You sometimes wonder how management holds it together in the off season with players having time and money on their hands and using both to do who knows what. In Tony Parker’s case he is playing basketball and isn’t that what he is supposed to be doing?

Well, maybe or maybe not.

Tony has been playing for the French National team in a 3 team qualifier for the European Championships. That is not exactly just working out getting ready for the new season. Parker always plays games with complete abandon has he takes the ball and drives to the hole. That is the scary part for management of the San Antonio Spurs and in this case it appears justified as Tony hurt his ankle.

He collided with an Austrian player in a game in Strasbourg, France, on July 23, leaving the court on crutches after injuring both his right thigh and ankle. An MRI exam showed no ligament damage in the ankle, but, a week later, the Spurs requested Parker’s return so they could perform their own tests.

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford, responding by text message, said the Spurs were “being cautious” with the three-time NBA All-Star, who led the team in scoring in both the regular season (22.0 points per game) and playoffs (28.6).
source

Tony Parker sprained his ankle

So, should the Spurs be bringing Tony back to the States to look at his ankle or not? Tony does not think so, but he does have that guaranteed 12.6 million dollar contract for next year and they do have a solid shot at the NBA title next year as well. So, yes, maybe they do have a reason to bring him back.

Image: Zuma Press

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As a follow up to the Part I of Rodney Stuckey is candy and a Rose blooms – Part I, your intrepid author would like to show you some interesting comments by Coach Michael Curry of the Detroit Pistons.

Keep in mind, Joe Dumars hired Curry in part because he is such a great student of the game and the players of the game.

This comment came after the Pistons beat the Bulls.

After the game, Pistons coach Michael Curry described Phoenix’s Steve Nash, San Antonio’s Tony Parker and Denver’s Chauncey Billups — who started the season with Detroit but was traded, in part, because of Stuckey’s development — as the gold standard of NBA point guards.

Next, Curry identified New Orleans’ Chris Paul, Utah’s Deron Williams and New Jersey’s Devin Harris as a trio who have “separated themselves … as a young group of guards pushing Nash and Parker and Billups.”

Then he mentioned his own guy.

“I think Stuckey is in a group with Derrick Rose and (Boston’s Rajon) Rondo as the up-and-coming next group of guards,” Curry said. “It’s going to be interesting to see how they all continue to mature and grow as players. All three have different skill sets, but all three have the kind of demeanor that it takes to be very successful in this league.”
source

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Manu Ginobili is looking for the ball

Manu Ginobili has returned to the San Antonio Spurs.

Ginobili, who missed San Antonio’s first 12 games, scored 12 points to help the Spurs beat the Memphis Grizzlies 94-81 on Monday night.

“I felt pretty good about it,” said Ginobili, who played 11 minutes in his first outing. “I didn’t rush it a lot. I took my time, found the open seam, made a couple of shots. I wasn’t thinking about a great game on my first one, so I’m happy with what I did.”

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San Antonio has seemingly just been plodding along at 6 – 6, but things will change now that Manu is back. His ability to penetrate and also make big shots takes a lot of pressure off of Tim Duncan. With Manu and Tony in the game, you cannot get away with a double on Duncan.

So, what did Tim Duncan think?

“He gave us a boost when everything went dead,” Duncan said of Ginobili. “We gave him the ball a couple of times in a row, and he was able to get to the free throw line.

“He really picked us up in a time that we were struggling.”

Photo source Newscom

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Tony Parker is unstoppable

With no Manu and the San Antonio Spurs slumping, somebody had to do something. Well, Tony Parker did more than just something. Tony did everything.

The San Antonio Spurs needed every last layup and feathery jumper from the fast-moving Frenchman, whose unstoppable performance was just enough to fuel their first win.

Parker scored a career-high 55 points, including a 20-footer at the buzzer to force a second overtime, in San Antonio’s 129-125 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

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It was only the Timberwolves, but the Spurs needed this win!

Photo source Newscom

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One of my favorite hoop sites is basketball reference.com

Today, why don’t we look at playoff games for a player’s career?

So who has the most NBA playoff games in their career that is still playing?

1. Robert Horry 244 – Somehow this guy gets himself on teams that win it all and he makes big shots.

2. Shaquille O’Neal 203 – The big guy was the dominant player in the game for most of his career.

3. Tim Duncan 155 – The big fundamental always seems to get the job done and creates a mismatch on the court.

4. Derek Fisher 154 – Just like Robert Horry, this guy finds a way to play for winning teams and makes big shots.

5. Kobe Bryant 152 – What Kobe did last year cemented his legacy as one of the best players in the game for all time.

6. Rasheed Wallace 149 – The mercurial center for the Pistons can be whatever he wants to be on a given night and he plays superb defense.

7. Lindsey Hunter 141 – Lindsey may be done, but Joe Dumars keeps talking him into one more year. The speedy backcourt player is one of the best one on one defenders of quick point guards.

8. Sam Cassell 136 – You could see age catching up to the quick shooting Sam Cassell as he played for the Celtics last year. Sam could always get his shot off in the playoffs, which is a special skill in itself.

9. Bruce Bowen 130 – a key member of Tim Duncan’s team, Bruce can stop any forward or big guard in the league.

10. Chauncey Billups and Tony Parker 117 – both excellent guards at the point position for their respective teams. Tony is more of a penetrator and Chauncey is known for his big shots.
Photo source Newscom

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Tim Duncan at 32 is the baby in this group with Bruce Bowen, Brent Barry, and Kurt Thomas

Image details: San Antonio Spurs v Los Angeles Lakers, Game 5 served by picapp.com

Los Angeles Lakers stay young

The Lakers are a young team and their victory over the Spurs may cause some changes to the league.

San Antonio’s elimination might signal the end of its era of dominance. With Duncan leading the way, the Spurs won championships in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007, but with a rotation made up solely of 30-something players except for the 26-year-old Parker, the future seems uncertain.

Meanwhile, starting guard Derek Fisher and seldom-used reserve Ira Newble are the only players on the Los Angeles roster over 30.

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Something happens to the body as it moves into its thirties. You don’t jump as quick or push as hard. The mind is still there, but the body begins to back off. Bruises hang around longer and injuries appear more often. It signals the beginning of the end.

The group of 30-something Spurs could not keep up with the in-their-20s Los Angeles Lakers.

After another fast start at Staples Center, San Antonio seemed to tire, again blowing a substantial lead and falling 100-92 on Thursday night as the Lakers won Game 5 to advance to the NBA Finals.

San Antonio took a 17-point lead in the second quarter, but the Lakers caught up in the third and put the game away late in the fourth.

In the Western Conference finals opener, San Antonio was up by 20 in the third quarter on the Lakers’ court before the Spurs began to struggle and Los Angeles stormed back to win 89-85.

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Age takes its toll. It does not mean the same Spurs team cannot come back next year and win a title, but it may be time to rebuild parts of the team.

Tony Parker, at 26 the lone member of the Spurs’ regular rotation under 30, and 32-year-old Tim Duncan did their part in Game 5, with Parker scoring 23 points and Duncan getting 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.

But down the stretch, the Lakers again outplayed them and teammates Bruce Bowen and Brent Barry, each 36; Michael Finely, 35; and Manu Ginobili, 30.

Popovich didn’t use Robert Horry, who is almost 38, going instead with Kurt Thomas, who is 35. Thomas had 11 points in his 20:38 on the court.

Kobe Bryant, 29 and the Lakers’ oldest regular except for 33-year-old backcourt mate Derek Fisher, led Los Angeles with 39 points. Pau Gasol, 27, had 19 rebounds and 12 points, while Lamar Odom, 28, chipped in with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Although they’ve been the league’s best team in recent years, the Spurs still haven’t been able to repeat as champions.

One should keep in mind though that the Kobe came to the NBA from High School, so his body has taken an extra toll.

But none of that matters to the Lakers right now. They are going to the NBA Championship series! That is all they can think about.

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Legendary Jerry West and Kobe Bryant celebrate winning the Western Conference title

Image details: San Antonio Spurs v Los Angeles Lakers, Game 5 served by picapp.com

The Lakers defeated the Spurs and earned a trip to the NBA Finals.

Kobe Bryant scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter, and the Lakers rallied from an early 17-point deficit to beat the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs 100-92 on Thursday night and win the conference finals in five games.

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Stern rejoices

Commissioner David Stern could get his dream matchup of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Boston Celtics after all. Two big money cities, one from each coast, filled with championship lore, fighting it out for the NBA Title. What more could Stern even dream of? Well, how about the series goes 7 games?

The matchup he feared was the San Antonio Spurs vs. the Detroit Pistons. That series would feature a lot of defense and low TV ratings. Sorry, but when one team has a player known as the Big Fundamental and the other team features no one, it is hard to market to the world.

Consider that in Detroit the Hockey games have been drawing better than the Basketball games.

Pittsburgh’s 3-2 win on Wednesday night earned a 2.8 national rating and an 18.2 rating in Detroit, beating out the 15.9 rating for the Pistons’ matchup with the Boston Celtics.

Game 5 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference finals drew a 5.3 national rating.
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How can your host city be beaten by Hockey? You remember that sport, the one with the puck? Hockey and the Red Wings are huge in Detroit.

One final note and it is not even close, Boston and LA have been to more finals individually in Basketball than any other teams. Just look at all the titles that Red Auerbach won with Boston.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson has won nine championships, tied for the NBA record with former Boston coach Red Auerbach.

Lakers fired up!

The Lakers could not contain their excitement. The Western Conference had so many teams that finished with close records that to finally win a trip to the finals was just too much to handle. It is a good thing the Lakers had home court advantage.

The Lakers are 12-3 in the playoffs, including 8-0 at Staples Center, where they haven’t lost in two months. They have won 14 straight home games and 21 of their last 24 postseason games at home.

“My heart’s still pumping, that adrenaline is still running from the game,” said Lamar Odom, who had 13 points and eight rebounds. “Maybe when I sit down and have something to eat, I’ll realize what just happened.

“We came out here, played our game, and won. It’s satisfying, but one more step.”

source

The NBA Finals start next Thursday.

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A quick news rundown of game 2.

How can the Spurs come back from such a major beat down in game 2?

Los Angeles with Kobe Bryant playing at his peak looks more and more like the NBA Champions for this year.

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Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili celebrate with victory over New Orleans

Image details: San Antonio Spurs v New Orleans Hornets – Game Seven served by picapp.com

In the NBA, some of the natural order has been restored.

The game, like a lot of these games, came down to the final few shots. This in spite of the fact that the Spurs had a big third quarter lead.

Ginobili scored 26 points, hitting four free throws in the final minute, to send the Spurs to the Western Conference finals with a 91-82 victory Monday night.

Parker added 17 points, including a crucial jumper in the final minute, as the Spurs held off a late rally to become the first team in this series to win on the road.

“We really believed we had a chance to win on the road here,” said Spurs forward Tim Duncan, who had 16 points and 14 rebounds. “It’s just a lot of confidence. A lot of games under our belt.”
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The old guard will now face the Lakers in the Western Conference finals. Chris Paul will go home knowing the Hornets need maybe one or two more weapons. There is a certain path to the finals and the Hornets have started down that path.

With a nucleus of Chris Paul, David West and Tyson Chandler, the Hornets appear destined for greater things, but now is not their time.

“One thing I want them to remember when they start working out next season is how they feel right now,” said Hornets coach Byron Scott, adding he was proud that his team, which did not make the playoffs last season, pushed the Spurs as far as it did.

“You have to go through some things before you can really understand how good it’s going to feel when you get to that next level,” Scott continued. “You don’t go from not making the playoffs to winning a championship. It just doesn’t work that way. … We’re headed in the right direction.”

David West led the Hornets in scoring.

West led the Hornets with 20 points, while Paul and Jannero Pargo each added 18. Chandler had 13 points and 15 rebounds for the Hornets, who cut a deficit as large as 17 down to three inside the final two minutes.

In the end, it was the three pointers that cost the New Orleans Hornets the game.

While the Hornets managed to hold Duncan under 20 points by crowding the inside, his Spurs teammates combined for 12 3-pointers to keep alive their chance to win back-to-back titles for the first time.

“We knew the shots were going to be there. It happened today that we just made more,” said Ginobili, who made four 3-pointers. “We just let it fly.”

NBA Basketball Gregg Popovich factoid - Coach Pop has the highest playoff win percentage of .702.

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Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan take turns rubbing Tony Parkers head. It is said to contain large quantities of good luck!

Image details: Phoenix Suns v San Antonio Spurs, Game 5 served by picapp.com

Hey, Chris Paul was amazing with 35 points and 9 assists, but it was not enough as San Antonio managed to win game 3 of the Western Conference second round series.

San Antonio Spurs 110, New Orleans Hornets 99

For San Antonio it involved getting a little more physical and hitting some big shots in the fourth quarter, especially by Manu Ginobili.

Ginobili, the league’s top sixth man, started for the first time this postseason and led a Spurs charge early in the final quarter. Left alone, he hit a wide-open 3 and was fouled by Bonzi Wells, who scrambled at him to guard the shot. Ginobili’s free throw put San Antonio up 87-82, and another 3 by Ginobili 38 seconds later made it 90-84. source

Home teams are 10 – 0 in the second round of the playoffs. Hey, why doesn’t this seem boring?

Admit it, you thought the New Orleans Hornets were a lot of fun with Chris Paul and David West, but when they faced San Antonio they would be goners. Tim Duncan would show them how real playoff basketball was played. It has not turned out that way. (Squibster note: count me just as guilty.)

Now we have a series and game 4 may decide everything. If the Spurs win, their confidence will be back in full swing and you never want to do that to a traditional powerhouse like San Antonio. If the Spurs lose, the Hornets have 2 out of the next 3 games at home. Ouch!

Chris Paul for President! Wait a minute; he did not even win the MVP award. How is that possible? Oh, there was that Kobe Bryant guy. He is pretty good too. But Chris is playing better than Barack Obama and we do want change, don’t we? Forget MVP, Chris Paul for President! He is a better choice than Ron Paul. Chris Paul has a way better crossover move than Ron Paul.

No troubles in San Antonio

It was a strange sight to see.

The San Antonio Spurs’ Big Three congregated around the scorer’s table during a timeout in the fourth quarter, not long before they put the game away for good. Tim Duncan patted Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. They all laughed. The NBA’s defending champions were not going into an 0-3 hole against the New Orleans Hornets. source

Going down 3 games to nothing would have pretty much finished the Spurs. They may have won a game for respect, but that would be it. Mentally, being down 3 – 0 is just too much.

Parker and Ginobili both had 31 and Duncan had a monster game of 16 points and 13 assists.

David West came back for the Hornets with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

So all the stars did well!

Cancer side note

Your intrepid author is fighting cancer, so this story really hit home.

Paul’s shoes read “Brian!” in white lettering in honor of an 8-year-old fan with cancer who was set to attend Monday’s Game 2 but missed it with a fever and died hours later. “To the family, I’m terribly sorry,” Paul said after the game. “I’m just happy I could honor Brian tonight by putting his name on my shoes. It has to be the most touching story I’ve had as a professional athlete.” source

Knowing the slew of emotions my own family has gone through; my heart really goes out to Brian’s family. 8 is much too young to pass on.

Game 4 in San Antonio

The Spurs have to figure out a way to slow down Paul or stop David West if they plan on winning this series.

Meanwhile, the Hornets cannot allow Parker and Ginobili to both get off for 31. That is a sure recipe for disaster.

Game 4 should be a good one!

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