Spurs start road trip with two key injuries
The San Antonio Spurs kick off their annual Rodeo Road Trip on Wednesday in Minnesota against the Timberwolves. On such a long, grueling road trip I’m sure Coach Pop would like to be as close to full strength as possible.
It’s not going to start out that way.
Everybody who saw Tim Duncan go down against Washington knew that he was going to be out for a while. Right now he’s listed as day-to-day, but I’m sure Spurs fans will agree that there’s no need to rush him back. Having the best record in the NBA is great, but the possibility of dropping a few games to have a healthy Duncan return is much more important. TD has missed six games so far this year.
Manu Ginobili is also dealing with some injury issues. Ginobili is listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game with tightness in his left hamstring. Ginobili has already missed nine games this season and it looks like he’ll be adding a couple more to that total.
The Spurs will get a chance to showcase their depth to kick off the Rodeo Road Trip. The loss of Ginobili won’t be too devastating because of all the guards ready to step in and fill that role. The Spurs called up Aron Baynes from Austin to help fill in for Duncan. He should get some solid minutes and we’ll finally get to see what he’s capable of.
Neither of the injuries to Duncan or Ginobili seem too severe, so the Spurs will hopefully be back to full strength in just a few games (knock on wood). In the meantime, be on the lookout for other players to step up in their absence.
Baynes cannot be the key. Tiago, Boris are more focal and must pick up slack. Tiago has been doing just that already. Baynes will certainly get his chance and minutes. Hopefully he can continue to show his aggressiveness and expand his role a bit. Blair has an opportunity to help also. Leonard and Green need to steep it up and become more mature and consistent as primary guys at times and not be comfortable in secondary roles and get lost at times. My insider pick... look out for Gary this rodeo trip. He will step it up! Go Spurs!!
Man, that win loss record means nothing. What's important is Timmy and Manu is healthy. Even if we don't see them playing on this Rodeo trip, as long as they recuperate those injuries. We can't afford this to happen come playoff time.I hope Baynes would be able to contribute as much as what he'd shown on his second game were he was aggressive on the boards and on the paint. He was dominant on his lone stint in Austin. So let's hope he'll be ready to fill that big hole left by TD in the middle.
