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I agree
A healthy TD will put us in the 2nd round.
If he's not...
Once again, this will be about Duncan
Buck Harvey
If Mark Cuban had taken a running start, and if he had summoned all of his Dancing-With-the-Stars zeal, he couldn't have hurt Tim Duncan's left knee.
That's how massive Duncan's knee brace looked on Friday. Cuban couldn't have dented it, nor could an Insurance Ins ute for Highway Safety crash test.
Custom built, these braces cost about $1,800. When straps and hinges are aligned properly, the brace unloads pressure. For Duncan's left knee, it's the outer area that gets unloaded.
But Duncan wears this only in practice. He will take off the brace tonight, maybe opting for a sleeve, and then this first-round series will be decided.
If his knees aren't ready — if he can't move and take advantage of a Dallas weakness — he will lose in the first round for the first time in his career.
This is nothing new. For the Spurs of the past decade, it's always been about Duncan. It was a year ago in the playoff opener.
Then, he threw in a 3-pointer, sending the Spurs into a second overtime and the Suns toward their own crash. Duncan's shot defined how tight that series was, and what followed in the second overtime explains why the Spurs are in trouble now.
Manu Ginobili drove on Raja Bell for the game-winner.
That's the Ginobili who pushed the Spurs toward les in 2005 and 2007, and he was there in 2006, too.
Most remember his foul on Dirk Nowitzki in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals; most forget he had 30 points and 10 rebounds in Game 6.
Given that, it's understandable the Mavericks wanted this first-round draw. They've been peaking, playing better defense, with Nowitzki in a groove, and the Spurs aren't the Spurs without Ginobili.
Still, the No. 3 seed could upset the No. 6. And the simplest way for that to happen would be for Duncan to take advantage of what was there in 2006 and is still there today.
He's been telling people he feels great, better than anytime since the All-Star break. The tendonosis in the right knee has subsided, which is not unusual; almost 90 percent of those afflicted with this can recover with conservative care.
The left knee, the one with the brace, has come around as well. Rest over the past week has meant a lot, and, if all of this sounds familiar, it should.
In 2006 he suffered from plantar fasciitis until, well, he played the Mavericks. Then Gregg Popovich made a radical move, putting Nazr Mohammed and Rasho Nesterovic on the bench to go small.
A reason: Popovich wanted shooters surrounding Duncan to discourage double teams. Given time to work inside, Duncan averaged 32.3 points against Dallas.
In the first six games the Mavericks starting center was DeSagana Diop. But because Diop was so often in foul trouble, and because Duncan was so effective, Avery Johnson moved Erick Dampier into the starting lineup for Game 7.
Then Duncan scored a playoff career-high 41 points.
Whatever faults Diop had, the Spurs staff always saw him as a problem for them. When Dallas traded Diop this season, the Spurs didn't mind.
Diop came off the bench to guard Duncan in overtime of Game 7, and Duncan would miss 6 of 7. Diop was fresh, though, again, this was mostly about Duncan.
The plantar fasciitis hadn't returned. He was cramping.
He's three years older now, and the coaches aren't looking for anything close to 32.3 points a game. But they didn't expect it then, either.
Instead, either ignoring pain or freed by the lack of it, Duncan had found something. He scored against Dampier, and he gave the Spurs a chance, and he has to do it again.
If he's to see the second round again.
I agree
A healthy TD will put us in the 2nd round.
If he's not...
The Duncan vs Dampier matchup will be key.
Timmy will also likely see a smaller but strong Brandon Bass in defending the post. Dirk can't really guard Duncan. Ryan Hollins is long but he's very thin and too light to be much of a post defender.
Last edited by Solid D; 04-18-2009 at 07:18 AM.
Duncan has got to resist the urge to shoot that bank shot from the corner.
When he faces up Dampier or whoever he has to take it right at them and draw the foul or get a bucket.
The key to win this series is not only TD... but bech play... Drew can make Dallas bleed..
Yeah, Tim needs to be aggressive and assert himself from the start.
??Still, the No. 3 seed could upset the No. 6.
TD's not done, he''ll show em..
For me, it's always about Duncan. Parker has been incredible, it's been wonderful watching him rise and I don't think he's peaked yet. It takes a team to win, they'll all need to do their part. Pop needs to coach at the level we know he can.
But any shot at a le is still about Duncan. And I believe he's got more in him. This year is a long shot, no Manu, Duncan's knees. If we don't see the odd year pattern stay true, next year could be the first even year le.
Not by a longshot!!
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