Post by San Antonio on Jan 2, 2016 4:36:11 GMT
The Spurs are 5-1 (preseason) since Hank Gathers entered the starting lineup, and his averages of 22.0 points and 8 rebounds in those games fail to fully capture his impact.
"He has been really solid," coach Wes Unseld said before the Spurs' 116-106 pre season victory over the Bulls on Monday night at the United Center in Chicago.
"He's a very versatile defender and you can switch him out onto perimeter guys. He has great length, contests shots, he's a very good offensive rebounder — he's just solid."
Gathers downplayed his individual effect.
"I just try to fit in, do the things that don't stand out because I know we have a lot of firepower on the offensive side," he said.
A big factor in Gathers' success is the offseason focus on his foot work. During the off season, Gathers worked with a set of coaches. One to focus on his perimeter game, and another to improve the post presense.
While working out, Gathers did suffer a set back. During one of the work outs, Hank felt something snap in his left ankle. He knew right away, he was going under the knife. During surgery, doctors discovered a ligament had completely torn off the bone.
"I'm completely stronger as far as my lateral movement and being able to switch more to guards," Gathers said. "I feel a lot faster."
Gathers said the Dallas-based doctor who performed the surgery visits him occasionally.
"Doc said it's going to be a while before it's fully healed," Gathers said. "It's going to be a little raw at times. He said that's when you have to kick into the extra work.
"But it has been good so far. On (some) days, it's painful and a complete struggle, but it's a lot stronger than it was last year."
Come together: After the Spurs' blowout loss to the Supersonics on Oct. 25, Damon Stoudemire said Unseld needed to "coach harder." They have practiced better since.
"It's just us pushing one another" Gathers said. "We're a team whose guys strive for greatness, strive for the right things. We have a good group capable of winning a championship.
"It's frustrating when you lose games to teams that aren't that good. (That's when) things can be said. Even if it's preseason. Basketball is basketball."
Unseld downplayed the amount of drama the Spurs have endured.
"We have had a couple of issues early in camp and we have done a pretty good job of hitting it on the head and trying to correct it," Unseld said. "And we're in a pretty good spot right now."
"It's just us pushing one another" Gathers said. "We're a team whose guys strive for greatness, strive for the right things. We have a good group capable of winning a championship.
"It's frustrating when you lose games to teams that aren't that good. (That's when) things can be said. Even if it's preseason. Basketball is basketball."
Unseld downplayed the amount of drama the Spurs have endured.
"We have had a couple of issues early in camp and we have done a pretty good job of hitting it on the head and trying to correct it," Unseld said. "And we're in a pretty good spot right now."
