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Series notes: Kings still fear misstep against injured Duncan
By Joe Davidson and Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writers
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, April 28, 2006
Tim Duncan didn't bound into this playoff series as much as the former MVP hobbled through the side door, hands to the wall for support. After a detour to the trainer's office for treatment and ice, of course.
Duncan resembles the Duncan of old only in jersey number and facial appearance these days. He admitted on the eve of the playoffs that he was just now regaining a measure of health and confidence after his most trying season. Largely because of the dreaded plantar fasciitis - a sore foot - he averaged career lows across the board.
And through the first two games of this series, he has been a sidenote to San Antonio's hot shooting and bench play, though he did have 14 points and 13 rebounds in a tight Game 2 victory.
So do the Kings continue to double-team him? Does Duncan punish the Kings if they do? Stay tuned.
"They're not going through him as much as they used to," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We've been trying to help (on defending him). That's probably why Duncan is not Duncan.
"But you take one thing away, and you pick your poison. You keep trying to mix it up."
Kenny Thomas knows Duncan better than any of the Kings, having competed against him for years and having worked out with him in the offseason in Texas.
"The guy's an All-Star," Thomas said. "I don't know how healthy he is. I've seen him at his best, and I've seen him at his worst, on TV. He draws a lot of attention.
"It's not like I'm playing him one on one. The guys are helping me, too, once you get in the paint. He's very long, and at any given time he can put up big numbers."
Is he the same old Timmy?
"No," Thomas said. "He's been a little bit more passive, I think. He's not being as aggressive. It's good for us, but for them, they've got other guys that can score."
Beware the three - The Kings have talked for two days about the Spurs' ability to launch - and make - three-point shots in abundance.
"That's what happens in the playoffs," Adelman said. "Two games in a row and they've been consistent, so we've got to be aware of it. At least get some hand pressure in there and not let it be wide open."
And the bombing has been a teamwide trend for the Spurs, not just one or two hot shooters.
"It's been the whole team - I realize that," Adelman said, allowing a smile. "They've been really good."
Bonzi's view - After scoring 28 points in Game 2, Bonzi Wells wants to inflict similar damage to the Spurs' interior in Game 3. And he'll go about his work keeping in mind that the Kings are in desperation mode.
"We can't forget we're down 0-2," he said. " ... We have to be aggressive. We have to keep in mind that kept us in Game 2. We're going to take that attitude into Game 3."
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By Joe Davidson and Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writers
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, April 28, 2006
Tim Duncan didn't bound into this playoff series as much as the former MVP hobbled through the side door, hands to the wall for support. After a detour to the trainer's office for treatment and ice, of course.
Duncan resembles the Duncan of old only in jersey number and facial appearance these days. He admitted on the eve of the playoffs that he was just now regaining a measure of health and confidence after his most trying season. Largely because of the dreaded plantar fasciitis - a sore foot - he averaged career lows across the board.
And through the first two games of this series, he has been a sidenote to San Antonio's hot shooting and bench play, though he did have 14 points and 13 rebounds in a tight Game 2 victory.
So do the Kings continue to double-team him? Does Duncan punish the Kings if they do? Stay tuned.
"They're not going through him as much as they used to," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We've been trying to help (on defending him). That's probably why Duncan is not Duncan.
"But you take one thing away, and you pick your poison. You keep trying to mix it up."
Kenny Thomas knows Duncan better than any of the Kings, having competed against him for years and having worked out with him in the offseason in Texas.
"The guy's an All-Star," Thomas said. "I don't know how healthy he is. I've seen him at his best, and I've seen him at his worst, on TV. He draws a lot of attention.
"It's not like I'm playing him one on one. The guys are helping me, too, once you get in the paint. He's very long, and at any given time he can put up big numbers."
Is he the same old Timmy?
"No," Thomas said. "He's been a little bit more passive, I think. He's not being as aggressive. It's good for us, but for them, they've got other guys that can score."
Beware the three - The Kings have talked for two days about the Spurs' ability to launch - and make - three-point shots in abundance.
"That's what happens in the playoffs," Adelman said. "Two games in a row and they've been consistent, so we've got to be aware of it. At least get some hand pressure in there and not let it be wide open."
And the bombing has been a teamwide trend for the Spurs, not just one or two hot shooters.
"It's been the whole team - I realize that," Adelman said, allowing a smile. "They've been really good."
Bonzi's view - After scoring 28 points in Game 2, Bonzi Wells wants to inflict similar damage to the Spurs' interior in Game 3. And he'll go about his work keeping in mind that the Kings are in desperation mode.
"We can't forget we're down 0-2," he said. " ... We have to be aggressive. We have to keep in mind that kept us in Game 2. We're going to take that attitude into Game 3."
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