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I've been waiting for this. In a way, its good news because we really need that boy healthy and we might see Manu run point!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns
Popovich to sit Spurs star Tony Parker indefinitely to rest bone spur heel
By GREGG BELL, AP Sports Writer
January 29, 2008
SEATTLE (AP) -- The Spurs' Big Three is down a man yet again.
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich has decided to sit Tony Parker indefinitely, against the point guard's wishes, because of a bone spur in the star's left heel.
"He was told he was going to get better, but he's gotten worse," Popovich said. "I don't know how long it's going to be, but he's going to sit.
"He doesn't like it, but this is the way it's going to be."
Popovich made his decision about an hour before Tuesday night's game at Seattle, surprising Parker, who has been playing through pain for six weeks, and Jacques Vaughn. Popovich informed Vaughn that he was starting for the fifth time this season, just as the 11th-year veteran was coming back into the locker room.
Vaughn stood in the doorway of the locker room with a stunned look on his face and finally said, "Uh ... OK."
Popovich said Parker's long-term health is more important than the Spurs' need to reverse their recent, middling ways while on a a nine-game road trip to both coasts -- San Antonio's annual trek while the city's rodeo and stock show takes over its home arena. The defending NBA champions entered Tuesday just 11-12 since starting 17-3.
Their frustration after a second consecutive defeat Monday night at Utah led All-Star Tim Duncan to say his team sorely needed to win Tuesday against the woeful SuperSonics, who were buried under a team-record 14-game losing streak.
Parker, who is averaging 19.2 points and 6.1 assists per game this season, missed four games from Dec. 13-19 for what the Spurs said were sprained left ankles. But it's the nagging bone spur that was causing the ankle pain, and now his coach has decided only rest will ultimately cure Parker and put the champs into preferred, optimal condition entering the playoffs in April.
San Antonio entered Tuesday 1-3 without Parker starting. The Spurs were 7-6 from Dec. 5 through Jan. 4, when Parker and fellow stars Duncan and Manu Ginobili appeared together for just 2 minutes of one game because of injuries.
"You have to have health to win it," Popovich said of the NBA le, which he has won four times in 11 seasons leading San Antonio. "If you don't have all your horses come playoff time, you'll be planning your vacation (early)."
Vaughn normally would be backed up at point guard now by Brent Barry, but Barry is expected to miss at least three more weeks with a sprained right calf. Sharpshooter Ginobili will likely get the backup point guard duties, as he did some in the preseason, while Parker is out.
Ginobili played his first game Monday without the protective device he'd been wearing this month over his sprained left index finger.
"I think Manu's pretty healthy right now," Popovich said.
I've been waiting for this. In a way, its good news because we really need that boy healthy and we might see Manu run point!
this move atleast makes tp rest for the allstar game
pop does not like manu at pointI've been waiting for this. In a way, its good news because we really need that boy healthy and we might see Manu run point!
It could also mean they're confident that Stoudamire will sign?
this move might signal mighty mouse coming and spurs are trying to send a message tp is hurt and will sit for awhile
Either they have Stoudamire in the bag or they have a solid plan B. I think the former is more likely since all the sudden the Spurs have the most playing time to offer.
how much is sam cassell making?
would spurs offer boykins more then the min?
Glad to see Pop sit Parker. Hopefully he'll get some rest and show some signs of recovery for the long haul.
Let him rest.
We've seen how much the bone spurs are affecting his game.
This can only help him heal, it can't hurt him.
God damnit we do not need that bum Damon Stoudemire
But Pop resting Parker in such a hasty fashion brings nothing but dread to my mind...I don't think this is CIA Pop, I think he finally got slapped in the face with reality and is scared less that Parker is going to be messed up all season. He realizes now he should have been resting him this whole time instead of making him play through pain.
Is Manu going to be the backup PG?
thank god.
please sign stoudamire!
would only make sense if the spurs are getting stoudamire.
spurs are not winning a le without a healthy tp
manu and duncan are not good enough
Finally. Took them long enough.
i'll take it.
better not trade for kidd
Should have done it weeks ago. If Parker can't get better Spurs might as well head for the lottery.
It blows my ing mind how and why so many posters are seeing damon stoudemire as a good thing
might mouse could help spurs lottery chances!
Lots of questions.
Is this a ploy to get Stoudamire's mouth watering?
Is Stoudamire the new Nick Van Exel?
The latter really scares me.
Resting Parker is the good thing. If it takes signing Shane Heal to do that, I'm for it.
I hate that he's going to miss the Rodeo Road trip but afte rlast night I can't even argue.
because the alternative is jacque vaughn. if you can't understand why stoudamire is better than vaughn, then i don't know what to tell you. maybe switch to following another sport. ice skating maybe?
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