Gregg Popovich | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

New-look Spurs sink champs

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Spurs 104, Mavericks 87: March 23, 2012

Kawhi Leonard slips inside for a shot in the first half as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Manu Ginobili fouls Brandon Wright as he combines with Stephen Jackson on defense as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Boris Diaw is accepted on the bench by coach Brett Brown and Tony Parker as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Stephen Jackson reaches in and tips the ball away from Dirk Nowitzki resulting in a fast break score by Manu Ginobili as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan powers a shot over Brandan Wright in the first half as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan clears his way into the basket by Ian Mahinmi in the first half as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Danny Green loses the ball after being fouled in the lane as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Danny Green gets inside of Jason Terry for a layup as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Stephen Jackson winds his way through the middle in the second half as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Gary Neal gets off a runner in the second half as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Kawhi Leonard rolls in to score on a fast break against Jason Kidd as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Danny Green gets by Dominique Jones in the second half as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Boris Diaw gets the assignment to guard Dirk Nowitzki in the second half as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan and Danny Green stop Jason Terry in the lane in the second half as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan runs into a block by Ian Mahinmi in the first half as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Boris Diaw defends against Dirk Nowitzki as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Danny Green gets a pass backward over Jason Kidd as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

Shawn Marion loses control of the ball under pressure from Kawhi Leonard as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

DeJuan Blair pressures Dirk Nowitzki in the first half as the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / San Antonio Express-News)

By Jeff McDonald

The Spurs could have been content to sit tight.

With a roster good enough for second in the Western Conference, with an 11-game winning streak still fresh in their minds and a position about 25 general managers in the NBA would sell their first-born to acquire, the Spurs could have stood pat on a solid hand at the trade deadline.

Instead, the Spurs rolled the dice on a makeover that has changed the face of the team — and perhaps the Western Conference race.

When general manager R.C. Buford traded his starting small forward to bring back a prodigal son, signed a promising backup point guard and claimed a slick-passing big man from the free-agent pile — all in an eight-day whirlwind — it sent an unmistakable signal to his locker room.

“We’re trying to win this thing,” Tim Duncan said.

Friday night, the new-look Spurs were on display at the ATT Center, and the results were undeniable: Without Tony Parker — the only All-Star on the roster — the Spurs devastated the NBA’s reigning champions, choking out Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks 104-87.

Duncan had 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Manu Ginobili had 11 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, recovering from an uneven first half in his first start at point guard.

Danny Green led the Spurs with 18 points, and Kawhi Leonard added 12 and eight rebounds.

It added up to a significant victory, one that kicked off a back-to-back-to-back set that continues tonight in New Orleans and gave the Spurs (31-14) a six-game cushion in the Southwest Division.

It was also, as that noted purveyor of temperance and caution Stephen Jackson said afterward, just one game.

“You can’t be jumping the gun after one game,” Jackson said.

How thorough was the beating the Spurs administered Friday? They outrebounded Dallas 54-34, including a 12-4 edge on the offensive glass, and outscored the Mavs 50-16 in the paint and 21-7 in second-chance points.

Jackson had 10 points and eight rebounds. But his biggest contribution might have been his defensive work on Nowitzki during a short stretch in the first half. He appeared to so frustrate the big German that he sent the Dallas star into a game-long funk.

Nowitzki finished 5 of 21 and scored 16 points as Dallas (27-22) ended a four-game winning streak.

“He has an edge to him,” coach Gregg Popovich said of Jackson, who returned to the Spurs after nine seasons. “He’s a competitor.”

Boris Diaw, the newest Spurs player barely 24 hours off the plane from Charlotte, played nearly 16 minutes and made his lone field goal.

Signed on Friday after securing a buyout from the Bobcats, Diaw also helped defend Nowiztki, who missed 14 of 16 shots after the first quarter.

It was a surreal day for Diaw, who went from the NBA’s worst team to the thick of a title run overnight.

“I knew it was going to be pretty fast after the buyout,” Diaw said.

The Spurs put the game away with a 22-2 run in the second half, using a lineup that once would have been a hallucination: Gary Neal, Ginobili, Jackson, Diaw and Matt Bonner.

The only hole the Spurs showed Friday was at backup point guard, which could be filled once Patrick Mills clears up a visa issue.

“They obviously did not want to lose the season series,” Nowitzki said. “They came out with a little more fire.”

Nowitzki walked off the ATT Center floor worn and beaten, and this should concern Dallas when looking ahead to a potential playoff matchup. When Nowitzki shoved Leonard after a rebound with 2:04 left, drawing a technical foul, it was clear he’d had enough.

For the Spurs, it was off to New Orleans, in pursuit of the same goal they’d always had — winning this thing.

But thanks to their trade-deadline gamble, perhaps with a better chance of accomplishing it.

“We’re trying to be a contender,” Duncan said. “It’s good to see us making moves like that. Hopefully these moves pay off for us.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Spurs honor Bowen with convincing win

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Spurs 116, Timberwolves 100: March 21, 2012

Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) cringes after a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love (42) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) dunks against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Wesley Johnson (04) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) drives to the goal against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Wesley Johnson (04) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) walks to the locker room followed by team trainer Will Sevening (right) after reports stated Parker had tightness in his left hamstring in the second quarter of the Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Former Spurs Bruce Bowen smiles at fans during a Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen was honored during a jersey retirement ceremony. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) lines up a three-pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Danny Green (04) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Former Spurs Bruce Bowen laughs while attending a Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves’ at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen was honored during a jersey retirement ceremony. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) loses control of the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love (42) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22) gets a shot blocked by Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Tolliver (44) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ James Anderson (25) goes up for a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Tolliver (44) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love (42) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02), Gary Neal (14), Stephen Jackson (03) and Danny Green (04) take the court in the second half of play against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) gestures after making a three-pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) lines up a free throw against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Gary Neal (14) attempts a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Jose Barea (11) and Anthony Tolliver (44) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Silverdancers sport tops with former Spurs Bruce Bowen name and number during the Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen was honored during a jersey retirement ceremony after the game. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) goes up for a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Derrick Williams (07) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Former Spurs Bruce Bowen (left) gets a kiss from his youngest son, Ozmel, while attending a Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen is being honored during a jersey retirement ceremony. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

By Jeff McDonald

The man of the hour sat in the front row, bowtie and all. A banner emblazoned with his jersey number hung in the rafters overhead, obscured by a black curtain.

The stage was set for quite a party Wednesday night at the ATT Center.

All the Spurs had to do, before they could retire Bruce Bowen’s No. 12 for all eternity, was beat the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I’m not going to lie, it makes the mood better,” said Stephen Jackson, newly returned to the Spurs roster. “If we had lost, some people would have left.”

Instead, the latest collection of Spurs started Bruce Bowen Night off right, albeit not precisely in the manner befitting the celebration of a defensive standout, routing Minnesota 116-100.

The Spurs had six players in double figures — none of them named Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili — and led wire-to-wire in sending the Timberwolves to their 15th consecutive loss in San Antonio.

Tim Duncan had 21 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Spurs, and did not play after the third quarter.

? The only hiccup: Parker, the Spurs’ All-Star point guard, left before halftime with a tight left hamstring and did not return.

His status for Friday’s game against Dallas, the start of the Spurs’ first back-to-back-to-back of the season, is in doubt — but only officially.

“If I was a betting man, I’d say he’ll be back,” said Gary Neal, who would start for Parker otherwise.

The Spurs (30-14) didn’t exactly miss their leading scorer Wednesday.

Neal, Kawhi Leonard and Jackson each chipped in 16 points. Danny Green scored 14, and Tiago Splitter had 11.

For Jackson, it was quite a homecoming to the ATT Center. Playing at home for the first time since last week’s trade that brought him back to the Spurs, Jackson hit his first four shots, finishing 6 of 9, and 3 of 4 from 3-point range.

“We won, and that’s what I’m all about,” Jackson said after his first home game at the ATT Center since the 2003 NBA Finals. “I’m glad to be on a team that wins.”

The Spurs outrebounded the Timberwolves 56-41, including a 17-9 edge on the offensive glass, after being annihilated on the boards in two losses in Minnesota.

It did not help Minnesota’s cause to be without 6-foot-11 center Nikola Pekovic, who was sidelined with an ankle injury.

“He’s the guy we can throw it to and know we can get easy buckets and keep the other team off the glass,” Minnesota’s Kevin Love said.

Speaking of Love, the Spurs did a half-decent job defending the All-Star forward, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds after averaging 21 and 15.5 against them in two previous meetings.

Often, the Spurs used alternating small forwards, Jackson and Leonard, to deny Love the ball in the post.

“He’s murdered us twice already,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “I thought the guys were really focused on that.”

Once the Spurs had dispensed with the business at hand, it was time to honor Bowen, who retired in 2009 an eight-time member of the NBA All-Defensive team and three-time league champion.

Unlike the last jersey retirement the Timberwolves were on hand for — Chris Mullin’s on Monday at Golden State — there were no boos from the crowd. Only the familiar chants of “Bruuuuuuce!”

Bowen became the seventh Spurs player to have his jersey retired, joining David Robinson, George Gervin, James Silas, Sean Elliott, Avery Johnson and Johnny Moore.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had anything bestowed on me quite as special as this,” said Bowen, who teared up during the ceremony.

By beating the Timberwolves, the current Spurs did their part to make the night a little more special. But only a little.

“It’s one of those nights that’s beyond the game,” Ginobili said. “What Bruce accomplished, and what he meant to this city, is beyond one game against the Timberwolves.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Timing of three days off pleasing to Parker

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Bruce Bowen’s jersey retirement luncheon

Former Spur Bruce Bowen speaks to the media before his jersey retirement luncheon at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)

Bruce Bowen’s No. 12 jersey hangs at the ATT Center during his jersey retirement luncheon on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)

Former Spur Bruce Bowen (left) and current Spur Tim Duncan share a moment at Bowen’s jersey retirement luncheon at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)

Spur Tony Parker (center) shares a laugh with teammates Tiago Splitter (left) and Tim Duncan (right) at Bruce Bowen’s jersey retirement luncheon at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (from left) and players Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili tell stories about former teammate Bruce Bowen at his jersey retirement luncheon at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)

Retired Spurs forward Bruce Bowen is introduced by fellow Spurs great Sean Elliott at a luncheon honoring Bowen at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)

Former Spurs players Danny Ferry (right) and Sean Marks chat during the jersey retirement luncheon for Bruce Bowen at the ATT Center on Monday, March 19, 2012. Bowen’s jersey will be retired as part of Wednesday’s game at the arena against the Timberwolves. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)

As deftly as Gregg Popovich has managed the minutes of his players in the compressed, 66-game post-lockout schedule — only Tony Parker and Tim Duncan average as many as 28 minutes per game — the Spurs coach is mindful of the grind that awaits his team in the final six weeks.

Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves at the ATT Center will begin a stretch of six games in eight nights, including the final three on the road.

Awaiting in mid-April: Eight games in 11 days.

Thus, the three-day break in the schedule that arrived after Saturday’s loss in Dallas was welcomed by everyone, especially Parker, the only Spurs player averaging more than 30 minutes (34.5).

“Definitely, it’s going to help recharge the battery,” said Parker, who admitted fatigue played a role Saturday when he was held to 13 points, his lowest output in March. “I think it was catching up with me because it was a hard game against Oklahoma City (on Friday).

“These three days are definitely going to help me be ready for the big stretch coming up for us.

“Back-to-back-to-back, six games in eight days. That’s a lot of games coming up, so these three days are perfect.”

Aware that Parker didn’t seem as sharp Saturday as he has been most of the season, Popovich promised to guard against overworking him.

“We’ll watch that,” he said. “He’s strong, he’s in great shape, he’s more focused than ever. It’s his best year, and he’s had some good ones.

“We want him to keep that level of energy and focus, and we certainly don’t want to start overplaying him to win a game here and there, that’s for sure.”

Retirement lunch: After an early practice Monday morning, the entire Spurs roster bussed to the ATT Center for a luncheon honoring Bruce Bowen, whose No. 12 will be retired in conjunction with Wednesday’s game.

Bowen, who won three championships with the Spurs before retiring in the summer of 2009, called the impending honor the most special one ever bestowed on him.

“Someone asked me, ‘What if you’re inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame?’” Bowen, 40, said before the luncheon. “It wouldn’t surpass this. This is something that comes from the organization and people you were around for quite some time.”

Considered the premier wing defender of his time, Bowen was named to eight consecutive All-Defensive teams, including five straight first-team mentions between 2002-03 and 2007-08.

Those who played with Bowen consider his inclusion in the ATT Center rafters to be a no-brainer. He will join George Gervin, David Robinson, James Silas, Johnny Moore, Avery Johnson and Sean Elliott as players similarly honored.

“He’s not the type of player who normally gets his jersey retired,” said Manu Ginobili, who played alongside Bowen for seven seasons. “But what he’s done in this franchise was big. It’s very well-deserved.”

mikemonroe@express-news.net