Kori Ellis
02-09-2005, 12:49 AM
Spurs notebook: Duncan feeling snake-bit in Charlotte
Web Posted: 02/08/2005 11:00 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA020905.9C.BKNspurs.notebook.8c7249b5.html
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tim Duncan has at least one fond memory of the Charlotte Coliseum. He spent the evening of the 1997 NBA Draft here with family and friends as the Spurs made him the No. 1 overall pick.
His return trips have been considerably less nostalgic.
With the NBA back in Charlotte for the first time in three seasons, Duncan was looking forward to playing just down the road from his alma mater, Wake Forest. He instead spent Tuesday evening sitting on the bench and cheering for his teammates.
After spraining his right ankle the previous day in practice, Duncan did not play against the Charlotte Bobcats. When the Spurs visited here during the 1999-2000 season, he left the game early after suffering an abdominal strain.
"It seems like every year I come here I'm always dinged up or injured or something," Duncan said. "I hurt my knee (Thursday in Los Angeles) and I thought that would be the extent of it. But for whatever reason, they just don't want me to play here.
"I guess I'm cursed here or something."
Duncan also won't play tonight in Washington. He will be re-evaluated Thursday and the Spurs are hopeful he can play either Friday in New Jersey or Sunday in Miami.
Duncan was feeling considerably better Tuesday. He's thankful the ankle injury wasn't as serious as he initially feared.
The ankle "actually feels pretty good," said Duncan, who will undergo treatment two or three times a day. "It's had a day to calm down. I have no projection whatsoever, but I hope to be back on the court soon."
In addition to hyperextending his left knee against the Lakers, Duncan also has a sore hip. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said the team did not consider putting Duncan on the injured list, where he would have been required to miss at least five games.
"When you combine (the ankle) with his hip and knee, it's best to just let him rest and see how he feels at the end of the back-to-back," Popovich said.
Talking isn't doing: Duncan joined Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford at Saturday's meeting with Karl Malone.
But he isn't ready to clear locker space for Malone just yet.
"He's one heck of a talent and would be a great addition to our team," Duncan said. "But, again, it's just talk right now."
Comings and goings: The Spurs put point guard Mike Wilks on the injured list Tuesday to make room for Rasho Nesterovic. The decision was made easier given the state of their big men.
Duncan is out with a sprained right ankle, Nesterovic missed the previous six games with a sprained left ankle and Robert Horry is still having trouble with his right knee. As a result, the team couldn't risk putting Sean Marks on the injured list again.
The Bobcats waived forward Jamal Sampson prior to Tuesday's game.
No broken Hart here: Former Spurs point guard Jason Hart might have found a home in Charlotte.
After the Spurs drafted Beno Udrih last June, Hart signed with the expansion team. Entering Monday he was averaging career-bests with 9.6 points and 5.9 assists in 27.3 minutes.
The Spurs signed Hart for the second time early last season after it became evident a knee injury would prevent Anthony Carter from helping them. Hart played admirably and was popular with his teammates and coaches.
Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff had scouted Hart and spoke to Popovich about him.
"He's been terrific," Bickerstaff said. "He's just a quality guy."
Web Posted: 02/08/2005 11:00 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA020905.9C.BKNspurs.notebook.8c7249b5.html
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tim Duncan has at least one fond memory of the Charlotte Coliseum. He spent the evening of the 1997 NBA Draft here with family and friends as the Spurs made him the No. 1 overall pick.
His return trips have been considerably less nostalgic.
With the NBA back in Charlotte for the first time in three seasons, Duncan was looking forward to playing just down the road from his alma mater, Wake Forest. He instead spent Tuesday evening sitting on the bench and cheering for his teammates.
After spraining his right ankle the previous day in practice, Duncan did not play against the Charlotte Bobcats. When the Spurs visited here during the 1999-2000 season, he left the game early after suffering an abdominal strain.
"It seems like every year I come here I'm always dinged up or injured or something," Duncan said. "I hurt my knee (Thursday in Los Angeles) and I thought that would be the extent of it. But for whatever reason, they just don't want me to play here.
"I guess I'm cursed here or something."
Duncan also won't play tonight in Washington. He will be re-evaluated Thursday and the Spurs are hopeful he can play either Friday in New Jersey or Sunday in Miami.
Duncan was feeling considerably better Tuesday. He's thankful the ankle injury wasn't as serious as he initially feared.
The ankle "actually feels pretty good," said Duncan, who will undergo treatment two or three times a day. "It's had a day to calm down. I have no projection whatsoever, but I hope to be back on the court soon."
In addition to hyperextending his left knee against the Lakers, Duncan also has a sore hip. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said the team did not consider putting Duncan on the injured list, where he would have been required to miss at least five games.
"When you combine (the ankle) with his hip and knee, it's best to just let him rest and see how he feels at the end of the back-to-back," Popovich said.
Talking isn't doing: Duncan joined Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford at Saturday's meeting with Karl Malone.
But he isn't ready to clear locker space for Malone just yet.
"He's one heck of a talent and would be a great addition to our team," Duncan said. "But, again, it's just talk right now."
Comings and goings: The Spurs put point guard Mike Wilks on the injured list Tuesday to make room for Rasho Nesterovic. The decision was made easier given the state of their big men.
Duncan is out with a sprained right ankle, Nesterovic missed the previous six games with a sprained left ankle and Robert Horry is still having trouble with his right knee. As a result, the team couldn't risk putting Sean Marks on the injured list again.
The Bobcats waived forward Jamal Sampson prior to Tuesday's game.
No broken Hart here: Former Spurs point guard Jason Hart might have found a home in Charlotte.
After the Spurs drafted Beno Udrih last June, Hart signed with the expansion team. Entering Monday he was averaging career-bests with 9.6 points and 5.9 assists in 27.3 minutes.
The Spurs signed Hart for the second time early last season after it became evident a knee injury would prevent Anthony Carter from helping them. Hart played admirably and was popular with his teammates and coaches.
Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff had scouted Hart and spoke to Popovich about him.
"He's been terrific," Bickerstaff said. "He's just a quality guy."