Spurs notebook: Team must adjust after Bonner injury

[Kori Ellis]

Spurs notebook: Team must adjust after Bonner injury

Web Posted: 01/14/2007 12:15 AM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA011407.09C.BKNspurs.notebook.359f1c2.html

The Spurs suffered their worst injury of the season Saturday when Matt Bonner tore his left medial collateral ligament early in the second half.
Team officials said Bonner might have landed awkwardly after leaping for a rebound. He immediately clutched his left knee. Unable to put any weight on the leg, he had to be carried to the locker room.

According to the team's doctors, the injury can heal itself without surgery, depending on the severity. The initial projection is for Bonner to be out anywhere from two to six weeks, but coach Gregg Popovich says he is bracing for "several weeks."

Bonner will undergo an MRI today to determine if there's any other damage to the knee.

"I didn't see it," Bruce Bowen said. "It just happened. It was in transition with Caron (Butler). Manu (Ginobili) took a charge and next thing you know and Matt is kind of gimpy."

Robert Horry, who has been sitting out the second game of back-to-backs, probably will see his playing time increase.

"It's hard because Matt was playing very well and finding his spot in the rotation," Tony Parker said.

Elson on the mend: While the Spurs are playing in Chicago on Monday afternoon, Francisco Elson will be back in San Antonio attending to his own appointment.

Elson is scheduled to see his shoulder specialist Monday. He's optimistic the doctor will clear him for contact, which could allow him to return within the week.

Elson has missed the past nine games since injuring his right shoulder in the Dec. 26 loss to Milwaukee. He suffered a slight tear to his right rotator cuff that left his arm numb after the game.

"It's been tough," Elson said. "I've never been out this long — ever. But I feel a lot better now."

Elson has attended the Spurs' games at home, but watched on television when the team has been on the road, trying to guess the calls for the team's plays. In spite of the layoff, he doesn't think it will take long to get back in shape.

"They've had me do so much conditioning (work), it's been crazy, nuts," Elson said. "But I've done all of it."

Settling down: Ginobili wasn't having the best of nights until he broke open the game with back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the fourth quarter.

After three quarters, he had 11 points and three turnovers. Much like Parker, he had struggled on the offensive end.

"I thought he was really forcing the issue a lot, trying to drive, trying to beat everybody," Popovich said. "His effort was great, but he was just driven in the wrong direction. When he came back in, we talked to him about letting it come to him."

Ginobili did that just that, knocking down consecutive 3-pointers after Washington had closed within eight.

"I was a little frustrated because I didn't like the way I was playing," Ginobili said. "Pop told me to calm down and let everything come to me."

In honor of: The Spurs held Military Appreciation Night on Saturday. At halftime, David Robinson recognized four service members who have received the Purple Heart. USAA donated 500 tickets to military personnel for the game.

[T Park]

Millitary night was fantastic.


Kudos to the Spurs and USAA.

Should be more than 1 night to honor these great people

[TwoHandJam]

Really bad time for Bonner to get injured. He was making great strides and really finding his niche with the team. Now not only is he injured but any possible trade value he had is diminished.

The last thing this team needs is more Horry and our rebounding is going to suck even more than usual now when we go small. :depressed

[Sam]

Anyone heard an update on how fast he can be back? Does he have a Grade I that he could be back in 2 or 3 weeks?

[Pugglekicker_21]

Millitary night was fantastic.


Kudos to the Spurs and USAA.

Should be more than 1 night to honor these great people




Amen to that

[SequSpur]

they must adjust due to the extra chair on the bench.. wtf? Bonner isn't that good.

[Pugglekicker_21]

[QUOTE=Sam]Anyone heard an update on how fast he can be back? Does he have a Grade I that he could be back in 2 or 3 weeks?[/QUOTE


i think they said they'll have a definite time table after the MRI

[dbreiden83080]

they must adjust due to the extra chair on the bench.. wtf? Bonner isn't that good.

Bonner was starting to find his role on the team and it will be tough for him to get back on track when he does get back in a few weeks. I think the Spurs are coming around especially on D so we'll see where that leaves him in 6 weeks or so.

[Sam]

[QUOTE=Sam]Anyone heard an update on how fast he can be back? Does he have a Grade I that he could be back in 2 or 3 weeks?[/QUOTE


i think they said they'll have a definite time table after the MRI
MRI is today so I was wondering if it was on the news.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

they must adjust due to the extra chair on the bench.. wtf? Bonner isn't that good.


Everyone has to scoot over one spot.


It's an adjustment. Sounds accurate to me.

[djohn14]

I hope Bonner heals quick as does everyone else. Hopefully Elson can learn the plays and practice setting picks. If he does that, we might have our best center since D-Rob. I am not comparing him to David Robinson, I'm just saying since he's been gone we havent had an inside force next to Duncan. Man I miss the big man.

[tlongII]

This is bad news for the Spurs. Who will take the last shot in a close game for the Spurs now?

[Sam]

Bonner didn't suffer any cartilage damage or tear his anterior cruciate ligament. Just what they thought the tear of his MCL. They are thinking he'll be back after all star break.

[MannyIsGod]

Bonner didn't suffer any cartilage damage or tear his anterior cruciate ligament. Just what they thought the tear of his MCL. They are thinking he'll be back after all star break.Source?

[timvp]

Bonner didn't suffer any cartilage damage or tear his anterior cruciate ligament. Just what they thought the tear of his MCL. They are thinking he'll be back after all star break.

Sam Bonner?

[ytg3721]

Pity! he just did outstanding performance recently

[Kori Ellis]

Bonner didn't suffer any cartilage damage or tear his anterior cruciate ligament. Just what they thought the tear of his MCL. They are thinking he'll be back after all star break.

Thanks for the info, Sam. I saw report in the Express-News now, but thanks for giving us a heads up early :tu

[Kori Ellis]

Here's the lastest E-N article:

Spurs have no reason to feel sorry now

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA011507.01E.Spurs.preview.2fb9fab.html

Web Posted: 01/14/2007 11:10 PM CST

Johnny Ludden
Express-News

CHICAGO — After watching Matt Bonner get carried off the court Saturday night, the Spurs expressed concern for their fallen teammate and reacted with the usual someone-else-needs-to-step-up perspective found in most locker rooms.
They also knew they had no right to feel sorry for themselves.

Even with Bonner expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks, the Spurs are among the more fortunate teams. The amount of stricken talent in the NBA this season could fill an All-Star lineup for each conference: Chris Paul, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Lamar Odom and Yao Ming in the West; and Chauncey Billups, Michael Redd, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh and Shaquille O'Neal in the East.

"A lot of guys in the league have gotten hurt, but we haven't been bitten by that a whole lot," Robert Horry said. "Maybe we're getting it now."

The Spurs did receive some good news Sunday. While Bonner tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in Saturday's victory over Washington, an MRI taken Sunday afternoon confirmed he won't need surgery.

The test revealed Bonner didn't suffer any cartilage damage or tear his anterior cruciate ligament. Team officials expect him to be out anywhere from two to six weeks.

Bonner is wearing a brace on his knee for stabilization, but doesn't need crutches to walk.

"You hate to see somebody go down like that, especially when he's just a good person," Horry said. "He was trying so hard and doing so well for us. It's a big loss."

Bonner had become a productive member of the rotation in recent weeks, spelling Horry and giving the team another shooter to space the floor for Tim Duncan. He was averaging 7.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 19.3 minutes in the eight games before Saturday.

"When you come into a new situation, the first thing you want to do is show your worth," Bruce Bowen said of Bonner, in his first season with the Spurs. "Guys understand he works hard here. For him to have to take some time off now, it's saddening because you know how much he wants to be out there.

"But at the same time you have no choice but to try to use this as a learning curve, so the time he's not playing, he'll be able to see things. He's young. If this is the most significant injury he has throughout his career, then, hey, he'll take it."

The Spurs hope Bonner's absence is tempered by the return of starting center Francisco Elson, who has missed the past nine games after suffering a slight tear to his right rotator cuff. Elson will see a shoulder specialist today. If cleared for contact, he could be back in the lineup by the end of the week.

In the meantime, the Spurs are expected to include Jackie Butler on the active roster for this afternoon's game against Chicago. Butler hasn't given much indication in practice that he's ready to contribute :(, so Horry, Fabricio Oberto and Eric Williams likely will fill in as needed.

"Rob's not on vacation any more," Bruce Bowen joked.

Bonner's improvement had led the Spurs to reduce Horry's workload.

Horry, who has frequently sat out one night in back-to-backs, admitted last week that at 36, it's become tougher to be as productive on an every-game basis.

"I'm fine," Horry said Saturday night. "I can do whatever they need me to do."

The Spurs are thankful they haven't suffered the type of season-changing injury that's hindered other teams. Manu Ginobili missed four games in November with a bruised back and Tony Parker sat out a game last week with a right hip strain, but the Spurs' three stars have otherwise remained healthy.

Elson was the only other player to suffer a significant injury before Bonner went down Saturday.

"If we are a really good team, as we think we are," Ginobili said, "we're going to find a way to replace him and keep playing good."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[boutons_]

"Butler hasn't given much indication in practice that he's ready to contribute"

uh, somebody help me with this one. WTF does that mean?

still fat and outta shape?

bad work ethic?

doesn't give a shit?

too fuckin stupid to learn the system?

[timvp]

"Butler hasn't given much indication in practice that he's ready to contribute"

uh, somebody help me with this one. WTF does that mean?

Still trying to get Butler deKnickified.

[Mr. Body]

Adjust what? They only barely began to play him.

Remember that article after the Mavs game detailing all the changes the Spurs were going to make?

1) Play Bonner more, Horry less
2) Pick one of Barry or Finley to play more
3) Much more Parker, much less Udrih/Vaughn

Which one of those has happened? Even before Bonner went down Horry was getting the same time as before. And Barry and Finley were still splitting time. And the backup points were playing just the same as before.

[ploto]

Adjust what? They only barely began to play him.

Remember that article after the Mavs game detailing all the changes the Spurs were going to make?

1) Play Bonner more, Horry less
2) Pick one of Barry or Finley to play more
3) Much more Parker, much less Udrih/Vaughn

Which one of those has happened? Even before Bonner went down Horry was getting the same time as before. And Barry and Finley were still splitting time. And the backup points were playing just the same as before.
Like always that article was thrown out there to placate fans who were upset at the ways the Spurs were losing. Kind of like the articles that suddenly appeared that talked about how the Spurs had talked about trades and people got all excited, but you knew nothing was going to happen because what really happens never gets in the press first.

[ploto]

I also am trying to figure out what kinds of major adjustments need to be made because a player who comes off the bench for 15 minutes is hurt. You would think from this quote that Tim or Tony was hurt:
"If we are a really good team, as we think we are," Ginobili said, "we're going to find a way to replace him and keep playing good."

[AFBlue]

"Butler hasn't given much indication in practice that he's ready to contribute"

uh, somebody help me with this one. WTF does that mean?

still fat and outta shape?

bad work ethic?

doesn't give a shit?

too fuckin stupid to learn the system?

He looks pretty in shape to me...almost skinny. What is he, like 240-250 now? Must be still learning the system, but this kid did pretty good in trial-by-fire, so I don't know about the SJax method.

Not giving him Bonner's minutes makes sense in one respect though. He doesn't replace what Bonner does, that would fall to Williams more than anyone.

[BrianBird]

Bonner sucks..

Just one more excuse for your losses to come.

Need help finding the troll forum? Does it really suck that bad being a knicks

fan that its made you delirious enough to make pathetic attempts at insulting

the winningest team across all sports during the Tim Duncan era? Wait, what

am I saying, of course it sucks that much. Props to you for still being a knicks

fan and not yet ending your own life.