Gregg Popovich | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Duncan sits as balanced effort stalls Kings

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Spurs 127, Kings 102: April 18, 2012

San Antonio Spurs forward Manu Ginobili, center, of Argentina, drives to the basket between Sacramento Kings’ Tyreke Evans, left, and Chuck Hayes during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw, right, of France, hits the ball out of the hand of Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Gary Neal, left, goes to the basket against Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, front left, goes to the basket against Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio spurs center Tiago Splitter, left, of Brazil, is fouled by Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, left, pulls a rebound away from San Antonio spurs center Tiago Splitter, of Brazil during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson, left, goes for the ball after San Antonio Spurs forward Manu Ginobili, right, of Argentina, was fouled by Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (not shown) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, left, defends against Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Thomas during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The Spurs won 127-102.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ DeJuan Blair, left, and Tim Duncan smile while watching the closing minutes of their 127-102 win over the Sacramento Kings in a NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. Duncan did not suit up for the game.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, right, does a reverse layup past San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw, of France, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The Spurs won 127-102.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs forward Manu Ginobili, of Argentina checks for blood after colliding with Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The Spurs won 127-102.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

By Jeff McDonald

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tim Duncan showed up at Power Balance Pavilion on Wednesday night wearing a sport coat, a predictable sartorial choice for the Spurs’ almost-36-year-old power forward with his team playing the final game of a back-to-back-to-back.

Manu Ginobili, the Spurs’ second-oldest player, was a different story.

For the third time in as many nights, Ginobili slipped on his black No. 20 jersey and contributed to a lopsided Spurs victory, this one a 127-102 affair at the expense of the Sacramento Kings.

“I need to play,” Ginobili said after his 17-minute stint. “I need to be on the court. I’m starting to feel good. I need to keep it going.”

The same could be said of the team that signs Ginobili’s paychecks.

Behind a 69-point second half, the Spurs — who in March became one of only six NBA teams to sweep a back-to-back-to-back in this lockout-? shortened season — became the only club to accomplish that twice.

Gary Neal and Tiago Splitter each contributed 17 points off the bench for the Spurs (45-16), who had seven players — including four reserves — in double figures.

All three of the Spurs’ victories on the trip came by at least 21 points.

“It’s difficult,” Splitter said. “It takes a great effort from everybody. But when you win, it’s always fun.”

The Spurs remained in the driver’s seat for first place in the Western Conference, a game in the loss column up on Oklahoma City.

“We’re going to play for it,” Tony Parker said. “But at the same time, the most important thing for Pop and for us is to be fresh when the playoffs start.”

That was the reason behind sitting Duncan for the fifth time this season. With him out, coach Gregg Popovich started a frontcourt of DeJuan Blair and Boris Diaw.

The 34-year-old Ginobili, having totaled 39 minutes in the first two games of the trip, needed minutes.

“In our first game of this trip, Manu played 14 minutes,” Popovich said. “He basically got on the treadmill. He didn’t really do anything. Last night, he played 25 minutes. That’s not very much when a guy has missed 30 games and he’s trying to get in shape.”

If Ginobili’s first game on the trip was akin to light calisthenics, Wednesday’s workout — good for 13 points and five assists — was an MMA bout. A collision with Tyreke Evans opened a small cut inside his right ear.

Ginobili didn’t return to the game after that, though the scrape did not require stitches.

“I’m trying to mix it up,” Ginobili said of his injury laundry list. “Hand, ab, ear. Keep it entertaining.”

For those who recall Ginobili’s fractured elbow last season, there was nothing funny about seeing the Argentine guard briefly prostrate.

“We have to have all three of those guys healthy to have a chance,” Popovich said.

That’s in the playoffs. Wednesday in Sacramento, the Spurs’ Big Three needn’t overexert itself.

The Spurs led 58-57 after a first half Popovich treated as a preseason game — Duncan out, Parker playing 12 minutes, Ginobili logging nine.

In the third quarter, Kawhi Leonard helped them pull away from the Kings, scoring nine of his 13 points in the frame. When Danny Green dropped in a corner 3-pointer with 7:33 left in the third, the Spurs had a 73-63 lead and later pushed it as high as 27.

“To come in without our best player and win by 20 says a lot about this team,” forward Stephen Jackson said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can get the job done, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Yahoo story broaches TD’s eventual retirement

It’s a day that Spurs Nation is dreading.

Tim Duncan’s retirement will be an eventuality — like it is with every professional athlete.

As he has experienced a renaissance this year in his 15th season, Duncan has showed no signs of slowing down.

An intensive and rigorous off-season conditioning program has helped him improve his scoring and rebounding averages from last year.

Duncan’s dunks are up as it appears he is more spry. The Spurs captain recently had an 18-game stretch of consecutive double-figure scoring games. It came during a time when the Spurs were the league’s hottest team over the last two months.

Yahoo Sports NBA writer Marc Spears recently talked to Duncan about his retirement, a subject that Duncan told him.”

Duncan told Spears that he hasn’t had any health concerns in the lockout season.

“I thought I prepared well and was in great shape coming in,” Duncan told Yahoo. “I’ve felt good throughout.”

The Spurs’ recent surge has helped keep Duncan’s competitive juices flowing with 26 victories in their last 31 games. He’s seen the team’s core rebuilt with nine players with a maximum of two seasons of NBA experience, including three rookies.

“It’s fun having a bunch of new guys, seeing them interact,” Duncan said. “You feel like the old guy sometimes. But I got some old heads with me, too, so it’s good.”

Those would include veteran teammates Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who has the longest coaching tenure in the league.

Parker and Popovich had some interesting comments for Spears about Duncan’s eventual retirement.

“He doesn’t know how many years he wants to play,” Parker told Yahoo. “But it’s going to be weird the day he retires. It’s going to be very different in San Antonio.”

It also promises to be an emotional day for Popovich, Duncan’s only professional head coach.

“We’ve been together for so long. Fifteen years now,” Popovich told Yahoo. “It has gone through my head, but I don’t allow myself to think about what that’s going to mean. I’ll just deal with it when it happens.”

Duncan is making $21.1 million per season in his contract which will expire after the season and it’s hard to believe that he won’t re-sign with the team.

If his performance approaches this season, he likely has several more years of productive play in front of him.

Parker rebounds, Spurs gain revenge

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Spurs 112, Lakers 91: April 17, 2012

Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol of Spain goes for a shot as San Antonio Spurs forward Matt Bonner (15) defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum (17) dunks as San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22) looks on during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9), of France, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol (16) of Spain defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) drives as teammate Tiago Splitter (22) sets a pick on Los Angeles Lakers’ Ramon Sessions (7) during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum (17) watches the ball as San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, left, and Tony Parker (9) defend during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 112-91. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) goes for a layup as Los Angeles Lakers’ Ramon Sessions defends during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 112-91. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, center, reacts as Ramon Sessions, left, looks on from the bench as the San Antonio Spurs score during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 112-91. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9), of France, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers’ Josh McRoberts defends during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 112-91. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (AP)

By Jeff McDonald

LOS ANGELES — Officially, the decision was reached at 30,000 feet in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, somewhere over the midsection of California.

Not long after rolling to a blowout win at Golden State on Monday night, the Spurs boarded their charter flight bound for Los Angeles, for the middle game of a back-to-back-to-back, with much of the basketball-playing wondering how many league-approved sport coats had been packed in the cargo hold.

Would Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili suit up for the rematch against the Lakers? Or would coach Gregg Popovich again choose scoring rest for his veterans over a scoring points a national popularity contest?

“For us, it was not even a question,” Parker said after the Spurs unloaded both barrels on the Lakers in a 112-91 victory at the Staples Center.

The Spurs did not necessarily need Tuesday’s game. But after what had happened six days earlier, when the Lakers marched into the ATT Center with Kobe Bryant in street clothes and punked them 98-84, they certainly wanted it.

By the time the Spurs landed in LA., it was official. Everyone was in.

“There was never any doubt,” Ginobili said.

Behind 29 points and 13 assists from Parker, and a productive all-around night from their’ Big Three, the Spurs (44-16) reasserted their Western Conference dominance in front of a sold-out, celebrity laden crowd and a national television audience

The victory kept the Spurs in first place in the West, narrowly ahead of Oklahoma City, and ensured them no worse of a No. 2 seed. Tonight in Sacramento, they have an opportunity to sweep a second set of three games in three nights.

More than anything, Tuesday’s runaway helped soothe the Spurs’ psyche still stinging from a lopsided loss in San Antonio.

“We needed to come here and feel good about ourselves and show we are better than that,” Ginobili said. “We needed to play better.”

After going 2-for-12 in the first meeting, Parker led the Spurs’ victory parade Tuesday. He had his hands all over the 18-0 run that broke the game open in the second quarter, and later added a highlight reel undressing of Steve Blake.

Popovich said he didn’t bring up last Wednesday’s mugging in San Antonio before he game. He didn’t have to.

“We were very motivated,” Parker said. “Obviously, we were not happy with our performance in our place. We wanted to get it back.”

For Parker, redemption came in heaping spoonfuls. He hit 14 of his 20 shots, and came within one point of his highest-scoring career game against the Lakers — set in Game 2 of the 2004 Western Conference semifinals.

“I played one of my worst games (in the first meeting),” Parker said. “I was very motivated. I wanted to come back strong and try to help my team win.”

Bryant was again sidelined in the rematch, missing his sixth consecutive game with a sore shin. For the Lakers, who tumbled to 39-23, that was about all that stayed the same.

Lakers center Andrew Bynum had been a one-man wrecking ball in the first meeting, posting 16 points and grabbing 30 rebounds to set a Spurs all-time opponent record.

It was part of a whopping 60-33 rebounding edge for the Lakers that night, and prompted what happened Tuesday.

Then, Popovich replaced his smallest frontcourt player (the 6-foot-7 DeJuan Blair) with one of his tallest. In part to counter the Lakers’ frontline tandem of Bynum and Pau Gasol, Popovich started Tiago Splitter next to Duncan for the first time.

It was a look the Popovich had used for all of 118 minutes this season, though Duncan and Splitter played extensively together during the lockout-lengthened summer.

“I’m probably a lot more comfortable with it than the minutes show,” said Duncan, who finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.

Splitter’s presence next to Duncan on Tuesday was mostly negligible. Plagued by foul trouble, he logged just five points and three rebounds in 18 minutes.

The first play of the game did not look promising for the Spurs, when Gasol hit Bynum on a lob over the top of the Spurs’ supersized defense.

But Duncan handled Bynum the rest of the way, and the Spurs won the battle on the glass. Bynum ended with a manageable 21 points and seven rebounds.

Ginobili joined Parker and Duncan in double figures with 15, as the Big Three combined for 63 points.

None of the above logged more than 15 minutes in a 21-point win a night earlier at Golden State, making Popovich’s decision to play them against the Lakers more comfortable.

“If last night everybody had played 40 minutes,” Popovich said, “the decision might have been different.”

Twice this season, Popovich has rested Duncan, Parker and Ginobili — his three top scorers — on the same night.

Given the stage, and the stakes, the Big Three certainly wanted to play in L.A. Those surprised with Popovich’s acquiescence do not fully understand the Spurs’ dynamic.

It is true that Popovich’s locker room is no democracy. But he rules as a benevolent dictator, open to suggestions.

“I don’t think you can be too pedantic and say whatever you want and think it’s going to fly,” Popovich said. “It’s a players’ league. You need to have the players’ respect. Their opinions, depending on who they are, are often times important and could lead you in a direction that’s beneficial to your team.”

Ginobili estimates he’s been on the receiving end of about 100 of those conversations throughout his career. He says he can usually read Popovich’s decision by the look on his face.

There was no such discussion Tuesday. The decision was a no-brainer.

The Spurs might rest tonight in Sacramento. In Los Angeles, with a game to win and redemption in store, the Spurs brought everyone to the fight.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN