duncan228
02-12-2010, 01:49 AM
Spurs notebook: Duncan's minutes in Karl's hands (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_notebook_Duncans_minutes_in_Karls_hands.html )
Jeff McDonald
DENVER Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has not had a stern talk with his friend George Karl about limiting Tim Duncan's minutes in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game.
Popovich figures he doesn't have to.
I already know he'll try to screw me, Popovich said. He's that kind of guy.
Karl, who coaches the Denver Nuggets and will coach the Western Conference All-Stars in Arlington, hinted before Thursday's game against the Spurs he was not above being bribed.
If I get a case of wine, Karl said, you never know.
Popovich has done his best to cap Duncan's minutes this season, holding his 33-year-old power forward to a career-low 32:12 per night. He has also been limiting Duncan's appearances at practices.
Popovich admits keeping Duncan off the floor hasn't always been easy.
With Timmy, you always have to convince him (to sit), because he feels it's his responsibility to be there with the other players and do what they do, Popovich said. He's just built that way.
Parker sidelined: Spurs guard Tony Parker did not play Thursday because of a left hip flexor strain.
Parker was originally injured in Monday's loss at the Lakers, and with one game left until the All-Star break, Popovich opted to give him the night off against Denver.
Parker, who was averaging 10.6 assists in his previous six games, has missed eight games this season.
Denver forward Kenyon Martin, who had 27 points and 11 rebounds in the Nuggets' Jan. 31 win in San Antonio, also sat out Thursday's game with left knee tendinitis.
McDyess' All-Star: Spurs center Antonio McDyess was pleased his friend and former teammate, Chauncey Billups, was added to the All-Star team.
Billups, the Denver point guard, wasn't on the original roster announced Jan. 28, but was added last week when New Orleans' Chris Paul had to withdraw because of knee surgery.
I think he should have been on the team to start with, said McDyess, who spent seven seasons playing with Billups in Denver and Detroit. Of course, I'm probably biased.
Dirk an All-Star starter? As coach of the West All-Stars, Karl is given the responsibility of choosing who starts for Lakers' star Kobe Bryant, who was voted in by the fans but will miss the game with injury.
Karl said he'd narrowed his choices down to Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki or Billups, but was probably leaning toward Nowitzki. The fact the game will be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Karl said, is likely to swing his decision.
The karma of the game, 100,000 people, I think it would be good to give Dallas a representative, Karl said.
Jeff McDonald
DENVER Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has not had a stern talk with his friend George Karl about limiting Tim Duncan's minutes in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game.
Popovich figures he doesn't have to.
I already know he'll try to screw me, Popovich said. He's that kind of guy.
Karl, who coaches the Denver Nuggets and will coach the Western Conference All-Stars in Arlington, hinted before Thursday's game against the Spurs he was not above being bribed.
If I get a case of wine, Karl said, you never know.
Popovich has done his best to cap Duncan's minutes this season, holding his 33-year-old power forward to a career-low 32:12 per night. He has also been limiting Duncan's appearances at practices.
Popovich admits keeping Duncan off the floor hasn't always been easy.
With Timmy, you always have to convince him (to sit), because he feels it's his responsibility to be there with the other players and do what they do, Popovich said. He's just built that way.
Parker sidelined: Spurs guard Tony Parker did not play Thursday because of a left hip flexor strain.
Parker was originally injured in Monday's loss at the Lakers, and with one game left until the All-Star break, Popovich opted to give him the night off against Denver.
Parker, who was averaging 10.6 assists in his previous six games, has missed eight games this season.
Denver forward Kenyon Martin, who had 27 points and 11 rebounds in the Nuggets' Jan. 31 win in San Antonio, also sat out Thursday's game with left knee tendinitis.
McDyess' All-Star: Spurs center Antonio McDyess was pleased his friend and former teammate, Chauncey Billups, was added to the All-Star team.
Billups, the Denver point guard, wasn't on the original roster announced Jan. 28, but was added last week when New Orleans' Chris Paul had to withdraw because of knee surgery.
I think he should have been on the team to start with, said McDyess, who spent seven seasons playing with Billups in Denver and Detroit. Of course, I'm probably biased.
Dirk an All-Star starter? As coach of the West All-Stars, Karl is given the responsibility of choosing who starts for Lakers' star Kobe Bryant, who was voted in by the fans but will miss the game with injury.
Karl said he'd narrowed his choices down to Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki or Billups, but was probably leaning toward Nowitzki. The fact the game will be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Karl said, is likely to swing his decision.
The karma of the game, 100,000 people, I think it would be good to give Dallas a representative, Karl said.