Pregaming: Spurs vs. Grizzlies, Game 2
AT&T CENTER — The major news coming from pregame of Game 2 of the Spurs-Grizzlies series, is that Manu Ginobili will start for San Antonio. Apparently he will wear a brace on his right, non-shooting elbow. There should be no limitations on how much he will play, etc. If he was going to play, he was going to have to play as normal.
- With Manu starting, George Hill goes back to his 6th man, Indiana George persona. If that results in better shooting from the field, we’re all better people for it.
- During pregame shootaround, Spurs Assistant Coach Chip Engelland was throwing lob passes on pick-and-rolls to DeJuan Blair. I doubt the Spurs would work on any Game 2 adjustment so out in the open like that, so I expect it was just a fun way to get warmed up for the game. As always, though, keep an eye out.
- Shane Battier spent a significant chunk of his time during pregame shootaround working on hook shots in the post. Expect Battier to try and exploit his size advantage again when Richard Jefferson is out of the game.
- Former Oklahoma Sooners Head Coach Jeff Capel is at the AT&T Center tonight. He was sitting courtside with members of the Spurs front office during shootaround. I’m assuming Capel was invited by the Spurs to spend a few days with them, continuing the tradition of bringing recently-fired coaches to San Antonio. Don’t expect anything of it, he’s just passing through.
