MIAMI — Gregg Popovich enjoys talking about himself about as much as he likes discovering an old bottle of first growth claret had turned to vinegar after being improperly cellared. It was rare, then, when Popovich opened up a day after the truth of his team's Game 3 performance in the NBA Finals proved stranger than fiction.

Asked to describe his evolution as a coach over 17-plus seasons with the Spurs, the reigning coach of the year astounded a room full of cynics. The essence of his answer: Learning that less is more. In that spirit, here he is, unfiltered:

“I think I've learned to shut up more, and that probably is due to Manu Ginobili. When he first came, I was going to make him a heck of a player. And after 20 minutes, I realized that he didn't need me to do that. He was already a heck of a player. Sometimes being quiet and letting the player play is much more important than trying to be Mr. Coach and teach him this or teach him that.

“So I think as time evolves and you get older in the business, you figure out what's really important, and you don't waste time trying to make people what they're not going to be. I didn't make him a competitor, and there is no way I could make him a non-competitor, so you've just got to figure out who people are and what they can give you and take advantage of their positives.

“A lot of people talk about they're going to draft this guy or that guy, and in time he's going to really be something. It's usually with big guys. You look around, and you say, how many big guys, these 7-foot guys, have really gotten better five years later? You look at Hakeem (Olajuwon), and Hakeem was Hakeem when Hakeem started to play in the league. He didn't become Hakeem; he already was.

“So you learn that you can't make everything the way you think you might. You can't make somebody great, so you don't waste your time. You make a trade. You get rid of somebody. You make sure you're bringing people in who fit in all the areas you want. Competitiveness and team play, that kind of thing.

“So I'll just leave it at that. That's all I can handle this early (in the day).”

Player report

Danny Green

He found a way to impact Game 3 inside the 3-point arc, rather than beyond it. The Spurs' starting small forward played his most aggressive game of the series, attacking the basket and scoring on a variety of moves, including one running, left-handed hook shot. He also had five steals, a career playoff high. He took only two long-range shots in Game 3, making one, but he made every shot he attempted inside the arc (6 for 6).

The Heat have been acutely aware of the need to close out on Green anytime he catches the ball outside the arc. After his success on forays into the lane in Game 3, they may have to be a tad more wary. This could create a few more open looks from long range in Game 4.

Chris Bosh

He made all four of his shots in Game 3, but after scoring 36 points on 40 offensive touches in Games 1 and 2, Bosh got only 12 touches in Game 3. That accounts for his first game of the Finals under double figures in scoring.

Some of the drop-off had to do with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich starting Boris Diaw at center instead of Tiago Splitter, a lineup that seemed to confuse the Heat and led to a lot of one-on-one play. Bosh is a lot like Green in that he thrives when the ball moves. The Heat know they must pass more to get him open.

Patty Mills

He is the smallest player in the series who is making a big impact, and the Heat may be having flashbacks to what J.J. Barea did to them in the 2011 Finals. Barea scored 32 points in Games 5 and 6, back-to-back wins that gave Dallas its only championship.

Mills hasn't scored more than eight points in any of the first three games. However, he logged 15 solid minutes behind Tony Parker in Game 3 and had four assists, matching Parker's total. He has been a defensive pest, and he occupies Heat defenders anytime he is behind the 3-point line.

Necessary alteration

Heat may need to put Chalmers !on the bench

Gregg Popovich threw a lineup change at the Heat for Game 3 that changed the game's dynamics at both ends of the court. Boris Diaw kept the ball moving on the offensive end and stayed connected to 3-point-minded power forward Rashard Lewis at the defensive end.

Don't be surprised if Erik Spoelstra tries to get the same effect by juggling his starting lineup for Game 4. He has several options for such a change, including a switch of point guards. Mario Chalmers has had a horrible series. He might welcome a chance to jump-start his game coming in from off the bench.

The Heat also has have played some lineups without a true point guard. Who needs a point guard when you've got LeBron James?

Best of seven

1. Pregame: 13-year-old Julia Dale belts National Anthem, continuing the Spurs-Heat young person battle with Sebastien De La Cruz.

2. 7:22, 1st quarter: Kawhi Leonard nails 3-pointer, has nine points, his total in both Games 1 and 2. Leonard starts trending on Twitter.

3. 0:00.3, 1st quarter: Manu Ginobili beats buzzer with banked 3-pointer, and Spurs have 41 points on 86.7 percent shooting. Some history is in the offing.

4. 9:52, 2nd quarter: Spurs open with three straight baskets, are up to 19 for 21 (90 percent). Elias Sports Bureau goes on alert.

5. 2:00, 3rd quarter: 10-0 Heat run cuts Spurs' lead, once 25, to 7; Spurs fans' jaws begin to tighten.

6. 1:35, 3rd quarter: Marco Belinelli, utterly unguarded, drains 3-pointer to push Spurs' lead back to 10. How did NBA 3-point champ get so open?

7. 3:35, 4th quarter:

Leonard makes 1 of 2 free throws, has 29 points for highest scoring game since his high school days.

mikemonroe@express-news.net