Project Spurs kicks off its 2013 Spurs Playoff preview as the Spurs face the Lakers in the first round. Check out the key matchups in the opening series brought to you by Kyle Boenitz.

A lot of San Antonio Spurs fans have been saying, “Bring on the Lakers!” all year. Well, if that was you, you got your wish, congratulations.

While I’ll admit that this matchup was a lot scarier to me when Kobe Bryant was playing, I still think it’s not anything the Spurs should take lightly.

If Bryant were healthy, the big matchup to watch would be him against Kawhi Leonard, but with Kobe out of the lineup, the focus switches to the center and point guard battles.

Center: Tiago Splitter vs. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard has now become “the guy” for the Lakers. Even though he’s only been there for one season, with Kobe gone, it’s his team. This was extremely apparent during Wednesday night’s game between the Lakers and Rockets. Howard played 46 minutes and it seemed like every possession included the ball going to his hands in the post. If the Lakers are going to give the Spurs a series, it’s going to be on his (very broad) shoulders.

A funny thing happens when you peer into the mind of Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace. You get an unfiltered, honest view told in only the way World Peace could tell it.

That’s exactly what happened recently when World Peace was asked about his team’s first round foe in the San Antonio Spurs.

While Magic Johnson said the Spurs were trying to avoid the Lakers, and when many expected that the Lakers would fight for the seventh seed in their final regular season game to get that matchup, World Peace was quick to debunk those myths.

Project Spurs kicks off its 2013 Spurs Playoff preview as the Spurs face the Lakers in the first round. We start off with Jose Grijalva's top-5 moments in the Spurs-Lakers rivalry.

With the playoffs approaching and the Los Angeles Lakers waiting to play the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center for Game 1, we'll take a look at some of the top-5 moments during the Spurs-Lakers rivalry that's heated up throughout the years.

#5: Bowen makes 7-three pointers for Spurs' playoff record.

During Game 2 of the 2003 Semifinals against the Lakers, Bruce Bowen got plenty of open looks from the Los Angeles defense. With Phil Jackson more concerned with Tim Duncan inside, the San Antonio shooters got plenty of shot opportunities with the Lakers scrambling in the paint and Bowen was no exception. Bowen was known for his corner 3-point shot, but he made them from where the Lakers left him open this game, even at the top of the key. Bowen's 7-three point made Spurs playoff history that night. Bruce's performance can be seen at the 2:00 mark.

#4: Duncan's incredible shot over Shaquille O'Neal!

Gregg Popovich knows his San Antonio Spurs are struggling for the first time in a long time heading into the playoffs. The team hasn't been making their shots and have been unreliable on defense. Tim Duncan has had to play as close as he can to the vintage MVP-like player he used to be to even keep the Spurs in the game, let alone to win it.

Coach Pop made known his concern for his team after the Spurs finished their regular season against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"Just like any coach, you want to improve everything that you're doing." said Popovich. "There isn't a lot of time between now and Sunday, so we want to be healthier and we'll continue to work on executing at both ends of the court. It's a game of mistakes."

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.