Amuseddaysleeper
04-19-2007, 03:31 AM
Denver runs practice: Spurs lose final game, as teams prepare for playoff opener
Web Posted: 04/19/2007 01:41 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
The Denver Nuggets scrimmaged the Spurs on Wednesday night then jetted home, promising to return to the AT&T Center in four days when the games count for something.
Both teams left their stars on the sideline as the Nuggets beat the Spurs 100-77 in a game that looked more like an early October exhibition than the regular-season finale. The teams meet again Sunday for the opener of their first-round playoff series.
The Spurs' biggest concern was the health of center Fabricio Oberto, who underwent a procedure Wednesday evening to correct a heart arrhythmia. He was at home resting comfortably and team officials expect him to be cleared to play Sunday if he doesn't have any more complications.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said the arrhythmia stemmed from a blow Oberto took to his neck during Sunday's loss in Dallas. He practiced Wednesday morning, but later told the team's training staff he didn't feel well.
"He just felt really racy and his body felt like everything was speeded up," Popovich said.
After determining Oberto's pulse wasn't normal, Spurs trainer Will Sevening took him to a cardiologist, who performed more tests. Oberto then underwent a procedure that restored his heart to its normal rhythm.
"We're very, very happy he said something," Popovich said, "because obviously none of us wants to mess with that sort of thing."
Popovich said Oberto won't work out the next two days, but could be back at practice Saturday if he doesn't have any more problems.
The rest of the Spurs appeared to be in good health. The team began its postseason preparation earlier in the day by holding a full practice.
Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker participated in the workout, but spent the evening resting comfortably on the bench. Nuggets starters Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Marcus Camby and Nene also sat out the game, making former Texas freshman forward and future lottery prize Kevin Durant — who was seated courtside next to Longhorns guard D.J. Augustin — the biggest star wearing shorts.
Denver coach George Karl even joked prior to the game that he was considering having assistant Adrian Dantley guide the team.
"I think I can talk Pop into getting thrown out early," Karl said. "We'll go have some Pinot Noir."
Both coaches spent much of the evening sitting calmly on the sidelines. Aside from Nuggets forward Reggie Evans padding his stats with 19 points and 20 rebounds, the game was uneventful.
Bruce Bowen started, but played just four minutes, ensuring the NBA's longest active consecutive games streak of 436 would continue into next season. Michael Finley logged 14 minutes while joining Bowen as the only Spurs to appear in every game this season.
Brent Barry played 22 minutes after missing the previous game in Memphis with a case of food poisoning.
"Thankfully, that's what it was," Popovich said. "He had a bad lunch some place."
Though the Spurs and Denver have played three times this season, the Nuggets think they have yet to show their true selves.
Anthony was still serving his suspension for punching New York's Mardy Collins when the teams played in Denver on Jan. 10. Iverson was recovering from an ankle sprain in the Spurs' Feb. 20 victory at the AT&T Center.
"I feel we really haven't played them," Karl said. "But they're the Green Bay Packers of basketball. They're not running anything much different than they ran two years ago when we played them in a series."
The Nuggets stole the opening game of that first-round series before the Spurs won the next four. Much like that season — as well as last year's first-round meeting with Sacramento — the Spurs will be facing a team that has surged into the playoffs: Denver has lost just one of its past 11 games.
"They really turned the corner the end part of the season," Duncan said. "They have what could be the Defensive Player of the Year (Camby) and two of the top scorers in the league (Anthony and Iverson) and a whole cast.
"They're going to be an incredible challenge."
After the Spurs closed out the regular season Wednesday, "16" was written in the upper right-hand corner of the board in the team's locker room, representing the number of victories needed to win the championship. Popovich eschewed his normal postgame analysis for two words:
"Let's go." :fro :smokin :smokin
Web Posted: 04/19/2007 01:41 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
The Denver Nuggets scrimmaged the Spurs on Wednesday night then jetted home, promising to return to the AT&T Center in four days when the games count for something.
Both teams left their stars on the sideline as the Nuggets beat the Spurs 100-77 in a game that looked more like an early October exhibition than the regular-season finale. The teams meet again Sunday for the opener of their first-round playoff series.
The Spurs' biggest concern was the health of center Fabricio Oberto, who underwent a procedure Wednesday evening to correct a heart arrhythmia. He was at home resting comfortably and team officials expect him to be cleared to play Sunday if he doesn't have any more complications.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said the arrhythmia stemmed from a blow Oberto took to his neck during Sunday's loss in Dallas. He practiced Wednesday morning, but later told the team's training staff he didn't feel well.
"He just felt really racy and his body felt like everything was speeded up," Popovich said.
After determining Oberto's pulse wasn't normal, Spurs trainer Will Sevening took him to a cardiologist, who performed more tests. Oberto then underwent a procedure that restored his heart to its normal rhythm.
"We're very, very happy he said something," Popovich said, "because obviously none of us wants to mess with that sort of thing."
Popovich said Oberto won't work out the next two days, but could be back at practice Saturday if he doesn't have any more problems.
The rest of the Spurs appeared to be in good health. The team began its postseason preparation earlier in the day by holding a full practice.
Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker participated in the workout, but spent the evening resting comfortably on the bench. Nuggets starters Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Marcus Camby and Nene also sat out the game, making former Texas freshman forward and future lottery prize Kevin Durant — who was seated courtside next to Longhorns guard D.J. Augustin — the biggest star wearing shorts.
Denver coach George Karl even joked prior to the game that he was considering having assistant Adrian Dantley guide the team.
"I think I can talk Pop into getting thrown out early," Karl said. "We'll go have some Pinot Noir."
Both coaches spent much of the evening sitting calmly on the sidelines. Aside from Nuggets forward Reggie Evans padding his stats with 19 points and 20 rebounds, the game was uneventful.
Bruce Bowen started, but played just four minutes, ensuring the NBA's longest active consecutive games streak of 436 would continue into next season. Michael Finley logged 14 minutes while joining Bowen as the only Spurs to appear in every game this season.
Brent Barry played 22 minutes after missing the previous game in Memphis with a case of food poisoning.
"Thankfully, that's what it was," Popovich said. "He had a bad lunch some place."
Though the Spurs and Denver have played three times this season, the Nuggets think they have yet to show their true selves.
Anthony was still serving his suspension for punching New York's Mardy Collins when the teams played in Denver on Jan. 10. Iverson was recovering from an ankle sprain in the Spurs' Feb. 20 victory at the AT&T Center.
"I feel we really haven't played them," Karl said. "But they're the Green Bay Packers of basketball. They're not running anything much different than they ran two years ago when we played them in a series."
The Nuggets stole the opening game of that first-round series before the Spurs won the next four. Much like that season — as well as last year's first-round meeting with Sacramento — the Spurs will be facing a team that has surged into the playoffs: Denver has lost just one of its past 11 games.
"They really turned the corner the end part of the season," Duncan said. "They have what could be the Defensive Player of the Year (Camby) and two of the top scorers in the league (Anthony and Iverson) and a whole cast.
"They're going to be an incredible challenge."
After the Spurs closed out the regular season Wednesday, "16" was written in the upper right-hand corner of the board in the team's locker room, representing the number of victories needed to win the championship. Popovich eschewed his normal postgame analysis for two words:
"Let's go." :fro :smokin :smokin