McDonald: Injury Puts Spurs Rookie's Debut In Doubt

[duncan228]

Injury puts Spurs rookie's debut in doubt (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Injury_puts_rookies_debut_in_doubt.html)
By Jeff McDonald

Spurs rookie George Hill is eager to begin his NBA career — so eager, in fact, he's tentatively planning on flying his parents in from Indiana for Wednesday's season opener at the AT&T Center.

It will be up to coach Gregg Popovich to determine if that trip will be worth the effort.

Hill, who is nursing a sprained left thumb, practiced Monday and has been medically cleared to play against Phoenix. All that is stopping him is his head coach's own trepidation.

“We're just not sure how confident he'll be, and how confident I'll be that he won't get hurt again,” Popovich said. “He's had a really good preseason and I don't want to put that in jeopardy.”

Hill, a backup point guard taken 26th overall in the June draft, has been forced to wear a plastic splint on his left (non-shooting) hand. Of utmost concern is how the splint prevents Hill from cleanly catching a ball passed to him.

“It's a problem,” Popovich said. “Rather than catch it, he stops it. Stop and control, rather than catch.”

For now, Hill's availability will be a game-time decision. He hasn't played since spraining the thumb in an Oct. 14 preseason game against Detroit.

Popovich had planned to play Hill in Friday's 96-93 loss to Miami in the preseason finale, under instructions that he not gamble for steals or drive to the basket or do anything else to unnecessarily put his bum thumb at risk. The game was so competitive, however, Popovich thought better of playing Hill at all.

In retrospect, that was a wise move. Hill says he probably wouldn't have been able to help himself.

“That's like telling Bruce (Bowen) to go out there and don't take the open corner 3,” Hill said. “That's why coach Pop is such a great coach. He knows what's best for me.”

Simple as that: The Spurs' opening-day roster became finalized Monday. Popovich says journeyman guard Desmon Farmer found his name on it by virtue of three little words.

“Ball. In. Hole,” Popovich said.

Sometimes it really is that simple.

Farmer, the NBA Development League's all-time scoring leader, edged out rookie Malik Hairston for the Spurs' final roster spot mostly because he couldn't miss this preseason. Farmer led the Spurs in 3-pointers made and attempted (13 of 28) in seven games.

“Coach Pop told me to shoot when I had the opportunity,” Farmer said.

If anything, Farmer showed he could follow instructions.

Tolliver grieving: Rookie forward Anthony Tolliver has been granted a leave of absence to deal with the sudden death of his mother.

Donna Lewis, 56, died Thursday of an apparent heart attack in Springfield, Mo.

Tolliver will not be uniform for Wednesday night's season opener against Phoenix, and is not expected to make the trip to Portland for the Spurs' second game Friday night.

[angelbelow]

damn it

[TDMVPDPOY]

hope farmer gets minutes to graze the turf whoever we are playin first game

[BWS-1994]

If Hill sits, the more opportunities for Mason and Farmer!

[timvp]

If Hill sits, the more opportunities for Jacque Vaughn!

Fixed.

[timvp]

Seriously though, if Hill can't catch passes, Pop can't put him out there. It might be a good idea to hold him out and then let him go through training camp with the Toros. That will get him back in shape, let him regain confidence in his thumb and get in a lot of basketball before returning to the Spurs.

A rookie's confidence can be shattered early if he is thrown to the wolves and doesn't survive.

[polandprzem]

I think Hill is the guy who never quits, so I could throw him onto the big water.

But if it's as bad as he can't catch a pass confidently, timvp got a good idea although I would not want him with Toros.


ps. damn I was hoping that he will be playing in the second week of a season but when I heard he is fine to play one or two games in preseason I was like wooooo. Now the problems seems to be back.

[TheProfessor]

Simple as that: The Spurs' opening-day roster became finalized Monday. Popovich says journeyman guard Desmon Farmer found his name on it by virtue of three little words.

“Ball. In. Hole,” Popovich said.
I find this to be a remarkably shortsighted attitude for a guy who won't get much playing time even before Ginobili returns.

[urunobili]

Seriously though, if Hill can't catch passes, Pop can't put him out there. It might be a good idea to hold him out and then let him go through training camp with the Toros. That will get him back in shape, let him regain confidence in his thumb and get in a lot of basketball before returning to the Spurs.

A rookie's confidence can be shattered early if he is thrown to the wolves and doesn't survive.

i disagree... he also could have a unique opportunity to show what he is made of... a player will come out eventually even from a bad start.... he is not a 15 yo princess that would start crying on some rehab pain on his non shooting hand... i think Pop will play him, he is cleared to do so and i am sure the Spurs would love to see him match against Dragic...

[timvp]

i disagree... he also could have a unique opportunity to show what he is made of... a player will come out eventually even from a bad start.... he is not a 15 yo princess that would start crying on some rehab pain on his non shooting hand... i think Pop will play him, he is cleared to do so and i am sure the Spurs would love to see him match against Dragic...He was cleared to play in the last game and he didn't play. And the Spurs couldn't care less how Hill does against Dragic in the first game of a regular season.

[urunobili]

He was cleared to play in the last game and he didn't play. And the Spurs couldn't care less how Hill does against Dragic in the first game of a regular season.

didn't he have a splint in that game? he doesn't now... therefore.. more than a week later... the finger should be MUCH better... probably the Dragic thing was my own desire but i still think he'll get some PT 2morrow...

[timvp]

didn't he have a splint in that game? he doesn't now


Hill, a backup point guard taken 26th overall in the June draft, has been forced to wear a plastic splint on his left (non-shooting) hand.

:reading

[Ice009]

I find this to be a remarkably shortsighted attitude for a guy who won't get much playing time even before Ginobili returns.

Let me give you the sound of one of the Spurs' playoff losses last season. Clang. Clang. Clang.

"Ball. In. Hole." is music to Pop's ears.

[Ice009]

You guys remember Manu's finger last season? How long did that take to heal?

Pop probably doesn't want to screw around with it.

[ElNono]

Just sit his ass for 2 or 3 weeks and make sure he heals. We don't need more banged up people throughout the season.

[hater]

oh come on Hill has to play. what a disgrace :(

[Spurs Brazil]

Seriously though, if Hill can't catch passes, Pop can't put him out there. It might be a good idea to hold him out and then let him go through training camp with the Toros. That will get him back in shape, let him regain confidence in his thumb and get in a lot of basketball before returning to the Spurs.

A rookie's confidence can be shattered early if he is thrown to the wolves and doesn't survive.

If he can't catch passes I agree he can't play but I hope he can play in a week - 10 days.

When Toros camp start?

[timvp]

If he can't catch passes I agree he can't play but I hope he can play in a week - 10 days.

When Toros camp start?I think in about two weeks. Toros season starts one month from today.

[DPG21920]

I think in about two weeks. Toros season starts one month from today.

I have talked to someone that thinks that Hill along with Ian will be seeing some time with the Toros, along with them trying to get Hairston.

Timvp, check you pm

[ChumpDumper]

The D-League draft is next Friday. I think some players will be allocated before then. Everything happens pretty quickly after that.

[xtremesteven33]

I have talked to someone that thinks that Hill along with Ian will be seeing some time with the Toros, along with them trying to get Hairston.

Timvp, check you pm



This better not be true.

[DPG21920]

It is. It is not for certain, but just the idea has been entertained. It is not that big of a deal, nor unexpected. Ian has been hurt and like Timvp said, Hill could use it to get into shape.

[DPG21920]

The D-League draft is next Friday. I think some players will be allocated before then. Everything happens pretty quickly after that.

Season starts on the 23rd I believe. Looking forward to the draft though. I hope Malik goes with the Toros

[ChumpDumper]

Season starts on the 23rd I believe. Looking forward to the draft though. I hope Malik goes with the TorosThat would be an allocation deal since he was a second round pick of the Spurs. He's there for the asking if he signs a D-League contract.

[DPG21920]

That would be an allocation deal since he was a second round pick of the Spurs. He's there for the asking if he signs a D-League contract.

Ya, I did not mean to intertwine my draft and Malik statements!

[sexinthatsx]

man fucking shit... I seriously hope ian and george hill don't play for the toros this season...

[DPG21920]

man fucking shit... I seriously hope ian and george hill don't play for the toros this season...

It would just be for short spurts. Not a big deal. Not even for sure, just depends on injuries and ...

[Dex]

I smell some Vaughn time tonight. :frying:

[SenorSpur]

man fucking shit... I seriously hope ian and george hill don't play for the toros this season...

It sucks royally that both are hurt. Spurs need to start this season on a positive note and gain some good momentum to stay alive until Manu returns.

[ChumpDumper]

A rehab training camp and a few games to get into shape wouldn't be the end of the world for those two. Getting a little PT together might be beneficial. A lot depend on their respective timetables for recovery.

[DPG21920]

A rehab training camp and a few games to get into shape wouldn't be the end of the world for those two. Getting a little PT together might be beneficial. A lot depend on their respective timetables for recovery.

Exactly.

[DPG21920]

The thing I took from my conversation was that they are indeed trying to get Hairston, which is obvious and awesome. Just do not know if it will happen though.

[SenorSpur]

The thing I took from my conversation was that they are indeed trying to get Hairston, which is obvious and awesome. Just do not know if it will happen though.

Who is trying to get Hairston? Can you elaborate?

[DPG21920]

The Toros. It looks like the Spurs thought they could keep Farmer and have Hairston be picked up by the Toros. It is not confirmed as fact, just that they will be looking at him.

[SenorSpur]

The Toros

Can we surmise that the Spurs still have in in their sights for this season?

[DPG21920]

Can we surmise that the Spurs still have in in their sights for this season?

Not sure, but I would assume so. I do not think that even if the Spurs signed Malik instead of Farmer that he would be playing for the Spurs. He would be with the Toros. So I think that the Spurs thought they had a good shot of keeping Farmer and still having Malik on the Toros where he would be available for a call up by any team. If Ginobili comes back, then they can cut Farmer and sign Malik.

[Bruno]

I doubt Hill will got to Austin. Toros first game is in one month and Hill is in game shape.

Mahinmi has missed the whole training camp. Toros two weeks training camp and some D-League games could be a nice way to put him back in playing shape. Toros schedule is great for that with 8 games in two weeks at home to start the season.

[DPG21920]

I doubt Hill will got to Austin. Toros first game is in one month and Hill is in game shape.

Mahinmi has missed the whole training camp. Toros two weeks training camp and some D-League games could be a nice way to put him back in playing shape. Toros schedule is great for that with 8 games in two weeks at home to start the season.

The person I spoke to said that they all had a good chance at seeing time with the Toros, but you never know.

[Spurs Brazil]

I doubt Hill will got to Austin. Toros first game is in one month and Hill is in game shape.

Mahinmi has missed the whole training camp. Toros two weeks training camp and some D-League games could be a nice way to put him back in playing shape. Toros schedule is great for that with 8 games in two weeks at home to start the season.

I just hope Spurs pick the option on Ian and then send him to Toros to get him in game shape

[DPG21920]

If anything it will just be minor time to get in shape if injuries last longer than expected, no big deal.

[Ice009]

I have talked to someone that thinks that Hill along with Ian will be seeing some time with the Toros, along with them trying to get Hairston.

Timvp, check you pm

Who said this? How certain do you think they are?

So the Spurs are also going to try and get Hairston on the Toros?

FUCK this. Jacque Vaughn sucks. He offense is non existent and his defense is average at best. If Vaughn is the back up and Hill goes to the Toros Pop is going to handicap Tim and Tony even more. At least Hill has the chance to be a really good defender which would give us more than Vaughn.

If Pop doesn't want to play him because his point guard skills aren't there yet run him at shooting guard on offense and point guard on defense.

I DO NOT WANT VAUGHN as the back up PG. I'd be OK with spot minutes, but not in the regular rotation.