Skip Bayless is off the San Antonio Spurs bandwagon. They're not "his" Spurs anymore. In fact, he thinks they're out the first round because of the Tracy McGrady signing.

Spurs had TMac during camp, now reaching for him in desperation. Averaged 7 a game last 3 NBA seasons. Once again won't get out of 1st rd. (@RealSkipBayless)

Bayless may be going on a huge stretch on this. It's not a stretch the Spurs aren't as scary as they used to be to opponents, but more or less that he's putting the emphasis on the signing that will determine San Antonio's fate.

When fan-favorite Stephen Jackson was released by the San Antonio Spurs last week, it was a shock to many throughout the NBA.

Many were scratching their heads wondering why would the Spurs do this roster move now with the playoffs days away? What did he do? Was it because of his lack of production?

Head coach Gregg Popovich called it a tough decision done in the best interest of the team and saying Jackson took it in stride while Jackson took to social media to thank the fans while explaining he would not admit  another player is better than him.

It has been a few days since the move and with the Spurs signing Tracy MGrady and the dust settled, Jackson spoke on what happened between him and the Spurs.

In an interview with Sister 2 Sister Magazine, Jackson said it came down to a disagreement between him and Coach Pop.

The stage is set and the San Antonio Spurs (0-0) will host the Los Angeles Lakers (0-0) this Sunday in San Antonio as old foes renew their rivalry in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Not only that, Mike D'Antoni will once again be facing the same team who doomed his Suns teams in seasons past, crumbling any hopes for a title for the city of Phoenix.

After the Lakers locked up the 7th seed after beating the Rockets in overtime last night, D'Antoni spoke on facing the Spurs. From showering Popovich with praise, trying to win a game in San Antonio to every player knowing their role, D'Antoni weighed in on his old nemesis.

It's playoff time everybody!

On this week's episode of the Spurscast, Project Spurs' writer Jose Grijalva joins me to talk about the impact Tracy McGrady is going to have for the San Antonio Spurs in the postseason.

We also break down all the NBA playoff matchups and you'll be surprised at some more of Jose's bold predictions. 

The Spurscast. The original Spurs podcast.

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We'll be breaking down the playoffs like crazy in the upcoming Spurscast episodes, but if you have anything else you want us to throw in there, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Music: Freelance Whales -- Starring

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrei Kirilenko was once an All-Star back in his 2004 season with the Utah Jazz. Then, at the age of 22, Kirilenko was known as a defensive monster on the perimeter as he averaged 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game.

Fast forward nine years later, Kirilenko now at the age of 31, was only able to score five points, grab six rebounds, and steal two passes in his team’s season finale victory over the San Antonio Spurs.  

Prior to the game, I caught up with Kirilenko in the Wolves locker room and asked him about his thoughts on a young player who has the potential to be an All-Star one day, Spurs sophomore Kawhi Leonard.

“I think he’s a really talented promising player who is blossoming under Popovich,” said Kirilenko. “He’ll be a very crucial part for San Antonio. He’s a guy who can really cover both defense and offense.”

Before the Spurs’ season finale with the Timberwolves, Leonard was about to end the regular season as the Spurs’ third leading scorer.

Things were different then.

But now, a four-time NBA champion and soon-to-be Hall-of-Famer is at the tail end of his career instead of being in the middle of his prime.

Now, a former perennial All-Star, two-time scoring champ and highlight machine is back in the NBA after debilitating knee injuries took him on several short-lived NBA stops and a stint in China.

And now, Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady are finally together.

In the summer of 2000, way before LeBron, Wade and Bosh came together, another trio was expected to form the first super team. Duncan, McGrady and Grant Hill were considered the blue chips of the free agent class.

San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili hasn't been the same player this season. Riddled with injuries (the most recent being a right hamstring injury) he has played 60 games, saw some of his numbers dip from last season and before last night's game versus Minnesota, had sat out nine games due to the hamstring injury.

Needless to say, a healthy Manu is needed before the postseason begins this Sunday against the Lakers.

Ginobili got some time on the court in the team's regular season home closer and though he didn't light up the box score (two points and two assists in 11 minutes), seeing him healthy and back on the court was more important.

After the game, Manu spoke on the recent hamstring injury and aside from a bit of fatigue, says he is feeling good.

"Very good. I was a little tired because I've been lifting a lot. The point where the tear was feels great," said Ginobili.

The first round for the San Antonio Spurs is officially penciled in against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Spurs won the regular season series 2-1 against the Lakers, but this is going to be a far more different series than we saw in the regular season.

Kobe Bryant is out for the season and so is his 27.5ppg average against the silver and black this season.  While the Lakers also have Steve Nash's status up in the air with injuries, the Spurs will be without Boris Diaw (back) for the first round. Manu Ginobili will play his second game from injury in Game 1, where he's averaging 11ppg, 4.5rpg, and 3.5apg in two games in the regular season against the Lakers. The newest San Antonio Spur, Tracy McGrady, is likely to make his debut in the playoffs against the Lakers also to help bolster the team's offensive attack. 

AT&T CENTER--Surveying the court ahead, catching a glimpse of Tim Duncan running side-by-side with Chris Johnson towards the rim, Manu Ginobili instantly started calculating steps and angles in his head. The equation solved as quickly as it appeared, Ginobili threaded a full court pass with just the proper amount of spin to reach its destination. 

A transition layup, a foul, and a highlight. It was the perfect blend of art and science that Ginobili specializes in tiptoeing; the kind that borders on magic. A magic not so coincidentally absent from the AT&T Center over the past month. 

"It's a huge difference for us, he changes the game for us," Duncan said of Ginobili. "He's done it for years. To have him back out there and to have another x-factor is huge for us."

It has been a struggle for the San Antonio Spurs, literally limping to the finish line nursing a myriad of injuries. Ginobili's hamstring, Gary Neal's legs, Boris Diaw's back, Tony Parker's everything. And yet, for a brief stretch in the first half on the last night of the regular season against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Spurs caught a reminder of everything they could be. 

With 6:14 remaining in the second quarter Ginobili checked in for Danny Green, reuniting the Big Three with second-year sensation Kawhi Leonard in a lineup the Spurs figure to lean on heavily during the playoffs. 

The matchup of the game in the last game of the season for the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves will be between Manu Ginobili and Ricky Rubio.

This will be Ginobili's return game from a hamstring injury that's plagued him these past few weeks. He'll likely come off the bench to continue his role as the Spurs' sixth man, but he should see a good amount of minutes to get him conditioned for the first round of the playoffs. He'll be matched up against Ricky Rubio, who's the starting combo guard for the Wolves. Both men have a similar game of pick and roll attacks coupled with flashy Top 10 worthy passes. Don't expect anything less from Rubio and Ginobili, who'll be looking to get into rhythm with the playoffs approaching.

What Ginobili must do on offense: