Solid D
03-10-2005, 11:44 AM
Spurs opt to sit both All-Stars due to injuries
David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 10, 2005 12:00 AM
The news that San Antonio would play without injured Tim Duncan zapped some of Suns coach Mike D'Antoni's pregame enthusiasm Wednesday night.
Within about five minutes, D'Antoni's excitement took another big hit: Manu Ginobili was also a scratch due to injuries.
Although D'Antoni jokingly asked if the Spurs' bus had crashed on its to way to America West Arena, he clearly was disappointed the Suns would have to play the only team they hadn't beaten without San Antonio's two All-Stars on the floor.
"I'm very disappointed I didn't get to play, but I loved our effort and the game we put together," Duncan said after the Suns outlasted the undermanned Spurs 107-101 at America West Arena. "That made it a lot easier."
Duncan did not play because of a sprained right ankle; Ginobili rested because of various injuries.
"It's not great timing, obviously, because of who we're playing, but that's got to be secondary to the big picture," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of his decision to rest the pair. "We don't play again until Saturday, so it's a good opportunity to give them some rest."
Curiously, Duncan tested the sprained ankle Tuesday against New Jersey and scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 30 minutes.
"He played on it, but I think we'd be pushing it to go back-to-back on it," Popovich said before the game. "We just wanted to see how he came out, and he came out pretty good. It's not like he (sprained) it again (Tuesday) night, but it's going to be a tired ankle.
"Eventually I've got to get it straight."
Popovich said his top forward didn't take his benching very well.
"I don't think he was super pleased," Popovich said. "Manu didn't fight me because he knows how bad his body is and how much it needs rest. But Timmy wasn't real pleased. He'll tell you he feels fine, but I think what he feels is responsibility, especially since Manu's not going to play."
Ginobili, who also played Tuesday, was not listed on the Spurs' pregame injury report.
Popovich insisted the guard had injuries all over his body.
"Manu is in even worse shape (than Duncan)," Popovich said. "He's got a hip (injury), he's got a groin, he's got a shoulder. With the way he plays, it has just caught up to him.
"Our priority at the beginning of the year was to give those two guys rest, and we've been trying to do it throughout the year. Their bodies have just caught up to them."
Ginobili, too, expressed regret that he didn't get to play and confirmed his injuries.
"I'm just banged up," Ginobili said. "I really wanted to play them. It's fun playing the good teams. I just wasn't in good enough shape to play this game."
The Suns had said publicly they wanted the Spurs to be at full strength Wednesday so they wouldn't have to deal with any "yeah, buts" from doubters had they won.
Phoenix didn't get its wish.
"A win is a win and we will take it," D'Antoni said.
David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 10, 2005 12:00 AM
The news that San Antonio would play without injured Tim Duncan zapped some of Suns coach Mike D'Antoni's pregame enthusiasm Wednesday night.
Within about five minutes, D'Antoni's excitement took another big hit: Manu Ginobili was also a scratch due to injuries.
Although D'Antoni jokingly asked if the Spurs' bus had crashed on its to way to America West Arena, he clearly was disappointed the Suns would have to play the only team they hadn't beaten without San Antonio's two All-Stars on the floor.
"I'm very disappointed I didn't get to play, but I loved our effort and the game we put together," Duncan said after the Suns outlasted the undermanned Spurs 107-101 at America West Arena. "That made it a lot easier."
Duncan did not play because of a sprained right ankle; Ginobili rested because of various injuries.
"It's not great timing, obviously, because of who we're playing, but that's got to be secondary to the big picture," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of his decision to rest the pair. "We don't play again until Saturday, so it's a good opportunity to give them some rest."
Curiously, Duncan tested the sprained ankle Tuesday against New Jersey and scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 30 minutes.
"He played on it, but I think we'd be pushing it to go back-to-back on it," Popovich said before the game. "We just wanted to see how he came out, and he came out pretty good. It's not like he (sprained) it again (Tuesday) night, but it's going to be a tired ankle.
"Eventually I've got to get it straight."
Popovich said his top forward didn't take his benching very well.
"I don't think he was super pleased," Popovich said. "Manu didn't fight me because he knows how bad his body is and how much it needs rest. But Timmy wasn't real pleased. He'll tell you he feels fine, but I think what he feels is responsibility, especially since Manu's not going to play."
Ginobili, who also played Tuesday, was not listed on the Spurs' pregame injury report.
Popovich insisted the guard had injuries all over his body.
"Manu is in even worse shape (than Duncan)," Popovich said. "He's got a hip (injury), he's got a groin, he's got a shoulder. With the way he plays, it has just caught up to him.
"Our priority at the beginning of the year was to give those two guys rest, and we've been trying to do it throughout the year. Their bodies have just caught up to them."
Ginobili, too, expressed regret that he didn't get to play and confirmed his injuries.
"I'm just banged up," Ginobili said. "I really wanted to play them. It's fun playing the good teams. I just wasn't in good enough shape to play this game."
The Suns had said publicly they wanted the Spurs to be at full strength Wednesday so they wouldn't have to deal with any "yeah, buts" from doubters had they won.
Phoenix didn't get its wish.
"A win is a win and we will take it," D'Antoni said.