duncan228
05-01-2008, 01:41 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA.050108.Spurs_Suns_notebook.EN.3b66cf6.html
Pro basketball: Thomas' presence prevalent in Game 5
By Jeff McDonald
Express-News Staff Writer
Kurt Thomas did not arrive in San Antonio with the same fanfare that greeted Shaquille O'Neal in Phoenix, Jason Kidd in Dallas or Pau Gasol in Los Angeles.
Still, the Spurs wouldn't be headed to the second round of the playoffs without him.
“Having him here has really helped our team,” coach Gregg Popovich said after the Spurs jettisoned Phoenix in the first round. “We couldn't have got through this series without him. We couldn't have gotten it done.”
Thomas, a 35-year-old forward acquired from Seattle in a February trade, entered the Spurs' starting lineup beginning in Game 3 of the Phoenix series. His presence was most prevalent in the Spurs' series-clinching victory in Game 5.
Thomas played nearly 34 minutes, scored eight points and grabbed 12 rebounds in that game. Defensively, he was also instrumental in helping the Spurs slow Phoenix scoring machine Amare Stoudemire.
Thomas, who as a member of the Suns was ousted from the playoffs by the Spurs last season, said he's just happy to still be playing.
“I'm ecstatic,” Thomas said. “I'm happy to be here and glad to be moving on.”
Bruised brothers: Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili had more impetus than most to wrap up the Phoenix series in five games.
Both players are struggling with playoff bumps and bruises, and could use the rest. Ginobili, who scored just eight points in Game 5, is nursing a sore ankle. Parker, who averaged 29.7 points against the Suns, is nursing a sore everything.
“We were really glad to get (Phoenix) behind us,” Ginobili said. “We don't normally play a team as good as Phoenix in the first round.”
Tickets on sale: As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 2,000 tickets remained for Games 3 and 4 of the conference semifinal series against New Orleans. Both games will be played at the AT&T Center, though date and time is still to be determined.
Pro basketball: Thomas' presence prevalent in Game 5
By Jeff McDonald
Express-News Staff Writer
Kurt Thomas did not arrive in San Antonio with the same fanfare that greeted Shaquille O'Neal in Phoenix, Jason Kidd in Dallas or Pau Gasol in Los Angeles.
Still, the Spurs wouldn't be headed to the second round of the playoffs without him.
“Having him here has really helped our team,” coach Gregg Popovich said after the Spurs jettisoned Phoenix in the first round. “We couldn't have got through this series without him. We couldn't have gotten it done.”
Thomas, a 35-year-old forward acquired from Seattle in a February trade, entered the Spurs' starting lineup beginning in Game 3 of the Phoenix series. His presence was most prevalent in the Spurs' series-clinching victory in Game 5.
Thomas played nearly 34 minutes, scored eight points and grabbed 12 rebounds in that game. Defensively, he was also instrumental in helping the Spurs slow Phoenix scoring machine Amare Stoudemire.
Thomas, who as a member of the Suns was ousted from the playoffs by the Spurs last season, said he's just happy to still be playing.
“I'm ecstatic,” Thomas said. “I'm happy to be here and glad to be moving on.”
Bruised brothers: Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili had more impetus than most to wrap up the Phoenix series in five games.
Both players are struggling with playoff bumps and bruises, and could use the rest. Ginobili, who scored just eight points in Game 5, is nursing a sore ankle. Parker, who averaged 29.7 points against the Suns, is nursing a sore everything.
“We were really glad to get (Phoenix) behind us,” Ginobili said. “We don't normally play a team as good as Phoenix in the first round.”
Tickets on sale: As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 2,000 tickets remained for Games 3 and 4 of the conference semifinal series against New Orleans. Both games will be played at the AT&T Center, though date and time is still to be determined.