duncan228
01-10-2009, 12:36 AM
While you were away ... (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/While_you_were_away_.html)
Mike Monroe
With the college football season moving to its dramatic conclusion — including Texas’ Fiesta Bowl victory and Florida’s triumph over Oklahoma in the BCS championship game — you may have missed some meaningful developments in the NBA.
Some of these developments should be evident to even the most avid college football fans in local environs. The Spurs have been the NBA’s hottest team for the past several weeks: 15-3 since a Dec. 4 loss to the Pistons.
Other intriguing NBA trends, though, may have slipped beneath your gridiron-fogged sports radar.
Not to worry. Express-News NBA writer Mike Monroe provides a guide to what you may have missed.
Spurs still sizzling
At roughly the same time UT was falling behind Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, Manu Ginobili was punctuating the Spurs’ victory in Miami with an amazing block of Dwyane Wade. Then, at roughly the same time Florida broke a 14-14 tie with Oklahoma on Thursday, the Spurs were finishing off the Clippers. In fact, bowl season was good for the Spurs, who won nine of 10 since it began in earnest. Suddenly, the Spurs are second in the West.
Return of Manu’s explosion
September ankle surgery cost Ginobili the preseason and the first 12 games of the regular season. Since returning Nov. 24, he’s increased his playing time. Last week he began showing the athleticism that has characterized his career. That block of Wade — perhaps you saw it by hitting the flashback button on your remote during a Fiesta Bowl timeout — was enough to convince Gregg Popovich that Ginobili is almost completely healed.
Suddenly shrinking Celtics
Maybe the Celtics were so focused on Friday’s showdown at Cleveland that they could not focus on the Warriors and Bobcats. Or, perhaps they’re just not the new Green Dynasty fans seemed to believe they were. Whatever the reason, they went into today having lost seven of their previous nine.
’Melo mauled
Just when it looked like the Nuggets were positioned to be true title contenders for the first time since their first NBA season, Carmelo Anthony went down for 3-4 weeks with a broken finger on his shooting hand. With a brutal home schedule, followed by some tough road games, the Nuggets have to hope their star’s hiatus is on the short side.
BlazerGate
Darius Miles has played nine minutes all season, but since being waived this week, he’s become the focus of what could become an ugly entanglement for any team wanting to sign him this season. That’s because the Blazers, who could have his $9 million returned to their payroll if he plays two more games for any team, have warned every team they might get sued if they sign Miles just to mess with Portland. This has the potential to get interesting. Stay tuned — unless the NFL playoffs have stolen your interest lately.
Mike Monroe
With the college football season moving to its dramatic conclusion — including Texas’ Fiesta Bowl victory and Florida’s triumph over Oklahoma in the BCS championship game — you may have missed some meaningful developments in the NBA.
Some of these developments should be evident to even the most avid college football fans in local environs. The Spurs have been the NBA’s hottest team for the past several weeks: 15-3 since a Dec. 4 loss to the Pistons.
Other intriguing NBA trends, though, may have slipped beneath your gridiron-fogged sports radar.
Not to worry. Express-News NBA writer Mike Monroe provides a guide to what you may have missed.
Spurs still sizzling
At roughly the same time UT was falling behind Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, Manu Ginobili was punctuating the Spurs’ victory in Miami with an amazing block of Dwyane Wade. Then, at roughly the same time Florida broke a 14-14 tie with Oklahoma on Thursday, the Spurs were finishing off the Clippers. In fact, bowl season was good for the Spurs, who won nine of 10 since it began in earnest. Suddenly, the Spurs are second in the West.
Return of Manu’s explosion
September ankle surgery cost Ginobili the preseason and the first 12 games of the regular season. Since returning Nov. 24, he’s increased his playing time. Last week he began showing the athleticism that has characterized his career. That block of Wade — perhaps you saw it by hitting the flashback button on your remote during a Fiesta Bowl timeout — was enough to convince Gregg Popovich that Ginobili is almost completely healed.
Suddenly shrinking Celtics
Maybe the Celtics were so focused on Friday’s showdown at Cleveland that they could not focus on the Warriors and Bobcats. Or, perhaps they’re just not the new Green Dynasty fans seemed to believe they were. Whatever the reason, they went into today having lost seven of their previous nine.
’Melo mauled
Just when it looked like the Nuggets were positioned to be true title contenders for the first time since their first NBA season, Carmelo Anthony went down for 3-4 weeks with a broken finger on his shooting hand. With a brutal home schedule, followed by some tough road games, the Nuggets have to hope their star’s hiatus is on the short side.
BlazerGate
Darius Miles has played nine minutes all season, but since being waived this week, he’s become the focus of what could become an ugly entanglement for any team wanting to sign him this season. That’s because the Blazers, who could have his $9 million returned to their payroll if he plays two more games for any team, have warned every team they might get sued if they sign Miles just to mess with Portland. This has the potential to get interesting. Stay tuned — unless the NFL playoffs have stolen your interest lately.