Spurs notebook: Brown's health is creating a dilemma
Web Posted: 04/17/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...1e5adaa30.html
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich doesn't expect Devin Brown to be completely healthy when the playoffs begin next weekend, forcing the team to make a difficult decision on whether to add him to the postseason roster.
Brown hasn't played since March 21 because of a herniated disk in his lower back. He continues to get better but still has to build back the strength in his right leg.
"We could put him on the roster, but what if (his condition) levels off?" Popovich said. "What if it doesn't get better? What if it takes the whole summer?
"You're just guessing when he's going to be able to get on the court. In the meantime, you're down a body."
Popovich said Brown has "no chance" to play in the team's final two regular-season games. Brown will accompany the Spurs on their trip to Memphis and Minnesota in case he is cleared to participate in contact workouts.
"The thing that makes it a difficult (decision) is he's improving every day," Popovich said. "But the improvement is not quick. The leg is getting stronger each day — it's not subjective; you can measure it — but it's only a little bit every day.
"You just can't play him right now because he's really prone to injury. It's weak enough he can wreck a knee, wreck an ankle, wreck a hip because his (quadriceps) strength is so bad."
Rasho Nesterovic is eligible to come off the injured list after Monday's game against Memphis, but Popovich said he would not play before the playoffs.
Nesterovic has missed the past four games because of a sprained left ankle.
Duncan seeks support: Tim Duncan is trying different ankle braces in hopes of finding one comfortable enough to use regularly.
"Some braces really give him a problem, and some really feel better and give him some added protection," Popovich said.
Popovich expects Duncan to gradually show more faith in his right ankle.
"At some point, you have to go out there and stretch it and extend it, but your mind is thankfully smart enough to hold you back," Popovich said. "That process takes a little bit of time to get the confidence to really go after a rebound and hang in the air and come down, or change direction and pivot a certain way. It just takes time."
Home, sweet home: The Spurs' 38-3 home record is the best in franchise history. It also led the NBA this season.
The only other time the Spurs had the best home mark in the league was in the 2000-01 season when they and Sacramento each went 33-8.
Of the NBA's 58 previous champions, 23 owned or shared the league's best home record.
The Spurs set their previous best home record (34-7) during the 1980-81 season. They tied it during David Robinson's rookie season in 1989-90.
Game of errors: Manu Ginobili played only six minutes in the first half after picking up three fouls.
Less than a minute into the third quarter, he got No. 4.
Despite the foul trouble, Ginobili still finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
"I was more than surprised," Ginobili said. "I was upset, but those things happen. Sometimes a call can change your game because you get frustrated and you're not the same. That's what happened.
"You just have to forget it. The (referees) can make a mistake. I make turnovers, too, so it's a game of mistakes."
The Spurs cleared cap space for next year to give Devin Brown a contract, right?
So why even risk it? Keep him off the playoff roster and get him healthy for next year. A back injury is much more dangerous than a sprained ankle, so rest him for next year and put Big Dog Robinson on the roster.
They should sit him and let the Big Dog roam.
Makes it easy for Spurs. Keep Brown, Johnson and Wilks out.
Beno and Marks are in. (If Devin was in, Marks would have to be left out. And I think we'll need Sean before the Playoffs are over)
No, the Spurs have Devin's Early Bird's Rights to give him a contract. They don't have any cap space.The Spurs cleared cap space for next year to give Devin Brown a contract, right?
I think that Marks, Wilks and Johnson will not be on the playoff roster. Even if Devin isn't ready by Round 1; he'll get minutes in the later rounds.
This is a real quandary for Pop.
On the one hand, they need a player like Brown, an athlete who can run the floor, play solid perimeter D and shoot from outside, when they play teams like Seattle, Phoenix and Dallas in the playoffs.
On the other hand, they need a big player like Marks, when they play teams like Denver, Memphis, Detroit and Miami.
What to do?
If Brown were 100%, the decision would be a no brainer, but with the questionmark, I say go with Marks.
No, I don't think so. From the tone of the article, it sounds like Pop is hinting to the Fans that Devin will not be playing in the Playoffs.
1. It's not worth injuring Devin.
2. It's not worth a spot if he doesn't/can't play 100%.
3. We have too many good players to take a chance on Devin's ability to play "later".
But, you never know with CIA Pop. Maybe this article means he WILL be on the Roster!
Fact is, the playoffs are a whole different ball game. We have no back to backs, no 4 games in 5 nights, there is plenty of time to rest betw games. Manu, Barry and TP can play big minutes, without worrying about getting exhausted and run down.
Now with Robinson's availability for 8-10 quality mins a game, the need for Brown is not as imperative as it is in reg season, when Manu needed rest.
The questionable ankle health of Rasho and TD makes the decision to go with Marks a likely outcome.
With Mass, Nazr, Horry, TD and Marks, the Spurs can afford to give Rasho's ankle ample rest before the 2nd series. Also this gives Pop the luxury of playing TD and Rasho less minutes than they used to get.
I think the fact that Marks has only got five minutes per game in the last two games (and that's without Rasho being available and Tim being limited) is an indicator that he isn't going to make the roster. But that's just a guess.
I think Rasho's perfectly fine. They probably regret him even going on IR because he hasn't been even limping or anything since the day after he got injured. I don't think that his injury was as serious as they originally thought.The questionable ankle health of Rasho and TD makes the decision to go with Marks a likely outcome.
With Mass, Nazr, Horry, TD and Marks, the Spurs can afford to give Rasho's ankle ample rest before the 2nd series. Also this gives Pop the luxury of playing TD and Rasho less minutes than they used to get.
If not Marks, who?
Wilks?
I just said that I don't think that Johnson, Marks or Wilks will make the roster.
Only 11 on the roster, then?
No, the Spurs have 15 players -- 3 have to be off the playoff roster.
Oh, nevermind, I see you are saying Brown.
Well, I hope it is not wasted.
Do you consider it wasted if he can't play until Round 2?Well, I hope it is not wasted.
I don't.
If there is any chance Brown can play in the later rounds you add him to the roster and ride it out. He will be huge against teams like Phoenix, Dallas and a possible Miami WAR.
No, but I consider it a HUGE mistake if Brown either cannot play, or re-injures himself.
Look, I love Devin's play, and would love to see him in the playoffs. But is it worth the risk? That's the big question.
But you're right, Marks would be playing more if they planned to keep him. Hope Pop is making the right choice.
I am just saying, with a bad back, he could be out for 6 months...you never have a lock down time frame on a bad back..it is not like an ankle or a groin, where there is usually a certain time to heal.
I hope that he is better by 2nd round, but the problem is, you just never know...one little slip and he could be back to square one.
That extra big guy is a known commodity.
I hope for the best and pray Pop makes the right choice, because I think this will be SA's toughest road to Championship that they ever have had.
If you look at Devin Brown as the 12th man on the roster going into the playoffs, then whatever he does is just a bonus.
What did Gerald King do in the 1999 run?
What did Steve Smith do in the 2003 run?
Exactly.
timvp, this team is the best Spurs team, 1-12 in the history of the Franchise. Everyone of them have made an impact of some sort when they had to.
Everyone could be called upon this year.
I don't know, 2003 was pretty tough. All games went to 6, right? Crazy.
And Steve Smith was on the Playoff roster but never played in 2003. Maybe that was the reson we HAD to go to 6 games in every series!
But, I'm with you, Jim. You can't risk an empty spot, especially when you have decent players like Wilks and Marks out there waiting (and able!) to play.
That should be the question, do we take Wilks or Marks? Devin should not even enter into it.
I'm going with Marks, especially with teams like the Rockets and Heat lurking around.
And it is all because of ankles, fatigue and depth of their compe ors.
If we were 100% healthy, then 1-9 would be sufficient to win the le....but that is not the case....this is the one year that 10-12 can make a difference.
The way I look at it is Devin has had back problems on and off for the last three years. So you just need to play him when he's ready. You can't be worried about a re-injury. Were you guys constantly scared of DRob re-injuring his back too -- his problem was much worse than an inflammed nerve?
The Spurs aren't going to go 12 deep in the playoffs. So if Devin's the 12th guy sitting there and he can contribute. Then it's just a bonus. I just don't see Marks getting much time in the postseason.
Kori, how can you say the 12th man doesn't matter? And if he doesn't matter, why are you so keen to take Devin?
That makes no sense....
IF Rasho Mohammed gets hurt (or picks up 4 early fouls), then Marks could make a HUGE difference. He's another 6'10" body to throw around.
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