Kori Ellis
02-23-2006, 02:15 AM
Spurs' hobbling Horry 'out of whack'
Web Posted: 02/23/2006 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA022306.1C.BKNspurs.horry.178ced7f.html
Robert Horry was back on the court Wednesday, as well as in the doctor's office.
Recovering from a lower abdominal strain that has sidelined him most of the past five weeks, Horry also had his hip examined Wednesday afternoon. The Spurs think the injuries are part of a spinal alignment issue, not too unlike what David Robinson occasionally dealt with.
Depending on how he responds to Wednesday's treatment, Horry could be available to play later this week.
"He still doesn't feel whole, so we're going to check him out," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after Wednesday's practice, "and see if there's anything in there we're missing."
Horry, who has played in only four games since Jan. 16, twice has returned to the lineup only to be bothered by the strain.
Popovich held Horry out of the final two games before the All-Star break in hopes that having eight days off would give him enough time to heal.
Horry was expected to play Tuesday against Seattle until he told team officials after the morning shootaround that his hip was sore. Popovich said Horry thought he could benefit from more practice.
Horry worked out Wednesday to try to regain some conditioning before visiting the doctor.
"Something is out of whack," Popovich said. "He feels a little bit strange, so we're going to check it out. After all these years, he knows his body well."
Horry hasn't missed this much time with an injury since he sprained his left knee midway through the 1996-97 season. The Spurs have gone 8-3 in his absence.
The team showed its depth Tuesday when Fabricio Oberto came off the bench to total nine rebounds, two steals and a block in 18 minutes. Eight of Oberto's rebounds were offensive, including three on a single possession.
"He's a gritty, rock 'em, sock 'em kind of player," Popovich said. "He gets in and mixes it up."
Although Oberto's limited range doesn't allow him to space the floor with his shooting the way Horry or Sean Marks do, he can provide a physical presence. That should help a team that has made improving its rebounding a priority for the final two months.
The Spurs entered Tuesday ranked 29th in the NBA in offensive rebounding, averaging 9.8 per game. Thanks to Oberto's work, along with help from Rasho Nesterovic and Nazr Mohammed, they took a season-high 22 against Seattle and converted those into 21 second-chance points.
Out of the rotation for most of the season's first 21/2 months, Oberto helped fill in when Horry initially was sidelined. Oberto took advantage of the playing time, at one point averaging 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds over a four-game stretch, but sprained his ankle Feb. 1 in Portland. Before Tuesday, he had played in only one game since.
"I feel more confident in myself and with the system," Oberto said. "I don't go running around like crazy at the beginning anymore."
Notebook: Popovich continued to downplay the Spurs' chances to make a trade before today's 2p.m. deadline, but team officials were continuing to make calls late Wednesday. The Spurs need to get younger and more athletic on the perimeter, if not this season, then for the future.
Web Posted: 02/23/2006 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA022306.1C.BKNspurs.horry.178ced7f.html
Robert Horry was back on the court Wednesday, as well as in the doctor's office.
Recovering from a lower abdominal strain that has sidelined him most of the past five weeks, Horry also had his hip examined Wednesday afternoon. The Spurs think the injuries are part of a spinal alignment issue, not too unlike what David Robinson occasionally dealt with.
Depending on how he responds to Wednesday's treatment, Horry could be available to play later this week.
"He still doesn't feel whole, so we're going to check him out," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after Wednesday's practice, "and see if there's anything in there we're missing."
Horry, who has played in only four games since Jan. 16, twice has returned to the lineup only to be bothered by the strain.
Popovich held Horry out of the final two games before the All-Star break in hopes that having eight days off would give him enough time to heal.
Horry was expected to play Tuesday against Seattle until he told team officials after the morning shootaround that his hip was sore. Popovich said Horry thought he could benefit from more practice.
Horry worked out Wednesday to try to regain some conditioning before visiting the doctor.
"Something is out of whack," Popovich said. "He feels a little bit strange, so we're going to check it out. After all these years, he knows his body well."
Horry hasn't missed this much time with an injury since he sprained his left knee midway through the 1996-97 season. The Spurs have gone 8-3 in his absence.
The team showed its depth Tuesday when Fabricio Oberto came off the bench to total nine rebounds, two steals and a block in 18 minutes. Eight of Oberto's rebounds were offensive, including three on a single possession.
"He's a gritty, rock 'em, sock 'em kind of player," Popovich said. "He gets in and mixes it up."
Although Oberto's limited range doesn't allow him to space the floor with his shooting the way Horry or Sean Marks do, he can provide a physical presence. That should help a team that has made improving its rebounding a priority for the final two months.
The Spurs entered Tuesday ranked 29th in the NBA in offensive rebounding, averaging 9.8 per game. Thanks to Oberto's work, along with help from Rasho Nesterovic and Nazr Mohammed, they took a season-high 22 against Seattle and converted those into 21 second-chance points.
Out of the rotation for most of the season's first 21/2 months, Oberto helped fill in when Horry initially was sidelined. Oberto took advantage of the playing time, at one point averaging 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds over a four-game stretch, but sprained his ankle Feb. 1 in Portland. Before Tuesday, he had played in only one game since.
"I feel more confident in myself and with the system," Oberto said. "I don't go running around like crazy at the beginning anymore."
Notebook: Popovich continued to downplay the Spurs' chances to make a trade before today's 2p.m. deadline, but team officials were continuing to make calls late Wednesday. The Spurs need to get younger and more athletic on the perimeter, if not this season, then for the future.