San Antonio Spurs

[johnnyblues]

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waaaaa! grizzly blair in da house!!!

[tackielarla]

Feels good to be back boys.

[tackielarla]

[owNinZ]

welcome back tackie!

[owNinZ]

Spurs trio still here, if slightly forgotten


Not long after the busiest and most prolific NBA season of his career ended last April, Spurs guard Roger Mason Jr. renewed a summertime tradition.

He sailed out into the middle of the Gulf of Mexico with friends and family, plopped a fishing pole amongst the waves and did his best to clear his mind of all things basketball.

“It was good to get away,” Mason said.

For the record, Mason did not sail straight into the Bermuda Triangle. It only seems that way.

Lost amid the euphoria over the offseason arrival of Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess, the growing Chuck Norris-style legend that is rookie DeJuan Blair and the healthy return of All-Star guard Manu Ginobili, Mason has been somewhat of a forgotten man since returning to land.

Expected, considering the wild-eyed commotion generated by the Spurs' whirlwind offseason. Odd, considering Mason, 29, is coming off a career season in which he started 71 games, set personal bests for scoring (11.8 points per game) and 3-point accuracy (42.1 percent) and provided a Kobe-esque highlight reel of late-game heroics.

Unimportant, if you ask Mason.

“I feel good about it,” Mason said of his place in the Spurs' plans. “Last year was like my second year really playing a lot. I feel like I've improved.”

So have the Spurs, of course, with upgrades almost across the board and a limited number of minutes to spread around.

Like Mason, two other members of last season's most-used starting lineup — Matt Bonner and Michael Finley — must also wrangle for their place in the Spurs' new world order. That feeling-out process continues with tonight's preseason visit from the Los Angeles Clippers.

Bonner, 29, started 67 games at center last season and shot a team-best 44 percent from 3-point range, a figure that ranked eighth in the NBA.

His reward? The Spurs brought in two veteran big men (McDyess and Theo Ratliff) via free agency, and selected another (Blair) in the June draft.

“My theory to keeping some sanity in this business is not to worry about things I can't control,” said Bonner, who averaged 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 23.8 minutes, all personal bests. “The front office did some things to help our team. In the end, it's about winning.”

McDyess and Ratliff are considered defensive upgrades over Bonner, while Blair has won over fans with what has been a monster preseason so far.

Bonner, however, possesses something the other Spurs big men do not — a 3-point shot accurate enough to spread the floor for Tim Duncan.

“Last year was a tremendous opportunity for me, to play consistent minutes and get a lot of experience,” Bonner said. “I'm just trying to build off that.”

Though some fans and media might have forgotten about Mason and Bonner, their head coach has not.

“They're both going to be a big part of what we do this year,” Gregg Popovich said.

So, apparently, is Finley, the other leg of the Spurs' forgotten threesome.

The June trade that sent Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas to Milwaukee in exchange for Jefferson did more than turn the 36-year-old Finley into the Spurs' eldest statesman. In all likelihood, it nudged him to the bench.

Still, Popovich has a place for the 14-year veteran, who shot a career-best 41.1 percent from 3-point range last season, while starting 71 games.

“He's a guy that spaces the floor and shoots the basketball,” Popovich said. “I'm not going to change that role.”

Mason's minutes are less likely to be affected by the arrival of new players than by the return of an old one.

With Manu Ginobili finally healthy and George Hill entrenched as the backup point guard, Mason could see a decline in his minutes. Undeterred, he hit the gym this offseason, dropping pounds, adding strength and working on his dribble-drive game.

“I really want to see how my hard work this summer translates on the court,” Mason said.

The goal for Mason is the same for Bonner and Finley — to not be forgotten.




Source: Spurs trio still here, if slightly forgotten

[owNinZ]

Spurs notebook: Mahinmi gives Spurs something to ponder

Ian Mahinmi is well aware his career with the Spurs is on the clock. It is the fourth quarter, time is running out. Time to make a play.

The Spurs have until Halloween to decide whether to extend Mahinmi's contract another year or to allow him to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end.

As such, every move he makes this preseason — both the good and the bad — has been magnified. If nothing else, Mahinmi has grown accustomed to playing under pressure.

“There's always a little bit of pressure,” Mahinmi, a 6-foot-11, 22-year-old center, said after Monday's practice. “What I do is just come every day and try to do my best. One step at a time.”

After a forgettable opening to the most important preseason of his career a week ago against Houston, Mahinmi has posted back-to-back solid games, at least giving the Spurs' front office something to think about as decision day nears.

He earned a start in Sunday's 95-93 victory at Miami and totaled nine points, four rebounds and three blocks in 25 minutes, 46 seconds of floor time.

More importantly for a player who has been foul-plagued throughout his career, Mahinmi was whistled for only three legitimate fouls against Miami (a fourth mistakenly awarded to him should have gone to Roger Mason Jr.).

Afterward, coach Gregg Popovich praised it as Mahinmi's best performance of the preseason.

“It was definitely a good thing for me,” said Mahinmi, who spent the bulk of his first two seasons with the Spurs either injured or in the Development League or both. “I'm starting to feel like my rhythm is coming back. I feel like every game, I'm improving little by little.”

So far, so good: A little more than two weeks into his first NBA training camp, rookie forward DeJuan Blair says his knees are feeling just fine, thank you.

Blair arrived from the University of Pittsburgh devoid of an anterior cruciate ligament in either knee. Though the condition was never an issue for Blair in college, the Spurs' medical staff has been compulsive about monitoring him after practices and games.

“The training staff is doing an excellent job of keeping my knees in shape and strengthened,” Blair said. “I just need to keep (being) me, and not worry about my knees. They're going to be as healthy as possible.”

Say hey, Blake: When Blair takes the floor for his fourth preseason game Wednesday against the Clippers, he is likely to see time against the most ballyhooed rookie in the NBA.

Blair says he is looking forward to the potential matchup with Blake Griffin, the former Oklahoma All-American. Not because Griffin was the top pick in the June draft in which Blair fell to 37th, but because it gives the two a chance to rekindle a friendship spawned during the draft process.

“I can't wait to see him,” Blair said. “I haven't seen him since the draft. I talked to him in the summer and told him congratulations. He's a good person, and I hope everything works out for him.”



Source: Spurs notebook: Mahinmi gives Spurs something to ponder

[boski]

balik na diay c boss tackie

[tackielarla]

Thanks guys. Yeh I'm back.

Thanks diay to owninz for keeping the SPURS spirit alive. Appreciate it bro.

[tackielarla]

BDL's 2009-10 NBA Preview: San Antonio Spurs
By J.E. Skeets
Ball Don't Lie

Vitals

2008-09 Record: 54-28, first place in Southwest Division
Head Coach/Facial Hair: Gregg Popovich/Training Camp Beard 2.0
Key Additions: Richard Jefferson, DeJuan Blair, Antonio McDyess, Theo Ratliff, Keith Bogans
Key Losses: Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, Fabricio Oberto, Drew Gooden, Ime Udoka

Kelly Dwyer's Endless Grey Ribbon

We've done it before, with the Boston Celtics.

The entire season rests on the knee of the legendary big man. If Tim Duncan can't come through, then the Spurs are toast. And he's in his 30s, he's got quite a bit of wear and tear on his treads, the entire team revolves around his contributions, plus the Spurs are in "win, please, now" mode. It's all or nothing.

So why did I give the Spurs 57 wins, in the crowded West, and the C's just 56 in the East?

Well, though the upside to KG's knee injury might be a bit higher (Garnett's might be a fluke thing, something he fully recovers from; fatigue-based tendonitis and swelling doesn't usually go away unless you decide to call it a career), the downside is much lower. We don't know what to expect from Garnett, but we've an inkling as to what a B-level year from Duncan can look like.

And we think a B-level year from Duncan, assuming the others are healthy, could be pretty special.

You caught that. "Assuming the others are healthy." Fine, we're pie-eyed optimists. Fine, we're wound rather tightly, and it depends on what day you catch us on, even if we figured all the projected standings in one fitful afternoon. Fine, we're going with both Duncan and Manu Ginobili as healthy for most of the year.

And Tony Parker. He missed time last year, too. We're nutters.

Wave away the black clouds, though, kittens. This could be real. And the upgrades? Manu's ability to get to the line, Antoino McDyess' ability to bat out those offensive rebounds, DaJuan Blair's seeming ability (based on the preseason) to lead the NBA in scoring and rebounds all at once ... it's all there!

Apologies, but I just think this is a fine last hurrah, a fantastic 10-man rotation with defenders like Keith Bogans and Theo Ratliff just missing the cut. I know that 80 percent of that 10-man rotation is due for a hip flexor, and that's no exaggeration, but I also can't help but like this team, working at this level, after a summer's (and, for most of these guys, a spring's) rest.

Richard Jefferson's the one most will look to, and while he can help in someone like Manu's absence in a screen and roll attack, there's a good chance his presence might not be as overwhelming as his somewhat-famous name suggests. Rather, look for hotter shooting than we saw from the corners in years past from Jefferson, plus the ability to bring an above-average touch in all areas for close to 40 minutes a night, and that should be enough. No miracles, please, but he'll be a fantastic fit.

Otherwise, McDyess is the big helper here, assuming he keeps up that otherworldly offensive rebounding. Blair will help, George Hill should improve, and did you hear? Manu's coming back!

This just feels like a low-drama, all-game sort of team. But one with an actual payoff, instead of way too many shots being taken by Mike Finley. Or possessions ended with a missed shot and all five guys immediately getting back on D. They'll be a fun watch, an effective team, and a danger out West come spring.

Prediction: 57-25

— Kelly Dwyer

Critical Question

Can Manu Ginobili shake off an injury-plagued season to return as the X-factor in the Spurs' lineup?

The Spurs are excited about their three new additions in Jefferson, McDyess and rookie Blair. They should all give San Antonio athleticism and much-needed punch in the lineup. But when you sort through everything, it is still the shot of adrenaline that Ginobili provides — whether it's in the starting lineup or coming off the bench — that lifts the Spurs to the level of title contender. He's playing for a new contract and he's playing to prove the point that he's still got it. In that case, the Spurs are back.

— Fran Blinebury, Yahoo! Sports 2009-10 NBA Preview magazine

Real Talk, Blog Talk

• Pounding The Rock: "Where I hope we see the biggest improvement in the team is in the intangibles. The new roster changes infuse the team with desperately needed athleticism, length, and energy. The additions of Jefferson, Ratliff, McDyess, and Blair; and the emergence of George Hill, should help the Spurs with all the smaller things we didn't do well last year. A team that scraps for offensive rebounds. A team that tips rebounds. A team that challenges shots in the paint. A team that collects loose balls. A team that creates turnovers. A team that gets some easy baskets. A team that can win a game against a good team without playing a perfect game. The Spurs will be good this year. They will be very good this year. But, they will need to be great. Will we see greatness? That is the question to be answered and I really like our chances." [more]

• Project Spurs: "Having four starters that average close to nine years of NBA experience can certainly be seen as a weakness, especially when all four have had their share of injuries the past couple of years. While the front office did add youth, they also added two players with over 13 years of NBA experience, which tips the scales a bit. Pop will also have to learn from his mistakes last season and play his younger players when they are in a position to contribute." [more]

• HOOPSWORLD: "Only when you're the Spurs can you turn two second round picks, Kurt Thomas, Bruce Bowen, and Fabricio Oberto into Richard Jefferson and DeJuan Blair. The Spurs down time was short-lived to say the least as they're right back at the top of the Western Conference with the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. The amount of talent and depth on the team is overwhelming and they're absolutely equipped with what it will take to dethrone Hollywood's team. As long as they stay relatively healthy the Spurs should have the Southwest crown locked up." [more]

Associated Wax

Steely Dan, "Barrytown"

For 12 years now, the Spurs have been doing things their way. Tim Duncan, defense and ... Tim Duncan. It's not that they're afraid to change, after all they've added athleticism and youth; it's just that things have worked out pretty fine the Spurs' way. They know the league is changing, and they really don't care. They'll just stick to what they know best, and odds are, it's going to be alright.

— Trey Kerby, The Blowtorch

Fantasy Freak

While less might be more for Spurs in their pursuit of the NBA championship, it doesn't exactly translate into good things for fantasy owners who happen to be pursuing a crown of their own. Duncan's fantasy production has been like clockwork for the past dozen seasons, but fewer minutes and sporadic games off, in an effort to keep him fresh for the postseason, means he's not exactly without risk in the second round. The team still has Matt Bonner, brought in Antonio McDyess, and were gifted DeJuan Blair in the draft, so they have the tools to work with in an effort to limit his court time whenever possible. That said, McDyess' reliable 30-minute production is a bargain in the late rounds, so target accordingly.

The Spurs brought in Jefferson to lighten the load on Parker and to ensure that Ginobili won't feel the need to constantly over-exert himself in advance of the playoffs. Parker is coming off career-highs in scoring and assists, but fantasy owners should expect his scoring to once again dip below the 20-point mark. His fantasy impact tends to be overrated in general, but he's a reasonable selection in Round 6. Ginobili played in just 44 games last season and will get the kid glove treatment from the team throughout the season. He's always been among the best per-minute producers in the game, however, and the current fifth-round price tag has enough reward potential to warrant the risk. Jefferson's line has devolved into some scoring, threes, and free throw percentage help at this stage of his career, and sharing the rock with the rest of the Spurs won't be a positive influence on that trend. He's a pretty low-ceiling option in fantasy drafts right about the time you should be aiming for upside, so feel free to let someone else roster him.

— Matt Buser, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Basketball / BuserSports.com

[manuginobili]

oh yeah!!...naa na c tackie..d na maboring ang spurs thread...woho0!!...