Elephant in the Room

[duncan228]

That's why Tim will be like Kareem. He will outlast most bigs and still be productive in latter years, because he doesn't rely on having his body/physical abilities be the key part of his game.

I agree he could, I don't think he will. I think he retires at the end of this contract. I hope I'm wrong.

[timvp]

Tim Duncan has a chronic degenerative condition in his knee. When he rests it, it will feel better. When he plays on it, it will feel worse. It is never going away, not for the rest of Duncan's career.

Why shouldn't I figure that the Tim Duncan we saw after February this year is going to be the Tim Duncan we will see after February in future seasons?

And if that indeed is the case, isn't all this talk of reloading moot?

It depends which knee you are talking about. The left one is the one he had surgery on in 2000. That one has basically bothered him since the surgery. Not sure if surgery is possible on that one or not.

His right knee is the tendinosis. He had a similar flare-up in 2004 that slowed him for the second half of that season. But the rest over the summer made in a non-factor the next season.

I wouldn't count out Duncan having another high-level season in him if he gets a good rest this summer, doesn't have to carry the load like he did for portions of this season and then gets into the playoffs fresh.

It'll be interesting to see if surgery is considered on either knee. I remember when Duncan got the surgery in 2000 that they said they might have to go back in eventually. If the tendinosis is going to heal by itself, they might try a surgical procedure on that knee.

My guess is that Duncan doesn't have surgery and they just hope rest and less regular season burden next season results in a fresher Duncan next season in the playoffs.

[mingus]

Tim made 10 straight FG's. When it matters I firmly believe that Tim will deliver. He's not gonna try to do anything athletic or anything that will bring stress to this condition, he's a smart player and knows his body and he will play effectively knowing his condition and how to work it depending on how he feels in any given game. That's why Tim will be like Kareem. He will outlast most bigs and still be productive in latter years, because he doesn't rely on having his body/physical abilities be the key part of his game.

true to a certain extent on offense (though at times this season when his injury was bothering him he looked craptastic) ... but , on defense , which is probably just as important as what he provides offensively , potential problems with his knee could slow him down enough to where he can't cover as much as ground as he used to and he's not as sharp on his rotations (this year there were games like that) ... he'll still be good because he's The Big Fundamental , but that's why it's important for the Spurs to find an athletic big for the future so that it's less of an issue ...

[duncan228]

My guess is that Duncan doesn't have surgery and they just hope rest and less regular season burden next season results in a fresher Duncan next season in the playoffs.

McDonald, tonight.

To cut, or not

Tim Duncan battled tendonosis in his right knee for the latter half of the season. Others who have had a similar condition have found surgery to be beneficial. It remains unclear whether surgery or rest remains the best option for Duncan. The Spurs just hope he is feeling better at the beginning of next season than he was at the end of this one.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124889

[Thomas82]

If 80 percent of patients fully recover within 3-6 months, I'm not sure how what Duncan has is a "chronic degenerative condition".

If that's the case he'll have 5 full months to recover. This 1st round exit could be a blessing in disguise. If I were Pop, I would go easy on Tim in training camp. Anyway, I think Tim will be as good as new once the season starts again.

[Thomas82]

I agree he could, I don't think he will. I think he retires at the end of this contract. I hope I'm wrong.

For some reason, I think he'll play until he's 38.

[Darrin]

mmmm, I mean, it's clear the Spurs need to get better role players, bench players. For those who've been watching the spurs for the past 6-7 years, you know one of the trademarks of this team was the depth of its bench. The last 2 years have been pathetic in this department, specially last year's playoffs when the rotation got killed against tough series with NO and LA.

Yeah, I remember Robert Horry and Brent Barry coming at the Pistons in waves during the '05 Finals.

[Extra Stout]

If 80 percent of patients fully recover within 3-6 months, I'm not sure how what Duncan has is a "chronic degenerative condition".

You've engaged in selective Wikipedia reading; the symptoms clear up in 3-6 months, but the tendon retains its less flexible repair tissue, so the likelihood of reinjury is high when the tendon is put under stress again.

[Obstructed_View]

You've engaged in selective Wikipedia reading; the symptoms clear up in 3-6 months, but the tendon retains its less flexible repair tissue, so the likelihood of reinjury is high when the tendon is put under stress again.

That's only for the 20 percent that don't fully recover. "Fully recovered" means exactly what it says.

[Extra Stout]

That's only for the 20 percent that don't fully recover. "Fully recovered" means exactly what it says.

On further reading, you're right, if Tim spends the offseason doing eccentric training, and getting the deep tendon massages, he could have a healthy knee by training camp.

[z0sa]

Tim made 10 straight FG's. When it matters I firmly believe that Tim will deliver. He's not gonna try to do anything athletic or anything that will bring stress to this condition, he's a smart player and knows his body and he will play effectively knowing his condition and how to work it depending on how he feels in any given game. That's why Tim will be like Kareem. He will outlast most bigs and still be productive in latter years, because he doesn't rely on having his body/physical abilities be the key part of his game.

+1

If Shaq is still going strong at 37 going on 38, Tim can play at least til his contract ends at near 100% of what we're used to.

[Obstructed_View]

On further reading, you're right, if Tim spends the offseason doing eccentric training, and getting the deep tendon massages, he could have a healthy knee by training camp.

The only thing that's scary is the 1 in 5 chance that he never fully recovers. I'd guess that being a seven foot professional athlete who has very little downtime doesn't help the situation much.

[clubalien]

Tim Duncan has a chronic degenerative condition in his knee. When he rests it, it will feel better. When he plays on it, it will feel worse. It is never going away, not for the rest of Duncan's career.

Why shouldn't I figure that the Tim Duncan we saw after February this year is going to be the Tim Duncan we will see after February in future seasons?

And if that indeed is the case, isn't all this talk of reloading moot?

the team will start being lead by ian... just like tim took over for david

[Nobody]

Duncan needs an athletic trainer that understand muscle imbalances, muscle length-tension relationships, and corrective exercise - like the trainers that fixed Shaq up. Spurs need to hire the Suns trainers.

[Taking it to the Hole]

the team will start being lead by ian... just like tim took over for david

Ian is nowhere near the caliber player TD is. He can't carry a team when he hasn't even had one season as a SPUR.

Ian is a complementary piece, he isn't a franchise player. After Tim and Manu retire, the only player you could build around is Tony. I agree with duncan228, that TD will probably retire after this contract is up, especially if he wins one more championship within that time. The Spurs might need to endure a season of two of torment after Duncan retires to just get a lottery pick to help us. We won't be getting any Tim Duncans anytime soon.

[Jace]

Duncan needs an athletic trainer that understand muscle imbalances, muscle length-tension relationships, and corrective exercise - like the trainers that fixed Shaq up. Spurs need to hire the Suns trainers.

Agreed...to a point Suns trainers really helped Shaq out and the Spurs trainers have been less than impressive(judging with the admittedly limited info available via internet). Trainers can make a world of difference and with so many injuries this year perhaps the Spurs need to make sure they are getting the best trainers and medical staff available

[Obstructed_View]

at the idea that Shaq's mobility had more to do with the training staff than with his level of interest. For people that believe that I have three words: Wait until camp...

[The Truth #6]

Kareem and Shaq had long careers for probably different reasons. Shaq loafed through the majority of his regular seasons, often sitting out for weeks at a time. Kareem on the other hand was a freak of nature physically, not to mention he was ahead of the curve in regards to conditioning, often practicing Yoga and even martial arts with Bruce Lee as a way to improve his flexibility.

[Obstructed_View]

Kareem also had a signature move that didn't require he take a lot of punishment once he'd gotten position and received the ball.

[Baseline]

The primary medical problem affecting the Spurs this off-season is the location of Popovich's head - which is currently wedged between the cheeks of his hind quarters, and has been diagnosed over the length of this season as a degenerative condition that will not improve. One expert has deduced that wild horses couldn't drag it way.

[jjktkk]

the team will start being lead by ian... just like tim took over for david

Lets be realistic here. Ian is not, nor will he ever be a Tim Duncan.