Monroe: Ankle likely to shelve Spurs' Parker

Ankle likely to shelve Spurs' Parker
Mike Monroe

The Spurs won't know until today or Friday how long Tony Parker will be out with another left ankle sprain, but Manu Ginobili offered a hint.

“Tony said it wasn't so bad, but he will probably miss a couple of games,” said Ginobili, one of three Spurs who will be asked to fill in at the point until the All-NBA guard returns.

Parker's ankle rolled as he drove to the basket with 2:29 remaining in the third quarter of the Spurs' 105-90 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at the AT&T Center.

X-rays taken at the arena were negative, but a timetable for Parker's return won't be established until he is re-examined by the team's medical staff.

Parker missed two games in November after mildly spraining the same ankle in a loss at Portland.

George Hill likely will start in Parker's absence, but Ginobili and Roger Mason Jr. are apt to get some time running the club, as well.

“George, for sure, will play the point,” Ginobili said, “but Roger and me will interchange, too and figure it out.”

Hill hopes his time as the primary point guard is minimal.

“I'm always ready,” he said. “It's happened before. The only thing I can do is pray for him to get healthy sooner than later so he can help us win ball games.”

Blair honored: Calling his selection to the NBA's Rookie Challenge on All-Star Weekend “a good honor,” Spurs rookie forward-center DeJuan Blair has a goal for the Feb. 12 rookie vs. sophomore competition at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

“I guess I'll see what the rebounding record in the rookie game is and try to go from there,” Blair said before grabbing nine rebounds against the Hawks.

“This wasn't a goal for me,” he said of the All-Star Weekend event. “My goal was just to play and do well. This is just a cherry on top, a nice bonus.”

Hill, averaging 10.0 points and 2.2 assists and a starter at shooting guard in the last two games, said he wasn't disappointed he was passed over for the sophomore team.

“I told myself I wasn't going to make it, so I was prepared,” Hill said. “I did my part. I think I've played good. I'm not mad. I'll take the weekend off.”

For the record, and Blair's benefit, the Bulls' Elton Brand set the mark with 21 rebounds in the 2000 Rookie Challenge.

Blair had 21 rebounds in the Spurs' 109-108 victory over Oklahoma City on Jan. 13.

Rumor mill: Asked before tipoff about a Yahoo! Sports report that the Spurs had “researched and debated” getting involved in the bidding for Suns All-Star center Amare Stoudemire, head coach Gregg Popovich said he had no knowledge of the report.

“What the heck is Yahoo?” Popovich said. “Is it one of those computer things? Is that like Twittering?

“It's that time of year, I guess. Trade deadline. Everybody's going to come up with something.”

League sources insist the Spurs have had no direct conversations whatever with the Suns about Stoudemire.

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“What the heck is Yahoo?” Popovich said. “Is it one of those computer things? Is that like Twittering?

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:lmao

I guess we can assume that Pop does not know about Spurstalk.

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Originally Posted by Chieflion

I guess we can assume that Pop does not know about Spurstalk.

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yes he does that's why he didn't go small ball tonight

Pop knows what yahoo is. Don't be fooled...

That's also why Richard Jefferson had a good game tonight..he saw that thread about people being better than him..

Those comments from Manu are interesting..it sounds like they'll probably stick with Hill/Manu/Mason at PG..I would prefer that, I'm not really interested in the Spurs bringing in a "legit" PG to replace Parker..it also doesn't sound like a long-term injury(hopefully), so I'd stick with the current roster..

lmao pop

:rollin
Pop is a master when it comes to avoid complicating questions.

Soviet Studies and Intelligence...CIA LIVES!

Pop is so smart.
Some people thought he really dint know what Yahoo was.
Man Pop is smart.

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Originally Posted by EricB

Pop knows what yahoo is. Don't be fooled...

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Originally Posted by Bruno

:rollin
Pop is a master when it comes to avoid complicating questions.

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Yup, Pop knows that the smartest thing to do is to play dumb. He learned that from Sun Tzu. :D

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Originally Posted by duncan228

“What the heck is Yahoo?” Popovich said. “Is it one of those computer things? Is that like Twittering?

“It's that time of year, I guess. Trade deadline. Everybody's going to come up with something.”

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:rollin Pop is awesome!

Pop is a yahoo.......

another :pop: legendary qoute :lmao

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George Hill likely will start in Parker's absence, but Ginobili and Roger Mason Jr. are apt to get some time running the club, as well.

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:bang

:pop:

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Originally Posted by Chieflion

I guess we can assume that Pop does not know about Spurstalk.

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Do any players know about Spurstalk? If they do I bet they hate Sequ and others.

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"I guess I'll see what the rebounding record in the rookie game is and try to go from there,” Blair said before grabbing nine rebounds against the Hawks.

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Love it!

George Hill checks spurstalk every day I hear

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Originally Posted by Bartleby

:bang

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You seriously think RMJ is a poor 4th string (now 3rd) point guard? :lol Might as well sign Jason Hart, or maybe bring back Jacque Vaughn!

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Originally Posted by NRHector

yes he does that's why he didn't go small ball tonight

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LOL. Fans actually think Pop would care what fans say about coaching.

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Originally Posted by LongtimeSpursFan

LOL. Fans actually think Pop would care what fans say about coaching.

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I was just being sarcastic I know he doesn't

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Originally Posted by duncan228

“What the heck is Yahoo?” Popovich said. “Is it one of those computer things? Is that like Twittering?

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:lmao

holy shit. Pop is a PIMP

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Originally Posted by EricB

Pop knows what yahoo is. Don't be fooled...

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really??? thanks for clearing that up for us

Tony Parker is listed with a mild sprain and his ankle looks fine structurally. He will miss Friday's game. about 2 hours ago from TweetDeck

http://twitter.com/spurs



SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker is expected to miss several games because of a mild left ankle sprain.

The Spurs said Thursday that the swelling in Parker's ankle was minimal after being carried off the court Wednesday night in a win over Atlanta. No structural damage was found.

Parker won't play Friday against Memphis and will also likely sit Sunday's game against Denver. No timetable for his return has been set.

Parker has been troubled by the same foot all season. He missed four games earlier because of another ankle sprain and has been bothered by plantar fascitis.

The injuries have cost Parker the quickness he had last season, when he was an All-Star and led the Spurs in scoring.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4866985

Funny how players react to pain. From initial feedback with Parker unable to walk to the lockerroom, it really seemed much worse.. my guess he's out a minimum of 2 weeks, possibly 3.

Pop is hillarious as ever

Pop: "What is smallball?"

Answer: That's when we lose.

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Originally Posted by hater

really??? thanks for clearing that up for us

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:lmao

and Parker getting any rest is good. The shitty part of the schedule is upon us.

Is there any POPOVICH QUOTES DATABASE? It would be a TREASURE, man!

His "our defense is fine" quote after the Denver game was probably his funniest.