AT&T Center - Following their 108-101 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday, the San Antonio Spurs finally had to face the media after completing their first game without former Spur Stephen Jackson, who was placed on waivers a few hours before tip-off.

“It’s a hard one,” said guard Tony Parker. “That’s Pop’s decision; you’ll have to ask him.”

Gary Neal on the other hand, said though he wanted Jackson around, he knows a championship is the team's focus even if it meant losing a close friend of his.

“You know Jack’s one of my close friends,” said Neal. “I wanted Jack around, but Coach Pop decided for whatever reason Jack wouldn’t be a member of our team anymore.”

The NBA and San Antonio Spurs fandom were stunned when news came out that the Spurs waived forward Stephen Jackson. Many were left scratching their heads at the move while finding out that apparently there was a rift between Jackson and coach Gregg Popovich regarding his role and playing time for some time.

In the end, Jackson is no longer with the team but before closing this chapter in his NBA career, he sent a message via Instagram to his fans while calling out an anonymous player who Jackson says isn't better than him. I wonder who it could be?

AT&T CENTER--For a month upheaval has been the new status quo up and down the San Antonio Spurs lineup, with the instability finally seeping into the Spurs' play over that time. 

Manu Ginobili's status remains unclear, though coach Gregg Popovich assured reporters he's progressing. Boris Diaw could be out for a month, his season-long nagging back spasms turning out to be a condition necessitating surgery. And of course there was the Stephen Jackson, whose release from the team was made public knowledge just hours before tip-off. 

But tonight the Spurs took baby steps towards reclaiming some of the stability that has become a trademark of this franchise. Tonight, Tony Parker returned.

"Tony was spectacular. You know, coming back I didn't think he'd have that kind of wind," Popovich said. "I thought he did a great job."

Parker began the game getting his previously battered legs back underneath him, content to feel the defense out and finding open teammates. It wasn't until the end of the second quarter that the Spurs got a glimpse of the explosive scoring potential missing in Parker's absence. 

AT&T Center - “We’re getting ready for the playoffs and putting our team together, and what we want to do and who we want to do it with, and we thought that making this decision with Jack was best for the group.”

That was San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich in his press conference addressing the release of forward Stephen Jackson prior to the Spurs (57-21) hosting the Sacramento Kings (28-50).

“(It was) a tough decision,” continued Popovich, “because on a personal basis I knew him a long time and I enjoyed him very much. (But) You’ve got make decisions that are tough sometimes and we thought this was best for our group.”

Asked if Jackson had violated any team policies, Popovich said no. “There’s no conspiracy theory or anything like that. He was classy. I’m pretty sure he didn’t like the decision but basically, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

A Yahoo! Sports report surfaced prior to the interview that stated Jackson was unhappy with his playing time this season. When Popovich was told of this report, he had one response on the matter: “You’ll have to ask Jack.”

The San Antonio Spurs (57-21) will host the lowly Sacramento Kings (28-50) tonight at the AT&T Center in the final meeting of the season between these two teams. Good news for the Spurs is Tony Parker will be back on the court tonight after being out with a sore neck, however, will be without Boris Diaw who will be out 3-4 weeks after back surgery to remove a cyst from his spine.

The Spurs are 3-0 in the regular season versus the Kings. In the last meeting, the Spurs won 130-102 in San Antonio. The Spurs were led by DeJuan Blair’s 16 points while Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter recorded double-doubles. Marcus Thornton led the Kings with 25 points off the bench.

The Spurs are coming off a 86-96 loss to the Nuggets in Denver. Duncan finished with 17 points in a losing effort.

The Kings are coming off a 121-110 win over the Hornets in Sacramento. John Salmons led the Kings with 22 points in the win.

And as the Spurs hope to regain control of the top spot in the West over the Thunder, here are five things to watch for during tonight's contest:

• The Spurs have won 17 of 19 at home by an average of 12.6 points.

• The Spurs have averaged 115.8 points on 54 percent shooting during their current five-game winning streak in this series versus the Kings.

The San Antonio Spurs haven't had a dream season so far and the nightmare has gotten worse for its fans.

The team has released Stephen Jackson.

San Antonio has waived Stephen Jackson, league source tells Y! Sports.

Source on Spurs release of Stephen Jackson: "It's been brewing for a few days."

Gregg Popovich and Stephen Jackson have been sparring over Jax's role throughout season; disagreements resurfaced this week, source tells Y!

Spurs and Jackson discussed a release prior to trade deadline, but sides agreed to go forward together for rest of season, source says. (Adrian Wojnarowski)

DeJuan Blair has had a disappointing season this year with the San Antonio Spurs. He hasn't played his way much into the rotation and hasn't impressed when he has gotten minutes. Now with a recent revelation of controversy surrounding unpaid jewelry, it seems that Blair's time in silver and black may be coming to a really bitter end.

Don't tell DeJuan Blair that though, he's not thinking much about this incident.

“I knew it was coming out before it came out. My attorneys got everything, so it’s not really a big issue for me.”

The suit alleges Blair was allowed to buy, on credit, jewelry worth $53,032.26 from March 10, 2010 to April 10, 2010, and has not paid for the items.

As the battle for the Western Conference number one seed comes to a near conclusion, the San Antonio Spurs are faced with a familiar dilemma -- play your star players and go for the top seed or rest your players to ensure they are ready for the playoffs?

For knowledgeable Spurs fans, it takes you one second (two if you breathe) to know what Coach Greg Popovich choice would be. 

This decision doesn’t mean the last four games are to be thrown away.  After the second unit’s performance against the Denver Nuggets, these four games are much needed as any practice the team will run.

Aron Baynes should make use of anytime he gets to team with Tiago Splitter or Tim Duncan with Boris Diaw resting his back.  Baynes will be called up on to help with the boards, change shots and give another option in the pick-and-roll game. 

When it rains it pours.

The San Antonio Spurs have been hit hard by the injury bug at the worst possible time of the season. From Tony Parker's myriad of injuries, Manu Ginobili's hamstring, to Kawhi Leonard's knee issues, the Spurs are limping into the playoffs which begin in a few days.

And as if that wasn't enough, Boris Diaw (who suffered back spasms recently) underwent surgery on his lower back to remove a cyst from his spine and will be out 3-4 weeks which means he'll miss the entire first round of the playoffs if not more.

As I've written about before, the San Antonio Spurs have for the most part gone away from their draft and stash method that dominated their draft strategy of the middle of the last decade.  They still have drafted guys like Davis Bertans, Adam Hanga and Ryan Richards, but none of those guys were first round picks and the Spurs drafted other guys in the first round that played stateside the following season.

While there could be some gems in the back half of this draft, this might, MIGHT, be the year the Spurs swing for the fences on an international prospect, much like they did with Tony Parker, Tiago Splitter and yes, Ian Mahimni.  They're in good shape salary cap wise, so they don't absolutely need a cheap role player which a pick in the late 20's might provide.  They also have plenty of young trade chips they could use to get an extra pick in the draft.  With that in mind, here's a look at some of the international prospects that could catch the Spurs eye.