Belinelli still adjusting to defensive scheme

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SAN ANTONIO — After his team limited high-scoring Rockets guard James Harden to nine points on 2-for-10 shooting in the first half of Thursday's preseason game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich opened the second half with newcomer Marco Belinelli defending him.

It was a test Belinelli said he needed, even if Harden went on to score 13 points on 5 of 6 shots.

“He's one of the best players in the league,” said the 6-foot-5 swingman who signed with the Spurs in July. “I made some mistakes on defense, but I'm going to get better. For everybody, it's not easy to guard a guy like him. He can do everything. He can shoot; he can go in; he gets a lot of fouls. It's not easy for everybody.”

Adjusting to the Spurs' defensive scheme always is difficult for newcomers, and Belinelli understands it will be a season-long process.

“It was a little bit hard to understand the system at first, especially on defense,” he said.

“It's got to be better for sure.”

Break for Leonard: Small forward Kawhi Leonard was suited up and on the bench for Thursday's game but did not play. This was by design, with Popovich announcing before tipoff he had given the third-year player the night off.

Leonard, who was ordered by Popovich to stay off the court all summer in order to give a sore left knee every opportunity to heal, said he needs more time to get in game shape.

“I think I'm close,” he said. “I find my legs not under me or getting tired still. I'll probably take these next couple practices, go as hard as I can as long as I can and hopefully by (Oct.) 30th I'll be in game shape.”

Veteran guard Manu Ginobili also got the night off.

The military look: The Spurs' new alternate uniforms, with a military-style camouflage look, were unveiled photographically Thursday on the Spurs' official website (Spurs.com) and got an immediate thumbs-up from a very important player on the team.

“I love 'em,” Tim Duncan said.

Popovich had not seen the new gear and said it was unlikely he would have an opinion about them when he does.

“I don't care,” he said. “I just care how we play, not how we look.”

Now the real work begins: The next time the Spurs play it will count: The Oct. 30 regular-season opener against the Grizzlies.

Popovich's plan for the next five days includes a day off Friday; practice Saturday; a day off Sunday; and practice sessions Monday and Tuesday before the Wednesday game at the AT&T Center.

mikemonroe@express-news.net

Twitter: @Monroe_SA