HOIBERG SINGS SPURS’ PRAISE, REVERES ‘POP’
Spurs’ consistency, winning culture model for Bulls and others
When the Bulls host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, they’ll be playing a team that has been able to win in different ways through the years.
At various times during their two decades of excellence under coach Gregg Popovich, the Spurs have won with a defense-first mentality and with a flowing and welloiled offense.
‘‘[Popovich has] been awesome at that,’’ Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said.
The Spurs’ ability to win in multiple ways is something the Bulls can learn from as they return to the United Center after going 2-2 on their circus trip.
After 14 games under Hoiberg, the Bulls still look a lot like they did under former coach Tom Thibodeau, with defense and uglier games being the norm. Sure, they’ve been hurt by the absence of Mike Dunleavy because of back surgery and by Derrick Rose’s subpar shooting because of his vision problems, but their switch to a more open offense hasn’t yielded results yet.
Entering play Sunday, the Bulls were 27th in the NBA in offensive efficiency, ahead of only the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. That’s not the kind of company they want to keep, but at least the Bulls are 9-5 and nowhere near where they think they’ll end up.
‘‘We’re definitely going to have to bring our best effort to have a chance to beat [the Spurs],’’ Bulls big man Pau Gasol said. ‘‘They’re rolling. I think they’ve won five in a row now. They’ve got a lot of depth, so it’s going to take our best effort to beat them.’’
That has been true of any team that has played the Spurs during the Popovich/Tim Duncan era. Even as players and styles have come and gone, the Spurs have been the measuring stick for NBA teams.
‘‘The big thing is the buy-in that team has,’’ Hoiberg said. ‘‘They do such a good job of playing to their roles and to their strengths and getting guys the ball in the right spots on the floor and playing off it. It’s very admirable what Gregg Popovich has done. He’s the best coach in the game, and I don’t think you could get anybody to say otherwise.’’
The Spurs have stayed good even as Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker have aged because they have been able to add pieces such as LaMarcus Aldridge to a roster that expects to win. They’ve integrated younger players into their system and have seen them mesh well with the culture.
But the Spurs also have been able to adjust during a period that has seen the NBA shift from the slower, more physical game it was in the late 1990s to the wideopen game it is now.
‘‘The Spurs are a machine,’’ Hoiberg said. ‘‘They’re playing great basketball on both ends. The biggest thing with them is the consistency they have with their offense and their defense,. Those guys have been together for so long. I think it’s kind of the model that everyone is looking for — to be able to sustain success while keeping your core group together as long as they have.
‘‘They’re a fun team to watch, as unselfish as they are. They play to their strengths. They defend every night. It’s a great team to try to model after.’’
NOTES:
Coach Fred Hoiberg said forward Mike Dunleavy, who is recovering from back surgery, had a little bit of soreness and will see a doctor Monday.
◆ Guard Aaron Brooks (left hamstring) did a little half-court work during practice but sat out the full-court portion. Guard Kirk Hinrich (hip pointer) didn’t do much and is questionable for Monday.