Spurs Brazil
12-11-2007, 08:24 PM
Mike Monroe: Looks like TD is a no-go
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Spurs power forward Tim Duncan went from probable to doubtful for Tuesday night's game against the Golden State Warriors in less than 24 hours.
Duncan missed the Spurs' games against the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz because of a sprained right ankle and a bruised right knee, injuries suffered in the Spurs' Dec. 2 victory over Portland.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, choosing to err on the side of caution, said that unless Duncan threatened him with bodily harm if he did not let him play he intended to tell him he preferred to hold him out of the game.
"This early in the season," Popovich said, "there's no reason to rush him back."
That made it interesting to watch Popovich stroll from one baseline to the other end of the basketball court at the chic health club that adjoins the hotel at which the Spurs billet in downtown San Francisco. Duncan was huddled at the far end of the court with athletic trainer Will Sevening and strength and conditioning coach Mike Brungardt.
A brief discussion ensued, but no punches were thrown.
Duncan then began a series of wind sprints and defensive slides under Brunardt's direction, with Popovich watching carefully.
Maybe the conditioning drills were intended to let Duncan prove to Popovich his ankle is sound enough to go tonight. It seems much more likely it was to get a good sweat up, since he won't be expending any energy at Oracle Arena against the Warriors.
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/archives/2007/12/mike_monroe_loo.html
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Spurs power forward Tim Duncan went from probable to doubtful for Tuesday night's game against the Golden State Warriors in less than 24 hours.
Duncan missed the Spurs' games against the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz because of a sprained right ankle and a bruised right knee, injuries suffered in the Spurs' Dec. 2 victory over Portland.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, choosing to err on the side of caution, said that unless Duncan threatened him with bodily harm if he did not let him play he intended to tell him he preferred to hold him out of the game.
"This early in the season," Popovich said, "there's no reason to rush him back."
That made it interesting to watch Popovich stroll from one baseline to the other end of the basketball court at the chic health club that adjoins the hotel at which the Spurs billet in downtown San Francisco. Duncan was huddled at the far end of the court with athletic trainer Will Sevening and strength and conditioning coach Mike Brungardt.
A brief discussion ensued, but no punches were thrown.
Duncan then began a series of wind sprints and defensive slides under Brunardt's direction, with Popovich watching carefully.
Maybe the conditioning drills were intended to let Duncan prove to Popovich his ankle is sound enough to go tonight. It seems much more likely it was to get a good sweat up, since he won't be expending any energy at Oracle Arena against the Warriors.
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/archives/2007/12/mike_monroe_loo.html