• Congratulations to former San Antonio Spurs player Terry Porter who was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame:

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) inducted Travis Grant, Bill Odell, Scottie Pippen and Terry Porter into the NAIA Hall of Fame during the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship tip-off banquet. (naia.cstv.com)

• Want to see Spurs' Gary Neal when he was playing high school basketball? Sure you do! His wife shared a link of some old footage of Neal in high school. Check it out HERE.

• With March Madness underway, BasketballProspectus.com thinks the Duke Blue Devils are like the Spurs:

The Blue Devils are sort of like the San Antonio Spurs of the NCAA. Their conservative nature belies a more radical brand of basketball. Both teams are heavily dependent on the three-point shot, while Duke becomes all the more exciting if point guard Kyrie Irving can return to the lineup for the NCAA Tournament. Like Tony Parker, Irving is a one-man fast break.

• Speaking of the Blue Devils, read what Austin Toros' Lance Thomas had to say about working hard in the D-League and reading books at Toros Nation.

• Express News' Tim Griffin talks about the various opinions on the Spurs in many NBA Power Rankings.

• NBA.com talks about the injury David Robinson suffered in the 1996-1997 season and how it led to Tim Duncan:

As of result of Robinson’s absence, the Spurs finished with a dismal 20-62 record – which was third worst in the NBA that season.

While San Antonio dealt with its frustrations, a budding superstar was dazzling in the college ranks. Tim Duncan was by and large the most prolific collegiate player in the country at the time and it was inevitable that he would be the first player chosen in the 1997 NBA Draft.

Hit the jump to read about how you can win free tickets to the Spurs-Blazers game in San Antonio this month, this day in Spurs' history, and more.

With tomorrow being St. Patrick's Day and the beginning of the NCAA basketball tournament, the fine folks out at Taylor PR invited Project Spurs to join a basketball round table discussion with basketball great Bill Walton.

Walton was in town to help promote GUINNESS -- the boldest of beers -- calling on all basketball fans to take a day off from work and enjoy a pint of GUINNESS tomorrow while taking in the many St. Patrick's Day festivities and March Madness.

"It's a day to step back, enjoy the important things in life with a perfectly poured pint of GUINNESS and take bold action," said Walton.

It was a great setting. Just a bunch of sports writers shooting the breeze, drinking GUINNESS with Walton in New York City at Legends Bar & Grill. He spoke on everything from college basketball and his favorite player BYU's Jimmer Fredette, the NBA playoffs, which team will come out of the Western Conference, his injuries, and more.

The video of this round table will be posted later but during the discussion Walton mentioned San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili as one of the best players in the NBA. After the round table, I followed up with Walton on his thoughts about Ginobili and here is what he had to say:

"Manu Ginobili is more than capable of being the best player in any game. In any game he can be the best guy. What he has been able to do coming from Argentina, I mean truly, he is the epitome of true greatness in the globalized, changing world that we all live in today," said Walton to Project Spurs. 

Walton went on to say, "To come from Argentina, to have Argentina win the World Championship, to have him win a gold medal in the Olympics, to have him be the winner of the NBA championship, I mean come on! But that's what makes him so special and he's such a class act. He's so creative, he's so dynamic, he's so vibrant, he's so explosive and he does things that you can't even dream of."

"He comes up with this stuff out there, I mean my god, where did that come from? Yet he is able to deliver. With everybody else, we just call that junk, trash but he delivers. He is phenomenal."

I'm sure all Spurs fans would agree with Walton.

(Thanks to Don Povia at HHRMedia)  

Ever wonder what life is like on the road for the San Antonio Spurs' D-League affiliate Austin Toros? Where do they eat? How is the team feeling with the D-League playoffs fast approaching?

Well you are in luck.

Toros forward Michael Joiner writes for Project Spurs' affiliate blog Toros Nation and recently he wrote on the current Toros road trip, his thoughts on Marcus Cousin getting the call-up to the Utah Jazz, and much more. 

If you have any questions for Michael or would like to comment on his posts, feel free to comment below or email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   and we’ll be sure to get your questions/comments to him. Follow Michael on twitter @mjborn2win.

By Michael Joiner, Toros Nation

It’s been a while now. I know there have not been any write ups from me. There have been two reasons: We have been playing at home (but I thought about doing write ups then), and because I have not had the right thing to write about (writers know about this.)

Well, the on the road series has lead us into another season: it’s the playoff chase. This is the part of the season where teams are competing, you see players leaving, you see the rookies take that growth of maturity and become men or you can see the total opposite.

Since my last write up, we have acquired two new players, a teammate of mine has been called up, we have worn pink jerseys, and the bond of this team has grown tremendously.

First, let me say CONGRATULATIONS to the man in the middle for the Toros this season, Marcus Cousin. He earned a NBA Call-up to the Utah Jazz. Next, let me address the pink jerseys. No, there was not a washing machine problem. We wore pink to show support for the FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER! It was a great cause and a even better event for everyone.

We have had some roster changes. We have acquired Kyle Weaver and Trey Kelly. These guys have replaced Moses and Steph. Every last one of these guys have been a positive impact for our team and has helped us to play better. The changes that one sees. It amazes me. While writing this, I am waiting in the lobby with Kyle getting ready to play the Texas Legends.

Well game one of these weekend series was a tough one to deal with because we let it get away. Our team felt like we had it, but we didn't come out with the outcome that we wanted. We had a good team effort so we will take that over into tonight's match up.

The hotel we stay in is fairly new called the NYLO hotel. Real European style and 9 year old size beds. But it has a interesting look that makes you like it. It has a 70′s feel in 2011. Check it out if you are ever in Plano (no this is not a commercial).

There are many options on what to eat while on the road. Players choose based on how they feel, what or where others may go, and what’s in their budget. Some have gone to 5 Guys, Chic-Fil-A, some Italian spot, and the hotel restaurant.

ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose has his take on a potential San Antonio Spurs-Dallas Mavericks playoff clash and says the Los Angeles Lakers may have a say in it.

Do you agree with him Spurs fans?

Note: This isn't a Spurs-related post, but we'll have several new posts throughout the day.

Jeff and I have made some great friends, have met some of the sports bloggers we look up to and respect the most and even met the team at Bloguin, thanks to the first ever Blogs With Balls event in New York City.

It was also after that event almost two years ago that Jeff and I became extremely motivated and started putting into action our plans to make Project Spurs what it is today.

When I heard Don Povia, Kyle Bunch and the BWB crew were planning to bring BWB to Austin, I knew I had to be there. I was hoping for some badgeless BWB events since the main panel was part of South By Southwest Interactive.

On Monday I made the short trek up to Austin for the Blogs with Balls Digital Tailgate at the Pepsi Max lot.

Darren Rovell of CNBC, Jemele Hill of ESPN and Dan Shanoff of Quickish participated in a digital sports flash panel early on. Foursquare employees were also playing a foursquare game, several ping pong and foosball tables were also set up.

It was great meeting so many new people and catching up with some friends of Project Spurs in Povia and Fansided's Adam Best among others.

I must say though, that the highlight of my day was getting to talk to Gary Vaynerchuck again and getting to pick his brain in a Q&A session.

• San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili had this to say after the huge loss to the Miami Heat:

"They needed the game more than us."

• Express News' Tim Griffin has five takes on the Spurs-Heat game.

• Though the San Antonio Spurs own the NBA's best record and are tops in the Western Conference, TheSportsJury.com thinks the Los Angeles Lakers are the best in the West and will capture another title:

In the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs started 46-9 this season to pretty much outdistance themselves from the rest of the NBA’s elite.· They have been hailed by most as the team to beat in the Western Conference.· However, the two-time defending Champion Lakers are showing why they are still the prohibitive favorite not only in the west, but for another NBA title.

• RedsArmy.com is keeping the Spurs under the Boston Celtics' microscope as the playoffs near.

• The San Antonio Spurs D-League affiliate Austin Toros are in the D-League playoff hunt. Check out how things might shake up for the Toros at Toros Nation.

• Hoops World still has Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich as the Coach of the Year:

The disappointing 30-point loss in Miami after beating the HEAT by 30 in San Antonio just 10 days ago should remind everyone not to take the results of any one game too seriously.  This hasn't derailed Coach Popovich's bid for COY or signaled that Coach Spoelstra finally has the HEAT firing on all cylinders.

Coach Popovich has taken last year's 50-win team to first place overall in the NBA and a projected 66-win season, COY is his to lose.

• Former Spurs player James White shared this video of him winning the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest out in Italy:

• Here is how you can enter for a chance to score some free tickets to the upcoming Spurs-Portland Trail Blazers game on March 28 at the AT&T Center:

1. Follow @TiqFeed_Texas on Twitter.

2. Once you've followed, send out a tweet that says "Follow @TiqFeed_Texas" and include your favorite live Texas sports moment, followed by the hashtag #LoneStarTiqs for chance to win free Spurs tickets.

3. One person who tweets that out will win a free pair of tickets to the March 28 Spurs-Trail Blazers game.

The San Antonio Spurs have called up guard/forward Danny Green from the D-League's Reno Bighorns and have signed him for the remainder of the season, according to several sources.

Green averaged 20.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in his D-League stay with the Bighorns.

This will be Green's second stint in San Antonio. He was originally signed on November 17, then released on November 23 after a number of early season releases including Bobby Simmons, Alonzo Gee and Garrett Temple.

It's no surprise that the Spurs have expressed interest in Green before. He has the potential to be a lockdown defender, but can also help on the offensive end and knockdown the spot-up three. He also rebounds well for a player his size, has an excellent work ethic, has the hunger to improve and is known as a character guy, which makes him a perfect fit for the Spurs.

However, if he's going to have a chance to help the Spurs, they'll also have to be patient with him and his development, which is something Spurs coach Gregg Popovich seems to already be aware of.

"He’s a talented young man who has impressed us with his combination of pretty good defensive skills and awareness and a pretty good shot,” Popovich told the Express-News earlier this season. “He’s a young guy who, in time, is going to be a good player. Sometimes it takes somebody two, three, four years before they find the right situation."
 
Green should be available to play in Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks.

In a recent Sports Illustrated NBA player's poll, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich garnered 3% of votes from the 138 NBA players who voted for the most annoying coach during games:

WHICH COACH IS MOST ANNOYING DURING GAMES?

Stan Van Gundy, Magic 65%

Phil Jackson, Lakers 7%

Scott Skiles, Bucks 7%

Avery Johnson, Nets 4%

Gregg Popovich, Spurs 3%

Based off the poll, that's a huge drop off from Van Gundy to Popovich. Makes you wonder just what makes Van Gundy so annoying during games to receive that many votes.

I was a bit shocked to see Popovich on this list considering I hear he gets along with many NBA players but like they say, can't win them all.

I'm sure Spurs fans are glad to see Lakers' Phil Jackson is seen as more annoying than Popovich.
 
What about you Spurs fans? Can you think of any other NBA coaches who are annoying during games?

Last season the San Antonio Spurs added Richard Jefferson to the team and much to the dismay of many, he did not pan out as expected.

After a turbulent first season, he re-signed with the Spurs and this past off-season worked with Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich to refine his game and better understand the Spurs' system.

"My training this summer, it wasn't that I didn't workout summers before, it was just I knew what I needed to go in and work on to help this team and to be more efficient," said Jefferson when I spoke to him earlier this season.

With the added work over the summer, things seemed to have paid off for Jefferson and the Spurs when the season started. The Spurs were running-and-gunning more, and he was playing with more aggression, hitting his shots - especially three-point shots - and many felt he was turning into the player the Spurs hoped he be. 

At one point November, he was averaging 29.8 minutes, shooting 65.9% FG, and 20 points per game. He finally looked comfortable in the Spurs' system.

However, as the season has progressed, his numbers have dropped and Spurs fans wonder if Jefferson is regressing into the player he was during his first season with San Antonio or if the Spurs should be trying to establish him more often in the offense.

Check out his stats since the season began:

This season he is averaging 11.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and shooting 48% from the field including 43% from the three-point line but as the chart above shows, his point production is on the decline.

Look at the amount of shots he was taking since the beginning of the season:

The first time these two teams met, the San Antonio Spurs (54-13) beat the Miami Heat (46-21) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio by 30 points.

This time, the Heat returned the favor, beating the league leading Spurs 110-80 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami.

What are the numbers that stood out in this Spurs' loss? Let's find out!

95.8 - The Heat were nearly perfect from the line, making 23-of-24 (95.8%) free throw attempts. The Spurs on the other hand, struggled with their foul shots connecting on just 12-of-19 (63.2%) free throws. 

80 - Miami Heat's "Big Three" combined for 80 points equaling the Spurs' point total as a team.

53.8 - Miami shot well from the floor, making 42-of-78 (53.8%) field goal attempts while holding the Spurs to just 31-of-81 (38.3%) field goal shooting.

47 - The Heat dominated the boards, outrebounding the Spurs 47-33.

46 - Miami pound it on the inside, outscoring San Antonio 46-34 on inside points.

30 - Chris Bosh had a game-high 30 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat. Eleven days after being beaten by the Spurs by 30 points, the Heat returned the favor by winning with a 30 point margin.