Go Spurs Go!!!

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Again, just me and Scar here...and a bunch of banners, trophies and rings.

[Scarface]

http://thebronconation.com/forums/storage/44/5192/Duncan%204%20Rings.jpg

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Spurs Mailbag: To trade or not to trade
Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News

CLEVELAND – All of a sudden, Spurs fans are Laker blue over the Pau Gasol trade, as they are scratching their heads over Shaquille O’Neal’s second move westward from Florida.

The acquisition of Damon Stoudamire was nice. But Spurs fans (apparently) want Mike Miller. Or Corey Maggette. Or Andres Nocioni.

If the names of random marginal NBA players are zipping through the Internet between Spurs fans’ parents’ basements and the laptop belonging to the Mailbag, it must be trade deadline season.

Teams have less than two weeks, until Feb. 21, to play “Let’s Make a Deal.” Whether the Spurs will be active or inert in the market remains to be seen.

Last season, coach Gregg Popovich went on record in January saying his team wouldn’t be swinging any deals. He refuses to say the same this year, if for no other reason than just to keep us all on our toes.

“I thought that was pretty cool when I did that last year,” Popovich said. “Now I feel like I have to top it or something.”

Somehow, we think there’s no need for Tim Duncan to put his house on the market. But at least it’s safe to say the Spurs haven’t ruled themselves out of trade discussions.

“We talk to everybody just like all other 29 teams,” Popovich said. “If something comes along and it makes sense for us, we’ll do it.”

That’s a big if.

The Spurs have most of their money tied up in three players they have no interest in moving – Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Their best bargaining chip, Brent Barry (who has an expiring contract worth about $5.5 million), is injured.

Then there’s the question of what kind of player the Spurs could land anyway.

Judging from our e-mail inbox, several Spurs fans wanted their team to make a run at Suns-turned-Heat-player Shawn Marion. One emailer even suggested a trade that would have sent Michael Finley, Jacque Vaughn, Brent Barry, Robert Horry, Francisco Elson and (ostensibly) a partridge in a pear tree to Phoenix to get him.

We’ll ignore the obvious questions -- why would the Suns want all these players? Are they hoping to use some as ringers on Phoenix’s WNBA team – and move on to another: Why would the Spurs want Shawn Marion?

Isn’t that like willingly agreeing to contract cancer?

Marion was somewhat of a malcontent in Phoenix, perpetually pouting over a lack of respect, either real or perceived. How do you think he would respond to playing fourth fiddle to Duncan, Ginobili and Parker in San Antonio?

Of course, with Finley, et al gone, there would be plenty of shots to go around.

Now, on to more questions from you …

My question is about Bruce Bowen. He in one of my favorites but in this season he isn’t producing for the team like other years. Don’t you think (Ime) Udoka is a better player right now and deserve more minutes??

-- Fernando, Buenos Aires

Finally, a letter from Argentina that doesn’t call for more minutes for Manu. Bowen is getting older, sure, but it’s probably unfair to say he’s completely slipped. I can think of a couple of games in the past month he has basically won for the Spurs with his individual defense (vs. Dwyane Wade and Miami; vs. Jamal Crawford and the Knicks, to name two).

The truth is, Udoka is getting more minutes, and he deserves them. But Bowen remains the Spurs’ most valuable defensive stopper.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How much longer will Pop coach the Spurs if they don’t have that superstar in the middle? I mean we have been blessed these past 18 years. What’s going to happen when Tim Duncan is retired and there’s no one to clog the middle?

-- Josh, Seguin

Our guess: If Duncan were to retire on a Sunday morning, Popovich will retire before brunch.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A lot of the things that Pop has always preached do not appear to be happening -- rebounding, protecting the ball, and movement. Is this due to all of the injuries or all of the experimentation with lineups? Although I am not worried yet, I will be if this continues. Is Pop concerned about what position the Spurs could get by the playoffs?

-- D. Johnson, San Antonio

On the list of things Gregg Popovich cares passionately about, playoff seeding ranks just above the Silver Dancers’ halftime routine – but barely. He wouldn’t turn down the top seed, but he won’t kill his team to get it, either.

During the course of a 7-game series, the best team is given ample chances to win, either at home or away. The key is just getting to the postseason, which ought to be no small feat this season. Right now, five games separate winning the Western Conference from missing the playoffs altogether. Should be a fun second half.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While I think this was a great move by the Suns getting Shaq, would you say it was a panic move following the Spurs win against them last week?

-- Kevin, San Antonio

The Suns apparently believed they weren’t going to win an NBA title as constructed, which is an odd thing for a team winning the West to believe. However, they were probably right.

Every year, the Suns seem to peter out in the playoffs, when you have to be able to grind out a game or two during the course of a 7-game series. The Spurs have owned the Suns over the past several seasons, in part because Amare Stoudemire couldn’t guard the snack bar from Kate Moss. Adding O’Neal might not net the Suns a title, but what did they really have to lose? Besides G.M. Steve Kerr’s job, we mean.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did the Lakers outthink the Spurs on the Gasol trade? Seems like that's a trade they should have done. Never mind the excuses that trade needs to get done.

-- Ray, San Antonio

The Lakers had a key bargaining chip to make that deal work: A $9 million waste of space named Kwame Brown. Nobody on the Spurs makes that much except for Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. Even if R.C. Buford went temporarily insane and decided to deal one of those players, none of them have expiring contracts – so the cost-slashing Grizzlies wouldn’t have wanted them anyway.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK, I understand that the Suns don't need five guys for a fast break but how efficient their fast break will be when the officials stop it because the opponent uses the Hack-a-Shaq?

-- Daniel, Budapest

That’s actually an interesting point. Somebody get Don Nelson on the phone.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ginobili is a really good sport. I live in DC and attended last night’s game. During a timeout the Wizards events people were doing a silly “kiss-cam” and put the camera on the Spurs bench, on Oberto and Ginobili. Ginobili noticed it and kissed Oberto on the cheek. The crowd got a great laugh.

-- A.W., Washington, D.C.

We’re guessing that made for a more appropriate kiss-cam moment than Isiah Thomas and Stephon Marbury. Or Marbury and a certain Knicks intern.

[AlWilsonizKING]

Yeah go AWAY Spurs, go AWAY!!!


;)



PEACE!!!

[SmilinAssasSin27]

and who do you like in the NBA?

[Slick]

I lived in San Antonio during the David Robinson, Sean Elliott era. Larry Brown, Bob Hill. I still have the famous Iceman poster somewhere.

Been a fan ever since. You and Scar are not alone. :salute:

[AlWilsonizKING]

and who do you like in the NBA?



Used to be Atlanta when (IMO the best) Dominique played. After he moved overseas, I sort of stopped watching the NBA. After the Nugs actually found out how to win I have been supporting them.....yeah call me bandwagon, but I have always claimed to ONLY be a BRONCOS fan!!!!!



PEACE!!!

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Used to be Atlanta when (IMO the best) Dominique played. After he moved overseas, I sort of stopped watching the NBA. After the Nugs actually found out how to win I have been supporting them.....yeah call me bandwagon, but I have always claimed to ONLY be a BRONCOS fan!!!!!



PEACE!!!

It's cool...I never begrudge someone who isn't a true fan of the sport the ability to have a wandering eye.

[AlWilsonizKING]

It's cool...I never begrudge someone who isn't a true fan of the sport the ability to have a wandering eye.
Don't get me wrong I love to PLAY the game and have a killer shot (no lie, any takers) I just can't get into watching it.



PEACE!!!

[SmilinAssasSin27]

I was actually a Laker fan when I was little...LOVED Byron Scott. Then I saw David Robinson hold up that Spurs jersey on draft day and Immediately fell in love. My first NBA game was Spurs @ Cavs at Richfield Coliseum. Then my aunt moved to SA when I was in high school and I got to go down and see some games in person.

[AlWilsonizKING]

Yeah that's another reason I do not like the Spurs....a good friend of mine was a HUGE D.R. fan and would ALWAYS sport the jersey when we played....just grew to hate it/him/the team..hehe



PEACE!!!

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Ginobili nails eight 3s, scores 46 points in Finals rematch vs. Cavs


CLEVELAND (AP) -- Manu Ginobili made a career-high eight 3-pointers and scored a season-high 46 points as the San Antonio Spurs, back on the floor where they won the NBA title last season, downed the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-105 on Wednesday night.

Hitting shots from every corner of the floor, Ginobili scored 18 points in the fourth quarter, making 4-of-4 3-pointers. The Spurs went 7-of-8 on 3s and shot a blistering 78 percent (14-of-18) in the final 12 minutes.

Even when San Antonio missed, and that wasn't often, the Spurs outhustled the Cavaliers to loose balls.

Tim Duncan added 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs, who completed their annual rodeo road trip at 6-3.

LeBron James scored 39 points -- 18 in the fourth -- but Cleveland's superstar was again no match for the Spurs, who swept the Cavaliers in last June's finals. James added nine assists and six rebounds in 43 minutes.

Larry Hughes added 26 points for the Cavs, who went ahead 91-89 on James' 3-pointer with 5:57 remaining.

That's when Ginobili, who also had eight assists and five rebounds, began taking target practice.

The Argentinean's second 3-pointer of the period made it 92-91, and after James gave the Cavaliers their final lead at 95-94 with a layup, San Antonio defensive specialist Bruce Bowen made a 3-pointer and Ginobili drained another.

After James misfired on a 3, Ginobili drained his fourth 3 of the quarter to make it 103-95 with 3:10 left, a shot that drew gasps from the sellout crowd.

Ginobili, who was coming off a 34-point performance in a win over Toronto, has made 19 3-pointers in his past three games while helping the Spurs offset the absence of guard Tony Parker. The finals MVP missed his eighth straight game with a bone spur in his left heel.

With Ginobili shooting like this, Parker can take as long as he needs to get well.

It didn't seem to matter where the smooth left-hander's shots came from, they all hit the bottom of the net.

While getting swept in his first trip to the finals by the Spurs was tough, it didn't crush James.

"It definitely hurt to lose and not being able to compete the way we had," he said before the game. "But we got beat by a better team. They were head and shoulders better than us, so it wasn't a hard pill for me to swallow.

"If it was a team we knew we should have beat, it would have been hard."

James used the sweep as motivation in the offseason to get better and get back to the finals.

With Hughes making his first five shots, the Cavaliers controlled the Spurs for much of the first half. They opened a 12-point lead and were still ahead 47-40 when James ran down Duncan from behind and appeared to block the center's layup cleanly.

But James was called for a foul, and he compounded things when he was whistled for his first technical this season. Duncan made three free throws, hit a jumper and Ginobili made a free throw as San Antonio closed the first half with an 8-0 spurt to pull within 47-46 at the break.

Ginobili scored 18 points in the first half.

Game notes
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich wasn't sure how much James had improved since the end of last season. "I always thought he was ridiculously amazing," he said. ... Although he's among the leading candidates to win MVP honors, James feels he's a longshot. After all, Kobe Bryant's waiting for his first award. "I know I got no chance if Kobe Bryant has never won it," he said. ... Cavs G Daniel Gibson missed his fourth straight game a strained hamstring. ... Jason Kidd's apparent trade back to Dallas thrilled Cavs coach Mike Brown. "I don't mind those triple-doubles going over the West side."

[SmilinAssasSin27]

So the Spurs ened up 6-3 on their 9 game eastern road trip. I'd say that's pretty damn solid given the fact that Parker is out and they were being written off no less than 3 weeks ago.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/27atwater/003.jpg

Me at the NBA Finals last year...dam I look fat in that pic.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/27atwater/004.jpg

Went inside right along Franco...

[SmilinAssasSin27]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/27atwater/005.jpg

Not great pix...but it's what I have. We got our tix for $100 per seat. 5 days prior they were going for $400 per. Guess that happens when the home teams goes down 3 games to none.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/27atwater/007.jpg

I dunno what these are even of.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/27atwater/6-16-2007-01.jpg

[SmilinAssasSin27]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/27atwater/6-16-2007-07.jpg

The celebration

[SmilinAssasSin27]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/27atwater/6-16-2007-08.jpg

AWFUL pic

[SmilinAssasSin27]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/27atwater/6-16-2007-09.jpg

[SmilinAssasSin27]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/27atwater/6-16-2007-12.jpg

[Skinny]

Again, just me and Scar here...and a bunch of banners, trophies and rings.I'm not a fan of any NBA team and i never watch any games. But in the early/mid 90s i watched quite a few Spurs games when Rodman was ballin with them in his pink hair.

Robinson, Elliot, Avery, Del Negro ... they were fun to watch.

If i was a fan of a NBA team, it'd be the Spurs probably ...

TIA ...

[SmilinAssasSin27]

We used to call him...Vinnie Is Black

[SmilinAssasSin27]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/27atwater/6-16-2007-15.jpg

DR in the pink shirt and ballcap high fiving fans as he leaves the floor.

[AlWilsonizKING]

I watched quite a few Spurs games when Rodman was ballin with them in his pink hair.



Hahalolhaha to this day when playing I always yell out "Reboundin' like Rodman!!!!!" cause I just have a knack for getting the ball.

Seems that was all he was good at was rebounding.



PEACE!!!

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Oddly enough, he was a very good scorer in college.

[Scarface]

I don't think SA needs to make a trade. As long as we're healthy we'll be the team to beat in the playoffs. How many times do I need to see this movie?

BTW, just like Mike Brown said, Manu is a bad man!

[Broncolingus]

I don't think SA needs to make a trade. As long as we're healthy we'll be the team to beat in the playoffs. How many times do I need to see this movie?

BTW, just like Mike Brown said, Manu is a bad man!

Completely agree...that team is fine with the exception of the injury bug.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Spurs send Barry, Elson and pick to Sonics for Thomas

Updated: February 20, 2008, 7:56 PM ET

The San Antonio Spurs have added some frontline help, trading for Seattle Sonics forward/center Kurt Thomas.

Seattle will receive guard Brent Barry, center Francisco Elson and a 2009 first-round draft pick.

"Kurt Thomas is a tough, physical player who can defend, score and rebound," Spurs general manager RC Buford said in a statement. "We feel he will be a great addition to our roster and will add depth to our frontcourt."

The deal was first reported by Yahoo.com.

Thomas, 35, was in his first season with the Sonics after being acquired in July 2007 from the Phoenix Suns. Seattle also received two first-round picks in that deal, as Phoenix tried to shed salary. He is now in the final year of a contract that pays him $8.1 million this season.

Thomas has averaged 9.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in a 13-year career. He is putting up 7.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this season. Barry, 36, is averaging 7.3 points and making 1.6 3-pointers per game, while Elson, 31, is averaging 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds.

"For everything he's done in the NBA and what he brings to a team and what he brought to this team, I learned a lot being around him," Sonics guard Earl Watson said, according to the Seattle Times. "Especially on the court and off the court. Rarely do you get a big man who knows the game like a guard. I expect to see his numbers improve because of the type of guys around him."

[Scarface]

This trade makes me smile.

I hate losing Barry though. Word on the street is he'll get bought out by the Sonics. He could end up back in SA. Stay tuned.

[Slick]

This trade makes me smile.

I hate losing Barry though. Word on the street is he'll get bought out by the Sonics. He could end up back in SA. Stay tuned.

Barry, Elson and a future 1st rounder for a 35 year old Kurt Thomas? Really?

Wow. I'm mildly surprised to say the least.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

This trade makes me smile.

I hate losing Barry though. Word on the street is he'll get bought out by the Sonics. He could end up back in SA. Stay tuned.

Although I wouldn't be too upset if it happened that way...that rule needs changed. Teams shouldn't be able to circumvent trade rules like that.

[Scarface]

Barry, Elson and a future 1st rounder for a 35 year old Kurt Thomas? Really?

Wow. I'm mildly surprised to say the least.

Now we have another big that can shoot jumpers, play D, and rebound. That's pretty important considering what we'll be facing in the west. Pho has Shaq and Amare. Lakers have Pau and Bynum. Utah has Boozer. Now we just added a very good defender to put next to Duncan. Also when TD comes out we can play Thomas with Oberto and still have a big that can score. This trade is great. We just sat back. Watched everyone make their moves. And said okay, here's our answer to what you're doing. This was a beautiful move.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Yeah...not to mention we gave up 2 for 1 which frees up a roster spot in case we wanna keep everyone else we have now that Tony is back...or pick up an intriguing FA for the stretch run.

[Slick]

Now we have another big that can shoot jumpers, play D, and rebound. That's pretty important considering what we'll be facing in the west. Pho has Shaq and Amare. Lakers have Pau and Bynum. Utah has Boozer. Now we just added a very good defender to put next to Duncan. Also when TD comes out we can play Thomas with Oberto and still have a big that can score. This trade is great. We just sat back. Watched everyone make their moves. And said okay, here's our answer to what you're doing. This was a beautiful move.

I'll take you and Smilin's word on that as I haven't been able to see much hoops down here. I'm hoping I'll get the playoff coverage at least.

[Scarface]

Kurt made his Spurs debit last night. 4pts 9 boards and 2 blocks in only 13 minutes. He played some nice D and was setting some nasty picks for Parker and Manu.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff302/ScarfaceBroncos2007/Spurs/capt04ae8b3c9821454fa9b0bae8aa4a51b.jpg

[SmilinAssasSin27]

From the 5 spot to the 2 spot in only a few weeks and 10 out of their last 11...someone's ascending...

[Scarface]

From the 5 spot to the 2 spot in only a few weeks and 10 out of their last 11...someone's ascending...

Sounds familiar doesn't it? Kind of like a movie I've already seen a few times.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Sounds familiar doesn't it? Kind of like a movie I've already seen a few times.

Ferris Beuller's Day Off? Always the same ending, but I never get tired of watching it.

[Scarface]

Brent Barry will play for the Spurs!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3270024

[Slick]

This trade makes me smile.

I hate losing Barry though. Word on the street is he'll get bought out by the Sonics. He could end up back in SA. Stay tuned.

Looks like you hit a homerun on that one.

[Scarface]

Looks like you hit a homerun on that one.

Man, I am so glad we're getting him back!:beer:

[SmilinAssasSin27]

u c Bowen's strip at the end of the game last night...thing of beauty.

[Slick]

Man, I am so glad we're getting him back!:beer:

Agreed. He can shoot, but he also brings the intelligence factor. I think that's what makes the Spurs so damn tough to beat come playoff time. A extremely intelligent coach, and players that listen and follow the system.

They may not play the sexy game, but they play THEIR game better than anyone else.

Good for the Spurs and Barry. :beer:

[Scarface]

u c Bowen's strip at the end of the game last night...thing of beauty.

He swatted the hell out of that ball! Did you see Dirk get knocked out?:laugh:

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff302/ScarfaceBroncos2007/43f005b8222b2f7ddee59d671506293c-ge.jpg

[SmilinAssasSin27]

call me when they win one that matters...

[Scarface]

Suns fans shouldn't even be allowed to talk smack. Figures it would be over a regular season win though.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff302/ScarfaceBroncos2007/Spurs/Duncan4Rings.jpg

[Colorado4Life]

Spurs Suck! Go Nuggets!

[Escobar]

hope you cheaters enjoyed that fluke championship last year....cause thats the last your getting in atleast 30 years......your whole roster should be signing to AARP by the end of the season when they lose to the suns.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

fluke...funny. It's amazing that your player breaks the most well known rule in the league, gets suspended for it...but the Spurs are the cheaters...whatever ya hafta tell yerself buddy. What happened when he came back and the Spurs were down 2 men? Suns won, right? Oh...wait...

[Slick]

hope you cheaters enjoyed that fluke championship last year....cause thats the last your getting in atleast 30 years......your whole roster should be signing to AARP by the end of the season when they lose to the suns.

That's funny. All you have to hope for is the core of the team retiring cause the Suns can't beat the current Spurs. Probably can't even take care of the Lakers. LMAO.

D'Antoni can't hold Pop's acorns. Amare can't play a lick of defense.

I really don't like to smack talk but damn man, what the hell makes you think the Suns are going to play good playoff basketball this year? They're hungrier? :lol:

[Escobar]

That's funny. All you have to hope for is the core of the team retiring cause the Suns can't beat the current Spurs. Probably can't even take care of the Lakers. LMAO.

D'Antoni can't hold Pop's acorns. Amare can't play a lick of defense.

I really don't like to smack talk but damn man, what the hell makes you think the Suns are going to play good playoff basketball this year? They're hungrier? :lol:

hey slick , didn't expect too see you here.....as ive said before, im contining my smack once the playoffs start......i was just stating the facts........i know it hurts

[Scarface]

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff302/ScarfaceBroncos2007/Spurs/Spurs.gif

[Escobar]

*cough* *cough* *cough*

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Cough all ya want. Phoenix is the bomb...until the playoffs start.

Regardless though, feel free to run yer cake hole as much as ya see fit. I'll just sit back and enjoy looking at my Spurs memorabilia from the 4 titles they've won...while you wittingly type cough, cough, cough on a football team's message board.

[Escobar]

Cough all ya want. Phoenix is the bomb...until the playoffs start.

Regardless though, feel free to run yer cake hole as much as ya see fit. I'll just sit back and enjoy looking at my Spurs memorabilia from the 4 titles they've won...while you wittingly type cough, cough, cough on a football team's message board.

shaq daddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2-0 thats why we bought him hereeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! hahah ownage!!!!!!!!!1 :elefant::elefant:

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Ownage? really? Are you slow or 8 years old? That's like saying we own New England cuz we beat them in the regular season. They have 4 shiny rings. I'm hardly gonna go bragging to a Pats fan that we own em in November.

It could also be like ANY regular season Browns win over Denver. Hardly mean much, huh?

[honz]

The Spurs are finally showing their age this year. They will not make it to the conference finals...book it.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Parker and Manu are in their prime and Duncan is in his very early 30s.

They are 2.5 games out of the top spot in the West and Tim, Tony and Manu all missed time...Parker missed quite a bit....and the same thing was said 3 years ago and last year.

[Scarface]

LMAO at Suns fans running their mouths. The playoffs are a different beast. 7 game series with plenty of time for rest and preparation in between games. I really hope I get to see Bowen on Nash in a 7 game series again. Nash proved he couldn't hang with the big boys last year. Screaming at the refs like a woman. Widdle bruises on his leg. His coach and owner complaining about how physical the series was. Horry checking him into the scorers table. Ahhh I love the playoffs.

http://www.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0514/nba_dime_395.jpg
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff302/ScarfaceBroncos2007/Spurs/dsssss.jpg

[CoachChaz]

LMAO at Suns fans running their mouths. The playoffs are a different beast. 7 game series with plenty of time for rest and preparation in between games. I really hope I get to see Bowen on Nash in a 7 game series again. Nash proved he couldn't hang with the big boys last year. Screaming at the refs like a woman. Widdle bruises on his leg. His coach and owner complaining about how physical the series was. Horry checking him into the scorers table. Ahhh I love the playoffs.

http://www.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0514/nba_dime_395.jpg
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff302/ScarfaceBroncos2007/Spurs/dsssss.jpg

Just out of curiosity...are Duncan and Oberto going to slow down Shaq and Amare? They have no choice but to have Duncan defend one of them and if he gets in foul trouble...they become a donut team against a Suns team with a pretty powerful post game. Suns running their mouths is silly, but I think they can take the Spurs this time.

[Slick]

I've been forced to watch both games on cbs sportsline game tracker, no tv coverage here yet.

I kind of expected the Suns to sneak out a win in San Antonio, but the boys held serve. Can we steal one in Phoenix and end the series early, or will it go 6 or 7 games?

Smilin, Scar, you guys been watching?

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Oh yes. Series is far from over. After watching last night though, I will say it's amusing that the Spurs are called the dirty team.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Just out of curiosity...are Duncan and Oberto going to slow down Shaq and Amare? They have no choice but to have Duncan defend one of them and if he gets in foul trouble...they become a donut team against a Suns team with a pretty powerful post game. Suns running their mouths is silly, but I think they can take the Spurs this time.

yes. yes they are.

[Scarface]

It goes to show you need a lot to go right to wins championships. You're not going to win a WCF with your second best player hurting as much as Manu was. We got screwed by a plane and screwed by a vindictive ref but never whined or cried about it. We had the toughest opponents in Rd 1 & 2 of anyone in the playoffs. Props to the Spurs. I love that team. and guess what? They'll be back in the thick of things next year too with some younger more athletic players around the Big 3. I can't wait for November.

[CoachChaz]

We wouldnt be coming up with excuses now would we? Great teams overcome these little things.

[Slick]

No excuses here. I didn't see one game of the Lakers series. For some reason they show the Eastern Conference Finals, not the West.

I am disappointed, but I still love my Spurs.

[Scarface]

We wouldnt be coming up with excuses now would we? Great teams overcome these little things.


http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff302/ScarfaceBroncos2007/fail.jpg

[SmilinAssasSin27]

We wouldnt be coming up with excuses now would we? Great teams overcome these little things.

Great teams have 4 rings...

[SmilinAssasSin27]

I'm not gonna bich about the plane. Things happen. BUT the fact that they played Game 6 of the previous series on Thursday and game 7 on Monday while LA/Utah woulda have gotten to play on Fri and Sun says a lot about how the NBA wanted the Finals set up.

[Scarface]

This guy is Spurs material. Has a great work ethic, is a team player, and can hit open jump shots.

http://www.gazette.net/images/2007_0704/mason_sp070407_rgbb.jpg


Patience pays off for newest Spur Mason

Web Posted: 07/12/2008 12:41 AM CDT

By Jeff McDonald
Express-News Staff Writer

Roger Mason Jr. walked into the Spurs' practice facility Friday for the first time since telling the Spurs “no.”

It was just last August he turned down a 3-year deal worth $1 million per season to come to San Antonio, choosing instead to spend another season in Washington, a roll of the dice meant to see if he could increase his stock and his payday.

Eleven months later, he is back in San Antonio, a gamble made good.


Mason, a 6-foot-5 guard, was introduced as the newest member of the Spurs on Friday, two days after agreeing to a two-year contract.

The deal is expected to pay him roughly $7.5 million — or more than three times more per year than he would have made had he said, “yes” to the Spurs last summer.

“It was tough,” Mason said of his previous decision to rebuff the four-time NBA champions. “I just knew that, with all the time I spent in the gym, if I got a lucky break, an opportunity, I'd be able to show off a little bit more.”

Mason got that break — lucky for him, unlucky for the Wizards — when All-Star Gilbert Arenas went down with a knee injury eight games into the season.

That afforded Mason, 27, plenty of playing time off the bench in Washington. He made the most of it, averaging 9.1 points and shooting nearly 40 percent from the 3-point line in what was his first full season as an NBA regular.

When Antonio Daniels got hurt later in the year, Mason got to showcase his versatility by filling in at point guard for the Wizards.

All told, it was a breakout year for Mason, a late-bloomer in his fourth season in the league — one he parlayed into a fatter paycheck with Peter Holt's name on it.

“To Roger's credit, he went out and proved he deserved a much bigger opportunity than we talked about last year,” Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said.

It took more than promise of a bigger bank account to lure Mason away from Washington D.C., the city in which he was born and raised.

In San Antonio, he has the opportunity for more playing time than he was likely to earn with the Wizards — either as a possible starting shooting guard, depending on the future of free agent Michael Finley, or as a backup point guard.

He also ought to have an opportunity to play deeper into the postseason than he ever has. Each of his two seasons with the Wizards ended with Cleveland bouncing them from the playoffs in the first round.

All Mason had to do was glance at the four championship banners on the wall of the Spurs practice facility Friday to know the expectations are higher on the banks of the San Antonio River than they are on the banks of the Potomac.

“You think of San Antonio, you think of title contender,” Mason said. “In Washington, we got beat in the first round. When the playoffs get to June, I'd usually cut the TV off. Hopefully, my friends will be watching me this year.”

The Spurs' courtship of Mason — and he of them — was a year in the making, and maybe longer. Mason auditioned in each of the past two summers for the Spurs, and so impressed them last year that he left with a contract offer.

The Spurs made an impression on Mason as well, beginning with the most prominent man in their locker room.

“I was in a mini-camp, and it was in August, and Tim Duncan was in here playing with us free agent guys,” Mason said. “That tells you what kind of team this is, when your best player is here in August with rookies and free agents who might not even be in the NBA, and he's busting his you-know-what.”

The Spurs believe Mason, renowned for his work ethic and willingness to fill any role, will fit in nicely with their team-first program.

“When we started to differentiate who we were going to go after (in free agency), the guy at the top of the list as far as who's a Spur — that was Roger,” Buford said. “That's what made it easy for us to move him to the top of the list.”

And so, Mason was back in San Antonio on Friday. Nearly a year after telling the Spurs no, he was here to tell them yes.

“I feel blessed, there's no question,” Mason said. “God has given me a great opportunity, and I'm going to make the most of it. I feel like my career is still going up.”

[Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal]

Spurs 8th seed at best. And its funny how your quick to devalue Brand but post some shit with some nobody name Roger Mason lmao.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Comical...Brand is obviously a proven winner, what, with all his rings and what not.

8th seed? Spurs get younger and keep the starting 5.

[Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal]

You try winning with a bunch of nobody type players for years. however we saw when he did have a team around him for a year they made a run. And brand averaged 25-10 in the playoffs so heyyy. Great character and great player. but im not going to kick your team while there down anymore. Your old and washed up compared to 9 other teams in the west.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

You try winning with a bunch of nobody type players for years. however we saw when he did have a team around him for a year they made a run. And brand averaged 25-10 in the playoffs so heyyy. Great character and great player. but im not going to kick your team while there down anymore. Your old and washed up compared to 9 other teams in the west.


How are the Spurs down? They lost in the Western Conference Finals. They must be THAT DAMN GOOD for that to be down. They have yet to win back to back, so to simply assume they are done because they didn't win this year is assanine. People have been saying this stuff for years. Robinson, Kerr, Avery Johnson, Sean Elliott, etc...all too old. The 3 core players are all 32 and younger. Not young (except Parker), but also not old. The Horrys and Barrys will be replaced by Hill, Mason and a couple of foreigners the Spurs drafted in the past...just like how Parker and Ginobili were handled. The haters keep comin, but the Spurs still have 4 rings and the core that landed 3 of em. Last year it was the Jazz who were ready to take em down. Before that it was the explosive Suns. This year it was Charlotte. How'd that work out for those young, athletic teams? Defense wins championships and so do the Spurs.

I'm not gonna say I know everything about Mason, but I do know that the Wiz played better w/o Gilbert. Who had the ball? As much as I loved Finley, Horry and Barry, replacing them with Hill, Mason and (possibly) Posey or JR Smith is gonna help this team get much younger real quick. They all play D and they can all shoot. Ya don't have to take the ball to the rack every time down to win games

[Scarface]

Spurs 8th seed at best. And its funny how your quick to devalue Brand but post some shit with some nobody name Roger Mason lmao.

I never devalued Elton Brand. You should take a reading comprehension class. I said Philly's not a title contender. I said Elton is not a superstar. That's no disrespect to Elton. He's a very good player, he's just not going to carry a team to the promised land. Why is that so upsetting to you? I didn't say Elton is hot garbage and Philly sucks.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

This guy is Spurs material. Has a great work ethic, is a team player, and can hit open jump shots.

http://www.gazette.net/images/2007_0704/mason_sp070407_rgbb.jpg

Where is Casino Royal??? Still talkin shit on Mason???

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Vince Carter subject of New Jersey Nets' trade talks, Spurs involved

"The opening day of Trade Talk Weekend centered on an extraordinary amount of discussion for Vince Carter Friday in Phoenix, where Nets officials struck out in a last-minute bid to acquire Shawn Marion and then re-focused their attention on a possible deal with the Spurs.

According to various league officials and player agents at the scene, the Nets have spoken to numerous teams to gauge Carter's value, but the most likely scenario -- as of Friday night -- was a complicated 4-for-1 deal with San Antonio that would bring back two young pieces and two players the Nets would probably let go.

In this scenario, which was reported last Friday on NJ.com, sharp-shooter Roger Mason and rookie point guard George Hill would come to New Jersey, along with center Fabricio Oberto and Bruce Bowen.

The Nets would have three players over the maximum allowed, however, so they would probably waive Bowen and Oberto and a third player, while plugging Mason and Hill into their backcourt.

The primary benefit to the deal is financial: The Nets would rid themselves of Carter's $16.1 million salary next year, profoundly shortening their payroll: Mason ($3.8 million) and Hill ($1.1 million) would remain with the team, but Bowen and Oberto -- despite having a year left on their contracts -- have minimal salary protection if they are cut before July 1 and Aug. 1, respectively.

That would reduce the Nets' payroll to roughly $50 million at the end of the current season -- or an estimated $10 million under the salary cap -- which would make the Nets major players in the 2009 free-agent market."


Interesting...a move like this would tell me the future is now. I like Mason and Hill, but VC is a superstar. It'd almost be a lock that SA would resign Boen and Oberto after NJ would let them go. Still...This would leave about a 3-4 year window to try and rack up a couple of more championships in SA.

And I love what NJ has been doing. They raped the Mavs when they traded Kidd for D Harris and adding Mason and Hill would really set em up for the future.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

PHOENIX – The New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks have discussed a trade that would reunite Vince Carter and Jason Kidd, with Carter joining the Mavericks, a league source familiar with the discussions said Thursday night.

The proposed deal, which isn’t imminent, would send Carter, Keyon Dooling and Eduardo Najera to the Mavericks for Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse.

Nets executives are still reluctant to trade Carter, but are determined to let teams make their best offers all the way to next Thursday’s trade deadline.

The Mavericks have lost guard Jason Terry to a broken hand and desperately need perimeter scoring to stay a contender in the Western Conference. The Nets’ and Mavericks’ front offices engineered the Jason Kidd-Devin Harris blockbuster at the trade deadline a year ago. Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe and Mavs GM Donnie Nelson have been active trading proposals, league sources say.

Carter, 31, has inspired significant interest throughout the league. The San Antonio Spurs are pursuing him and have discussed a proposal that would include Roger Mason, Bruce Bowen and Fabricio Oberto. While the Spurs also have interest in Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace, a Pistons source says the teams have not had any conversations.

For the Nets, the motivation to move Carter is mostly financial. The franchise is losing tens of millions of dollars a year and moving Carter would clear more cap space for 2010. Nevertheless, Nets president Rod Thorn wants to make the playoffs and believes he has his best chance with Carter on the roster. Carter is in the second season of a five-year extension that pays him close to $80 million through 2012. Only a fraction of the contract’s final season is guaranteed.

Carter is having a good season, averaging 21 points, five rebounds and five assists. The Nets are 24-29 and one game out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference

[SmilinAssasSin27]

The Milwaukee Bucks agreed to trade Richard Jefferson to the San Antonio Spurs for Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto, a Bucks source told ESPN.com's Chad Ford.


...also looks like Bowen will be waived immediately and head right back to San Antonio.

[Buff]

Worst thread ever.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

hater

[Buff]

I was excited to see Bowen gone... He was a Nugget killer, now I have to deal with Bowen and Jefferson... Lame.

Oberto is good, but I'd gladly trade him and Thomas for Jefferson.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

I'm hearing they already sent Oberto to Detroit too.

[Buff]

For who? So they were just after Kurt Thomas?

[Scarface]

The Bucks just wanted to cut salary.

I like this trade a lot. Now we need another big and we'll be set. The key is Ginobili and his health. If he can stay healthy I think this team has another championship in them.

[CoachChaz]

They need him. Duncan isnt getting younger and always has a nagging injury lately, Ginobili cant stay healthy...period and Parker cant do it himself.

They gave up some defense for Jefferson, but they needed the offense. Unfortunately...it just isnt enough. Jefferson just isnt the difference maker they need to put this team back into elite status. Duncan just cant do what he once did. Age is catching up with him and in all honesty...I dont see SA making another Finals appearance during the remainder of his career.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

It all hingwes on Ginobili. Hopefully he takes a break from international play and gets his body rested. That is where his nagging injuries stem from IMHO. A healthy Ginobili off the bench will do wonders for this team. And I think RJ is enough for 2 more legit runs. Duncan's game isn't based off of uber-athletic play so I believe his age won't effect his skill. Now he does have to stay healthy, but geting another big could allow him some rest. The team as a whole is much younger than it was 2 years ago. They'll be ok.

[Scarface]

#37 Pick in the Draft DeJuan Blair. One of the best rebounders to enter the draft over the last decade!

Chad Ford's Analysis of the pick:

Are you kidding me? How do these guys fall into San Antonio's lap? Tony Parker at 29? Ginobili late in the second? Now Blair here? This is a great pick for the Spurs. He might be able to start in San Antonio if Duncan plays the 5. This late in the draft, his knee issues aren't much of a risk; he's just a really cheap rebounder. The Spurs are getting an A+ tonight.

Now sign Sheed on 7/1 and go get another ring.

Blair highlight vid:

http://sports.espn.go.com/videohub/video/video?id=3919232

Here he is absolutely owning the #2 pick in the draft. Just absolutely destroyed the guy that night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WASWhKKQfY&feature=player_embedded

http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2009/04/large_dejuan_blair_nba_draft.jpg

[SmilinAssasSin27]

I can't believe he dropped that far. I was on a Spurs message board prior to the draft stating that we should trade up for either he or Sam Young. No trade, but we still get him??? Un frickin real! Dude straight up beasted Thabeet when they played. LOVE this pickup!!!

[SmilinAssasSin27]

...and Sheed is in SA today.

[CoachChaz]

Every player with a little bit of weight and aggressiveness "beasted" Thabeet. Blair dropped because he can't run and because he is very prone to foul trouble. He'll be a decent NBA rebounder and will remind Spurs fans of Malik Rose...but dont expect him to ever be a 20-10 guy

[Scarface]

A 20-10 guy?! Who the heck said he was going to be a 20-10 guy??? He's going to be a rebounder that gets an occasional garbage bucket. Should be a very nice role player right out of the gates but nobody is acting like he's a superstar.

[CoachChaz]

A 20-10 guy?! Who the heck said he was going to be a 20-10 guy??? He's going to be a rebounder that gets an occasional garbage bucket. Should be a very nice role player right out of the gates but nobody is acting like he's a superstar.

Read my post again. Does it mention ANYTHING about me accusing people of calling him a 20-10 player or that anyone was calling him a superstar?

No. It simply states my personal opinion of his game and potential. No need to get defensive...sorry your team is getting old and cant stay healthy.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

And you only had to wait 10 years to make that post.

Congrats!