Duncan Is Thinking of Malone

As the San Antonio Spurs gathered for Monday morning practice in Santa Monica, there was talk of Shaquille O’Neal’s resurgence, Karl Malone’s tricks, and things that happen when four future Hall of Famers get motivated.

There was also talk of Tim Duncan, a two-time league most valuable player who has averaged two points a quarter over the last five for the Spurs.

After going scoreless in the fourth quarter of Game 2, Duncan had 10 points in Game 3 on four-for-14 shooting. His shots were flat and awkward, rushed and hurried as Malone, O’Neal and others invaded his comfort zone, Malone in particular.

Malone successfully stripped Duncan with a hard slap of the ball in the second quarter and also forced a turnover, abruptly stepping back from contact as Duncan backed him down in the post. Duncan fell clumsily to the floor.

Normally stoic, Duncan then threw a towel over an ABC camera that got too close to the Spurs’ huddle.

In a mellower mood Monday, Duncan referred to Malone twice in a five-minute interview with reporters.

“He used all his tricks and all his tricks worked,” Duncan said. “I need to get to my spots and stay away from everything that Karl wants to do. He wants to slap at the ball, he wants to be very physical in the post. I try to counter that by being very aggressive and attacking and trying to go by him.

“I’m not one who likes to lose. When I play a game like I did [Sunday], I’m a big part of losing the game. It’s very disappointing.”

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Spur Coach Gregg Popovich said there was plenty of blame to go around.

“If all five starters don’t play well, you’re not going to have much of a night,” Popovich said. “When your two stars don’t play well, you’re not going to have much of a night. It’s not like we came in and laid an egg and [the Lakers] were just standing around.”

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Well aware that Game 3 was the best of the series for O’Neal, the Spurs discussed the need for change in Game 4.

“We need to keep a body on him,” Duncan said. “He got too many easy looks and lob dunks and put-backs and things really close to the rim.”

O’Neal had 28 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocked shots. He made 11 of 13 shots.

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Popovich was clearly unhappy Sunday with center Rasho Nesterovic, who went scoreless in 23 minutes after averaging 9.5 points and 34 minutes in the series’ first two games. Nesterovic also had trouble handling O’Neal.

Popovich was irritated enough to insert Malik Rose, buried on the bench for most of the playoffs until getting 15 minutes in Game 3.

“Our defense was very soft,” Popovich said. “We played as if we thought somebody was going to give us something rather than trying to take something, which surprises me and disappoints me all at the same time.”