duncan228
11-28-2009, 12:59 AM
Mason hobbling just as Ginobili nears return (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Mason_hobbling_just_as_Ginobili_nears_return.html)
Mike Monroe
HOUSTON — Just when it appeared the Spurs might be returning to full strength for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers, they were hit again by another injury.
Roger Mason Jr., who had overcome an early-season slump from the 3-point line and turned in his most complete game of the season Wednesday, left Friday's game against the Rockets in the second quarter with a strained left hamstring.
Mason did not return to the game and was limping noticeably as he walked to the team bus afterward.
Should Mason be out for a while, the impending return of All-Star guard Manu Ginobili could be vital. Depending on how Ginobili responds after a rigorous pregame workout Friday, he may be cleared to play Sunday.
Ninety minutes before the tipoff for Friday's game at the Toyota Center, Spurs strength and conditioning coach Mike Brungardt walked from the locker room to the court, Ginobili trailing a step or two behind him.
The two looked like a boxing trainer and prize fighter, headed to the ring for a title bout. Instead, they were headed for the workout that would determine Ginobili's fitness for a return to the court.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich played it conservatively with Ginobili, holding him out of Friday's game, but opened the door for a return to action Sunday.
“After tonight he's going to be day to day,” Popovich said. “There's a chance he might play Sunday.”
Close call: Spurs forward Antonio McDyess, who played his college ball at Alabama, was relieved after the No. 2-ranked Crimson Tide eked out a victory over in-state archrival Auburn on Friday afternoon.
“I've been telling Matt (Bonner) all year I was worried about the Auburn game,” McDyess said. “I'm surprised we pulled it out. We hadn't won on their field since 2001. The record's off when they play that game.”
Bonner went to Florida, which has the top-ranked college football team, and admits he too is worried. The Gators have their own rivalry game today against Florida State.
“We can't count our chickens before they're hatched,” he said, refusing to look ahead to next week's Southeastern Conference championship game that will match Alabama and Florida.
Changing routine: Because Popovich gave his players Thursday off to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, the Spurs went through their first game-day shootaround of the season Friday morning. Popovich has changed the practice routine this season to encourage his players to get more sleep, scheduling afternoon practices and eliminating morning shootarounds.
Mike Monroe
HOUSTON — Just when it appeared the Spurs might be returning to full strength for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers, they were hit again by another injury.
Roger Mason Jr., who had overcome an early-season slump from the 3-point line and turned in his most complete game of the season Wednesday, left Friday's game against the Rockets in the second quarter with a strained left hamstring.
Mason did not return to the game and was limping noticeably as he walked to the team bus afterward.
Should Mason be out for a while, the impending return of All-Star guard Manu Ginobili could be vital. Depending on how Ginobili responds after a rigorous pregame workout Friday, he may be cleared to play Sunday.
Ninety minutes before the tipoff for Friday's game at the Toyota Center, Spurs strength and conditioning coach Mike Brungardt walked from the locker room to the court, Ginobili trailing a step or two behind him.
The two looked like a boxing trainer and prize fighter, headed to the ring for a title bout. Instead, they were headed for the workout that would determine Ginobili's fitness for a return to the court.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich played it conservatively with Ginobili, holding him out of Friday's game, but opened the door for a return to action Sunday.
“After tonight he's going to be day to day,” Popovich said. “There's a chance he might play Sunday.”
Close call: Spurs forward Antonio McDyess, who played his college ball at Alabama, was relieved after the No. 2-ranked Crimson Tide eked out a victory over in-state archrival Auburn on Friday afternoon.
“I've been telling Matt (Bonner) all year I was worried about the Auburn game,” McDyess said. “I'm surprised we pulled it out. We hadn't won on their field since 2001. The record's off when they play that game.”
Bonner went to Florida, which has the top-ranked college football team, and admits he too is worried. The Gators have their own rivalry game today against Florida State.
“We can't count our chickens before they're hatched,” he said, refusing to look ahead to next week's Southeastern Conference championship game that will match Alabama and Florida.
Changing routine: Because Popovich gave his players Thursday off to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, the Spurs went through their first game-day shootaround of the season Friday morning. Popovich has changed the practice routine this season to encourage his players to get more sleep, scheduling afternoon practices and eliminating morning shootarounds.