Popovich to sit Spurs star Tony Parker indefinitely to rest bone spur heel

[loveforthegame]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AhEiUA33WbK8bWAt79BSIFDcvrYF?slug=ap-spurs-parker&prov=ap&type=lgns

Popovich to sit Spurs star Tony Parker indefinitely to rest bone spur heel

By GREGG BELL, AP Sports Writer
January 29, 2008

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Spurs' Big Three is down a man yet again.

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich has decided to sit Tony Parker indefinitely, against the point guard's wishes, because of a bone spur in the star's left heel.

"He was told he was going to get better, but he's gotten worse," Popovich said. "I don't know how long it's going to be, but he's going to sit.

"He doesn't like it, but this is the way it's going to be."

Popovich made his decision about an hour before Tuesday night's game at Seattle, surprising Parker, who has been playing through pain for six weeks, and Jacques Vaughn. Popovich informed Vaughn that he was starting for the fifth time this season, just as the 11th-year veteran was coming back into the locker room.

Vaughn stood in the doorway of the locker room with a stunned look on his face and finally said, "Uh ... OK."

Popovich said Parker's long-term health is more important than the Spurs' need to reverse their recent, middling ways while on a a nine-game road trip to both coasts -- San Antonio's annual trek while the city's rodeo and stock show takes over its home arena. The defending NBA champions entered Tuesday just 11-12 since starting 17-3.

Their frustration after a second consecutive defeat Monday night at Utah led All-Star Tim Duncan to say his team sorely needed to win Tuesday against the woeful SuperSonics, who were buried under a team-record 14-game losing streak.

Parker, who is averaging 19.2 points and 6.1 assists per game this season, missed four games from Dec. 13-19 for what the Spurs said were sprained left ankles. But it's the nagging bone spur that was causing the ankle pain, and now his coach has decided only rest will ultimately cure Parker and put the champs into preferred, optimal condition entering the playoffs in April.

San Antonio entered Tuesday 1-3 without Parker starting. The Spurs were 7-6 from Dec. 5 through Jan. 4, when Parker and fellow stars Duncan and Manu Ginobili appeared together for just 2 minutes of one game because of injuries.

"You have to have health to win it," Popovich said of the NBA title, which he has won four times in 11 seasons leading San Antonio. "If you don't have all your horses come playoff time, you'll be planning your vacation (early)."

Vaughn normally would be backed up at point guard now by Brent Barry, but Barry is expected to miss at least three more weeks with a sprained right calf. Sharpshooter Ginobili will likely get the backup point guard duties, as he did some in the preseason, while Parker is out.

Ginobili played his first game Monday without the protective device he'd been wearing this month over his sprained left index finger.

"I think Manu's pretty healthy right now," Popovich said.

[Chris]

I've been waiting for this. In a way, its good news because we really need that boy healthy and we might see Manu run point! :smokin

[ducks]

this move atleast makes tp rest for the allstar game

[ducks]

I've been waiting for this. In a way, its good news because we really need that boy healthy and we might see Manu run point! :smokin
pop does not like manu at point

[loveforthegame]

It could also mean they're confident that Stoudamire will sign?

[ducks]

this move might signal mighty mouse coming and spurs are trying to send a message tp is hurt and will sit for awhile

[ChumpDumper]

Either they have Stoudamire in the bag or they have a solid plan B. I think the former is more likely since all the sudden the Spurs have the most playing time to offer.

[ducks]

how much is sam cassell making?
would spurs offer boykins more then the min?

[Pistons < Spurs]

:clap :clap

Glad to see Pop sit Parker. Hopefully he'll get some rest and show some signs of recovery for the long haul.

[duncan228]

Let him rest.
We've seen how much the bone spurs are affecting his game.
This can only help him heal, it can't hurt him.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

God damnit we do not need that bum Damon Stoudemire

But Pop resting Parker in such a hasty fashion brings nothing but dread to my mind...I don't think this is CIA Pop, I think he finally got slapped in the face with reality and is scared shitless that Parker is going to be messed up all season. He realizes now he should have been resting him this whole time instead of making him play through pain.

[Budkin]

Is Manu going to be the backup PG?

[itzsoweezee]

thank god.

please sign stoudamire!

[m33p0]

would only make sense if the spurs are getting stoudamire.

[ducks]

spurs are not winning a title without a healthy tp
manu and duncan are not good enough

[some_user86]

Finally. Took them long enough.

[Creation88]

i'll take it.

[ducks]

better not trade for kidd

[picnroll]

Should have done it weeks ago. If Parker can't get better Spurs might as well head for the lottery.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

It blows my fucking mind how and why so many posters are seeing damon stoudemire as a good thing

[ducks]

might mouse could help spurs lottery chances!

[Russ]

Lots of questions.

Is this a ploy to get Stoudamire's mouth watering?

Is Stoudamire the new Nick Van Exel?

The latter really scares me. :depressed :depressed

[ChumpDumper]

It blows my fucking mind how and why so many posters are seeing damon stoudemire as a good thingResting Parker is the good thing. If it takes signing Shane Heal to do that, I'm for it.

[td4mvp21]

I hate that he's going to miss the Rodeo Road trip but afte rlast night I can't even argue.

[itzsoweezee]

It blows my fucking mind how and why so many posters are seeing damon stoudemire as a good thing


because the alternative is jacque vaughn. if you can't understand why stoudamire is better than vaughn, then i don't know what to tell you. maybe switch to following another sport. ice skating maybe?

[loveforthegame]

It blows my fucking mind how and why so many posters are seeing damon stoudemire as a good thing

I'm not thrilled but it's obvious Parker needs to sit and get healthy. Vaughn is not going to be enough to get it done. Ginobli can help in spurts as can Barry but he's out for a month at least.

[Chris]

wrong thread

[greens]

spurs are not winning a title without a healthy tp
manu and duncan are not good enough



You need The Big Three to all be healthy to win a title...

Yet, I don't like how you find any opportunity to diss Tim and Manu whenever possible...it's disrespectful...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

It blows my fucking mind how and why so many posters are seeing damon stoudemire as a good thing

Check the FA list - there's no-one else out there. And we need a PG - no third stringer on the team, Barry out for a month (dammit!). Best that we can do under the circumstances.

[ducks]

You need The Big Three to all be healthy to win a title...

Yet, I don't like how you find any opportunity to diss Tim and Manu whenever possible...it's disrespectful...
disrepectable
they have had 6 weeks to prove what they can do
they have not proven it
last night duncan had 7 turnovers

[pad300]

Is this going to be enough? Isn't the usual treatment for bone spurs surgery? Especially if it has not been responding to other treatments (which I presume have been ongoing during the last 6 weeks...)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bone-spurs/DS00627/DSECTION=6

At least it can be done arthroscopically, which makes for quicker healing.

[greens]

disrepectable
they have had 6 weeks to prove what they can do
they have not proven it
last night duncan had 7 turnovers



So Manu's 29 pts last night is terrible? He's been playing very well, even with that splint on his hand...

That fact that Tim has been getting about 30 pts per game lately is also terrible?

These two guys have been coming through big time, with pts, clutch shots, steals, etc...both have also had injuries...

When the role players are not playing well, and TP has been hurt, Tim/Manu have been nothing but solid...

Got to respect the team, not only one player...

TP is one of my favorite players on the Spurs, along with Tim/Manu/Bruce...And I'm so glad that he's getting the rest he deserves...because I feel bad for him. He has been pretty unhealthy lately...

Yet, I don't like seeing posts like yours constantly insulting other players, while praising your fav player 24/7 whenever you can...

Anyway, just wanted to get that out...

[ducks]

I posted last night manu was the best player last night

[ducks]

duncan did not have a solid outing
he usually does not have 7 turnovers
just had to get out there
thinking he had a solid outing is freaking wrong

[greens]

duncan did not have a solid outing
he usually does not have 7 turnovers
just had to get out there
thinking he had a solid outing is freaking wrong


You said that Tim hasn't played good in six weeks...he hadn't proven himself in your opinion...I mentioned that actually in the last couple of games, his scoring and efficiency numbers have been high...

Last night's game, he did have too many turnovers...I didn't say he played well last night, I only explained that in the recent games, he has been playing really well...

As for Manu, I think that's the only nice comment you had ever written...in the thread last night...so props to you for that...I did notice it.

[Warlord23]

duncan did not have a solid outing
he usually does not have 7 turnovers
just had to get out there
thinking he had a solid outing is freaking wrong

Despite the fact that this forum has the likes of SpursDynasty, da_suns_fan and Chris Childs, you, ducks, are the single most retarded poster here.

Your man-crush on Parker and disrespect for Tim/Manu is pathetic.

[ducks]

I forgot duncan was above being bashed here

[Kori Ellis]

Hopefully Parker can just get 1-2 weeks of treatment and be back healthy. I heard there were some treatments that may help but that the person can't run for a couple weeks after them. We'll see if that's what the Spurs do.

[tlongII]

This confuses me. I've always thought that surgery was the best option for bone spurs. After all, bone spurs don't go away. I think Parker should shut it down and have surgery to shave the bone spurs off. That's the best solution, imo.

[ChumpDumper]

Thanks, doctor.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

because the alternative is jacque vaughn. if you can't understand why stoudamire is better than vaughn, then i don't know what to tell you. maybe switch to following another sport. ice skating maybe?


Yes because Pop has a history of going with non-defense trigger happy POINT GUARDS over a point guard that we already know he likes alot.



Pop looks like a major fool for letting Darius go.

[ChumpDumper]

Darius' game devolved in Austin. You'd think some other NBA team would have picked him up if they thought differently.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

How does that happen, ugh
how frustrating

still
damon stoudemire? I'd rather re-sign Van Exel.

[tlongII]

This confuses me. I've always thought that surgery was the best option for bone spurs. After all, bone spurs don't go away. I think Parker should shut it down and have surgery to shave the bone spurs off. That's the best solution, imo.

[timvp]

Welp. Let's hope he can get healthy in time for the playoffs. Even if you have to sit him out until after the All-Star break and the Spurs have to make a late run to even make the playoffs, I like that idea rather than having Parker at 40% for the rest of the season.

[ChumpDumper]

That's DOCTOR Sheep Molester to you!

[timvp]

Elliott said that Parker is going to return to San Antonio tomorrow to have an MRI on his ankle. Let's hope that they don't find anything major. The Spurs can afford for him to miss a month. Any more than that and the team might not even make the playoffs.

[sabar]

You don't get surgery for bone spurs of the heel unless it persists for about a year. The spurs heal themselves with rest.

[polandprzem]

I knew Pop will do this.
I even wanted to post that in 8-somethings that Kori put in one thread.

It is not good. Do not think there are much positives about this injury. This might be the most disapointing year of all years with TD on the squad.

[polandprzem]

TP will be back in San Antonio.
I believe he will be playing one-on-one with Barry.

CIA

[Streakyshooter08]

Elliott said that Parker is going to return to San Antonio tomorrow to have an MRI on his ankle. Let's hope that they don't find anything major. The Spurs can afford for him to miss a month. Any more than that and the team might not even make the playoffs.


Thats what came into my mind. The Spurs are really bad at the moment. The West is really really strong. I hope they will get back on track soon...

[Ghost Writer]

The game recap said that Popovich surprised Parker by making him inactive 1 hour before the game.

I believe wholeheartedly that this "out indefinitely" is more than just about a bone spurs.

Pop want Parker to get his head right.

[Hemotivo]

The game recap said that Popovich surprised Parker by making him inactive 1 hour before the game.

I believe wholeheartedly that this "out indefinitely" is more than just about a bone spurs.

Pop want Parker to get his head right.
:depressed

[ancestron]

oh noes

[TDMVPDPOY]

bonespurs is easy to get rid of
all you need is a schizzle, and sand that shit off hahahahah

[Quasar]

The team is good enough to make the playoffs even without Tony as long as start sharing the ball again and start playing according to the system...

Tony being out indefinitely may just be the kick in the butt they needed to realize that there is no cavalry on the horizon!

[ducks]

Elliott said that Parker is going to return to San Antonio tomorrow to have an MRI on his ankle. Let's hope that they don't find anything major. The Spurs can afford for him to miss a month. Any more than that and the team might not even make the playoffs.
yeah unless they make a move
tp=mvp of team

[tlongII]

You don't get surgery for bone spurs of the heel unless it persists for about a year. The spurs heal themselves with rest.

Sorry, but bone spurs don't heal themselves.

[Southwest Texas Fan]

I found an article on about.com relating to this here is the link.
http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/generalinfo2/a/heelspur.htm

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

all I can say to this is..........THANK GOD

[nkdlunch]

we are fucked

[milkyway21]

Vaughn stood in the doorway of the locker room with a stunned look on his face and finally said, "Uh ... OK."
:oops ..might just mean JV is NOT ready.

glad Damon is coming over to help. We have no choice...but to welcome him with open arms :lol