Kori Ellis
11-15-2005, 01:57 AM
Spurs' transitions hurt by injuries
Web Posted: 11/15/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
San Antonio Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA111505.1D.spurs.c1040e8.html
From Michael Finley's groin to Brent Barry's back to Manu Ginobili's thigh, Nick Van Exel has an easy explanation for why the Spurs have spent the past week fretting over body parts.
"We've got a lot of old guys," Van Exel said. "The older you get, the easier it is to get a bogus injury that can just happen. I think it's going to be like that all season long."
A couple of those veterans probably will stay on the sidelines at least a little while longer. Coach Gregg Popovich doesn't expect Barry or Finley to play tonight against Atlanta.
While Barry and Finley each has missed the past three games, both say they're improving. Finley would like to play tonight, but the Spurs probably will hold him out until he participates in a full-contact practice.
"They're being real cautious because they don't want this to be an ongoing injury throughout the year," Finley said. "If it had to happen, the good thing is it happened early and we caught it, so hopefully we can get rid of it."
Finley first felt discomfort in his groin during the Oct. 7 overtime victory in Chicago, but it wasn't serious enough to concern him. Two days later, he tweaked his groin during the team's morning shootaround in Charlotte, N.C.
"I thought I could just shake it off," Finley said. "But when I woke up from my pregame nap, it was tight."
Finley hasn't played since. He did some running and shooting without problem Monday, encouraging him that he'll be back before long. Barry, who was scheduled to visit a back specialist Monday afternoon, also hopes to return soon.
The team is scheduled to practice Wednesday, giving both players a possible chance to scrimmage. Unless Popovich decides either is ready to play tonight, the Spurs again will have to make do without two of their top reserves.
Popovich also has tried to limit Ginobili to about 30 minutes a game while his right thigh continues to heal, further restricting the team's options. Rookie guard Melvin Sanders has helped defensively since he signed last week, but the lack of healthy swingmen has forced Van Exel and Tony Parker to play together for stretches.
In addition, the Spurs have started a different lineup in each of the three games Finley and Barry have missed.
"Nobody knows who's going to be on the court, who's going to be the first sub, those kind of things," Ginobili said. "Melvin is giving us a great hand, and we're looking forward to having those guys back. But during a long season you're going to have to face a situation like this."
The Spurs are at least happy they will spend the rest of the week at home. They just finished six games in nine days, with the past five games on the road. Monday's practice was only their third since the season began.
Finley, already trying to acclimate to a new team, is eager to join the rest of the Spurs on the court. In the meantime, he's tried to learn from the sideline.
"I get a chance to see the offense from afar — the good things we're doing and the bad things we're doing," he said. "And then to hear the coaches' input on those things has been very beneficial for me. Hopefully, when I come back I'm not so far behind, and I can just gradually continue to make my way into the flow.
"I came in here wanting to contribute right away and fit in right away, and when the injury happened, it just mentally put me back a little bit."
The Spurs consider this season's roster the most talented they've assembled during Tim Duncan's tenure — and possibly beyond. But it certainly isn't their youngest. Half of the 14 players are at least 30. By the end of next month, the average age of the team's top six reserves will be slightly more than 32.
As a result, Van Exel thinks the Spurs' recent injury problems could be a sign of things to come.
"The most important thing for us is to get familiar with one another," Van Exel said, "because you never know who's going to be out on the court with you."
Web Posted: 11/15/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
San Antonio Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA111505.1D.spurs.c1040e8.html
From Michael Finley's groin to Brent Barry's back to Manu Ginobili's thigh, Nick Van Exel has an easy explanation for why the Spurs have spent the past week fretting over body parts.
"We've got a lot of old guys," Van Exel said. "The older you get, the easier it is to get a bogus injury that can just happen. I think it's going to be like that all season long."
A couple of those veterans probably will stay on the sidelines at least a little while longer. Coach Gregg Popovich doesn't expect Barry or Finley to play tonight against Atlanta.
While Barry and Finley each has missed the past three games, both say they're improving. Finley would like to play tonight, but the Spurs probably will hold him out until he participates in a full-contact practice.
"They're being real cautious because they don't want this to be an ongoing injury throughout the year," Finley said. "If it had to happen, the good thing is it happened early and we caught it, so hopefully we can get rid of it."
Finley first felt discomfort in his groin during the Oct. 7 overtime victory in Chicago, but it wasn't serious enough to concern him. Two days later, he tweaked his groin during the team's morning shootaround in Charlotte, N.C.
"I thought I could just shake it off," Finley said. "But when I woke up from my pregame nap, it was tight."
Finley hasn't played since. He did some running and shooting without problem Monday, encouraging him that he'll be back before long. Barry, who was scheduled to visit a back specialist Monday afternoon, also hopes to return soon.
The team is scheduled to practice Wednesday, giving both players a possible chance to scrimmage. Unless Popovich decides either is ready to play tonight, the Spurs again will have to make do without two of their top reserves.
Popovich also has tried to limit Ginobili to about 30 minutes a game while his right thigh continues to heal, further restricting the team's options. Rookie guard Melvin Sanders has helped defensively since he signed last week, but the lack of healthy swingmen has forced Van Exel and Tony Parker to play together for stretches.
In addition, the Spurs have started a different lineup in each of the three games Finley and Barry have missed.
"Nobody knows who's going to be on the court, who's going to be the first sub, those kind of things," Ginobili said. "Melvin is giving us a great hand, and we're looking forward to having those guys back. But during a long season you're going to have to face a situation like this."
The Spurs are at least happy they will spend the rest of the week at home. They just finished six games in nine days, with the past five games on the road. Monday's practice was only their third since the season began.
Finley, already trying to acclimate to a new team, is eager to join the rest of the Spurs on the court. In the meantime, he's tried to learn from the sideline.
"I get a chance to see the offense from afar — the good things we're doing and the bad things we're doing," he said. "And then to hear the coaches' input on those things has been very beneficial for me. Hopefully, when I come back I'm not so far behind, and I can just gradually continue to make my way into the flow.
"I came in here wanting to contribute right away and fit in right away, and when the injury happened, it just mentally put me back a little bit."
The Spurs consider this season's roster the most talented they've assembled during Tim Duncan's tenure — and possibly beyond. But it certainly isn't their youngest. Half of the 14 players are at least 30. By the end of next month, the average age of the team's top six reserves will be slightly more than 32.
As a result, Van Exel thinks the Spurs' recent injury problems could be a sign of things to come.
"The most important thing for us is to get familiar with one another," Van Exel said, "because you never know who's going to be out on the court with you."