Spurs have no reason to feel sorry now
Web Posted: 01/14/2007 11:10 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
CHICAGO — After watching Matt Bonner get carried off the court Saturday night, the Spurs expressed concern for their fallen teammate and reacted with the usual someone-else-needs-to-step-up perspective found in most locker rooms.
They also knew they had no right to feel sorry for themselves.
Even with Bonner expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks, the Spurs are among the more fortunate teams. The amount of stricken talent in the NBA this season could fill an All-Star lineup for each conference: Chris Paul, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Lamar Odom and Yao Ming in the West; and Chauncey Billups, Michael Redd, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh and Shaquille O'Neal in the East.
"A lot of guys in the league have gotten hurt, but we haven't been bitten by that a whole lot," Robert Horry said. "Maybe we're getting it now."
The Spurs did receive some good news Sunday. While Bonner tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in Saturday's victory over Washington, an MRI taken Sunday afternoon confirmed he won't need surgery.
The test revealed Bonner didn't suffer any cartilage damage or tear his anterior cruciate ligament. Team officials expect him to be out anywhere from two to six weeks.
Bonner is wearing a brace on his knee for stabilization, but doesn't need crutches to walk.
"You hate to see somebody go down like that, especially when he's just a good person," Horry said. "He was trying so hard and doing so well for us. It's a big loss."
Bonner had become a productive member of the rotation in recent weeks, spelling Horry and giving the team another shooter to space the floor for Tim Duncan. He was averaging 7.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 19.3 minutes in the eight games before Saturday.
"When you come into a new situation, the first thing you want to do is show your worth," Bruce Bowen said of Bonner, in his first season with the Spurs. "Guys understand he works hard here. For him to have to take some time off now, it's saddening because you know how much he wants to be out there.
"But at the same time you have no choice but to try to use this as a learning curve, so the time he's not playing, he'll be able to see things. He's young. If this is the most significant injury he has throughout his career, then, hey, he'll take it."
The Spurs hope Bonner's absence is tempered by the return of starting center Francisco Elson, who has missed the past nine games after suffering a slight tear to his right rotator cuff. Elson will see a shoulder specialist today. If cleared for contact, he could be back in the lineup by the end of the week.
In the meantime, the Spurs are expected to include Jackie Butler on the active roster for this afternoon's game against Chicago. Butler hasn't given much indication in practice that he's ready to contribute, so Horry, Fabricio Oberto and Eric Williams likely will fill in as needed.
"Rob's not on vacation any more," Bruce Bowen joked.
Bonner's improvement had led the Spurs to reduce Horry's workload.
Horry, who has frequently sat out one night in back-to-backs, admitted last week that at 36, it's become tougher to be as productive on an every-game basis.
"I'm fine," Horry said Saturday night. "I can do whatever they need me to do."
The Spurs are thankful they haven't suffered the type of season-changing injury that's hindered other teams. Manu Ginobili missed four games in November with a bruised back and Tony Parker sat out a game last week with a right hip strain, but the Spurs' three stars have otherwise remained healthy.
Elson was the only other player to suffer a significant injury before Bonner went down Saturday.
"If we are a really good team, as we think we are," Ginobili said, "we're going to find a way to replace him and keep playing good."
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http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...w.2fb9fab.html
So much for the claim in the summer that Butler would be starting by the All-Star break. Wonder exactly what this sentence means- you are short 2 big men and still have no interest in playing Butler.Butler hasn't given much indication in practice that he's ready to contribute...
That's great news about Matt!
I'm praying he comes back good as new way sooner than expected.
Chris Bosh is injured? Didn't he play yesterday against the Mavs?
Yeah he did.
Swatted the out of Dirk.
He missed 12 games in December.
Butler couldn't replace Bonner because he can't do the things Bonner did.
As a center (in training) he doesn't have the ability to play outside or defend against forwards who play outside. He'll still be riding the bench behind Oberto and Elson for minutes at the 5 position.
On the other hand, Horry has played some center at times, so putting Butler on the active squad as available center will keep Horry available strictly at forward. Elson and/or Oberto might also pick up some minutes at forward depending on the matchups.
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