Something For Joey? Not From These Spurs

[Spurs Brazil]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyd...ge=dime-071121

Something For Joey? Not From These Spurs

By John Hollinger | ESPN.com

ATLANTA-- Tim Duncan's first encounter with referee Joey Crawford since the infamous game at the end of last season passed without incident on Tuesday. Not that there was much chance for drama with the Spurs conducting a clinical 95-83 dissection of the Hawks in which the Spurs' lead never got below double digits in the second half.

That was especially true since Duncan (13 points) was often a bystander while Tony Parker (31 points, nine assists) and Manu Ginobili (7-of-11, 19 points) took turns schooling Atlanta's perimeter defenders.

In that game back on April 15 Crawford sent off Duncan for laughing while on the bench, and ultimately found himself suspended for the rest of the season for his power play. But the only giggles on the San Antonio sideline Tuesday night came when they contemplated the Hawks' shot selection. The lone chance for an encounter between the two took place in the first half when Crawford whistled Duncan for an offensive foul with his off arm while going up for a shot over Josh Smith. It was a good call and drew no protest from Duncan or coach Gregg Popovich.

Afterward, neither Duncan nor Popovich wanted anything to do with the topic. "Not at all," said Popovich when asked if he had any reaction when he saw who the zebras would be. "Officiating crew doesn't enter into the game plan."

Otherwise, the game was notable for the dominance of San Antonio's perimeter players, and for the oddity of Atlanta reserve Mario West leaving to a standing ovation … after fouling out in nine minutes with his team trailing by double figures.

"Mario West, is that his name?" said Popovich of the hyper Atlanta rookie, who made the team as an undrafted free agent. "He changed the game a little bit."

[Solid D]

Mario West - future Spur. Bookmark it.

[Joe Schmoogins]

i was thinking the same thing

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

He seems to have the mold of a Spur.