Micro says; Know Your Enemy

Buck Harvey: If Van Exel is another Horry: Deep in daring
Web Posted: 10/04/2005 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News

Robert Horry knows Nick Van Exel, and not just because they were once Lakers teammates.

Horry knows Van Exel because Horry is Van Exel. Horry says he, too, could have reacted badly to losing situations as Van Exel did at times. "Because I once did," Horry said Monday.

But the comparison goes beyond that. This is about how athletes react to tension, and how some don't mind, and how Horry threw in the shot that changed last season.

Van Exel, Horry says, can do the same.
If Van Exel is healthy, he will make a Clippers game in February easier. Then he will shoot 9 for 11, turning a close game into a rout, and Popovich's job will be to limit the 3 for 11s.

And in May or June? When Ginobili turns the corner, and the defense collapses on Duncan, and the clock ticks down?

Then Horry says there will be two of him on the court.

And that's depth.
Complete article (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/columnists/bharvey/stories/MYSA100405.01D.buck_harvey.d600abc.html)
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Micro says, Know Your Enemy

PRESEASON: PACERS 99, JAZZ 92
Jasikevicius learns quickly, leads comeback
Rookie responds in 4th quarter, still working on his defense
By Mike Wells
IndyStar.com
October 14, 2005

It hasn't taken long to figure out why Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird racked up the frequent flier miles traveling back and forth to Europe to watch guard Sarunas Jasikevicius play.

He can shoot. He can pass. And he can find a way to get to the basket.

It also hasn't taken long to see that the 29-year-old rookie is going to need time to adjust to the NBA game defensively.

He gets beat off the dribble. He struggles to fight through screens. And he's not considered quick for his position.

Jasikevicius, whom Bird referred to as the best player in Europe, did wow the 11,390 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse on Thursday night in the Pacers' 99-92 victory over the Utah Jazz.
It's easy to see Jasikevicius' potential leadership skills. Jasikevicius, who added four assists and three rebounds, directed the offense fluently, showed his passion for winning and constantly talked to his teammates on the floor. He had 11 of his fourth-quarter points in the final 51/2 minutes.

"He has a great sense for the game, he has a great sense for when the opponent is off-balanced," Carlisle said. "His vision on the floor is tremendous and he showed that."
Complete Article (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051014/SPORTS04/510140552/1088)
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Micro says, Know Your Enemy

Newcomers learn there's no shirking on defense
By Chris Perkins
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 14, 2005

"It's total shutdown," forward Jason Kapono, formerly of Cleveland and Charlotte, said of Miami's defensive style.
Unlike other teams, the Heat also doesn't want its players freelancing or gambling to make steals; it wants them sticking to their responsibilities. And Miami, which rarely will double-team an opposing player, looks to provide a lot of defensive help by using complicated rotations.
"The key on any team," Van Gundy said, "is to be good defensively, everybody's got to defend."

Complete article (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2005/10/14/a2c_PBP_HEAT14_1014.html)
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IndyStar.com
October 20, 2005
Pacers find themselves thin in the middle
All 3 of the team's centers, along with O'Neal, miss game against the Spurs

By Mike Wells

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, walking the sidelines in the first half of Tuesday's game, yelled a question to Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle: Who is playing center?

Carlisle looked on the court, looked at Popovich and shrugged his shoulders.

Complete Article (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051020/SPORTS04/510200446/1088/SPORTS04)

Posted on Thu, Oct. 20, 2005; The Miami Herald

Walker seen in sixth-man role
To maximize Antoine Walker's offensive talents, Heat coach Stan Van Gundy appears to like his potential off the bench.
BY ISRAEL GUTIERREZ

After four exhibition games, it sounds like Heat coach Stan Van Gundy is leaning toward keeping Antoine Walker as a sixth man.
Coming off the bench is a subject Walker hasn't been too comfortable talking about to this point.
''With Shaq [O'Neal] and [Dwyane] Wade on the floor it's going to be very difficult to get a lot of offensive opportunities on the court,'' Walker said.

Complete Article (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/12947736.htm)

The Shreveport Times
Reloaded Spurs get ready for Hornets
October 20, 2005
By Brian Vernellis

Defending their NBA titles hasn't always been the easiest of tasks for the San Antonio Spurs. Following each of their three NBA titles, the Spurs fell short of back-to-back championships.

That could change this season. San Antonio is the heavy favorite to repeat and win its fourth NBA title and considering the moves made in the offseason, it's easy to see why.
"This is the deepest team we've had talent-wise," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said. "What I'm hoping is this ends up being the deepest team we've had knowledge-wise, professionalism, basketball IQ.

Complete Article (http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051020/SPORTS/510200326/1001/SPORTS)

Kind of a stretch calling J.O'neal a 7 footer. Pollard is always hurt.

Harrison and Foster are not starter material. How much would they play for the Pistons? We have their former starting Center as the 5th big off the bench.

They really are mainly banking on Artest to turn things around and he does not appear to be 100% into the game.

They really are mainly banking on Artest to turn things around and he does not appear to be 100% into the game.

Have you seen dude's stats in the preseason? Oh, he is ready to ball. Look for Artest to have his best season yet. It still won't be enough to dethrone the defending Eastern Conference champs though.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posey won't be ready for Heat opener
By Ira Winderman
Staff Writer
Posted October 24 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Small forward James Posey, a cornerstone of the Heat's revamped roster, likely will be sidelined for the start of the season.
Among the reasons Posey had become entrenched in the lineup is his ability to convert spot-up 3-point shots.
Without Posey's 3-point presence a bad situation could grow worse.

Complete Article (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-heat24newoct24,0,5802885.story?coll=sfla-sports-front)

IndyStar.com
October 22, 2005

No trades in works by Pacers for now
Uncertain injury situation forces team to live with payroll
By Mike Wells

The Indiana Pacers intended to trim payroll and alleviate their tax burden by exploring trade opportunities. But injuries and championship potential have persuaded them to change their mind, for now, about trying to get closer to the $61.7 million luxury tax threshold.

Complete Article (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051022/SPORTS04/510220449/1088)

San Antonio Express-News
Spurs showcase newcomers Van Exel, Finley, Oberto
Web Posted: 10/23/2005 12:12 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden - Express-News Staff Writer

If there was any question as to whether the Spurs' newcomers would be ready to immediately contribute, it might have been answered Saturday night.

Michael Finley, Nick Van Exel and Fabricio Oberto combined for 35 points off the bench as the Spurs lost to the New York Knicks 96-90 at the SBC Center.
Despite their influx of talent, the Spurs showed they haven't lost their willingness to share the ball. On one fourth-quarter possession, they made seven passes until Oberto sprang free for a layup.

Complete Article (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA102305.6C.BKNspurs.knicks.gamer.39d0832.html)

Spurs get their rings, open season with victory

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Michael Finley gave the San Antonio Spurs the instant offense they coveted when they signed him in the offseason.

Finley scored 11 of his 16 points during a four-minute span of the fourth quarter Tuesday to steady the struggling Spurs and help them to a 102-91 win over Denver in their first game defending the championship they won in June.

"A lot has changed in the last year, but the game of basketball has remained the same," said Finley, who played the past eight years in Dallas. "I put myself in a position where I'm very happy, very comfortable. I'm just going out there and playing."

Complete Article (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=251101024)


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San Antonio Express News
Nuggets witness Spurs' 'bench'
Web Posted: 11/02/2005 12:19 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer

Something happened in the fourth quarter of the Spurs' 102-91 season-opening victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday that is going to frighten all the NBA coaches not inside SBC Center to see it.

Tim Duncan, the Spurs' two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, did not take a single shot in the final period, scoring one lone point in the final 12 minutes.

Nevertheless, the Spurs outscored the Nuggets 33-19.

Complete Article (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA110205.6C.BKNspurs.bench.1cae181f.html)


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Houston Chronicle
Nov. 2, 2005, 1:22AM
Spurs resume with title form
NBA champs win in opener, remain standard for doing it right
By FRAN BLINEBURY

SAN ANTONIO - The biggest question on opening night was whether David Stern would present the defending champs with their commemorative rings and turn around and fine the San Antonio Spurs for being in violation of the new dress code.

Then Brent Barry jogged out to midcourt and planted a big, sloppy kiss on the cheek of the NBA commissioner. As if to say that the Spurs, winners of three titles in the past seven seasons, are less about the bling-bling and more about embracing everything that is right about the game.

Complete Article (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3432478)
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IndyStar.com
November 3, 2005
Pacers 90, Magic 78
Pacers still tinkering, but they begin with win
Indiana shows off its depth and comes up with a victory over Orlando
By Mike Wells

ORLANDO, Fla. -- It wasn't supposed to be perfect. It could take some time for that to happen.
There was the tinkering with the rotation in the first half. There was over-passing. There were mental breakdowns on defense.

But when it counted most, like in the second half, the Indiana Pacers did what it takes to beat the Orlando Magic, 90-78, in their regular-season opener Wednesday night at the TD Waterhouse Centre.

Complete Article (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051103/SPORTS04/511030434/1088)
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The Miami Herald
Posted on Thu, Nov. 03, 2005
HEAT 97, GRIZZLIES 78
A fitting start
The Heat overcame a sluggish first half by committing to ball movement and rebounding and earned a blowout win.
BY ISRAEL GUTIERREZ

MEMPHIS - For most of the first three quarters Wednesday, the Heat looked exactly like the skeptics figured it would.

But once everybody tried to just fit in, the Heat stood out, running away from the Memphis Grizzlies 97-78 on opening night at FedEx Forum.

In his Heat debut, forward Antoine Walker led the team with 25 points and 16 rebounds, and guard Dwyane Wade added 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, making up for a substandard, 12-point night from center Shaquille O'Neal.

Complete Article (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/13066881.htm)


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Dave Hyde
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

HYDE: Heat turns it on when it counts
Published November 3, 2005

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Lord, they were dreadful at the start of Wednesday's start, weren't they?

Shaquille O'Neal hit two of his first 10 shots. Gary Payton had his pocket picked in full view.

Alonzo Mourning, frustrated by the night's direction, threw a tantrum on the court at Heat teammate Antoine Walker, whose sin evidently was letting Memphis forward Pau Gasol cruise by for an easy layup.

And they still won by 19 points.

Complete Article (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-hyde04.1nov03,0,7787585.column?coll=sfla-sports-heat)
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Thing about the Heat. They do have other options besides Walker and Williams who both do not appear to be fitting in. Plus they can always trade them as teams always seem to want to trade for both of those guys.

Seems like the appropriate questions are how long will Walker and Williams stay on the team for. And VanGundy as the head coach.

Miami Herald - HEAT NOTEBOOK
Posted on Wed, Nov. 09, 2005
Walker, Williams bicker
BY ISRAEL GUTIERREZ

Two seasons ago during a Heat-Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, Rafer Alston and Caron Butler nearly came to blows on the sideline, having to be separated by teammates.

The incident wasn't caught on camera, however, and throughout that season the Heat was said to have great chemistry.

Last season, Shaquille O'Neal was critical of Damon Jones, yet the two of them were considered the closest teammates on the roster.

So what makes Monday's on-court squabble between Antoine Walker and Jason Williams a sign that the Heat is coming apart? It doesn't, the Heat said.

Complete Article (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/13119358.htm)


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Posted on Thu, Nov. 10, 2005
PACERS 95, HEAT 90
Eerie Indiana: Skid hits 11
The Heat, plagued by 21 turnovers, blew a 12-point lead in the third quarter and lost at Conseco Fieldhouse for the 11th straight time, including playoffs.
By ISRAEL GUTIERREZ - Miami Herald

INDIANAPOLIS - The curse continues.

And so does the Heat's perplexing pattern of blowing leads.

With a 12-point lead in the third quarter, it looked for a while like the Heat would finally break that streak of losing games in Conseco Fieldhouse that dates back more than three years.

Instead, the Pacers took the lead away in one agonizing second-half stretch and eventually beat the Heat 95-90 to extend the Heat's losing streak on Indiana's home court to 11 games (including playoffs). The last time the Heat won in Conseco was Dec. 31, 2001.

Complete Article (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/13129140.htm)

San Antonio Express-News
Improved offense comes quickly for Spurs' Parker
Web Posted: 11/09/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden - Express-News Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nick Van Exel sympathizes with Andre Miller. And Eric Snow, Damon Jones, Jason Terry, Chris Duhon and anyone else who has watched Tony Parker bolt past them.

As the Spurs' backup point guard, Van Exel often guards Parker in practice — a job that has grown increasingly more difficult.

Complete Article (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA110905.1C.BKNspurs.parker.2f023a0.html)


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Spurs' Parker trying to catch Wizards' Arenas
Web Posted: 11/09/2005 12:00 AM CST
Mike Monroe: San Antonio Express-News

You can start a hot debate by declaring the Wizards' Gilbert Arenas the fastest player in the NBA, as I did a little more than a week ago.

The Spurs' Tony Parker, for one, might question your sanity, not to mention the Hornets' Speedy Claxton. And then there is the Bucks' T.J. Ford, whose spinal injury doesn't appear to have affected his quickness even a fraction of a step.

Parker went back to basics this summer in an attempt to correct the flaws that have allowed defenders to play off him on the perimeter. He re-tooled his shot under the tutelage of the Spurs' new "shot doctor," Chip Engelland.

Complete Article (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/columnists/mmonroe/stories/MYSA110905.9C.COL.BKNmonroe.parker.331300b.html)

IndyStar.com
November 10, 2005
Pacers 95, Heat 90
Pacers pull out win despite themselves
Poor defense, careless play slow Indiana
By Mike Wells

It was the same old story for the Indiana Pacers in their game against the Miami Heat.

The same story that could cause many to question if the Pacers are ready to go to the next level.

They weren't playing defense. They looked distracted on the court. They played carelessly.

Then, with the Conseco Fieldhouse crowd growing restless, the Pacers finally decided they wanted to compete.

Complete Article (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051110/SPORTS04/511100443/1004/SPORTS)

ESPN.com
125 Seconds: The Heat lose it
Chris Sheridan - ESPN

Dwyane Wade still hasn't gone back and watched the tape.

For him, it was enough self-torture having the mental snapshots of Miami's meltdown in its 88-82 Game 7 loss to Detroit -- especially his own pair of mistakes -- lingering in his brain all summer.

Complete Article (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/feature/featureVideo?page=125Seconds)

Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Notebook
Spurs' shooting gets assist
Parker benefits from Engelland, who worked with Hill
By Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

AUBURN HILLS -- It looks like my old traveling buddy, Chip Engelland, is out to make it tougher for the Pistons to win their championship belts back from the Spurs.

Back in the day -- it was only seven years ago, but it seems like another lifetime -- Engelland was Grant Hill's shooting coach with the Pistons. Since he wasn't considered an actual assistant coach, Engelland had to travel to the games on commercial airlines, just like us hacks.

I'm happy to report he's traveling in much better style, and better company, these days. After Engelland spent two years as the Nuggets' shooter-tutor, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich hired him for his staff.

Complete Article (http://www.detnews.com/2005/pistons/0511/15/E05-381865.htm)

Ford kicking Bucks into overdrive
By Josh Hansen
Tue, Nov 15, 2005

After a year and a half away from the NBA, T.J. Ford is back for the Milwaukee Bucks.

How sweet it is.

Not only for Ford, who missed all of last season and the second half of his rookie campaign with a career-threatning spinal injury, but for the historically bad Bucks.

They’ve suddenly become the NBA’s surprise story of the year and hottest over bet, winning four of their first five games on the strength of the league’s second-best offense.

Most of the credit, goes to Ford.

Complete Article (http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=61331&tid=25&t=1)
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Spurs get three-fourths of a rout
Web Posted: 11/16/2005 12:13 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

For one fleeting moment Tuesday night, the Atlanta Hawks looked up at the SBC Center's overhead scoreboard and envisioned the possibilities.

They had a 13-point lead over the defending NBA champion, leaving them three quarters removed from not only their first victory of the season but also a huge upset. Al Harrington, as stunningly, was on pace for 88 points.

And then, of course, reality intervened.

Complete Article (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA111605.1C.BKNspurs.hawks.gamer.11d6a190.html)
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The Suns really live and die by the 3 ball. They put up 29 attempts in tonights game and made 13 of them!

They really need Amare to give them an inside game.

Dallas Mavericks


Mavs cop defensive attitude (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/123005dnspomavslede.1c2f9ef2.html)

Winning percentage is close to 100 when opponents are stifled
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

It's a constant battle for the Mavericks coaches to get their players thinking defense before offense. So any hard evidence backing them up is like gold.

That makes the following statistic a 24-carat nugget:

Since the 2001-02 season, the Mavericks are 196-12 (94.2 percent) when holding their opponent to the same or worse shooting percentage. They are 52-96 when out-shot.

MAVERICKS NOTES (http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/basketball/nba/dallas_mavericks/13506886.htm)
Mavs focused on rebounding
By DWAIN PRICE

DALLAS -- Always one to pay attention to detail, Mavericks coach Avery Johnson opened Wednesday's practice in preparation for Friday's home game against Golden State by reminding his players of the value of rebounding the basketball.

Johnson stressed how much the Warriors have improved and emphasized that rebounding would be crucial because the Warriors "can embarrass you with the way they play offense and the way they score."

Coming on the heels of Monday's impressive 49-30 rebounding margin in a 102-80 win over the Indiana Pacers, the Mavs are 16-2 when they outrebound their opponents. And they're 11-1 when center Erick Dampier has four or more offensive rebounds.


New Jersey Nets


It's those guys off the bench who are keeping Nets on a roll (http://www.nj.com/nets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1135923027242010.xml&coll=1)
BY DAVE D'ALESSANDRO
Star-Ledger Staff

The epiphany occurred on the night of Dec. 16.

At the time, the Nets were as bad as their 9-12 record indicated, their stars were stuck in neutral and there was no relief in sight -- at least in terms of a punch guy off the bench who could inspire them and make them feel that basketball was more than a three-man tug-and-drag toward mediocrity.

Scott Padgett shot 5-for-5 from the 3-point line that night against Denver, and the Nets haven't looked back since. They have won seven straight games, and in every one of those victories, one or two or three reserves have provided meaningful contributions.


Milwaukee Bucks


Ford trying to stay upbeat
Guard is out at least two weeks (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/buck/dec05/381339.asp)
By TOM ENLUND

Milwaukee Bucks point guard T.J. Ford is not at all happy that he is going to be sidelined for two or three weeks with a left foot injury, but he knows better than anyone that it could be a whole lot worse.


San Antonio Spurs


Starting talk on Ginobili's role with Spurs (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA122905.1C.BKNspurs.ginobili.17a0d37f.html)
Johnny Ludden

With Manu Ginobili having survived his first game in more than two weeks, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich quickly turned his attention Wednesday to making sure his All-Star guard also survived practice.

As the Spurs began their brief workout, Popovich gave Ginobili some instructions: If you have a shot, shoot it. But don't even think about driving to the rim.

"No one needed to tell me that," Ginobili said.


Cleveland Cavaliers


Intensity comes and goes for Cavs
Brown seeks more consistency, especially on the road, if his team wants to remain in contention (http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/basketball/nba/cleveland_cavaliers/13506381.htm)
By Brian Windhorst

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Repeated over and over, it gets kind of monotonous and hokey, but Mike Brown has a point.

The Cavaliers' rookie coach has a few bedrock beliefs and mottos, which sometimes lose meaning but do have a purpose. On his stationery, for example, Brown has printed ``sustain for 48 minutes.''

He says it in nearly every interview, every pregame speech and team practice. But it's a philosophy sometimes his team needs drilled in.


Indiana Pacers


Skidding Pacers look for answers
3-game losing streak poses questions about rebounding, turnovers and finding right mix
(http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051229/SPORTS04/512290416/1004/SPORTS)
The Indiana Pacers, a team committed to rallying around one another to overcome the loss of Ron Artest, have been hit with a dose of reality.

The Pacers' chemistry might be better without their disgruntled forward, but their record isn't.

"Right now we are just an average team," forward Jermaine O'Neal said after Wednesday's loss at San Antonio, which left the Pacers at 15-11. "Elite teams find a way to make plays."