duncan228
01-24-2009, 02:06 AM
Gary Payton has lost his mind, and other observations (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2009/01/gary-payton-has.html)
By Jeff McDonald
Tim Duncan's 30-point, 15-rebound, five-assist, four-block night against New Jersey should not be considered an extended middle finger toward former-NBA-player-turned-talking-head Gary Payton.
Yes, Payton told a national TV audience Thursday night that Duncan didn't deserve to start the All-Star Game, and that Minnesota's Al Jefferson did. Duncan swears he didn't see that particular comment, and besides, Duncan said, "I don't make statements to Gary Payton."
Some of Duncan's teammates, however, were more than happy to.
Here's Michael Finley, talking about Payton: "A lot of guys get out of the game and forget they played the game." And Tony Parker: "Everybody can have an opinion. We all know Timmy's an All-Star."
Roger Mason Jr. did not see Thursday's All-Star announcement and Payton's subsequent foot-in-mouth parlor trick. Informed after Friday's game, Mason looked at me as if I'd just told him Payton was pushing Cloris Leachman for Miss Teen USA.
"He said what?" Mason asked. I repeated it.
"Wow," Mason replied. "Has he not seen Tim play this year?"
Some other quick observations from tonight's game:
* Manu Ginobili continues to fluctuate between really, really good, and not-so-good. Save for a brief stint in the third quarter, this was one of the not-so-good. A glimpse: Upon entering the game in the first quarter, Ginobili nearly threw the ball away for a turnover, then actually did turn it over when he dribbled off his foot in the open court. Later, he successfully contested a Jarvis Hayes jumper, but then forgot to box out. As Ginobili jogged up the court, the ball bounced right back to Hayes for a rebound. Gregg Popovich immediately dispatched Finley to replace Manu.
* Another solid night for Kurt Thomas, whose contributions don't always appear in the box score. The Spurs immediately become tougher when he gets in the game. He's one of those old-school guys who would rather knock you down than let you shoot a layup.
* Parker deferred to Duncan too much in the first half. It was understandable, considering the way Duncan was abusing the Nets, but the Spurs aren't the same team unless Parker is being aggressive. Parker came out in the second half looking for his shot, and scored 11 points in four minutes. That's when the Spurs began to assert control of the game.
* All in all, and important win. The Spurs go on the road for 11 of the next 12, with the one home game coming Jan. 31 against New Orleans. Eight of the 12 opponents the Spurs face over this stretch made the playoffs last season.
By Jeff McDonald
Tim Duncan's 30-point, 15-rebound, five-assist, four-block night against New Jersey should not be considered an extended middle finger toward former-NBA-player-turned-talking-head Gary Payton.
Yes, Payton told a national TV audience Thursday night that Duncan didn't deserve to start the All-Star Game, and that Minnesota's Al Jefferson did. Duncan swears he didn't see that particular comment, and besides, Duncan said, "I don't make statements to Gary Payton."
Some of Duncan's teammates, however, were more than happy to.
Here's Michael Finley, talking about Payton: "A lot of guys get out of the game and forget they played the game." And Tony Parker: "Everybody can have an opinion. We all know Timmy's an All-Star."
Roger Mason Jr. did not see Thursday's All-Star announcement and Payton's subsequent foot-in-mouth parlor trick. Informed after Friday's game, Mason looked at me as if I'd just told him Payton was pushing Cloris Leachman for Miss Teen USA.
"He said what?" Mason asked. I repeated it.
"Wow," Mason replied. "Has he not seen Tim play this year?"
Some other quick observations from tonight's game:
* Manu Ginobili continues to fluctuate between really, really good, and not-so-good. Save for a brief stint in the third quarter, this was one of the not-so-good. A glimpse: Upon entering the game in the first quarter, Ginobili nearly threw the ball away for a turnover, then actually did turn it over when he dribbled off his foot in the open court. Later, he successfully contested a Jarvis Hayes jumper, but then forgot to box out. As Ginobili jogged up the court, the ball bounced right back to Hayes for a rebound. Gregg Popovich immediately dispatched Finley to replace Manu.
* Another solid night for Kurt Thomas, whose contributions don't always appear in the box score. The Spurs immediately become tougher when he gets in the game. He's one of those old-school guys who would rather knock you down than let you shoot a layup.
* Parker deferred to Duncan too much in the first half. It was understandable, considering the way Duncan was abusing the Nets, but the Spurs aren't the same team unless Parker is being aggressive. Parker came out in the second half looking for his shot, and scored 11 points in four minutes. That's when the Spurs began to assert control of the game.
* All in all, and important win. The Spurs go on the road for 11 of the next 12, with the one home game coming Jan. 31 against New Orleans. Eight of the 12 opponents the Spurs face over this stretch made the playoffs last season.