• Think Manu Ginobili appreciates being a San Antonio Spur? Indeed he does! Check out what he said via Twitter on being with the Spurs franchise:

• Into stats? Then check out Express News' Tim Griffin's post on the Spurs' Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili tied for the team lead in plus-minus:

The Spurs clearly play better when Duncan is on the floor. Bonner has been the best 3-point shooting big man in the league. George Hill is playing at a level that could lead him to the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.

• The Spurs face the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow and if the Bucks get the win over the Spurs then they will lay claim to have won against all three Texas NBA teams:

They beat Houston at home on Friday night, using a 24-point, 22-rebound, 5-block game from Andrew Bogut to get it done.

On Monday in Dallas, the Bucks received a huge bench effort inspired by Ersan Ilyasova, Keyon Dooling and Chris Douglas-Roberts to snap the Mavericks' 12-game winning streak.

Now for maybe the toughest part. The Bucks headed to San Antonio on a charter flight after their 103-99 victory in Dallas. Next up will be the NBA's top team, the 20-3 San Antonio Spurs.

"That's big for us," Jennings said after the Bucks' victory improved their road record to 3-8. "But we've got another tough team, one of the best teams in the NBA, San Antonio. We've got to go in there and take care of business. (source jsonline.com)

The Spurs can't sleep on this Bucks team. They beat the Mavericks, Bogut plays very well against the Spurs and Jennings can catch fire and explode offensively.

• A contract between Time Warner Cable and Sinclair Broadcasting Group is still not renewed and if it doesn't get renewed by December 31, then San Antonio Spurs fans in San Antonio may not catch a few games on the CW channel after January 1, 2011. (source Express News)

• The Spurs recent victory was over the Portland Trail Blazers holding them to 78 points. Check out our fellow Bloguin blogger Beyond the Beat's four reasons why the Blazers lost to the Spurs:

First, their bench continued to struggle. They weren’t able to score consistently or keep San Antonio’s reserves in check. After combining to shoot 0-11 in victory over Phoenix, the duo of Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum managed to make only three field goals in fourteen attempts. Overall, the unit was 7-26 shooting with a measly two assists and two free-throw attempts. They have some good players, but the bench is lacking an inside presence. This has allowed the Spurs to primarily defend the perimeter. In turn, a predictable offense was once again run.

Click HERE to find out reasons two through four. Do you agree?

• So that UFO Manu Ginobili saw in California turned out to be Red Bull skydivers:

"As soon as I saw the videos on the news I busted up laughing," DeVore wrote on redbullairforce.com, which also includes footage of one of the jumps. "It was us jumping with our night flares." (source smdp.com)

Note: We apologize for the poor audio quality, due to using a cellphone while out of town and in a bad reception area.

Jeff and I got together last night for our weekly ritual of talking San Antonio Spurs basketball and the latest news.

We started the show off by recapping the week since we last talked, which was a 4-0 run, including impressive wins against the Hornets, Hawks and Blazers. We also talked about whether or not the Spurs will be able to continue at this level of success throughout the season and Jeff and I both agree that it would be very difficult to top or repeat what they've done so far this season, but we still expect them to have a successful season and be a top seed going into the playoffs.

In the second half of the show, our topic of the week was whether or not the Spurs can sustain their current hot shooting and if fans can expect to see the same percentages throughout the season. Be sure to listen in to hear what our thoughts are on the topic.

Also make sure to tune in this weekend as we go live before the Memphis Grizzlies game. We'll also have live chat during the show and during the game, and if possible, a post-game show as well.

The Spurscast. The first and original San Antonio Spurs podcast.

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With a 20-3 record heading into a match-up with the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow night, the San Antonio Spurs seem to have found the right balance between their offense and defense. This season the Spurs are averaging 106.4 points per game and allow 96.5 points per game.

So what does Tim Duncan have to say about the Spurs winning with offense and defense? Find out.

(video courtesy of woai.com)

The San Antonio Spurs are off to a fantastic start to the NBA season and unlike teams of the past during the Gregg Popovich regime, the Spurs are getting it done on the offensive end of the court.

This season the Spurs are averaging 106.4 points per game and allow 96.5 points per game. A far cry from the defensive teams Spurs fans have cheered for in the past. Though in the recent win against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Spurs reminded the NBA they can still get it done on the defensive end when they held the Blazers to 78 points.

With this new focus on offense, let's remember some of the best defensive players in Spurs history and name the San Antonio Spurs All-Time Defensive Team.

And if defense wins championships, then I'm sure this fantasy defensive team would have racked up NBA titles.

David Robinson

He was the 1992 Defensive Player of the Year, won the NBA rebounding title in 1991, won the blocked shots title in 1992, named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team four times and ranks high in rebounds and blocked-shots for the Spurs.

Tim Duncan

He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team 13 times and has been the corner stone of everything the Spurs do defensively. Though his role on the offensive end has diminished this season, he is still the anchor of what the Spurs do defensively.

Dennis Rodman

Granted he may have been an on-the-court and an off-the-court distraction but while he was with the Spurs, Rodman got it done on the defensive end. With the Spurs he won the won his third straight rebounding title averaging 17.3 rebounds per game in 1994. In his final season wit the Spurs, he averaged 16.8 in 1995. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Team in both seasons with the Spurs.

Bruce Bowen

Need I say more?

Bowen was an absolute master as the Spurs perimeter defender before he retired from the NBA. While with the Spurs, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team eight times and was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year runner-up twice in his career losing out to Ben Wallace. A travesty in my book.

Though some called him a "dirty player" and not well liked among certain players in the NBA, ask Boston Celtics Ray Allen, there was no denying Bowen was an integral cog in the Spurs march to three NBA titles during his time in San Antonio and a feared defender for an opposing team's best player.

Alvin Robertson

His legal troubles aside, when Robertson wore the Spurs uniform he was best known for his defense.

Robertson won the 1986 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He led the league in steals in 1986, 1987 and 1991. Robertson still holds the top career steals-per-game average in the NBA, with 2.71 per game. Robertson led the Spurs in steals four of the five seasons he was in San Antonio, three times averaging more than three per game. He ranks second in club history in total steals, with 1,129.

He recorded a steal in a then-record 105 consecutive games. Chris Paul is surpassed Robertson by recording a steal from 2007-2008. He also recorded a quadruple-double with 10 steals. A category no other player who has recorded a quadruple-double has done.

Now try scoring on this defensive team.

• With the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks owning two of the best records in the NBA and the Western Conference, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban still feel the Miami Heat are the cream-of-the-crop.

In an interview with NBA.com, here is what Cuban had to say about the Heat:

During a visit to San Antonio this past weekend, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said the Mavericks were probably the best team in the league right now. It’s hard to argue that opinion, given the 11-game winning streak the Mavs own after Thursday night’s win over New Jersey.

I brought this up with Mark Cuban before the game as he pounded away on the Stairmaster. Surely, he has to be pleased with the progress of the hottest team in the NBA, one that battling San Antonio for the league’s best record. But are the Mavs, in Cuban’s biased opinion, the best around?

“Miami is the best team in the league right now,” Cuban said simply.

Look it's perfectly understandable why Cuban didn't pick the Spurs seeing how these two teams are rivals but to pick the Heat is questionable. The Heat started out the gates slow and though they may be winning lately, they haven't exactly beaten the best teams in the NBA.

• Bring up the words "San Antonio Spurs" to a die-hard Phoenix Suns fan and you are probably going to get an earful on how much they cannot stand the Spurs and rightfully so. The Spurs have dashed the Suns NBA title hopes countless times and have crushed the hearts of their fans time and time again.

In an article from suns.com, a few current and past Spurs made their top 10 villains list including Manu Ginobili, Robert Horry, Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker. Find out which other Spurs made the list at suns.com.

• By now all of Spurs fandom has heard about Ginobili witnessing a UFO. Listen to what he had to say about his UFO encounter in this video from woai.com:

• If you are fortunate enough to have season tickets and sit in the first three rows at the AT&T Center then you are in luck. The Spurs have made a new event-level club for about 300 season-ticket holders. It's called the Express Jets Courtside Club. (source sportsbusinessjournal.com)

And if you do have access to this new club, how about letting me in? Please. Come on!

Check out San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan and coach Gregg Popovich kidding around about Duncan's limited minutes and being on the bench more often.

The San Antonio Spurs cruised to their fifth straight win with a 95-78 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers as they continue to stay atop the NBA standings with a 20-3 record after 23 games.

Tim Duncan had eight points and 13 rebounds in his 1,000th career regular-season game for the Spurs, it was actually his 1,171st NBA game including the playoffs.

Now, it's time to take a look at some of the numbers that stood out in this Spurs' latest win.

84.6 - The Spurs went to the free throw line a lot and took advantage of it. They made 22-26 (84.6%) foul shots, while the Blazers just hit 7-11 (63.6%) free throws.

52.9 - San Antonio connected of their outside shots making 9-17 (52.9%) three-pointers while the Blazers made 5-15 (33.3%) of their shots from behind the arc.

47 - Both teams were even on the rebounding department with 47.

22 - George Hill scored a game high 22 points off the Spurs' bench, including 9-9 from the foul line and 3-4 from the three-point area.

18 - Manu Ginobili added 18 points, four assists and three rebounds for San Antonio.

17 - Wesley Matthews led the Blazers with 17 points, two assists and two rebounds. 

9 - Brandon Roy was held to just nine points on 4-16 shooting from the field. The Spurs had nine steals for the game with three coming from Antonio McDyess.

0 - DeJuan Blair, Matt Bonner and McDyess had zero turnovers for the entire game.

Rookie Watch: Gary Neal scored 11 points on 4-7 shooting from the field. Tiago Splitter was scoreless in four minutes of playing time.

What's Next? The Spurs will host the Milwaukee Bucks at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Wednesday.

Follow Robby Lim on Twitter @RobbyLim21

Sophia: I guess it's only safe to say the issue has "simmered" down. He's no longer publicly pleading to go home, he's no longer despondent in front of fans and media, and he's looking as if he's enjoying the season. He started out the pre-season and the beginning of the season well, but I think that he's ultimately unhappy with his role on the Blazers - behind Brandon Roy, and now Wesley Matthews- and this fact makes me think he still wants to be moved. I have no doubt he and his agents, after being fined numerous times over the summer and in pre-season, are in quiet and discreet talks with management.

This is undoubtedly going to be a very tough game for the Blazers. If the Blazers continue their energy on offense that we've seen in the past few games, I think they'll have a good enough chance . But , the Blazers will have to play their hearts out and the bench MUST SHOW UP. Last night, the starters played over 40 minutes each. On the road, the bench has to step up, and I am worried the Blazers will be dragging a little from fatigue on Sunday, not that I can blame them. So, the Blazers need a solid, well rounded showing from the bench. If they don't , Blazers lose, big time. 

Looking at the match-ups tonight, which would you say is key for Spurs and Blazers fans to watch?

In an interview with ESPN.com, Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant was asked if he feels the San Antonio Spurs were still capable of their great play so far this season despite new faces to the team and an aging Tim Duncan:

"Of course … of course. Why wouldn't I? The last couple of years they've had to deal with injuries all year long. But now they're healthy. Tim looks great. They have incredible coaching. All those guys know their roles. There's no question about them. … They've been this way for a decade. Fans continue to be surprised, but they're not sneaking up on us."

Bryant on playing the Spurs:

San Antonio directly blocked the Lakers' path to the championship more than once -- yet, as Kobe said, it's not as contentious. "It's not mean," he said. "It's not nasty. Even when they're playing you, they're nice guys. Even when Tim knocks you on the floor, he'll help you up. He'll continue to kick your butt, but … they play the game. They don't play that mean.

Nice to hear Bryant paying respect to the Spurs and rightfully so. The Lakers were touted as the team to beat in the Western Conference heading into the new season but it has been the Spurs who been playing fantastic and sit atop the NBA with the best record at 19-3. The Lakers on the other hand have been faltering, went on a four game losing streak, and lost to the Chicago Bulls recently.

Granted the road to the NBA Finals does go through Los Angeles and the Lakers are still a solid squad with Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Bryant but the Spurs will confidently face that road knowing they will be more than just another team to prevent a Lakers three-peat -- they might actually be a serious threat.

The San Antonio Spurs won their fourth straight to maintain the NBA's best record with a 108-92 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

It was close through three quarters until the Spurs found their shooting touch during the final period outscoring the Hawks 37-23.

It's now time to take a look at some of the numbers that stood out in this Spurs' recent win.

53.2 - The Spurs hit their stride in the fourth quarter and finished the game 41-77 (53.2%) shooting from the floor while holding down the Hawks to just 36-80 (45%) field goal shooting.

50 - The Hawks shot 7-14 (50%) from behind the arc but the Spurs weren't that bad either making 10-21 (47.6%) of three point attempts.

40 - The Spurs and the Hawks were even in the paint, both teams scored 40 inside points.

23 - Jamal Crawford had a game high 23 points for the Hawks.

18 - Richard Jefferson scored 18 points on 6-8 field goal shooting including 5- 6 from beyond the arc. He made three 3-pointers in the final period to help the Spurs pull away. Manu Ginobili also had 18 points for the Spurs.

16 - DeJuan Blair had a great all-around game, he scored 16 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, had four steals and three assists for his fourth double-double of the season. George Hill added 16 points and three rebounds off the Spurs' bench. The Spurs won the game by 16 points. 

12 - Tim Duncan had 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and one block in 28 minutes of action.

0 - Tony Parker and Jefferson did not commit a single turnover for the entire game.

Rookie Watch: Gary Neal had four points, two assists and two rebounds in 13 minutes. Tiago Splitter had one rebound and one assist in one minute of floor time.

What's Next? The Spurs will host the Portland Trail Blazers at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Sunday.

Follow Robby Lim on Twitter @RobbyLim21