Kori Ellis
01-16-2007, 01:14 AM
Popovich realistic about Bonner
Web Posted: 01/15/2007 10:00 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA011607.01D.spurs.2bd6d34.html
CHICAGO — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Monday he plans to be without Matt Bonner for four or five weeks.
Bonner tore his left medial collateral ligament in Saturday's victory over Washington, but won't need surgery. Although team officials have said Bonner is likely to be out two to six weeks, Popovich isn't expecting him back for at least a month.
"I guess it could have been worse," Popovich said.
Bonner, a forward, was injured when he appeared to jam his left foot into the court at an awkward angle after jumping. Bonner had recently carved out a regular spot in the team's rotation and was playing well, so he's understandably disappointed, Popovich said.
"He's a mess, he's about to jump off the building," Popovich said. "He's a super Type-A personality. He thinks he let the world down and that kind of thing.
"But he's just going to have to do what the doctors tell him to do, slowly rehab that thing and get it back."
Big Bears fan: The weekend wasn't a total loss for Tim Duncan. As San Antonio's largest — or at least tallest — Bears fan, he was glad to see Chicago make the NFC title game.
While Duncan didn't try to have the Spurs leave early Sunday so they could arrive in time for the noon kickoff, he did delay the team's takeoff.
The Spurs were scheduled to depart at 3 p.m., about the time the game went into overtime.
"Let's just say Tim was the last one on the plane," Popovich said.
Duncan continued to check wireless updates of the score as the jet sat on the tarmac. After seeing the Bears had kicked the winning field goal, he raised his arms in triumph.
Popovich stood up and shouted, "Does that mean we can leave now?" :lol
Duncan became a Bears fan while growing up in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"We didn't have a team, so you just had to pick one," he said. "The Bears were on TV a lot."
Duncan has previously spoken with Bears coach Lovie Smith, but didn't try calling him after Sunday's victory.
Bulls' suspension: Ben Wallace wasn't the only Bulls player to miss Monday's game. The team suspended backup point guard Chris Duhon for the game after he missed Sunday's practice.
"We have team rules, team policy that we all abide by," Bulls coach Scott Skiles said. "There's too many games, too many players to be a grudge-holder about anything ... but there's always team rules, and to keep the integrity of the team, you have to abide by them."
While Wallace has missed the past two games, Skiles doesn't think his back injury will be a longterm problem.
"I think he felt like he could maybe go today," Skiles said. "But he went through the walkthrough and just isn't ready. He's too stiff."
Briefly: Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto had dinner at Andres Nocioni's house Sunday night. The three are teammates on Argentina's national team and good friends.
Web Posted: 01/15/2007 10:00 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA011607.01D.spurs.2bd6d34.html
CHICAGO — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Monday he plans to be without Matt Bonner for four or five weeks.
Bonner tore his left medial collateral ligament in Saturday's victory over Washington, but won't need surgery. Although team officials have said Bonner is likely to be out two to six weeks, Popovich isn't expecting him back for at least a month.
"I guess it could have been worse," Popovich said.
Bonner, a forward, was injured when he appeared to jam his left foot into the court at an awkward angle after jumping. Bonner had recently carved out a regular spot in the team's rotation and was playing well, so he's understandably disappointed, Popovich said.
"He's a mess, he's about to jump off the building," Popovich said. "He's a super Type-A personality. He thinks he let the world down and that kind of thing.
"But he's just going to have to do what the doctors tell him to do, slowly rehab that thing and get it back."
Big Bears fan: The weekend wasn't a total loss for Tim Duncan. As San Antonio's largest — or at least tallest — Bears fan, he was glad to see Chicago make the NFC title game.
While Duncan didn't try to have the Spurs leave early Sunday so they could arrive in time for the noon kickoff, he did delay the team's takeoff.
The Spurs were scheduled to depart at 3 p.m., about the time the game went into overtime.
"Let's just say Tim was the last one on the plane," Popovich said.
Duncan continued to check wireless updates of the score as the jet sat on the tarmac. After seeing the Bears had kicked the winning field goal, he raised his arms in triumph.
Popovich stood up and shouted, "Does that mean we can leave now?" :lol
Duncan became a Bears fan while growing up in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"We didn't have a team, so you just had to pick one," he said. "The Bears were on TV a lot."
Duncan has previously spoken with Bears coach Lovie Smith, but didn't try calling him after Sunday's victory.
Bulls' suspension: Ben Wallace wasn't the only Bulls player to miss Monday's game. The team suspended backup point guard Chris Duhon for the game after he missed Sunday's practice.
"We have team rules, team policy that we all abide by," Bulls coach Scott Skiles said. "There's too many games, too many players to be a grudge-holder about anything ... but there's always team rules, and to keep the integrity of the team, you have to abide by them."
While Wallace has missed the past two games, Skiles doesn't think his back injury will be a longterm problem.
"I think he felt like he could maybe go today," Skiles said. "But he went through the walkthrough and just isn't ready. He's too stiff."
Briefly: Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto had dinner at Andres Nocioni's house Sunday night. The three are teammates on Argentina's national team and good friends.