Spurs hope rodeo trip is again magical

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Web Posted: 01/27/2007 10:01 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News

LOS ANGELES — Carrying the usual itinerary, but still unsure where their travels will lead, the Spurs arrived here Saturday afternoon hoping only that somewhere on their expedition to eight cities in 14 days they can find themselves.

"January hasn't been very good for us, so going on a long road trip is either going to pull us together," Manu Ginobili said, "or apart."

In each of the previous four seasons, the Spurs have used their annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo trip to toughen themselves for the playoff push. They have always returned home from the cross-country trek in better condition than they left, going a combined 25-6 during the four trips, two of which helped cut paths to championships.

The Spurs had more than ample reason to look forward to leaving town this season. They've already lost eight games at home and have frequently surrendered sizeable leads in the games they have won.

The Spurs also have struggled against tougher competition and this season's trip may be the toughest yet.

They open this afternoon against the Los Angeles Lakers (who have already beaten them twice), then have back-to-back games in Utah (where they've also lost) and Phoenix (which, it appears, could be gunning for its 165th consecutive victory).

After a five-day break at home, which should give the team some time to rest and practice, the Spurs head east for games against Washington, Orlando, Miami, New Jersey and Detroit. The Wizards and Detroit have the Eastern Conference's two best records. Shaquille O'Neal also just returned to the Heat and might be back to his usual workload by the time the Spurs arrive.

"We've got all playoff teams basically," Robert Horry said. "And that's good for us. It's a tough test for us, and hopefully we'll pass the test."

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was initially apprehensive when he first learned the team would have to clear out of the AT&T Center for three weeks each season to make room for the rodeo. But he soon began to view the trip as a chance for the team to bond and eliminate some of the distractions that come with playing at home.

"I think the guys have always just showed a really good understanding of what an opportunity that could be if we focus and we really do a good job on the road," Popovich said. "It would give us a lot of momentum, a lot of confidence and really harden us for what's ahead.

"I think they've always welcomed that opportunity and looked at it in those terms."

Leaving town also might lighten the atmosphere around the Spurs, or least reduce the what's-wrong-with-you questions they've been fielding for most of the past month.

With the team unable to generate any sustained momentum, some players began to press. After leading the NBA in 3-point accuracy much of the season, the Spurs have shot a combined 28.3 percent behind the arc in their past seven games.

"In the back of our minds we know we can play better," Brent Barry said. "The past couple of weeks we just haven't played relaxed. We're trying to make things happen, and when you do that, usually nothing good happens."

While the Spurs have fallen five games back of Dallas in the Southwest Division, Horry thinks the team would be best served by not fretting about the Mavericks.

"Right now a lot of people keep harping on Phoenix, Dallas and their records," Horry said. "We don't even need to look at that. We just need to play basketball and worry about getting ourselves ready for the second half of the season."

And there might be no time better than the present. The Spurs have traditionally taken what Ginobili calls their "biggest step forward" when forced to the road by the rodeo, sharpening their focus along the way.

"Our guys look at it as an opportunity for us to pull together in hostile environments night after night after night, when you can build your toughness," Popovich said. "So, hopefully, that will happen for us again, because we certainly need that, don't we?"

White called up: The Spurs recalled James White from the Developmental League on Saturday. In 15 games with the Austin Toros, White averaged 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.67 steals in 34.4 minutes.