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04-16-2008, 02:18 AM
Spurs notebook: Duncan encourages Spurs by finding shooting touch
Web Posted: 04/15/2008 10:48 PM CDT
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
About an hour before tipoff Monday night in Sacramento, Tim Duncan was on the floor at Arco Arena, engaged in a pregame warm-up exercise that demonstrated just how concerned he was about his recent shooting slump.
He partook in a light-hearted, trash-talking 3-point shootout with assistant coach Chip Engelland.
It was an odd choice of drills for Duncan, who of late had experienced difficulty scoring from much closer range than that, but it worked. Duncan didn't hit a 3-pointer against the Kings, but he hit most everything else.
He made his first five shots and finished 6 of 7 for 19 points, a night that would have been more prolific had he not missed a chunk of the second half in foul trouble.
With the playoffs approaching, it was an encouraging sign from Duncan, who entered the game in a 29-of-74 slump.
It looked like he was going to have a big one, and then he was in foul trouble, point guard Tony Parker said. At least he got his confidence back. I feel confident he's going to be back and be in good shape.
Maybe there was magic in the pregame 3-point contest. The other Spurs' big man who participated, Fabricio Oberto, scored 17 points and made 8 of 10 shots against the Kings.
Ginobili in limbo: The status of Manu Ginobili remains up in the air heading into tonight's game against Utah.
Ginobili, the Spurs' leading scorer, has missed three games with a strained groin. Given the significance of the game, Popovich hasn't ruled out Ginobili.
But he hasn't ruled him in, either.
We'll just have to see how he feels, Popovich said.
Boon from Barry: On the surface, the numbers from Brent Barry's return Monday night aren't eye-popping. He missed all three of his shots all 3-pointers and picked up a foul in four minutes of action.
For the Spurs, simply the fact that Barry appeared in the box score at all was heartening. He had missed nearly three months with a torn muscle in his left calf.
He's another shooter, another guy who sees the floor, he's a great passer, Parker said. If he can get back in a rhythm, he's going to help us a lot.
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LINK: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041608.SpursNotebook.en.6a63bcb6.html
Web Posted: 04/15/2008 10:48 PM CDT
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News
About an hour before tipoff Monday night in Sacramento, Tim Duncan was on the floor at Arco Arena, engaged in a pregame warm-up exercise that demonstrated just how concerned he was about his recent shooting slump.
He partook in a light-hearted, trash-talking 3-point shootout with assistant coach Chip Engelland.
It was an odd choice of drills for Duncan, who of late had experienced difficulty scoring from much closer range than that, but it worked. Duncan didn't hit a 3-pointer against the Kings, but he hit most everything else.
He made his first five shots and finished 6 of 7 for 19 points, a night that would have been more prolific had he not missed a chunk of the second half in foul trouble.
With the playoffs approaching, it was an encouraging sign from Duncan, who entered the game in a 29-of-74 slump.
It looked like he was going to have a big one, and then he was in foul trouble, point guard Tony Parker said. At least he got his confidence back. I feel confident he's going to be back and be in good shape.
Maybe there was magic in the pregame 3-point contest. The other Spurs' big man who participated, Fabricio Oberto, scored 17 points and made 8 of 10 shots against the Kings.
Ginobili in limbo: The status of Manu Ginobili remains up in the air heading into tonight's game against Utah.
Ginobili, the Spurs' leading scorer, has missed three games with a strained groin. Given the significance of the game, Popovich hasn't ruled out Ginobili.
But he hasn't ruled him in, either.
We'll just have to see how he feels, Popovich said.
Boon from Barry: On the surface, the numbers from Brent Barry's return Monday night aren't eye-popping. He missed all three of his shots all 3-pointers and picked up a foul in four minutes of action.
For the Spurs, simply the fact that Barry appeared in the box score at all was heartening. He had missed nearly three months with a torn muscle in his left calf.
He's another shooter, another guy who sees the floor, he's a great passer, Parker said. If he can get back in a rhythm, he's going to help us a lot.
[email protected]
LINK: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041608.SpursNotebook.en.6a63bcb6.html