duncan228
11-17-2008, 12:15 AM
Ginobili working out with Spurs broadcaster (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Ginobili_working_out_with_Spurs_broadcaster.html)
By Jeff McDonald
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Manu Ginobili has a new workout partner.
Ex-Spurs forward Sean Elliott, now a team broadcaster, participated in Sunday morning two-on-two drills with Ginobili, prior to the team's game against the Kings.
Let the record show that Elliott is no fool: The 40-year-old former All-Star played with Ginobili, and not against him.
Ginobili, who is recovering from offseason ankle surgery, appears to be progressing toward an early December return.
Until then, coach Gregg Popovich said, the Spurs will continue to struggle offensively, especially with fellow All-Star guard Tony Parker nursing a sprained ankle as well.
Going into Sunday night's game, the Spurs were averaging 92.1 points per game, 26th in the league.
“We're 40 points behind per game, and we have a hard time finding that most nights,” Popovich said. “Which is totally expected. That's why our defense has to be good.”
Ahearn joins team: The Spurs made the season's first dip into the NBA Development League on Sunday, signing free-agent point guard Blake Ahearn. To clear roster space, the team placed swingman Desmon Farmer on waivers.
Ahearn, one of the final training-camp cuts of the Minnesota Timberwolves, had been set to begin the season with the Dakota Wizards, with whom he was named the D-League's rookie of the year last season.
The 6-foot-2 Ahearn should provide some added point-guard depth for the Spurs with Parker out. He spent 10 games last season with the Miami Heat.
A college standout at Missouri State, Ahearn left school in 2007 as the most accurate free-throw shooter in NCAA Division-I history at 94.6 percent (435-460).
Reality bites: And you thought the idea of thrusting NBA microphones into team huddles was intrusive.
The Maloof family, which owns the Sacramento Kings, has announced plans for a reality show that would follow their team behind the scenes.
According to a recent Los Angeles Times interview with Phil Maloof, chief executive of Maloof Productions, the show would showcase “things people don't generally get to see — the trainers, the cheerleaders, the workouts, the team from top to bottom.”
When it comes to the execution of the project, count Kings coach Reggie Theus on the apprehensive side.
“It's an interesting concept,” he said. “There's a lot of marketing possibilities there. For a team that's in transition, there are some positive things there. It can be a negative if it's not handled correctly.”
Asked if he knew anyone with experience playing a coach on TV, Theus — who once starred on the Saturday morning series “Hang Time” — just laughed.
“Dick Butkus,” he offered.
By Jeff McDonald
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Manu Ginobili has a new workout partner.
Ex-Spurs forward Sean Elliott, now a team broadcaster, participated in Sunday morning two-on-two drills with Ginobili, prior to the team's game against the Kings.
Let the record show that Elliott is no fool: The 40-year-old former All-Star played with Ginobili, and not against him.
Ginobili, who is recovering from offseason ankle surgery, appears to be progressing toward an early December return.
Until then, coach Gregg Popovich said, the Spurs will continue to struggle offensively, especially with fellow All-Star guard Tony Parker nursing a sprained ankle as well.
Going into Sunday night's game, the Spurs were averaging 92.1 points per game, 26th in the league.
“We're 40 points behind per game, and we have a hard time finding that most nights,” Popovich said. “Which is totally expected. That's why our defense has to be good.”
Ahearn joins team: The Spurs made the season's first dip into the NBA Development League on Sunday, signing free-agent point guard Blake Ahearn. To clear roster space, the team placed swingman Desmon Farmer on waivers.
Ahearn, one of the final training-camp cuts of the Minnesota Timberwolves, had been set to begin the season with the Dakota Wizards, with whom he was named the D-League's rookie of the year last season.
The 6-foot-2 Ahearn should provide some added point-guard depth for the Spurs with Parker out. He spent 10 games last season with the Miami Heat.
A college standout at Missouri State, Ahearn left school in 2007 as the most accurate free-throw shooter in NCAA Division-I history at 94.6 percent (435-460).
Reality bites: And you thought the idea of thrusting NBA microphones into team huddles was intrusive.
The Maloof family, which owns the Sacramento Kings, has announced plans for a reality show that would follow their team behind the scenes.
According to a recent Los Angeles Times interview with Phil Maloof, chief executive of Maloof Productions, the show would showcase “things people don't generally get to see — the trainers, the cheerleaders, the workouts, the team from top to bottom.”
When it comes to the execution of the project, count Kings coach Reggie Theus on the apprehensive side.
“It's an interesting concept,” he said. “There's a lot of marketing possibilities there. For a team that's in transition, there are some positive things there. It can be a negative if it's not handled correctly.”
Asked if he knew anyone with experience playing a coach on TV, Theus — who once starred on the Saturday morning series “Hang Time” — just laughed.
“Dick Butkus,” he offered.