« A big disappointment »

Back in the competition after a week away, Tony lost in Portland.

Tony, you returned but you lost in Portland, 96-93…
It’s a big disappointment because we played really well. We led by 10 points in the last quarter. But we turned too many balls over and that was it. Portland played better than us at the end. It was a big opportunity and we didn’t catch it.

The team now stands 6^th of the Western Conference.
Just look at the standings and you’ll understand how important the last 30 games are going to be.  New Orleans is now 11^th and can still play the playoffs. We played several home games since the beginning of the season. As we lost 10, we now have to win road games. That’s why losing in Portland is a big disappointment especially when we were so close.  This kind of games can weigh at the end of the regular season.

After a week away because of an ankle injury, you played 30 minutes in the Blazers game (18 points, 6 assists). How did you feel?
I felt good in the 1^st half but in the second one, my ankle was sore. I played 10 minutes.  But I think Gregg Popovich didn’t intend to make me play 30 minutes. That also why I was on the bench at the end.

You’re playing the Clippers tomorrow, the team lost its coach last night…
I read Mike Dunleavy had quit. You never know how the team will react. But we shouldn’t pay attention. What’s going on at the Clippers’ is not our business.  We have to make it up after Portalnd’s loss. We have a week ahead of us before the All Star break. So we have to play hard and win our games even though we’re playing the Lakers and Denver on the road.

You’ve just had dinner with Nicolas Batum. How is he doing ?
Nicolas told me he was recovering pretty well from his shoulder injury. He can play. Anyway, it’s a hard time for all French players. Joakim Noah has a sore foot and won’t play for 10 days. When we had dinner last week, he told me his foot was sore already. It’s a wise decision to stop until the All Star Game.

You could have done the same…
Yes it’s true, it would have been wiser to stop for 2 weeks at least. No doubt. But the team is more important to me than my injuries. The Spurs are living a tough period and I have to be there to help.