Kori Ellis
04-13-2005, 01:16 AM
Spurs notebook: Duncan not likely to suit up tonight
Web Posted: 04/13/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041305.5E.BKNspurs.duncan.1d115f435.html
After using the past three weeks to let his sprained right ankle heal, Tim Duncan made his long-awaited return to the court Tuesday.
To play one-on-one with Sean Marks.
"He was a bit guarded as one might expect, but there was some good, physical contact," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "It was a good workout. We're anxious to see how he feels."
Popovich said he doubts Duncan, who hasn't played since March 20, will be in uniform for tonight's game against Utah.
"I just don't want to pull the trigger yet," Popovich said, "and maybe pull it too soon."
Devin Brown also has started to play some one-on-one. If Brown doesn't have a setback, he could be cleared to practice Friday.
Brown, who has been receiving treatment for a herniated disk in his lower back, hasn't played since March 21.
"It's a little bit controlled; it's not full bore," Popovich said of Brown's workouts. "He's being careful not to rebound too much and come down and jar it."
Nesterovic news positive: An MRI revealed no unexpected damage to Rasho Nesterovic's left ankle.
Nesterovic isn't expected to return until the start of the playoffs, at the earliest.
"Right now we're cautiously optimistic he'll be ready in the beginning of the first round," Popovich said. "Whether that's the first game or the third game, I'm not sure."
Nesterovic didn't accompany the team to Utah so he can continue his treatment at the practice facility.
About last weekend: According to Elias Sports, the Spurs are the only team in NBA history to win double-overtime games on consecutive nights.
The Vancouver Grizzlies split double-OT and triple-OT games Feb. 16-17, 1999. The Minneapolis Lakers split back-to-back triple-OT games Dec. 21-22, 1951.
The 211 shots the Spurs took in the two games is the most by any team since Dallas attempted 214 in consecutive games in January 2004.
Good-sport Spurs: The Spurs will hold Child Abuse Prevention Night during Saturday's game against Memphis.
In combination with the city's Blue Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Task Force and Kappa Delta Sorority, the team is asking fans to donate teddy bears at the game. The stuffed animals will be given to local children.
Each fan who donates a bear will be eligible to win a bear autographed by Brent Barry. Barry is the honorary chairman of the blue-ribbon task force.
Meyer honored: Popovich presented longtime St. Mary's coach Buddy Meyer with a No. 1 Spurs jersey at halftime Tuesday. Meyer recently retired.
Catching up: It's a hands-on education that Kevin Pritchard believes could benefit anyone who is involved in professional basketball player evaluation, but it comes with an extreme level of frustration. Being an interim coach of an NBA team isn't easy.
Pritchard, who served the Spurs as a scout for a season-and-a-half, began this season as director of player personnel for the Portland Trail Blazers. When Maurice Cheeks was fired on March 2, Pritchard was named interim coach by general manager John Nash, whose idea was for Pritchard to learn the personnel, from the inside out.
"I hope it makes me better (at player evaluation)," Pritchard said of his coaching experience. "It helps me understand the players better. But I don't know if I'd recommend it to anyone."
Web Posted: 04/13/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041305.5E.BKNspurs.duncan.1d115f435.html
After using the past three weeks to let his sprained right ankle heal, Tim Duncan made his long-awaited return to the court Tuesday.
To play one-on-one with Sean Marks.
"He was a bit guarded as one might expect, but there was some good, physical contact," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "It was a good workout. We're anxious to see how he feels."
Popovich said he doubts Duncan, who hasn't played since March 20, will be in uniform for tonight's game against Utah.
"I just don't want to pull the trigger yet," Popovich said, "and maybe pull it too soon."
Devin Brown also has started to play some one-on-one. If Brown doesn't have a setback, he could be cleared to practice Friday.
Brown, who has been receiving treatment for a herniated disk in his lower back, hasn't played since March 21.
"It's a little bit controlled; it's not full bore," Popovich said of Brown's workouts. "He's being careful not to rebound too much and come down and jar it."
Nesterovic news positive: An MRI revealed no unexpected damage to Rasho Nesterovic's left ankle.
Nesterovic isn't expected to return until the start of the playoffs, at the earliest.
"Right now we're cautiously optimistic he'll be ready in the beginning of the first round," Popovich said. "Whether that's the first game or the third game, I'm not sure."
Nesterovic didn't accompany the team to Utah so he can continue his treatment at the practice facility.
About last weekend: According to Elias Sports, the Spurs are the only team in NBA history to win double-overtime games on consecutive nights.
The Vancouver Grizzlies split double-OT and triple-OT games Feb. 16-17, 1999. The Minneapolis Lakers split back-to-back triple-OT games Dec. 21-22, 1951.
The 211 shots the Spurs took in the two games is the most by any team since Dallas attempted 214 in consecutive games in January 2004.
Good-sport Spurs: The Spurs will hold Child Abuse Prevention Night during Saturday's game against Memphis.
In combination with the city's Blue Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Task Force and Kappa Delta Sorority, the team is asking fans to donate teddy bears at the game. The stuffed animals will be given to local children.
Each fan who donates a bear will be eligible to win a bear autographed by Brent Barry. Barry is the honorary chairman of the blue-ribbon task force.
Meyer honored: Popovich presented longtime St. Mary's coach Buddy Meyer with a No. 1 Spurs jersey at halftime Tuesday. Meyer recently retired.
Catching up: It's a hands-on education that Kevin Pritchard believes could benefit anyone who is involved in professional basketball player evaluation, but it comes with an extreme level of frustration. Being an interim coach of an NBA team isn't easy.
Pritchard, who served the Spurs as a scout for a season-and-a-half, began this season as director of player personnel for the Portland Trail Blazers. When Maurice Cheeks was fired on March 2, Pritchard was named interim coach by general manager John Nash, whose idea was for Pritchard to learn the personnel, from the inside out.
"I hope it makes me better (at player evaluation)," Pritchard said of his coaching experience. "It helps me understand the players better. But I don't know if I'd recommend it to anyone."