Believe in each other.

"What David said to us was very important," Ferry said. "It's also one of those things we don't want to have happen that often. We want to lead by going out and playing hard and winning and doing the right things."

Ferry more than adequately filled that role Tuesday night. He hit the open shot ? including two key 3-pointers in the final quarter ? played smart defense, and helped pace the Spurs to a much-needed 99-91 win over Phoenix on Tuesday night at the Alamodome.

"It's not that he scores a bunch of points, he just knows how to play the game," Tim Duncan said. "That's why I love having him on the floor. He does all the little things that help get a team on a roll."