Spurs notebook: Parker happy to find Elson above the rim

Spurs notebook: Parker happy to find Elson above the rim in transition

Mike Monroe
Express-News

His point guard was handing out assists like Phoenix's two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, so Spurs center Francisco Elson figured the thing to do Friday at the AT&T Center was emulate Suns center Amare Stoudemire.

So when Tim Duncan rebounded a miss by Clippers point guard Shaun Livingston and fired an outlet pass to Tony Parker with 5:47 left in the second quarter of the Spurs' 111-82 victory, Elson sprinted down the center of the court, straight to the basket.

With the Clippers retreating, Parker flew down the left side, lobbed the ball above the rim, then smiled when Elson grabbed it with his right hand and dunked it, all in the same motion.

It was a play that bore a strong resemblance to a Nash-to-Stoudemire dunk connection. It was also the sort of play the Spurs had in mind when they signed the speedy Elson to a two-year, $6 million free-agent contract in August.

"I'm happy to have a guy who runs like that," said Parker. "That's great for me. It gives me somebody to run with. It's a little like Phoenix, with (Amare) Stoudemire.

"I'm not trying to compare Francisco with Stoudemire, but Francisco is so fast I always have somebody running with me in transition. It's great, and I'm always looking for him, and of course that means looking above the rim."

Elson believes he and Parker can become one of the best fast breaking tandems in the league.

"Tony and I have got to start doing it," he said. "He's so quick up the floor, and I don't think there's another big guy who can run up the floor with me, so it's an easy two points if I get down there."

Thanks go to shooting coach: The Spurs entered Friday's game having made 75 percent of their free throws, the league average.

That the Spurs were "average" from the line — even for a day — stunned even themselves.

"Chip (Engelland) needs a raise, huh?" coach Gregg Popovich said of the Spurs' shooting coach. "It's starting to look like it might not be a statistical burp. It might be for real."

If the Spurs, who shot 70 percent from the line last season, continue to improve, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said it could alter the way teams play late in games — especially if Tim Duncan becomes more consistent.

"In situations where you're willing to put people on the free-throw line, take fouls, play the percentages, it becomes a lot different," Dunleavy said.

Brand's familiar form: Clippers forward Elton Brand entered Friday having scored 31 and 33 points in his past two games.

The Clippers hope it's a sign Brand is reverting to All-Star form. Even with this week's 30-point performances, he entered Friday averaging 18.9 points, down from 24.7 last season.

Brand had shown some signs of fatigue earlier in the season after spending the summer playing for the U.S. national team.

"He's been more lively and more confident and not hesitant to shoot the basketball," Dunleavy said of Brand's play this week. "It just seems he's had a better balance to his game.

"We're doing the same thing we'd been doing. Earlier he was catching the ball and pump-faking people and not shooting and not being aggressive. In his defense, if you don't think you're going to make it, don't shoot it.

"He just seems confident again."

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That alley oop jam was sweet.

It really is great seeing a guy his size running the court the way he does. The guy is so athletic it's unbelievable.

Heck yeah it was like playing little children out there!! lol. tony to Elson was amazing!!