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Duncan shows plenty spring left in step

By Jeff McDonald

Eighty-six seconds into Wednesday’s game against Minnesota, 35-year-old Tim Duncan slipped a screen near the top of the key, took a perfect pass from Tony Parker and, in a hiccup, dunked on the Timberwolves’ Wesley Johnson.

“Amazing,” Manu Ginobili marveled later. “He didn’t need 20 minutes to warm up.”

For almost as long as Duncan has been on the team, his lack of verticality has been a running joke in the Spurs’ locker room.

As March wears on, however, Duncan has been doing his best to dunk holes in that old “Virgin Islanders Can’t Dunk” meme.

There was his four-dunk game against Denver, which included a poster-ization of Chris “Birdman” Andersen.

There was a three-slam night against Washington, which included a coast-to-coast drive-and-dunk that, fittingly, pushed Duncan past Clyde Drexler on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

There was the loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, when Duncan matched KIA-hopping Blake Griffin dunk for dunk.

“It’s great to see him that fresh and that good,” Ginobili said. “It makes you feel optimistic.”

In one of the more unexplainable phenomena of the lockout-compressed season, Duncan actually appears to be getting fresher as time moves along.

“Tim’s been really fresh all year long,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “I’m enthused about his health.

“He’s got quickness and more agility than he’s had in a while.”

A few weeks ago, Popovich described the 14-year veteran as “spry” — a word typically reserved for 80-year-old retirees who still make their weekly shuffleboard games.

In Duncan’s case, it fits.

Though playing minutes almost identical to last season, the power forward’s scoring average is up more than a point from last season to 14.3 points per game.

His rebounding average — 8.9 per game — is identical.

Since February began, Duncan is averaging 16.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and nearly two blocks.

“From watching him last year to now, he definitely looks like the old Tim Duncan,” said Stephen Jackson, who last played with Duncan when he was winning consecutive MVPs.

“To get where we want to be, we’re going to need him to play like that.”

Tonight, the Spurs host the reigning NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, marking not only the beginning of their first back-to-back-to-back set of the season, but also the first of five games in six nights.

Duncan is almost certainly due a day of rest soon, as are the 34-year-old Ginobili and 29-year-old Parker, who left Wednesday’s game before halftime with a tight hamstring.

As the Spurs learned with Duncan last season, it only takes one ill-timed twist of the ankle to ruin a season’s worth of fitness.

In the playoffs last year, a hobbled Duncan was left to tangle with Memphis’ twin beasts, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, on one leg.

For now, Duncan says he feels fresh, and there’s no reason to disbelieve him.

“I feel good,” said Duncan, who has skipped only two of the Spurs’ 44 games. “I’ve felt good all season long.”

One sign Duncan is feeling, ahem, “spry:” He’s dunking the ball both with authority and regularity.

Duncan has logged 12 dunks in March alone, after recording 17 in an entire 82-game slate. He has totaled 23 this season, with still a ways to go to catch Griffin (127) or Dwight Howard (124), but only one behind backup center Tiago Splitter for the Spurs’ team lead.

Duncan attributes his surge in slams to the Spurs’ guards, who he says are doing a nice job of finding him on the pick-and-roll.

In a sense, his nightly jam session could be a side effect of Parker’s career year handing out assists.

“He’s making all the right decisions,” Duncan said, “and we have great shooters on the perimeter, which opens up the middle for me.

“They have to respect our shooters, they have to respect Tony — and I’m the other guy.”

To be the last team standing, however, the Spurs need Duncan to be more than just some guy. They need him to be the guy he’s been for most of the past two months — fresh, nimble and, yes, spry.

Game by game, dunk by dunk, Duncan is giving the Spurs added reason for hope.

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Spurs honor Bowen with convincing win

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Spurs 116, Timberwolves 100: March 21, 2012

Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) cringes after a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love (42) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) dunks against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Wesley Johnson (04) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) drives to the goal against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Wesley Johnson (04) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) walks to the locker room followed by team trainer Will Sevening (right) after reports stated Parker had tightness in his left hamstring in the second quarter of the Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Former Spurs Bruce Bowen smiles at fans during a Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen was honored during a jersey retirement ceremony. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) lines up a three-pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Danny Green (04) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Former Spurs Bruce Bowen laughs while attending a Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves’ at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen was honored during a jersey retirement ceremony. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) loses control of the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love (42) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22) gets a shot blocked by Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Tolliver (44) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ James Anderson (25) goes up for a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Tolliver (44) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love (42) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02), Gary Neal (14), Stephen Jackson (03) and Danny Green (04) take the court in the second half of play against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) gestures after making a three-pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (03) lines up a free throw against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Gary Neal (14) attempts a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Jose Barea (11) and Anthony Tolliver (44) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Silverdancers sport tops with former Spurs Bruce Bowen name and number during the Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen was honored during a jersey retirement ceremony after the game. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) goes up for a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Derrick Williams (07) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

Former Spurs Bruce Bowen (left) gets a kiss from his youngest son, Ozmel, while attending a Spurs game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Bowen is being honored during a jersey retirement ceremony. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)

By Jeff McDonald

The man of the hour sat in the front row, bowtie and all. A banner emblazoned with his jersey number hung in the rafters overhead, obscured by a black curtain.

The stage was set for quite a party Wednesday night at the ATT Center.

All the Spurs had to do, before they could retire Bruce Bowen’s No. 12 for all eternity, was beat the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I’m not going to lie, it makes the mood better,” said Stephen Jackson, newly returned to the Spurs roster. “If we had lost, some people would have left.”

Instead, the latest collection of Spurs started Bruce Bowen Night off right, albeit not precisely in the manner befitting the celebration of a defensive standout, routing Minnesota 116-100.

The Spurs had six players in double figures — none of them named Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili — and led wire-to-wire in sending the Timberwolves to their 15th consecutive loss in San Antonio.

Tim Duncan had 21 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Spurs, and did not play after the third quarter.

? The only hiccup: Parker, the Spurs’ All-Star point guard, left before halftime with a tight left hamstring and did not return.

His status for Friday’s game against Dallas, the start of the Spurs’ first back-to-back-to-back of the season, is in doubt — but only officially.

“If I was a betting man, I’d say he’ll be back,” said Gary Neal, who would start for Parker otherwise.

The Spurs (30-14) didn’t exactly miss their leading scorer Wednesday.

Neal, Kawhi Leonard and Jackson each chipped in 16 points. Danny Green scored 14, and Tiago Splitter had 11.

For Jackson, it was quite a homecoming to the ATT Center. Playing at home for the first time since last week’s trade that brought him back to the Spurs, Jackson hit his first four shots, finishing 6 of 9, and 3 of 4 from 3-point range.

“We won, and that’s what I’m all about,” Jackson said after his first home game at the ATT Center since the 2003 NBA Finals. “I’m glad to be on a team that wins.”

The Spurs outrebounded the Timberwolves 56-41, including a 17-9 edge on the offensive glass, after being annihilated on the boards in two losses in Minnesota.

It did not help Minnesota’s cause to be without 6-foot-11 center Nikola Pekovic, who was sidelined with an ankle injury.

“He’s the guy we can throw it to and know we can get easy buckets and keep the other team off the glass,” Minnesota’s Kevin Love said.

Speaking of Love, the Spurs did a half-decent job defending the All-Star forward, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds after averaging 21 and 15.5 against them in two previous meetings.

Often, the Spurs used alternating small forwards, Jackson and Leonard, to deny Love the ball in the post.

“He’s murdered us twice already,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “I thought the guys were really focused on that.”

Once the Spurs had dispensed with the business at hand, it was time to honor Bowen, who retired in 2009 an eight-time member of the NBA All-Defensive team and three-time league champion.

Unlike the last jersey retirement the Timberwolves were on hand for — Chris Mullin’s on Monday at Golden State — there were no boos from the crowd. Only the familiar chants of “Bruuuuuuce!”

Bowen became the seventh Spurs player to have his jersey retired, joining David Robinson, George Gervin, James Silas, Sean Elliott, Avery Johnson and Johnny Moore.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had anything bestowed on me quite as special as this,” said Bowen, who teared up during the ceremony.

By beating the Timberwolves, the current Spurs did their part to make the night a little more special. But only a little.

“It’s one of those nights that’s beyond the game,” Ginobili said. “What Bruce accomplished, and what he meant to this city, is beyond one game against the Timberwolves.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Ginobili rounding into shape slowly

Even after three days without games, Spurs guard Manu Ginobili isn’t certain he is ready yet for back-to-back outings.

“The rest was good, considering the games we’re having,” Ginobili said Tuesday. “(Playing back-to-back) would be a day-to-day thing. After tomorrow’s game, I’ll see. I don’t think I’m going to play that much, but Pop (coach Gregg Popovich) is still concerned, and it’s good that it’s like that.

“I’m feeling a little bit better than last week, so hopefully, I’ll start increasing to a point where I can go with everybody else.”

Ginobili has missed 28 games with a series of ailments: A fractured fifth metacarpal on his left hand; a strained left oblique; and, most recently, tightness in his right hip flexor. He sat out the front end of the back-to-back set Friday and Saturday in Oklahoma City and Dallas but has an eye on the back-to-back-to-back games on the schedule this weekend, beginning Friday against the Mavericks.

“The hip is much better,” he said. “Legs overall, and all around not the best I’ve ever felt, but much better than last week. So that’s what’s having me optimistic and ready.”

The Spurs are one of several teams using a cryosauna treatment in which players’ bodies are cooled below minus-200 degrees Fahrenheit, a process believed to optimize the healing process and promote general health.

“It’s really hard to figure it out if it makes you better or not,” Ginobili said. “It’s not going to hurt you, so we do it, to recover and stuff like that.”

It is not difficult to know one thing about the treatments.

“It is cold,” Ginobili said. “That’s for sure.”

Joseph back to Austin: Rookie point guard Cory Joseph was assigned to the Austin Toros, the Spurs’ NBA D-League team, for the third time this season.

Joseph has appeared in 27 of 43 Spurs games but has played only 204 minutes all season. Popovich has stressed that the greatest need for the team’s youngest player is to get playing time, which he is assured with the Toros.

Joseph’s Austin assignment heightened speculation the Spurs may be nearing a deal with point guard Patty Mills, a former Portland Trail Blazers player recently returned from playing in the Chinese Basketball Association.

Yahoo! Sports.com on Tuesday reported that a deal the Spurs have offered Mills, an Australian national, is awaiting resolution of visa issues.

Easy adjustment: After starting 16 games at shooting guard, rookie Kawhi Leonard was shifted to the starting small forward spot after the trade that sent Richard Jefferson to the Golden State Warriors for Stephen Jackson.

The adjustment, Leonard said, was relatively simple.

“They’re very interchangeable (positions),” he said. “We pretty much do the same thing on the court. It just depends on what number they call to run the play for.”

mikemonroe@express-news.net