Pop calls Spurs ‘soft’ after collapse against Heat

By Jeff McDonald

MIAMI — For the better part of a month, Gregg Popovich’s instincts have been to comfort.

As his young team, playing without its best player, continued to falter on the road, he spared the rod in favor of an encouraging pat on the backside.

Tuesday night at American?Airlines Arena, in the moments after the Miami Heat turned on an all-out second-half blitz to send the Spurs tumbling to a 120-98 defeat, Popovich made one thing evident to his players.

There would be no more Mr. Nice Pop.

“I thought in the second half they got real physical, and I thought we folded,” Popovich said. “The physicality killed us. We had nobody that stepped up. We let the physicality beat us in a lot of different ways — whether it was cuts, or passing or boards. It didn’t matter what it was. Their physicality put us in a ditch.

“They beat our ass in the second half. We should be embarrassed by that, playing that soft.”

With Dwyane Wade celebrating his 30th birthday in street clothes, sidelined with a sprained right ankle, the other two-thirds of Miami’s Big Three did the Heat’s heavy lifting.

LeBron James scored 17 of his 33 points in a stunning third quarter that saw Miami flip a 14-point halftime deficit into an 88-75 lead entering the fourth. Chris Bosh added 30 points to help smash a three-game losing streak.

Miami (9-4) outscored the Spurs 39-12 in the third quarter and 71-35 after intermission.

“LeBron started hitting some shots, and the intensity went up because of it,” said Tim Duncan, whose team played its ninth game without injured guard Manu Ginobili. “One thing turned into another. Their intensity in the second half changed the whole game.”

The Spurs are now 0-5 away from the ATT Center, matching their worst road start since 1983-84.

Four of those losses have come by double dig?its. Tuesday’s 22-point defeat was the most lopsided and most disheartening of the bunch, given how it began.

For one half, it appeared as if the Spurs (9-5) would end their road skid against the defending Eastern Conference champions.

They shared the ball. They defended. They were patient in finding easy shots. And behind 16 points from Tony Parker and 12 from DeJuan Blair, the Spurs took a 63-49 lead into the half.

Miami certainly played a role in the Spurs’ first-half success, appearing unfocused and disinterested.

“We stunk it up in the first half,” said Bosh, sounding a little like Popovich.

James, who was 1 for 5 in the first quarter while being guarded by rookie Kawhi Leonard, agreed.

“The way we started off the game is not the way we play basketball,” James said.

For the Heat, it all seemed as simple as flipping a switch.

In the third quarter, Miami put on a clinic, hitting 15 of 20 shots, including 6 of 8 from 3-point range. Mike Miller, playing in his first game of the season after battling a thumb injury, tied a career high with six 3-pointers on six tries.

He finished with 18 points, all in the second half.

James, meanwhile, dropped in 4 of 6 from long range, staring down the Spurs’ bench after the last of them. He also posted 10 assists.

“There’s not much you can do,” said Parker, who had 18 points, second to Danny Green (20) for the Spurs. “He was on fire in the third quarter. He’s coming on fast breaks, and he’s shooting 3s. There’s no defense against that.”

Sparked by James’ scoring binge, Miami ended the night shooting 58.2 percent, including 16 of 26 from beyond the arc.

“Every once in a while, somebody’s going to get in a zone where they can make those shots and change a game,” Duncan said.

As the Spurs boarded their charter plane for tonight’s game at Orlando, in search of their first road win of the season in a place they’ve lost three seasons in a row, this much was clear:

Mr. Nice Pop wouldn’t be coming with them.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Associated Press photos

1 of 13 | Share

Heat 120, Spurs 98: Jan. 17, 2012


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) looks to pass as Miami Heat’s Mike Miller (13) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) passes the ball as Miami Heat’s LeBron James, left, looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


Miami Heat’s LeBron James (6) wipes his face during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


Miami Heat’s LeBron James (6) shoots over San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) and DeJuan Blair (45) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra puts his hand to his head during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


Miami Heat’s LeBron James (6) looks to pass as San Antonio Spurs’ Daniel Green (4) and Matt Bonner (15) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


Miami Heat’s Norris Cole (30) looks to pass the ball as San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) and Richard Jefferson (24) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh (1) shoots as San Antonio Spurs’ DeJuan Blair (45) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade cheers from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. The Heat defeated the Spurs 120-98. Wade did not play due to a sprained right ankle. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


Miami Heat’s Mike Miller (13) reacts after shooting a 3-pointer as San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. Miller contributed 18 points as the Heat won 120-98. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


San Antonio Spurs’, from left, DeJuan Blair, Richard Jefferson, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Danny Green watch from the bench in the closing seconds of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. The Heat won 120-98. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) drives to the basket as Miami Heat’s James Jones (22) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. The Heat won 120-98. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)


San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich watches his team during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Miami. The Heat won 120-98. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (AP)

  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball
  • Spurs Heat Basketball

Bosh calls lockout the owners’ revenge against Miami, New York

Over the last 18 months, we’ve seen “The Heatles” dictate their arrival to Miami and Carmelo Anthony steer himself to New York from Denver.

Those moves have been orchestrated by players determining their fate and attempting to hold their old old teams hostage unless they can arrive at  new teams in bigger markets.

And according to Chris Bosh, one of the Miami players who arrived by those means, the owners of smaller franchises .

Bosh told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that the lockout was orchestrated to enable the teams to retain control and end future players from leaving in similar fashion.

“I think so,” he said.

But Bosh added that the efforts to block such an approach are misguided.

“I mean, if you look at the free agents coming up in the same situations, with Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, they can control their own fate,” Bosh said. “They have the power to control that and I think that’s a great thing. In any job you want freedom to negotiate.

“With us doing what we did, and Carmelo going to the Knicks, I think that has a lot to do with it. Hopefully we can keep that and guys can come and go and make the deal that’s best for them and their family.”

It’s a ticklish situation. Players  want the ability to play for who they want. But the NBA would like to find a way that small markets have a chance to be competitive for a championship.

And considering the Spurs are the only small-market franchise to claim an NBA title in the last 30 years, the current  model currently isn’t working.

The players have control.

Bosh is right. It’s not surprising the owners tried to grasp control of their game back, by whatever means are necessary.

It’s unfortunate that the fans suffering through the lockout are caught in the middle of it.

TP, TD revealed among SI.com’s top 30 NBA players

SI.com’s Point Forward blog has been counting down the top 100 players during the last several days. 

The first two Spurs players were revealed by Zach Lowe in his listings betweenwith Tony Parker was ranked 26th and Tim Duncan 23rd among the NBA’s top players.

Parker’s ranking is on the mark, slightly ahead of Rajon Rondo at No. 25 and Stephen Curry at 41st. Considering the players who have been revealed, Jason Kidd and Derrick Rose both are likely ranking in front of him among others.

The rationalization for Parker ahead of  Rondo is interesting and correct. Even though Rondo is clearly the better defender, Parker gets a slight nod because he’s a better finisher and shooter and Rondo’s equal as a defensive rebounder.

Duncan is slightly behind Chris Bosh at No. 22 and Kevin Love at No. 21. He’s ahead of David West at No. 31, Lamar Odom at No. 33  and Josh Smith at No. 34.

In his rating, Lowe makes the point that Duncan could have ranked much lower because of his reduced playing time as he has gotten older. He also opines that Duncan was exposed in the Memphis series, can’t dominate good opponents anymore and can’t play consistent shutdown defense.

But he’s given his ranking about of his court craftiness and how Duncan consistently makes the right play on offense and defense.

We can likely expect Manu Ginobili to receive the team’s highest ranking. And it looks like that the Spurs’ “Big Three” will be the only ones ranked among the top 100 current players in the NBA.

Here’s a list of SI.com’s Top 100 players so far:

TOP 100 NBA PLAYERS
RANK
PLAYER
POSITION, TEAM
100.
Brandon Roy
SG, Portland Trail Blazers
99.
Tony Allen
SG, Memphis Grizzlies
98.
Nick Collison
PF, Oklahoma City Thunder
97.
Shane Battier
SF, free agent (Memphis Grizzlies)
96.
John Salmons
G-F, Sacramento Kings
95.
Louis Williams
G, Philadelphia 76ers
94.
O.J. Mayo
SG, Memphis Grizzlies
93.
Ty Lawson
PG, Denver Nuggets
92.
Wilson Chandler
SF, restricted free agent (Denver Nuggets)
91.
Mike Conley
PG, Memphis Grizzlies
90.
Hedo Turkoglu
SF, Orlando Magic
89.
Raymond Felton
PG, Portland Trail Blazers
88.
Wesley Matthews
SG, Portland Trail Blazers
87.
Roy Hibbert
C, Indiana Pacers
86.
Jameer Nelson
PG, Orlando Magic
85.
Andrei Kirilenko
SF, free agent (Utah Jazz)
84.
DeAndre Jordan
C, restricted free agent (Los Angeles Clippers)
83.
Ron Artest
SF, L.A. Lakers
82.
Thaddeus Young
F, restricted free agent (Philadelphia 76ers)
81.
Nicolas Batum
SF, Portland Trail Blazers
80.
Danilo Gallinari
SF, Denver Nuggets
79.
Chris Kaman
C, Los Angeles Clippers
78.
Rodney Stuckey
G, restricted free agent (Detroit Pistons)
77.
Arron Afflalo
SG, restricted free agent (Denver Nuggets)
76.
Grant Hill
SF, free agent (Phoenix Suns)
75.
Stephen Jackson
G-F, Milwaukee Bucks
74.
Jrue Holiday
PG, Philadelphia 76ers
73.
George Hill
G, Indiana Pacers
72.
John Wall
PG, Washington Wizards
71.
Andre Miller
PG, Denver Nuggets
70.
Marcin Gortat
C, Phoenix Suns
69.
Emeka Okafor
C, New Orleans Hornets
68.
Anderson Varejao
F-C, Cleveland Cavaliers
67.
Serge Ibaka
PF, Oklahoma City Thunder
66.
Andrea Bargnani
F-C, Toronto Raptors
65.
Jamal Crawford
G, free agent (Atlanta Hawks)
64.
Jason Richardson
SG, free agent (Orlando Magic)
63.
Caron Butler
SF, free agent (Dallas Mavericks)
62.
Shawn Marion
F, Dallas Mavericks
61.
Tayshaun Prince
SF, free agent (Detroit Pistons)
60.
Devin Harris
PG, Utah Jazz
59.
Chauncey Billups
PG, New York Knicks
58.
Jason Kidd
PG, Dallas Mavericks
57.
David Lee
PF, Golden State Warriors
56.
Kyle Lowry
PG, Houston Rockets
55.
Jason Terry
SG, Dallas Mavericks
54.
James Harden
SG, Oklahoma City Thunder
53.
Al Jefferson
F-C, Utah Jazz
52.
Luis Scola
PF, Houston Rockets
51.
Danny Granger
SF, Indiana Pacers
50.
Elton Brand
PF, Philadelphia 76ers
49.
Brook Lopez
C, New Jersey Nets
48.
Ray Allen
SG, Boston Celtics
47.
Luol Deng
SF, Chicago Bulls
46.
Paul Millsap
PF, Utah Jazz
45.
Carlos Boozer
PF, Chicago Bulls
44.
Monta Ellis
SG, Golden State Warriors
43.
Joakim Noah
C, Chicago Bulls
42.
Kevin Martin
SG, Houston Rockets
41.
Stephen Curry
PG, Golden State Warriors
40.
Marc Gasol
C, Memphis Grizzlies
39.
Gerald Wallace
F, Portland Trail Blazers
38.
Andrew Bynum
C, Los Angeles Lakers
37.
Andrew Bogut
C, Milwaukee Bucks
36.
Tyreke Evans
G, Sacramento Kings
35.
Tyson Chandler
C, free agent (Dallas Mavericks)
34.
Josh Smith
F, Atlanta Hawks
33.
Lamar Odom
F, Los Angeles Lakers
32.
Joe Johnson
SG, Atlanta Hawks
31.
David West
PF, free agent (New Orleans Hornets)
30.
Andre Iguodala
G-F, Philadelphia 76ers
29.
Eric Gordon
SG, Los Angeles Clippers
28.
Rudy Gay
SF, Memphis Grizzlies
27.
Rajon Rondo
PG, Boston Celtics
26.
Tony Parker
PG, San Antonio Spurs
25.
Al Horford
C, Atlanta Hawks
24.
Nene
C, free agent (Denver Nuggets)
23.
Tim Duncan
PF, San Antonio Spurs
22.
Chris Bosh
PF, Miami Heat
21.
Kevin Love
PF, Minnesota Timberwolves

The remainder of the list will be revealed early next week.