By Mike Monroe - Express-News
With an MRI exam confirming the initial diagnosis of a Grade 2 sprain of Spurs point guard
Tony Parker's left ankle, the team is preparing to be without the All-Star for four weeks.
Parker rolled the ankle when he landed awkwardly after a drive to the basket with 2:06 remaining in the first quarter of Friday's loss to the Miami Heat at AT&T Center.
Parker's injury leaves the Spurs with only two true point guards, veteran
Jacque Vaughn, who did not play in the last two games, and rookie
George Hill, who has been playing with a flexible splint on his sprained left thumb.
General manager R.C. Buford did not rule out signing another point guard. Since the Spurs already have the league-maximum 15 players, that would require waiving a player.
“I think right now you'll probably see George get to play a lot,” Buford said, “and we'll continue to evaluate, not only our team but the NBA market, as we go along.”
The Spurs waived veteran point guard Salim Stoudamire, who was injured through most of the pre-season, on Oct. 24. If Stoudamire's strained groin has improved, he would be a prime candidate for addition, particularly since the Spurs guaranteed $200,000 of the $926,000 contract he signed in October.
Manu dunks: While the news about Parker's injury was worse than the Spurs had hoped, they have been encouraged by the progress being made by All-Star guard
Manu Ginobili as he rehabilitates his surgically repaired left ankle.
Ginobili ran through a vigorous shooting drill Sunday that included finishing a series of sprints and shots with a sprint down the middle for a catch-and-dunk.
The Spurs have targeted mid-December for Ginobili's return, but there has been speculation he may be ready to play sooner than that.
Buford sidestepped any speculation that Parker's status could affect the timetable for Ginobili's return.
“I don't think we can comment about Manu,” he said, “other than to say he has continued to progress, as has been prescribed.”
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_prepare_for_life_without_Parker.html