San Antonio Spurs Blogs

CLAAAANG!!!  Another errant Knicks shot glances off the rim.  The New York Knickerbockers have mastered the art of losing for the past 10 years.  The only silver lining after this season is the possibility of signing two big name, “max contract” players.  The Knicks traded away their upcoming draft pick (along with Jared Jeffries and others) to Houston,  to free up more money for these players.  Nothing is guaranteed, the Knicks aren’t necessarily getting anyone for their trouble. 

Continue reading "New York Knicks, what the salary cap future holds"

I hope that it's not part two for the San Antonio Spurs. Manu Ginobili got hurt last summer playing for Argentina in the olympics and at the time, contract negotiations between Ginobili and the spurs were underway. Now, those talks have stalled, as the spurs have taken a cautious approach regarding his contract, meaning no extention up to this point!. If Ginobili doesn't come out this year and have one his best, he stands to lose millions.

Continue reading "Top european NBA players risk injury, ..."

The spurs and lakers have done just about everything possible to put themselves in a position to win a championship. Both teams added some key players and odds are that the western conference will come down to these two teams!

Continue reading "Is there a heated rivalry between ..."

Have the spurs put together enough talent to contend with elite teams in the NBA?

I believe the answer is a definite yes. The San Antonio Spurs have had an offseason many feel was their best ever and with the talent already in place, the spurs should be in the hunt for another title. It will be interesting  to see how the new players mesh with the likes of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess will add much needed scoring and length to a team that was exposed a bit during this  years surprising first round exit against the Dallas Mavericks. Looking back to last season, the spurs had quite a few issues that needed to be addressed to make the team better, younger and more athletic.

Continue reading "Can the San Antonio Spurs win a 5th ..."

Shaq can't even proclaim himself "The Big Trade."

The defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic trumped Los Angeles Laker ex Shaquille O'Neal's move from the Phoenix Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers when they acquired Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets.

Continue reading "Trading the Lakers' Enemies? I Don't Think So"

The Spurs clock is running out, but they pushed back time yesterday when they acquired Richard Jefferson for virtually nothing.  They traded Bruce Bowen and Kurt Thomas to Milwaukee and Frabricio

Continue reading "San Antonio nba chapms in 2010? ..."

The San Antonio Spurs don't own a first round pick.  But they do have 3 second round picks at 37, 51, and 53.  Let's take a look at how each have done in the past 14 years to determine what the chances are that the Spurs will get someone who can help them.

Continue reading "San Antonio Spurs draft pick"

1.  LeBron James:  Analysts and writers seem to be 50/50 on the LeBron/Kobe debate.  I pick LeBron.

2.  Kobe Bryant:  Probably one of the 10 greatest players ever.  And counting.

Continue reading "The 35 Best Basketball Players in ..."

If you could pick one player to start a franchise around post-Jordan, who would it be?  I'd take Tim Duncan.  The Spurs have had the best winning % in professional sports since drafting Timm

Continue reading "1 post-Jordan player to build around: Duncan"

The Mavs have just finished the series with the San Antonio Spurs who plays with speed and finess. Now, they face a Nuggets team that plays a different brand of basketball: a physical, pound the paint, and defensive style of playing that the Mavs could not adjust to in Game 1.

Continue reading "Dallas Mavericks weakened by Denver ..."

I'm a Kobe fan. Huge Kobe fan. He's practically my generation's MJ. Nothing against MJ, I just never saw him play much. I went to the United Center once, when I was seven, and all I remember is Scottie Pippen's crew-cut and cotton candy. Also, I'm from D.C., so the fact that MJ ruined the entire development and chemistry of an up-and-coming Washington Wizards team, just so he could milk a little more limelight, doesn't really sit well.

Continue reading "Why Lakers fans should worry about ..."

Jets Lose Cutler Bidding and Win 

The Denver Broncos traded Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler and a fifth round pick in the 2009 draft to the Chicago Bears for signal-caller Kyle Orton, first round picks in both the 2009 and 2010 drafts, and a third round pick in this April's draft Thursday evening.

Continue reading "Jets Lose Cutler Bidding and Win ..."

By Jeff Carr of Bleacher Report

In this day and age of selfishness, showboating, and lack of loyalty, I would like to take just a moment to say thank you to those who deserve it.

Two words that still have significant meaning that aren't said enough, at least not with sincerity. 

Continue reading "To The San Antonio Spurs: Thank You!"

The bad news about last nights Suns vs. Lakers game?  We got blown out and embarrassed on national television.  The good news?  We were without Steve Nash and we get a chance to redeem ourselves at home on Sunday in a rematch with the Lakers.  Assuming Nash plays Sunday, (he's listed as day-to-day with a hobbled ankle) this game could give us a good preview of a potential first round matchup, with the seeds reversed from two and three years when the Suns and Lakers met in the first round in consecutive years.  The difference is, I believe the lower seed, the Suns in this case, could play spoiler and surprise the Lakers and the rest of the NBA in a seven game series. 

Continue reading "First round playoff preview? Suns vs. Lakers."

Last night's game was just embarassing. The San Antonio Spurs played without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili and still beat the Mavs 93-76. The Mavs only made 34% of their shots. Jason Kidd had 2 points and 4 assists. Tony Parker had 37, and dished out 12 assists. Any question that Kidd isn't an elite point guard any more? Can't help on offense, and laying out the welcome mat on defense. Let's just bench Kidd and let J.J. Barea start so he can begin to develope into the PG of the future. Kidd is clearly the PG of the past.

Continue reading "Mavericks Embarassed by Spurs"

(Note: I've published this post on another blog of mine, here.)

Did you see these two teams yesterday? I don't think I've ever been more impressed by a pair of NBA teams on the same day. The Celtics absolutely dismantled a respectable Dallas Mavericks' team, and the Lakers shamed the once-mighty San Antonio Spurs. Everything was clicking for both the Celtics and Lakers, and yet it's not as if this was a one-time deal.

Continue reading "We're headed for a Lakers/Celtics ..."

Unexpectedly Jordan Farmar made his return from injury to help spark the Lakers to a 99-85 victory over the San Antonio Spurs today. In a matchup of the top two teams in the Western Conference Farmar

Continue reading "Farmar Returns with a Bang"

It's odd, I have my site at bostoncelticsnews.com, and I have only posted one thing NBA related. Well, how about I make it two? 

On MLK night, the Lakers took it the Cavs. If this game didn't showcase why the Lakers are the best team in the league right now, I don't know what does. For the average person who just looks at the NBA as a whole, the Lakers are the team right now. But, as Lee Corso would say, not so fast my friend. Breaking it down, here are my rankings for teams that I think have the best shot at winning the championship. 

Continue reading "NBA Wrap-Up"

Anyone catch that Spurs Lakers game from last night?  It was a fantastic, wonderful game from tip-off to final buzzer.  It came down to the last possession, and there was a certain exchange that I found to be quite delightful that may just come in handy sometime later this year...  

Continue reading "A Quick Aside... (NOT!)"

It was a new year but a similar result for the Memphis Grizzlies as they hosted the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.  The Grizzlies faded in the second half of a 91-80 loss after putting up a fight for the first 24 minutes.

Continue reading "Spurs 91, Grizzlies 80"

The Grizzlies suffered a pair of painful losses on Saturday.  They dropped a closely-contested game on the road to the Spurs that included a controversial non-call in the final seconds.  Additionally, they learned that Darko Milicic, who suffered a broken knuckle against Indiana on Friday, will miss 4-6 weeks with the injury.  Milicic recorded a season-high 14 points in that game and had been playing well in the past few weeks.  His absence will create problems for the Grizzlies inside, although they gave the Spurs all they could handle on Saturday.

Continue reading "Spurs 106, Grizzlies 103 2OT"

There was no holiday hangover on Friday as the Memphis Grizzlies snapped a four-game losing skid with a 108-105 victory over Indiana.  The Grizzlies (10-19) never surrendered the lead over the final five minutes of the game, but they had to survive a frantic final minute in which they turned the ball over three times.  O.J. Mayo then sank the clinching free throws with a second on the clock.

Continue reading "Grizzlies 108, Pacers 105"

When are the Suns going to get sick of being beat up by the Spurs, and moreover, beat up by the Spurs at the Spur's leisure? Phoenix had this game, until the Spurs decided to take it back, and with a

Continue reading "Cowboy Up?"

Good evening ladies and gentleman. I am tonights entertainment (sorry couldn't help referencing Dark Knight.) This is my inaugral blog about our lone Canadian team, the Toronto Raptors.

This will be a live blog. Check back for updates.

Continue reading "The Pilot"

Tonight, the Mavs will play their 7th and last home game in a row against the Denver Nuggets. The Mavs have been playing strong 5-1 so far in this homestand beating the Clippers, Suns, Hawks, Bobcats, and Thunder. Their only loss came against the San Antonis Spurs in a double overtime game. Despite the 5-1 run, they're still 1.5 games behind the Southwest leader, the same amount of games before they started this home stretch. And, they are still 4th in the division. Nothing has changed.

Continue reading "Dallas Mavericks still 1.5 games ..."

As a fan of good basketball on tv i am fed up with great teams such as the New Orleans Hornets and them playing the bottom feeders of the NBA such as Oklahoma City Thunder on Espn. I mean i love to wa

Continue reading "New Orleans Hornets on TV"

If the Memphis Grizzlies could put four quarters together they might finally end their losing streak.  They went a long way toward doing that Friday at San Antonio, but faded in the fourth quarter of a 109-98 loss.

Continue reading "Spurs 109, Grizzlies 98"

The Houston Rockets are coming off a hard fought 1 point loss to the Indiana Pacers this past Wednesday at Toyota Center. The Yellow and blue stunned the home town team by scoring often and late snapping the Rockets' three game winning streak. The loss soured the return of forward Shane Battier who made his season debut after missing the first 15 games of the season due to inflammation in his surgically-repaired left ankle.

Continue reading "I-10 Rivalry renewed"

As if one game against Tim Duncan and his supporting cast isn't enough, the Memphis Grizzlies will face off against Duncan's San Antonio Spurs tonight for the second time in five days. The teams squared off Monday, with the Spurs using their bench to handle the Grizzlies 94-81.  After tonight, the Grizzlies won't have to deal with the Spurs until the end of December.  As the schedule worked out this season the teams will meet in San Antonio on Dec. 27 and in Memphis on Jan. 2 to close out the season series.  If the Grizzlies can make it through tonight's game, they have Oklahoma City (1-14) coming to town tomorrow.

Continue reading "Grizzlies Face Familiar Foe"

O.J. Mayo took over down the stretch for the Memphis Grizzlies late in Monday's game against San Antonio, but it wasn't enough to lead the Grizzlies to victory as they fell 94-81.

Mayo scored 23 of his game-high 26 points in the second half, including his own 7-0 run in the fourth quarter, but the Grizzlies' deficit was too great to overcome.

Continue reading "Spurs 94, Grizzlies 81"

While the Memphis Grizzlies got the season off to a decent start, splitting their first six games, they now find themselves in the midst of a slump that can mostly be attributed to their youth.  As the youngest team in the NBA, the Grizzlies are making their share of mistakes, but more importantly, they are learning from them.  At least, that is what should come out of the disappointing outcomes of the last few games.

Continue reading "Grizzlies Face Critical Test Against Spurs"

NO more sprained ankles in San Antonio. With Manu and Tony out, I think the city needs to check the calcium in the water available to the team on the sidelines. Is it being tainted? Pop certainly isn'

Continue reading "Ankles ankles everywhere..."

from Club Blazers

Game preview, Minnesota at Portland 11/8

Saturday nights game against Minnesota here in the Rose Garden will be the second game of a back to back for the Timberwolves who will travel to Portland after taking on the Kings in Sacramento on Friday night.

Continue reading "Minnesota at Portland game preview 11/8"

March of the Spurs  11/05/08

0-3

Those numbers do not look good.  Three games into the season and the Spurs have yet to win a game.  Is it time to panic?  Clearly, it's not.  However, do any Spurs fans remember going 0-3 this early in the season?  Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are doing their part.  Roger Mason Jr. and George Hill played well.  This was George's first game, and there were some positive things, but where are the rest?  17 point loss, this does not sit well with the Maverick haters in the San Antonio area.  As I'm sure I'll say all month, we miss Manu.  He is the missing piece of the puzzle that has resulted in an early defeated season.  Never have I craved for December as much as I am now, unless you count my childhood days.  But much like Santa Claus, Manu could very well deliver wins as much needed gifts early in the season.  Still 79 games to go, so 0-3, statistically not bad.  Win one though, ok?

Continue reading "March of the Spurs"

March of the Spurs  11/03/08

That march looks a bit like a limp as the Spurs wobble into the season down 0-2.  One could say that Manu is sorely needed, and that this month could be a long one without him.  Next up, the Mavericks, no not John McCain and Sara Palin, the other Mavericks.  Although, let's face it, those Mavericks can be just as offensive.  This could be the point of turnaround for the Spurs. 

Continue reading "March of the Spurs"

And so it begins.

Another season is upon us.  Today the Spurs take on the Phoenix Suns at the AT&T center. 

Let the hating begin.  Shaq started shooting his mouth off weeks ago.  His claim was that the "Hack a Shaq" strategy used by Coach Pop in the playoffs was not effective.  Then he called coach Pop a coward, and would make him pay for that, starting today.  You think Pop cares?  Absolutely not.  But I'm sure if Shaq decided to approach him during the game (and i'm sure there will be words) and not stop, Pop's survival instincts will kick in.  Here's the truth on Shaq's statements.  He said that it didn't work.  But who took out the Sun's from the playoffs?  The SPURS.  So it did work.  Hack a Shaq worked with flying colors, why stop now.  You stop when Shaq can make a few free throws, which is never.  So keep talking Shaq.  Open your mouth and insert your large foot, but do us all a favor and swallow.  The best news coming from Shaq is his retirement.  He will drain the Suns this year, playing when he feels like it and taking home that fat check.  That's a true coward, not playing when you can, but collecting the cash.  Punk.

Continue reading "March of the Spurs"

A big thanks to everyone who participated in the "Inbound Link Contest".  We have a winner!  A big congratulations go out to Marija.  Thank you for all your hard work on this.  While we had a lot of people participate, Marija was able to win with only 4 links!  So it wouldn't have taken a lot to win this contest!  We'll be having another contest soon so stay tuned.

Continue reading "Inbound link contest winner announced!"

The NBA 2008-2009 schedule was finally released yesterday, August 6th 2008. The release of the schedule was delayed because of the relocation of the team formally known as the Sonics. The Portland Trail Blazers start the season on October 28th, against Kobe, and the Western Conference champions Los Angeles Lakers.  The home opener is on Halloween night against the mighty San Antonio Spurs. The Blazers schedule doesn’t get much easier for a while.  Seven out of their first nine games are against teams that made the playoffs last year, including the Jazz, the Suns, and the Rockets. To make matters worse, 10 out of their first 14 games are on the road, where the Blazers only won 13 games last year. However after this initial month full of challenges, their schedule does get easier. From November 24th, through January 2nd 12 out of the Blazers 19 games are at home.  The Blazers are on national television 13 times, 8 times on TNT, and 5 on ESPN, including a Christmas Day showdown against Jason Kidd and the Mavericks in Portland.

Continue reading "NBA Schedule Released!!"

To try and motivate our bloggers to get inbound links we're going to have a contest to see which blogger can get the most inbound links to their blog. The contest begins now and ends July 31st, 2008. To be entered in to the contest all you have to do is go out and get as many websites to link to your blog as you can and at the end of the month send us an email listing all those links. All links must be active from August 1st through August 7th when we'll be judging the entries - a winner will be announced on August 7th. All entry emails must be received by Midnight on July 31st, 2008. You can email them to sportsfan@nbabasketballonline.com

Continue reading "Inbound link contest - Win $100!"

Well, basketball is over and Major League Baseball is heading into the All Star break, which means that the real baseball season is about to begin.  I know, I am waaaaaaaaaaayyyyy overdue for this year's first rabid Red Sox post, but honestly I've been a little bit preoccupied with the WORLD CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS and basketball in general (it has overtaken baseball as my favorite sport, though the Red Sox are and always will be my first love) to really dive into the first three meaningless months of the grueling and arduous MLB season.

Continue reading "Just Hit"

Wouldn't it be great if NBA officials called things the way their NHL counterparts do?

You know, even if the game is in the balance, you call a penalty when you see a penalty.

In the second overtime with the game tied at 3 in Game 5 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, Red Wings rightwinger Jiri Hudler was hit with a four-minute penalty for high-sticking Penguins defenseman Rob Scuderi. Detroit had penalty-killed two power plays earlier in the game. But those were two minutes long, and a four-minute penalty kill when the game's long and the team's tired was probably just too much.

Continue reading "Penguins outlast the Red Wings 4-3 ..."

You know that the Boston Celtics are back in the big picture when the Red Sox are changing game times to avoid a conflict with Causeway Street.
The first pitch at Fenway Park will be at 6:05 Thursday night, one hour before the usual start thanks to what the Celtics did in Detroit on Friday night. Boston closed out the Eastern Conference finals with an 89-81 win over the Pistons to put The Hub in a time machine and bring it back to better days -- the 1980s to be exact, when the Celtics' dynasty ruled the NBA.

Continue reading "Celtics ready to party like it's 1987"

Ready to kick it old school?  David Stern is (kudos to anyone who sends me a photo of Stern wearing a track suit and break-dancing on a piece of cardboard), and so am I.  The Eastern Conference Finals gave us all a taste of the old school NBA rivalry between the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics, and now we're fixed for a main course of only the choicest and most intense NBA rivalry in the history of the league.  That's right, we are headed towards a Lakers v. Celtics NBA Finals for the first time in 21 years, and I've got to admit (even though it's damaging to my masculinity) that I am giddy about the prospects of this match up.

Continue reading "Throwback"

Finally.

A collective sigh of relief can finally be let out. After a season that can, at best, be called unpredictable, the Lakers have solidified their position as one of the elite teams in the NBA. Yes, Lakers fans, we have once again climbed the mountain and are almost at the end of our journey. We swept the Nuggets, silenced the Jazz, and dethroned the Spurs. We are the Western Conference Champions, undoubtedly the best team with the best player in the world, perhaps of all time.

Continue reading "Finally....But is it a conspiracy?"

Throughout this series, I've thought the winner would have to do two things: shoot better from the field and play great defense.

Last night, the Lakers took more shots than the Spurs--85 to 74. Going into the final quarter, the Lakers held a razor-thin 64-63 lead over the Spurs.

Continue reading "Lakers beat Spurs to reach NBA Finals"

Did Derek Fisher foul Brent Barry? Did the San Antonio Spurs get robbed of a victory? Is the NBA leaning heavily towards a Boston Celtics-L.A. Lakers NBA Finals matchup?

The answers: Yes. No. Yes.

Continue reading "SPURS ARE CRYING FOUL? TOO BAD."

I have to wonder how Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson (or Phillip, as former one-time Laker Isaiah Rider once called him) is handling this. Jackson whines about NBA officiating the way the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield whined about getting no respect or, for a better example, the way billionaire Warren Buffett might whine about having to pay a 50-cent overdue fee on a library book. You remember: if a defender got within the same area code of Michael Jordan, he was called for a foul. If Jordan fouled while on defense, at worst an offensive charge would be called. When the referees did call fouls on Jordan, Jackson would gripe. He also griped when the referees actually called fouls on former Laker Shaquille O'Neal and current Laker Kobe Bryant.

Continue reading "Lakers lead Spurs 3-1 in Western ..."

Forever in sports there's been terrible call's made by umpires, referees and officials. However, lately it's been ridiculous. Last nights game between the San Antonio Spurs and The Lakers is a great example. Brent Barry gets landed on by Derrek Fisher, outside the three point line and there's no call! The resulting foul would have given Barry a chance to win or at least tie the game. 

Continue reading "Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Lakers ..."

Game four started off great for the Lakers who came out firing, showing that this was going to be nothing like game three.  The Lakers combined crisp passing with hitting the open jumpers to crashing the offensive glass to playing some tough Defense to amass a 14-point lead.  This was shaping up to be a blow out but this is the playoffs and the Spurs were at home and they weren’t having it.  As was expected, the Spurs made a run to tie it up just before the half but the Lakers went on a six point run, leaving the Spurs down by six at the break.

Continue reading "Well, well, well, another controversial finish"

Yeah, everyone out there is going to complain, criticize, lament, bitch and moan, and theorize about all the freethrows that weren’t shot last night.

The most notable (and rightfully so) by Spurs fans and Lakers haters alike, are the two, or three, freethrows that Brent Barry didn’t get.

Continue reading "The Freebies That WERE Shot"

Kobe Bryant can feel it. He can see it. He can almost taste it.

Like a true Black Mamba, Bryant senses that his prey, the San Antonio Spurs, are weak, wounded and ready to be taken out. The Lakers took a 3-1 series lead Tuesday night in San Antonio thanks to Bryant and can close out the Spurs Thursday night at Staples Center.

Continue reading "LAKERS, KOBE ONE WIN AWAY FROM NBA FINALS"

Tonight the Lakers are trying to do what they haven't done all season, win on the defending champions home court, in San Antonio. Tonight at 5:30 PST the Los Angeles Lakers will face off against the d

Continue reading "Tonight is the night to prove for the Lakers"

Game 3 of the Western Conference finals saw the Spurs at home at AT&T Center as they blew out the Lakers 103-84. San Antonio ended the first quarter trailing by three but opened things up with a 28-15 second quarter to take a 49-39 halftime lead. Kobe Bryant may have led the way for the Lakers with 30 points, but the Spurs had three players with at least 20 (Manu Ginobili with 30, Tim Duncan with 22 and Tony Parker with 20). Bryant got called for three personal fouls in this game, something sure to anger Lakers head coach Phil Jackson enough to make him tear in half a copy of

Continue reading "Do the Spurs have a chance, or are ..."

By vultures, I'm not talking about the paparazzi and their quest to get the latest on Eva Longoria-Parker's hubby Tony Parker. Instead, I'm being painfully realistic.

The Spurs are down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Best-of-Seven Western Conference finals. The first game the Spurs barely lost despite having had virtually no rest and despite giving up a 20-point third-quarter lead. In the second game, things fared even worse as L.A. beat San Antonio 101-71. The Spurs have four championships, a great strong, silent leader in Tim "The Big Fundamental" Duncan and a team known for its defense. Well, this year the Lakers have given Kobe Bryant a nice supporting cast so that Kobe doesn't have to worry about doing it all by himself.

Continue reading "Vultures are flying over the San Antonio Spurs"

 

Continue reading "LAKERS OWN THE SPURS"

OK, Lakers, doin' good -- just don't spot the Spurs 20 pts. next outing, and you'll be fine. Those tough cowpokes may be old, but don't tempt fate with a 1st half rope-a-dope again.

Get yer young guns blazin' earlier, and take care of this classic Western Conference Finals business at the OK (as in Odom/Kobe, w/plenty of Pau power) Corral. This is the match-up I predicted, though New Orleans made it interesting.

Continue reading "SMOKIN' AT THE OK CORRAL"

Sometimes, it's a blessing to go to sleep early and have to work early mornings--especially when the Los Angeles Lakers are in the playoffs. Nothing against the Lakers, but I get very tired of their celebrity pseudo-fans. Not Jack Nicholson, of course, who attends every game and probably knows as much about the game of basketball as Phil Jackson does. Years ago, John McEnroe was at a Lakers playoff game. Yes, the New York-born McEnroe who's supposedly a New York Knicks fan. I suppose some celebrities go there to be seen, as if they're hoping a television monitor will spot them and their agent, watching from home, will say, "Huh? Oh yeah! They're a client of mine! Maybe I should see if I can get them a cameo in an upcoming indie film!"

Continue reading "Lakers 89, Spurs 85; Lakers lead ..."

Now that the first games of the Conference Finals are out of the way with the home teams coming up trumps in both, I would like to share an interesting thing that caught my attention regarding the teams that have come thus far. Celtics, Lakers, Spurs, and Pistons ...

Continue reading "Same Old, Same Old..."

A lot has changed since 2004. The Lakers have gone from on top of the world with 4 all-stars and a chance at the finals to a lottery team. Now they have come full circle, the Lakers are back in the We

Continue reading "Lakers-Spurs: A Preview"

Nothing will ever be the old Boston Garden. The creaky floor, the suffocating heat, the rabid fans and all the spirits that haunted the rafters of basketball's holiest cathedral can never be recreated.

Continue reading "Celtics draw first blood against Pistons"

No doubt, Spurs fans are loading up on the throat sprays and getting ready to shout "GO! SPURS! GO!" Might seem like a breathtakingly boring battle cry for one's favorite basketball team, but the Spurs since 1999 have won four NBA championships (including that "asterisk" year of 1999 that Shaquille O'Neal likes to whine about--especially now since he's enjoying his off-season). After squeaking by the New Orleans Hornets* in Game 7, they now face the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are hungry for two reasons:

Continue reading "Western Conference Finals for San Antonio Spurs"

Most coaches use Game 1 as a feeling out process. Sort of like Round 1 in boxing when both fighters barely throw punches and use the whole round to study how each fighter moves.

Well, the Lakers and Spurs know each other so well that both teams' scouting departments will be taking the next two weeks off. There is no need to study. The Lakers are all too familiar with the Spurs' discipline on offense and defense and the Spurs are well versed in the triangle offense.

Continue reading "GAME 1 WILL TELL WHOLE LAKERS-SPURS STORY"

ESPN.com reports today that the San Antonio Spurs spent last night sleeping on a charter jet after they could not find a hotel while repairs were being done on the plane.  I cannot say I feel too

Continue reading "Spurs spend night on charter jet"

As I watched the Hornets-Spurs game last night, I had no idea whom I wanted to win.  The Hornets?  The Spurs?  It wasn't so much that I was rooting for my favorite of the two, but I was looking for the opponent that couldn't match up with the Lakers.  It was a great game, but in the end, I think I did want the Hornets to win.  With Tony Parker maturing and Tim Duncan his usually great stoic self, the veteran Spurs always somehow find a way to win unspectacularly.  I've always like the Spurs since the George Gervin days, but I will always choose my Lakers over the Spurs anyday...

Continue reading "And so it begins!!!"

Those are the four main words that stand out when discussing the absolutely original dynasty of the San Antonio Spurs.  A lot of analysts and fans always compare dominant teams of now to past dyn

Continue reading "They Come to Play"

 

Continue reading "SAME OLD SPURS"

 

Continue reading "LAKERS: BRING ON CP3 AND HORNETS ..."

What can you expect if you play the game at its fundamental peak, take the lion’s share of success in your domain and handle it with the gracious respect of a true champion?  If the sports world is any indicator, you can expect a vitriolic cocktail of umbrage, resentment and contempt.  

Continue reading "Last Stand of the Triumvirate - Tim ..."

Special thanks to Ashley Meyers for being understanding about my hiatus. One of my sons had an emergency appendectomy, so I took some time off to help my wife attend to various affairs. Chip's much better, thanks, after dealing with a burst appendix.

Continue reading "Back after a hiatus"

Tuesday night’s game was more of a New Orleans Hornets win and not a Spurs loss.  The Hornets outplayed the Spurs on every aspect, they never let the Spurs get a decent shot and they never let the Spurs defend properly.  Again they outplayed the Spurs.Every time it seemed the Spurs’ Manu Ginobili or Tony Parker could end the bleeding with a three pointer or driving the lane, the Hornets came right back with an alleyoop or a West three-pointer.  A lot of analysts say the Hornets are inexperienced and young and can’t win the championship, well...Tuesday’s game really changed things around or did it?The Hornets have not won in San Antonio and like most NBA teams in the playoffs; it seems to be very hard for a team to win on the road this year (except for the Pistons).  As long as they continue to play this well especially with the defense and the mismatches on offense, they could beat the Spurs.

Continue reading "A Hornets Win"

It's little wonder why the San Antonio Spurs are the defending NBA champions and have won four titles in nine seasons in building their own dynasty over that same period. After looking like a non-contenders in New Orleans in the first two games, the Spurs revved up the intensity at home and tied the series 2-2 with a pair of dominant victories.   

Continue reading "Spurs Have Returned to Form"

No, I’m not talking about CP3, but rather the significant influence that third-quarter play has had on the series between the Hornets and Spurs, now tied at two games apiece. After starting the second halves of the first two games with unparalleled intensity, last night New Orleans seemed, to take a word from Stephen A. Smith, anemic. The Spurs outscored them 30-19 in their 100-80 win last night. Byron Scott, clearly upset with his squad’s performance, cleared his bench to start the fourth. His attempt to regain the vehemence the Hornets had previously played with was in futility. The Spurs simply out-hustled their visitors last night. Hopefully, the Hornets can return the favor when the series comes back to the Big Easy tomorrow night.

Continue reading "Big number three..."

This is a biased entry, because I do not like the Spurs.  My basis for this is that they play the boring, fundamental basketball game that sent the NBA into a post-Jordan depression.  In a sense, to root for the Spurs or the Pistons is to root against the NBA, their Finals series received the lowest ratings like, ever, for good reason.  Although I'll admit, the Spurs aren't quite so boring anymore.  I'd be lying if I said that Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli are not two of the more exciting players in the league to watch, albeit not in the typical style, chalk it up to their status as internationals.  Of course there is still Tim Duncan who I am not a fan of.  How can you get excited about a player whose nickname is "The Big Fundamental"?  The ways he looks down at the floor as he drives to the hoop after a post-up, the weird way he shoots free throws, I dunno...I don't like it.

Continue reading "The Spurs will do anything"

Well I had faith in the Hornets, but even I am surprised at where this series is at heading into Game 3 (two blowouts removed from a 2-0 Hornets lead).  I heard one mention of something thus far,

Continue reading "Spurs tired, Hornet fired...up"

I'm upset that I didn't get to watch game 7 of the Celtics/Hawks Beatdown in Beantown on Sunday, but this gig doesn't exactly pay the bills, so alas I was working for the man instead of cheering loudly and laughing my ass off as the Hawks got served in brutal fashion in Boston.  The game speaks for itself (likely won't stop me from speaking for it), and it provided a thunderous and definitive answer to all the doubters and haters (Zaza Pachulia got a personal notice of defeat, the back court pick from KG that leveled the untalented center).

Continue reading "Dirrty South"

Out all the first round matchups I find it very suprising that the Atlanta Hawks took the Boston Celtics into game seven. I was suprised the Hawks made the playoffs in the first place. Was this a collapse by the juggernaut Celts or did the young Hawks play some of the best basketball of their life?

Continue reading "Celtics almost this year's Mavs"

After a decisive victory Saturday night, the Hornets will meet with a Spurs team playing with a vengeance. Here’s what to look out for tonight.

 

·        Tim Duncan hustling more than Rick Ross. After a pathetic 5 points and 3 boards compiled in the first game, the forward will be playing focused, tough basketball. Tyson Chandler did a great job of shutting him down, but if he gets into foul trouble (which San Antonio will be gunning for), watch for Hilton Armstrong to come in and do his best.

Continue reading "What to watch for: Game Two"

That’s all I can say about the Hornets’ play last night in their 101-82 victory over the Spurs. To be frank, after a (relatively) rough first quarter, I thought the highlight of the night would have been Super Hugo’s acrobatic dunk through a ring of fire. The arena workers’ amusing struggle with the stunt’s subsequent mess aptly foreshadowed the difficulty the Spurs would have extinguishing the fiery play of David West. The All-Star forward put up 30 points and 9 boards, shooting .565 from the field. On the other side of the court, Tyson Chandler effectively shut down Tim Duncan, limiting him to a paltry 5 points and 3 rebounds. Chris Paul and Tony Parker squared off with equally impressive performances, Paul finishing with 17 points and 13 assists, Parker with 23 and 5. The series continues Monday night in New Orleans.

Continue reading "Wow."

As much hype as there was around the Spurs-Suns series (at least from Mike Wilbon), the games really didn't deliver.  San Antonio played their good ol' fundamentals game and the Suns most likely came to the realization that their Championship window is closing, if not already closed and locked up tight.  The upcoming Hornets-Spurs match-up promises to be far more entertaining.  The Hornets are basically what the Suns were a year or two ago, with Chris Paul playing just about as well as Steve Nash ever did.  Living in New Orleans this past year, I have had the chance to watch many a Hornets game, and I can say that the MVP trophy could have fairly gone to Paul.  You can't argue with Kobe getting his first MVP trophy (about bloody time) , but for this spectator it happens to be far more impressive seeing a man of Chris Paul's diminutive stature take over a game as opposed to KG, Kobe or LeBron, the other candidates for MVP.  But I digress.  These are two teams, the Hornets and Spurs, that are all about team play, and neither is going to go home without giving up a fight (evidently, I could not have said the same thing about the Suns).  If I had to give someone an official edge, it would have to be San Antonio, but only by default owing to their playoff experience vs New Orleans' lack thereof.  That is my official position.  If I were to put money on it (I won't), I'd go with the Hornets.  No one has wanted to take them seriously all season, from early on when they were a "nice surprise" to their first round playoff match-up when they were pegged for an upset.  Now I'm sure no one wants to believe they can take down the defending champs, the San Antonio Spurs: Old Reliable.  Well I've seen them play all year, and it is very possible.  What it comes down to is nerves, and personally I don't see CP getting rattled easily, he's as cool as they come.  I may be going out on a limb but let's just say if the Hornets win the series, all the experts will call it shocking, and they really shouldn't be. 

Continue reading "Hornets-Spurs, wow."

It's been three days now, and I still can’t get them out of my head. I was so angry when Marion got traded. And now, I feel so hopeless that all the fun and joy the Run-and-Gun Suns brought back to the league, has been destroyed with the happy-go-lucky crybaby D’Antoni probably going elsewhere and the burden that is Shaq sits clogging up all that freeflowing Nashty-ness.

Continue reading "Suns Part 3: Trying to Trade Diaw"

As the overwhelming excitement of New Orleans’ domination of the Mavs in Round One dwindles and potential anxieties about their upcoming showdown with last year’s champions arise, let’s take a closer look at some of the key match-ups for the Hornets and Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Continue reading "A look at the second round...."

Pluto Nash may not have been Eddie Murphy's best film but his performance in the 2002 comedy was a lot better than Steve Nash's work in the first round against the San Antonio Spurs.

Take away Game 1 and Nash was simply nonexistent during the whole series and looked anything but a two-time league MVP. The so-called "great" point guard was exposed and undressed by Tony Parker on defense and looked slow and ordinary against Bruce Bowen on offense. More alarming to the Suns is the way he progressively got worse as the series went along. He looked worn down!

Continue reading "STEVE NASH TURNS INTO PLUTO NASH"

Or so we think!  Although I'm hoping that Pau, LO, Fish and company pull it off tonight--the Nuggets are a house divided--it wouldn't be all that bad if they lost... They can easily finish the Nuggets off at home in Game 5!  And with the way Luke Walton is playing!  He just adds something to the equation, something that the Lakers have sorely missed from Luke.  But here's my real concern...

Continue reading "Tonight's the night..."

Well, until last night’s beat down of the Spurs, in which Boris Diaw nearly dropped a triple double and Amare Stoudemire was held to single digit points, Phoenix championship hopes looked about as bright as Flava Flav.

Continue reading "Take that Shaq!"

Got to love Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson behind the ESPN desk.  When describing one of the players during Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs game Van Gundy stated "This is a guy with the package".  A little too much time in the lockeroom showers Jeff?

Continue reading "Jeff Van Gundy "This is a guy with the package""

The San Antonio Spurs are now up 2-0 on the Phoenix Suns, courtesy of a 27-11 third-quarter spurt in Game 2 that propelled the Silver and Black to a 102-96 victory over the Copper and Gray and Purple.

Continue reading "Spurs go up 2-0 on Suns"

Reading the post-Game 1 comments of Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal, it's hard to believe he has a Master's Degree from Louisiana State University. It's also hard to believe that he calls himself The Big Aristotle.

Continue reading "Shaq blames officials, Spurs for ..."

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/spurs_up_one_in_an_instant_cla.

Years from now, every basketball fan in San Antonio will claim to have been one of the almost 19,000 to have witnessed three hour and 21 minute battle royal that started the first round of the 2008 NBA playoffs.

Continue reading "Spurs Up One in an Instant Classic"

If you're a fan of the Phoenix Suns, you have to be worried about your team's series against the San Antonio Spurs.

Game 1 went into overtime, courtesy of a three-point shot by Tim Duncan as time expired. Duncan, who finished the game with 40 points and 15 rebounds, doesn't hit many three-pointers. In his career from downtown, The Big Fundamental is 24 for 126 in the regular season for a paltry .190 average. He was 0-4 this season and is only 4-24 in the post season.

Continue reading "Will the San Antonio Spurs make quick ..."

Whew! This has been one helluva season in the Western Conference, the most relentless horse race ever.

Just missed that double-overtime thriller won by the Spurs over the Suns. Our Lakers host the Nuggets tomorrow, Sunday. I predict the Lakers win that series in 5. More difficult to pick is Suns-Spurs series. Hungry Suns with Shaq addition vs. the very tough-minded, time-tested, defending champs holding the home-court advantage.

Continue reading "CONGRATULATIONS LAKERS ON #1 SEED!"

If you don't know what the scoop is for today, I suggest you take a look at my first post from today (the one before this post about the Wizards/Cavs).  For anyone who says that San Antonio plays boring basketball, I refer you to this game.  The atmosphere is intense, and the level of play couldn't be higher.  It's overtime, Suns up by 3 butStoudemire has just fouled out.  San Antonio has the ball with 12.6 left on the clock, and after Phoenix blankets Manu Ginobili, he finds Tim Duncan who just drilled the game tying 3-pointer (his first of the season) with three seconds to go (Mike D'Antoni's  facial expression was priceless).  This season's NBA playoffs are already surpassing all expectations, as we are now headed to double overtime in just the second game (LeBron's throw-down in the first game was also unreal) of this year's playoffs.

Continue reading "Playoff Extravaganza Part Two: Suns v. Spurs"

            Yesterday I chose the Detroit Pistons to come out of the East.  It was a very difficult call between then and the Boston Celtics and I do believe the Celtics are the better team but as I said I think their energy will run out.  The Celtics played every game like it was the NBA Finals this season and like the Mavericks last year it will cost them in the playoffs.  Today I discuss the other side of the bracket and tell you how the West will be won and who will win it.

Continue reading "NBA Playoff Preview: WEST"

My name is Richard Zowie. Yes, that's my real surname. Long but interesting story that's for another time. My favorite teams include the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros and San Antonio Spurs. I like wa

Continue reading "New blogger with a weird last name"

With the last game day of regular season approaching, the path for the Utah Jazz to the repeat showing at the Western Conference Finals goes through San Antonio.  In order for the Jazz to secure the easiest way into the Western Finals, Utah should lose to the Spurs.  With Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns winning, this will not allow the Jazz to have a home court advantage; however, Utah would rather lose that advantage in order to avoid the Spurs all the way to the Western Finals.  The Jazz beat the Rockets on the road last year and it seems that it will be even easier this year.  The next round might involve the Hornets or the Lakers.  The Jazz beat the Hornets three to one this season and Chris Paul cannot, for some unknown reason, beat Deron Williams in head-to-heads.  The Lakers might be a little harder, but Utah will get the job done, which will not be the case against thte Spurs.

Continue reading "Jazz playoffs position"

With just a little over a week remaining in the NBA season, let's get a jump on who should win the individual awards. The envelope please...

Continue reading "AND THE NBA INDIVIDUAL AWARDS GO ..."

Someone forgot to tell the NL West they were supposed to be the worst division in baseball last year.  Out of nowhere this division became arguably the best division in the league and had one of the most fantastic finishes in recent memory.  That play-in game was a game I will be talking about for years and I will never forget the Rockies historic run to the World Series.  This year promises to be another great race in this division.

Continue reading "Part III: NL West"

The Los Angeles Lakers are the team to beat. Well the Lakers are the team to beat in Los Angeles, not the rest of the NBA. The Lakers current climb to the top of the Western Conference has been entert

Continue reading "The Lakers"

Gun-slingin' wild horse in a 9-deep horse race. Yikes, mixed metaphors.

I used to think 8 seeds per conference was overkill, seeming to invite EVERYBODY to post-season. Well I don't recall such a wild neck-in-neck race in the West. The Lakers had surged to #1 of course, 10 in a row. Then lost one to Portland. Triumphed in an OT thriller at home against the Mavericks on Sunday. Vis-a-vis the stately Spurs in the West as of March 3rd, 10pm? Spurs 41-17, .707; Lakers 42-18, .700. #2 now by a percentile sliver. We can live with that. And regain #1 pronto. Lakers-Spurs conference final would be cool, depends on the scheduling.

Continue reading "LAKERS: PURPLE & GOLD PALADINS IN ..."

Valentine's Day might have been one week ago, but Memphis Grizzlies' general manager Chris Wallace can expect a dozen roses from Kobe Bryant any minute now.
Fans of the Boston Celtics remember Wallace as the idiot who presided over several years of instability, a fool who drafted potential All-Stars like Jerome Moiso, Joseph Forte and Kedrick Brown in the first round and traded for impact players like Vin Baker. The fact that the Eastern Conference was so bad was the only thing that allowed the Celtics to be anything resembling a success under Wallace. They had no chance to contend against the powers in the West handing 38 percent shooters like Antoine Walker max contracts and leaning on bench support from reliable reserves like Vitaly Potapenko and Shammond Williams.  

Continue reading "Celtics' fans have seen Wallace's act before"

One of us took a trip to the TD Banknorth Garden Sunday to take in the game between the Spurs and Celtics. The game took a familiar NBA tone, boring first 2 1/2 quarters followed by an intense final 18 minutes. As discussed in the Roundup the Celtics ended up winning by 8, however the game felt like it was missing something with Kevin Garnett out for the Celtics and Tony Parker missing from the Spurs.

Continue reading "TSP Venue Reviews; TD Banknorth Garden"