih's sprained left ankle isn't considered serious, and Duncan and Ginobili seem to finally be settling into a rhythm.

Slowed much of the season by plantar fasciitis in his right foot, Duncan has scored at least 20 points in five of the past six games. He averaged 14.3 points on 38.6 percent shooting in February.

"In the last maybe three weeks, he says he's been feeling better than he has all year," Popovich said. "And we've played less back-to-backs — maybe that has something to do with it."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) still have two back-to-backs remaining, including one in which they lose an hour switching time zones. Given that nine of the Spurs' losses have come when they haven't had a day of rest, Dallas could have an opportunity to make up ground.

The Mavericks' own health also is beginning to improve: Josh Howard returned Friday, and Devin Harris and Adrian Griffin aren't expected to be out much longer. So, despite their lead, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) aren't ready to feel comfortable just yet.

"We don't even think about the lead we have now," Ginobili said. "As soon as we relax a little bit, it can be a bad thing."

tinysands

2006-04-01, 04:19 PM

时间限制：无
长度：较长
难度：较难
类别：专题

Buck Harvey: The soul of LSU connected once as a Spur, too

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA040106.1C.COL.BKCharvey.lsu.b4d6ce5.html

Web Posted: 04/01/2006 12:00 AM CST

San Antonio Express-News

INDIANAPOLIS — He will be here tonight, rooting for both his son and those who have seen him as a father. Collis Temple Jr., the first black man to play basketball at LSU, comes to this Final Four with a dramatic impact on both the past and the present.

What happened in between says something, too. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) drafted Temple out of LSU in 1974, in the ABA years, and Temple lasted only 24 games. He scored a grand total of 42 points before being cut.

But he didn't go away. About once a month, he gets together with his onetime Spurs' roommate, sometimes in Baton Rouge, sometimes in San Antonio and sometimes in places such as Miami. They usually play golf, and they always enjoy each other.

Of all the former teammates, of all the players he knew over many more seasons, isn't it odd that Temple is one who George Gervin still keeps up with?

"Not if you know him," Gervin said.

Gervin was beginning his first full season in San Antonio then. Before fame entered his life, a rookie from LSU did. "Short arms, little bitty hands," Gervin cackled when asked to describe Temple as a player.

Temple remembers where he stayed (a hotel across from the old HemisFair Arena), and he remembers what ended his career in San Antonio (Bob Bass replaced Tom Nissalke as the coach). Years later, when Temple hoped his oldest son, Collis III, would catch on with the New Orleans Hornets, who arrived to run that franchise?

Bass.

"I think he's following us," kidded Temple.

Gervin remembers Temple as a rebounder, as well as someone who could score inside. "He had the opportunity to make a career of it," Gervin said. "But basketball wasn't his thing."

Temple felt the same. He followed Nissalke to another city, then quit for good.

"I probably should have played eight or nine years," Temple said this week by phone. "But my dad told me I needed to get my behind home, and he was right. If you are not a main player, you beat your body up chasing what they call a dream, and you don't allow your mind to be exposed to productive things. By the time you are 30, you don't know what to do. The earlier you start to be a responsible person, the greater chances of becoming one."

While Gervin continued as a main player, Temple went home to Louisiana to build a business. He says he has about 700 employees operating 30 group homes for foster children, as well as nursing homes. He's also served as the director of parks in Baton Rouge, and in his free time, he spent a lot of time with area youth.

Gervin says he feels his friend's influence every time he visits Baton Rouge.

"It's amazing being around him there," Gervin said. "The numbers of people he's helping, the numbers of people working for him. Everybody seems to know him, and he knows everybody. He's calling out kids' names, knowing each of their circumstances. And we're talking hundreds of kids."

This week, Temple is better known for a handful. Garrett, his son, starts for LSU as a freshman guard, but this goes far deeper. Temple coached about half of this Final Four team in AAU competition.

Temple first met Tyrus Thomas, LSU's emerging talent, when Thomas was 5 years old. Glen Davis, LSU's "Big Baby," first came around when he was about 8, and Temple did more than coach Davis. With his mother fighting drug addiction — he had never known his father then — Davis lived with the Temples for several years when he was in high school.

Was it tough to feed a kid who would grow to 310 pounds?

"Sometimes," said Temple. And he said it in a way that suggested it's always hard to feed Big Baby.

Temple gave him more than food. "Most guys who went through what (Davis) went through hardly live to talk about it," Garrett Temple told reporters recently. "He didn't have a father figure in his life at that time, so my father was that man, to help him out and get him on his feet."

Just as his own father told him to quit pro basketball, Temple was there for his son and their friends. He told them about his vision of responsibility, as well as his life as a pioneer at LSU.

It's another version of the movie "Glory Road," which Temple saw this spring and identified with. He says he never interacted with a white person until a summer science camp after ninth grade. Yet he agreed to be the one to integrate the LSU basketball program.

A memorable moment: While his team warmed up in Nashville before a game against Vanderbilt, Temple remained in the visiting locker room — protected by armed soldiers because of death threats. Security ushered him to the floor before the game.

The same man who thinks he was "lucky" to get away from pro basketball thinks breaking the color barrier at LSU was "a matter of timing and luck on my part. There were tough times when it was happening, but I enjoyed most of the experience."

Gervin says none of it surprises him. "He was just that kind of guy," he said. "Great personality, great way of viewing things."

This Final Four is in part a celebration of that. This man found his true calling, and the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were part of that. Cutting him worked out best for everyone.

Big Baby knows that. As he left the floor in Atlanta last week, having just beaten Texas, Davis hugged Temple.

"For you," Davis said. "This is for you."

tinysands

2006-04-02, 12:59 PM

时间限制：无
长度：较长
难度：中等
类别：人物

Manu Interview

http://www.clarin.com/diario/2006/03/31/conexiones/t-01168202.htm

"Extreme punctuality", the gentile NBA press agent, Saskia Sorrosa, demands in a begging tone. 15.45, Buenos Aires time, is the time scheduled for the heavily sought after conversation that Emanuel Ginóbili will engage Clarin.com via telephone. Relaxed, witty, the main star of Argentine sports transparently opens up from Los Angeles.

What is your analysis of the current NBA season?
It's very positive. With 10 games to go in the regular season, we're at the top of our Conference, and with a better record than last year. We can't complain. The thing is, other teams such as Detroit and Dallas also enjoyed a better season than the previous one, and that makes ours pale a bit.

What team would you like to avoid in the playoffs?
I really don't care. We have to reach the final and win the championship, and for that you need to beat everybody and, when the time comes, we'll be ready to take on anyone.

How are you physically?
I'm much better. It's true, I had a physically difficult season, but lately I've been feeling healthier. The energy is coming back, the legs are coming back, and that's important because the playoffs are around the corner and that's when you want to be at your best.

How do injuries affect you, being as competitive as you are?
They affect me because you know you can't do the same things you do when you're OK, so you take different decisions, you attack the rim less because you can't be as decisive as you are usually. You just have to be more patient, and wait for the right time.

Do you think that the playoffs' intensity can take a toll on you considering the schedule with the National Team later on?
Really, I'm not even thinking about the National Team right now. We have ten games left, we're fighting for the first seed, and then the playoffs will come. So for the time being, I do and give everything for my team.

How do you feel about Argentina getting to the World Championship as a favorite?
There's no doubt we're amongst the favorites. We were runner-ups the last WC, and champions in the Olympic Games, so that's pretty much a given. We'll see what happens when the time comes.

Your brother, Sebastian, is a star in Libertad de Sunchales. Can you imagine having him as a teammate in the WC?
That possibility was made up by the media. I honestly don't think Sepo has a realistic chance to go to the WC. Obviously, I'd love it.

How do you deal with fame?
I do not feel super famous. I am popular, yes, but it doesn't keep me from leading a normal life and enjoying the things I've always liked to do, so to me being famous is not a problem.

Maradona, for instance, has said more than once that he wouldn't lend his fame for a second. Could you live without it?
I think so. Now I enjoy it because I earned it with hard work and playing well, but I do not think that it's for life in my case, so I take advantage of it while it lasts.

Can you imagine your retirement?
It will surely be tough, since I'm used to the pressure, the traveling, living this way. It will be hard the day that's gone. Despite, I'll have to get used to it.

30 years have gone by since the military take of power. How did you feel, being so far away from the country?
I follow closely what goes on in Argentine because my loved ones are there, and I like to be informed. As far as the 30 years since the military take of power, I thought the remembrance and everything they did was great. Maybe it was a little overshadowed by the reading in 'Plaza de Mayo' -literally, May Square-, but it's very good for people to remember and demonstrate as done.

-Translation Note: 1976 signed the start of, in all likelihood, the most tragic of times for us Argentines. That military dictatorship would subsequently take the life of tens of thousands of our countrymen, and plunge us into economic and social chaos. We regained democracy in 1983.-

How do you feel about politics, can you see yourself in the public office in the future?
Honestly I don't see myself in the public office, but you never know. Regardless, I'm more and more into politics. I suppose it happens to everyone. As the years go by, I'm more into the issues.

Do you feel the "role model" tag as a burden?
Sometimes there is pressure, but I try to disregard it. For instance, the statements I make respond to who I am and not some conscious effort -I took a little license in the translation to further clarify a somewhat messy wording-. I'm a very quiet guy, family oriented, and I say what I feel, so many kids take me as role model.

Are you adjusted to the NBA pace for good?
Yes, this is my fourth year, so now this is normal to me. I got used to the life style here, and it no longer surprises me. It's a little difficult going back to the Argentine reality, but I lived for 25 years between our culture and the European, which is very similar to ours, so it's not like I've forgotten it and it would be tough to go back.

In San Antonio you're worshipped. How do they treat you in the rest of the American cities?
They treat me well. Here everything is more relaxed; I can walk the streets quietly. In other places maybe they recognize me, or I catch their eye because of my height. There are no major issues, I'm just another guy.

Do you feel that in Argentina they recognize you for everything that being a star in the NBA implies, or do they appreciate you more in America?
I think that here they appreciate more the accomplishments earned in the NBA. It makes sense because there's a larger tradition, and because in Argentina you can only watch 10 games a year -Note: actually it's closer to 50 than it is to 10, but the point remains.-. Still, I feel that in my country they're aware of what I've achieved.
Did you ever feel discriminated in the NBA, as your role increased?
Not at all. I never felt discriminated. What did happen was that, logically, at first it was hard for me to adjust, and things were tough. I now understand that happened because I was inexperienced.

What do you like the most and the least about the NBA?
The best is the comfort. They take care of the players to the largest possible extent. Almost spoiling them. The worst? The pace. Sometimes you have 5 games in a week and you end up exhausted.

Will you watch the Argentine NT in the Soccer World Cup?
The truth is I'm not much into soccer. Here they do not televise the games, and the competition pace doesn't leave me much free time. However, I think the World Cup is an event that exceeds all that, and for that I'll try to follow it. I hope Argentina wins, because in the last couple of World Cups we didn't do too well, let's say.

What do you know about Messi?
I didn't watch him play and here there isn’t much soccer news. They did tell me that he is phenomenal. I hope he does great, but I ask that he not be pressured. He's just 19 -Note: he's 18-. And he plays for Barcelona, let's not forget that.

Did it happen to you that, as a child, that they tried to push your development?
No, my career developed slowly, but I figure it must be tough being that young and tagged the next world superstar.

Can Argentina have another Ginóbili within 10 years?
I don't know. I do not follow Argentina's basketball because they don't televise the games here. I watched a few of the U21 World Championship, and I saw some good prospects, but I can't tell if there is a successor in place.

What makes you proud about your career, what would you like to change?
Obviously, the titles earned. I think I gave my best everywhere I played, and now I can enjoy many accomplishments. I have no regrets. Luckily I've done very well and I've always been at the right place, so I have nothing to reproach myself for.

附原文：
Por Facundo Quiroga y Mariano Cordoni. De la Redacción de Clarín.com
conexiones@claringlobal.com.ar

“Puntualidad extrema”, exige a modo de ruego la gentil agente de prensa de la NBA, Saskia Sorrosa. 15.45, hora de Buenos Aires, está programada la tan buscada charla que Emanuel Ginóbili entablará vía telefónica con Clarín.com. Distendido, ocurrente, la principal figura del deporte argentino se ofrece transparente desde Los Angeles.

¿Qué balance hacés de la temporada actual en la NBA?
Es muy positivo. A 10 juegos de terminar la temporada estamos primeros en nuestra Conferencia y con mejor récord que el año pasado. No nos podemos quejar. El tema es que otros equipos como Detroit y Dallas también tuvieron una mejor campaña que la anterior y eso hace que se desluzca un poco lo nuestro.

¿A qué equipo no te gustaría enfrentar en playoffs?
Realmente me da lo mismo. Nosotros tenemos que llegar hasta el final y ganar el campeonato y para eso hay que ganarle a todos y, cuando llegue el momento, estaremos preparados para ganarle a cualquiera.

¿Cómo estás físicamente?
Estoy mucho mejor. Es cierto, tuve una temporada rara físicamente, pero últimamente me estoy sintiendo más sano. La energía está volviendo, las piernas están volviendo y eso es importante porque ya llegan los playoffs y es cuando uno mejor quiere estar.

¿Cómo te afectan las lesiones siendo alguien tan competitivo?
Me afecta porque sabés que no podés hacer lo mismo que cuando estás bien así que tomás otras decisiones, atacás menos el aro ya que no podés ser tan determinante como en otras oportunidades. Simplemente hay que ser más paciente y esperar que llegue el momento.

¿Pensás que la intensidad de los playoffs te puede jugar en contra para el calendario que después tendrás con la Selección?
Realmente, la Selección ni se me pasa por la cabeza en este momento. Me faltan diez partidos, estamos peleando por el número 1 y después vendrán los playoffs. Así que hoy por hoy hago todo y dejo todo por mi equipo.

¿Cómo vivís el hecho de que Argentina llegue como candidata al Mundial?
No hay dudas de que somos candidatos. Salimos segundos en el último Mundial y primeros en los Juegos Olímpicos así que es bastante automático. Vamos a ver qué pasa cuando llegue el momento.

Tu hermano, Sebastián, es figura en Libertad de Sunchales. ¿Te imaginás tenerlo como compañero en el Mundial?
Es una posibilidad que inventaron los periodistas. Yo sinceramente no creo que “Sepo” tenga posibilidades reales de ir al Mundial. Obviamente, me encantaría que se diera.

¿Cómo te llevás con la fama?
No me siento un tipo famosísimo. Sí soy popular, pero eso no me impide hacer una vida normal y disfrutar las cosas que siempre disfruté así que para mí ser famoso no es un problema.

Maradona, por ejemplo, dijo más de una vez que no presta la fama ni por un segundo. ¿Vos podrías vivir sin ella?
Creo que sí. Ahora la disfruto porque es algo que me gané con laburo y jugando bien, pero no creo que en mi caso sea algo que dure de por vida, así que la aprovecho mientras esté.

¿Imaginás cómo puede llegar a ser tu retiro?
Seguramente va a ser muy complicado ya que estoy acostumbrado a la presión, a los viajes y a vivir de esta manera. Va a ser duro el día que esto no está más. Igual, tendré que acostumbrarme a ello.

Hace pocos días se cumplieron los 30 años del Golpe. ¿Qué sentiste estando tan lejos del país?
Sigo muy a fondo las cosas que pasan en Argentina porque tengo a mis seres queridos ahí y me gusta estar conectado. En cuanto a los 30 años del Golpe, me pareció genial que se recordara y todo lo que se hizo al respecto. Creo que quizás se opacó un poco todo por la lectura que se hizo de lo que pasó en Plaza de Mayo, pero es muy bueno que la gente recuerde y haga una demostración como la que se hizo.

¿Qué te produce la política, te imaginás en el futuro desempeñando algún cargo público?
La verdad que no me veo ocupando un cargo, pero nunca se sabe. Igual, la política cada vez me interesa más. Supongo que a todo el mundo le pasa. A medida que pasan los años, me meto más en los temas.

¿Te pesa el rótulo de “modelo a imitar”?
A veces hay presión, pero trato de no tenerlo tan en cuenta. Las declaraciones que hago, por ejemplo, no las hago pensando en eso sino porque soy así. Soy un tipo muy tranquilo, muy casero y digo lo que siento, así que muchos chicos me toman como ejemplo.

¿Te sentís definitivamente adaptado al ritmo de la NBA?
Sí, este es mi cuarto año así que esto es ahora lo normal para mí. Me acostumbré al ritmo de vida que te dan acá y ya no me sorprende. Es un poco duro volver a la realidad argentina, pero yo viví 25 años entre nuestra cultura y la europea, que es bastante similar a la nuestra, así que tampoco es que me olvidé y me costaría volver.

En San Antonio, te veneran. Ahora, ¿cómo te tratan en las demás ciudades estadounidenses?
Me tratan bien. Acá es todo muy tranquilo, puedo caminar tranquilo por la calle. En otros lados quizás me reconocen, o les llamo la atención por la altura. No tengo mayores problemas, soy uno más.

¿Sentís que en la Argentina te reconocen todo lo que significa ser una figura de la NBA o se te valora más en los Estados Unidos?
Creo que acá se valora un poco más los logros obtenidos en la NBA. Es lógico porque hay más tradición y porque a Argentina llegan sólo 10 partidos por año. Igual siento que en mi país también se dan cuenta de lo que hice.

¿En la NBA, te sentiste discriminado mientras ganabas protagonismo?
Para nada. Nunca me sentí discriminado. Lo que sí me pasó fue que, lógicamente, me costó adaptarme al principio y se me hacía difícil. Eso pasaba, lo entiendo ahora, porque era nuevo.

¿Qué es lo que más y lo que menos te gusta de la NBA?
Lo mejor son las comodidades. Cuidan al máximo a los jugadores. Como que los miman. ¿Lo peor? El ritmo con el que se juega. A veces tenés 5 partidos en una semana y terminás muerto.

¿Vas a ver los partidos de la Selección en el Mundial de fútbol?
La verdad es que no sigo mucho al fútbol. Acá no dan partidos y el ritmo de competencia no me deja mucho tiempo libre. Sin embargo, creo que el Mundial es un acontecimiento que excede todo eso y por eso voy a tratar de seguirlo. Espero que Argentina salga campeón, ya que en los dos últimos mundiales no nos fue muy bien que digamos.

¿Qué sabés de Messi?
No lo vi jugar y acá no llegan muchas noticias de fútbol. Sí me comentaron que es un fenómeno. Ojalá que le vaya bien, pero yo pido que no le metan presión. Tiene sólo 19 años. Y juega en el Barcelona, no nos olvidemos.

¿Te pasó, de chico, que quisieran acelerar tu formación?
No, yo hice mi carrera tranquilo, pero me imagino que debe ser complicado ser tan joven y que te rotulen como la próxima gran figura mundial.

¿La Argentina puede tener otro Ginóbili de acá a 10 años?
No lo sé. No sigo mucho al básquet de Argentina porque acá no llegan esos partidos. Miré algunos partidos del Mundial Sub 21 que se jugó en nuestro país y vi algunos buenos proyectos, pero no puedo saber si hay en vista algún sucesor.

¿Qué te enorgullece de tu carrera, qué te gustaría cambiar?
Obviamente, los títulos logrados. Creo que di lo mejor en todos los equipos para los que jugué y ahora puedo disfrutar de muchos logros. No me arrepiento de nada. Por suerte me fue muy bien y siempre estuve en el lugar indicado, así que no tengo nada para reprocharme.

tinysands

2006-04-02, 04:38 PM

时间限制：3天
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：战报＋Notebook(Notebook可不翻)

Ginobili leads late charge to win as Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) beat Wizards

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA040206.1C.BKNspurs.wizards.gamer.30ffacd.html

Web Posted: 04/02/2006 12:16 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

The Washington Wizards scored 39 points in the third quarter on the NBA's top-ranked defensive team Saturday night, took a five-point lead into the fourth, shot 71.4 percent the rest of the way and ... lost.

All of which left one question: Just how did the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) walk out of the AT&T Center with a 106-99 victory?

"Our three stars," Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said, "took us home."

Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) scored the team's final 14 points. Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) totaled 28 while nearly matching his Washington rival, Gilbert Arenas, shot for shot. Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) contributed 16 points and 14 rebounds despite almost being too sick to play.

Together, they helped the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) overcome a 10-point deficit late in the third quarter and push their Western Conference lead to three games over Dallas with nine left to play.

"I think this is the biggest lead any of the teams have taken the whole season," said Ginobili, who finished with 22 points. "But as we all know, if you blink, you can lose it."

The Mavericks would have had a better opportunity to pull closer Saturday had Duncan not been in uniform.

After the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) returned from their longest trip in 13 years around 4:30 a.m. Friday, Duncan began to feel sick. He didn't sleep much and missed the team's morning shootaround.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) didn't know whether he would play until after he warmed up about an hour before tipoff.

"His face wasn't the best," Ginobili said. "In the warmup and when we were in the locker room, he looked very tired and without energy."

Popovich subbed for Duncan less than five minutes into the game and continued to play him for shorter stretches than usual. Still, Duncan had enough energy to total 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocks in the first half.

"Timmy Duncan was an unbelievable competitor and leader," Popovich said. "He was sicker than a dog. His effort and the foundation he gave us was really, really impressive."

Duncan helped the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to a 40-33 halftime lead, but Arenas (31 points), Antawn Jamison (26) and Caron Butler (21) didn't need long to erase it. The Wizards scored 39 points in the third quarter — the most the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have given up all season — and opened a 72-62 advantage with less than a minute to play.

"Sometimes when your offense is coming easy, you relax a little bit on defense," Michael Finley said. "We got caught in that for a while. As a result, with them being such a high-scoring team, eventually it was up to us to get a few stops and just keep scoring."

With Finley and Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) helping off the bench, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) went small. By the end of the third quarter, Parker had cut Washington's lead in half, driving for a layup, finding Barry for a dunk and adding a free throw of his own.

After picking up two quick fouls and spending much of the first half on the bench, Parker scored 24 points and handed out four assists in the final two quarters.

"I figured I had to have a nice third quarter because, if not, it was going to be a long game for me," Parker said. "My first two, three years, if I (got into foul trouble), I'd be done for the game.

"But I just said, it doesn't matter. I'm going to come back strong in the second half."

Ginobili did the same. He missed 5 of 7 shots — most of which came on drives to the rim — and 4 of 6 free throws in the first three quarters. He opened the fourth quarter by driving in from the right wing for a dunk.

"The whole game," Ginobili said, "changed for me in those couple minutes."

Ginobili went back to work in the final 21/2 minutes. With the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) clinging to a 92-91 lead, he drove into the lane, drew a foul and made both free throws. The next time down the floor, he buried a 3-pointer and punched his fist into the air.

After Butler banked in a shot to bring Washington within 97-94 with 1:11 left, Ginobili threw in a short runner as he was fouled. When he was done, he had scored the Spurs' last 14 points while going a perfect 9 for 9 at the foul line.

"He didn't start out as well as he would have liked, but he didn't hurry his game," Popovich said. "He stuck with it and down the stretch showed great toughness ... and showed why he's such a great basketball player."

With the Wizards helping by missing eight of their 14 free throws in the fourth quarter — the teams combined to take a combined 70 foul shots — it was enough for the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to take command of the race for the West's top playoff seed.

"It's not all about the record," Ginobili said. "We want to just keep improving and keep getting better."

Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) notebook: Bowen's rare defensive lapse aids Wizards' quarter

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA040206.8C.BKNspurs.notebook.368f4e9.html

Web Posted: 04/02/2006 12:16 AM CST

Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer

The Spurs' halftime lead of seven points had been wiped away by the Washington Wizards through the first eight minutes of the third quarter, so when Washington's Antawn Jamison nailed his second 3-point basket in a span of 30 seconds, Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich had seen enough.

Popovich spent the first 10 seconds of a 20-second timeout forcefully reminding Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) that staying with Jamison at the 3-point line had been a point of emphasis in the team's game plan, then told Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) to replace Bowen in the lineup.

Bowen, a leading candidate for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Award, exited the huddle and walked to a lonely seat on the bench to contemplate a rare defensive mistake, one that contributed to the Wizards' 39-point quarter — a season high for any Spurs' opponent in any period.

"We had a plan, which was to limit their 3-point shooters," said Bowen, "and we didn't do a good job of that at all. I was included in that failure. There was that one that Antawn got in the corner that I was supposed to be out on him. That's why Pop had to call that timeout."

Bowen's momentary defensive deficiency was offset by his 11 rebounds, which matched his career high.

"Honestly," Bowen said, "this year I've made a concentrated effort to get more boards, especially when the alternative is just to stand out there, watching everything go on, and then say, 'Oh, I should have gotten that.'"

Udrih out again: Beno Udrih didn't play against Washington, missing his second game with a sprained left ankle.

However, he is moving better and could play Tuesday in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz. After he was injured Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, Udrih said he probably wouldn't be out more than a week.

Keeping up with coach: Former Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) guard Antonio Daniels had special interest in the outcome of Saturday's Final Four semifinal between George Mason and Florida.

George Mason's coach, Jim Larranaga, coached Daniels at Bowling Green.

After signing with Washington last summer, Daniels worked out with the Patriots before the Wizards' formal workouts began. He attended a couple of George Mason's games during the season and has occasionally left tickets for "Coach L" to watch Washington play.

"Good things happen to good people," said Daniels, who spoke by phone with Larranaga before Saturday's game. "It was always a matter of time before something like this happened to such a good man."

George Mason lost 73-58 to Florida.

Daniels improves: After playing the previous two seasons in Seattle, Daniels seems to have found his niche in Washington.

Daniels averaged 14.2 points and 4.4 assists in March compared to 4.9 and 3.7 in the season's first two months.

"When you have a new system, a new coaching staff, new teammates, new everything, it takes a while," said Daniels, who helps back up both guard positions. "You don't want to come in and try to do too much and throw off everybody else's chemistry.

"It's almost like you kind of have to wait and find out how to be successful, along with making the team successful. It doesn't do any good if I'm successful and we're not winning any basketball games."

tinysands

2006-04-05, 09:34 PM

时间限制：无
长度：中等
难度：一般
类别：人物

Bowen's defense inspires, irritates

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA040406.1D.spurs.d3d6afb.html

Web Posted: 04/04/2006 12:00 AM CDT

Johnny Ludden
San Antonio Express-News

SALT LAKE CITY — As the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) and Los Angeles Lakers lined up to begin their final meeting last season, Kobe Bryant smiled and knocked fists with Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen). Then he leaned over and offered a few kind words for the man who would be hounding him.

"I want to be the first to congratulate you," Bryant said, "on being defensive player of the year."

The NBA had yet to announce the award, and when it did nearly a month later, Detroit center Ben Wallace won for the third time in four seasons. Bowen finished second.

But not in Bryant's mind.

"Because of our competitive nature, he respects me, and I respect him," said Bowen, whose Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) play at Utah tonight. "He understands what I do out here."

Whether Bowen has to settle for the respect of (some of) his peers — the league's coaches also are expected to name him to one of the two all-defense teams for the sixth consecutive season — remains to be seen.

After finishing fourth in 2004 voting and as the runner-up last season, Bowen figures to do no worse this season.

Sacramento forward Ron Artest, one of the few perimeter defenders considered in Bowen's class, missed nearly a third of the season when Indiana suspended him. Wallace's rebounding and blocks have dipped slightly, but he ranks fourth and eighth, respectively, in those areas and is 11th in steals.

Only twice, however, in the previous 17 seasons has a perimeter defender won: Artest in 2004 and Gary Payton in 1996.

The NBA has done its best to make perimeter defenders an endangered species. To boost scoring, the league outlawed hand checking, then nearly all other perimeter contact.

Bowen has countered by showing his hands more and moving his feet quicker. Almost 35, he still ranks as one of the best at beating opponents to their comfort spots.

"He takes pride in taking on the best offensive player and making it a tough night for him," Michael Finley said. "When you have that mentality, refereeing can't do much about the way you play."

Bowen also has shown versatility. Despite giving up nearly 6 inches, he successfully fronted Toronto's Chris Bosh. During one six-day stretch, Bowen helped force Bryant into making only 9 of 33 shots; limited Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki to 14 points on 3-of-13 shooting; and held Philadelphia's Allen Iverson without a basket in the third quarter of a come-from-behind victory.

USA Basketball officials recognized Bowen's defense enough to invite him to try out for the national team this summer.

"If they're really serious about having a team approach, which I'm sure they are," said Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni, who will serve as an assistant for Team USA, "then Bruce should have a heck of a chance to make it."

Not everyone, however, is so eager to praise Bowen. A recent Sports Illustrated players' poll had him ranked as the league's second-dirtiest player behind Seattle's Danny Fortson.

Said Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich: "I don't know how a 175-pound guy could be called dirty."

Bowen also didn't help his image last week when he was fined $10,000 for kicking Seattle's Ray Allen in the back. Bowen apologized, but Allen called the incident "coward's basketball." The following day, Allen called NBA senior vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson to lobby for Bowen's fine.

While Bryant and Miami's Dwyane Wade, among others, seem to embrace the challenge of facing Bowen, Allen has been his biggest critic.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson has jumped in as well, calling Bowen "Edward Scissorhands." Bowen's reputation as one of the league's best defenders, Jackson said, allows him to "whack away at you."

"He's had a license for about four years now," Jackson said. "Prior to that, he was a spot player, and it was difficult for him to get those kind of calls."

Though Bowen long ago tired of the criticism, in part because he worries the complaining would influence officiating, he rarely offers a rebuttal.

"What am I going to say about a coach?" Bowen said. "Especially one of (Jackson's) caliber."

Bowen flails his hands in what he calls "short movements" because he can disrupt an opponent's shot even if he doesn't touch him. He also has been accused of stepping under players but attributes that to trying to crowd or block out his man. Or beat him to a spot.

Is that dirty? No more so, Bowen said, than when the same player jams a forearm into Bowen's chest while driving to the basket.

"What about Michael Jordan's push on Byron Russell (in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals)?" Bowen said. "We don't get to say those things as defenders because (the officials) will look at us as crazy."

Allen's comments didn't frustrate Bowen as much as his game-winning shot. After springing loose from Bowen, he buried a 3-pointer to beat the Spurs.

Allen finished with 33 points, and Bowen understands there will be nights like that. Or like Saturday against Washington, when Popovich had him shuttling between Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison depending on who had the hotter hand, then ripped him for not keeping Jamison off the 3-point line.

In those instances, Bowen has learned it's best to have a short memory.

It's the same attitude he has when asked about the one defensive honor that's eluded him.

"I have two championships right now and a reputation in this league for being a hard-nosed player," Bowen said. "If it doesn't happen, I can't be deflated. I still have a job to do."

香瓜

2006-04-08, 11:48 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-060408-09

有意者请译，thx

秦南玥

2006-04-10, 06:30 PM

问题：

1.时间限制从招工日开始算，还是从开工日开始算？（要是前者，57，64楼的已经过期了——Boss没见处理下呢？）

2.那篇Manu Interview原文链接是西班牙文吗？英文是哪来的呢？（不会是Boss自己译的吧？！绝倒。Orz）

3.“貌似”老大们已经开始自己动手了。（未见招工帖，自己动手？
点击查看 (www.chinaspurs.com/forum/showthread.php?p=172377&posted=1#post172377)

4.针对第三点，无意见并偷着乐！

tinysands

2006-04-10, 06:49 PM

1、过期的在清理中……
2、英文是st和sr论坛上的翻译……
3、自己动手丰衣足食……召唤小2中……

tinysands

2006-04-12, 08:43 AM

短文一篇

http://www.paisano-online.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/04/10/443c0b6feadae

Give Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) a break

It is amazing how a foot can control the outcome of this year’s NBA championship.

A foot is more unbelievable than two ankles. The best player in the NBA not named Kobe, Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), has a foot problem called “plantar fasciitis.” Last year, Duncan led the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to the championship on two sprained ankles and several more questioning critics.

Dr. Schlesinger is going to educate all of you on this foot problem. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury affecting the sole or flexor surface (plantar) of the foot. A diagnosis of plantar fasciitis means you have inflamed the tough, fibrous band of tissue (fascia) connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes.

How do you treat plantar fasciitis? Rest is the first treatment for plantar fasciitis. Try to keep weight off your foot until the inflammation goes away. You can also apply ice to the sore area for 20 minutes three or four times a day to relieve your symptoms.

Enough of that doctor stuff. Here’s my point. Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) has done enough for this city, this franchise, and the NBA to deserve a break. The media is constantly criticizing him, and the (bandwagon) fans are quick to judge how poor Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) has played this season.

Rest is the first treatment. Duncan needs rest, but the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) cannot afford to rest him right now, holding a slim one-game Western Conference lead over their division rival, Dallas. Duncan is averaging 18.5 ppg and 11.1 rbg this season. For the majority of the league’s players, those numbers would be extraordinary. Duncan is held to a higher standard because his credentials are matched by few and respected by all: Selected Three-time NBA Finals MVP and Champion; Two-time NBA MVP; Eight-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection, and 1998 Rookie of the Year. The list goes on and on for Duncan.

The fact is, Duncan should not be playing right now, but his competitive fire will not let him sit. After last Friday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Duncan showed noticeable frustration after another poor performance of 15 points and nine rebounds on 5-15 shooting. Do not let Duncan’s silent demeanor fool you; he is more like a silent assassin. Duncan wants to repeat to silence all of his critics who have said that he is incapable of the feat after failing in 1999 and 2003.

What Duncan is doing this season is more impressive than the two seasons he took home the MVP trophy. Duncan is playing in a severe state of pain that should require him to take a few months off. Although his statistics are near the worst of his career, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are on pace to shatter their record for wins in a season.

Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) has emerged as a legitimate star in the NBA, but the road to a repeat run will ultimately run through the three-time NBA Finals MVP. Duncan will have to once again overcome odds and prove his critics wrong in order to carry the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to their fourth NBA title.

If the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) do once again hold the trophy, Duncan will enjoy this one, more than the others. The pain Duncan suffered this season will be forgotten, and he will heel all the nasayers.

香瓜

2006-04-14, 06:59 PM

14日 vs. Magic Gamer，有意者尽快……

Home court unwelcome as Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) fall to Magic

Web Posted: 04/14/2006 12:51 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041406.1D.BKNspurs.magic.gamer.1cc3dc29.html

With the playoffs a week away and the Western Conference's top seed still around for the taking, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) welcomed back Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) with open arms Thursday night.

They watched Duncan spin by Orlando center Tony Battie and throw down a reverse dunk. They watched him muscle his way into the lane time and again. In the surprise of all surprises, they even watched him make his long-lost bank shot.

Of course, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) would have been better off doing a little less watching and a lot more helping. As it turned out, Duncan's 31-point performance, though uplifting in spirit, wasn't nearly enough to carry his teammates past the Magic, who left the AT&T Center with a 92-80 victory and their own playoff hopes still alive.

"It was a shame to have Timmy feeling so good and playing so sprightly," Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said, "and wasting it because he couldn't get a whole team to react defensively or offensively with any discipline whatsoever."

Despite the loss — the third in a five-game homestand — the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) caught a break when Dallas dropped its second game in a row, falling 117-104 in Phoenix late Thursday. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) lead the Southwest Division by 1 1/2 games and can secure the conference's No.1 seed by winning two of their final three games even if the Mavericks close out the season with a pair of victories.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) would have been in even better standing had they not lost to the Magic, who received 22 points and 13 rebounds from Dwight Howard and 19 points and eight assists from Jameer Nelson. Orlando's seventh consecutive victory left it 21/2 games back of Chicago and Philadelphia for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.

"From the get-go," Howard said, "we knew we could beat these guys."

Beating Detroit, Dallas and Miami in the past two weeks boosted Orlando's confidence.

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) became their latest victim despite getting Duncan's best game of the season. In addition to his 31 points — his most since he scored a season-high 34 on Dec.20 in Milwaukee — he contributed 13 rebounds and six assists.

Michael Finley provided 16 points off the bench, but the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) offered little other support for their star. Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry), again starting in place of Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili), missed seven of his first eight shots. Nazr Mohammed was benched to start the second half for his poor defense on Howard.

"I thought it was a really bad performance on our part, team-wise," Popovich said.

It didn't help that Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) was still battling a stomach virus and Ginobili didn't play for the third consecutive game. At the morning shootaround, Popovich listed both as doubtful to play. Nick Van Exel, however, was more optimistic.

"Eva (Longoria)'s in town," Van Exel said, "so hopefully she'll make (Parker) some chicken soup, and he'll be all right."

Not only was Parker able to hold down his lunch, his fever also broke. After deciding to play, in part, because of Ginobili's questionable status, Parker made his first four shots. He soon tired, however, and finished with 12 points and seven turnovers in 26 minutes.

"I felt like I had no energy," Parker said.

Ginobili was eager to play. He tested his bruised left calf in warmups, and Popovich decided to put him in uniform. Though Popovich indicated before the game he was leaning toward giving Ginobili some minutes, he instead left him on the bench, saying, "I didn't want to take the chance."

"There's no excuses to be made," Duncan said. "We lost the game."

Nelson and Howard, the cornerstones of Orlando's future, had more than a little to do with that, combining for 29 points in the first half. After the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) committed four turnovers on their first five possessions of the third quarter, the Magic pushed their lead to eight.

Orlando didn't allow the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to get closer than nine in the final quarter.

"We all didn't have that edge we needed," Duncan said. "Offensively, they did kind of whatever they wanted to do. We can't win games like that."

The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were at least pleased by what they saw from Duncan. Slowed much of the season by a sore right foot, he was aggressive from the opening tip.

With Orlando choosing not to double team, Duncan made 12 of his first 15 shots. Among the three misses were a near-impossible tip shot at the end of the first half and another difficult layup off a lob pass by Van Exel.

"I made a shot or two early, and my confidence kind of blossomed from there," Duncan said. "I just kind of held it throughout the game."

In the end, it wasn't enough. What appeared to be a promising five-game homestand two weeks ago ended 2-3. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) lost three home games all last season.

"We know what we have left, and we just have to kind of get it done," Duncan said. "We still have a chance to end up with one of our best seasons yet, so we just have to turn that corner and get back on a roll before the playoffs come around."

香瓜

2006-04-21, 12:50 AM

SPURS: The Great Divide

By Emmett Shaw
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Apr 17, 2006, 15:35

There’s an amazing hiking-biking trail that goes across the country from Cape Henlopen, Delaware to Port Reyes, California. Thanks to efforts of the American Hiking Society, if you want the grind of back-packing thousands of miles shore to shore, you can do it. Relate it to the months of a long NBA season – which grinds on every team, much less one that’s been in the Finals recently.

Traveling west, the 2005-06 San Antonio Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are at the Great Divide which the hikers face in getting by Colorado. The Great Divide in the NBA is between teams that can play good defense, and those that can’t. Factors in the separation include how smart, organized and dedicated a club is. Good defensive teams have principles and know personnel, their own and their opponents’.

As the NBA Playoffs close in, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are probably about to face two teams that know how to play D, Sacramento and Dallas. Look at the Spurs’ last 25 games. Aggregating 23 of them, including a tilt with Dallas, amazingly San Antonio has shot 48.7 FG%! In the remaining two tips – losses, you’d rightly surmise – against the Kings and Mavericks, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have been held to a combined .395!

First, every team is entitled to an off night. Second, the intent here isn’t to do a Daryl Morey look at the Spurs, Kings and Mavs. The Rockets’ new exec is called a “stat guru”, and to be fair, he’s probably more than that. But watching the games, not the numbers, is required to understand what’s going on. Compared to the last 25 games, understand that the degree of difficulty is about to increase on the Spurs’ shots if they face series with Sacramento and/or Dallas in the coming weeks.

Here’s what one of San Antonio’s foes of recent days said about defending the Spurs’ O. “How can you concentrate on, you know, almost four (perimeter) guys? We try to protect the paint, we try to pack it in, (and) they make (outside) shots. You try to stay out on shooters, and they drive or (Tim) Duncan’s in the post,” said Washington’s Eddie Jordan. Forgive the mixed metaphors, but a team that has success with this dilemma has to do some chicken-and-egg analysis, not paint by “numbers”.

Said Dwight Howard, whose Magic held the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to 3-16 (19%) FGs in the 4th quarter just the other night, “We knew that we had to do a great job on Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), but also to keep the defense in.” That is, Orlando clogged the paint to prevent the cause of many of the Spurs’ open looks from outside. “You know, not let them...penetrate and dish out to the wing. So I think we did a good job of that tonight,” Howard continued. Then he added, “And they was missing shots.” But to some extent, Orlando’s sagging idea was forcing those misses.

When Dallas came to town three games earlier, it held Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) to an unusually cold 5-15 FG. This season, normally he’s the third most accurate shooter in the NBA (.546)! And the Mavs generally limited the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) to .378 for the game. Like Orlando’s Howard, Avery Johnson mentioned that San Antonio simply missed at times, but he also explained that a defensive plan factors into that.

“You really don’t stop this team. We were just able to contest some things, and fortunately they missed the shot tonight. But we know Parker’s hurt us before. And that’s what they do, they’ve hurt everybody. That’s why he’s an All-Star this year. But we thought we did a decent job of containing, and fortunately they missed some shots,” said Johnson. The Mavs try to “contain” Tony and Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) – close out on them with short, quick steps – and close much stronger on all other catching perimeter players.

The Mavericks are an organized, well-coached team, a Great Divide team that will have to be conquered with championship discipline in very difficult games. Are they elite defensively, a team at the jagged peak of the Divide? Not necessarily. But they are a good defensive team, because they have committed to it and broken down the opposition. Talk with Jason Terry and you learn that there’s an inherent respect Dallas has for what the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are – that they’re the NBA Champions, that they are solid every night.

But when it comes to offense, San Antonio’s outside shooting prowess is not what the Mavs worry most about. They worry about protecting the paint. Said Terry, “They got a couple of guys that can knock down the outside shot, but mainly they like points in the paint. You look at Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker), he leads the league in points in the paint. And Duncan’s a tough cover in the post.”

In the most recent Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) encounter, Dallas sagged on defense, spacing spot-up threats until the ball was thrown to them. The Mavs stay home in the ball-side corner, unlike in a bad defensive performance that Minnesota put out versus San Antonio yesterday. Also Dallas got away with mostly single-covering Tim in the 2nd half. Nazr Mohammed, Rasho Nesterovic, and Fabricio Oberto (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/fabricio_oberto), combined, converted only 5 points! If the Spurs’ centers don’t score better, they become much more beatable by the Mavs.

No average defensive team has ever won a title. The Kings have finally become a better than average defensive team in the last two months because Ron Artest has set a physical, competitive tone on that side of the ball. Artest does things like hold Manu in single digits – denying him possession, blocking his shots and poking his dribble.

Ron held Carmelo to 15 this past weekend. Artest’s former Bulls teammate, Brad Miller, for the first time in over a year is inspired about playing again. On top of that, Sacramento is a veteran team that knows how to counter good defense with quick ball movement. If the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) encounter either of these two Great Divide teams, the series will have to be dug and dragged out with deliberate and never-ending Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) discipline, and a champion’s heart.

Emmett Shaw covers the San Antonio Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) for Basketball News Services. Go to www.discoverytrail.org to learn about the American Discovery Trail, and how you can help strengthen it.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_16997.shtml

香瓜

2006-04-21, 01:02 AM

In SA -- No. 1 by Unanimous Decision

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_17020.shtml

By Emmett Shaw
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Apr 18, 2006, 18:43

While Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) said of the NBA Playoffs, “the fun part is about to start,” from the beginning of training camp the San Antonio Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) felt they held a key advantage in playing the game: From the neck up. Balance and stability have been descriptive of their 6-month ride.

Balance? This is a team that is #3 in the league in 3-point efficiency, yet is #3 in percentage of points in the paint. Stability? The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) stayed level-headed – didn’t fall in love with the 3-ball. Through 81 games, they tried barely more than the league average.

These solid things are decided by smart players, and it paid off with the #1 seed in the West, which they clinched last night in blowing out the Jazz. “It lets you know the nature of this team. Guys are hard-nosed. They want to go ahead and be the best in the league,” said Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry).

You see, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) got the job done because they decided to. Said Horry, “We got a lot of veteran guys. We got a lot of guys who are poised and ready to play.” This doesn’t mean that a repeat championship is sure to follow. Horry credited “a lot of luck and a lot of good fortune” for his past repeats in Houston and Los Angeles.

Robert went on. “I know that sounds funny, coming from me, but you need a lot of luck. You gotta have the balls bounce the right way. You gotta have some guys step up big-time who don’t usually step up. So it’s a lot of variables to winning another championship.”

Horry said no matter if San Antonio faces the Kings or Lakers, “Every game is gonna be tough. Every team is gonna be ready. Every team is gonna come in here gunning for us. And I think it’s good because each team you see on the horizon almost prepares you for the next team, and the next team. That’s what it’s all about.”

Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan), the captain of the Spurs, trooped through a hard season of pain in his right foot. Straight faced, he said that while the coach really wanted about 81 victories, “we still had a good season.” They’ll finish with 62 or 63 Ws. “We’ve had some rough patches, and those are the kind of situations in teams that builds a team up.”

Tim had to ask a reporter for sure if the team would face either the Kings or the Lakers to start the playoffs. “Whatever happens, happens. We’ll be ready for whoever we get.” That’s how fixed the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are upstairs, and that’s how they navigated those rough spots in the NBA schedule. “So we went through those patches. We were able to end with a great record, and it’s just a good situation to be in.”

Like Ginobili, now Michael Finley is ready for some fun. “This is the fun time of year,” he said. More fun than when he was with the Mavericks? “Last year, I was trying to destroy these guys.” He said the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) were like the big brother who Dallas couldn’t beat. “Even sometimes when we played our better game, that’s not good enough. So it’s just good to be on the other side right now.”

Every series will now be made of its own character. If Ron Artest leads the Kings into AT&T Center, Manu’s “fun” might be limited to about 10 points in some games. That’s where Fin could come into play – stepping up, as Horry puts it. As impressive as San Antonio has been, as Duncan promised, he and the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) had better be ready for the “whoever” Sacramento Kings, a scary 8-seed in the making.

Emmett Shaw, who covers the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) for Basketball News Services, is completing his 6th season writing published artcles on the team and the NBA. He writes in The Texas Triangle feature of Total Access, and in SWISH magazine.