duncan228
10-03-2009, 12:18 AM
Spurs take swine flu precautions (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_take_swine_flu_precautions.html)
Jeff McDonald
The Spurs have added a new piece to their training camp routine: Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize.
Amid fears about the spread of the H1N1 virus, team officials have ensured that while in the practice gym no player will ever be more than a few feet away from a bottle of hand sanitizer.
There is one posted at or near each of the six baskets, plus bottles stationed in the locker rooms and weight rooms. Players are encouraged to sanitize often.
It is the most tangible precaution the Spurs are taking to combat swine flu.
All we're trying to do is be a little more cautious, coach Gregg Popovich said. We're wiping down things more often. We're trying to be as anal about that stuff as we can. After that, whatever happens, happens.
Tony and the oldies: The Spurs finished Friday's workout with a spirited full-court scrimmage, but not every player was allowed to participate.
On the opposite court, barely breaking a sweat while shooting free throws, were every Spurs player older than 31 plus point guard Tony Parker.
I'm always with the old guys, Parker said.
Parker, 27, spent his offseason playing with the French national team, which he means he now spends a good deal of his practice time with other players who require the occasional low-impact workout.
On Friday, that meant free-throw time alongside Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Antonio McDyess, Michael Finley and Theo Ratliff.
Parker said he understood the decision to hold him out of Friday's scrimmage.
It's a long season, and we want to play deep into the playoffs, Parker said. We're going to have to make sure everybody myself, Manu and Timmy stays healthy for the entire season.
A summer too late: Ginobili was heartened by Friday's announcement that Rio de Janeiro had been chosen to host the 2016 Olympics, saying he was happy to see Games headed to South America.
Just don't expect to see him suit up for his native Argentina in Brazil.
I'll be 39 years old, Ginobili said, so I don't think I'm going to play.
Can't hardly wait: No player is looking forward to Sunday's open intrasquad scrimmage more than Ginobili. It will mark his first game in public since a stress fracture in his right leg ended his 2008-09 season on April 5.
I get excited every time I get to scrimmage in here, Ginobili said. So imagine how it's going to be in front of our fans, and people I haven't seen in six months. It's going to be special for me.
Must-see TV: The Spurs will broadcast 73 of their games locally in high-definition this season, including 50 on Fox Sports Net. KMYS and KENS will split the remaining 23.
Jeff McDonald
The Spurs have added a new piece to their training camp routine: Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize.
Amid fears about the spread of the H1N1 virus, team officials have ensured that while in the practice gym no player will ever be more than a few feet away from a bottle of hand sanitizer.
There is one posted at or near each of the six baskets, plus bottles stationed in the locker rooms and weight rooms. Players are encouraged to sanitize often.
It is the most tangible precaution the Spurs are taking to combat swine flu.
All we're trying to do is be a little more cautious, coach Gregg Popovich said. We're wiping down things more often. We're trying to be as anal about that stuff as we can. After that, whatever happens, happens.
Tony and the oldies: The Spurs finished Friday's workout with a spirited full-court scrimmage, but not every player was allowed to participate.
On the opposite court, barely breaking a sweat while shooting free throws, were every Spurs player older than 31 plus point guard Tony Parker.
I'm always with the old guys, Parker said.
Parker, 27, spent his offseason playing with the French national team, which he means he now spends a good deal of his practice time with other players who require the occasional low-impact workout.
On Friday, that meant free-throw time alongside Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Antonio McDyess, Michael Finley and Theo Ratliff.
Parker said he understood the decision to hold him out of Friday's scrimmage.
It's a long season, and we want to play deep into the playoffs, Parker said. We're going to have to make sure everybody myself, Manu and Timmy stays healthy for the entire season.
A summer too late: Ginobili was heartened by Friday's announcement that Rio de Janeiro had been chosen to host the 2016 Olympics, saying he was happy to see Games headed to South America.
Just don't expect to see him suit up for his native Argentina in Brazil.
I'll be 39 years old, Ginobili said, so I don't think I'm going to play.
Can't hardly wait: No player is looking forward to Sunday's open intrasquad scrimmage more than Ginobili. It will mark his first game in public since a stress fracture in his right leg ended his 2008-09 season on April 5.
I get excited every time I get to scrimmage in here, Ginobili said. So imagine how it's going to be in front of our fans, and people I haven't seen in six months. It's going to be special for me.
Must-see TV: The Spurs will broadcast 73 of their games locally in high-definition this season, including 50 on Fox Sports Net. KMYS and KENS will split the remaining 23.