duncan228
04-02-2009, 11:52 PM
Spurs' rotation still rotating (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_rotation_still_rotating.html)
Jeff McDonald
INDIANAPOLIS — Spurs guard Manu Ginobili says he was only partially surprised to find himself back in the starting lineup Tuesday against Oklahoma City.
When it comes to Gregg Popovich and his lineup decisions, Ginobili has learned never to be fully surprised by anything.
“Usually, when you lose a couple games, he wants to change something,” said Ginobili, who hadn't started since Dec. 9. “And that's what he did.”
Popovich's tinkering, however, is typically relegated to midseason. This season, due in part to circumstances beyond anyone's control, he's still experimenting with eight regular-season games to go.
In the past few weeks, Bruce Bowen has gone from muscling up on Boston's Paul Pierce to taking two consecutive DNPs.
Jacque Vaughn has gone from street clothes to backing up Tony Parker. George Hill has gone from defending Kobe Bryant on the game's most important possession to unable to get off the bench against Oklahoma City.
Popovich admits it is a bit late to still be playing lineup roulette. Spurs players refuse to use the unsettled rotation to explain away the recent inconsistency in their play.
“There are no excuses,” Tim Duncan said. “What it comes down to it, we run the same system, we do the same stuff. We're just not playing well.”
Mahinmi to Austin: Oft-injured second-year center Ian Mahinmi has been assigned to the Spurs' NBDL affiliate in Austin.
Mahinmi, who had surgery on his right ankle in January, has yet to play for the Spurs this season.
Fin the Sportsman: Michael Finley has been named one of seven divisional winners of the NBA's Sportsmanship Award.
Playoff tickets: An item in Thursday's Spurs notebook incorrectly indicated that tickets for the Spurs' first two playoff games would go on sale Saturday. In fact, they won't be available until Saturday, April 11.
Express-News staff writer Mike Monroe contributed to this report.
Jeff McDonald
INDIANAPOLIS — Spurs guard Manu Ginobili says he was only partially surprised to find himself back in the starting lineup Tuesday against Oklahoma City.
When it comes to Gregg Popovich and his lineup decisions, Ginobili has learned never to be fully surprised by anything.
“Usually, when you lose a couple games, he wants to change something,” said Ginobili, who hadn't started since Dec. 9. “And that's what he did.”
Popovich's tinkering, however, is typically relegated to midseason. This season, due in part to circumstances beyond anyone's control, he's still experimenting with eight regular-season games to go.
In the past few weeks, Bruce Bowen has gone from muscling up on Boston's Paul Pierce to taking two consecutive DNPs.
Jacque Vaughn has gone from street clothes to backing up Tony Parker. George Hill has gone from defending Kobe Bryant on the game's most important possession to unable to get off the bench against Oklahoma City.
Popovich admits it is a bit late to still be playing lineup roulette. Spurs players refuse to use the unsettled rotation to explain away the recent inconsistency in their play.
“There are no excuses,” Tim Duncan said. “What it comes down to it, we run the same system, we do the same stuff. We're just not playing well.”
Mahinmi to Austin: Oft-injured second-year center Ian Mahinmi has been assigned to the Spurs' NBDL affiliate in Austin.
Mahinmi, who had surgery on his right ankle in January, has yet to play for the Spurs this season.
Fin the Sportsman: Michael Finley has been named one of seven divisional winners of the NBA's Sportsmanship Award.
Playoff tickets: An item in Thursday's Spurs notebook incorrectly indicated that tickets for the Spurs' first two playoff games would go on sale Saturday. In fact, they won't be available until Saturday, April 11.
Express-News staff writer Mike Monroe contributed to this report.