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04-13-2008, 10:56 PM
Spurs notebook: Gasol gets credit for Duncan's long day
Web Posted: 04/13/2008 10:22 PM CDT
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
LOS ANGELES — Tim Duncan didn't even bother to look at the stat sheet waiting for him at his locker after Sunday's 106-85 loss to the Lakers.
He didn't need to see it. He knew it was bad.
Duncan was 6 of 19 from the field, including 1 of 9 in the second half, on his way to 16 points. For that, credit Pau Gasol, the Lakers' semi-new 7-foot center.
Facing the Spurs for the first time since the Lakers acquired him in a February trade with Memphis, Gasol used his length and long arms to deny Duncan many clean looks at the basket.
The result was another bad day for the Spurs' resident All-Star.
"He's 7-foot-1 or whatever," the Lakers' Lamar Odom said. "That's what he's supposed to do."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich joined the chorus of praise for Gasol's defense of Duncan. He also felt Gasol's presence on the offensive end.
At the time of the trade, Popovich said he would have vetoed it if given the opportunity. On Sunday, Gasol showed why.
He finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and used his court awareness and passing ability to set up other scorers.
"I think he makes it all come together in the sense that when you have a big guy running the triangle (offense) who can pass, catch and shoot the way he does," Popovich said. "He's somebody who passes great out of it, and I think he just involves everybody."
Ginobili sits again: Manu Ginobili, nursing a strained groin, went through a light workout before Sunday's game, after which he pronounced himself ready to play.
Not so fast, Popovich said.
"He didn't win that battle," Popovich said.
Popovich will continue to play it safe with Ginobili to avoid the risk of aggravating the injury. Ginobili missed his second consecutive game Sunday, and Popovich wouldn't rule out the possibility of keeping him out for the final two games of the regular season as well.
"I'm going to err on the side of being conservative," Popovich said. "We're better off to be a lower seed with a healthy Manu, than to be a higher seed and not have Manu available."
Barry, Horry updates: As for the Spurs' other pair of injured veterans, Popovich reiterated that he hopes to get Brent Barry into at least one of the Spurs' final two games of the season.
However, Popovich was less optimistic about any sort of return for Robert Horry, who has missed the past 12 games with a left knee contusion.
"I'm very concerned about Robert," Popovich said. "I don't know when we're going to be able to get him back at all. His knee has really been bothering him."
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Online at: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041408.04E.BKNspurs.notebook.3538c89.html
Web Posted: 04/13/2008 10:22 PM CDT
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
LOS ANGELES — Tim Duncan didn't even bother to look at the stat sheet waiting for him at his locker after Sunday's 106-85 loss to the Lakers.
He didn't need to see it. He knew it was bad.
Duncan was 6 of 19 from the field, including 1 of 9 in the second half, on his way to 16 points. For that, credit Pau Gasol, the Lakers' semi-new 7-foot center.
Facing the Spurs for the first time since the Lakers acquired him in a February trade with Memphis, Gasol used his length and long arms to deny Duncan many clean looks at the basket.
The result was another bad day for the Spurs' resident All-Star.
"He's 7-foot-1 or whatever," the Lakers' Lamar Odom said. "That's what he's supposed to do."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich joined the chorus of praise for Gasol's defense of Duncan. He also felt Gasol's presence on the offensive end.
At the time of the trade, Popovich said he would have vetoed it if given the opportunity. On Sunday, Gasol showed why.
He finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and used his court awareness and passing ability to set up other scorers.
"I think he makes it all come together in the sense that when you have a big guy running the triangle (offense) who can pass, catch and shoot the way he does," Popovich said. "He's somebody who passes great out of it, and I think he just involves everybody."
Ginobili sits again: Manu Ginobili, nursing a strained groin, went through a light workout before Sunday's game, after which he pronounced himself ready to play.
Not so fast, Popovich said.
"He didn't win that battle," Popovich said.
Popovich will continue to play it safe with Ginobili to avoid the risk of aggravating the injury. Ginobili missed his second consecutive game Sunday, and Popovich wouldn't rule out the possibility of keeping him out for the final two games of the regular season as well.
"I'm going to err on the side of being conservative," Popovich said. "We're better off to be a lower seed with a healthy Manu, than to be a higher seed and not have Manu available."
Barry, Horry updates: As for the Spurs' other pair of injured veterans, Popovich reiterated that he hopes to get Brent Barry into at least one of the Spurs' final two games of the season.
However, Popovich was less optimistic about any sort of return for Robert Horry, who has missed the past 12 games with a left knee contusion.
"I'm very concerned about Robert," Popovich said. "I don't know when we're going to be able to get him back at all. His knee has really been bothering him."
[email protected]
Online at: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041408.04E.BKNspurs.notebook.3538c89.html