With Ginobili still out, Spurs add Glover for guard depth
Web Posted: 03/18/2005 12:00 AM CST
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...14b0fdf36.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Tim Duncan made his return Monday. Two nights later, it was Tony Parker's turn. Now nearing full strength, the Spurs expect to regain the services of their designated energizer tonight against Charlotte.
The Coyote, it appears, will be free to roam the SBC Center.
As for the team's other crowd-pleasing performer? Manu Ginobili likely will miss at least one more game. Ginobili's groin continues to improve, team officials said, but he isn't expected to play against the Bobcats. He has missed four games.
Ginobili had his most extensive workout Thursday since straining his groin March 8. He spent 45 minutes on the court and played one-on-one with the team's newest addition, shooting guard Dion Glover.
Glover, 24, signed a 10-day contract and will be eligible for the playoff roster should they keep him that long. After averaging 8.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 287 NBA games over five years, Glover began this season with Ulker Istanbul in the Turkish Basketball League. He was released last month.
Glover became a part-time starter for Atlanta after being drafted 20th in 1999. He signed with Toronto midway through last season after the Hawks cut him.
The Spurs worked out a handful of players, including former draft pick Derrick Dial, before signing Glover. They also looked at bringing in a power forward to improve depth behind Tim Duncan and Robert Horry.
Though the Spurs continue to explore options, for now, Glover gives them another threat should they meet Phoenix, Seattle or Dallas in the playoffs and use a small lineup.
Point guard Mike Wilks, placed on the injured list to make room for Glover, also remains a candidate for the final opening on the playoff roster. Adding a bigger guard such as Glover, who has a thick 6-foot-5 frame, increases the Spurs' depth at the wing position — a necessity when they choose to go small.
In addition to Glover's size and athleticism, the Spurs were pleased to see he was motivated to remain in good shape the past month despite being without a team. He also shot well during his workout.
"And I hadn't always considered him much of a shot-maker," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said.
Before Wednesday, the Spurs also didn't think of their mascot as a troublemaker. Veteran referee Jess Kersey ejected the Coyote after the third quarter of the team's victory over Minnesota for pretending he was going to fight Timberwolves guard Wally Szczerbiak.
Though the Coyote looks like he will avoid the NBA's first mascot suspension, officials were continuing to review the incident and had yet to determine whether the Spurs will be fined, a league spokesman said late Thursday afternoon.
The situation started after Szczerbiak cracked Beno Udrih as he drove to the basket. Szczerbiak started to help up Udrih when Bruce Bowen intervened, prompting the Minnesota player to curse at him. The Coyote, with his assistant pretending to restrain him, faked like he was going to run at Szczerbiak.
Kersey, who often shows more of a sense of humor than most of his colleagues, thought the Coyote was too close to the court. After the fight between fans and players in Detroit early this season, officials have cracked down on skits that portray violence or incite the crowd more than necessary.
"Wrong place, wrong time," said Bruce Guthrie, the Spurs' vice president of marketing. "He happened to be down in that area entertaining when it happened, but he really needed to back away from it.
"We'll be much more sensitive in the future."
NBA officials could find only two previous mascot ejections: Steve Javie tossed Washington's old Hoops mascot for inciting the crowd in a 1991 game; and Earl Strom threw out Chicago's Benny the Bull in a 1974 playoff game for mocking him.
Guthrie said the Coyote will not make fun of Wednesday's incident during tonight's game. That didn't stop the players from joking about it.
"There are guys that cuss out officials and nothing happens to them," Bowen said. "The Coyote doesn't even talk, and you toss him? Where's the justice?"
You've got to be kidding me.Though the Coyote looks like he will avoid the NBA's first mascot suspension, officials were continuing to review the incident and had yet to determine whether the Spurs will be fined, a league spokesman said late Thursday afternoon.
P.T.I. today gave the Coyote a "Happy Trails" spot at the end of the show. Cornyheiser said he did not blame the Coyote as he is in fact a coyote and didn't understand the nuances of the game...
The Coyote will pull a Martha Stewart and blow up Large after all this!
welcome back, The Coyote!
so, the 1998 ROY Duncan & 2004-2005 ROY hopeful Okafor will meet at last.
Steve Javie....there's a shock.NBA officials could find only two previous mascot ejections: Steve Javie tossed Washington's old Hoops mascot for inciting the crowd in a 1991 game; and Earl Strom threw out Chicago's Benny the Bull in a 1974 playoff game for mocking him.
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