Spurs ‘older than dirt’ but still pummel Knicks

Even with his team leading the Western Conference, Gregg Popovich said Sunday morning his San Antonio Spurs were playing C+ or B- basketball, adding there was “not much” he liked about their start.

The Spurs, he said, were winning because of “good fortune,” “corporate knowledge” and because “they’re older than dirt.”

Apparently Pop is as tough on his pupils as he is on those sideline reporters, though a 120-89 rout of the New York Knicks bumped up their grades.

Just not from the team in orange. Coach Mike Woodson said the Knicks played with no pride, even with one of the NBA’s marquee franchises making its lone visit to Madison Square Garden.

Danny Green had 24 points and a career-high 10 rebounds in the Spurs’ fourth straight victory. Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points and Tony Parker had 17 in a game that was close for about 3 minutes. San Antonio scored the first 10 points, led by as many as 37, and was in complete control in between.

Tim Duncan took just four shots but finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds as San Antonio (6-1) shot 54 percent.

The Spurs spoiled the season debut of Knicks guard J.R. Smith, last season’s Sixth Man of the Year. Suspended the first five games of the season for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program, Smith shot 1 of 9 and scored five points in 20 minutes.

Anthony and Andrea Bargnani both scored 16 for the Knicks, who were outrebounded 51-33 and fell to 2-4 after a 6-0 start last season.

The Spurs scored just 76 points a victory over Golden State on Friday, but had everything working offensively right from the opening tip Sunday.

The lead grew to 24 points in the second, the Spurs repeatedly moving the ball to an open player before the Knicks knew what was happening. San Antonio was making roughly two of every three shots for much of the first half and took a 61-45 lead into the locker room after shooting 62 percent.

AP