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San Antonio Express-News
Can you draw just a few similarities between Fabricio Oberto and Larry Bird? Larry couldn’t jump and neither can Fabricio, but Larry knew the game, and it appears so does Fabricio. Competitive and always keeping focused. Not easily rattled. He’ll never be Bird, but he is a wonderful addition to the Spurs.
—Don Preble
Oberto is closer to being the next Frank Brickowski than he is the next Bird. But I liked Brick, too, because these guys can fit in with the right people next to them.
You mentioned Luis Scola in your article, and I was hoping you could refresh my memory as to why the Spurs haven’t brought him over from Europe yet. Is he demanding too much money? Has he not developed sufficiently? Why sign Jackie Butler and Francisco Elson instead of him?
— Steve, San Antonio
The Spurs have always thought highly of Scola, and his development has never been an issue. They wanted to sign him in the summer of 2005, but the buy-out from his team in Spain was too hefty then. The Spurs signed Oberto instead.
Since then the Spurs have wondered if Scola, a post scorer, would fit next to Tim Duncan. Oberto and Elson probably mix better with this group, which is why the Spurs had hoped to trade Scola’s rights for a first-round draft pick.
Scola is more polished and experienced than Butler. But would Scola accept limited minutes and limited shots?
You haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until Manu and Fabricio start playing together; you will see the best of both.
—Agustin De Vincentiis, Argentina
While waiting, here’s something else to wonder about: What if the Spurs had drafted Andres Nocioni, as they wanted to?
Fabricio’s job this season is a great surprise for all of us in Crdoba. I want to know what those of you in San Antonio think about basketball in Argentina?
—Juan Gonzalez, Crdoba, Argentina
San Antonio thinks basketball in Argentina ranks right up there with basketball in St. Croix.
On my mind this morning is the image, repeated over and over Wednesday night until you can't forget it anymore, of Fabricio Oberto or Tim Duncan on defense staring down Steve Nash – the latter with the ball dribbling beyond the three-point line and ready to swing into action.
How many times did that happen? Here is a classic mismatch of a seven-foot guy guarding a quick, wiry, good shooting, ball-handling guard who coincidentally shoots 90% free throws. It’s an absurd image.
All I’m saying is that Gregg Popovich is the greatest player personnel guy in the land. It’s not even close. The universe, however, and perhaps in some cruel form of compensation, amply shows through this one image that Pop is a guy who can’t coach his way out of a paper bag.
Yes, the Spurs beat the Suns, in overtime, in their own building, in Amare Stoudemire’s first start, and with him fouled out and sitting on the bench as time finally expired. But there is that image. Buck, please tell us all, what the hell was that? And, how did that keep happening?
— David Morris, San Antonio
I’ve seen Popovich coach his way out of a paper bag, though his assistants have often helped.
Oberto and Duncan were caught on switches, and it happens. I asked Oberto about it afterward, and he remembered Nash scoring on him once with a jumper. That happens, too.
Popovich is a smart personnel guy, too, because he wants a certain type of player. But his staff deserves most of the credit for the players they have found over the years.
With Brent Barry off to a hot start, it’s nice to see Pop actually playing him over Michael Finley. Do you think Pop will let Brent control the offense a little more with the second unit? I feel like Pop doesn’t utilize Brent’s abilities; this guy is probably the best passer on the team. Brent is more than a spot up three-point shooter.
—Christopher, Hermosa Beach, Calif.
Popovich will likely go with either Finley or Barry depending upon who is playing well. It’s a luxury having two experienced shooters.
Barry is a good passer, which he should be, since he played point guard in Seattle. That helps the Spurs when he’s on the floor, but don’t expect him to run the offense.
Why is Pop playing Manu Ginobili so little minutes? Is Manu in the doghouse? Whenever Manu gets going and starts scoring, Pop takes him out immediately! Manu has a fun game to watch, and even other superstar players have said that (Kobe Bryant).
But Pop won’t run plays for him very often. IT IS OBVIOUS TO LONGTERM SPURS FANS, TONY IS POP’S FAVORITE. TONY RARELY WILL RUN THE OFFENSE THROUGH MANU. All Tony is interested in doing is scoring or passing to Timmy. Please ask Pop why he is limiting Manu’s minutes. Manu can’t be happy!
—Melanie Eads, Houston
As mentioned here before, Popovich tries to ration Ginobili’s minutes. He knows he wears down.
Popovich is fond of both these guys, and he tends to lean on Ginobili at the end of games. Wednesday, even with Ginobili struggling, Popovich put key possessions in his hands.
No doubt I will draw ire from the silver and black faithful, but I completely agree with Phil Jackson’s comments on Pop and the Larry Brown settlement. He gets nearly $30 million for a year of coaching — and this is the supposed sign of apocalyptic owner tyranny? Please, Pop, some perspective please. Your thoughts?
— Abhijeet V. Koli, Philadelphia
Jackson wondered why Popovich didn’t stick up for Clippers coaches in the past who had to sue that franchise for money owed. I don’t know if Popovich or other coaches protested that, but I don’t see what those cases had to do with Popovich’s support of Brown.
Brown made out fine. But a deal is a deal, and that’s what concerns Popovich. Just as the players collect money they have coming no matter the details, shouldn’t coaches?
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