Project Spurs' affiliate site Toros Nation, which covers the San Antonio Spurs D-League affiliate, Austin Toros, recently added Toros' player Michael Joiner to the writing staff.

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.

Toros forward Michael Joiner posted his latest post for our sister site, Toros Nation, from Dallas, where he and the Toros will take on former Spur Antonio Daniels and the Texas Legends.

Back after a commercial break. The new part of the season has officially begun. In this post, I will feature a few themes such as newness and homecoming. This afternoon we came together for the first time after being on the NBA ALL-Star break. It was competitive and good seeing one another again.

We have a total of 17 games left. That was news to my ears. Time passes quickly, right? Other things that are new is some music by Wiz, Bruno Mars, and other things. While writing this, I am watching at the all star game while busing to Dallas for our Monday night game against the Texas Legends.

I’m glad I get a chance to watch the game. It should be an exciting one. Shout out to my teammate Lance Thomas with his Gain Greene Adidas! Marcus Cousin represented the team well at the All Star game as well. I think he only missed two shots. (Ballin!)

For the full post, including his thoughts on how his Toros teammate Marcus Cousin did at the D-League All-Star game, read the full post at Toros Nation. While you're there, you can also read the full archive of his "on the road" series.

Hoy estaré repasando con ustedes los últimos cinco juegos de los San Antonio Spurs.

Como sabemos los Spurs se la pasaron de gira las ultimas dos semanas, jugando fuera de la cuidad, debido al famoso evento anual "El Rodeo", que se esta llevando acabo en el AT&T center, pero esto por su puesto, no fue obstáculo para los Spurs, ya que ellos siguen manteniendo su primer lugar en la NBA.

Comenzamos con el juego que tomo lugar el 9 de febrero en Toronto, Canada contra los Raptors que resulto ser bastante favorable para los Spurs, ya que salieron victoriosos siendo el marcador final de 111 a 100. Para este enfrentamiento fue Dejuan Blair quien se lucio aportando con 28 puntos, siendo esta, su aportación mas alta a un juego, en lo que va de la temporada. George Hill, nuestro favorito de la banca, también anoto un total de 18 puntos mientras Tony Parker y Tim Duncan anotaron 16 puntos cada uno. Lamentablemente quien resulto lesionado durante el ultimo cuarto fue Tiago Splitter, lastimandose el ligamento de la corva obligando así abandonar el juego.

Lamentablemente para los Spurs su buena racha de 4 victorias consecutivas comenzando desde el ultimo enfrentamiento ante los Lakers de Los Angeles, se rompió al enfrentarse ante los 76ers de Philadelphia el viernes, 11 de febrero. Tim Duncan fue nuestro mayor contribuyente en puntuación, anotando un total de 16 puntos mientras Gary Neal y Antonio McDyess aportaron 11 puntos cada uno. La puntuación final fue de 71 a 77, este claro, a favor de los 76ers.

Afortunadamente al siguiente día, sábado, 12 de febrero, los Spurs, salieron victoriosos al enfrentarse ante los Warriors de Washington. Quienes ayudaron hacer este triunfo posible fueron Tony Parker y George Hill contribuyendo con 18 puntos cada uno y Gary Neal con 16. El juego resulto ser bastante fácil para los Spurs ya que para medio tiempo, el equipo ya contaba con 72 puntos mientras los Wizards solo contaban con 45. Finalmente los Spurs ganaron 118-94 haciendo de esto una derrota penosa para los Warriors. 

The San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobii put on red jerseys last night instead of their usual black and white. However, the result wasn't much different than it has been for both players all season long, as they helped the Western conference All-Stars to a 148-143 victory.

It was Duncan's 13th All-Star game and Ginobii's second.

With Gregg Popovich at the helm for the West and with a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder this week in his sights, it wasn't too surprising to see Duncan limited to just over 11 minutes of playing time.

Duncan finished with two points and three rebounds in what could be his last All-Star appearance.

While Ginobili didn't have the best shooting night, he found a way to make his mark in true Manu fashion.

In 20 minutes off the bench, Ginobili finished with seven points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals. His assist numbers might have matched his points, but as usual, some players were caught off guard with his passes or fumbled them.

Popovich said he tried his best not to coach, but late in the game, when the score was close, he called a timeout and called plays specifically for a few of the West's players.

"You don't coach, it's hard not to coach," Popovich said in his post-game presser. "But you have to sit there and shut up because it's not about that." 

Apparently he and his coaching staff did just enough coaching to pull out the win late in the game.

For Popovich, coaching a team without an emphasis on playing defense will stop when he leaves Los Angeles today. He has see his share of these All-Stars again as the Thunder, Lakers and Heat all make trips to San Antonio. 

Now that the hoopla of All-Star weekend is over, it's time to get back to business for the San Antonio Spurs in the remaining 26 games.

But first, let's look at what happened for the team during the Rodeo Road Trip.

In the past, Spurs has always used the Rodeo Road Trip to fix a few kinks in their game, and prepare them for the stretch run.

Since 2003, the Spurs have a fantastic overall record on their rodeo excursion which has helped the team to bond more which is crucial in the long run. This year's road trip looked a lot easier than their previous annual tour away from San Antonio. A quick look at their nine road games and a 6-3 record seemed to be a modest bet --- six of their opponents on this recently concluded trip have losing records. 

• San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker jokes about appearing on "Dancing With the Stars."

As for Parker's own TV debut, when asked if he'd consider joining "Dancing with the Stars," he replied, "I don't know, why not?" (etonline.com)

• Spurs' Manu Ginobili spoke about the Spurs, his career, and more in this Q&A with Hoops Hype:

For how long do you think the Spurs will be contending?

MG: Who knows. It depends on our health. Right now I can tell you if anything happens to Tim (Duncan), Tony (Parker) or me or any other key player, the chances decrease dramatically. So far we’ve been healthy, but no team wins without health. It’s a matter of waiting. Why do we have to keep guessing?

Has your NBA career surpassed the expectations you had for yourself coming in?

MG: It has surpassed all my expectations. Coming into the NBA, I never thought I would play an All-Star Game. While I was playing in Italy, if you told me I was going to be a three-time champion, I would have said you were crazy. No chance.

• DeJuan Blair says Tim Duncan and Antonio McDyess are like brothers to him:

Blair deserves a lot of credit for staying positive through his draft-night freefall and continuing to work hard, but he makes sure to always point how much teammates Antonio McDyess, Tim Duncan and head coach Gregg Popovich have helped him along the way.  (hoopsworld.com)

"They teach me a lot," Blair told HOOPSWORLD. "With Tim and Antonio they're like my big brothers.

• Spurs' Tiago Splitter spoke on his transition into the NBA and the Spurs:

"I am a new player who comes to a team that works very well and winning games. So it's difficult to change anything now, but I'm still working and training hard to wait for my chance," he stressed.

• Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki speaks on the Spurs:

"The Spurs are playing really well, they've really been injury-free for the first time in a long time," Nowitzki said.

Hit the jump to read about how to win free tickets to the Spurs-Oklahoma City Thunder game in San Antonio this Wednesday, the "boring" Spurs, Tim Duncan a closet Justin Bieber fan, and more.

There's been a lot written about San Antonio Spurs guard Gary Neal recently.

I covered his storybook journey to an NBA career in a feature this week, Jeff Garcia talked to him about the rookie game and several other media outlets covered Neal and the adversity he faced when he was accused of rape and how far he's come since then.

It was only fitting that after Neal scored 20 points (including six in the final minutes) in 26 minutes at the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge, ESPN chose to feature him in this morning's edition of "Outside The Lines."

The "Outside the Lines" crew spoke to Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, R.C. Buford and Gregg Popovich about Neal and his journey from his initial workout with 20 plus other guards.

Luckily for Spurs fans and Neal, his shots did fall that day whether the coaches knew his name or not. If not, as Buford noted, he might be back overseas.

The 2011 NBA All-Star game kicks off tonight and the San Antonio Spurs will be well represented.

Tim Duncan will be starting for the Western Conference team while Manu Ginobili will be a reserve for the West squad coached by Spurs' Gregg Popovich.

However, one Spurs' player notably left off the All-Star squad is Tony Parker. 

Many felt Parker deserved a spot on the West roster especially with the season he is having. Parker is averaging 17.4 points, 6.7 assists, 1.3 steals per game. Basically all his numbers are up from last season.

There was also the argument that if the Boston Celtics can have four players in the All-Star game based on their record then Spurs should have the "Big Three" in Los Angeles seeing how San Antonio has maintained their league-leading record.

While I was in Philadelphia during the Rodeo Road Trip, Spurs' Richard Jefferson spoke to me on Parker's snub and had this to say:

"You look at we have the best record in the best conference and he wasn't able to make it. I know the West is loaded but that should put even more of an emphasis on how impressive our record is and how great he has been," said Jefferson. 

"We've blown out a lot of teams, so him and Tim (Duncan) might not play in the fourth quarter so their numbers aren't indicative of guys that are going to be playing 40 minutes every single night because their teams need that."

Jefferson continued, "He does what our team needs for us. Again I would never disrespect somebody and say they don't deserve it but that being said, I definitely believe my teammate deserved it."

I believe all Spurs fans throughout the world will agree with Jefferson.

What do you have to say Spurs fans? You read what Jefferson had to say but do you think Parker should be playing tonight?

• San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says he doesn't have rules for the players and treats them as adults:

“We have basically no rules,” said Popovich, coach of the West All-Stars Sunday. “If I gave my team rules, they’d be offended. For the last 15 years, they’ve conducted themselves in an exemplary manner, and I wouldn’t humiliate them by making them believe I had to give them rules like they were children.” (nba.com)

• Spurs' Tim Duncan weighs in on if Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett is a dirty player:

“That’s part of his game. He tries to get under your skin,” the San Antonio Spurs star said. “He tries to get into your head. He tries to talk to you, whatever it takes. He’s a competitor. I don’t think he’s blatantly dirty. I don’t think he’s out there to hurt anyone. But it’s kind of part of his tactics.” (nba.com)

• Duncan also weighed in on the possible NBA work-stoppage next season:

"Am I concerned there is going to be a lockout? As everybody is saying, there is probably going to be," said San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan. "I just want to make sure, however many years from now, the guys that come in have a good deal on the table. Just like when I came in, my second year in the league, that's what the veterans did for us. It was set up for the years now, that we have good deals and we're getting a fair share. That's the concern, not for myself or a missed season, that we get the right deal." (washingtonpost.com)

• Spurs' Manu Ginobili is not only representing the Spurs at the All-Star game tomorrow, but Argentina and Latin America as well:

“It’s another big achievement to have three (Spanish-speaking) players (in Sunday’s game at Los Angeles’ Staples Center), which will give a greater push to the sport of basketball in all our countries,” Ginobili said.

“Basketball in Latin America has grown enormously. I hope that trend continues,” the 33-year-old Ginobili said. “There’s not much difference compared to my first All-Star Game, except for my age, but I feel honored and happy (to be named for the team) and of course I’m excited and have more experience.” (laht.com)

• Spurs' Popovich on second-year player DeJuan Blair is becoming a better player:

He's becoming more and more professional, more consistent, understanding game situations, what's appropriate and what's not; Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says of Blair. (usatoday.com)

Hit the jump to read about how to win free tickets to the upcoming Spurs-Oklahoma City Thunder game next week in San Antonio, age impacts the Spurs, Duncan likes to use his inner-voice, and more.

Several San Antonio Spurs alumni were selected for and played in today's D-League All-Star game.

Marcus Cousin, who was with the Spurs in training camp and preseason is currently the starting center for the Austin Toros and he was selected to start at center for the West.

In just over 20 minutes, Cousin finished the game with 19 points, five rebounds and one blocked shot for the losing West team, good enough for second in scoring for the West and fourth overall.

Larry Owens, who recently played through two 10-day contracts with the Spurs before rejoining the Tulsa 66ers, finished with 12 points, four rebound and three assists.

Also joining Cousin and Owens on the West squad was Cedric Jackson, who was called up from the Erie Bayhawks and played through a 10-day contract last season. Jackson came off the bench for the West, but made his presence felt with six points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

Garrett Temple, who played with the Spurs last season and was with the team before being waived this season, started for the East and finished the game with nine points and four rebounds.

Be sure to keep it here on Project Spurs for all your Spurs All-Star coverage. 

With the plethora of young stars taking the stage in Los Angeles last night, San Antonio Spurs sophomore forward DeJuan Blair and rookie Gary Neal provided fans with some remarkable highlights.

Blair wowed fans with his highlight dunking ability, as Neal showed Hollywood his accurate shooting and ability to hit big baskets in closing moments, as the rookies defeated the sophomores 148 to 140.

DeJuan Blair began the night by scoring the first basket of the game for the sophomores with a 21-foot jumper over rookie phenom Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers.

At the ten-minute mark, Blair played eight minutes and had 12 points (6-7 FG). His only miss was a three pointer. He also caught a one-handed alley-oop dunk to “Wow” the crowd.

Gary Neal started for the rookies and in his first six minutes of action shot two three pointers and made one of them. He had 3 points. The rookies led 33-32 at the ten-minute mark

Blair had a potential play of the night by throwing a pass off the backboard to himself, then he one handed tomahawked the ball on the way down.

Blair had 14 points (7-9, only misses were two three pointers) and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes of action going at the end of the first period.