Popovich: Duncan back ‘even slimmer’ than before

[lrrr]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...spurs-popovich

[Dex]

Oh, it's time for all of the "more fit than ever" articles to start to appear. The season must be around the corner.

[MmP]

"Originally drafted by the Spurs in 2007, Splitter is a former MVP and championship winner in the Spanish League. He joins the Spurs amid high expectations—Popovich compared Splitter’s NBA-readiness to Manu Ginobili’s(notes) arrival in 2002."


I remember being really shocked with Manu's impact on the game when he first came in here in 2002. The guy had something most european thin white rookies don't bring.
If Thiago can produce half of that Im satisfied.

[myhc]

won't timmy be pushed around on the block more? i don't like the sound of a 240 pound timmy trying to guard the likes of 270+lbers like howard and bynum...

[spectator]

same story - different place:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5581329

[RobinsontoDuncan]

won't timmy be pushed around on the block more? i don't like the sound of a 240 pound timmy trying to guard the likes of 270+lbers like howard and bynum...

Kevin Garentt always seemed skinny to me and he seemed to guard big players just fine.

I never understood why today's basketball players have spent so much time bulking up and getting jacked. That added weight slows players down in a game that requires lateral quickness, agility, balance, and endurance. I don't think the best basketball players are usually the biggest, in fact I always felt like this would detract from a basketball player's overall game.

Now don't get me wrong and think that I am advocating for NBA players to be twigs, I'm just saying their is a difference between strength and build--a player can be very strong with lean muscle and not look like an NFL linebacker.

[Em-City]

Kevin Garentt always seemed skinny to me and he seemed to guard big players just fine.

I never understood why today's basketball players have spent so much time bulking up and getting jacked. That added weight slows players down in a game that requires lateral quickness, agility, balance, and endurance. I don't think the best basketball players are usually the biggest, in fact I always felt like this would detract from a basketball player's overall game.

Now don't get me wrong and think that I am advocating for NBA players to be twigs, I'm just saying their is a difference between strength and build--a player can be very strong with lean muscle and not look like an NFL linebacker.

Shaq circa 2000 would have to disagree with this post

[RobinsontoDuncan]

Shaq circa 2000 would have to disagree with this post

Shaq circa 2000 was the first and only player in NBA history to display the athleticism and skill to play a dominant role at that size. If size= skill than Eric Dampier would be one of the best center's of all time.

You should also look at shaq's career after 2000--he was constantly injured (even in the years he was winning championships), he always looked like he wasn't trying in the regular season because he had to save his legs for the postseason, he was never the defensive force that someone that big *should* have been because he had a major lack of lateral quickness, etc.

You also have to remember that these guys are taking years off of their careers--all that weight is soooo much pressure on the knees, ankles, hips, etc., especially for a post player.

Did wilt chamberlin look like he could be an NFL offensive lineman? no. Kareem Abdul Jabar? Nope. , even David Robinson would look small in comparison to some of the guys in the league now, but he was all genetics--some people just get blessed with an unnatural amount of muscle fiber.

[jason1301]

won't timmy be pushed around on the block more? i don't like the sound of a 240 pound timmy trying to guard the likes of 270+lbers like howard and bynum...

the game itsn't nearly as physical as it used to be, he will be fine!

[qiuyizeng]

"Originally drafted by the Spurs in 2007, Splitter is a former MVP and championship winner in the Spanish League. He joins the Spurs amid high expectations—Popovich compared Splitter’s NBA-readiness to Manu Ginobili’s(notes) arrival in 2002."


I remember being really shocked with Manu's impact on the game when he first came in here in 2002. The guy had something most european thin white rookies don't bring.
If Thiago can produce half of that Im satisfied.

haha,manu has too much skill!

[benefactor]

won't timmy be pushed around on the block more? i don't like the sound of a 240 pound timmy trying to guard the likes of 270+lbers like howard and bynum...

Not really. He has an incredibly strong base and that won't change even if he loses weight.

More than anything Duncan needs to be as mobile as possible and needs his knees to last the season. Staying trim makes both of these things more possible

[ploto]

Slimmer is better for the knees, but players often lose weight during the season, and it can lead to the guy losing too much strength by season's end.

[lurker23]

I don't expect a championship this year, like I used to in many previous years. However, I think it's within the realm of possibility, and that's more than blind optimism and homerism. The Spurs still have a ton of talent, and at least three players easily capable of making the All-Star team this year. Not many teams can say that. ......the Spurs are one of about 5-10 teams that have the talent, potential, coaching, and veteran leadership that a championship team needs. The other 20-25 teams would love to be in that situation.

“Fantastic means have an opportunity to win a championship, and that’s what we’re always looking for here,” Popovich said. “There’s no reason why this group can’t do it, but there are also probably 10 teams in the league that feel they have that opportunity.”

Once again, Gregg Popovich is plagiarizing my ideas.

[TDMVPDPOY]

is he going to play without the knee brace this season which hampered his mobility last season

[Trill Clinton]

"Originally drafted by the Spurs in 2007, Splitter is a former MVP and championship winner in the Spanish League. He joins the Spurs amid high expectations—Popovich compared Splitter’s NBA-readiness to Manu Ginobili’s(notes) arrival in 2002."


I remember being really shocked with Manu's impact on the game when he first came in here in 2002. The guy had something most european thin white rookies don't bring.
If Thiago can produce half of that Im satisfied.

Manu is white?!

[007nites]

Timmy was 245 pounds last season according to last years article. I wonder if his look has changed with him being 230 pounds now. The word in the locker room is that he now has a 6 pack.

[silverblackfan]

Timmy was 245 pounds last season according to last years article. I wonder if his look has changed with him being 230 pounds now. The word in the locker room is that he now has a 6 pack.

..of Diet Mt. Dew? Is he sharing?

[lefty]

"Originally drafted by the Spurs in 2007, Splitter is a former MVP and championship winner in the Spanish League. He joins the Spurs amid high expectations—Popovich compared Splitter’s NBA-readiness to Manu Ginobili’s(notes) arrival in 2002."


I remember being really shocked with Manu's impact on the game when he first came in here in 2002. The guy had something most european thin white rookies don't bring.
If Thiago can produce half of that Im satisfied.

That's because Manu is not European

[mountainballer]

trimming down helps to keep your mobility!

[scottspurs]

Glad to hear Timmy won't take the shaq route to end his career. I would rather him be thin and quick than big/strong and slow.

[DAF86]

Manu is white?!

What colour do you see him?

[Admiral]

Shaq circa 2000 was the first and only player in NBA history to display the athleticism and skill to play a dominant role at that size. If size= skill than Eric Dampier would be one of the best center's of all time.

You should also look at shaq's career after 2000--he was constantly injured (even in the years he was winning championships), he always looked like he wasn't trying in the regular season because he had to save his legs for the postseason, he was never the defensive force that someone that big *should* have been because he had a major lack of lateral quickness, etc.

You also have to remember that these guys are taking years off of their careers--all that weight is soooo much pressure on the knees, ankles, hips, etc., especially for a post player.

Did wilt chamberlin look like he could be an NFL offensive lineman? no. Kareem Abdul Jabar? Nope. , even David Robinson would look small in comparison to some of the guys in the league now, but he was all genetics--some people just get blessed with an unnatural amount of muscle fiber.

DRob, all genetics?!? Compare how skinny he was at Navy to how much more muscular he was after being in the league for about 5 years through the end of his career. That's not "all genetics," that's busting your butt in the weight room.

[Seventyniner]

Manu is white?!

Whoever isn't black must be white, I suppose.

[Crookshanks]

David had probably the best biceps in the league. However, I don't think David was ever much more than 250 pounds. Seems like I remember reading somewhere that David said he was never more than 5 pounds heavier all through his career than he was as a rookie.

I sure do miss him still - and those pictures bring back some great memories of the Admiral!

[tim_duncan_fan]

Unless Tim is gonna be quicker to go along with slimmer, this is horrible news.

He was already to the point where Gasol was too big for him to back down in the post.

I really don't think being slimmer gives him any sort of advantage unless he's gonna be quicker on rotations and with his movement overall.