Is a sharpshooting journeyman the final piece they need to win it all?
How did Brent Barry prepare for the chance of a lifetime? "I read a lot," says the 32-year-old guard, and he's not talking Melville or Tolstoy. "I read a book called Mind Gym. I read Coaching the Mental Game and Way of the Peaceful Warrior -- not going as deep as Dr. Phil, but things to get my focus where it needs to be this year."
Barry has never won a playoff series in nine seasons with the Clippers, Heat, Bulls and Sonics, which is why he turned down a richer offer to stay in Seattle for a four-year, $19.6 million free-agent contract with San Antonio, which won the championship two seasons ago. "The most important things for me were to have a chance to win and to really fit into a system," Barry says. "I'm here to win this year and also to enjoy the process of what it takes to win."
The Spurs believe Barry's pinpoint shooting can put them over the top. "You're only as good as your last game, and our last game we didn't shoot the ball well," says swingman Bruce Bowen, referring to a Game 6 loss to the Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals. Barry shot 45.2% from the three-point line last season -- and that was without an inside force like Tim Duncan to create space -- but he can also drive to the basket and play the point, making him a fine complement to the starting backcourt of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. "He's a complete player who makes all of us better," says coach Gregg Popovich. "With Brent and Tony on the court, I don't care who's bringing the ball up, I don't care who's running pick-and-roll."
Barry has made plenty of big shots but never in late May or June. "It's like being in the backyard and doing the countdown and making the shot and nobody sees you but the neighbor's dog," he says. "Now I'm looking forward to when it really counts." -- Ian Thomsen
