Tag: Spurs assistant coach

Newman spurns Suns, will remain on Spurs staff

Spurs assistant coach Don Newman has turned down an offer from the Suns to become that team’s defensive coordinator and will remain on Gregg Popovich’s coaching staff.

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford confirmed Newman’s decision to continue his tenure with the Spurs, a choice first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of YahooSports!, via Twitter.

Only Mike Budenholzer has been on Popovich’s coaching staff longer than Newman. One of the most popular figures in the basketball organization, he has focused on coaching defense since being hired on June 28,2004.

Tiago works extra tweaking his foul shot

Spurs rookie forward Tiago Splitter spent a few minutes after his teammates left  the court experimenting with different foul shots under the watchful eye of Spurs assistant coach Chip Engelland.

Splitter is struggling from the line, hitting 55.9 percent from the foul line. He’s hit only 6-for-17 (35.3 percent) from the line in his last six games, including a critical air ball late in the Spurs’ loss to Portland.

The shot Splitter appeared to have the most success with Thursday morning had a distinct movement where he placed the ball in his right hand and then shot the ball. It completely removed his left hand out of his shooting motion.

It’s a curious looking stroke, but one where improvement is important. His chances of playing more in the fourth quarter will depend on him not being a liability from the foul line in latter stages of the game.