Kori Ellis
04-08-2005, 12:31 AM
Spurs notebook: Duncan's workout offers hope
Web Posted: 04/08/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA040805.10D.BKNspurs.duncan.1b755bd70.html
DALLAS — After watching Tim Duncan work out Thursday morning at American Airlines Center, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich remains hopeful the two-time MVP will be able to play in the final three to five games of the regular season.
"It looks like that's possible," Popovich said. "We'll see how he does with a few more days of (workouts)."
Duncan, who has been sidelined since spraining his right ankle March 20, performed some defensive slide drills and worked on his lateral movement. He also ran in a circle to further test the ankle.
"It's a good step forward," Popovich said. "It's still painful, of course, but the pain tolerance is such that he's out there trying to work through it right now."
Popovich isn't as sure when, or if, Devin Brown will return.
Brown had his back examined by doctors Thursday, but Popovich had yet to learn the results of the visit.
Though Brown was feeling better after receiving his second steroid injection last week, his recovery has slowed.
If Brown isn't healthy by the start of the playoffs, Popovich isn't sure whether he will put him on the playoff roster. Teams cannot change their roster once the playoffs start.
"You can't afford to waste a spot obviously," Popovich said. "It's going to be a real tough decision. If we have him and he can't play for us the first couple of rounds, and we don't have a body there for that depth that could obviously hurt us. Because this isn't going to be any cakewalk."
Chip off the old block: Less than 90 minutes before Thursday's tipoff, Dallas coach Avery Johnson said he was unsure whether Dirk Nowitzki would play.
Nowitzki underwent an MRI on his right knee Wednesday, but team officials said the results came back OK. A sore ankle also has bothered Nowitzki.
"I'm going to be really cautious with him the way I was (Jerry) Stackhouse and (Erick) Dampier," Johnson said.
Johnson also may have picked up a few tricks from his predecessor, Don Nelson, who was famously coy about his team's injuries.
"Nellie is the best at that," Popovich said. "You didn't even know whether Nellie was going to coach when you came to arena, let alone who was going to play."
Nowitzki played, scoring 16 points and pulling down eight rebounds.
Too close to call: Popovich doesn't have a vote in the MVP balloting, but if he did he knows whom he'd choose.
Well, almost.
"It's Shaq or (Steve) Nash — take your pick," Popovich said. "What they've each done for their teams is pretty similar."
Good fit? Johnson has been around Popovich long enough to know how much he values defense.
Still, he wasn't surprised when the Spurs signed Glenn Robinson this week.
"Having been there for a while, I know they probably did a pretty strong evaluation before they bring a guy in," Johnson said. "It's the same thing they did they with Mario Elie.
"They evaluated that situation."
Robinson received a minimum-salary contract pro-rated for the rest of the season.
Web Posted: 04/08/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA040805.10D.BKNspurs.duncan.1b755bd70.html
DALLAS — After watching Tim Duncan work out Thursday morning at American Airlines Center, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich remains hopeful the two-time MVP will be able to play in the final three to five games of the regular season.
"It looks like that's possible," Popovich said. "We'll see how he does with a few more days of (workouts)."
Duncan, who has been sidelined since spraining his right ankle March 20, performed some defensive slide drills and worked on his lateral movement. He also ran in a circle to further test the ankle.
"It's a good step forward," Popovich said. "It's still painful, of course, but the pain tolerance is such that he's out there trying to work through it right now."
Popovich isn't as sure when, or if, Devin Brown will return.
Brown had his back examined by doctors Thursday, but Popovich had yet to learn the results of the visit.
Though Brown was feeling better after receiving his second steroid injection last week, his recovery has slowed.
If Brown isn't healthy by the start of the playoffs, Popovich isn't sure whether he will put him on the playoff roster. Teams cannot change their roster once the playoffs start.
"You can't afford to waste a spot obviously," Popovich said. "It's going to be a real tough decision. If we have him and he can't play for us the first couple of rounds, and we don't have a body there for that depth that could obviously hurt us. Because this isn't going to be any cakewalk."
Chip off the old block: Less than 90 minutes before Thursday's tipoff, Dallas coach Avery Johnson said he was unsure whether Dirk Nowitzki would play.
Nowitzki underwent an MRI on his right knee Wednesday, but team officials said the results came back OK. A sore ankle also has bothered Nowitzki.
"I'm going to be really cautious with him the way I was (Jerry) Stackhouse and (Erick) Dampier," Johnson said.
Johnson also may have picked up a few tricks from his predecessor, Don Nelson, who was famously coy about his team's injuries.
"Nellie is the best at that," Popovich said. "You didn't even know whether Nellie was going to coach when you came to arena, let alone who was going to play."
Nowitzki played, scoring 16 points and pulling down eight rebounds.
Too close to call: Popovich doesn't have a vote in the MVP balloting, but if he did he knows whom he'd choose.
Well, almost.
"It's Shaq or (Steve) Nash — take your pick," Popovich said. "What they've each done for their teams is pretty similar."
Good fit? Johnson has been around Popovich long enough to know how much he values defense.
Still, he wasn't surprised when the Spurs signed Glenn Robinson this week.
"Having been there for a while, I know they probably did a pretty strong evaluation before they bring a guy in," Johnson said. "It's the same thing they did they with Mario Elie.
"They evaluated that situation."
Robinson received a minimum-salary contract pro-rated for the rest of the season.