Kori Ellis
03-15-2005, 01:30 AM
Backcourt tandem doubtful vs. Wolves: Ginobili's groin, Parker's thigh remain sore spots
Web Posted: 03/15/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031505.4D.BKNspurs.notebook.13bf338fd.html
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich isn't optimistic about Manu Ginobili's chances of playing Wednesday against Minnesota.
Ginobili has missed the past three games with a groin strain he suffered a week ago in the Spurs' victory over New Jersey.
"He says his shoulder contusion, his calf contusion and his hip pointer — everything else that was bothering him is fine," Popovich said. "If you ask him how his groin is, he says it's a little better but still tight."
Tony Parker, who missed his first game of the season Monday with a left quadriceps contusion, is questionable to play against the Timberwolves. But Popovich thinks he will be able to play by Friday against Charlotte.
Parker has a knot bigger than a golf ball on his left thigh.
"I don't think he'll be out as long as Manu's been," Popovich said. "Hopefully, it will loosen up in a couple of days."
The rash of injuries hasn't come at a good time, though Popovich said the team is trying to make the best of a bad situation.
"This is when you would like to get on a roll going into the playoffs, so (the injuries) have made it difficult to do that," he said. "But this is the way it is.
"We'll take anything good out of it we can get. There are a lot of guys that are getting more minutes. Their effort has been great.
"Their execution isn't always the best with the odd combinations on the court, but they're playing hard enough to win. I just want to see if they stick with it and continue to improve in execution, understanding that's still the same thing that wins games, whether they're starters or not."
Maybe next time: Spurs backup point guard Beno Udrih said he's leaning toward not playing for Slovenia's national team in this summer's European Championships.
Udrih hurt his knee playing for the team last summer and thinks he might need the rest after his first NBA season.
"Last year was just too much practicing," Udrih said. "When you're not rested enough, you get hurt."
Udrih said he will have other opportunities to play for the national team.
Off the bench: Nazr Mohammed had his second consecutive productive game, contributing eight points, five rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes.
Mohammed said he feels significantly better since he missed four games to recover from a groin strain. Popovich has noticed.
"He has a real knack for the ball, he's a good rebounder, and he moves well defensively," Popovich said. "We like what we've seen."
Bench time: After scoring a career-best 25 points in his last appearance against the Spurs, New Orleans rookie shooting guard J.R. Smith spent much of Monday evening watching from the sideline.
Smith started but played only nine minutes until Hornets coach Byron Scott sat him. Smith never re-entered the game.
"I was upset in his defensive play, and I was upset with his attitude," Scott said. "At 19 years old, if he's going to act like that, he's going to sit down for a while."
Web Posted: 03/15/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA031505.4D.BKNspurs.notebook.13bf338fd.html
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich isn't optimistic about Manu Ginobili's chances of playing Wednesday against Minnesota.
Ginobili has missed the past three games with a groin strain he suffered a week ago in the Spurs' victory over New Jersey.
"He says his shoulder contusion, his calf contusion and his hip pointer — everything else that was bothering him is fine," Popovich said. "If you ask him how his groin is, he says it's a little better but still tight."
Tony Parker, who missed his first game of the season Monday with a left quadriceps contusion, is questionable to play against the Timberwolves. But Popovich thinks he will be able to play by Friday against Charlotte.
Parker has a knot bigger than a golf ball on his left thigh.
"I don't think he'll be out as long as Manu's been," Popovich said. "Hopefully, it will loosen up in a couple of days."
The rash of injuries hasn't come at a good time, though Popovich said the team is trying to make the best of a bad situation.
"This is when you would like to get on a roll going into the playoffs, so (the injuries) have made it difficult to do that," he said. "But this is the way it is.
"We'll take anything good out of it we can get. There are a lot of guys that are getting more minutes. Their effort has been great.
"Their execution isn't always the best with the odd combinations on the court, but they're playing hard enough to win. I just want to see if they stick with it and continue to improve in execution, understanding that's still the same thing that wins games, whether they're starters or not."
Maybe next time: Spurs backup point guard Beno Udrih said he's leaning toward not playing for Slovenia's national team in this summer's European Championships.
Udrih hurt his knee playing for the team last summer and thinks he might need the rest after his first NBA season.
"Last year was just too much practicing," Udrih said. "When you're not rested enough, you get hurt."
Udrih said he will have other opportunities to play for the national team.
Off the bench: Nazr Mohammed had his second consecutive productive game, contributing eight points, five rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes.
Mohammed said he feels significantly better since he missed four games to recover from a groin strain. Popovich has noticed.
"He has a real knack for the ball, he's a good rebounder, and he moves well defensively," Popovich said. "We like what we've seen."
Bench time: After scoring a career-best 25 points in his last appearance against the Spurs, New Orleans rookie shooting guard J.R. Smith spent much of Monday evening watching from the sideline.
Smith started but played only nine minutes until Hornets coach Byron Scott sat him. Smith never re-entered the game.
"I was upset in his defensive play, and I was upset with his attitude," Scott said. "At 19 years old, if he's going to act like that, he's going to sit down for a while."