Spurs of the Moment

We’re almost halfway through the season so I figured an update on the status of our beloved injured Spurs players was in order. Manu Ginobili is still alive and kicking, which is always a good sign. DeJuan Blair’s ACLs, or lack thereof, have not been an issue thus far. There have even been Theo Ratliff sightings. Still, the Spurs can’t afford any key injuries or else they’ll suffer the same fate as last season. For that reason, expect Coach Pop to rest players like Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili a little more often down the stretch – especially in back-to-backs and against crummy teams. Then again, the crummy team thing didn’t quite work out in the last Toronto game where Blair and Duncan came off the bench. Let’s just hope that was a fluke. Anyway, on with the actual news.

Tony Parker is apparently dealing with the dreaded plantar fasciitis:

Parker’s injury is the same one that befell Spurs captain Tim Duncan in the 2005-06 season.

“I have to wear my sock, do treatment every day: cold tub, ultrasound, same old, same old,” Parker said. “Just like TD (Duncan) in 2006. He had it the whole season. I asked TD what I have to do. He said the sock is great.”

For now, Parker doesn’t anticipate missing any games but said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will make the judgment on when he will play and when he will rest.

According the ESPN’s Injury report, Finley and Bonner should be returning really soon. Hopefully this doesn’t mean Mason and Blair go back to playing 10 minutes per game.

Finley (ankle) participated in a variety of agility drills on Saturday and is expected to return imminently, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

Bonner (hand) participated in shooting drills on Saturday and is expected to return in mid-to-late January, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

Tim Duncan is not hurt, but in order to keep him that way, Coach Popovich says that he will be resting Duncan more frequently on the second of back-to-backs.