duncan228
12-12-2008, 12:00 AM
Spurs guards feeling Minnesota (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_guards_feeling_Minnesota.html)
By Jeff McDonald
MINNEAPOLIS — Each of the past two times Spurs guard Manu Ginobili walked into the Target Center, he has walked out a conquering hero.
In his first trip there last season, Ginobili had 31 points and made 7-of-9 3-point tries. And that was the more pedestrian of his two Minnesota masterpieces.
Three months later, he had 44 points, buried 7-of-9 3-pointers, and hit a game-winning jumper as time expired. Ho-hum.
Funny thing: A season later, Ginobili barely remembers either game. He figures he's not the only one.
“Nobody will remember about those,” Ginobili said, “after what Tony did there.”
The Tony in question, of course, is Tony Parker. The last time Parker walked into the Target Center, he emerged proud owner of one of the greatest games in NBA history: A career-high 55 points to go with 10 assists and seven rebounds in the Spurs' 129-125 double-overtime victory Nov. 5.
Tonight, Parker returns to the scene of his greatest game, as the Spurs face Minnesota. He arrives on the heels of one of the roughest nights of his career.
In Wednesday's 95-89 victory over Atlanta, Parker made only 3 of 13 shots for six points. By the night's end, he had given way to rookie George Hill, who ran the point for the final seven minutes of a tightly contested game.
“That's what a team is for,” Hill said. “When one of us is down, you have other people to step in.”
Parker's off night was an aberration. Since his Nov. 28 return from an ankle sprain, Parker has been one of the Spurs' most consistent performers.
If he is looking to shake off the bad feelings following Wednesday's game, Parker is headed to the right place.
Nobody has scored more points in the Target Center than Parker did that November night.
Only two players in Spurs history — David Robinson and George Gervin — had scored more in a game. Parker also became only the second player in NBA history to record a 50-10-5 game, following Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.
“After the game, I didn't even realize it,” said Parker, who leads the Spurs at 21.6 points per game. “I was just happy we won the game and I had my career high. I didn't know I had a record until the next day, when I saw it on the Internet and on the news.”
It was, by any measure, a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
“Tony's a hell of a player,” coach Gregg Popovich said, “but I'm not sure we're thinking 55 every night from him.”
The Spurs had to rely heavily on Parker in their first trip to Minnesota because Ginobili did not travel with the team, opting to stay behind while recovering from offseason ankle surgery.
But Ginobili will make his Minneapolis season debut tonight.
Somewhere, recently deposed Minnesota coach Randy Wittman must be smiling. At least he won't have to devise a way to stop the Spurs' twin Timberwolves killers. They are Kevin McHale's problem now.
Ginobili has had his ups and downs since his Nov. 24 debut, as he works to rediscover his footing.
“I'm still trying to get my legs back,” said Ginobili, who is averaging 15.4 points. “Overall, I am feeling good about myself. I wasn't expecting to come back and score 30 points.”
Against Atlanta, he almost did, netting 14 of his season-best 27 points in the fourth quarter to help the Spurs win their fourth in a row. Ginobili came off the bench, nixing a string of four consecutive starts.
The good news for the Spurs: Ginobili no longer feels like his ankle is an issue. After logging 71 minutes combined Tuesday and Wednesday, he is almost sure of that.
“The fact that I played (big minutes) and I'm not limping, it's a good sign,” Ginobili said. “It means I'm on the right track.”
Still, as good as he's feeling, Ginobili recognizes there isn't much he can do to obscure what Parker did here in November.
His game plan for tonight is simple.
“We're just going to give the ball to Tony,” Ginobili said. “Fifty-five should be enough.”
By Jeff McDonald
MINNEAPOLIS — Each of the past two times Spurs guard Manu Ginobili walked into the Target Center, he has walked out a conquering hero.
In his first trip there last season, Ginobili had 31 points and made 7-of-9 3-point tries. And that was the more pedestrian of his two Minnesota masterpieces.
Three months later, he had 44 points, buried 7-of-9 3-pointers, and hit a game-winning jumper as time expired. Ho-hum.
Funny thing: A season later, Ginobili barely remembers either game. He figures he's not the only one.
“Nobody will remember about those,” Ginobili said, “after what Tony did there.”
The Tony in question, of course, is Tony Parker. The last time Parker walked into the Target Center, he emerged proud owner of one of the greatest games in NBA history: A career-high 55 points to go with 10 assists and seven rebounds in the Spurs' 129-125 double-overtime victory Nov. 5.
Tonight, Parker returns to the scene of his greatest game, as the Spurs face Minnesota. He arrives on the heels of one of the roughest nights of his career.
In Wednesday's 95-89 victory over Atlanta, Parker made only 3 of 13 shots for six points. By the night's end, he had given way to rookie George Hill, who ran the point for the final seven minutes of a tightly contested game.
“That's what a team is for,” Hill said. “When one of us is down, you have other people to step in.”
Parker's off night was an aberration. Since his Nov. 28 return from an ankle sprain, Parker has been one of the Spurs' most consistent performers.
If he is looking to shake off the bad feelings following Wednesday's game, Parker is headed to the right place.
Nobody has scored more points in the Target Center than Parker did that November night.
Only two players in Spurs history — David Robinson and George Gervin — had scored more in a game. Parker also became only the second player in NBA history to record a 50-10-5 game, following Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.
“After the game, I didn't even realize it,” said Parker, who leads the Spurs at 21.6 points per game. “I was just happy we won the game and I had my career high. I didn't know I had a record until the next day, when I saw it on the Internet and on the news.”
It was, by any measure, a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
“Tony's a hell of a player,” coach Gregg Popovich said, “but I'm not sure we're thinking 55 every night from him.”
The Spurs had to rely heavily on Parker in their first trip to Minnesota because Ginobili did not travel with the team, opting to stay behind while recovering from offseason ankle surgery.
But Ginobili will make his Minneapolis season debut tonight.
Somewhere, recently deposed Minnesota coach Randy Wittman must be smiling. At least he won't have to devise a way to stop the Spurs' twin Timberwolves killers. They are Kevin McHale's problem now.
Ginobili has had his ups and downs since his Nov. 24 debut, as he works to rediscover his footing.
“I'm still trying to get my legs back,” said Ginobili, who is averaging 15.4 points. “Overall, I am feeling good about myself. I wasn't expecting to come back and score 30 points.”
Against Atlanta, he almost did, netting 14 of his season-best 27 points in the fourth quarter to help the Spurs win their fourth in a row. Ginobili came off the bench, nixing a string of four consecutive starts.
The good news for the Spurs: Ginobili no longer feels like his ankle is an issue. After logging 71 minutes combined Tuesday and Wednesday, he is almost sure of that.
“The fact that I played (big minutes) and I'm not limping, it's a good sign,” Ginobili said. “It means I'm on the right track.”
Still, as good as he's feeling, Ginobili recognizes there isn't much he can do to obscure what Parker did here in November.
His game plan for tonight is simple.
“We're just going to give the ball to Tony,” Ginobili said. “Fifty-five should be enough.”