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Spurs owe success to roster full of contributors

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich started this condensed 66-game NBA schedule with the notion that his starters, some of them a bit old, would need rest and they would need it often.

“It’s probably mandatory,” Popovich said in December.

As a whole, the veterans are playing fewer minutes, as Manu Ginobili has battled a few injuries and Popovich has found opportune times for Tim Duncan and Tony Parker to join the inactive portion of the box score.

Thanks to the deepest bench in the team’s championship era and likely ever, the Spurs have the best record in the West and second best in the NBA. And recent additions have made the bench strong enough to make some think the Spurs are primed for a run at championship No. 5.

It’s been especially noticeable as the Spurs built their recent 10-game win streak. After scoring 82 points in Friday’s win over New Orleans, the most by an NBA bench since 1990, the reserves have outscored the opposing bench 245-135 in the past four games.

Express-News staff writer Tim Griffin examines how much the bench aided the Spurs’ first four titles and this season’s Spurs. See Page C6 for a statistical breakdown of the starters and reserves from these five Spurs teams and some key moments off the bench in the title runs:

1999
Veterans Jaren Jackson, 31, Steve Kerr, 33, Jerome Kersey, 36, and Will Perdue, 33, were key contributors. No reserve averaged more than 6.4 points or 18.3 minutes as Popovich stuck with his starters more than any of his other title teams.

2003
Malik Rose (10.4 ppg, 24.5 mpg) and 25-year-old rookie Manu Ginobili (7.6 ppg, 20.7 mpg) were the most important, but vets Steve Smith, Danny Ferry, Kevin Willis, Speedy Claxton and Kerr had their moments.

2005
Robert Horry hit the big shots, but Nazr Mohammed, Brent Barry, 22-year-old rookie point guard Beno Udrih and late-season acquisition Glenn Robinson all played regularly by playoff time.

2007
Ginobili was a reserve most of the season, providing 16.5 ppg as the third-leading scorer. Michael Finley and Barry also averaged more than 20 minutes a game, and Fabricio Oberto and Udrih complimented them.

2012
Three moves bolstered a strong bench with late acquisitions of Stephen Jackson, Boris Diaw and Patty Mills. Four bench players average at least 20 minutes a game and two others are close to that. With Tiago Splitter, Gary Neal, Matt Bonner and Ginobili playing well, Popovich has leaned on his bench more than any of his other teams.

TITLE MOMENTS OFF THE BENCH

The Spurs’ bench has come up with key performances that have helped produce pivotal moments in the team’s previous four championship seasons. Here is a key bench contribution in each of those seasons:

1999: Jaren Jackson goes for 22 points and 20 points in the final two games of the series helping to finish off road victories in a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the playoffs.

2003: After playing only 13 minutes in the playoffs up to then, Steve Kerr comes off the bench to hit four clutch 3-pointers that fuels a series-clinching victory over Dallas in the Western Conference finals.

2005: The legend of “Big Shot Rob” continues as Robert Horry sinks a game-winning 3-pointer with 5.8 seconds in overtime to boost the Spurs to a series-turning Game 5 victory at Detroit in the NBA Finals.

2007: Manu Ginobili erupts for monster scoring games of 26 points in a Game 5 victory and 33 in the series-clinching Game 6 triumph to help finish off Phoenix in the Western Conference semifinals. The series turns when Horry’s hip-check of Phoenix’s Steve Nash, sending Nash into the scorer’s table, sparks a rumble.

– Tim Griffin

Spurs beat worst to move into first

By Jeff McDonald

In the Internet age of ESPN and Twitter and smart phones and tablet apps, it is almost impossible for an NBA player to avoid the NBA standings. They are accessible to anybody, anywhere, via the simple click of a mouse.

So are scores from around the league, updated in real time, play-by-play and basket-by-basket.

Still, with all this inescapable information zipping through cyberspace at the speed of light, Spurs guard Danny Green admits he was unaware what was at stake in the Spurs’ 128-103 victory over New Orleans on Friday night at the ATT Center.

First place in the Western Conference?

“We knew we were close,” Green said. “But I didn’t know tonight would be the night.”

Combined with Oklahoma City’s loss at Indiana nearly an hour earlier, the Spurs’ unmerciful beatdown of the woeful Hornets moved them to the top of the West standings for the first time this season.

True, the lead the 39-14 Spurs hold over the Thunder is microscopic — a mere 9/100ths of a percentage point — and there is far too much season left to be popping champagne corks now. But for now, the Spurs will enjoy the view from the top while it lasts.

“It’s always good to hold your own destiny in your hands,” said guard Gary Neal, whose team owns the head-to-head tiebreaker with Oklahoma City.

Against New Orleans, Tim Duncan scored 19 points to head a list of six players in double figures, and the Spurs raced to a 28-point lead in the first half before cruising to a 10th straight victory. The Spurs now own the two longest winning streaks in the NBA this season, having won 11 in a row from Jan. 30 to Feb. 20.

Win No. 10 came by way of the Spurs’ highest-scoring night of the season, surpassing a 125-90 victory in Cleveland four nights earlier.

If the Spurs appeared hyper-motivated to take advantage of Oklahoma City’s misfortune Friday, pin it on coincidence. Laser focused, many players were blissfully unaware of the various standings storylines heading into their game against New Orleans.

A game ahead of the Spurs to start the night, the Thunder fell into a 24-point hole early in Indiana before losing 103-98. By the time the Spurs took the floor against New Orleans, the West’s last-place team, first place was in play.

News of the Thunder’s struggles did not exactly spread like wildfire in the Spurs locker room before tipoff at the ATT Center.

“I think one of the ballboys came in and told us,” Manu Ginobili said.

At about the time the Pacers were finishing off the Thunder, the Spurs were putting the final polish on a season-best 72-point first half, making 30 of 45 shots and taking a 25-point lead into intermission.

With no starter logging more than Kawhi Leonard’s 21 minutes, five reserves scored in double figures for the Spurs, who recorded a season-best 31 assists.

Ginobili and Patrick Mills each produced 14 points off the bench, while all 13 members of the Spurs’ active roster scored. The Spurs’ reserves combined for 82 points, the most prolific night for an NBA bench since Jan. 3, 2000, when the Orlando subs also accounted for 82 against Detroit.

Already ahead by 10 heading into the second quarter, the Spurs reeled off a 23-5 run in the second quarter to transform the entire night into an exercise in scoreboard-watching.

New Orleans coach Monty Williams bemoaned his team’s defense after the Spurs shot a season-best 60.7 percent — “We couldn’t guard a bike if we were riding it” — but even he knew his hamstrung roster was no match for the one belonging to Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

“They look like they’re primed for a championship run,” said Williams, whose team fell to 14-41.

Friday, the Spurs took over first place in the West, then reacted as if they’d just found some spare change in a couch cushion.

“We don’t want to get crazy about it,” Ginobili said.

Indeed, the Spurs have been here before, winning 61 games for the West’s top-seed last season, then tumbling in the first round against Memphis. With 13 games still to play this season, the Spurs are guaranteed nothing.

The best course of action, they’ve decided, is to do what they’ve been doing: Keep playing, oblivious to vagaries of the standings, looking up only at the end of the regular season.

First place?

“It’s great, but there’s too many games left,” Duncan said. “We’re going to go through some ups and downs. We’re going to lose some games. They’re (the Thunder) going to lose some games. We’ll see how we come out the other end.”

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Spurs 128, Hornets 103: April 6, 2012

DeJuan Blair reaches in trying to foil Carl Landry on the blocks as the Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker slides between Greiis Vasquez and Chris Kaman as the Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

DeJuan Blair scores from the backdoor on Chris Kaman as the San Antonio Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

DeJuan Blair jams one as the San Antonio Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Kawhi Leonard jams it in the face of Chris Kaman as the Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Manu Ginobili scores easily on Gustavo Ayon as the Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS James Anderson moves inside of Al-Farouq Aminu as the San Antonio Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Chris Kaman pivots on Tiago Splitter as the Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

SPORTS Manu Ginobili coordinates the team in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Manu Ginobili goes through the net trying to score and draws the foul against Trevor Ariza as the San Antonio Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan takes it to the hoop against Chris Kaman as the Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Stephen Jackson puts up a shot in the first half as the Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter puts up a hook shot against Chris Kaman as the Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Chris Kaman pivots on Tiago Splitter as the Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

What the Spurs, T’wolves said after Wednesday’s game

The Spurs and Timberwolves were talkative in the locker rooms after San Antonio’s 116-100 victory Wednesdaynight.

The good folks from the Spurs media services office were there to collect some of what they said.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich

(Any word on Tony Parker?)

“I think they said mild hamstring, so we won’t know much until tomorrow.”

(How did you feel like Gary Neal did filling in the second half?)

“Gary did a great job for a two guard. He did a great job. He’s not a one (guard), but I think he kind of likes it for some strange reason. We are happy that he can do what he does at that position and Manu does it a little bit, so the two of them kind of share it.”

(Talk about Tim Duncan setting the tone early on the boards…)

“Tim’s been really fresh all year long. I’m really enthused about his health and his body…the way he’s taking care of himself. He’s got quickness and he’s got more agility than he’s had in a while. He’s had it for the whole season, so it’s been fun to watch.”

(Is that as good of a job as you’ve done keeping Kevin Love from dominating?)

“I think so. I thought the guys were really focused on that and at the same time, I think he helped us out. I think he was hurting a little bit. I don’t know what it was but I think it’s his back or something. He looked like he was a little stiff tonight, so he helped us out too.”

(How do you think Kawhi Leonard did against him in the post?)

“He and Jack kind of shared it down there. I think they busted their butts trying to keep him from catching it, so he definitely had fewer catches than he would have had if we had just had a big standing behind him someplace. So, they did a good job.”

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili:

(On filling in for Tony Parker after leaving with an injury…)

“We have been doing this for short periods of time. The mindset was the same. We tried to get everybody involved and create. This did not change much. You know your role and it is just different. I think we did pretty well.”

(On Parker’s injury with back-to-back-to-back game coming up…)

“It is very bad. Everybody knows how important Tony Parker has been for us right now. It is going to be difficult. We need to figure out. Great teams figure it out. Whether you are missing a player or not you have to find a way.”

(On his minutes and play…)

“Today I felt pretty good. The best I have felt. I was very happy about it. I played 25 minutes. I know I did not play 35 but I felt good and my legs are starting to respond better. They are not cramping or hurting now. I have to see tomorrow how I feel, but I am optimistic because it is the best I have felt.”

Spurs forward Stephen Jackson:

(On first game back in this arena…)

“We won. That’s what I am all about. I am glad to be here on a team that wins. It feels good to finally get back on the court and get this first home game out of the way. I did not have too many jitters because I have been doing this for a long time. To be able to get out there and win this game is great.”

(On shooting his 3-point shots)

“A lot of those shots just came through the offense and gave me wide-open looks. We practice this everyday and these are the shots we are going to get with this offense. We just need to knock them down.”

(On how it was playing with Tim Duncan again…)

“This is the Tim I have always known. He is moving great. From watching him last year to now, he definitely looks like the old Tim Duncan. To get where we want to be, we are going to need him to play like that.”

(On Tony Parker coming out in the second quarter…)

“Things are going to be difficult for us playing without Tony. We are in a good position with Ginobili being able to play point and move the ball. We just have to figure it out. We did not expect for this to happen but Gary Neal and Manu Ginobili are picking up the slack.”

Timberwolves center Kevin Love:

(Do you feel like the Spurs were making a big effort to keep you off the glass?)

“Yeah, as a group. They did a good job on the offensive boards. They had three days of rest and we just seemed to not have any legs, me included.”

(Did they seem like a different team since the last time you both played each other?)

“Yes, they are in playoff mode. You can tell and they’re ready for the post-season.”

(Is there a fatigue factor?)

“Yeah, we need a full roster if we’re going to win against teams like this. It’s tough. I know it wasn’t just me. It was the whole team. We just didn’t have our legs.”

(How much does Nikola Pekovic not playing effect the team?)

“(Pekovic) is huge for us. He’s the guy we can throw it into and know we can get easy buckets and keep the other team off the glass. It was tough for us.”

Timberwolves guard Jose Barea:

(What does a team like this learn from a game like this tonight?)

“We played against a tough team tonight. They are playing really good. You have to give San Antonio a lot credit. We didn’t come ready. We started bad and we started the second half bad. They played with more energy and it’s tough without a center. We have to definitely play with some more energy on Friday and see what happens.”

(On playing without Nikola Pekovic Friday?)

“We have done a good job of bouncing back this year. I know we’re going to play a lot harder on Friday and with more energy. We definitely have to defend better.”

(What makes Tim Duncan so impressive for so long?)

“He’s just so smart. I think his coach (Popovich) helps him out a lot. I think their system and they way they have been running it for years shows they’re good at it.”