duncan228
09-30-2008, 12:01 AM
Spurs get back to work (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_get_back_to_work.html)
Express-News
Four months removed from their loss to the Lakers in the Western Conference finals, the Spurs reconvened at their practice facility Monday, eager to get back to work. Staff writer Jeff McDonald takes a look at some of the Spurs storylines he will be following throughout training camp, which begins this morning.
Manu on the mend
The most significant plotline of the Spurs’ preseason won’t be playing out on the court. Earlier this month, Manu Ginobili underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle. He will miss all of the preseason — and at least the first month of the regular season — while recovering. For the Spurs to be at the top of their game, Ginobili — the team’s leading scorer last season — must be at the top of his. As such, they will be counting the days until they can get him back in the lineup. For now, get used to the sight of Ginobili in a sports coat.
Meet the new guy
Even before Ginobili went under the knife, Roger Mason Jr. expected to find himself under the preseason microscope. The former Washington Wizards swingman rates as the Spurs’ most notable free-agent acquisition of the offseason. With Ginobili out, Mason — who averaged a career-high 9.1 points last season — will get plenty of time in the preseason to show his stuff. How quickly he can grasp the Spurs’ system will go a long way toward determining how the Spurs fare without Ginobili.
In search of a No. 2 ‘1’
With Tony Parker in the prime of his prime, the Spurs are set at starting point guard now and for years to come. They spent much of the offseason, however, in search of his backup. The Spurs drafted George Hill out of IUPUI and signed Salim Stoudamire away from Atlanta to compete with incumbent Jacque Vaughn for the job. That trio will spend the preseason jockeying for position behind Parker.
Campin’ with Kurt
After arriving in a trade-deadline deal last year, Kurt Thomas quickly established himself as the best big man to play next to Tim Duncan since David Robinson retired. Granted, that’s a bit like calling Kevin Jonas the manliest of the Jonas Brothers — there’s not a whole lot of competition for the designation. Still, Thomas proved his worth in the postseason, particularly during a first-round series against Phoenix spent leaning on Shaquille O’Neal. Given the benefit of a full training camp with the Spurs, Thomas should be expected to improve on his first half-season in San Antonio.
A second Stoudamire salvage job
Stoudamire is looking to provide the same commodity the Spurs hoped his older cousin, Damon, would bring for them last year — instant offense off the bench. The younger Stoudamire has averaged 17 points per 36 minutes in his career but found himself on the outs in Atlanta after clashing with coach Mike Woodson. He comes to San Antonio with a low-risk contract that is only partially guaranteed — meaning he can be jettisoned painlessly should the Spurs decide he can’t help them.
Express-News
Four months removed from their loss to the Lakers in the Western Conference finals, the Spurs reconvened at their practice facility Monday, eager to get back to work. Staff writer Jeff McDonald takes a look at some of the Spurs storylines he will be following throughout training camp, which begins this morning.
Manu on the mend
The most significant plotline of the Spurs’ preseason won’t be playing out on the court. Earlier this month, Manu Ginobili underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle. He will miss all of the preseason — and at least the first month of the regular season — while recovering. For the Spurs to be at the top of their game, Ginobili — the team’s leading scorer last season — must be at the top of his. As such, they will be counting the days until they can get him back in the lineup. For now, get used to the sight of Ginobili in a sports coat.
Meet the new guy
Even before Ginobili went under the knife, Roger Mason Jr. expected to find himself under the preseason microscope. The former Washington Wizards swingman rates as the Spurs’ most notable free-agent acquisition of the offseason. With Ginobili out, Mason — who averaged a career-high 9.1 points last season — will get plenty of time in the preseason to show his stuff. How quickly he can grasp the Spurs’ system will go a long way toward determining how the Spurs fare without Ginobili.
In search of a No. 2 ‘1’
With Tony Parker in the prime of his prime, the Spurs are set at starting point guard now and for years to come. They spent much of the offseason, however, in search of his backup. The Spurs drafted George Hill out of IUPUI and signed Salim Stoudamire away from Atlanta to compete with incumbent Jacque Vaughn for the job. That trio will spend the preseason jockeying for position behind Parker.
Campin’ with Kurt
After arriving in a trade-deadline deal last year, Kurt Thomas quickly established himself as the best big man to play next to Tim Duncan since David Robinson retired. Granted, that’s a bit like calling Kevin Jonas the manliest of the Jonas Brothers — there’s not a whole lot of competition for the designation. Still, Thomas proved his worth in the postseason, particularly during a first-round series against Phoenix spent leaning on Shaquille O’Neal. Given the benefit of a full training camp with the Spurs, Thomas should be expected to improve on his first half-season in San Antonio.
A second Stoudamire salvage job
Stoudamire is looking to provide the same commodity the Spurs hoped his older cousin, Damon, would bring for them last year — instant offense off the bench. The younger Stoudamire has averaged 17 points per 36 minutes in his career but found himself on the outs in Atlanta after clashing with coach Mike Woodson. He comes to San Antonio with a low-risk contract that is only partially guaranteed — meaning he can be jettisoned painlessly should the Spurs decide he can’t help them.