In a recent press conference, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talked about Duncan’s current health.

Said Popovich: “He is healthy. He’ll come back out of shape but healthy.”

Duncan entering training camp out of shape is by design. They’ve pushed back his offseason training and have instructed him to do only minimal basketball world. The hope is that by Duncan putting less wear on his knees during the offseason, his knees will remain stronger for a longer amount of time.

In a further attempt to make his knees ready for the forthcoming season, Duncan has been working daily on becoming more flexible.

Said Popovich: “He’s got more flexibility in that leg than he ever has. Significantly more. He’s cranking his knees during the day and at night when he goes to bed. It’s paid off.”

With a number of impressive offseason additions including Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, DeJuan Blair and Theo Ratliff, Duncan and the Spurs are undoubtedly looking forward to the start of the 2009-10 NBA season.

Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Tim Duncan Injury Update

Although he has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, the 46 games he played last year with the Philadelphia 76ers were the most games he played since the 2005-06 season. For the season, he averaged 1.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 12.6 minutes per contest for the Sixers.

Ratliff’s biggest strength as a basketball player is his ability to block shots. For his career, he has 1,902 blocks. He has averaged 2.5 blocks per game for his career in 26.1 minutes per contest.

The best season of Ratliff’s career was in the 2000-01 season. Playing for the Sixers, Ratliff averaged 12.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in 36 minutes per game.

While Ratliff won’t play much for the Spurs, he’ll get minutes when the Spurs need an additional shotblocker on the court.

Theo Ratliff signs with the Spurs (Image: Newscom)

Post from: EveryJoe

Theo Ratliff Signs by the San Antonio Spurs

Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs (Image: Newscom)

In recent weeks, Duncan has been sporting a pair of knee braces. Against the Utah Jazz, Duncan only had on one knee brace.

“It is basically gone,” said Duncan, talking about the pain in his right knee, “so it was good to be out there without a brace on and kind of play well.”

In 31 minutes of action versus the Jazz, Duncan finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists. The Spurs, led by Tony Parker’s 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists, were able to win the game by a final score of 105-99.

Even if Duncan does heal in time for the playoffs, the Spurs still are in a major hole after the news hit that Manu Ginobili is out for the season. For Duncan to win his fifth championship, he’ll need to play better than ever in the postseason.

Post from: EveryJoe

Tim Duncan Injury Update – Feeling Better

Tony Parker of the Spurs carves up the Hawks (Image: Newscom)

On Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks, Parker once again proved that point. In 39 minutes, Parker had 42 points and ten assists while making 18 of his 25 shot attempts from the field and all six of his free throws.

With the score tied going into the final period, Parker took over. Using his blinding speed and midrange jumper, the native of France picked apart the Hawks possession after possession. When it was all said and done, the Spurs had posted a 102-92 victory.

Making the win even more impressive is the fact that San Antonio was shorthanded. Duncan missed the game to rest his aching knees, while Ginobili was limited to 12 minutes in his return to the lineup after missing over a month with an ankle injury.

Roger Mason, Jr. chipped in 18 points for the Spurs, while Joe Johnson led the Hawks with 30 points.

Post from: EveryJoe

Tony Parker Erupts as Spurs Top Hawks

Ex-NBA referee Tim Donaghy has made allegations that officials fixed Game 6 of the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals game between the Kings and the Lakers. We counter with who really thought that one was on the up and up anyhow? In light of this less-than-shocking revelation we’ve put together a list of the ten reasons the NBA and the WWE are the same.

If you have any more just comment below. The list could be endless.

1. Athletes know who is going to win the big matches before they start.
2. All-knowing Commissioner decides outcome to boost attendance and TV ratings.
3. All-knowing Commissioner usually guesses wrong about what will boost attendance and TV ratings.
4. It’s all about the MON-Nay!
5. Perpetual repeat champion (Spurs and Tim Duncan; Triple H) is unbearably boring.
6. Fake wheelchairs. Paul Pierce and Vickie Guerrero need to exchange their faux disability tips.
7. Stars are protected, sheltered from bad calls, and allowed to prosper through unfair tactics.
8. Annual draft is fixed despite countless assertions to the contrary.
9. A sideshow of beautiful buxom blonds that are often more compelling than their male counterparts.
10. The lights dim, the amped up music begins, highlight reel starts on the Jumbotron, excitable announcer elongates name intro, fireworks start, the hero appears.
(Bonus for Tim Donaghy) Horrible, horrible officiating.
(Double Bonus) Old folks harp unceasingly about how great their sport was in the 1980s: “You should’ve seen it then. Sigh. Swoon. You really missed a good thing, young’n.”

Photo Source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Ten Reasons the NBA and the WWE Are the Same