Tag: Manu Ginobili

Duncan as an Olympic Bird

LONDON – Tim Duncan would have helped the 2012 U.S. basketball team. But that’s not why he should be in London these next few weeks with Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

Duncan deserved a do-over. He deserved better teammates, and a better Olympic memory.

Yes, he deserved a better result, too.

Duncan never considered signing up again. When he left Athens in 2004, it was for good.

He had never planned on 2004, either. Had his knee not required surgery in the summer of 2000, he would have gone to Sydney, won gold and been done with the Olympics forever.

Duncan came back for Athens, as well as for qualifying the summer before, and others didn’t. If Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett had joined him in Greece, the U.S. team would have won.

Instead, Duncan drew a group that didn’t impress then, and impresses less in hindsight. Allen Iverson has since gone bankrupt, Stephon Marbury to China, Lamar Odom to the Kardashians.

As for the small forward who the USA staff leaned on then: If the Spurs couldn’t count on Richard Jefferson, how could a nation?

Duncan’s jersey number, 13, summed up his karma. And he acted as cursed, walking through the mixed zone after games with headphones on, ignoring the clamor around him.

What followed was the worst American showing in the Olympics in the NBA international era. And what teammates didn’t do to Duncan, officials did. He was called for 30 fouls in eight Olympic games, which gave way to his parting words in Athens.

Then, after saying his international career was “95 per cent” finished, he added, “FIBA sucks.”

Announcing “Federation Internationale de Basketball sucks” wouldn’t have had the same ring.

Duncan’s image took a beating then, though the 2005 title erased most of that. Jerry Colangelo continued to offer him a spot in the revamped program, because Duncan was still among the top three in the game then, but Duncan never wavered.

Duncan figured he was past this part of his life and, besides, he had done his duty. He played on seven various international teams, and four of his teams went undefeated.

As for the idea that his resume is incomplete without a gold medal: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Walton managed to survive without one, too.

As the years went on, his inclusion made less and less sense. Now, at his age and with his knee, the last thing the Spurs want to see Duncan do is bang against the Gasol brothers in the summer.

But Larry Bird was in far worse shape as part of the Dream Team in 1992, and he treasures that time. Furthermore, just as Duncan doesn’t have to carry the Spurs anymore, he wouldn’t have to carry his country.

He could have played spot minutes, and here’s the kicker: The U.S. could use a smart, effective big man.

So Duncan deserved something better than spending another summer at the Spurs’ practice facility, and who knows?

Maybe he would have liked London, too.

Burning Questions

Thanks to Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the offseason came two victories shy of the NBA Finals for the Spurs.

What’s next for the Western Conference runners-up? Here is the answer to that question with five more, plus one:

How badly does Tim Duncan just want to eat red meat and play “Call of Duty” all day?

The Spurs’ franchise player since draft day 1997, Duncan’s contract famously expires July 1. Whether he decides, at age 36, to sign another one will largely hinge on the answer to the question above.

Duncan proved this season that his body can still handle the rigors of an NBA season, but it takes hard work — and a stringent low-fat diet — to make that happen. If Duncan is ready to finally unstrap that omnipresent knee brace, sink his teeth into a cheeseburger and fire up the Xbox in retirement, nobody would blame him.

If Duncan does decide he’d still like to play “until the wheels fall off,” expect the Spurs to come to a workable agreement with him. Duncan’s not playing anywhere else.

So how much is an aging franchise player going for these days anyway?

Less than the $21.1 million Duncan made last season, but probably more than you’d think.

Duncan appeared rejuvenated during the lockout-shortened season, including a 25-and-14 performance in Wednesday’s Game 6 ouster in OKC. Though clearly no longer an MVP candidate — and, according to the voters at least, no longer an All-Star — Duncan remains a quality NBA big man, and those don’t come cheap.

The Spurs have other free agents to address (namely guard Danny Green and center Boris Diaw), but must first gauge what their payroll looks like after they re-up Duncan.

How dangerous are the Olympics for Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker?

Put it this way: Coach Gregg Popovich plans to attend the London Games this summer, but don’t be surprised if he watches matches involving Argentina and France with both hands covering his eyes.

Who can forget the sight of Ginobili rolling around on the court in 2008 in Beijing, clutching an injured left ankle that would soon require surgery? Of equal concern is the daily toll year-round basketball takes on 30-something bodies, and neither Parker (30) nor Ginobili (soon-to-be 35) is getting younger.

With the Olympics piled on top of a deep playoff run, expect Popovich to give his international backcourt plenty of rest come training camp and the preseason in October.

Should we prepare for more draft-night drama?

After years of using draft night to select players whose names fans couldn’t pronounce from countries they couldn’t locate on a map, then stashing them overseas for future use (or not), the Spurs made a bold move last June to land Kawhi Leonard at No. 15.

The Spurs do not have a first-round pick in the June 28 draft, having shipped it to Golden State in the March trade for Stephen Jackson, but won’t rule out trying to move up for the right player and right price.

Tiago Splitter: linchpin or liability?

Somewhere in the middle. The former first-round pick produced a sophomore campaign significantly more impactful than his first, doubling his scoring average to 9.3 points per game, and increasing his rebounding and blocks, while serving as a capable backup to Duncan.

But Splitter fell off the map during the latter part of the Western Conference finals, proving his upside has limits. The 6-foot-11 Splitter never was meant to be the heir-apparent to Duncan as the centerpiece big man, but should be a useful rotation piece going forward.

Bonus question: Should Erazem Lorbek and Nando de Colo look into obtaining work visas?

A 6-foot-10 forward from Slovenia currently playing with Ricky Rubio’s old club in Spain, Lorbek was a sidepiece of the Leonard deal. De Colo, a 6-foot-5 guard from France, has also been playing in Spain since the Spurs drafted him 53rd overall in 2009.

Both have a chance to cross the pond and join the Spurs next season, depending on how the free-agency landscape shakes out. If you’re handicapping it, expect Lorbek to make the jump before de Colo.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Spurs 120, Thunder 111: Game 2

By Tim Griffin

Gregg Popovich wanted some nasty Sunday night. The Spurs coach got an extended dose of it two nights later.

Tony Parker erupted for a season-playoff high 34 points and eight assists to lead the Spurs to a gritty but convincing 120-111 victory over Oklahoma City in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals Tuesday night at the ATT Center.

The victory extended the Spurs’ 20-game winning streak, making it one of the four longest in NBA history. It is the league’s longest victory including games at the end of the regular season and extending into the playoffs.

It also is the longest in the NBA since Houston won 22 consecutive games in the 2007-08 season.

But it wasn’t easy. Oklahoma City pulled within 99-93 on two foul shots by Westbrook with 5:40 left.

The Spurs answered with a pivotal 8-3 run including four points from Parker to help put the game away.

Manu Ginobili scored 20 points for the Spurs, including 10 in the fourth quarter. And Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan both notched doubles with Leonard producing 18 points and 10 rebounds and Duncan adding 11 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

Kevin Durant led Oklahoma with 31 points and James Harden added 30 before fouling out in the final minute of play. Russell Westbrook chipped in with 27 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. But the rest of the Thunder roster produced only 23 points.

Earlier, the game turned ugly when Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks mucked up the pace of the game late in the third quarter when he chose to hack Tiago Splitter on five successive possessions.

Splitter made five of the 10 free throws. But the exchanges helped slow down San Antonio’s offensive pace.

The Spurs hit 60 percent from the field in the first three quarters, but hit only three of their first 12 shots to start the fourth quarter.

Before the game, Brooks said his team seemed to “play nasty” coming off losses, considering they had a 15-3 record during the regular season.

But that definitely wasn’t the case Tuesday night as the Spurs jumped to a quick 10-2 lead and never trailed.

The Spurs are clearly in the driver’s seat as the series returns to Oklahoma City for Game 3 on Thursday night. NBA teams that have lost the first two games on the road end up losing the series 94.8 percent of the time.

And the Spurs have notched an incredible road streak during the second half of the season. When Popovich has utilized his complete roster, the Spurs have won 24 of their last 25 on the road.

tgriffin@express-news.net

Updates by Joe Alexander

The Spurs built a big lead and held off the Thunder down the stretch for a 120-111 victory and 2-0 series lead.

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 34 points and 8 assists. Manu Ginobili had 20 points including a big 3-pointer late when the Thunder were making it close. Kawhi Leonard had 17 points and Tim Duncan had 11.

The Spurs led by as many as 22 points.

Fourth quarter: Tony Parker has 32 points. His jumper gives the Spurs a 107-96 lead with 3:39 left in the game. Thunder timeout.

Tim Duncan makes both free throws. He has 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Spurs lead 101-93 with 5 minutes left.

The Thunder have tightened up the defense in the fourth quarter. The Spurs’ shooting percentage is dropping. The Spurs still lead 99-91 with 5:40 left in the game.

The Thunder aren’t going away. They cut the Spurs’ lead to 95-85 with 9:37 left in the game. Spurs timeout.

Third quarter – Spurs 92, Thunder 76: The Spurs are still shooting 60 percent — that’s just not normal this far into the playoffs. Tim Duncan has 9 points and 9 rebounds. Manu Ginobili has 10 points off the bench. Tiago Splitter, thanks to lots of trips to the free-throw line, has 8 points.

Tony Parker has 26 points and 7 assist and has moments when it looks like he’s playing against a D-League defense. The Spurs lead 80-64 with 3:52 left in the third quarter.

Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard are up to 10 points each. Boris Diaw just made a driving basket. The Spurs lead 68-52 with 8:22 left in the third quarter. Thunder timeout.

Halftime – Spurs 55, Thunder 44: The Spurs are efficient on offense, shooting 57.9 percent with 6 turnover (14 first-half turnovers last game). Tony Parker has 17 points. Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan and Danny Green have 7 points each. Total rebounds are about even, but the Thunder had 10 offensive rebounds. Otherwise this would be on the way to a blowout right now.

Tony Parker has 17 points and 5 assists. The Spurs lead the Thunder 49-40 with 2:54 left in the half.

In the last three possessions the Spurs got back-to-back pick-and-roll baskets followed by a Stephen Jackson 3-pointer. The Spurs lead 42-29 with 7:07 left in the half. Thunder timeout.

The Spurs are holding the Thunder to 37.5 percent shooting. The Spurs lead 35-29 with 8:52 left in the half.

First quarter – Spurs 28, Thunder 22: Tony Parker has 10 points. Kevin Durant has 12. The Spurs have only 3 turnovers. The Spurs lead by six at the end of the first quarter. This looks like a good pace for the Spurs.

Tony Parker has 10 points in the first 8 minutes of the game. The Spurs lead 19-11 with 4:17 left in the first quarter.

Danny Green is looking better tonight. He has a basket and a 3-pointer in the early going.

Tony Parker has 4 points and an assist. The Spurs lead 10-2 and notably are not turning the ball over early. The Spurs lead 10-2. Thunder timeout.

Spurs starters: Tony Parker, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Boris Diaw and Tim Duncan.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked before tonight’s game if Manu Ginobili can continue to play as many minutes as he did in Game 1:
“He’s probably never done that before. So I don’t know how to answer that. He’s had a lot in the tank because he hasn’t had to do that very often, but it’s playoff time, and there are no back-to-backs. So my guess would be that minutes aren’t a problem.

The Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at 8 p.m. at the ATT Center in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.

Join Jeff McDonald and Tim Griffin for a live game chat (below) beginning at 7:30 p.m.