The Spurs have been getting by with only two legitimate post players for nearly two weeks, but help could be on the way soon, and in pairs.
Both Fabricio Oberto, sidelined by a sore left foot since Dec. 17, and Ian Mahinmi, whose sore right ankle has kept him from suiting up since he was called up from the Austin Toros on Dec. 2, participated in scripted offensive and defensive drills when the team practiced Monday.
"They participated in shooting drills and scripted offense, and a little bit of defense," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, "but they didn't have contact."
Popovich offered no prediction as to when either player might be back in uniform to provide some inside muscle behind Tim Duncan and Kurt Thomas.
"When somebody tells me they're ready," he said, "I'll know they're close."
Making perfect: The Spurs hadn't practiced since Dec. 16, the last time they had more than a day off between games. Popovich was happy to have an opportunity to do some teaching.
"It's always great to have a practice," he said. "In the NBA, they're few and far between. To be able to teach a little bit is great. At least it makes you feel as if you're doing what you're supposed to do."
Sympathy pains: Popovich said he could feel the pain of the Dallas Cowboys , eliminated from the NFL playoff picture on Sunday when they were embarrassed by the Philadelphia Eagles 44-6.
"I don't think anyone cares what my thoughts on the Cowboys are," he said, "but I feel for them. If you've coached, or played sports, you know the feeling. It's not a good one, so I feel for them."
Bruce Bowen, the Spurs' No. 1 Cowboys fan, said the demise of his favorite NFL team offered lessons for the Spurs and anyone else who understands what produces sports success.
"It's very disappointing," Bowen said of Sunday's painful showing by his favorites, "but character wins out over talent any day, at least in my book. You can see how infectious certain characters can be down the end of the road."
Bowen declined to name which of the Cowboys characters he considered "infectious," but he made it clear he believed the Cowboys were doomed by self-centered players.
"In sports, we're constantly telling kids that you have to have the right attitude," he said, "and this is something that magnifies when you don't have a team-first mentality."
