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I bet Duncan plays tomorrow night.
Spurs pushing for Duncan
Mike Monroe
PORTLAND, Ore. — Tim Duncan won't have to face his head coach on his own if Gregg Popovich even hints that his All-Star forward needs to sit out one more game.
Some of his prominent teammates are willing to press Popovich for the return of their teammate tonight at the Rose Garden against the Portland Trail Blazers. After playing three straight games without him, while Duncan rested a right knee aching because of quadriceps tendonosis, they are ready to beg, if necessary.
Duncan was cleared to play Friday against Cleveland by the Spurs' medical staff, and he told Popovich he wanted to play. Popovich scratched him from the active list, a unilateral decision he said was “erring on the side of caution.”
“Maybe we need to form a lobbying committee,” said Roger Mason Jr., who grew up in Washington, D.C., where swaying the powerful on behalf of causes less vital than returning a two-time MVP to the active list is a way of political life.
Point guard Tony Parker is willing to do some filibustering of his own on Duncan's behalf. His belief that the Spurs could get by without Duncan for one or two games, but not many more, proved prophetic when the Cavaliers thumped the Duncan-less Spurs, 97-86. The Spurs had beaten Dallas and Portland without him.
“Oh, definitely, we want him back (today),” Parker said.
Popovich hinted Friday that he might relent on his decision to keep Duncan off the floor by the time he has to name his active roster for tonight's game. He will wait for another report from Duncan and the team's medical experts, of course.
Mason understands that the Spurs' ability to again limit the Blazers to sub-40 percent shooting — Portland made only 37.6 percent of its shots when the Spurs defeated the Blazers 99-84 on Wednesday at the AT&T Center — hinges largely on Duncan's presence on the court.
“He's a big presence defensively,” Mason said. “A lot of our schemes rely on our big guy back there, protecting the rim. Defensively, and obviously offensively, that presence has a big impact.”
Popovich has been encouraged by the Spurs' improvement at the defensive end since resuming play after the All-Star break, both with, and without, Duncan. Four straight opponents shot no better than 40.2 percent against the Spurs before the Cavaliers made 43.4 percent of their shots Friday.
“The last four games, the team has played well,” Popovich said before tipoff Friday against the Cavaliers. “It's not just since Timmy went down. Since the All-Star break, they've changed from 18th in the league, to 11th right now in field-goal percentage defense, and third in points allowed.
“They're definitely on the right track, and understand where they have to be to have a shot when this is all over.”
Even the Cavs' percentage on Friday was roughly within the range that Popovich deems acceptable.
“We like our (season) field-goal defense percentage to be between 39 and 43 percent,” he said. “And 39 is ridiculous You can't do that. Low 40s is where you want to be, if you can manage it.”
The difference of late, Popovich said, is simply attention to detail.
“There are a lot pieces to individual defense, and a lot of pieces to team defense,” he said. “... The commitment now is better than it has been all year. That doesn't mean we're not going to have games where somebody goes crazy. It's the NBA. That happens.”
It happened to the Spurs on Friday, when Cleveland's LeBron James scored 30 without playing a minute of the fourth quarter.
Duncan and his teammates know they have a better chance of keeping the Trail Blazers from “going crazy” if he is anchoring the defense.
Last edited by duncan228; 02-28-2009 at 10:51 PM.
I bet Duncan plays tomorrow night.
He will or the team will revolt on Pop!!I bet Duncan plays tomorrow night.
Also, I believe Manu will come back on March 6th against the Wizards or March 8th against the Suns. Just a hunch!!
I think Tiimy will play vs the Blazers. Hopefully the guys don't become complacent because they know Timmy is around to fill in for any defensive lapses.
Please let him play Monday against the Clippers. I am going to the game and I love to see Duncan in person playing!!!
Give more rest to TD.He wasn't enable to play last tuesday so please give him at least 1 week.Of course he want to play but we are talking about the future.If he's not at 100% we could have a big problem.
He's not playing tonight, and the game is no longer on national TV.
Do you know this for a fact or is it your guess?
He was cleared Friday by the medical staff, but ol' lady Popovich scratched him anyway. Look for a player revolt if he doesn't suit up and play tonight.
Two of the big three will have seen some late season rest prior to the postseason. Provided they can stay healthy once they return, this should be of some benefit to the team.
Cool-I hope you get to see him play!
Watch for his pre-game ritual. It's like ground hogs day-he does it every game...
Any new info about Timmy ?
Tim is GO for tonight, as per the pre-game show.
Too bad the team has been ing to get Timmy back so they could fail to show up for the games.
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