Rockets fizzle against S.A.'s aggressiveness By Johnny Ludden San Antonio Express-News Web Posted : 03/03/2003 12:00 AM HOUSTON — Perhaps Cuttino Mobley didn't like those confetti-colored seats at the SBC Center. More likely, he was simply upset with the officiating. For whatever reason, Mobley believed he was only giving credit where credit was due after the Spurs beat Houston 87-82 on Jan. 20. "They can't beat us straight up," Mobley said, "and they know it." Straight up, straight down, horizontally, diagonally, whatever direction Mobley wants to call it this time, the Spurs beat the Rockets again Sunday afternoon, this time in front of a sold-out crowd of 16,285 at the Compaq Center. Fueled by a career-high 20 points from Manu Ginobili, the Spurs showed off the depth of their versatility for the second consecutive day, manhandled Houston for much of the first 31/2 quarters and held off another too-late rally to win 97-88. Need Mobley be reminded, it was the Spurs' 17th victory in the past 19 games between the teams, keeping the once-fierce I-10 rivalry decidedly one-sided. "We don't even listen to him," Stephen Jackson said of Mobley, who missed 9 of 12 shots. "We don't pay any attention to that. If they want to talk, we'll let them talk. We'll let our record talk." The Spurs' record, incidentally, improved to 41-17, second-best in the NBA, after their 13th win in their past 14 games. Only twice before have they reached 41 wins as fast — the 1993-94 and '94-'95 seasons in which they also picked up their 41st victory in their 58th game. But not only did those teams not have Tim Duncan, who contributed 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks Sunday, they also lacked the collection of quickness and athleticism of the current Spurs. As they did a day earlier in their victory over Sacramento, the Spurs proved dangerous in both the halfcourt and the open floor. They outscored Houston 14-6 in fast-break points — a stat that would have been unheard of as recently as a year ago — and ran an effective offense that produced five scorers with at least 14 points and 24 assists to just 11 turnovers. "It's a miracle, isn't it?" Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "We usually try to get the turnovers up to 20. But when we have a game where we do take care of the ball, it's a nice thing to watch. Today was a game where you might have expected turnovers and sloppiness and it wasn't there." What the Spurs did not lack was energy. Though Houston, which slid further away from the Western Conference's eighth playoff seed, had two days to prepare for the game, it was the Spurs who jumped out early. Jackson hit a pair of 3-pointers in the first three minutes to go along with his career-high seven assists as the Spurs immediately seized control in the opening quarter, making 70 percent of their shots to take a commanding 30-18 advantage. From the end of the first quarter until just 3:00 remained in the game, the Spurs' lead — which grew as wide as 22 points — dipped into single digits just once. Even up 20 points in the third quarter, Bruce Bowen pressured Rockets point guard Steve Francis into an eight-second violation when he couldn't get the ball past midcourt. "Pop just wanted us to be aggressive," said Tony Parker, who followed up his 32-point effort against the Kings with 16 points and four assists. "So we were aggressive." That included the Spurs' bench. Ginobili had 11 points and two assists in 12 electric minutes in the first half then teamed with Malik Rose, who scored 10 of his 16 points in the final quarter, to hold off the Rockets. "Manu makes the game so exciting," said David Robinson, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds. "It's so much fun to watch. You never know what he's going to do." Rose also was caught off-guard, albeit by Kelvin Cato. The Rockets center decked Rose in the corner of the court, prompting Jackson to rush to his teammates' defense. That prompted Houston forward Maurice Taylor to start jawing. "Cato is my man," Taylor said. "I'm not going to let two people jump in his face or anything like that. I mean (Jackson) didn't even go to college. So I'm not going to waste my time conversating with him." Taylor's three years of class work at the University of Michigan — funded in part by a Wolverines' booster — evidently taught him how to invent words like "conversating." Though Jackson did not know about Taylor's comments, he didn't feel obligated to offer much of a rebuttal to Mobley's earlier remarks. "We're trying to get ready for the playoffs," Jackson said. "They're trying to make the playoffs. I wish them the best of luck."
Admiral has a big part in victory By Brent Zwerneman San Antonio Express-News Web Posted : 03/03/2003 12:00 AM HOUSTON — Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich sought out David Robinson on Sunday afternoon for a likely last clasp in the Compaq Center. "When I shook his hand, I told him that our trophy — our second trophy — means more to me because we had to go through him to get it, and how much I respect that," Tomjanovich said. In the 1995 Western Conference finals, Houston defeated San Antonio 4-2, as Robinson led the Spurs in scoring in every game of that series. Retired Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon led Houston in scoring in every game, as well. The Rockets went on to win the NBA title that year for the second consecutive season. "I'm going to have a lot of fond memories of having played here in Houston," Robinson said. "It's what basketball is all about, when you have strong rivalries against great players." Robinson can add Sunday's game against Houston to his collection of fond memories. The surging Spurs and Robinson — who is retiring at season's end — whipped the Rockets 97-88. And they did it by having five players score at least 14 points, including Robinson (14) and fellow big man Tim Duncan (17 points). "They're the nucleus of the team," Rockets rookie center Yao Ming said of Robinson and Duncan. "They know how to play when they attract a lot of defensive attention, and they get the ball to their teammates." A sellout crowd of 16,285 fans applauded Robinson's final introduction (at least in the regular season) in Houston's old home, which opened in 1975 and will be vacated by the Rockets when they move into a new downtown arena next season, about the same time Robinson is settling into his role as retired Admiral in San Antonio. "What a truly positive, fantastic career he's had," Tomjanovich said. "He's in the elite group of really, really great players who played in this league. He had some detractors — which completely blew my mind — because he didn't always do it the way they thought he should do it. "But David mixed up his game with his drives and inside stuff. He could make an 18-footer. He was a shot-blocker and a rebounder." And the sinking Rockets, losers of three consecutive games, might do well to take notes on how Robinson handles himself in uniform. Rockets forward Maurice Taylor questioned the intelligence of the Spurs' Stephen Jackson, because Jackson didn't attend college. Houston guards Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley both said the Rockets lost the game on the free-throw line, although the Spurs led by as many as 22 points in the second half. "I looked at our stats after the game and everything was pretty much even, even though we started pretty slow," Francis said. Meanwhile Robinson commended the Rockets for not letting up. "They really want to get in the playoffs, and I think they have a good enough team to get there," Robinson said. "You have to stay up against these guys. As soon as you let down they'll jump all over you." The Rockets are fighting with the Suns and Warriors for the conference's last playoffs slot. But Houston's most recent swoon certainly isn't helping matters. "Once we get in the summer time, we're going to be shaking our heads," Francis said if the Rockets don't make the postseason for the fourth consecutive season. "Thinking woulda, coulda, shoulda."
Buck Harvey: Rookie of the streak: Give Ginobili the trophy San Antonio Express-News Web Posted : 03/03/2003 12:00 AM HOUSTON — In the House of Yao, in a corner of the upper deck, hung a blasphemous banner Sunday. "Manu G — Rookie of the Year." Blasphemous, as well as wrong. Manu Ginobili won't win an award this season. He will only be the Spurs' best passer. Their best at defending the passing lanes. Their best under-the-basket, twisting, leaping Argentine. And their best argument why this season is more than a transitional one. "He's the kind of guy," said David Robinson, "who makes a good team a great team." Ginobili isn't sure about that. He took his customary pose after the game (right foot in ice bucket) and his typical demeanor (warm). He declined to read much into his 20-point day, the first time he has led the Spurs in scoring. "It is one of 82 games," he said, "and that will happen." It will happen more often. Ginobili will never average a lot of points, not with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker around. But he will have days such as Sunday generously scattered through a season, as well as through the playoffs. "The league is just beginning to see who he really is," coach Gregg Popovich said. "And there's more to come." His growth chart says that. In his first NBA game, here in the Compaq Center in the preseason, his first step was comical. Ginobili wasn't sure how to check in. There isn't better symbolism of the Spurs' season. As he struggled with a puffy ankle, unable to show his teammates what he could do, the Spurs too often looked predictable and second tier. Then Parker surged. Malik Rose began to flush 18-footers. And Stephen Jackson, as he did Sunday, played better than anyone expected. Still, it's no coincidence that the Spurs' rise began last month when Ginobili began to play like the MVP he was in Italy. He can impact games as he did Saturday against Sacramento, when he doesn't score much, because he can impact just by reacting and reading and passing. The Spurs' staff sees this: Ginobili changes the second-team offense, allowing Steve Kerr to roam while Ginobili penetrates. No wonder, with the Spurs having won 13 of 14 games, Popovich says, "He's becoming more and more important to us all the time." Ginobili is becoming more and more a part of this group, too. The Spurs aren't cool to him, but some Spurs still are oddly hesitant to praise him. Duncan started the season with a similar show-me attitude. But Sunday Duncan treated Ginobili as he does everyone he likes. He kidded him. Duncan joked the Spurs let Ginobili shoot because "We were on Telemundo, and Gino is the only one who can speak Spanish on the team." Sure enough, minutes after the game, Ginobili stood on the court talking to the TV network that distributes its feed to Mexico and Central America. Sunday was only the second time this season the Spurs have been on Telemundo, but that doesn't matter much to Ginobili. He says the network does not reach Argentina. His family and friends could at least read the numbers. Ginobili had 11 points and two assists in his first 12 minutes. Besides his final total of 20 points, he ended with four assists and three steals. He also ended the game, and don't be surprised if that is Popovich's strategy in tight games the rest of the way. Ginobili is too smart not to play, and he finished any possible Rockets' comeback with a late 3-pointer, followed by a steal and fast break that resulted in free throws. His family and friends will also enjoy comments from the Rockets' locker room. "I can always tell by how an opposing player makes me feel afterward," coach Rudy Tomjanovich answered when asked to rate Ginobili. "And he made me feel sick." Robinson had a kinder view: "It's a drama watching him." The package ought to mean something when it comes to awards. As of Sunday, Yao Ming had turned a lottery team into a lottery team. Manu G? He's only the rookie behind a growing power.
Spurs Notebook By Johnny Ludden San Antonio Express-News Web Posted : 03/03/2003 12:00 AM Robinson bids adios to Houston Unless the Spurs face the Rockets in the playoffs, David Robinson played his final game in Houston on Sunday. The Rockets briefly recognized Robinson before the game and thanked him "for all the memories." "I haven't always had good memories here," Robinson said after the game. "It wasn't fun to lose here in (Game 6 of the 1995 Western Conference finals). We're walking off the court and they're saying, 'Tickets for the NBA Finals are going on sale.'" In honor of what may have been his final performance in Houston, Robinson totaled 14 points and nine rebounds. He had eight points in the first five minutes of the second half, including an emphatic dunk just in front of 7-foot-6 Yao Ming. "Tim (Duncan) said, 'I want you to dunk a good one for me,'" Robinson said, "so he gave me a nice one underneath." Robinson also helped limit Yao to 14 points and nine rebounds. "Yao has had his way with a lot of people, and I thought David held his own," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich also praised Robinson. "I've been a big fan of his from the beginning," Tomjanovich said. "I think the guy is a true professional, one of the truly elite players in the game." Chinese teammates: Asked if he was disappointed the Spurs' Mengke Bateer, his friend and teammate on China's national team, wasn't playing Sunday, the Rockets' Yao Ming laughed. "We were pretty happy," Yao said, "when Shaquille O'Neal didn't play." Bateer is on the injured list with left patella tendinitis. Familiar face: Former Spurs forward Cadillac Anderson visited the Spurs in the locker room after the game.
OK, trade Mobley. Jesus, I stick up for the guy time and time again, and he continues to pull the "they can't beat us straight up, they know it" line after getting beat by far better teams. Damn, he should be saying, "they are a better team" or "we can learn a lot from them," but no. Too bad we'll never get equal value back for him, crap.
maybe you knew this when you posted it but you know the "they can't beat us straight up" was after the 87-82 loss earlier in the season, not for today's game, right? and that game was enormously pro-spurs on the referees part. even our beloved Jeff said the refs were horrible in that game and it's hard to get Jeff to go off at all on the refs*. *actually Jeff said the refs were horrible on both sides which i have come to learn is Jeff-speak for "they f***ing screwed us out of the f***ing game those motherf***ers." everytime there is a game obviously anti-rockets (and i don't mean like maybe anti us, i mean clearly) Jeff says that to sound diplomatic (which is good). that's when i know he's mad about the refs. i'm reading you correctly aren't i Jeff? oh and i'm sure drob loved rudy reminding him of our second championship going through him. i'm sure he just can't get enough of those hakeem spinning, pump-faking, juking him memories. and finally, since when the hell did malik rose starting hitting turnaround 18 footers? i've seen him hit the 15-16 footer for a while, but always in a very stationary, set manner. now he's draining turning 18 footers with people in his face against us??
I know very Yogi Berra (ish). Conversating....LOL As for Mobley, his attitude sucks eggs...trade him now for a role player who can shoot. DD
Houston guards Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley both said the Rockets lost the game on the free-throw line, although the Spurs led by as many as 22 points in the second half. Dear Steve and Cuttino: Will you guys please shut your mouth up forever? Every time you talked like this, you were humiliating yourself and the whole Rox team!!!! Ugh, our guards are just incorrigible.
SA press sure likes to stir things up. If these mediots are ball players, they'd be the worst trash talkers in the league. It's so easy to sensationalize quotes out of the players after a loss. I am not surprised that these worthless piece of human trash aka mediots do it. I am a bit surprised that some of our Rox fans actually take them seriously.
I don't care if it's the media. What you say reflect yours attitude, and how much you learn from a game, especially a loss. Mobley and Francis just don't seem to be able to learn from failure. Maybe they are just trying to talk tough (trash-talking). But talking tough has to be backed by playing tough. Otherwise, you just become a laughing stock.
Your opinion of the media is noted. My problem is when athletes supply so much material for the media to run with. Learn from the Clyde Drexler School of Quotes: Be as bland and boring as possible, that way your never misquoted.
The thing I found to be stupid was to compare Yao to gino. Yeah gino's more deserving of a rookie award. The only person with a legit argument is amare and even that one doesn't stand up against Yao. As far as the whole thing about us not beating them often in the last whatever number of games, I love how they forget the playoff record head to head throughout that time frame. Comic Book Guy: Worst article ever! BTW Cat needs to quit saying things like this. I know it's frustrating, but they need to learn and quit being stubborn. The sad part is that if we played the way we could we could take SA more often than not.
Those dumbasses that write for the San Antonio paper need to go back to journalism school... Here is Steve's exact quote... "It’s tough. I looked at the stats after the game and everything was pretty much even, even though we did start out pretty slow. We got beat from the free throw line tonight, but at the same time we have to think about ourselves. I think our defense has kind of lacked in the last couple games. We’ve been falling behind early and trying to dig ourselves out of a hole against a veteran team." He didn't say that the Rockets lost the game at the free throw line, he said they got beat at the free throw line, which is true since the Spurs got 11 more free throw attempts...As for the first part of the quote, the game was pretty even after the first quarter. The Spurs shot 70% in the first quarter and ended up shooting less than 50% for the game. They also conveniently left out the second half of the quote where he says the Rockets have to think about themselves As an aside, Steve had more assist than anybody else in the game, yet the Spurs had 10 more assists overall...that selfish b*stard...
Come on A-Train, I know someone as smart as yourself knows that every loss is Steve's fault. Even when he plays well he didn't morph into Posey's body and shoot his shots for him. Don't you come to this forum enough?
Has Mobley ever said, "Gee, we didn't play our best today. We were outclassed on the court. They were the better team this time around,"? It seems like no one in the NBA is more confused as to why the Rockets aren't dominating the league than Mobley.
How do we know that Cat and Francis did not learn anything from yesterday's loss? I couldn't read their mind. Could you? IMHO, these mediots love to create controversies and the easiest way to achieve that goal is to take someone's quote out of context and make a big story out of it. Go ahead and criticize Cat's performance on the basketball court, but don't get bent out of shape because of some printed words.
If nobody remembers the game against San Antonio in San Antonio, we were definitely screwed by the refs. And we came back and almost beat them. We could have beat them there. Now....yesterday's game. On Sports Sunday, Mobley said that he didn't play good and he was hurting badly because of a hand injury. He said that we have to get serious and all that and start playing. NOW MO TAYLOR. lol...enforcing
The full Francis quote from A-Train's post: "It's tough. I looked at the stats after the game and everything was pretty much even, even though we did start out pretty slow. We got beat from the free throw line tonight, but at the same time we have to think about ourselves. I think our defense has kind of lacked in the last couple games. We've been falling behind early and trying to dig ourselves out of a hole against a veteran team." 1. Did he mean that looking at the stats the game is pretty even, only difference is free throw? If so, he didn't get it, because the game was not even close, not in terms of numbers, but in terms of intensity and execution. He never pointed his fingers on the real issue, which was execution and intensity. That shows me he didn't learn anything. 2. Did he mean that we didn't get beat by the Spurs' superior play but by the refs calling more foul on us? If so, he OBVIOUSLY didn't get it. Enough said. Everybody knows the problems was "falling behind early" and the defense "has kind of lacked." But why? Did he learn? Also, in the past, Francis' zone defense comment about the Mavs was clearly way out of line. Mobley did the same thing: the "garbage" comment about the Mavs' Euro new player; the "can't beat us striaght up" comment about the Spurs, etc. All these craps point to the fact that after the losses, they are busy minimizing the other team's credit, rather than looking at what they themselves should improve. It might be the media's out of context distortion. But the fact that the media can actually scrape so much crap out of their mouth surely indicates something. Have you ever seen any idiotic comments like these quote from Rudy or Yao?
