Hammer Watch

[tophy7]

1-10 damn including 1-7 from downtown against houston, he really is a streak shooter.

 

[grimlock]

Shane Heal has had a disappointing outing in the San Antonio Spurs’ final pre-season hit-out, a 63-84 home loss to Texan rivals the Houston Rockets.

Heal was not alone, as only two Spurs managed double figures (Tim Duncan 12 points and Hedo Turkoglu 11), while the Rockets’ Chinese centre Yao Ming starred with 17 points (8-of-14) and 12 rebounds and Steve Francis and Jim Jackson added 14 apiece for the visitors.

The Australian Boomers guard, who top-scored with 16 points in the Spurs' previous pre-season match against the New Orleans Hornets, connected on just one of his 11 field-goal attempts, hitting a three-pointer. Eight of Heal’s 11 shots came from beyond the arc as he played 23 minutes.

However, despite the former Sydney Kings skipper’s lack of success in this final outing, he may still secure a place on the roster of the defending NBA champions.

Heal was signed to a non-guaranteed contract just a fortnight ago and arrived in San Antonio eight days ago knowing that he only had a short time to prove himself, with 17 players vying for 13 or 14 places on the opening-day roster.

The 33-year-old Aussie could be on the bench for the Spurs when the NBA season starts next week, after Brazilian guard Alex Garcia fractured his left foot in the second half of the clash with the Hornets on Wednesday (US time).

Garcia will need surgery and may be out for two months, while the Spurs’ French starting guard Tony Parker has a sprained left ankle. Manu Ginobili also sat out the clash with the Rockets due to groin soreness.

 

[mattyc2422]

Garcia had successful surgery. Huzzah!

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Has there ever been a championship winner with a weaker backcourt?

Without Mr. Personality, they'd be scrubs. With him, they are champions.

 

[mattyc2422]

The players aren't the ones in need of a linguistics lesson. After Wednesday's preseason game, a local TV reporter was apprehensive about approaching Australian guard Shane Heal.

"Do you know," the reporter asked a colleague, "if he speaks English?"

 

[coxon]

congrats to the hammer...

makes the spurs roster ~

 

[mattyc2422]

Pop and RC Buford have said over the off-season that they would carry 14 players during the season, so Heal may be cut once Alex "me-no-speaka-da-Englais" Garcia heals (pun intended) up.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Shane has hurt his back, so likely won't suit up today.

Shame, was looking forward to seeing jacking them up from half court.

 

[mattyc2422]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Shane has hurt his back, so likely won't suit up today.

Shame, was looking forward to seeing jacking them up from half court.

Yup, Shane was in street gear with a seat behind the bench alongside Marksy. His hair looked nice and white though.

 

[mattyc2422]

Great quote in the Herald Sun.

"I think the oppurtunity I've got is something that anybody outside the NBA would give their left knacker to be able to have that chance" - Heal.

 

[Dingster]

Is that why he leans to the right?

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by mattyc2422
Great quote in the Herald Sun.

"I think the oppurtunity I've got is something that anybody outside the NBA would give their left knacker to be able to have that chance" - Heal.

A man after my own heart. Reckon i've used that term about a dozen times, in the last week.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Shane Heal missed Wednesday's game with a sore lower back.
The Spurs don't really want to use Heal, but he certainly would have played Wednesday if healthy.

 

[mattyc2422]

Anthony Carter injured his already questionable patella tonight, so we are down to 4/4 injured point guards.

 

[grimlock]

Terrible timing for the Hammer, he would have played major minutes if he was fit. Apparently he'll be back for the game against the Knicks, but so will Tony Parker. Meanwhile the Spurs will search for another PG.

 

[mattyc2422]

In light of the Spurs injury woes at the PG position, San Antonio today signed Jason Hart, a PG that has spent time with us in the past. This means we now have 16 people on the roster and thus must waive someone.

I'll put 10 bucks on Heal, sadly.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by mattyc2422
This means we now have 16 people on the roster and thus must waive someone.

I'll put 10 bucks on Heal, sadly.

Then you'd have done your dough because they cut Sean Marks.

Excellent news for Shane.

 

[mattyc2422]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Then you'd have done your dough because they cut Sean Marks.

Interesting. We'd signed him until Jan. 10 so we must have seen something in him, but the need for guards is much more than the needs for big guys at the moment.

I suppose if we ever wanted Marks back, he'd probably be availible.

 

[mattyc2422]

1. Tony Parker
2. Anthony Carter
3. Alex Garcia
4. Jason Hart
5. Shane Heal

5 PGs on a 15 man roster - 1 healthy.

I'd be conservative with Parker. Don't play him unless he's 100%. I don't want him getting a longer-term injury.

Heal is supposedly about 90-95%, Carter was placed on the IR today - moderately bad injury, Garcia has another 2 months.

I'd assume one of these guys will be cut once they are all fit.

Dunno.

 

[mattyc2422]

http://www.woai.com/spurs/story.aspx?content_id=769E6BB6-C7DF-4C40-B1A9-C918595ABEB5

The sharp shooting guard is keeping his fingers crossed tonight that he may be cleared to play for the Spurs' third game of the season when they host the New York Knicks.

The other very real possibility is that Heal could be cut from the NBA due to injury for the second time in his career.

"Obviously the injury couldn't have come at a worse time," Heal said.

"With the injuries to the other point guards it was my perfect opportunity to get plenty of court time against both Phoenix and Denver.”

"I understand that the Spurs felt the need to sign a healthy body in Jason Hart," Heal said.

"I have no doubt my injury has put uncertainty in their minds as to when I would be 100 per cent fit.”

"They don't understand my history of being reliable and uninjured over the years, and I guess that counts for nothing right now.”

"I've been around long enough to know that the NBA waits for nobody, and if I am cleared to play against the Knicks I will approach it as if it is my last chance and will enjoy the opportunity."

 

[Dingster]

Tough bind for the Hammer. Play and risk long term damage to your health or don't play and risk missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime. If it's me I'd want to play if I could convince the doc. Hope he makes the cut.

 

[mattyc2422]

news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=211&xlc=1078155&xld=211

The Spurs waived forward Sean Marks on Friday to make room for Hart. Marks, who was on the injured list, might be re-signed once team officials feel more confident about the health of Parker and Carter, who will not be eligible to play until Nov. 10 against Utah.

Could Marks have a wink-nudge thing going with the Spurs where he continues to train with the team?

 

[jod23]

I hope Heal is cleared and I hope he plays a blinder!

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Shane is playing today.

So far is 0-1 from the field.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Shane seems to be doing a good job as backup PG.

2 points and 2 assists so far, a very solid start.