[Even when he failed to make the play successfully, Duncan was actively involved. He determined where Detroit's defense went, certainly helped lure Detroit's big men into big foul trouble. And when the Spurs saw Duncan being Duncan instead of some reluctant all-star, they were transformed back into champions themselves from a bunch of guys who'd lost three of four games in the Finals and were reeling. What did they do differently to get him jump-started?] We said, 'Here Mr. Two-time Finals MVP . . . Here's the ball, ... That's all it took. That's not a major adjustment. 'Hey Tim, here.' |
[Spurs forward Bruce Bowen echoed Hamilton's assessment of Big Ben's stellar play. When asked on Wednesday who had made the biggest difference for Detroit, Bowen didn't hesitate.] I think Ben did, ... The first part of the game, Ben gets a steal, the dunk. That's not how you want to start off a game away from home. That just energizes their team. That picks their team up and makes them more heightened and more hyper. |
Flying under the radar is great. I could care less if anybody talks about us. We're still doing what we try to do, which is win a championship. |
I can't allow that to take my edge off. Whoever is going to play his spot, I have to look at them as I do him. |
I did what I did and I'm sorry for that. But there's nothing I can do to take it back. |
I enjoy playing against Ray. You're playing against one of the top guys in the league as far as perimeter players. I respect him a great deal for his ability on the court, that's why I have to prepare for him the way I do. |
I think Ben did. The first part of the game, Ben gets a steal, the dunk. That's not how you want to start off a game away from home. That just energizes their team. That picks their team up and makes them more heightened and more hyper. |
I think it's a great idea and opportunity, not just for the NBA and the players, but for the two organizations that are involved in this, |
I think so. Not to disrespect them (Magic), but it's not like you're going up against Phoenix right now. You expect their numbers to be up a little bit, but they scored 54 points in the first half. I don't care how you look at it, that's not defense to our standards. |
I took him home in two tin cans. He was buried in Nebraska. |
I was wrong for what I did. |
I've played against [Iverson] and with him, so I know a little more on guarding him than Tony does right now. I feel that with my quickness, that if I give him space, I can beat him to the spot on defense. |
It is what it is. I was wrong for what I did. The league has a decision on that. I have to deal with the consequences of my actions, and I do. I accept the consequences that come. |
It was a playoff atmosphere out there tonight. We were pressing some in the first half and didn't play that well. We picked up the intensity in the second half. |
It's always a good test when we play them. In their system, if there's 22 seconds left on the shot clock and somebody's open, they're going to shoot it. |