Duncan, Ginobili and Parker will play against Cavs (Update: Splitter in, Jackson out)

[Mel_13]

Do you think it's possible Pop is playing TD so he can play in the AS game? I assume if Duncan missed tonight's game he wouldn't be eligible for the all star game.

bklynspursfan and Dex both suggested that earlier. It certainly would be strange to have Tim make his first appearance since the injury in an exhibition game.

[Russ]

Jack is still out. Guess he really had personal business.

Maybe they just don't want him to be injured.

Maybe that might risk something.

[loveforthegame]

Surprising but most welcomed news.

[Bruno]

Good news.

I guess if they were even the slightest risk of a re-injury, Pop would have waited after the all star game.

The way overused cliche of "it's a trap game" will really apply for this game. Cavs have some talent and Spurs could take it easy with everybody back.

[Bruno]

And regarding Jack, there is likely something wrong in his family when you see his instagram:
http://instagram.com/p/VpAz6LRf0B/

I hope it isn't too bad.

[Mugen]

Hope everything is okay w/ Jack.

[loveforthegame]

Prayers for Jack. Hope all turns out well.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Meh, I would have rather Tim/Manu had an additional week off. I'm guessing Tim/Manu lobbied hard to play tonight and Pop conceded.

Hopefully, there's no injuries. It's not exactly a "meaningless" game but a road game against the lowly Cavs right before All Start Weekend is pretty f'n close IMO.

I'm in the same boat, I was hoping Tim rested until after the ASB, but if he thinks he's fine oh well..

[spurraider21]

fck Why doesn't he wait until after the allstar break

seriously. because its physically impossible to get injured AFTER the all star break!
ugh i hate how our team is NEVER cautious with injuries its a complete joke

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Surprising but good news!

Now all we need is Amused to start the game thread and the greys will start hyperventilating.

Did the past two game blogs and we were 2-0. Cleveland sounds good to me!

[Andthentherewas21]

I don't really get the reasoning behind people wanting to sit Duncan and Manu so they can get more rest, with the caveat that both are completely healthy. At this point it has been close, if not more, than 3 weeks since Duncan played a full game. Its not like another week of rest is going to be beneficial. In fact his conditioning is going to start to suffer if it hasn't already. Better to give him limited minutes in a game the Spurs should be able to win without him to give him some burn, try out his ankle and knee to make sure everything is 100%, and then if there are lingering effects he has the ASB to rest up and proceed with caution (not like he is going to be playing major minutes in it with Pop as the WC coach). Same thing with Manu sans the ASG.

There's a point when sitting guys out for rest has diminishing returns, and given Pop is probably going to do something similar at the end of the season unless the Spurs are fighting for playoff seeding, it doesn't make sense to just keep them on the bench for fear of injury. Freak happens, ask the Celtics who can't seem to find a guard that can keep their ACLs intact.

[NASpurs]

I don't really get the reasoning behind people wanting to sit Duncan and Manu so they can get more rest, with the caveat that both are completely healthy. At this point it has been close, if not more, than 3 weeks since Duncan played a full game. Its not like another week of rest is going to be beneficial. In fact his conditioning is going to start to suffer if it hasn't already. Better to give him limited minutes in a game the Spurs should be able to win without him to give him some burn, try out his ankle and knee to make sure everything is 100%, and then if there are lingering effects he has the ASB to rest up and proceed with caution (not like he is going to be playing major minutes in it with Pop as the WC coach). Same thing with Manu sans the ASG.

There's a point when sitting guys out for rest has diminishing returns, and given Pop is probably going to do something similar at the end of the season unless the Spurs are fighting for playoff seeding, it doesn't make sense to just keep them on the bench for fear of injury. Freak happens, ask the Celtics who can't seem to find a guard that can keep their ACLs intact.

I think it's some weird supers ion some people have assuming that they'll get hurt tonight in a meaningless game before the break. They have their "I told you so" already typed out if something like that happens.

[Mayhem321]

Will Splitter play? He had that ankle injury in the Bulls game.

[Mel_13]

Will Splitter play? He had that ankle injury in the Bulls game.

He said he would play.

[PingPong]

So, the big three are back and they lose to the f*n Cavs. Just kidding...

[Fabbs]

I don't really get the reasoning behind people wanting to sit Duncan and Manu so they can get more rest, with the caveat that both are completely healthy. Its not like another week of rest is going to be beneficial. In fact his conditioning is going to start to suffer if it hasn't already. Better to give him limited minutes in a game the Spurs should be able to win without him to give him some burn, try out his ankle and knee to make sure everything is 100%, and then if there are lingering effects he has the ASB to rest up and proceed with caution (not like he is going to be playing major minutes in it with Pop as the WC coach). Same thing with Manu sans the ASG.

There's a point when sitting guys out for rest has diminishing returns, and given Pop is probably going to do something similar at the end of the season unless the Spurs are fighting for playoff seeding, it doesn't make sense to just keep them on the bench for fear of injury. Freak happens, ask the Celtics who can't seem to find a guard that can keep their ACLs intact.

Exercise bikes, ellipticals, swimming pools.
How in the _ _ _ _ can you lose conditioning? As if basketball is the only way to condition?

CIA Poops uber foolishly fighting for best record in the NBA when the Spurs already had #1 in the West locked up was moronic.
82nd game of the regular season and GNob gets his elbow rejacked.
Out vs Memphis in the playoff opener.
Spurs worked in Game 1 as Pop tried to counter Lionel Hollins with Matty Bonner and soft ass (at that time) Parker.

[crc21209]

It'll be great to see the Big 3 back on the court all at the same time. Prayers go out to Jack, hope everything turns out OK..

[jjktkk]

Exercise bikes, ellipticals, swimming pools.
How in the _ _ _ _ can you lose conditioning? As if basketball is the only way to condition?

CIA Poops uber foolishly fighting for best record in the NBA when the Spurs already had #1 in the West locked up was moronic.
82nd game of the regular season and GNob gets his elbow rejacked.
Out vs Memphis in the playoff opener.
Spurs worked in Game 1 as Pop tried to counter Lionel Hollins with Matty Bonner and soft ass (at that time) Parker.

Vaginal cramping can lead to thoughtless posting. Try posting in one of your trolls instead.

[loveforthegame]

Pop wouldn't fool around with the health of the big 3. No way they would play unless they were all healthy.

[Fabbs]

Vaginal cramping can lead to my Midol purchases. Try posting in one of your trolls instead.

That's right. The Memphis Round 1 ouster led to your helping organize one of the iest PollyAnna Poppers parties eva.

[Spur|n|Austin]

I don't really get the reasoning behind people wanting to sit Duncan and Manu so they can get more rest, with the caveat that both are completely healthy. At this point it has been close, if not more, than 3 weeks since Duncan played a full game. Its not like another week of rest is going to be beneficial. In fact his conditioning is going to start to suffer if it hasn't already. Better to give him limited minutes in a game the Spurs should be able to win without him to give him some burn, try out his ankle and knee to make sure everything is 100%, and then if there are lingering effects he has the ASB to rest up and proceed with caution (not like he is going to be playing major minutes in it with Pop as the WC coach). Same thing with Manu sans the ASG.

There's a point when sitting guys out for rest has diminishing returns, and given Pop is probably going to do something similar at the end of the season unless the Spurs are fighting for playoff seeding, it doesn't make sense to just keep them on the bench for fear of injury. Freak happens, ask the Celtics who can't seem to find a guard that can keep their ACLs intact.

I guess you didn't see the Tim Duncan injury - if you don't want him to get as much rest as possible after that you're nuts and a little selfish.

[Embedded]

I was worried about rust, etc. Almost seems cruel if they are healthy enough to play to make them wait another week. Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly, that kind of thing.

[ace3g]

Parker and Pop shootaround vids:

http://www.nba.com/spurs/video/2013/...ootmov-2385153

http://www.nba.com/spurs/video/2013/...ootmov-2385149

[jjktkk]

That's right. The Memphis Round 1 ouster led to your helping organize one of the iest PollyAnna Poppers parties eva.

Post more please. Your a true gem.

[Russ]

Pop tuning Duncan up for a big performance in the ASG?