Robinson Does What He Can

David Robinson made it through Thursday’s practice without his sore back troubling him. He participated in Friday’s morning shoot-around pain-free. He worked up a good sweat during the pregame warmup Friday night and went to get checked out by the Spurs’ medical staff.

Instead of hearing, “No,” from the doctors, as was the case in the past, Robinson and the Spurs heard, “Yes,” and he was in the starting lineup for Game 3 of their second-round playoff series against the Lakers.

San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich acknowledged that Robinson’s fitness was very much in doubt. Robinson last played April 20, when he exited the Spurs’ playoff game after seven minutes against the Seattle SuperSonics.

Otherwise, Robinson looked OK to Popovich. “He’s come through practice pretty good,” Popovich said. “During practice, he’s looked fine. The problems are afterward and the next day. His wind, certainly, is poor, as you would expect after a month.”

In 22 minutes Friday, Robinson scored six points on three-for-seven shooting and had seven rebounds.

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Forward Tim Duncan received his most-valuable-player award Thursday after finishing just ahead of Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets in the voting. That got Spur guard Tony Parker to thinking about his teammate’s status as perhaps the league’s best player.

“I don’t know why they talk about Shaq,” Parker said, referring to Laker center Shaquille O’Neal, who was third in the voting. “I think Timmy, he’s been there all year. He’s just dominant.”

When someone pointed out that Parker’s comments might find their way onto a bulletin board in the Laker locker room, the 19-year-old rookie didn’t flinch.

“He’s going to hit me hard, but that’s OK. I’ll get up,” said Parker, who is generously listed in the press notes at 6 feet 2 and 180 pounds.

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There’s no question that Parker had an eye-catching rookie season, giving the Spurs a decidedly more energetic look.

“It’s a different team because we’ve got nine new players, and Tony Parker is just one of them,” Popovich said. “We’re more athletic at the point [guard position] and a whole lot more confused at times because he’s 19.”

After the laughter of reporters faded, Popovich adopted a more serious tone.

“He’s had a heck of a solid season and playoffs against Seattle and the Lakers,” the coach said of Parker, who has averaged 14.6 points in the playoffs. “I couldn’t ask for more out of a 19-year-old kid.”