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damn it
Injury puts Spurs rookie's debut in doubt
By Jeff McDonald
Spurs rookie George Hill is eager to begin his NBA career — so eager, in fact, he's tentatively planning on flying his parents in from Indiana for Wednesday's season opener at the AT&T Center.
It will be up to coach Gregg Popovich to determine if that trip will be worth the effort.
Hill, who is nursing a sprained left thumb, practiced Monday and has been medically cleared to play against Phoenix. All that is stopping him is his head coach's own trepidation.
“We're just not sure how confident he'll be, and how confident I'll be that he won't get hurt again,” Popovich said. “He's had a really good preseason and I don't want to put that in jeopardy.”
Hill, a backup point guard taken 26th overall in the June draft, has been forced to wear a plastic splint on his left (non-shooting) hand. Of utmost concern is how the splint prevents Hill from cleanly catching a ball passed to him.
“It's a problem,” Popovich said. “Rather than catch it, he stops it. Stop and control, rather than catch.”
For now, Hill's availability will be a game-time decision. He hasn't played since spraining the thumb in an Oct. 14 preseason game against Detroit.
Popovich had planned to play Hill in Friday's 96-93 loss to Miami in the preseason finale, under instructions that he not gamble for steals or drive to the basket or do anything else to unnecessarily put his bum thumb at risk. The game was so compe ive, however, Popovich thought better of playing Hill at all.
In retrospect, that was a wise move. Hill says he probably wouldn't have been able to help himself.
“That's like telling Bruce (Bowen) to go out there and don't take the open corner 3,” Hill said. “That's why coach Pop is such a great coach. He knows what's best for me.”
Simple as that: The Spurs' opening-day roster became finalized Monday. Popovich says journeyman guard Desmon Farmer found his name on it by virtue of three little words.
“Ball. In. Hole,” Popovich said.
Sometimes it really is that simple.
Farmer, the NBA Development League's all-time scoring leader, edged out rookie Malik Hairston for the Spurs' final roster spot mostly because he couldn't miss this preseason. Farmer led the Spurs in 3-pointers made and attempted (13 of 28) in seven games.
“Coach Pop told me to shoot when I had the opportunity,” Farmer said.
If anything, Farmer showed he could follow instructions.
Tolliver grieving: Rookie forward Anthony Tolliver has been granted a leave of absence to deal with the sudden death of his mother.
Donna Lewis, 56, died Thursday of an apparent heart attack in Springfield, Mo.
Tolliver will not be uniform for Wednesday night's season opener against Phoenix, and is not expected to make the trip to Portland for the Spurs' second game Friday night.
damn it
hope farmer gets minutes to graze the turf whoever we are playin first game
If Hill sits, the more opportunities for Mason and Farmer!
Seriously though, if Hill can't catch passes, Pop can't put him out there. It might be a good idea to hold him out and then let him go through training camp with the Toros. That will get him back in shape, let him regain confidence in his thumb and get in a lot of basketball before returning to the Spurs.
A rookie's confidence can be shattered early if he is thrown to the wolves and doesn't survive.
I think Hill is the guy who never quits, so I could throw him onto the big water.
But if it's as bad as he can't catch a pass confidently, timvp got a good idea although I would not want him with Toros.
ps. damn I was hoping that he will be playing in the second week of a season but when I heard he is fine to play one or two games in preseason I was like wooooo. Now the problems seems to be back.
I find this to be a remarkably shortsighted at ude for a guy who won't get much playing time even before Ginobili returns.Simple as that: The Spurs' opening-day roster became finalized Monday. Popovich says journeyman guard Desmon Farmer found his name on it by virtue of three little words.
“Ball. In. Hole,” Popovich said.
i disagree... he also could have a unique opportunity to show what he is made of... a player will come out eventually even from a bad start.... he is not a 15 yo princess that would start crying on some rehab pain on his non shooting hand... i think Pop will play him, he is cleared to do so and i am sure the Spurs would love to see him match against Dragic...
He was cleared to play in the last game and he didn't play. And the Spurs couldn't care less how Hill does against Dragic in the first game of a regular season.
didn't he have a splint in that game? he doesn't now... therefore.. more than a week later... the finger should be MUCH better... probably the Dragic thing was my own desire but i still think he'll get some PT 2morrow...
Hill, a backup point guard taken 26th overall in the June draft, has been forced to wear a plastic splint on his left (non-shooting) hand.
Let me give you the sound of one of the Spurs' playoff losses last season. Clang. Clang. Clang.
"Ball. In. Hole." is music to Pop's ears.
You guys remember Manu's finger last season? How long did that take to heal?
Pop probably doesn't want to screw around with it.
Just sit his ass for 2 or 3 weeks and make sure he heals. We don't need more banged up people throughout the season.
oh come on Hill has to play. what a disgrace
If he can't catch passes I agree he can't play but I hope he can play in a week - 10 days.
When Toros camp start?
I think in about two weeks. Toros season starts one month from today.
I have talked to someone that thinks that Hill along with Ian will be seeing some time with the Toros, along with them trying to get Hairston.
Timvp, check you pm
The D-League draft is next Friday. I think some players will be allocated before then. Everything happens pretty quickly after that.
This better not be true.
It is. It is not for certain, but just the idea has been entertained. It is not that big of a deal, nor unexpected. Ian has been hurt and like Timvp said, Hill could use it to get into shape.
Season starts on the 23rd I believe. Looking forward to the draft though. I hope Malik goes with the Toros
That would be an allocation deal since he was a second round pick of the Spurs. He's there for the asking if he signs a D-League contract.
Ya, I did not mean to intertwine my draft and Malik statements!
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