Bleacher Report - Articles by Dusty Garza

Tony Parker, George Hill Mean a New Era for San Antonio Spurs

Dusty Garza — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:46:00 -0500

In 1985, tragedy struck the Spurs the day after Christmas. That was the day their point guard, Johnny Moore, was hospitalized with Desert Fever—a rare illness that ended his season and cut his promising career short. It happened just as a new era had begun in San Antonio.

Two months before George Gervin had been traded to the Chicago Bulls. The Iceman's minutes had been handed to Alvin Robertson, a young combo-guard who had become an instant contributor during his rookie year.

It was early in the season, and the Spurs were torturing other teams while executing Cotton Ball—the fast breaking, "he who scores last wins" style of basketball made famous by then coach Cotton Fitzsimmons.

The rest of the NBA had been left a step back by the lightning-fast back court tandem of Moore and Robertson. But it didn't last.

After Moore went down, Robertson became the Spurs' bright spot during that 1985–86 season. He went on to lead the NBA in steals, averaging almost four per contest and set NBA records for the most steals in a single season.

His well rounded play allowed him to record one of the four quadruple-doubles in NBA history—finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals against the Phoenix Suns in February of that fateful year.

Bob Bass, then G.M. of the Spurs, tried to re-create the magic by drafting another Johnny (Dawkins) to play with Alvin the following summer, but the coupling never quite lived up to expectations.

Flash forward a little more than two decades to this week's coming out party for another young and talented combo-guard who has become an instant contributor for San Antonio: rookie George Hill.

During the past four games, he's scored 20 or more points three times. He would have extended the streak to four straight games, had he not managed to score only 19-points on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. That was the same night that Hill pushed his team to victory after out-dueling the NBA's top draft pick, Derrick Rose, and his Bulls.

Until he stepped onto the floor during the fourth quarter, it had been another tightly contested game. However, Hill's scorching shots burned everyone who tried to keep up with him.

His impressive scoring streak began when the still-tinkering Gregg Popovich decided to hand over most of the point guard duties to Roger Mason. Two things happened as a result.

First, Mason found that controlling the ball also better allowed him to control his own shooting rhythm and his shots began to fall more consistently. Second, Hill slid over to the shooting guard spot, a position he most enjoys playing and the same one that led him to scoring records and titles in college.

Until that slight re-arrangement of the lineup, the coaching staff had assigned veteran Jacque Vaughn to groom Hill into a point guard.

But Hill's scoring isn't what has impressed his coach, teammates, and fans. Hill simply looks like a player who isn't a rookie.

Sure, his energetic defense has shown some tangles against stronger, more experienced all-stars like Baron Davis and Chauncey Billups, but those nights have been exceptions to his usual play. Hill has begun to show much more confidence and does things that most can't find on a stats sheet.

"He's been playing unbelievable," veteran Kurt Thomas said. "I was a little disappointed that he missed that free throw or he would have had four games straight with 20 or more points."

It's ironic that some felt Hill was too short to ever play extended minutes as a shooting guard in this league, since he's the same guy who grabbed 11 rebounds on a night when no Spurs big man could grab more than nine.

"I try to tell him,'You just box out and let the big guys get the rebounds,'" jokes Thomas. "But he's a feisty young man who likes to get in there and show his ability to get off the floor."

"He's had an incredible season," says coach Gregg Popovich. "For a rookie, coming in who has the pressure that he has, the job that he has learning that position, I think he's been fantastic. He got some steals out there. He made some defensive plays that will probably go unnoticed, but that help teams win. He plays an all-around game and he's been doing a great job for us."

Flash forward to the very near future. Imagine what a back court tandem featuring Tony Parker and George Hill might do to the rest of the league.

Whatever that looks like, it hasn't been seen in San Antonio since Moore and Robertson accelerated past defenders at breakneck speed for layups and dunks. Imagine the snappy passes and quick-footed cuts through the paint, the pick pockets pressuring opposing point guards.

Sigh.

Whether the coaching staff might ever decide to "go small" with those two remains to be seen, but it's certainly something Spurs fans are looking forward to. Can't say I blame them.

I was lucky enough to see the original dashing duo lighting teams up in hypersonic fashion during their brief stint at the old HemisFair Arena. It turned out to be fleeting fun and eventually we saw Cotton Ball move to Phoenix where it remained until Mike D'Antoni re-located to the Big Apple this past summer. Yes, it's fun to watch, but it doesn't win championships.

Still, we can afford a little slice of screamin' speed ball once in a while, can't we? Heck, it might even do wonders for ridding the Spurs of the "boring" moniker that the rest of the NBA has bestowed upon them in recent years. Imagine what it might do for the team's lowly television ratings.

Now, before you start to worry that the Spurs may be turning into the old Phoenix Suns, remember that defense still rules in the house that Pop built.

That's what makes the today's possibilities that much sweeter...just as dawn begins to break on a new era in San Antonio.

Roger Mason: The Replacement

Dusty Garza — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:32:19 -0500

By the time Roger Mason was finally convinced to leave his hometown Wizards and sign a two year deal worth roughly $7.5 million with the Spurs, no one knew he would be asked to replace Manu Ginobili in San Antonio.

Players in this league are asked to fill in for injured All-Stars all the time. That they can actually step up, not just step in, is what's uncommon.

Certainly not by choice, Tim Duncan has started his campaign for league MVP early this year. Luckily, he's had Micheal Finley and Roger Mason there to help him carry San Antonio's heavy, injury-burdened load. Their efforts finally find the Spurs playing .500 level basketball.

Mason's performances, including the game winning shot against the Clippers in Los Angeles, have given Gregg Popovich hope that his team will be anything but .500 very soon.

"I think we're going to be a very deep basketball team once we get everybody back and healthy," says Popovich.

He's been telling everyone since before the season started that Roger Mason was special. Finally, the league is starting to see what Popovich and the rest of the Spurs have been seeing during practice for weeks.

Since preseason camp, Mason has been "unstoppable" during team scrimmages. He learned the Spurs' offensive and defensive schemes at record pace and perhaps most importantly, he seems to have won over the confidence of his coach—something first year players in San Antonio rarely ever do.

"It's definitely a blessing," says Mason. "I thank God for the opportunity to be here and to be a leader on a team like this. He's blessing me and giving me an opportunity to show my talent."

That Manu Ginobili's injury can be looked at as blessing in disguise is to be short-sighted. One has to look back much further than that.

When Corey Maggette left the Spurs standing empty-handed at the free agent altar this past summer, no one could have imagined that the team's fortunes would turn out better than anyone thought because it left an open door for Mason to join the Spurs, instead.

While Maggette has finally bounced back from his own hamstring injury at Golden State, Roger Mason has been sinking defenders and big shots, including that game winner against the Clippers, for the Spurs.

"Throughout my career, I've taken big shots and I've made made them," said Mason after the game. "Haven't really had that chance in the league, but I got it tonight and I made the most of it and it went in."

The Spurs are counting on Mason for over 14 points a game while running him hard for 35 minutes a night on average.

He's shooting three-pointers with 47% accuracy and even helping with rebounding duty, averaging 4.3 boards a game. Not bad for a shooting guard.

While a head to head comparison to Maggette may look just about even on paper, his defense, his faith in himself and his optimism have won over the team and its most vocal fans. The same might not be said about Maggette. Not 10 games into this young season, perhaps not ever.

It's that same confidence in his shot that made Popovich (the same coach who wanted Mason in a Spurs uniform long before last season) draw up the winning play for him the other night.

"I think it's my first game winner. I've hit some late shots, but as far as game winners, this is my first one," explains Mason. "It's great, you know, just to have a team depend on you. We've got two all-stars out, obviously, and I don't think there's one guy whose gonna make up for a Manu Ginobili or one guy whose gonna make up for Tony Parker, but we've got great coaching, great characters in the locker room and guys that are stepping up."

Roger that, Mr. Mason. Roger that.

All NBA College Graduates Team

Dusty Garza — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:46:46 -0500

There seems to be little doubt about it. NBA players benefit greatly from collegiate experience. Yet most up and coming players seem to look at higher education as little more than a brief stop on the way to an pro-league paycheck—if that.

The Association has done what it can to curb the influx of fascinated younger players with dollar signs, not textbooks, on their minds. Many believe more needs to be done to teach young, talented players about discipline and paying your dues.

Even today, as I write this, West Virginia Supreme Court justices issued an opinion in a case involving O.J. Mayo. Had the court not ruled as it did, a certain amount of chaos would have descended on high school sports everywhere. The case was very complex, and I certainly won't get into all the details here, but in essence, the Court voted unanimously to reinstate two rules dealing with high school game suspensions.

Discipline, again, being the pointed issue here.

Where does one learn it? Certainly during the formative high school years, but perhaps even more so in college. Where you have to learn to attend class, not because your parents and teachers tell you you have to, but because you're driven to for your own good.

Kevin Garnett made his announcement in 1995 to jump from high school to the NBA. The following year, Kobe Bryant skipped college and was selected 13th overall.

Superstars? Yes.

Remarkable? You bet.

Look up the careers of other high school players who have been taken with lottery picks and a sobering splash of ugly reality will hit you.

Most of those forgotten, early entry players never averaged double figures during their professional careers. Not even close.

These guys definitely had skills and talent, but it seems they never got coached on what to do with them.

On the other hand, here's my list of active NBA players who not only graduated from college, but continue to dominate, inspire and make their mark in the league. Please feel free to add your own.

Starting Five

G- Brandon Roy (Washington Huskies)
G- Steve Nash (Santa Clara University Broncos)
C- Tim Duncan (Wake Forest)
F- Tayshaun Prince (University of Kentucky Wildcats)
F- Danny Granger (University of New Mexico Lobos)

Off the bench

G- Kyle Korver (Creighton Bluejays)
C- Emeka Okafor (University of Connecticut Huskies)
F- Shane Battier (Duke Blue Devils)
F- Ruben Patterson (Cincinnati Bearcats)
G- Jameer Nelson (St Joseph's Hawks)
F- Grant Hill (Duke)

All-NBA College Graduates Team

Dusty Garza — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:05:59 -0500

There seems to be little doubt about it.

NBA players benefit greatly from collegiate experience. Yet, most up-and-coming players seem to look at higher education as little more than a brief stop on their way to a pro-league paycheck—if that.

Even today, as I write this, West Virginia Supreme Court justices issued an opinion in a case involving O.J. Mayo.

Had the court not ruled as it did, a certain amount of chaos would have descended on high school sports everywhere. The case was very complex, and I certainly won't get into all the details here, but in essence, the Court voted unanimously to reinstate two rules dealing with high school game suspensions.

Discipline, again, being the pointed issue here.

Kevin Garnett made his announcement in 1995 to jump from high school to the NBA. The following year, Kobe Bryant skipped college and was selected 13th overall.

Superstars? Yes.

Remarkable? You bet.

Look up the careers of other high school players who have been taken with lottery picks and a sobering splash of ugly reality will hit you.

Most of those forgotten early entry players never averaged double figures during their professional careers. Not even close. These guys definitely had skills and talent, but it seems they never got coached on what to do with them.

On the other hand, here's my list of active NBA players who not only graduated from college, but continue to dominate, inspire, and make their mark in the league. Please feel free to add your own.

Starting Five

G- Brandon Roy (Washington Huskies)
G- Steve Nash (Santa Clara University Broncos)
C- Tim Duncan (Wake Forest)
F- Tayshaun prince (University of Kentucky Wildcats)
F- Danny Granger (University of New Mexico Lobos)

Off the bench

George Hill Feels He Can Step Up in Tony Parker's Absence

Dusty Garza — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:47:16 -0500

On the day he was drafted, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked to clarify whether he thought George Hill, who had just been taken with the team's top draft pick, could really be a valuable contributor to the veteran team.

"That's why I said that I think he can contribute right away," said a confident Popovich. "Because I think he can hit the ground running."

This soon into the season may not have been the "right away" as Popovich imagined, but it's reality. With news that Tony Parker will be shelved for at least a month with a self-inflicted ankle injury, the Spurs are counting on Hill to step in an help.

"It's a great opportunity, and I think I'm ready to step up and take the challenge," said Hill. But even he admits he didn't think the call to action would come this early.

"Not with a player like Tony Parker," said Hill. "Who knew that I'd come in as a rookie and be put in the position to lead this team and this organization as we try to get back on track?"

Asked how he might mesh with Tim Duncan, the team's only remaining All-Star not hampered by injuries, Hill acknowledges there's still a learning curve for him.

"I'm still learning," said Hill. "I'm a young player, there's a lot to learn out here. He's used to Tony, so it's a different story when he has a rookie throwing him the ball, but you have a different organization here. Great teammates, he tells you. He walks you through everything. How he likes this or that and what he thinks I should do in different situations, so I can't go wrong with that."

Finally making an appearance in his first regular-season game (after sitting out with his own injury), the rookie scored eleven points in fifteen minutes of play. That performance impressed not only his fans, but his coach.

"I thought he did great," said Popovich. "He did his best of trying to get into his first NBA game as much as he could. He's got great composure, mentally and physically. He's a tough kid. I was pleased with what he did."

Still, the Spurs' staff are trying to make sure they set reasonable expectations upon on the rookie's shoulders. They like his confidence—something they haven't seen in too many other young point guards of the past—but they realize that this may be a big elephant that Hill has to chew one bite at a time.

"I think it's always a learning process," says Spurs' general manager, R.C. Buford. "People have been encouraged, our group has been encouraged, the guys he's played with have been encouraged with what George has done to date, but I don't think anyone has any expectations that he's going to walk in and fill Tony's shoes right off the bat.

"Especially given the way Tony's been playing, this will be a great opportunity for George and Pop to grow together, for Pop to put him in situations that you can't simulate in practice or in limited minutes."

Asked if he was worried that veteran Jacques Vaughn might be called on to start, or might wind up playing more minutes than he would be, Hill says he doesn't care.

"I think the overall goal here is to win games and win championships. I don't get caught up in whose starting and whose coming off the bench. I just want to win."

As for trying hard to fill Tony Parker's shoes, Hill has his own mindset.

"You can't do Tony. Tony is Tony and he's a great player. I don't think I can be anything like Tony. I can just take care of what I can do and control what I can control, but I will step up. I like a challenge and I like to work hard. I think it's going to be a great opportunity."

More on Hill and the Spurs at SpursReport.Com

Step Away From The Panic Button, San Antonio Spurs Fans!

Dusty Garza — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:11:54 -0500

Here are a few things that fans need to consider after the Spurs' 0-2 start:

1. The Spurs showed terrible transition defense against Phoenix during game one, and that was a big difference maker. They worked on those problems and reacted much better during game two in Portland.

This group is "ahead of schedule" when it comes to picking up the set defensive rotations and that is a huge plus, but they have to continue working the wrinkles out of the transitional defensive game plan.

2. As has been discussed, the front line was short some big bodies, causing some here to freak out. That's way too soon. Step away from the panic button.

Yes, Tim Duncan worked extremely hard during those first two games, but the team had no choice. Even so, it was great to see Duncan play so well and so long against the youngsters in Portland. He did a great job and the Spurs almost pulled a rabbit out of the hat.

3. The Portland Trailblazers and their fans were pumped up and prepared for opening night against the Spurs. This was a huge "target on our backs" game for the Spurs. The fans in the Pacific Northwest haven't been this excited about a Portland team in a long time and their expectations and decibel level were very, very high.

Even so, the "old" Spurs came in there and not only never went away, almost winning the game. As one wise NBA coach once said. "In professional basketball, having a shot at winning the game is what you hope for every night."

Kudos to the Spurs for making adjustments. Kudos for their tremendously deadly shooting from long-range during the game and kudos to Gregg Popovich for coaching and making adjustments given the lack of big bodies in his front court.

The Spurs face an early stress test this week. They've got to play three games in four nights. Not only will their legs and wind be tested against the teams they're playing, they're also going to get a good look at where the new guys stand on their offensive execution and "corporate knowledge."

We'll see if the Roger Mason the Spurs have been seeing during practice ("lighting everyone up") is for real. We may get a chance to see whether Anthony Tolliver ("a really smart guy") is going to help this team. And if his thumb is better, Pop will insert George Hill into a game or two to see (once again) how he responds to a couple of the league's best point guards.

Don't hang your head about the 0-2 start, Spurs fans.

The race is long and the echo of the starting gun can still be heard.

Add your own thoughts to this article in the SpursReport fan forum's discussion thread.

San Antonio Spurs 2008-09 Season Preview

Dusty Garza — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:32:06 -0400

The San Antonio Spurs looked tired and physically beaten by the time the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated them during the Western Conference Finals last summer. It was the furthest the Spurs had travelled in their quest for a repeat title, but it wasn’t enough.

Combined with a lack of rest, a key injury to Manu Ginobili, and an infamous no-call foul against Brent Barry in the closing seconds of Game Four, the “old and tired” Spurs were dispatched in five games.

“It was tough because we always want to win championships,” says Tony Parker, “We had a couple of injuries so we weren’t able to finish like we wanted to, but that’s sports.”

By the time the regular season had come to an end, the Spurs had fought hard to finish with a 56-26 record—tied with the New Orleans Hornets.

They had some opportunities to clinch the top spot in the West, but instead had to settle for the third seed heading into the playoffs. It was with that ranking that they were forced to face the rugged Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs. That classic battle of a series was followed with a face-off against the young, hungry, and very dangerous New Orleans Hornets, who it took seven games to fend off.

The Spurs, the NBA's oldest team, definitely looked a year older. During the summer, the front office decided to infuse some younger talent into the roster. But time and again, they were turned down by both free-agents—Corey Maggette and Jannero Pargo among them—and draft picks like Tiago Splitter, who decided that better paychecks were waiting for them elsewhere.

As usual, the Spurs surprised everyone on draft day with their first-round selection of George Hill, a 6’2” shooter who wasn’t projected to go until the middle of the second-round. Spurs scouts had been keeping an eye on him at IUPUI in Indianapolis, and are convinced the former Summit League Player of the Year can contribute right away.

No doubt, Hill can score in bunches—but he must adapt his game to the point position. This is the very thing that Spurs fans fear could be his demise. Coach Gregg Popovich, after all, has an ill-famed reputation for patience with point guards who don’t pick up the nuances of his game quickly or adequately enough. Just ask Beno Udrih or Damon Stoudamire.

Interestingly, Stoudamire’s departure after a very brief stint in San Antonio has opened the door for his cousin, Salim—who found himself frustrated, angry, yet quite productive as a shooter during his first three seasons with the lowly Atlanta Hawks.

If the younger Stoudamire can bring some of his sniper-like shooting to San Antonio and crack a roster spot, he would be a welcomed pick-up-- especially when one considers that Ginobili will be sitting out the start of the regular season (perhaps until December) following his post-Olympic Games ankle surgery.

Roger Mason, a proven catch-and-shoot scorer who the Spurs tried to sign last season, flies in to help from Washington. He joins Michael Finley, another catch-and-shoot specialist, who re-upped with the Spurs for a lot less than he had been making on Mark Cuban’s payroll the last few years.

Gone are Brent Barry (signed as a free agent with Houston) and Robert Horry (signed at a retirement home).

The Spurs are hoping young French big man Ian Mahinmi—who made his impression on scouts at the 2004 Under-18 European Championships—is finally ready to contribute in the paint after developing his game with San Antonio’s NBDL club, the Austin Toros.

6’9” power forward Anthony Tolliver picked up a two-year contract from the club after some impressive play at the summer league. Tolliver brings with him good rebounding, sound defense, good floor intelligence—and may wind up surprising a few folks if he can fight for some minutes in Pop’s rotation.

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker will continue to lead the squad offensively until everyone gels and picks up the team’s “corporate knowledge.”

Greg Popovich has the team where he most likes them. Every time they’ve won a championship, they've been positioned as the underdog. He is one of those coaches who can take the right mix of players and go further than most expect—especially if he has them firing on all cylinders by April.

"The beginning of the season is always wonderful," says Popovich. "You look forward to all the competitive situations in camp. You get to look at the young guys. You put in new ideas, things you thought about all summer. It's always a fun time of year, without a doubt."

Something better work, because these Spurs aren’t getting any younger. Just ask Bruce Bowen.

"I think it's going to be the last year with the same team—with the same core," says Tony Parker. "I think coach Pop wants to give it one more chance with that team and I think we deserve it. We won three championships in the last six years, so we'll give it one more time. After this year, we're definitely gonna have to go younger. I think for this year, I'm confident that we can do it again."

The predicted starting line-up:

C - Fabricio Oberto
PF - Tim Duncan
SF - Bruce Bowen
SG – Roger Mason, Jr.
PG - Tony Parker

The bench: Jacque Vaughn, Roger Mason, Kurt Thomas, Ime Udoka, Michael Finley, George Hill, Ian Mahimni, and Matt Bonner.

Fighting to land a spot on the roster: Salim Stoudamire, Desmon Farmer, Daryl Watkins, Devin Green, Malik Hairston, and Brian Morrison.