With an eye on the playoffs, Popovich continues to turn a deaf ear to Ginobili's entreaties.

"I'm already asking for permission to do more," said Ginobili, who was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right distal fibula after the NBA All-Star break. "But you know how it works."

Ginobili on Thursday participated in his first Spurs practice session since his diagnosis.

"He talked to me a little bit about where he is and what he'd like to do and what the plan might be for him as we finish out the season," Popovich said. "We'll just try to make an intelligent decision so that we have him for the playoffs at 100 percent."

While continuing to take a conservative approach to Ginobili's return from injury, Popovich sounded optimistic about what he has seen from the reigning Sixth Man Award winner.

"He hasn't had any setbacks at all," Popovich said. "He's progressed each day. Different parts of his body have been sore as he's been trying to get back into shape. Other than that, the progression has been steady. Hopefully, within the next week or so, we'll see him."

When does Ginobili think he will crack Popovich's resolve to keep him on the sidelines?

"Soon," he said, "soon."

Meeting a legend: Spurs captain Tim Duncan is scheduled for a sit-down today with legendary Celtics great Bill Russell, the Hall of Fame center who won 11 championships, more than any player in league history.

Russell is in San Antonio to tape an interview with Duncan for NBA TV and to participate in tonight's George Gervin Roast.

"That should be pretty cool," Duncan said of his one-on-one with Russell, one of the greatest defensive centers in league history. "Can you imagine winning 11 championships? How ticked off do you think he was in the years he didn't win?"

Louder, please: Late in the first half Friday, Spurs point guard Tony Parker dribbled into the front court, picked up his dribble and called for a timeout. None of the three referees, distracted by Boston center Kendrick Perkins and Duncan in a minor skirmish, paid him any heed.

Finally, Parker screamed at the top of his lungs and got the timeout called.