San Antonio Spurs Top 9 Worst Injuries Of All Time
1996-97: The Gift & The Curse
The latest injury to San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, a broken the fourth metacarpal in his shooting hand, has cost him the rest of the regular season in a year that has already plagued him with plantar fasciitis, spraining both ankles, a strained hip flexor and food poisoning.
With the Spurs currently hanging onto the Western Conference seventh seed that already has many questioning their chances in the playoffs and with this latest injury it will sure cast a greater shadow of doubt. While injuries are part of the game, what have been the 9 most damaging to the Spurs franchise? Why 9? In honor of Tony.
- 9. Tony Parker 2009-10 season
Parker an NBA Finals MVP season looked shaky from the start when he suffered his first injury in a year that was filled with many. While playing overseas in the off-season for France against Hungary in Eurobasketball Parker turned his ankle. The bug was cast before the season even started but stayed with him until March 6 in Memphis, where his regular season came to end. Parker sat out numerous games in the year to a variety of injuries: plantar fasciitis, a strained hip flexor, spraining both ankles and food poisoning.
- 8. James Silas 1976-76 season
Possibly one of the best Spurs of all-time that the NBA never had a chance to see at his peak. In the last season ABA before the merger Captain Late broke his ankle by landing on the foot of New Jersey Nets guard Brian Taylor in the ABA Finals. Recovered and ready for the Spurs first season in the NBA he suffered a cartilage tear in his knee restricting him to play in only 22 games for a Spurs team that was poised to contend. Silas played only 37 games the following season and was out of the league in four years.
- 7. Manu Ginobili 2008-09 season
One of the greatest to put on a Spurs jersey was injured in the semi-finals of the Beijing Olympics. The injury carried through to the NBA season and limited him to appear only in 44 regular season games and missed the entire playoffs. San Antonio went in as the third seed with a 54–28 record but was eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round 4–1 the earliest exit since 2000.
- 6. Johnny Dawkins 1988-89 season
Originally drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft the former Duke all time leading scorer and Naismith College Player of the Year was suppose to be the point guard of the future for the Spurs and coach Larry Brown. Durring the 88-89 season he started to suffer from a nerve injury in his left leg and foot that allowed him to only see action in 32 games. The nerve injury in his leg would eventually force him to retire from the game.
- 5. Terry Cummings 1992-93 season
In a season in which the Spurs improved on its record and advanced out of the first round they did so with limited minutes from one of their best scorers in Cummings. In the off-season Cummings tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during a pickup game that forced him to miss the first 74 regular season games. Upon his return, he could no longer put up All-Star numbers he was accustomed and from then on was used in a role much like a reserve.
- 4. Derek Anderson 2000-01 season
Anderson was a vital part in the Spurs plans of providing outside help to Tim Duncan and David Robinson averaging 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game on the wing. The Spurs looked to be on their way to earining a second NBA championship in 3 years as the stars where lining up until Dallas Mavericks Juwan Howard drew a flagrant foul on Anderson. He separated his right shoulder when he drove for the basket and Howard swung his arm into Anderson’s side that caused him to land on his shoulder. He missed the rest of the Mavericks series and returned in the conference finals against the in limited minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers. Anderson and the Spurs where caught in a no win situation since it wasn’t adequate enough time for him to heal.
- 3. Tim Duncan 1999-2000 season
In the Spurs first chance at trying to repeat as champions after winning their first NBA championship, they entered the playoffs without Duncan. He was averaging 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game in a season that he had earned co-MVP with Shaquille O’Neal during the All-Star Game. However Duncan injured his meniscus shortly before the end of the regular season against the Sacramento Kings. The injury forced him to miss the playoffs and the Spurs saw them lose to the Phoenix Suns 3–1 in the first round. Without Duncan the Spurs relied on Malik Rose and Jerome Kersey to play alongside David Robinson but in the series they saw them go down as well with injuries.
- 2. Johnny Moore 1986-87 season
An assist man, who lead the league in that category in 1981-82, a steal man, an all around NBA player in his first five season with the Spurs. Moore often found the open man and wasn’t afraid to make the extra pass as he is one of only three players in teams history to record 20 assists during a game was hospitalized December 26,1986 with the devastating disease, Desert Fever. Doctors warned him that the disease could be fatal. Desert Fever luckily did not cost his life but ended up costing his basketball career as Moore lost three years of playing. He finally was able to return to the court to play in 53 games during 1989-90 season, which would be his last.
- 1. David Robinson 1996-97 season
The year that will be known as the gift and curse for the Spurs franchise. That season saw Robinson hurt his back in the preseason, an injury that would plagued him the rest of his career, limited him to 6 games before breaking a bone in his foot. He wound up missing the entire season and the Spurs finished 20-62. The curse is it cost the Spurs their best player in franchise history and their season but the gift came in the form of ping pong balls and the drafting of Tim Duncan out of Wake Forest University with the number one overall pick.
Is there a Spurs injury you believe that was missed to be of greater significant than these 9? Feel free to leave your feedback.
Reggie Evans Named NBA’s Dirtiest Player
Why Your Hand Down There The Ball Is By His Face
In a recent poll conducted by Sports Illustrated they asked 173 NBA players who they thought was the dirtiest player in the league was. According to the players it was Reggie Evans. Los Angeles Clippers Chris Kaman and Philadelphia 76ers Samuel Dalembert could not agree more. Here’s the rest of the list:
- Reggie Evans, Toronto Raptors (21%)
- Ron Artest, Los Angeles Lakers (13%)
- Andres Nocioni, Sacramento Kings (6%)
- Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers (5%)
- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (4%)
Interesting though that Washington Wizards Fabricio Oberto who leads the league in fouls per 48 minutes, averaging 9.1, did not receive a single vote.
Who do you think is the NBA’s dirtiest player?
Dominic McGuire Traded To Sacramento Kings
Moving Day
The Sacramento Kings acquired Dominic McGuire and cash considerations from the Washington Wizards in exchange for a protected 2010 second round draft pick.
The trade helps continue the process of putting the Wizards in a more positive financial position.
McGuire was initially acquired by Washington with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft. In 190 career games (58 starts) with Washington, McGuire has averaged 2.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game.
Wizards: Winners/Kings: Losers
Tracy McGrady & Carl Landry Traded For Kevin Martin & Sergio Rodriguez
Moving Day
The Sacramento Kings have come out of no where to obtain the expiring $23 million contract of Houston Rockets Tracy McGrady. The Kings also receive Carl Landry, Joey Dorsey, and cash considerations for Kevin Martin, Kenny Thomas, Sergio Rodriguez, and Hilton Armstrong.
Kevin Martin is capable of being one of the league’s most efficient scorers, as his ability to hit shots and draw fouls make him valuable to any offense. He should fit in beautifully with a Rockets team that relies too heavily on Aaron Brooks and Trevor Ariza for shot creation, though the defensively-challenged Martin is a bit atypical on a roster of hard-working defenders.
Martin’s addition comes with a price: He will make $46 million over the next three seasons. Martin, 27, also has missed at least 20 games in each of the past three seasons, including 32 this season because of a broken wrist.
Houston didn’t have an easy time parting with Landry, a rugged, undersized forward who had come to personify the grit of these Rockets. Yet, the chance to secure a young, talented scorer for his offensively challenged roster was too much to pass up.
Sacramento will be reaping the benefits of having a big man rotation of Landry, Jason Thompson, and Spencer Hawes that gives the Kings a young, versatile bunch to build around, and each brings something unique to the table. Sacramento also clears out a significant long-term contract by trading away Martin, which opens the window for the Kings to be a major player in this summer’s free agent market.
McGrady has played in only six games, appearing for fewer than eight minutes in each, before the Rockets gave him a leave in December.
Rockets: Winners/Kings: Winners
NBA Announces Rookie Challenge Participants
Rookie Challenge
Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, the reigning T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, and Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, the leading scorer among first-year players, lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2010 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, Febuary 12 in Dallas during NBA All-Star 2010. San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair will also be making an appearance for the Rookie Team.
The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.
At halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, the Los Angeles Clippers Eric Gordon and the Toronto Raptors DeMar DeRozan will compete in the first NBA All-Star Slam Dunk-In, a single-round slam dunk competition. Fans will be able to vote via text message and at NBA.com to determine who will advance to the Sprite Slam Dunk the following night.
The Sophomore Team:
| Player (Team) | Position | Height | School |
| Michael Beasley (Heat) | F | 6-9 | Kansas State |
| Marc Gasol (Grizzlies) | C | 7-1 | Spain |
| Danilo Gallinari (Knicks) | G-F | 6-10 | Italy |
| Eric Gordon (Clippers) | G | 6-3 | Indiana |
| Brook Lopez (Nets) | C | 7-0 | Stanford |
| Kevin Love (Timberwolves) | F-C | 6-10 | UCLA |
| O.J. Mayo (Grizzlies) | G | 6-4 | USC |
| Derrick Rose (Bulls) | G | 6-3 | Memphis |
| Russell Westbrook (Thunder) | G | 6-3 | UCLA |
The Rookie Team:
| Player (Team) | Position | Height | School |
| Omri Casspi (Kings) | F | 6-9 | Israel |
| DeJuan Blair (Spurs) | F-C | 6-7 | Pittsburgh |
| Stephen Curry (Warriors) | G | 6-3 | Davidson |
| Tyreke Evans (Kings) | G | 6-6 | Memphis |
| Jonny Flynn (Timberwolves) | G | 6-0 | Syracuse |
| Taj Gibson (Bulls) | F | 6-9 | USC |
| James Harden (Thunder) | G | 6-5 | Arizona State |
| Brandon Jennings (Bucks) | G | 6-1 | Lottomatica Roma Italy |
| Jonas Jerebko (Pistons) | F | 6-10 | Sweden |
A Game Winner & It’s Not Kobe
Naturally when I think of game winner I instantly think of Kobe Bryant, hey that’s because he is a winner, but last night we got to see Sacramento Kings Tyreke Evans knock down a jumper to beat the Denver Nuggets 102-100.
I’m not gonna mention any names but didn’t a small round body person on Sports Grind Entertainment proclaim Evans as the Rookie of the Year prior to the NBA season tip off?
Another Game Winner For KOBE!!!
This game on Friday and this highlight got lost in the whole New Years weekend shuffle so I apologize Kobe.
Sacramento Kings Scouting Director Banned For Betting On Games
Tyreke Evans For ROY
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! is reporting that the NBA has banned former Kings assistant scouting director Jack Mai revealed that Mai bet on NBA games, including ones involving the Kings.
Wojnarowski also reports the investigation began with accusations that Mai used his position to broker deals for NBA player appearances and for equipment with teams in China and Korea.
Mai has been disqualified from future employment with any NBA team.
More to come as future details emerge.
Dam Tim Donaghy.
NBA Attendance Only Down 2% Despite Economy
Est. 1946
It’s fairly earlier so don’t shoot the messenger but the numbers are out for early attendance in the NBA and despite the economy and the earliness of the season they are only down 2% from this point last year. Also the statistic is skewed by two teams, the Philadelphia 76ers and Memphis Grizzlies, who are drawing less than 70 percent.
The 76ers averaged 15,802 in 2008-’09, in five home games this season they’ve averaged 11,377, and are down more than 20 percent of capacity from last year. The Memphis Grizzlies ranked 29th in attendance last year only filling 70 percent of their arena are now only filling 66 percent, only outdrawing the 76ers. The Detroit Pistons have cause for concern, dropping from first in average attendance to 16th, falling 19.6 percent. The Spurs, a team retooled and trying to avenge their first round playoff exit rank 12th but are down 8%
Not all is doom and gloom as the Chicago Bulls are up over 100 percent of capacity after filling 97.7 percent of the United Center last season. The Cleveland Cavilers are in a similar boat, selling out each home game so far after drawing 97.3 percent last season. The Atlanta Hawks have seen significant gains, rising from 89.4 to 95.4 percent. Even the Minnesota Timberwolves fans are showing support no that Kevin McHale is ruining their team by filling their stadium by 8% more than last season.
Source: SportsBusiness Journal
Average attendances and percentage for each team:
| Rank | Team | Average Attendance | % (+/-) from year prior |
| 1 | Chicago | 21,111 | +3.3% |
| 2 | Cleveland | 20,562 | +2.7% |
| 3 | Portland | 20,350 | -.8% |
| 4 | Dallas | 19,823 | -1.4% |
| 5 | New York | 19,625 | +1.7% |
| 6 | Utah | 19,611 | -1.5% |
| 7 | LA Lakers | 18,997 | (no chg) |
| 8 | Boston | 18,624 | (no chg) |
| 9 | Toronto | 18,131 | -3.2% |
| 10 | Denver | 18,039 | +4.3% |
| 11 | Washington | 17,975 | +6.7% |
| 12 | San Antonio | 17,957 | -.8% |
| 13 | Oklahoma City | 17,882 | +.5% |
| 14 | Atlanta | 17,862 | +6% |
| 15 | Golden State | 17,827 | -5.7% |
| 16 | Detroit | 17,541 | -19.6% |
| 17 | Orlando | 17,541 | +2.4% |
| 18 | Miami | 17,421 | -4.1% |
| 19 | Houston | 17,130 | -2% |
| 20 | Phoenix | 16,771 | -9% |
| 21 | Minnesota | 16,088 | +8.2% |
| 22 | New Orleans | 15,156 | -10.5% |
| 23 | New Jersey | 14,919 | -1.4% |
| 24 | LA Clippers | 14,748 | -7.4% |
| 25 | Milwaukee | 14,636 | -4% |
| 26 | Charlotte | 14,633 | +.4% |
| 27 | Indiana | 14,439 | +1.4% |
| 28 | Sacramento | 12,422 | -.9% |
| 29 | Memphis | 12,095 | -3.5% |
| 30 | Philadelphia | 11,377 | -23.7% |
Former Spur Ime Udoka Finds Another Job
Not A Hoopster
The Sacramento Kings seeking some defense help waived veteran small forward Desmond Mason a day after signing former San Antonio Spur Ime Udoka to a non-guaranteed minimum salary contract. After Udoka failed to take over playing time by the aging defensive beast Bruce Bowen, the Spurs let him go, and again was left team less for opening day after Portland waived the swing man at the end of the preseason.
Kings coach Paul Westphal elevated Andres Nocioni to the spot Wednesday but then Nocioni created another problem: by being arrested on suspicion of DUI in downtown Sacramento early Thursday morning. He can expect a compulsory two-game suspension by the NBA at some point in the future.
Udoka is a year younger than Mason, but the Kings boast a young roster, with three starters and five rotation players under the age of 23.
I promise unless Udoka resurfaces with the Spurs or nails a shot to win the NBA Finals, this will be the last Ime post.
SPURS DEFEAT KINGS 113-94 (2-1)
Tim Duncan scored seven points, the 15th time in his 13-year career he has been held to that total or fewer. The Spurs are 9-6 in those games.
[Image Via: J.E Skeets Ball Don't Lie]
The Goon Presents 83 Players From 36 Countries
Est. 1946
David “The Goon” Stern’s 2009-10 NBA season starts tomorrow night with 83 international players from 36 countries and territories on official rosters (active and inactive), matching the record of international players on opening night rosters (2006-07). Twenty-seven of the 30 teams have at least one international player. Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, and the Los Angeles Clippers are the only teams without an international player.
The Milwaukee Bucks roster features the most international players with seven. The Charlotte Bobcats, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors each feature five international players. Omri Casspi (Israel) of the Sacramento Kings, Jonas Jerebko (Sweden) of the Detroit Pistons, and Hasheem Thabeet (Tanzania) of the Memphis Grizzlies are representing their countries for the first time on an NBA roster. France has the strongest representation with a record ten players.
At the end of the 2008-09 regular season, the NBA featured 77 international players from 33 countries and territories on team rosters (both active and inactive). In comparison, the NBA had 36 international players from 24 countries and territories in 1999-2000.
“Godfather” can try and take his game to London but when talking global “The Goon” is got that talk on lock.
A Pair Of NBA Players Retire
Hoopster
Bobby Jackson is retiring from the NBA. The 12-year veteran guard, who spent six seasons with Sacramento, made the announcement Friday night before the Kings’ preseason finale against the Utah Jazz. The former University of Minnesota star Jackson averaged 9.7 points per game in his career. He was the league’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2002-03 with averages of 15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
“It’s a tough day for me because I’m retiring from professionally playing the game I love,” he said. “But it’s also a happy day because I’m retiring on my own terms.”
Jackson said his role with the Kings hasn’t been defined, he plans to be involved in community efforts to sell tickets, occasional player development and perhaps scouting of some sort while absorbing all he can. Having said for years he wants to be a coach, Jackson has shifted his focus to front-office aspirations.
“I want to know what everybody’s job is, what they do, learn from the best,” he said. “Learn from (Kings basketball president) Geoff (Petrie), learn from (vice president) Wayne (Cooper), learn from (assistant general manager) Jason (Levien), learn from (director of scouting) Scotty Stirling, (director of player personnel) Jerry Reynolds. You learn from all those (guys) because you never know what sort of position you’ll be in down the road.”
The guy could absolutely ball, bringing such a high energy off the bench and competing tirelessly on a consistent. I was a fan.
In related NBA news, Tyronn Lue has also decided to retire and join Doc Rivers and Boston Celtics staff as director of basketball development. He’ll be Rivers’ fifth assistant. Lue, averaged 8.5 points per game in 11 NBA seasons and most notably was involved in an Allen Iverson signature moment as he stepped over him in Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals.
I was not a fan but thank you for the hilarious moment.
Exploding Balls In Kings Locker Room
Kiss The Baby On This Season
Francisco Garcia of the Sacramento Kings was recently injured over the weekend with a broken forearm and some ligament damage in his wrist that will sideline him at least four months while working out.
Garica, whose in the first year of his 5-year $29.6 million deal, injury occurred when he was lying on his back on an exercise ball doing dumbbell presses with 90-pound weights in each hand with the exercise ball popped, leaving Garica in a substantial amount of pain.
Garcia’s accident brought up comparisons to University of Florida basketball player Hudson Fricke who broke both of his wrists when his exercise ball popped during a workout.
Sacramento Mayor Worried They May Lose Kings
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor
Mayor Kevin Johnson received some bad news when he recently learned that the Arco Arena is considered unsuitable to host a major college basketball tournament, and that has the mayor fearful the city could lose the Sacramento Kings if efforts for a new arena aren’t stepped up.
“If we don’t have a clear path to an arena in the not too distant future, then we as Sacramentans need to know that (the Kings) very well may look elsewhere,” Johnson said.
Mayor Johnson made his statements after finding out the NCAA had bypassed Sacramento’s bid to host the regional round of the men’s basketball tournament because of concerns over Arco’s conditions. Arco Arena has hosted the money-making event four times since 1994 and pumping $4 million dollars into the local economy as recent as 2007.
An emotional mayor said it was “staggering and mind-boggling” that Arco is no longer considered suitable for big-time college basketball. Johnson said he wants to see a proposal to build a new arena at Cal Expo soon.
If the city doesn’t start seriously considering alternate options for a new arena should the Cal Expo plan fall flat the threat of the Kings leaving town will become more real, according to the Mayor Johnson.
“I don’t have all the answers right now, but I will tell you this: When you look at Cal Expo as an option, the clock is ticking. I’ve got to be more aggressive, and I’ve got to move the time line up in terms of the arena. The timeline has to include an Option B, an Option C, and I haven’t quite determined what we’re going to do,” said the mayor.
There is a March 1 deadline that looms, that could have the NBA and Kings pulling the plug for that deadline is when NBA teams have to submit a relocation application to the league. League officials need to see that there is some kind of light at the end of tunnel in the city of Sacramento.
Johnson said ideas for a new arena has now moved up on his list of priorities.
