spursincharge
04-11-2006, 06:29 PM
Here's my weekly column in UTSA's Paisano
http://www.paisano-online.com/vnews...0/443c0b6feadae
It is amazing how a foot can control the outcome of this year’s NBA championship.
A foot is more unbelievable than two ankles. The best player in the NBA not named Kobe, Tim Duncan, has a foot problem called “plantar fasciitis.” Last year, Duncan led the Spurs to the championship on two sprained ankles and several more questioning critics.
Dr. Schlesinger is going to educate all of you on this foot problem. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury affecting the sole or flexor surface (plantar) of the foot. A diagnosis of plantar fasciitis means you have inflamed the tough, fibrous band of tissue (fascia) connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes.
How do you treat plantar fasciitis? Rest is the first treatment for plantar fasciitis. Try to keep weight off your foot until the inflammation goes away. You can also apply ice to the sore area for 20 minutes three or four times a day to relieve your symptoms.
Enough of that doctor stuff. Here’s my point. Tim Duncan has done enough for this city, this franchise, and the NBA to deserve a break. The media is constantly criticizing him, and the (bandwagon) fans are quick to judge how poor Tim Duncan has played this season.
Rest is the first treatment. Duncan needs rest, but the Spurs cannot afford to rest him right now, holding a slim one-game Western Conference lead over their division rival, Dallas. Duncan is averaging 18.5 ppg and 11.1 rbg this season. For the majority of the league’s players, those numbers would be extraordinary. Duncan is held to a higher standard because his credentials are matched by few and respected by all: Selected Three-time NBA Finals MVP and Champion; Two-time NBA MVP; Eight-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection, and 1998 Rookie of the Year. The list goes on and on for Duncan.
The fact is, Duncan should not be playing right now, but his competitive fire will not let him sit. After last Friday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Duncan showed noticeable frustration after another poor performance of 15 points and nine rebounds on 5-15 shooting. Do not let Duncan’s silent demeanor fool you; he is more like a silent assassin. Duncan wants to repeat to silence all of his critics who have said that he is incapable of the feat after failing in 1999 and 2003.
What Duncan is doing this season is more impressive than the two seasons he took home the MVP trophy. Duncan is playing in a severe state of pain that should require him to take a few months off. Although his statistics are near the worst of his career, the Spurs are on pace to shatter their record for wins in a season.
Tony Parker has emerged as a legitimate star in the NBA, but the road to a repeat run will ultimately run through the three-time NBA Finals MVP. Duncan will have to once again overcome odds and prove his critics wrong in order to carry the Spurs to their fourth NBA title.
If the Spurs do once again hold the trophy, Duncan will enjoy this one, more than the others. The pain Duncan suffered this season will be forgotten, and he will heel all the nasayers.
http://www.paisano-online.com/vnews...0/443c0b6feadae
It is amazing how a foot can control the outcome of this year’s NBA championship.
A foot is more unbelievable than two ankles. The best player in the NBA not named Kobe, Tim Duncan, has a foot problem called “plantar fasciitis.” Last year, Duncan led the Spurs to the championship on two sprained ankles and several more questioning critics.
Dr. Schlesinger is going to educate all of you on this foot problem. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury affecting the sole or flexor surface (plantar) of the foot. A diagnosis of plantar fasciitis means you have inflamed the tough, fibrous band of tissue (fascia) connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes.
How do you treat plantar fasciitis? Rest is the first treatment for plantar fasciitis. Try to keep weight off your foot until the inflammation goes away. You can also apply ice to the sore area for 20 minutes three or four times a day to relieve your symptoms.
Enough of that doctor stuff. Here’s my point. Tim Duncan has done enough for this city, this franchise, and the NBA to deserve a break. The media is constantly criticizing him, and the (bandwagon) fans are quick to judge how poor Tim Duncan has played this season.
Rest is the first treatment. Duncan needs rest, but the Spurs cannot afford to rest him right now, holding a slim one-game Western Conference lead over their division rival, Dallas. Duncan is averaging 18.5 ppg and 11.1 rbg this season. For the majority of the league’s players, those numbers would be extraordinary. Duncan is held to a higher standard because his credentials are matched by few and respected by all: Selected Three-time NBA Finals MVP and Champion; Two-time NBA MVP; Eight-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection, and 1998 Rookie of the Year. The list goes on and on for Duncan.
The fact is, Duncan should not be playing right now, but his competitive fire will not let him sit. After last Friday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Duncan showed noticeable frustration after another poor performance of 15 points and nine rebounds on 5-15 shooting. Do not let Duncan’s silent demeanor fool you; he is more like a silent assassin. Duncan wants to repeat to silence all of his critics who have said that he is incapable of the feat after failing in 1999 and 2003.
What Duncan is doing this season is more impressive than the two seasons he took home the MVP trophy. Duncan is playing in a severe state of pain that should require him to take a few months off. Although his statistics are near the worst of his career, the Spurs are on pace to shatter their record for wins in a season.
Tony Parker has emerged as a legitimate star in the NBA, but the road to a repeat run will ultimately run through the three-time NBA Finals MVP. Duncan will have to once again overcome odds and prove his critics wrong in order to carry the Spurs to their fourth NBA title.
If the Spurs do once again hold the trophy, Duncan will enjoy this one, more than the others. The pain Duncan suffered this season will be forgotten, and he will heel all the nasayers.