duncan228
11-02-2008, 10:39 PM
Reinforcements on the way for Spurs' frontcourt (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Reinforcements_on_the_way_for_Spurs_frontcourt.htm l)
By Mike Monroe
Badly outmanned in the frontcourt in their first two games, the Spurs hope to have both starting center Fabricio Oberto and first-year power forward Anthony Tolliver back in uniform for Tuesday's game at the AT&T Center against Dallas.
Oberto missed the first two games after experiencing an abnormal heart rhythm last Tuesday. He underwent a cardioversion procedure that returned normal rhythm to his heart.
Since having the procedure, Oberto has undergone daily monitoring of his heart rate, and he reports there have been no further problems.
“I've only talked to Fab,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Sunday, “but I haven't had a chance to talk to the doctors. (Oberto) seems to think everything's been in order. They've had him with one of these modern little gadgets that tests him every day, and then he sends it in, somehow or other. That's all been good, and if he's good today and tomorrow, he feels he's been released to play Tuesday.
“When I talk to (head athletic trainer) Will (Sevening) and the doctors tomorrow I will know for sure, but I think it looks pretty good for him.”
Tolliver, a free agent who made the team out of training camp, was excused from the first two games to be with his family last week after the death of his mother. He is expected back at practice today.
Perhaps no Spurs player will be more excited about the return of the two big men than Ime Udoka. The 6-foot-5 small forward was pressed into service at the power forward spot for stretches of both games.
“Part of the reason for those losses we had was that teams are going big, and we got outrebounded,” Udoka said. “Not only in Portland, but we were also guarding (Suns center) Shaquille O'Neal. So getting a healthy Fab back, and another power forward, will definitely help us.”
Hill awaits action: Rookie guard George Hill, out since spraining his left thumb in a preseason game against Detroit, could make his Spurs debut Tuesday against Dallas.
Or, maybe not.
Popovich says Hill could have played in Friday's 100-99 loss to Portland, but was held out for precautionary reasons.
“He probably could have played and I just held him out, to try and steal a few more days,” Popovich said. “I'm going to hold him back as long as I'm able, until he's so demonstrative with me I can't hold him back any longer.”
Asked about Hill's availability against Dallas, Popovich said he could not commit one way or another.
In the past, veterans such as Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have been able to lean on Popovich for an early return from injury. It remains to be seen how demanding the Spurs' 22-year-old rookie is going to be.
“As a player, I feel like I can play any time,” Hill said. “But it's whatever the coach thinks. He knows what's best for me and what's best for the team.”
Staff writer Jeff McDonald contributed to this report.
By Mike Monroe
Badly outmanned in the frontcourt in their first two games, the Spurs hope to have both starting center Fabricio Oberto and first-year power forward Anthony Tolliver back in uniform for Tuesday's game at the AT&T Center against Dallas.
Oberto missed the first two games after experiencing an abnormal heart rhythm last Tuesday. He underwent a cardioversion procedure that returned normal rhythm to his heart.
Since having the procedure, Oberto has undergone daily monitoring of his heart rate, and he reports there have been no further problems.
“I've only talked to Fab,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Sunday, “but I haven't had a chance to talk to the doctors. (Oberto) seems to think everything's been in order. They've had him with one of these modern little gadgets that tests him every day, and then he sends it in, somehow or other. That's all been good, and if he's good today and tomorrow, he feels he's been released to play Tuesday.
“When I talk to (head athletic trainer) Will (Sevening) and the doctors tomorrow I will know for sure, but I think it looks pretty good for him.”
Tolliver, a free agent who made the team out of training camp, was excused from the first two games to be with his family last week after the death of his mother. He is expected back at practice today.
Perhaps no Spurs player will be more excited about the return of the two big men than Ime Udoka. The 6-foot-5 small forward was pressed into service at the power forward spot for stretches of both games.
“Part of the reason for those losses we had was that teams are going big, and we got outrebounded,” Udoka said. “Not only in Portland, but we were also guarding (Suns center) Shaquille O'Neal. So getting a healthy Fab back, and another power forward, will definitely help us.”
Hill awaits action: Rookie guard George Hill, out since spraining his left thumb in a preseason game against Detroit, could make his Spurs debut Tuesday against Dallas.
Or, maybe not.
Popovich says Hill could have played in Friday's 100-99 loss to Portland, but was held out for precautionary reasons.
“He probably could have played and I just held him out, to try and steal a few more days,” Popovich said. “I'm going to hold him back as long as I'm able, until he's so demonstrative with me I can't hold him back any longer.”
Asked about Hill's availability against Dallas, Popovich said he could not commit one way or another.
In the past, veterans such as Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have been able to lean on Popovich for an early return from injury. It remains to be seen how demanding the Spurs' 22-year-old rookie is going to be.
“As a player, I feel like I can play any time,” Hill said. “But it's whatever the coach thinks. He knows what's best for me and what's best for the team.”
Staff writer Jeff McDonald contributed to this report.