McDonald: Spurs' Parker has plantar fasciitis

[Bukefal]

It's not about not having faith in Hill.

It's about the fact that Tony put up near MVP numbers last year for the Spurs and there is still so much hate on the board that a lot of Spurstalk regs don't even want him on the team.

Tony was the best player on the team last year. Hill cannot replicate that kind of firepower or consistency.

+1 the hate is ridiculous.

[ceperez]

Why the has pop been playing him? He should have rested parker as soon as he found out about it. The spurs need a healthy parker going into the playoffs.

Agree completely. Pop needs to keep him on the bench.

It's obvious that he doesn't seem to have the same kind of aggressiveness and consistency.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Agree completely. Pop needs to keep him on the bench.

It's obvious that he doesn't seem to have the same kind of aggressiveness and consistency.

What good would it be resting Parker for a couple of months - it wouldn't heal his PF. He has to learn to play through it, like TD did in 2006.

[naico]

I'm wondering if the long inactivity during the summer, before he played for the national team, has anything to do with it. Taking into account that he had a long and compe ive season last year, the rust, in combination with the international play, preseason and beginning of this season has taken a lot out of Parker. Maybe his body just can't take that.

[Spurs Brazil]

This sucks

I hope TP can heal soon. That explains his play this season

[remingtonbo2001]

Really, this isn't as bad as some are making it out to be. If Parker can knock down his jumper and occasionally drive and kick, I don't believe the Spurs' offense will suffer.

The biggest difference will be on the defensive end.

[Supergirl]

the only thing that will make it recover fully is resting in the offseason. He needs to NOT PLAY NEXt SUMMER. Until then, the needs to rest as much as he can and try and pace himself. It will limit him all season but not enough to be deadly for the Spurs. They're deep enough to make up the difference.

[Seventyniner]

Rest is the best possible form of treatment. When Tony's playing in the game, the pain is dull, but when he sits on the bench for a long period of time, the pain will flare up when he re-enters. Unfortunately, he can't afford to miss an extended period of time. I have little faith in Hill as starting point guard.

Does this mean that if Pop wants Tony to play, say, 24 minutes, it would be better to have him play the entire 1st and 4th quarters as opposed to four 6-minute stints?

To prevent a painful flare-up on the court, could the trainers get Tony up off the bench and running in place or something a few minutes before Pop wants to put him in?

[kace]

Agree completely. Pop needs to keep him on the bench.

It's obvious that he doesn't seem to have the same kind of aggressiveness and consistency.

still, despite his health and his decreased level, he is clearly the second best player in the team.

It seems that the Spurs simply can't afford to put him on the bench even after all the new guys who've come this year.

[exstatic]

That does explain alot.

[exstatic]

So it all makes sense now..ANYBODY that has watched Tony this year can tell there's something clearly wrong..this really sucks..

So would a few weeks of rest help with the PF or is pointless unless you get a few months of rest and treatment?..

That.

He needs to quit playing for the ing French NT, though. That gotta end NOW.

[silverblackfan]

Settle down guys, it's not like Tony is missing a leg or anything. He still managed to turn on his speed last night and drill that layup. His mid-range shot has been pretty damn good and he can still slash to the basket and be as crafty as ever. He is just going to have some pain.
We will see how the other teams react to Tony in the next 20 games and adjust accordingly, but after watching him blow by a few guys, they will realize crowding him is not the only answer.

[urunobili]

damn this is not good... if I was Pop i would just flat out sit him until March... I think we can make the playoffs sans TP and though he'll be rusty when he comes back mid March he'll start getting his rhythm back around April... when it matters... it's not too late Pop make the call and heal him before the playoffs please....

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

damn this is not good... if I was Pop i would just flat out sit him until March... I think we can make the playoffs sans TP and though he'll be rusty when he comes back mid March he'll start getting his rhythm back around April... when it matters... it's not too late Pop make the call and heal him before the playoffs please....

Plantar fasciitis can take from a month to over a year ( in extreme cases even longer ), it's not exact science, there is no way to predict how much time it'd take to heal, so a timetable to rest him until march would have no guarantees at all. If anything his own prediction ( from the interview ) that it'd take 2 months to heal is extremely optimistic.

I suppose we can all assume that the Spurs, having top notch medical facilities and information, have decided resting him wouldn't help him in regards to his playoff availability.

[Shastafarian]

It's not about not having faith in Hill.

It's about the fact that Tony put up near MVP numbers last year for the Spurs and there is still so much hate on the board that a lot of Spurstalk regs don't even want him on the team.

Tony was the best player on the team last year. Hill cannot replicate that kind of firepower or consistency.

Is that why the Spurs went 7-3 when tony was hurt last year with a ROOKIE George Hill playing in his stead?

[the crimson blur]

God damn, I can only imagine how good this team would be if he was fully healthy...Tony is our big matchup advantage against our two biggest rivals (Mavs, Lakers). Not having him at 100% would really, really hurt in the playoffs.

Depending on the severity of the injury, it can heal during the season. I wouldn't hold my breath, but we may not be looking at the same situation as 06 Duncan. We can only hope, but at this point, Parker's play should be expected to stay at around the level it is. His efficiency is down significantly because of the injury, like Duncan's was in 06. Tony is going from 25.93 APER, 4th best in the league, only behind D-Wade, Lebron, and Chris Paul, to a mediocre 18.67, 50th in the league;; a dip of 7.26 (huge). Duncan's dip was about 4.0, so maybe Tony's injury is more severe than his or it affects his game more. I don't know, but I do know losing what advanced statistics call the 4th best player in the league and replacing him with the 50th has to hurt.

Sure, we aren't doomed by this injury (those same advanced statistics put us as the best team in the league; 1st in SRS, despite the hampered Tony), but me if I wouldn't prefer for it never to have happened. Heres hoping that it magically goes away by April.

[urunobili]

well TD played spectacular in the 06 playoffs after playing through it the whole season... Maybe TP can pull it off similarly

[Walton Buys Off Me]

Where are the French NT apologists that were proclaiming over the summer Parker would exhibit no ill effects from his play with France?

This is no surprise.

International play is our achilles heel; no pun intended.

[the crimson blur]

well TD played spectacular in the 06 playoffs after playing through it the whole season... Maybe TP can pull it off similarly

Tony is a warrior, I hope so. Personally, I wish we could afford to sit him for the whole 2 months his doctors wanted and see if it gets cured (doubt it). Our schedule is too rough from here on out to lose Tony for an extended period of time.

I hope the Spurs' medical staff is working overtime with him. Stretching the calf, foot, and the PF itself is the number 1 remedy for this kind of injury. Doing it during games, before games, and most importantly, before and after going to bed, makes all the difference.

[TPnumber1]

Because he's a ing asshole.

no it's just he love his country thats all...so who is the asshole ? not him

national team in europe is VERY VERY VERY VERY important.

[BillMc]

Tony is a warrior, I hope so. Personally, I wish we could afford to sit him for the whole 2 months his doctors wanted and see if it gets cured (doubt it). Our schedule is too rough from here on out to lose Tony for an extended period of time.

+1

In addition to the schedule, Tony will need more time with all the new guys. We just can't rest him for extended time...

[TJastal]

I love statements like this because the question I ask is "What has Hill for you to NOT have faith in him?"

The guy stepped into the starting lineup 10 games into his career (and while learning a new position) and did a decent job. His play is better and he looks much more consistent. What Hill lacks in Parker's speed and deadly accuracy from midrange he makes up for with athleticism and the ability to hit the 3.

I think Hill could step in and do a good job in Parker's place. It'll build his confidence even more and when Parker returns, you'd have a player coming off the bench to tag with Gino and run roughshod over opponents' benches.

Hill has had two previous opportunities to run the team, once last year when Parker went down and again this year and each time he has helped the spurs keep the ship afloat and then some. I think its a great boost to his confidence as well when opportunites come along.

I am totally 100% in agreement that Parker should sit and get better at least a few weeks.

You'll have to forgive Murp88, she has trust issues since Jefferson dumped her.

[TJastal]

Plantar fasciitis can take from a month to over a year ( in extreme cases even longer ), it's not exact science, there is no way to predict how much time it'd take to heal, so a timetable to rest him until march would have no guarantees at all. If anything his own prediction ( from the interview ) that it'd take 2 months to heal is extremely optimistic.

I suppose we can all assume that the Spurs, having top notch medical facilities and information, have decided resting him wouldn't help him in regards to his playoff availability.

You sure a month or so wouldn't help the healing process?

[Chieflion]

You sure a month or so wouldn't help the healing process?

It doesn't really help. If he does not fully recover, it just flares up if he starts work suddenly. It has been going on for about more than a month. You just hope he gets used to the pain and recovers in the offseason.

[Agloco]

and so it begins...

How's Greg?