Spurs guards feeling Minnesota
By Jeff McDonald
MINNEAPOLIS — Each of the past two times Spurs guard Manu Ginobili walked into the Target Center, he has walked out a conquering hero.
In his first trip there last season, Ginobili had 31 points and made 7-of-9 3-point tries. And that was the more pedestrian of his two Minnesota masterpieces.
Three months later, he had 44 points, buried 7-of-9 3-pointers, and hit a game-winning jumper as time expired. Ho-hum.
Funny thing: A season later, Ginobili barely remembers either game. He figures he's not the only one.
“Nobody will remember about those,” Ginobili said, “after what Tony did there.”
The Tony in question, of course, is Tony Parker. The last time Parker walked into the Target Center, he emerged proud owner of one of the greatest games in NBA history: A career-high 55 points to go with 10 assists and seven rebounds in the Spurs' 129-125 double-overtime victory Nov. 5.
Tonight, Parker returns to the scene of his greatest game, as the Spurs face Minnesota. He arrives on the heels of one of the roughest nights of his career.
In Wednesday's 95-89 victory over Atlanta, Parker made only 3 of 13 shots for six points. By the night's end, he had given way to rookie George Hill, who ran the point for the final seven minutes of a tightly contested game.
“That's what a team is for,” Hill said. “When one of us is down, you have other people to step in.”
Parker's off night was an aberration. Since his Nov. 28 return from an ankle sprain, Parker has been one of the Spurs' most consistent performers.
If he is looking to shake off the bad feelings following Wednesday's game, Parker is headed to the right place.
Nobody has scored more points in the Target Center than Parker did that November night.
Only two players in Spurs history — David Robinson and George Gervin — had scored more in a game. Parker also became only the second player in NBA history to record a 50-10-5 game, following Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.
“After the game, I didn't even realize it,” said Parker, who leads the Spurs at 21.6 points per game. “I was just happy we won the game and I had my career high. I didn't know I had a record until the next day, when I saw it on the Internet and on the news.”
It was, by any measure, a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
“Tony's a of a player,” coach Gregg Popovich said, “but I'm not sure we're thinking 55 every night from him.”
The Spurs had to rely heavily on Parker in their first trip to Minnesota because Ginobili did not travel with the team, opting to stay behind while recovering from offseason ankle surgery.
But Ginobili will make his Minneapolis season debut tonight.
Somewhere, recently deposed Minnesota coach Randy Wittman must be smiling. At least he won't have to devise a way to stop the Spurs' twin Timberwolves killers. They are Kevin McHale's problem now.
Ginobili has had his ups and downs since his Nov. 24 debut, as he works to rediscover his footing.
“I'm still trying to get my legs back,” said Ginobili, who is averaging 15.4 points. “Overall, I am feeling good about myself. I wasn't expecting to come back and score 30 points.”
Against Atlanta, he almost did, netting 14 of his season-best 27 points in the fourth quarter to help the Spurs win their fourth in a row. Ginobili came off the bench, nixing a string of four consecutive starts.
The good news for the Spurs: Ginobili no longer feels like his ankle is an issue. After logging 71 minutes combined Tuesday and Wednesday, he is almost sure of that.
“The fact that I played (big minutes) and I'm not limping, it's a good sign,” Ginobili said. “It means I'm on the right track.”
Still, as good as he's feeling, Ginobili recognizes there isn't much he can do to obscure what Parker did here in November.
His game plan for tonight is simple.
“We're just going to give the ball to Tony,” Ginobili said. “Fifty-five should be enough.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280305018
http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/200...ron_jam_3.html
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2008/03/05/l...last-20-years/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who had 50 points, 11 assists and 15 rebounds on Jan. 19, 1975.
Tonight's episode of McDonald's Mistakes brought to you by:And of course Jordan did it too, with a 57-10 line in 1992.
And there are many more games... I think McDonald is too lazy to do even very basic research for an article.http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280305018
http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/200...ron_jam_3.html
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2008/03/05/l...last-20-years/
Tonight's episode of McDonald's Mistakes brought to you by:
McDonald makes Mike Monroe look like the living embodiment of basketball-reference.com by comparison.
normally im OK with mcdonald's posts..
but after reading this one, i feel this guy is writing the articles:
Fixed.Parker also became only the second player in NBA history to record a 55-10-5 game, following Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.
didn't jordan accomplish that as well?
What'd you fix exactly?
I found the game where he had 55 and 10 but only had two rebounds. But yeah, I think Jordan did it too. When TP did it, IIRC, he was the third player to do it.
55 instead of 50.
worst sports journalist in the country?
-Mars
That's funny, I remember Manu hitting the game winner, but I could've sworn Telfair rimmed-out a three as time expired. But then again, who the am I to question the incomparable J.McDonald.Three months later, he had 44 points, buried 7-of-9 3-pointers, and hit a game-winning jumper as time expired. Ho-hum.
This will be Hill's night!
Submit your resume.
Kobe had 53-10-8 in December of '06, but it was 10 boards and 8 assists.
^ ^
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
