Spurs notebook: Duncan leaves briefly after hurting right knee
Web Posted: 12/05/2006 12:20 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...k.364f6aa.html
Tim Duncan had to leave the court late in Monday night's second quarter after banging his right knee, but returned for the start of the second half and looked no worse for wear.
Duncan signaled for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to replace him with 2:10 left in the first half, then walked with a slight limp to the bench. Athletic trainer Will Sevening immediately took Duncan to the locker room.
After being examined during halftime, Duncan tested his leg before the start of the third quarter and told Popovich and Sevening he was OK to play.
Duncan scored seven of his 15 points in the first seven minutes of the third quarter before watching the remainder of the rout from the bench. He was moving fine after the game, and team officials did not think he will be limited for Wednesday's game in Charlotte.
Must be the ball: There was more weirdness with the NBA's controversial new microfiber ball during the game.
Twice in the first half, the ball got stuck under the rim during rebounding battles, which prompted Popovich to ask referee Tommy Nunez Jr. if he would consider using another ball.
Though the league insists the balls are so uniform that it will allow the ball to be swapped out during a game, a change from past rules, Monday's crew stuck with the same ball throughout.
On a shot by Spurs' guard Michael Finley in the second quarter, the ball spun on the back of the rim before finally falling in.
"Don't even get me started about the ball," said Spurs forward Robert Horry, shooting 28.6 percent for the season before making 4 of 5 shots against the Warriors, including two 3-point shots.
"I don't think anybody in this league dislikes the new ball as much as me. Have you seen what (percentage) I'm shooting?"
Horry had complained that he was even missing layups with the new ball, but he made one against Golden State.
"But I almost missed that one, too," Horry said.
Evaluating White: With the Spurs playing only five road games in December, the team should have more of an opportunity to practice.
Which should also the coaching staff a better chance to evaluate rookie guard James White.
Popovich said sending White to Austin to play in the NBA's developmental league remains an option.
"But for right now," Popovich said, "we're going to keep watching him right here with us."
Richardson stays home: Golden State guard Jason Richardson didn't accompany the team on its trip to Texas. Not that the Spurs minded.
He scored a season-high 26 points in the Warriors' victory over the Spurs on Nov. 27.
Richardson is still recovering from surgery on his left knee in August. After last week's performance against the Spurs, he was able to play only eight minutes in Golden State's next game.
With his knee troubling him, Richardson didn't play in the fourth quarter of Saturday's loss to Milwaukee.
Team officials decided to leave him home for the Warriors' trip to San Antonio and Houston.
"If he's not able to play at a high percentage it's probably better he not play because then he can't play the next game anyway," Golden State coach Don Nelson said.
"It's better to go into a game and know he's not going to be there than to suffer 15 minutes and then see he's not going to be a factor."
Lol @ Horry using the ball as an excuse for him sucking.
Nice to see Pop worrying about how White's coming along. He could turn into a Charles Smith type guy off the bench for us.
Wow I didnt even notice Tim leaving in the second quarter, must have been distracted. I've been watching the new ball a lot and its taking some odd bounces (especially off the back of the rim) but its hard to make judgement because I never really looked at how a ball bounces off the rim until now, what I mean is I never paid close attention to how the old ball bounced off the rim being shot the same way. But from what I've seen it looks a little different.
Tim appeared fine when he came back and then after the game.
The ball does bounce weird, but yeah you are right -- maybe the old one bounced weird too and we just didn't pay attention. The only thing that concerns me is if players are really getting cut by the ball like they say they are. If that's true, then they need to do something about it.
Tim felt fine but we do not know if he realy is.
Cause when something is wrong, something is wrong. It could occure in another game 10 or 20 games from now.
Umm... He just banged his knee. Players do it in almost every game.
Duncan might be more cautious next time and might limit his moves...i expect a slight reduction of his rbds and minutes.
I think Tim will be fine, its not like he was sitting on the bench for the rest of the game or anything. Nothing too worry about, I hope.
rah!rah!rah!"But for right now," Popovich said, "we're going to keep watching him right here with us."
Yup, but we (esp. I ) do not know if there (in the knee) occured any microdamege which can lead to a bigger damage which can lead to injury.
I know it from my own experience.
Hopefully nothing happend cause Tim had knee contusions. Both
I doubt it. He probably bangs knees with someone 10 times a year or more.
its a sign to tank the season while its still early.....
Yup but it was the first note about him wanting a subs ution.
It might be the first note in the paper, but Tim (and pretty much every other NBA player) bang their knees from time to time. Sometimes they ask out for a few minutes, and then play fine the rest of the game. Beno also went down on the floor like he had been shot tonight. He first held his knee, then his stomach and then after writhing on the floor in pain figured out nothing was wrong. Manu also had to go to the locker room in the 4th quarter.
I don't know why you guys are acting like you want Tim to be injured or somethingHe was fine after the game.
i hope so. i find it unusual for Duncan to call on Pops to let him rest for awhile bec his knee is hurting. And one of those knees had surgery once, i just don't remember which one.
It was close to his time to come out of the game anyway.
hehe i must admit it Kori, I'm might be over actingIt might be the first note in the paper, but Tim (and pretty much every other NBA player) bang their knees from time to time. Sometimes they ask out for a few minutes, and then play fine the rest of the game. Beno also went down on the floor like he had been shot tonight. He first held his knee, then his stomach and then after writhing on the floor in pain figured out nothing was wrong. Manu also had to go to the locker room in the 4th quarter.
I don't know why you guys are acting like you want Tim to be injured or something
If you want to see over acting, then you should have seen Beno when he was laying on the floor.
oh i missed that i will watch the replay again tonightIf you want to see over acting, then you should have seen Beno when he was laying on the floor.
Just worrying Kori.
Everytime a spurs player goes down to the floor I'm holding my breath for a moment.
Even though I do not have ny chance now to see spurs games live
Ps. I had a knee injury. And I can remember some situations from the past that could couse this injury. And this situations were years before the injury. So that's why I'm bit caution.
I actually bought the new ball a few weeks ago and have had a chance to play with it a bit. I love it. I think my shot has greatly improved with it, mostly because of the grip (and the stickiness it has on the glass helps with layups that normally would tend to roll off). I think something a lot of people are over-looking is that it's also a two-panel ball rather than the old eight-panel style the leather one has. It means that the sides where shooters like to put their guiding-hand during a jump doesn't have the grooves in them. It doesn't seem like much, but it really is. The smoothness when it leaves the hand is noticable.
How much does the new ball cost and where did you buy it?
The players (including Duncan) complain a lot about how slick it is. Maybe how you think it's smooth is where they think it's too slick.
Unfortunately, it's about $100...I got it at a Sports Authority, but I'm sure most sporting goods stores have them.
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