Tony Parker's MRI reveals hamstring 'stretch'

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Tony Parker posted on his Facebook account Wednesday that he has a slight hamstring “stretch,” seemingly putting his availability for Thursday’s Game 4 in doubt. Translated via Google: “I just had MRI. Result: I suffer from a slight stretch to the hamstring. We’ll see tomorrow how I feel, I really hope to play!” The Spurs [...] More » (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2013/06/12/parker-mri-reveals-hamstring-stretch/)

[BillMc]

So what's a "stretch?" A very very mild strain?

(And thanks for posting this! :toast)

[TheGreatYacht]

So what's a "stretch?" A very very mild strain?

(And thanks for posting this! :toast)Read this: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/hamstring-strain

[SupremeGuy]

Lol He's definitly going to play, he's just totally mindfucking the cHeat

[Gervin44Silas13]

He is not revealing the extent of his injury......I think to CIA Pop....the Heat...I see him playing......

[Floyd Pacquiao]

fuck......

[timvp]

Sucks that it wasn't a cramp.

Parker is going to play, obviously. Let's hope he's healthy.....

[SpursFan4-Life]

A limped Parker is horrible news

[emanueldavidginobili]

Damn. We need more Manu at point keep the pressure off TP

[Nathan89]

Not so sure the Spurs would admit it was just a cramp if it was.

Whatever the case I hope it's minor enough for him to push through it.

[Budkin]

He'll be ok.

[gasolina]

http://www.kens5.com/news/Tony-Parker-suffers-slight-hamstring-sprain--211232211.html

Nothing serious. He'll probably start tomorrow.

[spurphan420]

Let's hope he takes care of himself well. MRI's don't reveal everything, unfortunately. He doesn't have a history of chronic hamstring problems, which means he can recover somewhat quickly.

[GrandeDavid]

As long as he can go and facilitate, the Spurs have a chance. Ideally he should rest tomorrow but that's a monumental gamble. I think you go all in and if he worsens it, oh well. And its not like he's been a world beater this series anyhow. The way Kawhi is defending James and the Heat supporting cast looking worn out, let's hope the Spurs and even a hobbled Tony is enough to get it done. I'm confident!

[davidbowie]

oh god im scared :(

[InRareForm]

Hope manu gets hot from the 3 ball. We will need some extra offense, if TP can't get any rhythm.

[Agloco]

Wonder what kind of weighting one uses to see a hammy "stretch".....probably some kind of magnetization prepared sequence I'd think. MT perhaps?

Anyway, he needs to earn his keep. Unless it's necrotic and rotting put him in.

[LakerHater]

This day off of rest should help him!

[UZER]

A limped Parker is horrible news


it looks great in the pictures I got.

- erin barry

[CosmicCowboy]

CIA Pop

"Hey Tony...we are gonna no comment, but put on your facebook page that you are hurt and may not play"

*wink*

[CosmicCowboy]

Hope manu gets hot from the 3 ball. We will need some extra offense, if TP can't get any rhythm.

if they don't have to blitz Parker they can smother the threes.

[TheGreatYacht]

How effective will Tony be? The big question becomes can Corey Joseph hold his own and try to simulate what Tony Parker does for Game 4? Can Manu go vintage for once, even though he sort of did it for last night, and lead the Spurs to victory? Can Tim Duncan turn back the clock to 2003 and dominate inside with his post moves? Can the roles players simulate what they did last night and try to repeat their performance for Game 4? Regardless of what happens, the Spurs need to make sure that they play the right way again for Game 4 which is to pass the ball (ball movement), rebound, and defend. Very improbable but can Patti Mills come in as a back up in an emergency, make plays, and hit every open three point shot that he takes? I think Pop playing Neat at point is more likely than seeing Patti Mills on the floor.

[ironman2886]

Parker has always been a girl(exaggerate) when it comes to injuries. Practically doubting his services for the next game even before an MRI or Doctor's diagnoses. See how you feel on game day, take a painkiller, and think about the big picture. 2 wins away from a championship. He definately has a low threshold for pain though.

[TampaDude]

Just like when Parker was gonna be "out for at least a week" then played the very next game without issues? :lol

CIA POP FTW

[Strategic]

Wouldn't be surprised if he rested game 4.

[crc21209]

Well, at least it wasn't a tear or anything like that. Rest up, get treatment the entire day and hopefully he's good to go tomorrow night..

[SA210]

Lol He's definitly going to play, he's just totally mindfucking the cHeat

[chrhawk]

Meh I think he's fine and they're keeping the Heat in the dark. But how big are those two days off now before Game 5 if the Spurs win tomorrow night, that would be huge.

[TheGreatYacht]

This just in like 15 minutes ago. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--tony-parker-suffers-hamstring-injury-in-nba-finals-game-3--will-have-mri-065336663.html

[SpursDynasty21]

I hope that Tony Parker is able to play!

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Le Willis Reed.

[eric365]

You better have to be in a hospital if you don't play a NBA final game.

Unless you're D Rose

[T Park]

A SLIGHT strain. IMO if this was regular season I think he'd even play through it. Sounds really minor.

[spurtech09]

parker will be fine....

[ironman2886]

You better have to be in a hospital if you don't play a NBA final game.

Unless you're D Rose
This.

[bd_monster]

They are virtually taking him out of the game so he doesn't need to be 100% IMO.

[spurtech09]

wouldn't be sursprised if tp had a cramp....just watch tony go off thursday:toast

[romain.star]

He will play for sure. Let's just hope he can contribute one way or the other

[MannyIsGod]

Sucks that it wasn't a cramp.

Parker is going to play, obviously. Let's hope he's healthy.....

LOL I hope he's mind fucking the Heat the way he's mind fucking you.

[superbigtime]

Golly gosh gee I hope he's okay.

[SpursFan4-Life]

A SLIGHT strain. IMO if this was regular season I think he'd even play through it. Sounds really minor.

really hope you're right on this, he didn't seemed bothered when he came back in the 4th, but who knows how it reacts today and more importantly tomorrow

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

http://www.kens5.com/news/Tony-Parker-suffers-slight-hamstring-sprain--211232211.html

Nothing serious He'll probably start tomorrow.

Its nothing serious IMO as well. Really, stretch hamstrings means he strained it. A pulled hamstring is much worse meaning you tore some muscle from the tendon.

I expect Parker's leg to be taped up and he will be fine, just slightly less mobile. If Rafael Nadal can win a French Open a few years ago with this same injury and a taped up leg (I say this because Tennis on clay is way more physical on your legs than playing BB), TP can still compete and win an NBA championship.

http://www.nismat.org/patients/injury-evaluation-treatment/lower-body/hamstring-pull-strain-

[SpurOutofTownFan]

we need to call Beno right now

[rascal]

Spurs are losing game 4.

[T Park]

really hope you're right on this, he didn't seemed bothered when he came back in the 4th, but who knows how it reacts today and more importantly tomorrow


It's a stretch. It stretched out more than normal. Rest, treatment hell be fine. I'm not a doctor that's just common sense inferring from what he said.

[TE]

on the podium. grade 1

[T Park]

Spurs are losing game 4.


Just like they were overmatched by Memphis.

Drink draino.

[BatManu20]

Jeff Caplan ‏@Caplan_NBA (https://twitter.com/Caplan_NBA)7m (https://twitter.com/Caplan_NBA/status/344883347815800834)
Tony Parker is the only player not going through drills. He posted earlier in French on Facebook that MRI revealed slight hamstring tear.

Damn. He's at the podium live on ESPN2 right now talking about it.

[lurker23]

344885503285403648

[rascal]

Just like they were overmatched by Memphis.

Drink draino.

Spurs are losing game 4.

[Creation88]

A grade 1 strain will take about a week of recovery time. A grade 1 strain hurts minimally, there is no pain walking, and motion isn't hindered. But it is imperative that you not play golf or exercise your leg. Increased work and stress can be put on the leg after week one. If you jump into swinging or exercising immediately after the injury, there is a good chance of increased severity.



Golf Tips: How Long Does a Hamstring Injury Take to Heal? | GolfLink.com http://www.golflink.com/about_4750_long-does-hamstring-injury-heal.html#ixzz2W1p7Xj48

off quick google search

[T Park]

Jeff Caplan ‏@Caplan_NBA (https://twitter.com/Caplan_NBA)7m (https://twitter.com/Caplan_NBA/status/344883347815800834)
Tony Parker is the only player not going through drills. He posted earlier in French on Facebook that MRI revealed slight hamstring tear.
Damn. He's at the podium live on ESPN2 right now talking about it.


He already fixed that. Isn't torn.

[TE]

TP going CIA on the media, tbh

[T Park]

Spurs are losing game 4.

Yeah I know you're hoping for it.

[rjv]

heard jason garrett of airrosti today and he seemed to think that as long as no tear or blood was showing that was good news because it could be treated immediately. but, he did say a one day turnaround was a narrow window and that the spurs, with their past history, could err on the side of caution and hold parker out until sunday. garrett seemed to think that there would still be a slight risk that it could pop if it was not fully healed. it will really come down to how parker feels, what the doc says and what pop decides.

if we have him, will the heat assume him to be at less than 100 % and play him man-to-man? or, do they assume he is the same and play the trap on him again. if the former, they may be daring the spurs role players to duplicate what they did last night. if they man up, that means they will not want to give any good looks to the shooters. if he is able to play at close to the level he is used to then parker may be able to exploit the man coverage. and, of course, this is where manu's ineffective play is an issue because he would have been able to do some of the things parker does. but being that manu has forgotten to dribble that is not too realistic an option.

[rascal]

Parker relies on speed and burst. it might be better if he sits game 4 if he is not healthy give it some more rest and come back game 5 healthy. 2-2 is not the end of the world. The spurs have been able to win twice already when tied. Get game 5 and only need 1 in Miami.

[T Park]

Never seen people freak out over a slight strain more than you chicken littles...

[rascal]

Yeah I know you're hoping for it.

It will happen. Miami gets game 4. Spurs are still winning the title.

[rascal]

Never seen people freak out over a slight strain more than you chicken littles...

Looks like your the one freaking out, trying to convince yourself it is nothing.

[T Park]

Looks like your the one freaking out, trying to convince yourself it is nothing.


Parker is horsing around with PJ Carlisimo in practice.

Yeah I'm worried...

[lurker23]

Regular season, you sit him out 1-4 games until he's 100%. NBA Finals? You start Parker and hope for the best. If he's ineffective in the first 1-2 quarters, MAYBE you consider resting him until Sunday, but odds are you just let him play the rest of the series, and deal with whatever complications there may be in July.

[will_spurs]

Parker has always been a girl(exaggerate) when it comes to injuries. Practically doubting his services for the next game even before an MRI or Doctor's diagnoses. See how you feel on game day, take a painkiller, and think about the big picture. 2 wins away from a championship. He definately has a low threshold for pain though.

:rolleyes

:lmao

[TE]

Regular season, you sit him out 1-4 games until he's 100%. NBA Finals? You start Parker and hope for the best. If he's ineffective in the first 1-2 quarters, MAYBE you consider resting him until Sunday, but odds are you just let him play the rest of the series, and deal with whatever complications there may be in July.
Yeah...just play him...this is the biggest and most important stage in basketball.

[SpursFan4-Life]

Can playing with this injury make it worse?

[Budkin]

Parker is the guy who got us here and he's going to lead us to the title. Even if he doesn't score... he'll set everyone else up.

[elmanutres]

Lol He's definitly going to play, he's just totally mindfucking the cHeat
:pop:CIA pop at work

[gnsf0946]

i'm 100% sure he'll play, the real question should be how much can he give us

[timvp]

Sucks that it wasn't a cramp.

Parker is going to play, obviously. Let's hope he's healthy.....

LOL I hope he's mind fucking the Heat the way he's mind fucking you.

Which of those three sentences did you take issue with?

[timvp]

heard jason garrett of airrosti today and he seemed to think that as long as no tear or blood was showing that was good news because it could be treated immediately. but, he did say a one day turnaround was a narrow window and that the spurs, with their past history, could err on the side of caution and hold parker out until sunday. garrett seemed to think that there would still be a slight risk that it could pop if it was not fully healed. it will really come down to how parker feels, what the doc says and what pop decides.

Any series but the Finals you probably sit Parker tomorrow to take full advantage of the subsequent two-day break. But it's the Finals so Parker has to play. Even if his burst is limited, he can still help the Spurs as long as the Heat blitz him.

[temujin]

Yes.

This is bad news.

1 week under normal conditions.

[T Park]

With the way the Heat are playing him, he really can't take advantage of his speed anyways.

[daslicer]

I quote Bill Clinton when I say it is what it is. There is nothing anybody can do about it so there is no point of panicking. I do believe he will play tomorrow and we'll go from there.

[dallasmaverickslose]

Parker is horsing around with PJ Carlisimo in practice.

Yeah I'm worried...

Is PJ coming back to the coaching staff??

[dallasmaverickslose]

I quote Bill Clinton when I say it is what it is. There is nothing anybody can do about it so there is no point of panicking. I do believe he will play tomorrow and we'll go from there.

That was Clayton Williams...

[DesertSpur50]

From my experience, any type of a strain is not good. I don't know how serious a grade 1 strain is, but even a minor strain could keep someone out for maybe five days to a week in the regular season. Most likely he won't be 100% for the rest of the finals.

[T Park]

Yes.

This is bad news.

1 week under normal conditions.

Sigh.....

[jb4g]

So the traffic caused him to get to the arena late, didnt stretch well enough, and he gets hurt. Damn HS graduation, of course it would be my alma mater. F' you Lee HS!

[tuncaboylu]

He will play, it's obvious. Even not %100, he should start the game at least. He doesn't need to push hard, drive and kick or pick & roll will help us enough. 25 minutes would be enough I guess. We're going to hope that our shooters will hit the bulls eye one more time on Thursday.

2 games remained. Come on guys. Won the following 2 and rest for 3 months.

[Sean Cagney]

From my experience, any type of a strain is not good. I don't know how serious a grade 1 strain is, but even a minor strain could keep someone out for maybe five days to a week in the regular season. Most likely he won't be 100% for the rest of the finals.

This is what we are looking at IMO! Sad but true. The only good news is Wade looks like he is 1/4 of himself, wonder how bad he is really hurting?

[timvp]

I don't understand the people who are trying to brush this off as nothing. Could it be a ruse to fool the Heat? Uh ... I guess so. But such a ruse wouldn't include Parker missing practice the day before a Finals game. Add in the MRI results of a strain that would probably force him to miss 1-2 weeks during the regular season, and this is legitimately a big deal.

[TE]

We desperately need Manu to produce in Tony's limited ability

[phxspurfan]

If Parker is less than 100%, this is a big deal. Simple as that.

[GSH]

I don't understand the people who are trying to brush this off as nothing. Could it be a ruse to fool the Heat? Uh ... I guess so. But such a ruse wouldn't include Parker missing practice the day before a Finals game. Add in the MRI results of a strain that would probably force him to miss 1-2 weeks during the regular season, and this is legitimately a big deal.


If there really isn't any tearing, I expect they will put him on the floor. Someone asked if it risks making things worse - the answer is yes. Most any other team, and I would almost guarantee that he would get a needle before the game. Some of you who know the Spurs might know if the Spurs will do that, or if they just refuse. The truth is, it can be a good thing. You risk hurting it and not knowing right away, but it lets you perform up to whatever muscle strength you have. I'd almost hate to see him out on the floor without it.

[Sean Cagney]

I don't understand the people who are trying to brush this off as nothing. Could it be a ruse to fool the Heat? Uh ... I guess so. But such a ruse wouldn't include Parker missing practice the day before a Finals game. Add in the MRI results of a strain that would probably force him to miss 1-2 weeks during the regular season, and this is legitimately a big deal.

I agree with you fully, this is more than nothing and he relies on Speed so.......
We desperately need Manu to produce in Tony's limited ability
Your better off trying to hit lotto.

[polandprzem]

In the intense games that are played that is not a good sign.
I really was hoping for a cramp ..

[Texas_Ranger]

Ok, I had this injury like 5 times already. It sucks, but if it's not a tear it's good. He will definitely not be 100% tomorrow, but a day of rest will help a lot. He'll lose some speed and jumping ability, but you can play with this kind of injury. I know the Spurs don't want to risk anything, so it wouldn't really surprise me if he sits the game, but cause it's the finals I am pretty sure he'll play.

[SpurPadre]

FWIW, I once ran a half-marathon with a Grade 1 Hamstring Strain. I had prepared myself for a full marathon but suffered the injury during one of my trainings two days leading up to the event. I still wanted to compete at the event and they had an alternate half-marathon along with the full marathon so I gave it a go. I took painkillers, iced the injured area, and put some sports cream on and gave it my best. I definitely wasn't at my best, speedwise, but I finished 13.1 miles in just under two hours. While I was limited, I managed to get by as adrenaline made me forget about the pain while I was there and this is with me having nowhere near the resources TP has at his disposal to treat his injury. If I could run with a Grade 1 strain for around 2 hours straight, TP can give us 20-30 minutes tomorrow and make an impact. Of course, Championship basketball is much different and harder than just straight running but he should still be able to have an impact out there. Maybe he gets on a roll and hits jumpers which will open up the lane for TD to dominate tomorrow? I'm hopeful we can still win this thing when all is said and done.

[Fabbs]

if they don't have to blitz Parker they can smother the threes.
How many threes were hit when Parker was out in Game 2?

[Seventyniner]

Tony needs to play tomorrow, even if he's only 70%. Game 4 is just too important to sit your best player. He'll then get two days of rest for better or worse, though I can see Pop pulling him if the Spurs fall behind by 15 in the 4th.

[Mugen]

Watched the 2 minutes of the 4th when Parker was in yesterday and he moved okay tbh. Extremely small sample size but here's hoping a full day of rest/treatment can have him around 80-85% which is the most I'm expecting out of him in G4.

[siraulo23]

Why is everyone so convinced that it's a minor injury? Wth is a stretch??
For all we know, it could be serious and the spurs are trying to not reveal
its severity so the team's morale doesn't get affected.

[cheguevara]

Why is everyone so convinced that it's a minor injury? Wth is a stretch??
For all we know, it could be serious and the spurs are trying to not reveal
its severity so the team's morale doesn't get affected.

:rolleyes

when have the Spurs ever done this?

[703 Spurz]

T-Mac to start at PG?

[midnightpulp]

Why is everyone so convinced that it's a minor injury? Wth is a stretch??
For all we know, it could be serious and the spurs are trying to not reveal
its severity so the team's morale doesn't get affected.

Because it is.

The Spurs are the most cautious franchise in the league with regard to injuries, so if there was any inclination that it might be something serious, no way in hell he starts the 4th quarter last night.

[GSH]

Look, I have personal experience with this one. I can tell you how it works:


The muscle is like a cord made from a bundle of rubber bands. If you stretch the cord far enough, some of the individual bands may snap. The bundle remains intact, but not as strong as it was before - which makes it easier for more of the bands to break if it is stretched again. In a muscle, when some of the fibers get torn, blood leaks out and pools under the skin. Sometimes small tears occur inside the bundle, and there isn't much, if any, bruising. But in general, no bruising is good news.

They are saying that Tony doesn't have any tearing. In real life, when you have even a slight strain, there are "micro-tears" in individual fibers. Think of it as an old rubber band that has been stretched a bunch of times. It starts to look sort of like it is rotting. If you stretch it, you can see little cracks and holes, and it may be a little thinner in some areas. You know instinctively that rubber band isn't as strong as it used to be. That's what micro-tears are like in individual muscle fibers. And those muscle fibers are more likely to tear than the ones around them.

When you get a small strain, your strength may not be affected very much - i.e. you could still lift about as much as you normally do. But the muscle still feels weak. It feels like you are lacking strength, but if you go ahead and force yourself, you can make it lift the weight. But that feeling is your body's way of telling you not to. Inject some Marcaine and/or Toradol into the area, and you might be able to do anything you would normally do, since you won't feel the discomfort. (I've had Toradol injections, but not Marcaine. I've heard it pretty much kills all sensation.) Don't take the injection, and it is hard to get your body to do what you want it to do. It's not just a matter of overcoming pain - it's more a matter of having to focus to overcome that built-in hesitation. There's no time for hesitation in sports.

Continuing to play with a small tear, or even a slight "strain" (micro-tears), risks a more serious muscle tear. But it's not anywhere near a sure thing. I've personally seen guys play with small muscle tears, and not do any additional damage. It's a risk, but if I was 4 or less games from the end of the season, with a chance at a Championship, I'd take the shot and the risk. And I'm sure Tony will do his best to be on the floor. With the Spurs history, I wonder if they might hold him out for at least one game. Personally, I don't see the point, since it's not enough time for it to fully heal anyway.



FWIW, I once ran a half-marathon with a Grade 1 Hamstring Strain. I had prepared myself for a full marathon but suffered the injury during one of my trainings two days leading up to the event. I still wanted to compete at the event and they had an alternate half-marathon along with the full marathon so I gave it a go. I took painkillers, iced the injured area, and put some sports cream on and gave it my best. I definitely wasn't at my best, speedwise, but I finished 13.1 miles in just under two hours. While I was limited, I managed to get by as adrenaline made me forget about the pain while I was there and this is with me having nowhere near the resources TP has at his disposal to treat his injury. If I could run with a Grade 1 strain for around 2 hours straight, TP can give us 20-30 minutes tomorrow and make an impact. Of course, Championship basketball is much different and harder than just straight running but he should still be able to have an impact out there. Maybe he gets on a roll and hits jumpers which will open up the lane for TD to dominate tomorrow? I'm hopeful we can still win this thing when all is said and done.


I don't doubt a word of that, and it sounds like a hell of an effort. The difference between distance running and basketball is the start and stop. You can put it on cruise control, and the pain/discomfort are a constant. Getting that injured muscle to make a quick burst is a different thing. Even if there isn't much pain, your body naturally avoids doing something that will make it worse. Like I said above, there's no room for hesitation in what Tony does.

[siraulo23]

I'm used to tp just reassuring fans when there really is nothing to the injury, "he's hoping to play in game 4"

Obviously I hope you guys are right and tony is good to go

[Mugen]

I wonder what Speedy Claxton is up to nowadays.

[Cry Havoc]

Parker has always been a girl(exaggerate) when it comes to injuries. Practically doubting his services for the next game even before an MRI or Doctor's diagnoses. See how you feel on game day, take a painkiller, and think about the big picture. 2 wins away from a championship. He definately has a low threshold for pain though.

:lmao Internet tough guys are always the most hilarious idiots on the planet.

[Budkin]

He seemed depressed as shit in his practice interview today. Said everything was up to Pop. I'd hate to just give up Game 4 and have to go back to Miami if we don't have to.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

So some of you think this is a big deal but my impression is that its just a niggle.

[MannyIsGod]

Which of those three sentences did you take issue with?

None - its just obvious you're really really worried. If it affects the Heat half as much as you're worried than mission accomplished. I think its pure BS on Tony's part.

[bigfan]

No sense worrying; it happened and we deal with it. Hopefully he can play and play well. If not, time for Neal, Manu, Mills and De Colo to cover. We wont know til gametime.

[SpurPadre]

Look, I have personal experience with this one. I can tell you how it works:


The muscle is like a cord made from a bundle of rubber bands. If you stretch the cord far enough, some of the individual bands may snap. The bundle remains intact, but not as strong as it was before - which makes it easier for more of the bands to break if it is stretched again. In a muscle, when some of the fibers get torn, blood leaks out and pools under the skin. Sometimes small tears occur inside the bundle, and there isn't much, if any, bruising. But in general, no bruising is good news.

They are saying that Tony doesn't have any tearing. In real life, when you have even a slight strain, there are "micro-tears" in individual fibers. Think of it as an old rubber band that has been stretched a bunch of times. It starts to look sort of like it is rotting. If you stretch it, you can see little cracks and holes, and it may be a little thinner in some areas. You know instinctively that rubber band isn't as strong as it used to be. That's what micro-tears are like in individual muscle fibers. And those muscle fibers are more likely to tear than the ones around them.

When you get a small strain, your strength may not be affected very much - i.e. you could still lift about as much as you normally do. But the muscle still feels weak. It feels like you are lacking strength, but if you go ahead and force yourself, you can make it lift the weight. But that feeling is your body's way of telling you not to. Inject some Marcaine and/or Toradol into the area, and you might be able to do anything you would normally do, since you won't feel the discomfort. (I've had Toradol injections, but not Marcaine. I've heard it pretty much kills all sensation.) Don't take the injection, and it is hard to get your body to do what you want it to do. It's not just a matter of overcoming pain - it's more a matter of having to focus to overcome that built-in hesitation. There's no time for hesitation in sports.

Continuing to play with a small tear, or even a slight "strain" (micro-tears), risks a more serious muscle tear. But it's not anywhere near a sure thing. I've personally seen guys play with small muscle tears, and not do any additional damage. It's a risk, but if I was 4 or less games from the end of the season, with a chance at a Championship, I'd take the shot and the risk. And I'm sure Tony will do his best to be on the floor. With the Spurs history, I wonder if they might hold him out for at least one game. Personally, I don't see the point, since it's not enough time for it to fully heal anyway.





I don't doubt a word of that, and it sounds like a hell of an effort. The difference between distance running and basketball is the start and stop. You can put it on cruise control, and the pain/discomfort are a constant. Getting that injured muscle to make a quick burst is a different thing. Even if there isn't much pain, your body naturally avoids doing something that will make it worse. Like I said above, there's no room for hesitation in what Tony does.

Thanks for the insight, GSH. Good points all around.

[phxspurfan]

WebMD prognosis for a grade 1 leg strain is 1-2 weeks. It describes the strain as slight tearing or strecthing that shouldn't affect the strength of the underlying muscle, but may be painful. So Parker will probably get treatment and play through pain, but man, if we win the finals with him hurt, he will be truly the man.

[TampaDude]

So the traffic caused him to get to the arena late, didnt stretch well enough, and he gets hurt. Damn HS graduation, of course it would be my alma mater. F' you Lee HS!

NFW the Spurs are gonna let that bullshit stop them from getting #5. If they need to have a police escort to ensure their players arrive in time, then by all means do it!

[slick'81]

I just don't like how tony looked like someone shoot his dog on the bench last night.I still dnt c how he sits tomorrow

[hater]

ppl are missing the point.

it's not wether his leg is fine or not. It is in his head that he already hurt and will psychologically play hurt. Ppl forget basketball is 90% mental. Can he overcome that, sure, but as of right now, he will start the game playing hurt, if he starts at all.

[SpursFan4-Life]

I just don't like how tony looked like someone shoot his dog on the bench last night.I still dnt c how he sits tomorrow

He knows something we don't, he looked torn up

[phxspurfan]

I would sit him most of game 4 if he comes out looking sub-100%.

[DJR210]

You better have to be in a hospital if you don't play a NBA final game.

Unless you're D Rose

:lol

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Seems like an injury that would make a coach sit a player as a simple precaution to being healthy for the playoffs, not too serious. The Spurs clearly held their own last night without him, and though I'm advocating him taking it easy, it's not crazy to think the Spurs can survive without cutting Tony's minutes a bit short.

[spurraider21]

the fact that he came back into the game and wasn't grimacing in pain while on the floor tells me he'll play. it's not like this series has been all about Tony's explosiveness anyway. miami is trapping the pick n roll as they have all season long, and its up to parker to get rid of the ball and have the rest of the team score 4 on 3, which we did in game 3

[Spurs9]

The sad part is, this injury can be blamed on traffic for not giving him enough time to potentially stretch before the game

[timvp]

None - its just obvious you're really really worried.Obviously, anything that could derail a championship would have me worried.


I think its pure BS on Tony's part.So he sat out practice today as part of a ruse?

[Dex]

I think he is actually hurt. Thus, no reason to practice and put any unnecessary strain on it.

I also think (read: hope) that he plays tomorrow night. The Spurs know as well as anyone that their best chance for success is to avoid going back to Miami. I think they are just floating out the "questionable for game 4" story, because it makes Miami gameplan for it. And the more time they spend game planning for it, is time that could be spent game planning for Tony being in. At the very least, it makes them shift their focus and split their efforts at bit, so there is absolutely no reason to be forthcoming and say "Tony definitely will/will not play".

[TampaDude]

The sad part is, this injury can be blamed on traffic for not giving him enough time to potentially stretch before the game

If that's true, how can the Spurs not know about the graduation and extra traffic and plan ahead for that? This is something that can derail a title run. Fortunately, Tony was not seriously hurt.

[EVAY]

The biggest issue seems to me to be TP's ability to jump without pain. So much of what he does involves jumping to make a pass, or jumping to send up a floater, or whatever. Plus, if he is hurt, his ability to get out of the traps the Heat's defense plays on him will be impaired.

I think this is bad news. He can definitely make it worse by playing on it, but I expect that he will play. My concern is that he will try to NOT make it worse while playing, which is likely to significantly impair the level of his play.

[Darius McCrary]

All we can do is hope for the best.

Parker will have to be a soldier and help his team squeeze two more wins out of this series.

[Horry For 3!]

I had a strain before after playing basketball, iced it that night the next day I was fine.

[T Park]

Obviously, anything that could derail a championship would have me worried.

So he sat out practice today as part of a ruse?


Did he need to practice?

[KaiRMD1]

We'll see what happens now. As long as the other guys on the court can do the damn thing, should be fun. Who knows, Neal & Green may still be feeling it and torch the Heat yet again. Or Lebron can go into god mode. The Heat already know to beat us, they have to make the shots the Spurs have been daring them to make.

[TheGreatYacht]

ppl are missing the point.

it's not wether his leg is fine or not. It is in his head that he already hurt and will psychologically play hurt. Ppl forget basketball is 90% mental. Can he overcome that, sure, but as of right now, he will start the game playing hurt, if he starts at all.Bingo. Derrick Rose is the perfect example.

[siraulo23]

all tp said and pop said during their practice interviews are we'll see quotes and pop was a little edgy, thats reasons for concers imo

[timvp]

Did he need to practice?

Apparently Pop thought everyone else did.

[milkyway21]

let us just pray it is not swelling. let it rest. and he will be alright.

that is why there's always a pre-game practice, stretching, and all that. But he got there too late for that because he was stuck in traffic.
Could be one of the reasons.

[Darius McCrary]

ppl are missing the point.

it's not wether his leg is fine or not. It is in his head that he already hurt and will psychologically play hurt. Ppl forget basketball is 90% mental. Can he overcome that, sure, but as of right now, he will start the game playing hurt, if he starts at all.

That's rubbish. This isn't a career altering injury, its s tight hammy. Parker will not play scared or nervous because of it, Parker is a warrior that knows how close the team is to making history. He'll put it all on the line and leave everything on the court, hamstring pull or no.

[hater]

That's rubbish. This isn't a career altering injury, its s tight hammy. Parker will not play scared or nervous because of it, Parker is a warrior that knows how close the team is to making history. He'll put it all on the line and leave everything on the court, hamstring pull or no.

parker played shitty for a few games after coming back from his calf injury. that was no career altering injury either.

a basketball game is 90% mental. Just look at Lebron James

[superjames1992]

Hopefully, he doesn't go all-out and completely tear his hamstring and miss the rest of the series, tbh. He needs to be careful, but we need him.

I am 99.9% sure he will play in game four. If he misses an NBA Finals game due to a hamstring strain, then either the injury is much worse or Parker is a pussy. I don't think the latter is the truth, though the former could be possible, I suppose (with CIA Pop out in full force).

[midnightpulp]

Apparently Pop thought everyone else did.

"Parker did not participate in the portion of practice on Wednesday that was open to the media,"

Smelling ruse.

And I'm one of the more pessimistic fans. But everything seems to suggest it was probably a cramp that was exaggerated as a "stretch" to play mind games with the Heat. I just don't see the Spurs (the most cautious franchise in the league) starting him in the 4th if it was something more serious than a cramp or the mildest of mildest strains.

His acting job in today's interview, with all the "We'll sees," was particularly bad, too.

[hater]

some fans apparently have a very vivid imagination. they should work in hollywood IMO

[gnsf0946]

"Parker did not participate in the portion of practice on Wednesday that was open to the media,"

Smelling ruse.

And I'm one of the more pessimistic fans. But everything seems to suggest it was probably a cramp that was exaggerated as a "stretch" to play mind games with the Heat. I just don't see the Spurs (the most cautious franchise in the league) starting him in the 4th if it was something more serious than a cramp or the mildest of mildest strains.

His acting job in today's interview, with all the "We'll sees," was particularly bad, too.

you got us this far with your 36 pt blowout prediction, don't let us down now

[rmt]

Parker is usually very forthcoming and honest in his interview. He seems stilted and close-mouthed - strange for him. Hope he's okay. Maybe it's a smokescreen.

[TheGoldStandard]

I don't think Parker's sullen mood and ho hum body language is an indication of him being hurt but he knows how cautious Pop is and he probably feels like his minutes are going to be severely cut or he won't play. Tony won't rock the boat, he'll listen to what Pop has to say and he probably feels that if he doesn't play he's not contributing to the team and he feels like this is his team not to let down. I suspect that he will play, test it a bit and then probably have limited minutes if it's not feeling right and be used as a decoy when he goes in. I expect Manu/Joseph to share the remaining minutes and we may even see, dare I say, T-Mac with the 2nd or 3rd team running point for a few minutes.

[T Park]

Apparently Pop thought everyone else did.


Highly doubt it was anything intensive.

[nkdlunch]

Highly doubt it was anything intensive.

Even more reason to worry if parker couldnt go through a relaxed practice session

[DMC]

If nothing else it gives the Spurs a legit excuse for not picking up any real talent in the off season if they lose here because well, Tony was injured. They can check the D-league to see if they have any more Finals caliber starters at PG.

[thunderup]

The cHeat, namely Chalmers and Cole will go after Tony attacking him offensively. If Tony isn't near 85-90%, I can see the cHeat winning three straight close games which will feed into the bullshit notion that this team is resilient when in fact they are the opposite. Funny thing is each of the cHeat's championships have a measure of asterisk to them.

*06-Championship basically given to them.
*12-Played a young OKC team that was devoid of a real coach and probably shouldn't have been there in the first place.
**13-If they win, each team they will have played was either lacking the necessary talent and basketball IQ to beat them or had an injury to one of their important players.

[SpurPadre]

Hopefully, he doesn't go all-out and completely tear his hamstring and miss the rest of the series, tbh. He needs to be careful, but we need him.

I am 99.9% sure he will play in game four. If he misses an NBA Finals game due to a hamstring strain, then either the injury is much worse or Parker is a pussy. I don't think the latter is the truth, though the former could be possible, I suppose (with CIA Pop out in full force).

Unlike Derrick Rose, Parker actually has a pair of balls. Rose would waive the white flag in this situation, not TP. He made a promise to the team and he's going to do all he can to keep it. He won't be 100% though and that is cause for concern but just having him out there is a plus and a MUST.

[DejuanorwhatDude]

"Parker did not participate in the portion of practice on Wednesday that was open to the media,"

Smelling ruse.

And I'm one of the more pessimistic fans. But everything seems to suggest it was probably a cramp that was exaggerated as a "stretch" to play mind games with the Heat. I just don't see the Spurs (the most cautious franchise in the league) starting him in the 4th if it was something more serious than a cramp or the mildest of mildest strains.

His acting job in today's interview, with all the "We'll sees," was particularly bad, too.

Agree. Why the fuck are people freaking out about this? He came back into the game. Pretty sure if Game 7 was the next day he would play. Tony just needs to be 85%; at this point in the season that would put him right there with Wade, Bosh and maybe even Lebron. If Tony can hit some jumpers that will force Miami's defense back onto him and open up the role players games again.

[T Park]

Even more reason to worry if parker couldnt go through a relaxed practice session


Sigh.....

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

All of these "I don't knows" from Pop and Tony aren't worrying me at all. If there was an "I'm not sure" or worse, "No", then I'd be worried. Parker played in the 4th quarter, looked fine. I think Pop is playing mind games, and isn't Pop always grumpy when he's asked about injuries? I'm not worried at all the more I think about it. If Parker wasn't going to play in game 4, we would know by now. It's the freakin Finals and the team is 2 wins away! No way in hell Parker doesn't play unless if the doctors don't let him at all.

[spurraider21]

Parker pulling a Kobe tbh

[TheGoldStandard]

Watch him have a pretty solid game, it'll cement that MVP vote. I see him playing 24 minutes and scoring 16, making a few trips to the line and 8 assists.

[MannyIsGod]

LJ I didn't know he missed practice. I admit, that makes it less likely its bullshit.

[ThePop]

Of course he missed practice, you don't want to take any chances no matter how light the practice is.

You can tell Pop and Tony were being vague on purpose, it's the finals.

[TheGoldStandard]

Sneaky Sneaky

[Budkin]

I predict that not only will he play, but he will go HAM on the Heat.

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

I predict that not only will he play, but he will go HAM on the Heat.

Right there with you, adrenaline and desire will get the best of him! I still think he sees limited minutes, but I think after last game Cory Joseph started to relax, and I think he'll play his best game yet. I also have a good feeling Manu will be hot tomorrow, and maybe even Bonner, don't know why Bonner, just have that feeling. He'll be like Neal, we'll all get pissed that he's playing, but then he'll hit 5 straight threes and we'll love him.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

This is a real concern as hamstrings usually take 2+ weeks to heal, and the probability of tearing it is probably now higher given that TP already has a strain. Still, it's out of our control and nothing can be done about it except whatever TP chooses to do. Let's just hope he can play with it and still be effective.

If not, I trust in the depth of this team to get it done. They need 2 more wins and I think they've shown they can win even without TP.

[dmon35]

lol I don't know. Maybe Parker is playing the media. Getting everyone to think he hurt more than he actually is, with his "Well see" " I cant tell you right now" quotes....

[HI-FI]

The cHeat, namely Chalmers and Cole will go after Tony attacking him offensively. If Tony isn't near 85-90%, I can see the cHeat winning three straight close games which will feed into the bullshit notion that this team is resilient when in fact they are the opposite. Funny thing is each of the cHeat's championships have a measure of asterisk to them.

*06-Championship basically given to them.
*12-Played a young OKC team that was devoid of a real coach and probably shouldn't have been there in the first place.
**13-If they win, each team they will have played was either lacking the necessary talent and basketball IQ to beat them or had an injury to one of their important players.

least you are admitting the Thunder shouldn't have been there. Im not saying that we were better, but the Thunder got away with a lot in last year's WCF. It was total bullshit, from the illegal screens to Ibaka's goaltending that was rarely called. Not to mention game 6, which was a joke.

Imo, the league didn't want Spurs against Heat because there was a good chance we could've prevented Lebron from a title. I think the league preferred Thunder vs Heat because if Lebron wins, then great, he's finally a winner. If Durant would've won, then great, they have another superstar to push.

Oddly enough, I think last year's bullshit in the WCF made us a better team. We are even nastier on Defense, guys like Green and especially Kawhi are becoming badasses before our eyes.

This is a real concern as hamstrings usually take 2+ weeks to heal, and the probability of tearing it is probably now higher given that TP already has a strain. Still, it's out of our control and nothing can be done about it except whatever TP chooses to do. Let's just hope he can play with it and still be effective.

If not, I trust in the depth of this team to get it done. They need 2 more wins and I think they've shown they can win even without TP.

this.

we're 2 wins away, this is the moment to shine. Obviously I don't want TP hurt, he gives us lots of great scoring opportunities, but people are crazy if they think this team is doomed or giving up without him. TP has some obvious negatives to him that teams like to exploit, so regardless of who is playing, I have faith our guys know what they have to do.

[ontheraise]

tony said to french media they 'll decide if he plays or not at the last minute

[ezau]

He's gonna play.

[Legacy]

He'll go out there and play with one damn leg if he has to.

He'll be alright.

... Probably just "The Hush, Hush game" going on right now.

[100%duncan]

What the fuck now?

[mudyez]

in all fairness: Tony is trolling the Heat and they know it.

AND: I can see us winning a game even without TP, as long as Manu and Timmy show up!

[Seefourdc]

A strain is a torn muscle. Minor or not it will effect him. I still think the Heat are the softest team in the Finals ever atm. You can't exert full force on a strain or it will continue to tear and become a much worse problem.

[spurspokesman]

We just need him to play decent and take care of the ball. Just make the defense consider him a bit, enough to open other options of the offense up.

[kobyz]

fuck San Antonio's road traffic, that might cost us the title, Tony was late to the arena, didn't make his regular pregame routine and that why he got hurt.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

fuck San Antonio's road traffic, that might cost us the title, Tony was late to the arena, didn't make his regular pregame routine and that why he got hurt.


What's even scarier is............what if a traffic jam prevents an athlete from even making to the game at all?


I know that's extremely far-fetched, but logistics should be the last thing to be a source of a problem when the stakes are this high.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

I would be livid if traffic, of all things, were indeed the reason why the Spurs lost the Finals.


That being said, shouldn't athletes be heading over to the AT&T Center, like, 4-6 hours before tipoff?

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

ppl are missing the point.

it's not wether his leg is fine or not. It is in his head that he already hurt and will psychologically play hurt. Ppl forget basketball is 90% mental. Can he overcome that, sure, but as of right now, he will start the game playing hurt, if he starts at all.

That is why we will all see if Parker is mentally tough tonight. He was the one complaining a few years ago the Spurs don't compete for Championships anymore. Here is your chance. That is why I compared it to when Nadal won the French Open with a strain hammy. He is a fighter, one of the most mentally tough athletes in the world. So tonight will tell us alot about Parker as a player. Hopefully he isn't on Derrick Rose side of the spectrum.

[Seventyniner]

I would be livid if traffic, of all things, were indeed the reason why the Spurs lost the Finals.


That being said, shouldn't athletes be heading over to the AT&T Center, like, 4-6 hours before tipoff?

I'd imagine they were coming from the practice facility and not their homes. The practice facility is a much better place to prepare for a game than the arena, of course.

[temujin]

That is why we will all see if Parker is mentally tough tonight. He was the one complaining a few years ago the Spurs don't compete for Championships anymore. Here is your chance. That is why I compared it to when Nadal won the French Open with a strain hammy. He is a fighter, one of the most mentally tough athletes in the world. So tonight will tell us alot about Parker as a player. Hopefully he isn't on Derrick Rose side of the spectrum.

yes, give Parker nadal's "Fuentes medications" and he will dunk taking off from midcourt with a pulled harmstring

[Russo21]

it looks great in the pictures I got.

- erin barry
Mate you nailed that shit right there lol. Timely erin barry quote :whineill drink to that

[stelleroseSPURS]

I hope he's going to play. We need more points in the paint. I know Manu's gonna step up tonight. GO SPURS GO!! :)<3

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Officially will play tonight.

[Russo21]

That is why we will all see if Parker is mentally tough tonight. He was the one complaining a few years ago the Spurs don't compete for Championships anymore. Here is your chance. That is why I compared it to when Nadal won the French Open with a strain hammy. He is a fighter, one of the most mentally tough athletes in the world. So tonight will tell us alot about Parker as a player. Hopefully he isn't on Derrick Rose side of the spectrum.+1 Parker will play and he will kick ass at whichever role he is assigned, probably fascilitating and keep Green/Leonard white hot and shooting