Out vs Minny: TD and KL (sore left knee) and TP

[Blizzardwizard]

@Monroe_SA
no Duncan (sore left knee), Leonard (sore left knee) or Parker (sprained left ankle) for Spurs vs. Wolves tonight; all 3 stiayed in SA

Mor (https://twitter.com/#)




CSI Pop

[carina_gino20]

Spurs Injury Update (http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/130312_injury_update)
Tim Duncan (sore left knee), Kawhi Leonard (sore left knee) and Tony Parker (sprained left ankle) will not play tonight in Minnesota. All three did not travel with the team to Minneapolis.

[Chinook]

Lineup prediction:

Joseph/Mills
Neal/Ginobili
Green/Jackson
Diaw/Bonner
Splitter/Blair

[TheGoldStandard]

Rest them up, we still have to be healthy for the playoffs.

[HarlemHeat37]

Ugh..Spurs need the number 1 seed, not sure if I agree with resting both against a team the Spurs could probably blow out..

[rjv]

waiting for second rate t-wolves fan to file a lawsuit

[TheGoldStandard]

Ugh..Spurs need the number 1 seed, not sure if I agree with resting both against a team the Spurs could probably blow out..

It'll be closer than it would have been but our B team still owns the wolves.

[Man In Black]

Talaga?!?!?!? NO!!!!!!

Okay, it's a closer game but with Gary Neal back and Manu and TIAGO SPLITTER, I expect the Spurs gut out an 8 point victory.

[Brunodf]

:bang:bang:bangLeonard is just 21 years old
Spurs can lose this game without TD/Kawhi...

[freetiago]

are Pek/Kirilenko still out?

[DesignatedT]

Surprised Manu made the trip. I know Leonard's knee is seriously bothering him and I don't mind being cautious with Duncan. Spurs should be able to take care of business without them.

[DesignatedT]

are Pek/Kirilenko still out?

Yes they are.

[Hoops Czar]

a 21 year old developing knee problems. That's not a good sign.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Minnesota is demolished by injuries, should be an easy win anyway.

[Southwest Texas Fan]

I hope both Timmy and Kawhi are doing fine. I know Kawhi hasn't been and won't be 100% due to the tendonitis. I'm hoping it's just precautionary.

[Vic Petro]

Health > 1 seed. I'd rather play the Clips than the Griz in the 2nd round.

[Seventyniner]

Here's hoping that the Wolves tank. They're well out of the playoff picture.

Splitter played 34 min last night, so unfortunately I foresee a heavy dose of the turd towers.

Edit: I didn't realize the Wolves had their entire normal starting frontcourt out for injury. Given how the Spurs have handled bad teams recently (other than that inexplicable home loss to Phoenix), I feel good about the Spurs' chances tonight.

[benefactor]

Surprised Manu made the trip.
He only played 24 minutes last night. No reason to sit him especially with him needing as many minutes as possible right now to get in playoff form.

[Darius McCrary]

Time to fuel up the old Red Rocket. Also time for a breakout Cory game. More small ball, I'd be pissed if Pop doesn't give him 30m+

[superbigtime]

After a monumentous feel great win, this is sure to be a loss.

[Embedded]

I think Mr. Ginobili needs the workout. Also, hopefully there will be a Mr. Baynes sighing in this game. We should win this game.

[DesignatedT]

He only played 24 minutes last night. No reason to sit him especially with him needing as many minutes as possible right now to get in playoff form.

Yeah, I agree with him making the trip. Just surprised Pop does also.

[ace3g]

Hopefully Baynes can get some minutes.

[DesignatedT]

Hopefully Jack can have a good game offensively. Be nice to see him get out of his funk a little. I think the Spurs should start him instead of going with Neal and Green at the 3.

[Mugen]

i was expecting one, if not both, to sit out. Gonna be a tough game tonight. Need a Miami/Chicago type of performance.

[Budkin]

TD understandable... Kawhi?? WTF

[AFBlue]

Predicting a Mills offensive explosion.

[TD 21]

This is a stupid decision (they're as rested as any team the past few weeks), that could easily undo what they just did yesterday. Why not start them and see how the game is going? There's a good chance he could have gotten away with them playing limited minutes.

ace3g, unless it turns into a blowout, there's zero chance Baynes plays. The only healthy, legitimate size they have, is Stiemsma/Johnson. Not exactly guys you need a big body for. Chinook's rotation is the most likely one.

[loveforthegame]

Hopefully it's just a precaution. I'd rather them have the night off tonight than on Thursday against Dallas.

[Bruno]

Love, Pekovic, Kirilenko, Budinger and Roy are all out for Minny.
Spurs should still win this game if they are serious and not too tired.

[TheGoldStandard]

KL is going to be a workhorse in the playoffs so rest him up so his knee won't get worse. Tendonitis can be a tricky problem.

[KL2]

Unfortunately kl's tendonitis won't go away until the off season when he's got time to rest, that sort of injury won't go away for a while, maybe 1 to 2 months with proper care and rest.

[Sean Cagney]

MAN F POP You stupid idiot, I have to make the playoffs and this week is my deciding week and I start Duncan :(


I know it's about our team, just thought that for a second and heard Jax say F your team punk :(

[Whisky Dog]

Hopefully this isn't a sign for the future with Leonard. 21 yr olds shoul be handling 40 min a night no prob

[timtonymanu]

Like Bruno said, the T-Wolves have a lot of players out. I think Manu, Splitter, Green should be able to handle them.

[Man In Black]

Surprised Manu made the trip. I know Leonard's knee is seriously bothering him and I don't mind being cautious with Duncan. Spurs should be able to take care of business without them.

That steal and acceleration to lift to DUNK left handed tells me different. This is Pop resting his players pure and simple. It's a good time against a team not in full strength to do this. Where you think that Leonard's knee is seriously bothering him. There is no brace, there is no tape, no wrap, no noticeable hitch in his walking or running gait. Again, that acceleration to lift off to dunk doesn't indicate any of that...if you are going CIA POP, I apologize.

[DesignatedT]

Well Leonard admitted in an interview a couple weeks ago that his knee was indeed bothering him and painful when playing.

[spursfaninla]

That steal and acceleration to lift to DUNK left handed tells me different. This is Pop resting his players pure and simple. It's a good time against a team not in full strength to do this. Where you think that Leonard's knee is seriously bothering him. There is no brace, there is no tape, no wrap, no noticeable hitch in his walking or running gait. Again, that acceleration to lift off to dunk doesn't indicate any of that...if you are going CIA POP, I apologize.

In a recent practice interview with Kawhi, he says his knee has tendonitis and it will not get better until the off-season. So it is a problem. The degree of the problem is another story. I doubt it is "serious", in that it would not prevent him from playing a playoff game if needed, but it is probably sore the day after a game.

[KaiRMD1]

Eh, the new story is how the Spurs get things done without people.

[Brazil]

let down loss written all over it

[cd021]

Love, Pekovic, Kirilenko, Budinger and Roy are all out for Minny.
Spurs should still win this game if they are serious and not too tired.

Damn. Minny has been hammered by injuries.

[cd021]

That steal and acceleration to lift to DUNK left handed tells me different. This is Pop resting his players pure and simple. It's a good time against a team not in full strength to do this. Where you think that Leonard's knee is seriously bothering him. There is no brace, there is no tape, no wrap, no noticeable hitch in his walking or running gait. Again, that acceleration to lift off to dunk doesn't indicate any of that...if you are going CIA POP, I apologize.

Why rest a 22 y.o though? that seems odd to me, at least.

[timvp]

It's not an unreasonable decision by Pop. First of all, there's a chance that both needed the rest. Duncan hasn't looked 100% since the scare. Leonard admits his knee still hurts. Both played 35 intense minutes last night. Flying to Minnesota to play on less than 24 hour rest probably wasn't going to be easy for either one of them if their knees are legitimately painful.

Even if it's just a precaution by Pop, this is the only back-to-back of the month ... so by sitting them tonight, those two can avoid a back-to-back until April at the earliest.

A loss tonight would hurt but not nearly as much as TD or KL further damaging their knees.

[TheSkeptic]

This sucks but it makes sense. If last night's big rotation was anything to go by, Pop really wanted last night's game and he got it. I'm thinking he figures that this isn't as important and I'd agree with that. Besides, Manu's still playing so it's not like the Spurs are completely helpless.

[Man In Black]

In a recent practice interview with Kawhi, he says his knee has tendonitis and it will not get better until the off-season. So it is a problem. The degree of the problem is another story. I doubt it is "serious", in that it would not prevent him from playing a playoff game if needed, but it is probably sore the day after a game.

I get it, but understand where I'm coming from. I spent a few years as an Athletic trainer in San Diego during my college years. Tendinitis is nothing more than pain for a given body part's tendons that is caused by some sort of irritation. Limiting the root cause is the most effective way to treat it. Calling it a problem now just means it exists. But saying it exists doesn't mean that it impedes Kawhi from playing at high level. It's almost a non-issue at this point.

Could that turn? Yes, but having said that, considering that he just gave us 2 poster worthy dunks in back to back games against Portland with Nic Batum and last night's OKC dunk on Perkins, you can see that he is playing as close to full capacity as possible. Of course, it means that they pay extra attention to his entire structure from toes on up to low back and hip alignment. Them doing that mean they are actively treating the root cause of what causes tendinitis.

Pop is giving the NBA what it wants, rather than say REST, Pop is giving them a medical reason why Kawhi will not play. The Miami Fiasco gave Pop a direction to take and he is taking it.

[Cane]

he just gave us 2 poster worthy dunks in back to back games

Pop got mad at the showboating so he's sitting Kawhi out! Anyway that's a damn good post. RIP 'rest'

[siraulo23]

now we gotta guess if the injuries are legitimate concern or pop is just resting players, smh

[emanueldavidginobili]

You wouldnt even know that KL was playing with a injury, the way that he has been playing wow.

[007nites]

Pop is sitting Kawhi because he broke the Spurs no dunk policy.

[MR-Clutch]

Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendon from overuse or blunt trauma. Spurs probably just giving leonard rest when they can afford to.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

as expected....

[foodie2]

And for the rest of you locals, Bill Land is being replaced by that turd Andrew Monaco tonight, though at least Sean is making the trip.

[BatManu20]

How funny would it be if we turned right around and lost this game tonight lol

[playblair]

dont play bonner .......................... blair deserves to be the 3rd/4th big ..............................

[Pasta Batman]

:bang:bang:bangLeonard is just 21 years old
Spurs can lose this game without TD/Kawhi...

An 82 game season is still brutal. The guy had a knee issue earlier in the season. I'd bet it still lingers. Those things usually don't go away without the offseason. Pop is likely playing it the right way.

[lefty]

Ugh..Spurs need the number 1 seed, not sure if I agree with resting both against a team the Spurs could probably blow out..
Meh

We had HCA last season and we lost anyway

Doesnt mean shit TBH

[degarza22]

Am surprised Manu is not resting. Spurs going to get fined for staying home

[ace3g]

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN (https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN) Stephen Jackson will start at SF and Matt Bonner at PF for Leonard and Duncan, respectively.

[007nites]

It's good that Jackson is starting. He's a guy who needs some good court time to get things going.

[playblair]

^:bang bonner............................................ ....... blair deserves the spot...................

[td4mvp21]

Love, Pekovic, Kirilenko, Budinger and Roy are all out for Minny.


I was irritated by the decision until I saw this. No Pekovic should help big time.

[Robz4000]

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN (https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN) Stephen Jackson will start at SF and Matt Bonner at PF for Leonard and Duncan, respectively.

Good decision imo. Keep the bench intact as much as possible to give the team a serious lift. Starting Jax with Bonner negates the softness. Maybe it'll light a fire under Bonner's ass and he'll play hard.

[siraulo23]

I'm not checking ST till tip off of next game if spurs lose this one tbh

[jesterbobman]

Considering Last years bench unit of Neal-Manu-Jackson-Bonner-Tiago blitzed opposing teams, that frontcourt combo seems to work. With Minnesota being so decimated by injuries, it's a good time to rest people.

[spurraider21]

We beat OKC. Couldn't care less if Minnesota beats us by 40

[benfti]

It's not an unreasonable decision by Pop. First of all, there's a chance that both needed the rest. Duncan hasn't looked 100% since the scare. Leonard admits his knee still hurts. Both played 35 intense minutes last night. Flying to Minnesota to play on less than 24 hour rest probably wasn't going to be easy for either one of them if their knees are legitimately painful.

Even if it's just a precaution by Pop, this is the only back-to-back of the month ... so by sitting them tonight, those two can avoid a back-to-back until April at the earliest.

A loss tonight would hurt but not nearly as much as TD or KL further damaging their knees.

Spot On.

[TDfan2007]

Ugh..Spurs need the number 1 seed, not sure if I agree with resting both against a team the Spurs could probably blow out..

Tim is clearly not at 100% yet, health-wise. Pop knows this, which is why I don't foresee Timmy playing any more b2bs this season.

As for Leonard, he has quad tendinitis. The WORST thing for that condition is an NBA b2b. I agree with the call. Who knows, maybe Manu might go HAM tonight.

[Reck]

Spurs scrubs should win this by dougle digits anyway.

[Tim_duncan21]

hopefully more minutes to Cory Joseph

[Darius McCrary]

Duncan's drop in performance is more glaring than kawhi's knee troubles.

If it doesn't get better soon, spurs fans will have to accept that it'll affect him all season :(

[aal04]

td = left knee
kl = left knee

Spotted Pop pregame:


http://i.imgur.com/tdwjaHh.jpg

[HarlemHeat37]

Ugh..Spurs need the number 1 seed, not sure if I agree with resting both against a team the Spurs could probably blow out..

Yep, bad idea, as expected..

Spurs would have blown them out with TD and Kawhi in the lineup, their minutes would have been limited, tbh..

[Johnny RIngo]

Yep, bad idea, as expected..

Spurs would have blown them out with TD and Kawhi in the lineup, their minutes would have been limited, tbh..

Fucking wasted game. Pop overthinking the lineups, once again.

[KenziE]

Talaga?!?!?!? NO!!!!!!

Okay, it's a closer game but with Gary Neal back and Manu and TIAGO SPLITTER, I expect the Spurs gut out an 8 point victory.


yup Kabayan Talaga buti na lang sa Min ako tumaya hehe $100 woot woot

[TheGoldStandard]

What a hangover game, I agree that TD and KL should have played but we're not hitting anything, there's plexi glass over the rim.

[hater]

:lol thinking pop cares about 1st seed

:lmao 'we don't need parker'

[DesignatedT]

Not sure wed win even if Kawhi and Tim played. Guys look exhausted. If we had Tony then yeah.

[TheGoldStandard]

Wait is there a Baynes sighting? And he played defense at the rim? Go figure. Nah, we'd lose this game, everyone is missing everything. We do need the 1# seed, we're not beating OKC away from home.

[TDfan2007]

Tim should never play b2bs with the cartilage in his knee being the way it is. Leonard has tendinitis and overplaying him can cause diminished returns. Not sure why there is contention over their rest.

Lol at people thinking that they know better than the coach who speaks directly to the players, as well as the team's medical staff.

[Budkin]

Where are the post game quotes... I want to hear what pissed off Pop had to say about his team's embarrassing performance against a horrible, decimated team.

[ElNono]

"Minnesota was more aggressive than we were for more of the 48 minutes. They were physical. They obviously shot it very well. Both defensively and offensively they had a very good game and kicked our butt."
-- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich

"The bottom line is we played a terrible game. We are in the last 20 games of the season and we cannot let this happen again."
-- Manu Ginobli

http://www.nba.com/games/20130312/SASMIN/gameinfo.html

[Brazil]

let down loss written all over it

Yup

[Man In Black]

yup Kabayan Talaga buti na lang sa Min ako tumaya hehe $100 woot woot
Sorry nalang bro!

Our Spurs played like shit!