Author: Andrew Jason Flores (Page 4 of 10)

A Picture Says It All: Just A Formality

January 8, 2016 /
Coach Popovich accepting the NBA coach of the year trophy in 2014 (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Coach Popovich accepting the NBA Coach of the Year trophy in 2014
(AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Is there any coach in the NBA whose reaction to a coaching honor you can better anticipate than our own Gregg Charles Popovich?

Did he brush it off as just another one of the sixteen that make him the only coach in NBA history with as much hardware on his mantle?

Did he stare blankly at the reporter asking him for his thoughts, because he would much rather talk about his team’s match up with a Milwaukee team that is known to upset opponents in the top tier?

Did he go into his well-known sarcastic mode and tell us that they must have made a mistake at corporate and need to check their numbers again?

For what it’s worth, I’ll take the podium to graciously explain why Pop being awarded the December Coach of the Month honor is is so well deserved. This is what your team did in December, Coach:

  • A perfect 10-0 in your newly renovated home;
  • Eight wins by 20+ points;
  • An NBA best 50.7 percent in field goal percentage;
  • Held their opponents to an average of 87.1 points, also best in the NBA;
  • Led the league in assists with 25.6 (something the team takes pride in doing well).

There were also a few records broken last month:

  • Largest margin of victory for the franchise at 51 points (when the Spurs played without stars Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili);
  • Moving from 9th to 8th place in all-time wins by a coach (ending the month with 1050);
  • Given the extremely rare gift of being asked one, and only one, question by an ESPN analyst during a required end of quarter interview.

Plus there were other memorable moments that rounded out Coach Pop’s stellar December:

  • Showed a lot of class to Kobe Bryant after using his team to mop the floor of the AT&T Center in a second half display of fundamental basketball dominance (and reminding us all who of the two basketball icons had a better run in his era);
  • Reminded the ‘Spurs of the East’ that while we are often imitated, we will not be duplicated. When in doubt, the Spurs will tack on a 25-point win for good measure;
  • Used the Hack-A-Jordan strategy to perfection (and a win), much to the chagrin of those haters who roll their eyes at his belief that, if you can’t make free baskets, then you will be exploited (and hurt your team’s momentum in the process);
  • Employed the Hack-A-Jordan strategy to perfection (and a win) much to the chagrin of those haters who roll their eyes at his belief that if you can’t make free baskets then you will be exploited (and hurt your team’s momentum in the process);
  • Ejected in the game against the Timberwolves – reminding us that a coach has to get nasty sometimes in order to turn up the aggressiveness of his team and get the win;
  • Refused to mince his words in response to Rajon Rondo’s use of the word “faggot” against NBA referee, Bill Kennedy, calling it “disgusting”;
  • Sticked up for Boban – even calling out the Spurs fan base to respect him as a real basketball player and not a freak show put on the floor for our amusement.
  • Refused to adjust Danny Green’s minutes on the floor when the rest of Spurs Nation was beginning to doubt his place as a three point specialist (including this writer);

It goes without saying that The Chessmaster is a one of a kind personality in the NBA. He is intelligent, thoughtful and shows the kind of tough love that makes him a coach’s coach and well-liked by players around the league. Although his eye is always on the ultimate prize, it would be nice for him to just take a moment (albeit a small one) to marvel at the fact that getting this award for the sixteenth time has become a routine formality.

A Picture Says It All: Trimming the Fat

January 1, 2016 /

With the holiday season in full swing, the smells of treats and tamales fill the San Antonio air. As I write this, I’m enjoying my sister’s peanut butter cookies – don’t judge me. No matter where you live, there is holiday weight gain to be reckoned with, from all the delicious goodies that are so hard to say no to.

Except if you are a San Antonio Spur.

Learning to push aside breakfast tacos in favor of a nutrient-packed breakfast blend of juices and vegetables is one of many dietary changes the older members of the Silver & Black have had to incorporate into their lives. Tim Duncan has transformed a sensational career into a legendary one as he continues to beat Father Time’s roll call and his longevity is in no small part thanks to changes he has made to his diet. Tony Parker has made dietary changes, too, and it is paying big dividends with All-Star worthy playing. The other compatriot of the Big Three doesn’t discuss his eating habits, but must be watching what he eats as he continues to woo fans with his ripped physique, long after his flowing locks have lost their luster (and willingness to grow).

There are a few exceptions. Matt Bonner (a.k.a. the Sandwich Hunter) is notorious for noshing high calorie foods during his traveling off-days in search of the Hoagie Grail. He even claims that one of his best games came after eating a hoagie that should have put him to sleep. At the vibrant age of 35, his 6-foot 10-inch frame and pro basketball workout regimen allow him to process the calories. Since he isn’t asked to be the fastest or most aggressive player on the floor (nor put in a massive amount of minutes), the extra load doesn’t impact his expected work output. His eating habits are definitely an outlier in the overall Spurs game plan.

Not all sandwiches are conducive to good playing. Last month, Greg Popovich said Kawhi Leonard missed a game against the Sixers because of a bad Philly cheesesteak. Maybe Pop was kidding. Regardless, I bet The Klaw will pass on the gut punchers the next time he visits the City of Brotherly Love.

Diet and its effect on game play is no more evident than it is for Patty Mills, the player once called “a little fat ass” by Coach Pop. Although taller than the average Joe at 6 ft 0 in, he is considered one of the small guys in the NBA. This means there is really only one position he can play, a position which requires speed to perform at the highest level. In between the Spurs most disappointing Finals performance and its most glorious, Mills decided that in order for him to be the definite second option at the point guard position, he was going to have to add lean to his mean game. The result: a 2014 Finals performance (among others in the regular season) that had casual fans asking, “Who is that guy?”

So when you have a second portion this weekend, eat up and enjoy it to the fullest. And don’t forget to thank the Spurs for sacrificing, so we don’t have to.

Happy Holidays.

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