Spurs notebook: Ginobili feels for newcomers

Manu Ginobili can rest assured that, for the 11th season in a row, he’s going to make the Spurs’ roster.

Still, the two-time All-Star can’t help but sympathize with the handful of hopefuls who will not.

“You know a few of them are going to be cut, because we can’t have more than 15. It’s probably the worst part of the year, to see guys going through that. We just try to help everybody, and then it’s Pop’s decision,” Ginobili said of coach Gregg Popovich.

With a regular roster set at 14, the Spurs have room for only one more addition. The candidates for the job — center Eddy Curry, forwards Derrick Brown and Josh Powell and wing Wesley Witherspoon — all have had their moments during the preseason.

Witherspoon, an undrafted rookie from Memphis, led the Spurs with 17 points in Sunday’s win at Houston. Curry chipped in 10 points, making all five of his field goals.

“You see how hard they are working,” Ginobili said. “They’re doing their best to win that spot. They’re good guys doing a good job, so it’s going to be hard.”

Competition helps all: Regardless of how the competition for the final roster spot plays out, each of the Spurs’ big men figures to be much improved by the time the regular season begins because of the intense competition taking place.

DeJuan Blair, the three-year veteran who is in the final year of his contract, likes the various skills the newcomers bring to the practice battles.

“They’re doing excellent, developing every day,” Blair said. “Eddy is a big body, and Josh is more of a skill four-five, a great addition to the camp. I enjoy him there and also enjoy Ed being there.

“We all enjoy each other, and we all get along with each other. We want to help each other get better. It’s great having that daily competition. Ed is huge, and Josh is more of a guardable big you have to guard with your feet.

“It’s really good for Tim (Duncan) and me and the others to work out with them and bond with them a little bit.”

Relax, it’s an off day: With five days between preseason games and with Duncan having missed Monday’s practice with an illness, Popovich opted for a day of rest Tuesday.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Staff writer Mike Monroe contributed to this report.

With only one roster spot left, who will be the next Spur?

There are four players vying for the final roster spot for the 2012-13 Spurs Roster and each are making the case with their play.  Here is a quick rundown of who is on the cusp.

Eddie Curry – An 11 year veteran that spent four seasons with the Bulls, four with the Knicks and most recently played last season with the Miami Heat.  Curry has had weight issues and spent the summer slimming down and working on his game.  The Spurs do have a need of another big man.

“I feel I’m in a good situation,” Curry told the San Antonio Express-News. “I worked hard this summer. Every game it’s just about showing everybody what I can do. I’m trying to focus on defense and rebounding, trying to play in the system and soak up as much as I can. I think I’m going to make it. Until they tell me I’m not, I feel like I’m part of this team.”

Derrick Brown – After receiving several invitations to camp with NBA teams, Brown chose the Spurs even though there was really only one roster spot to be had.  The three-year veteran, selected as the 40th overall draft pick in 2009 by the Charlotte Bobcats  played with them until 2011. He then signed on with the Knicks in March of 2011 but returned to the Bobcats in December of 2011 up until the end of the 2012 season.  The Bobcats made him an unrestricted free agent and  he signed on with the Spurs. Steven Jackson, a former teammate with the Bobcats had high praise for the journeyman who is averaging seven points in 15.7 minutes a game.

“He actually gave (one-time All-Star) Gerald Wallace a run for his money every day in practice,” Jackson said. “I think that’s what opened a lot of people’s eyes that he belongs in this league.”

Josh Powell – Veteran forward who’s NBA career began with the Dallas Mavericks in 2005.  Powell,  originally slotted to be the forward groomed to take over for  Dirk Nowitzki, was traded to the Pacers along with Darrell Armstrong and Rawlee Marshall in exchange for Anthony Johnson.  Powell, along with current Spur Stephen Jackson and two other players were dealt to the Golden State Warriors.  He next played for the Clipppers then the Lakers where he got considerable playing time for an injured Andrew Bynum.  After winning two Rings with the Lakers, Powell next signed on with the Hawks for the 2010/11 season.  The push for Powell and Curry was something Manu Ginobili recently spoke about.

“There are 13 returning guys, so there aren’t many that can surprise you. But, of course, having Josh Powell and Eddy Curry on the roster is a big thing,” Ginobili said. “They’re both great players, talented bigs that (aren’t) easy to find in the league anymore. So, it’s good to have them around and give them a chance.”

Wesley Witherspoon -Rookie guard/forward combo out of Memphis has made the most of his rookie camp recently scoring 17-points in a start against the Houston Rockets. He has had to shed the  title of being ‘soft’ as in not doing everything he can to improve himself and with the Rockets game, he may have just done that.

 

 

 

Spurs’ non-guaranteed players show off

By Mike Monroe

There was good reason for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to give Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Matt Bonner a night of rest during a 101-99 preseason victory over the Hawks. But it had nothing to do with saving their energy.

“It’s early in the preseason, so it’s an opportunity to look at some other guys,” Popovich said. “I know we’re not going to do it the fourth, fifth, sixth game, so we’ve got to do it now to give those guys time to see if we like anybody.”

Those benefiting from resting the Big Three, plus Bonner, were non-guaranteed big men Eddy Curry, Josh Powell and Derrick Brown as well as wing players Wesley Witherspoon and Tyler Wilkerson.

Curry (11 points, eight rebounds) and Brown (10 points, two rebounds) started. Powell came off the bench and was the team’s top scorer with 14 points. Witherspoon made 2 of 3 3-pointers.

Popovich withheld judgment about the play of the five non-roster players.

“I pretty much reserve those opinions right now, rather than get somebody excited or get somebody depressed,” he said.

Ferry gets down to business: When new Hawks general manager Danny Ferry pulled the trigger on one of the biggest offseason trades of the summer, it came as no surprise to Popovich.

“Danny’s not a fool-around type of guy,” Popovich said of the former Spurs’ player. Ferry also did two separate stints in the club’s front office before Atlanta hired him as its GM in July.

Soon after getting his new job, Ferry traded All-Star guard Joe Johnson and his $18 million-per-season contract to the Brooklyn Nets for five players with expiring deals and a future first-round draft pick.

“If he sees something that is going to improve the team he’s going to get after it and get it done,” Popovich said. “He’s already done a good job, with little time, to jump start it and get their team the way he wants it to be.”

Ferry believes the deal will prove to be a win-win.

“I think the deal with Brooklyn is good for Brooklyn, good for Joe and, hopefully, ultimately, it will be good for us in the long run.”

Anderson back in building: James Anderson, the Spurs’ first-round draft pick in 2010, started for the Hawks and scored five points in around 17 minutes. The 2009-10 Big 12 player of the year for Oklahoma State is trying to earn a spot on Atlanta’s roster.

The Spurs did not pick up the option on a third season of Anderson’s rookie contract, making him a free agent July 1.

“James has done a good job in camp,” Ferry said. “He certainly plays hard every play and brings a lot of intangibles to the court that we really like.”

mikemonroe@express-news.net
Twitter: @Monroe_SA