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Hey, Manny, why not get on the bandwagon for "Manu The Courageous"?
It's a pretty crowded bandwagon but there's always room for one more lardbutt.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....25dedccb.html
Spurs notebook: Kaman makes foul read on defending final play
Web Posted: 01/20/2005 12:00 AM CST
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
Clippers center Chris Kaman needs to study the scouting reports a little more carefully.
Kaman said he chose not to foul Spurs point guard Tony Parker when Parker went to the basket for what turned out to be the game-winning shot in the Spurs' 80-79 victory Wednesday at the SBC Center because he presumed Parker would make his free throws.
"I didn't want to foul him," Kaman said of the key play that gave the Spurs the lead with 7.9 seconds remaining "It was a crucial play, and he's a great free-throw shooter."
In fact, Parker has been struggling from the line of late, having made only 15 of his previous 31 foul shots coming into the game. Parker's free-throw percentage had fallen to 65.9 before he made all three of his foul shots Wednesday.
Kaman didn't really contest Parker's shot. Rather, he twisted away from him to avoid contact.
"I thought I gave him enough room until he was under the basket a little too far," Kaman said, "so I moved at the last second to make him shoot it and I thought I could get a piece of it. Unfortunately, I didn't, and unfortunately he had enough space to make the shot. It was a call on my part, not a mistake; unfortunately, he was able to get the shot off and ended up making it."
Kaman's mental miscue marred what had been a terrific showing against Tim Duncan. Kaman scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, continuing a recent trend of outstanding play.
"It's just a little more opportunity, some more time," Kaman said. "I've been playing well, just trying to be aggressive with the ball and try to go at them."
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http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....25dedbe4.html
Ginobili bumped and bruised in return
Web Posted: 01/20/2005 12:00 AM CST
Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer
To say Manu Ginobili has a high threshold for pain would be a bit misleading.
He just doesn't have a very long memory for it.
In his first game back from a bruised right quadriceps, Ginobili didn't seem too hindered even as his ailments kept piling up. By the time he passed to Tony Parker to set up the winning shot in the Spurs' 80-79 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, Ginobili had endured too much punishment for him to keep track of where he needed medical attention.
"When I got hit here (in the face), it made me forget it was hurting here (the right thigh)," Ginobili said. "Then I got hit here (in the left thigh), and it made me forget about here (the face). That's how I get through it."
The Spurs were glad he found a way. On a night when they saw a 13-point lead evaporate in the fourth quarter, the Spurs were saved in no small measure by the poise of Ginobili, who sat out Monday's game after injuring his leg Saturday at Houston.
His high-arcing scoop shot on a drive down the baseline gave them some breathing room early in the final quarter, and his four free throws in the last 2:06 were crucial for a team that went more than eight minutes without a field goal.
But his biggest contribution wasn't on the stat sheet. With the Spurs trailing by a point in the closing seconds, Ginobili took the ball on the wing and drove toward the basket, expecting to either shoot or pass to Brent Barry.
But the lane was cut off and Barry's defender didn't sag, so Ginobili instead rifled the ball to Parker, who drove for the go-ahead basket.
"That was just a great pass by Manu," Spurs forward Bruce Bowen said.
And it came in Ginobili's 30th minute, which in itself was a positive sign.
Ginobili wasn't spectacular in his return he finished with 13 points on 3-of-10 shooting, with seven rebounds and three assists but he seemed as aggressive as usual. In the third quarter, he scored on a twisting baseline drive that was spectacular even by his own acrobatic standards.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he didn't have to worry about limiting Ginobili's minutes.
"I asked him a couple times," Popovich said, "but he lied to me and told me he was fine."
In reality, Ginobili probably won't be at full strength for a while. He grimaced as he got up out of a chair after the game, and the right side of his face still looked puffy from being smacked by Corey Maggette.
On Wednesday, Ginobili wore a protective pad similar to the thigh pads football players use on his right quadriceps. He didn't much care for the extra protection, saying "that was the main thing bothering me."
But regardless of the inconvenience, he said he expects to wear the pad for at least the next few games.
"Because if I get hit again," Ginobili said, "it's going to hurt for a while."
Or at least until he gets hit someplace else.
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Hey, Manny, why not get on the bandwagon for "Manu The Courageous"?
It's a pretty crowded bandwagon but there's always room for one more lardbutt.
Sequ, you are so full of .The Spurs were glad he found a way. On a night when they saw a 13-point lead evaporate in the fourth quarter, the Spurs were saved in no small measure by the poise of Ginobili, who sat out Monday's game after injuring his leg Saturday at Houston.
His high-arcing scoop shot on a drive down the baseline gave them some breathing room early in the final quarter, and his four free throws in the last 2:06 were crucial for a team that went more than eight minutes without a field goal.
But his biggest contribution wasn't on the stat sheet. With the Spurs trailing by a point in the closing seconds, Ginobili took the ball on the wing and drove toward the basket, expecting to either shoot or pass to Brent Barry.
But the lane was cut off and Barry's defender didn't sag, so Ginobili instead rifled the ball to Parker, who drove for the go-ahead basket.
"That was just a great pass by Manu," Spurs forward Bruce Bowen said.
"Hot Dog" my arse . . .
Funny he would say that because A. He did foul him and B. He has been shooting terrible from the free throw line as of late....
I don't get that first article. Why the would you foul a guy when you are up by one? That makes no sense.
Well to anyone but Ghost Writer, who believes that intentional fouls are the answer to everything.
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