When it comes to class acts, Tim Duncan would be class valedictorian. His integrity is as lauded as his all-time skills, and it was on full display when he praised his teammates and the work they put in after wrestling a late-game 16-point lead from the Golden State Warriors.
Though he started off the game strong, posting 19 points and 11 rebounds, an intestinal infection got the better of him just as it seemed that the Spurs were done. At that point, Popovich pulled him from the game, and as Duncan humbly notes, “probably the best thing for the team was [him] going out.” He would watch the furious and historic rally of San Antonio from the locker room, but unlike some of his contemporaries, he didn’t let his ego cloud the moment. San Antonio had won despite him.
But this praiseworthy Duncan moment wouldn’t have been possible without disease. In fact, this leg of the playoffs has been so overrun by illness, Sports Jerks has decided to keep you updated on the health and maladies of the players of these 2013 NBA Playoffs. We’ll be covering colds and cold packs, essentially.
1. Kirk Hinrich – The Thibodeau mantra remains as unshakeable as Nate Robinson’s late-game confidence. According to Thibs, the Bulls have more than enough to win this series. Even if he meant “more than enough bandages.”
An improbable Game 1 victory by the Bulls proved him right, as they were able to nab it without their floor manager Kirk Hinrich dictated their offense. But the Heat are exceptional at next-game adjustments, and will pound at Nate’s size looking to exploit it. Having Hinrich back would help counter that, but it won’t happen tonight. He remains immobile with a left calf injury.
2. Luol Deng – The Bulls have to catch a break at some point, right? Sure, they beat one of the best teams of the last ten years in the opening game of their second-round series, but they’re going to need everyone available to withstand the Heat counter punch. Deng—who has been providing timely baskets and, as always, grade-A coverage of opposing teams’ best player—remains hospitalized with a serious sickness. He’ll also miss tonight.
3. Tim Duncan – According to what’s been reported, Duncan hasn’t been hit by his illness as badly as Luol Deng. But the consistent defenseman barely moved against an active Golden State offense, which almost ended up costing them. Having rested, he’ll be playing tonight but the Spurs will need him at his regular season form to help keep Curry and company in check. Something they weren’t able to do for about 3-and-a-half quarters of Game 1.
4. David Lee – Like the rest of the Warriors team, David Lee has plenty of heart. So much of it, that there’s a chance he plays tonight even though his season was sent to the morgue weeks ago. Though with a hip flexor injury, he’ll be very limited no matter how resilient he might be. The Warriors almost pulled off a major upset last game. Even five meaningful minutes from the double-double maniac could help them get over the winning edge.
5. Tiago Splitter – There should be no reason why the Golden State Warriors outrebounded San Antonio 55-45 in their first playoff tossle. With a David Lee-less squad, and a recovered Boris Diaw in the Spurs lineup, the boards battle needs to be controlled by San Antonio. The 6-foot-11 Brazilian remains questionable for Game 2 this evening, but SA could absolutely use his size, physicality and 10.3 PPG/6.4 RPG. Or, the Spurs will need to make more historic comebacks to beat the Warriors.
6. Dwyane Wade – D-Wade will play tonight, but as has been the case for two years now, the Heat’s success is squarely on the state of his knees. He looked good at the beginning of Game 1, but the Bulls wore him down to little more than a role player at the end of it. The Bulls crave the chance of having LeBron be who has to beat them, because that puts more pressure on everyone else to step up. Wade can be the first one to step up to the challenge, but only if his knees let him.
7. Nate Robinson – If the Bulls are lucky, Robinson’s hot streak won’t be extinguished until it’s put out by the streams of celebratory champagne. Much of their success depends on his. So, though ten stitches on his mouth won’t be enough to keep him out of tonight’s game, given how important he’s been for Chicago, we thought it was crucial to let you know his status.
