From: oliver@athena.mit.edu (James D. Oliver III)
Subject: Spurs, etc.
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1992 10:23:19 GMT


RED McCOMBS IS AN IDIOT

Not that this comes as a surprise to anyone who has been playing even
casual attention to the Spurs' management over the years.  The bottom line
on the Tark deal is that Tark wanted a pont guard and Red's response was
"Well, what about Vinnie Del Negro?"  Tark had even sent a (poorly-written,
by the way) letter to Red pleading for him to get a 1-guard, which was
eventually released to the public.  (What is it with Red that his employees
have to write him letters all of the time?) Then some of the players began
mumbling about management and that was the last straw for Red.

Tarkanian didn't really want to be here, anyway, from reports.  His heart
just didn't seem to be in it.  Probably the lack of slot machines. But even
a half-interested Tark managed to do a pretty good job with what he had.
He kept the interior defense as the strength of the club while improving
the outside shooting, cut down on turnovers drastically, and without all of
the injuries they would probably have been leading the division.

Reports in the Light say that he's considering returning to the NBA in a
front office job, possibly with his good buddy Harold Katz in Philly.

COACH LUCAS

Bob Bass may have lucked out again with this choice.  The most noticeable
thing about Lucas is his enthusiasm.  The man just had limitless energy.
So far.  He's had good rapport with his players, and has special
connections with Lloyd Daniels and William Bedford through his rehab center
in Houston.  He tries all sorts of things, some which may not work in the
long run, such as during the Denver game having Vinnie Del Negro, then
Avery Johnson, lead the discussion during time-outs.  He also like to give
his players oral quizzes udring practice. 

His first official move was to scrap all of the set plays and put the Spurs
through intense running drills in practice. (Apparently, Tark's practices
were pretty mild.)  Lucas says the team is in terrible running shape and
figures it will take a few weeks to get them prepared.  I imagine things
are going to be pretty sloppy until his system (whatever that may be) is
set in.

His second official move was to hire George Gervin as an assistant coach.
This means that the Spurs now have better guards sitting on their bench in
suits than they do on the court.  (The Spurs have five assistant coaches
and no NBA-quality point guards.  Good organization there, Red.)  Gervin,
another person whom Lucas knows from the Rehab Center, has been a special
scout for the Spurs over the past few years, but mostly has been playing a
lot of golf. It's not clear what Ice's role as a coach is going to be, as
he was not exactly noted for his mastery of the nuances of the game.  The
best part about his hiring was that it gave the TV guys a chance to play a
lot of his old highlights, and for us old-timers to reminsce about the days
when the Spurs actually had a guard who could shoot.  Nobody, Jordan
included, ever made scoring look easier.

The big rumor now is that Roy Tarpley wants to come back to play for Lucas.
Tarpley is officially banned, but can apply for reinstatement next year.
Dallas still owns his rights, but I imagine they wouldn't consider him part
of any long-term building plan.  Other teams are interested, of course, but
leery even though a healthy Tarpley is unquestionably the best rebounder in
the league.  Tarpley and Robinson?  One can dream, can't one?

SPURS VS. MIGHTY NUGGETS

Lucas promised that this one would be ugly and he was right.  Ulgy and
sloppy.  The Spurs came out running, as advertised, and committed
turnoverse on four of their first five possesions.  They end up with eight
after the first wuarter, but still led thanks to hot shooting and good
defense.  Oh, okay, the truth is thanks to the fact that they were playing
the Nuggets.  Sean Elliott in the first quarter looked like he had become
Coach Gervin's special project, as he took it to the basket at every
opportunity, something he needs to do more of.

The Spurs continue to hit almost everything in sight and led 67-53 at half.
Then Denver scored the first 11 points of the third quarter as Elliott
disappeared and the Spurs offense became a pattern of dump the ball to
Robinson, watch him miss a 12-footer.  There wasn't a whole lot memorable
about the second half other than the fact that it stayed pretty close until
the end.  The final score was 113-108, but hardly an inspired game on
either side.  

J.R. Reid had a good game, 15 pts, 6 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks.  For the
Nuggies, Gary Plummer (!) had twenty points and Jackson played well in
stretches.

MISCELLANY

The San Antonio Light is going out of business at the end of this year.
The Light is a rag, but compared to the Express-News, it's Pulitzer Prize
material.  The worst part about the Light going is the loss of a pretty
good sports section, especially Buck Harvey, one of the best sports
columnists I've ever seen.  He even made the typical Cowboy-fan whining
semi-palatable.

Shaquille O'Neal is supposedly peeved that he didn't get as much attention
in San Antonio as he deserved during his high school days, and is looking
forward to his return to show folks a thing or two.  If I were the Admiral,
I'd be a little worried.

Bob Bass stopped the Sean Elliott inquiries from Phoenix by asking for
Kevin Johnson and Cedric Ceballos.  Good for him, I wouldn't settle for
anything less.

Got my first look at the Alamodo.  It wouldn't be so ugly except for the
four permanent poles they have sticking out to hold up the roof.  I don't
know what the capacity for basketball is going to be, but supposedly the
sight lines in it are better than the Georgia Dome's which are supposed to
be pretty good.  

SPURS SEASON GRADES

David Robinson: His contributions on defense are now being taken for
granted, but the one constant about the Spurs is that you're not going to
shoot very well against them, and he's the reason why.  The worry is that
he's beginning to develop Hakeemitis--his jump shot has developed to the
point where he'll settle for it instead of driving to the basket and
picking up mucho fouls, and it shows in his FG%, which is down to 48%.
Grade--B

Sean Elliott: STILL need to be more agressive with his offense, but is up
to 19 ppg, plays great defense, and leads the team in minutes played.
Grade--B+

Dale Ellis: Figures.  Once the premier outside shooter in the league, comes
to San Antonio and can't hit the broad side of a barn.  Well, not quite
that bad, but he's shooting around 46% and ~30% from the three-point line.
Is okay from a set position but can't hit anything if he's moving (i.e.,
coming off of a pick).  Averaging about 15 points but is pretty worthless
when he's missing.  Grade--C

Antoine Carr: Has been playing well in Cummings' absence, as he did last
year when Robinson went out.  I think he plays better as a starter than off
the bench, but he's really not good enough to be a starter.  Oh, well.
He's been out for two weeks with a separated shoulder; he's going to be
making the next road trip, but it's not clear exactly when he'll be back.
Grade--B+

Vinnie Del Negro: a.k.a., Bass' Folly.  would make a very solid backup #2
unfortunately, he's billed as a starting #1.  Has one good game in
four.  Looks like a minature Frank Brickowski.  Grade--C.

Larry Smith: Mr. Mean has lost a couple of steps, but he can still pound
the glass and it's fun watching him avoid taking a shot at all costs.
Twice in one possession against the Nuggets he had the ball underneath the
basket and wouldn't put it up.  Has taken 18 shots in 20 games.  They're
calling him the Anti-Gervin.  Grade--C.

Avery Johnson: He can handle the ball, but he's not quick enough to
penetrate and has no outside shot.  Imagine Rod Strickland without the foot
speed.  As a result, he's useless unless you're running.  Grade--D.

William Bedford: Got 18 minutes against Denver, so at least it looks like
Lucas is going to try and use him and find out what, if anything, he can
do.  I'm not sure what Tark had him around for.  Another graduate of Lucas'
program.  Showed nothing against Denver.  Grade--F.

David Wood: Hits three pointers in limited playing time.  Another member of
the San Antonio-Houston shuttle. Grade--C.

Lloyd Daniels: Not bad at all.  May be the one lasting legacy of the Tark
Era, and was probably a primary reason why Lucas was hired to replace him.
Is the teams' best three-point shooter, and should be a lock for
second-team All-rookie.  The only problem is that, assuming Willie Anderson
comes back, the Spurs are overloaded with 6'7" swingmen.  Won't be a star
until he can learn to hit his free throws.  Grade--B+.

J. R. Reid: Charlotte fans exulted his departure, but what are they going to
do with Sidney Green?  I like J.R., he hustles and occasionally produces.
Not bad for your third-string power forward, which he is.  If there's room
for Ed Pinckney in the league, there's a spot for J.R.  Grade--B

Sam Mack:  Rookie foward.  Who knows?  Grade--I.
____________________________
	Jim Oliver  
	oliver@athena.mit.edu /	joliver@hstbme.mit.edu
	oliver%mitwccf.BITNET@MITVMA.MIT.EDU