Schoening: Spurs Miss More Than Tim’s Numbers

[Kori Ellis]

Schoening: Spurs Miss More Than Tim’s Numbers

http://www.woai.com/spurs/story.aspx...8-BCB1E4877AF7


By Bill Schoening
Radio Voice of the Spurs
SpursRadio 1200 WOAI

Now that the Spurs have learned that Tim Duncan will miss two to four weeks with a Grade II ankle sprain, they'll miss more than just his 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game.

There's something about having a two-time MVP and eight-time All Star as the leader of your team. It not only sets a high standard for the rest of the ball club, it creates a work ethic that permeates throughout the squad. Tim Duncan is unquestionably the leader of the Spurs, and that has never been evidenced more than it has this season.

When Duncan was forced to sit out earlier in the year with a less-severe ankle injury, he was the first to greet his teammates as they came off the floor. He doesn't hesitate to pull a player off to the side and offer suggestions and critiques. As a veteran who has the respect of opponents, other players look up to Duncan and listen when he offers up his tidbits of knowledge. It's no wonder that players around the league recently voted Tim as the smartest player in the game today.

Prior to a home game last week with Charlotte, Duncan was among the first Spurs to the arena, working on various shots in the paint, on the line, and of course, from the wing as he practiced his patented bank shot.

When you look around the NBA, the strong teams all have a leader who sets the tone for the team, and in San Antonio that leader is Tim Duncan. For the next 2-4 weeks, their leader will have to do his job from the sidelines.

[TDfan2007]