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Spurs patching up defense on the fly

By Jeff McDonald

PHILADELPHIA — A 14-point lead had vanished. The Memphis Grizzlies had awoken to take a six-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter. The Spurs were on the verge of a disheartening opening to their 10th annual rodeo road trip.

On the edge of unraveling Monday night in Memphis, Tenn., the Spurs called on an old friend.

Their defense saved them, holding the Grizzlies to just 11 points in the final frame as the Spurs rallied for an 89-84 victory they hope sets a tone for the rest of the nine-game trek.

“That’s what we’re going to have to bank on,” forward Tim Duncan said. “We’re not going to score a bunch of points every night.”

As their epic road jaunt continues tonight in Philadelphia, the Spurs know their defense is still light years from the unit that once strangled opponents en route to four NBA titles.

In truth, it might never get there.

Even so, there’s no disputing the Spurs are playing better defense now than they were on Jan. 10, when they shot 60 percent and lost at Milwaukee, causing coach Gregg Popovich to bemoan “the worst defensive team we’ve ever had.”

“I think we’re starting to understand the system a little better, taking a little more pride in it, becoming a little more consistent in execution,” Popovich said. “We’re making fewer mistakes in certain areas.”

Tonight in Philadelphia, where points are sure to come at a premium, the Spurs’ ability to keep the score low will be paramount. Under coach Doug Collins, the 76ers are allowing an NBA-best 86.64 points per game.

“Since I’ve been in San Antonio, we don’t have a good record in Philly,” said point guard Tony Parker, whose team has lost four straight in the City of Brotherly Love. “They always play well against us. We’re going to have to match their energy.”

Before the season, Popovich announced his intention to return the Spurs to the top echelon of NBA defensive teams. Twenty-one games in, that goal remains elusive.

The Spurs rank 24th in field-goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot 45.3 percent. They are 12th in scoring defense (93.5 points per game).

Over the past eight games, however, the Spurs’ defense has shown palpable signs of life.

They didn’t surrender triple digits in regulation in any of those contests, limiting foes to 42.9 percent shooting and an average of 87 points.

With a handful of young players populating the rotation — including rookie forward Kawhi Leonard, third-year swingman Danny Green, and a pair of second-year players, center Tiago Splitter and guard Gary Neal — improvements have had to come almost exclusively on the fly.

“It’s almost all from playing, because there aren’t any practices,” Popovich said.

“While they’re playing, we’re coaching and teaching and making adjustments, and getting on them, and congratulating them, and getting on them — just so they understand what we’re looking for.”

Monday in Memphis provided the blueprint. Against the Grizzlies, the Spurs’ defense allowed them to hang on despite a nearly six-minute scoring drought in the third quarter.

The Spurs took control by holding Memphis without a point for the first 5:23 of the fourth quarter, then sealed the game when Duncan blocked Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol in the last 34 seconds.

With Memphis down three, Gay had a chance to tie, but his 3-pointer out of a timeout was well defended and hit nothing.

“We know the fourth quarter is where we need to focus on defense, make our stops,” Green said. “If we make our stops, we know we’ll be OK.”

The phrase “stops on demand” used to be a popular T-shirt slogan around the Spurs’ practice facility. Lately, that motto has seemed to go the way of “Where’s the Beef?”

If Popovich gets his wish, stops on demand might be back in style again.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Parker plunders Thunder

By Jeff McDonald

Tony Parker arrived in San Antonio in the summer of 2001 a skinny, unknown French point guard in an era when European players were still more novelty than necessity.

All Spurs coach Gregg Popovich asked him to do was replace the only championship point guard the franchise had ever had.

On a Saturday night more than a decade later, in the Spurs’ 107-96 victory over NBA-leading Oklahoma City, Parker replaced Avery Johnson in the record books. With nine assists, Parker passed Johnson as the team’s all-time leader with 4,477.

Popovich, ever the whip to Parker’s backside, feigned being unimpressed.

“He’s been here a long time,” Popovich said with a shrug and, if you looked closely enough, a smile. “He should have a lot of assists.”

In passing Johnson on the Spurs’ assist chart, however, Parker did something his predecessor could never do.

On his record-breaking night for giving, Parker also pumped in 42 points, his highest total in three seasons, to send the Spurs (16-9) off on their annual rodeo road trip on a season-best four-game winning streak.

For Parker, it was the first 40-point game since the 2008-09 campaign, when he had three, including a 55-point opus at Minnesota. It was one point shy of the ATT Center record of 43, set by Manu Ginobili against Orlando in 2010.

“I was rolling tonight,” said Parker, making a case to coaches voting for West All-Star reserves. “Every time I popped, I felt better in my head. I was in attack mode.”

For that, Parker again credits Popovich.

When he rolled into the ATT Center on Saturday night, Parker knew he needed seven assists to pass Johnson, now coach of the New Jersey Nets. His quest met with stiff resistance from his coach.

“Pop comes in before the game and says, ‘You need to take 25, 30 shots or we’re not going to win,’?” Parker said.

When Parker opened the game a little too pass-happy for Popovich’s liking, the coach gently reminded him of the pre-game orders.

“The first timeout, Pop screamed at me, ‘Shoot the ball!?” Parker said.

It didn’t take much prodding after that. Parker eventually got his record-breaking assist on a pick-and-pop jumper from Tim Duncan with 4:57 left in the third quarter.

Parker met his quota for field-goal attempts, going 16 of 29. Outside of the points, and the record, the most impressive number on Parker’s box score was zero — as in no turnovers.

“We knew we had to score a lot of points against these guys,” Popovich said. “(Parker) went into the game with that in mind. He was aggressive all night.”

Before the game, Popovich announced plans to have rookie Kawhi Leonard defend Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, the two-time NBA scoring champion.

“If he keeps him below 40, I’m gonna slap him on the ass and say, ‘Great job young man,’?” Popovich said.

Leonard earned his kudos. Durant finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Little did Popovich know he would have a 40-point scorer in his own huddle.

Outdueling Russell Westbrook, perhaps not coincidentally another scoring point guard up for All-Star consideration, Parker punctuated his record-snapping third quarter with 16 points.

When Parker hit a pair of free throws with 2:02 left in the frame, the Spurs led the Thunder (18-5) by 24.

Duncan, who played with both Johnson and Parker, laughed when asked if he could think of two point guards more dissimilar than the Little General and the French Blur.

“Yeah, I can’t imagine that,” Duncan said. “Knowing (Parker) is a scoring point guard more than anything, but he’s evolved over the years. He knows how to do it all, and you saw that tonight.”

Having changed places with Johnson in the Spurs’ record book, having at last replaced the irreplaceable, Parker can one day look forward to joining him in the ATT Center rafters.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Photos by Tom Reel

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Spurs 107, Thunder 96: Feb. 4, 2012

SPORTS Spurs center Tim Duncan puts up a shot against Kendrick Perkins as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker gets Nazr Mohammed (8) and a teammate hanging in there as he fakes to the basket as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker makes a quick spin move to get to the hoop on Nazr Mohammed as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs forward Matt Bonner is rejected at the net by Kendrick perkins as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker continues the move against Reggie Jackson which gets him to the bucket in the second half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs forward Tiago Splitter puts up a layup against Nick Cllision as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker returns to play for the fourth quarter as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs center Tim Duncan rips down a defensive rebound in the second half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker threatens to go in the lane against Reggie Jackson as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Danny Green causes havoc under the hoop as he pushes the ball through on a pass as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs forward Matt Bonner cranks up a three pointer as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs center Tiago Splitter works against Kendrick Perkins under the hoop as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker twists under Kendricks Perkins for a bucket in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Thunder forward kevin Durant is forced to pass by tough defensive applied by Kawhi Leonard as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Spurs guard Tony Parker slips inside of Reggie Jackson for a clear look at the bucket as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Thunder guard Russell Westbrook gets smothered by Tony Parker and DeJuan Blair trying to control a loose ball in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Thunder guard Russell Westbrook gets kicked and stepped on trying to control a loose ball in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Tony Parker passes off after driving into the lane as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Thunder forward Nick Collision dives for a loose ball in front of Danny Green and Matt Bonner as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Thunder center Kendrick Perkins pivots on Tim Duncan as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS The Silver dancers perform as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS The Silver Dancers perform as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Duncan no All-Star? Don’t tell the Hornets

By Mike Monroe

When the Spurs played the Hornets in New Orleans on Jan. 23, a well-rested Tim Duncan turned back the clock and authored his best game of the season, a 28-point burst of energy punctuated by a game-winning hook shot.

Facing the Hornets again Thursday, this time after a hard win over Houston the night before, Duncan proved he can still dominate a game while weary. In 22 minutes and 28 seconds, he produced an extraordinarily efficient 19 points and nine rebounds, helping the Spurs secure a 93-81 victory.

When Duncan wasn’t torturing the shorthanded Hornets in the post, backup big man Tiago Splitter was doing the same, making 7 of 9 shots and scoring 16.

The Spurs, now 15-9, ran their home-court record to 12-1.

Before the game there was speculation aplenty that Duncan might not suit up for the Spurs’ fourth in five nights. Coach Gregg Popovich had vowed he wouldn’t let Duncan play all four games in such a compressed stretch.

Even when Popovich an? nounced Duncan would be in his starting lineup there was concern about how much the 13-time All-Star would have left in his legs.

Duncan wasted no time proving he felt good. He scored seven points in a first quarter when his teammates made only 6 of 16 shots and had 11 by halftime.

Teammate Matt Bonner knew Duncan was on his way to a standout game.

“He was wicked spry out there,” Bonner said, flattening his vowels as only a New Englander can.

Duncan could sense fatigue, not in himself but in the legs of his perimeter-shooting teammates.

“I just felt I had to be aggressive, try to attack them a little bit,” he said. “We didn’t have shots falling from the outside or shoot the 3-ball real well, so opportunities were there and I just took them when I could.”

As he had in Wednesday’s comeback win over Houston, Duncan did most of his scoring against the Hornets in the low post. Only two of his eight shots were launched outside 10 feet, and his aggression around the basket put him on the foul line for seven free throws, all of which he converted.

“He feels really good,” Popovich said. “He feels like he’s got a good balance and that’s always a good sign when he wants the ball down on the block.”

Even with Duncan dominating inside, the game was close going to the fourth quarter because the Spurs were horrid from beyond the 3-point arc. They missed 13 of their first 14 long-range attempts; Bonner clanked his first four.

A 71-68 lead at the start of the fourth grew quickly to nine points because the Spurs locked down their defense and allowed just one Hornets basket in the first 4:20 of the period.

By the time point guard Tony Parker whipped a wraparound pass from the top of the key to a wide-open Bonner, alone outside the 3-point line on the left side, the momentum of the game decreed Bonner’s first hit from long range.

Popovich understood the importance of his team’s defensive excellence in crunch time.

“The defense generated offense for us as the game went on into the fourth quarter,” he said. “I thought Tony was really good in the second half forcing the issue, and I thought Tiago had a great run there, defensively and offensively, and the two of them really got us going, and that was it.”

Thursday’s victory means the Spurs will take a three-game winning streak into Saturday’s game against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder in their final home game before playing nine straight on the road.

mikemonroe@express-news.net

– Photos by Billy Calzada

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Spurs 93, Hornets 81: Feb. 2, 2012

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Carl Landry of the New Orleans Hornets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Richard Jefferson of the San Antonio Spurs dunks during first-half NBA action against the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Tony Parker penetrates as the New Orleans Hornets defend during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Carl Landry of the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

DeJuan Blair of the Spurs, right, shoots over Emeka Okafer of the New Orleans Hornets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs (9) shoots a layup as Emeka Okafor, left, of the New Orleans Hornets, and Trevor Ariza, right, defend on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs dunks after stealing an inbound pass from Carl Landry of the New Orleans Hornets in the second half at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs (22) battles Carldell Johnson of the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter of the Spurs shoots over Gustavo Ayon (15) and Al-Farouq Aminu of the Hornets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs greets teammate Tony Parker with a pat on the head during a timeout of their game against the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan signals to his Spurs teammates during their game against New Orleans on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

The San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers perform during a timeout at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs fans are jubliant as the Spurs pull away to a 93-81 victory over the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Matt Bonner (15) of the Spurs defends Marco Belinelli of New Orleans looks to pass off during NBA action on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan (21) and Spurs teammates leave the court after their 93-81 victory over New Orleans on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

DeJuan Blair, right, and Tim Duncan of the Spurs go through a pre-game ritual before their game against New Orleans at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the Spurs hangs, as is his custom, from the rim when the lights are turned down for players introductions at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)