duncan228
04-08-2009, 11:52 PM
Parker's pain gives Popovich a brain cramp (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Parkers_pain_gives_Popovich_a_brain_cramp.html)
Mike Monroe
One member of Gregg Popovich's “Big Three,” Manu Ginobili, already had been declared out for the season, and a second had looked so brittle that the Spurs coach sent Tim Duncan to the bench early in the fourth quarter.
So when All-Star point guard Tony Parker came up limping after a drive to the basket with 3:40 left in the Spurs' 95-83 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at the AT&T Center on Wednesday night, Popovich feared the worst.
“I thought he did (turn an ankle),” Popovich said. “I was frightened. But when he came out he said he had a cramp.”
Indeed, Parker said he had cramps in both calves as the second game of a set of back-to-back games neared its conclusion.
Parker has battled cramps before, vowing to drink more of the health drinks prescribed by the team's training and conditioning staff.
Goal unattained: When Duncan, playing the second game of a back-to-back for the first time since Feb. 10 and 11, took his first rest of the game, the Spurs had a 14-point lead with 2:14 left in the first quarter.
“Our goal was to keep the lead that size so Tim could get more rest,” said Drew Gooden, who takes the power forward role when Duncan is out. “In a back-to-back like this, a blowout game would have been in our favor.
“But Portland was determined. You could see it in their eyes. They kept their composure. For a young team to do what they did tonight was impressive. They were on the road and playing the Spurs, and they handled their business.”
New Spur: With Ginobili out for the season, the Spurs signed swingman Marcus Williams, an NBA D-League first-team selection with the Austin Toros.
The Spurs selected Williams in the second round of the 2007 draft, 33rd overall. Waived after playing only one game with the Spurs, he played 10 games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season. He also spent 36 games with the Toros in 2007-08.
In 45 games with the Toros this season, Williams averaged 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
“He's a young, talented kid,” Popovich said. “He's played a lot of games and been working hard, and we felt he needed to be rewarded at this point, since he's played so well in Austin.”
To make a spot, the Spurs waived Malik Hairston.
Mike Monroe
One member of Gregg Popovich's “Big Three,” Manu Ginobili, already had been declared out for the season, and a second had looked so brittle that the Spurs coach sent Tim Duncan to the bench early in the fourth quarter.
So when All-Star point guard Tony Parker came up limping after a drive to the basket with 3:40 left in the Spurs' 95-83 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at the AT&T Center on Wednesday night, Popovich feared the worst.
“I thought he did (turn an ankle),” Popovich said. “I was frightened. But when he came out he said he had a cramp.”
Indeed, Parker said he had cramps in both calves as the second game of a set of back-to-back games neared its conclusion.
Parker has battled cramps before, vowing to drink more of the health drinks prescribed by the team's training and conditioning staff.
Goal unattained: When Duncan, playing the second game of a back-to-back for the first time since Feb. 10 and 11, took his first rest of the game, the Spurs had a 14-point lead with 2:14 left in the first quarter.
“Our goal was to keep the lead that size so Tim could get more rest,” said Drew Gooden, who takes the power forward role when Duncan is out. “In a back-to-back like this, a blowout game would have been in our favor.
“But Portland was determined. You could see it in their eyes. They kept their composure. For a young team to do what they did tonight was impressive. They were on the road and playing the Spurs, and they handled their business.”
New Spur: With Ginobili out for the season, the Spurs signed swingman Marcus Williams, an NBA D-League first-team selection with the Austin Toros.
The Spurs selected Williams in the second round of the 2007 draft, 33rd overall. Waived after playing only one game with the Spurs, he played 10 games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season. He also spent 36 games with the Toros in 2007-08.
In 45 games with the Toros this season, Williams averaged 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
“He's a young, talented kid,” Popovich said. “He's played a lot of games and been working hard, and we felt he needed to be rewarded at this point, since he's played so well in Austin.”
To make a spot, the Spurs waived Malik Hairston.