Burrito06
Bench
Spurs regroup, look to contain Artest, Wells
Kings making first round difficult for defending champions
The Associated PressUpdated: 8:46 p.m. ET May 1, 2006
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The San Antonio Spurs were right to hate this playoff matchup from the moment they got it.
The defending champions’ reward for earning the West’s best record was a date with Sacramento, the most unpredictable club in the 16-team postseason field. The Kings had a new defense-first identity, a well-rested Ron Artest and a 25-11 late-season surge — and nobody knew how this volatile mix would work in the playoffs.
The first round isn’t supposed to be interesting for the top seed, but if any No. 8 seed could cause problems for mighty San Antonio, the Kings seemed to be Candidate No. 1.
“Nobody said this would be easy,” Tim Duncan said. “Everybody said the opposite.”
After four games, everything the Spurs feared has been true. After struggling in the series opener, the Kings nearly won Game 2 before tying the series and claiming all the momentum with two home victories.
In Game 5 on Tuesday night, the Spurs plan to lean heavily on that homecourt advantage they chased for 82 games. They’re also counting on their big-game experience — just about the only thing that the reconfigured, recharged Kings don’t have.
“Ever since I’ve been with the Spurs, we’ve gone up a lot of times 2-0, only to lose two straight,” guard Tony Parker said after Bonzi Wells’ 25 points and 17 rebounds led the Kings’ 102-84 demolition of the defending champs in Game 4 Sunday night.
“We have to go in and win one game in San Antonio. Playing at home adds quite a few points and quite a few extra buckets, so we’ve just got to stick with what we’re doing.”
The Kings are just the 12th No. 8 seed in league history to win even two games in a first-round series, although the NBA’s first playoff round was best-of-five until 2003. Only three bottom seeds have knocked off a No. 1: Denver beat Seattle in 1994, and the New York Knicks upset Miami in 1999 — both in five-game series.
Before the Kings boarded their plane to San Antonio on Monday, they exuded the casual confidence that’s been growing in Sacramento since Artest arrived in a trade in late January.
“We just protected out home court the way they did,” said Wells, who’s playing like the soon-to-be free agent that he is, with 21 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. “It was big for us to get two wins at home, but in order for us to win this series, we have to win at their house. Hopefully, (Game 5) will be the game.”
Game 6 in the best-of-seven series is Friday night in Sacramento.
Wells’ performances have highlighted many of the Spurs’ problems. The bulky shooting guard has been nearly unstoppable on the boards, dominating every defender assigned to him: He grabbed 14 rebounds in the first three quarters of Game 4, while the entire Spurs roster had just 19.
“Right now, our focus has to be on what we’re going to do to try to get Bonzi off the boards,” San Antonio’s Brent Barry said. “I’m going to see if I can bring a weapon in my shorts, maybe cut his Achilles’ tendon. But I don’t think they’re going to allow that, so we’re going to have to find a way defensively, as a team, to make sure we’re playing him.”
But Artest’s defense on Manu Ginobili has been no less impressive. Though Artest’s elbow to Ginobili’s face in Game 1 earned a one-game suspension for the notorious forward, he has made life miserable for the Argentine star in less tangible ways in every minute they’ve been on the floor together.
Ginobili played the best basketball of his NBA career in last season’s playoffs, averaging 20.8 points and barely finishing second to Duncan for the finals MVP award. This postseason has been a nightmare, with Artest limiting him to 21 total points in the three games Artest has played.
“I think we need to call more stuff for him,” said Parker, who leads San Antonio with 20.3 points and 5.3 assists per game. “Maybe we need to call his number some more, or maybe try and slow down a little bit and go with a half-court set. We need to get him going, because we definitely need him.”
But Popovich, Duncan and the Spurs have faced playoff trouble many times over the previous seven seasons, still winning three championships in the process. The Kings realize the enormity of their task in the clubs’ first postseason matchup — even if they’ve already gone halfway to a historic upset.
“In our eyes, we should be up 3-1 right now, but we’re not,” said Mike Bibby, who’s averaging 18.3 points, 6 assists and 4.3 rebounds in the series. “We know we can play with them. We just have to go out there and do it.”
Kings making first round difficult for defending champions
The Associated PressUpdated: 8:46 p.m. ET May 1, 2006
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The San Antonio Spurs were right to hate this playoff matchup from the moment they got it.
The defending champions’ reward for earning the West’s best record was a date with Sacramento, the most unpredictable club in the 16-team postseason field. The Kings had a new defense-first identity, a well-rested Ron Artest and a 25-11 late-season surge — and nobody knew how this volatile mix would work in the playoffs.
The first round isn’t supposed to be interesting for the top seed, but if any No. 8 seed could cause problems for mighty San Antonio, the Kings seemed to be Candidate No. 1.
“Nobody said this would be easy,” Tim Duncan said. “Everybody said the opposite.”
After four games, everything the Spurs feared has been true. After struggling in the series opener, the Kings nearly won Game 2 before tying the series and claiming all the momentum with two home victories.
In Game 5 on Tuesday night, the Spurs plan to lean heavily on that homecourt advantage they chased for 82 games. They’re also counting on their big-game experience — just about the only thing that the reconfigured, recharged Kings don’t have.
“Ever since I’ve been with the Spurs, we’ve gone up a lot of times 2-0, only to lose two straight,” guard Tony Parker said after Bonzi Wells’ 25 points and 17 rebounds led the Kings’ 102-84 demolition of the defending champs in Game 4 Sunday night.
“We have to go in and win one game in San Antonio. Playing at home adds quite a few points and quite a few extra buckets, so we’ve just got to stick with what we’re doing.”
The Kings are just the 12th No. 8 seed in league history to win even two games in a first-round series, although the NBA’s first playoff round was best-of-five until 2003. Only three bottom seeds have knocked off a No. 1: Denver beat Seattle in 1994, and the New York Knicks upset Miami in 1999 — both in five-game series.
Before the Kings boarded their plane to San Antonio on Monday, they exuded the casual confidence that’s been growing in Sacramento since Artest arrived in a trade in late January.
“We just protected out home court the way they did,” said Wells, who’s playing like the soon-to-be free agent that he is, with 21 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. “It was big for us to get two wins at home, but in order for us to win this series, we have to win at their house. Hopefully, (Game 5) will be the game.”
Game 6 in the best-of-seven series is Friday night in Sacramento.
Wells’ performances have highlighted many of the Spurs’ problems. The bulky shooting guard has been nearly unstoppable on the boards, dominating every defender assigned to him: He grabbed 14 rebounds in the first three quarters of Game 4, while the entire Spurs roster had just 19.
“Right now, our focus has to be on what we’re going to do to try to get Bonzi off the boards,” San Antonio’s Brent Barry said. “I’m going to see if I can bring a weapon in my shorts, maybe cut his Achilles’ tendon. But I don’t think they’re going to allow that, so we’re going to have to find a way defensively, as a team, to make sure we’re playing him.”
But Artest’s defense on Manu Ginobili has been no less impressive. Though Artest’s elbow to Ginobili’s face in Game 1 earned a one-game suspension for the notorious forward, he has made life miserable for the Argentine star in less tangible ways in every minute they’ve been on the floor together.
Ginobili played the best basketball of his NBA career in last season’s playoffs, averaging 20.8 points and barely finishing second to Duncan for the finals MVP award. This postseason has been a nightmare, with Artest limiting him to 21 total points in the three games Artest has played.
“I think we need to call more stuff for him,” said Parker, who leads San Antonio with 20.3 points and 5.3 assists per game. “Maybe we need to call his number some more, or maybe try and slow down a little bit and go with a half-court set. We need to get him going, because we definitely need him.”
But Popovich, Duncan and the Spurs have faced playoff trouble many times over the previous seven seasons, still winning three championships in the process. The Kings realize the enormity of their task in the clubs’ first postseason matchup — even if they’ve already gone halfway to a historic upset.
“In our eyes, we should be up 3-1 right now, but we’re not,” said Mike Bibby, who’s averaging 18.3 points, 6 assists and 4.3 rebounds in the series. “We know we can play with them. We just have to go out there and do it.”
UMMMMM..... i know he was kidding..but is that really called for....and OUCH!!!
I didn't take it very seriously when I read it today... I laughed
