Monroe: Spurs Notebook: Bonner's injury leaves Spurs with void

[duncan228]

Bonner's injury leaves Spurs with void
Mike Monroe

The Spurs won't know how long Matt Bonner will be out of the lineup until the broken bone in his right hand is re-examined today, but some of his teammates are certain that Bonner won't make an early return as a left-handed shooter.

Watching Bonner — with a light cast on his right hand — working on left-handed shots with assistant coach Chad Forcier before Sunday's practice session, point guard Tony Parker shook his head.

“That is a waste of time,” he said with a grin.

From the opposite end of the floor, the team's star left-hander, Manu Ginobili, could not suppress his laughter as he watched Bonner's awkward left-handed shots.

“Go home and enjoy your daughter,” Ginobili, an expectant father, yelled to his teammate who became a father in June.

For all the kidding, the Spurs know how much they are going to miss Bonner's ability to stretch defenses. The league's No. 8 long-distance shooter, at 45.1 percent from 3-point range, Bonner likely will be out of action for four weeks with a broken fourth metacarpal in his right hand.

“Nobody can replace Matty,” said Parker. “He's unique in the way he plays and shooting the threes. In a way, (Antonio) McDyess is a little like that, but he doesn't have the same range.

“It's a good opportunity to see what Marcus Haislip has got, but that's Pop's decision.”

Coach Gregg Popovich said Haislip, who has appeared in only one regular-season game since signing as a free agent in July, would be on the active list tonight against the Clippers at the AT&T Center.

Not Blair: Roger Mason Jr., third among the Spurs in 3-point attempts, said it will be up to all the Spurs to try to make up for the offense Bonner has provided in the first 24 games but ruled out one player as a replacement for Bonner's 3-point firepower.

“I don't think we're going to see DeJuan Blair shooting threes anytime soon,” he said.

The burly rookie from Pittsburgh has proven he is a gifted inside scorer but has yet to attempt a shot outside 15 feet.

Mutombo subs ute: Mason has scored on some nifty moves on drives to the basket this season and credits the work he put in this summer and a practice innovation the Spurs have used since training camp.

Mason and several of his teammates put up all manner of shots as the team's basketball interns hoist padded canoe paddles, emulating the league's tallest defenders.

“Those paddles are a good idea,” Mason said. “They're a little longer than most guys are, but it gives you the idea of Dikembe Mutombo out there, trying to block your shot.”

[raspsa]

Yeah, seriously.. Bonner practicing with his left hand? Better he do some defensive drills, watch video on how to defend against future matchups, practice flopping..

[Creation88]

lol @ headline