SAN ANTONIO _ Taking a page from the Spurs' Way, first-year general manager Sean Marks and coach Kenny Atkinson have worked hard to make the 3-pointer a staple of the Nets' offense this season. They call it a high-value shot that, when combined with increased attempts at the rim, makes for a more efficient offense.
Marks, who returned to San Antonio Saturday night for the first time since being hired away from the Spurs, frankly admits his template is borrowed from his former franchise. The Nets got a first-hand look at what happens when that approach is executed to perfection.
Consistently making the extra pass, the Spurs repeatedly found 3-point shooters wide-open, and they knocked down 14 of 26 treys on their way to a humiliating 130-101 blowout of the Nets at AT&T Center. In the final quarter, the Spurs' lead reached 38 points.
Asked before the game if he can imagine the Nets ever approaching the level of success achieved by the five-time NBA champion Spurs, Atkinson said that notion "bordered on the absurd." But he added, "The fun part is trying to build something similar. It would be outrageous for us to say we could come close, but if we could have some semblance of the culture they have, we would be proud."
The Nets can dream, but they learned how far away they really are Saturday night. Kawhi Leonard (30 points) and Patty Mills (16 points) each made 4 of 7 3-point attempts to lead six Spurs (19-5) in double figures scoring. Bojan Bogdanovic topped the Nets (6-16) with 20 points, Luis Scola had 15, and Brook Lopez added 14. The Nets only connected on 7 of 27 3s.
For the first time in his NBA career, center Lopez arrived in San Antonio without having to worry about the prospect of facing Tim Duncan, who retired after last season hailed as one of the great power forwards of all-time. "To have him not come out as No. 21 in black and silver is a weird experience," Lopez said.
Asked if he might use his bank shot for the first time this season as a tribute to Duncan's patented move, Lopez laughed and said, "Absolutely. I need to do that tonight, no question."
In fact, Lopez backed up his promise in the second quarter with a step-back shot he banked in with a hand in his face. That had to be the highlight of the first half for the Nets, because they didn't execute nearly as well in any other phase.
In the first period, they allowed the Spurs to shoot 60.7 percent from the field (17 of 28) to take a 41-26 lead with a 12-0 run in the final 1:46 of the quarter on just four possessions. Mills, Manu Ginobili and Leonard each hit 3-pointers before Dewayne Dedmon converted a three-point play.
The Spurs had a season-high 67 points in the first half for a 15-point lead. They ended the third quarter with a 27-9 run that included 11 straight points by Mills plus eight by Leonard to push their lead to an embarrassing 103-70 entering the final period, where it only grew worse.
