San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich opted to bench Tim Duncan and Tony Parker for the entire fourth quarter with the Spurs trailing 76-60 entering the final period. As a result, the Spurs (1-1) lost to the New Orleans Hornets (3-0) 99-90 who remained unbeaten after three games.

It was the first lost of the season for the Spurs in only two games and it's too early to tell on how will the team fare for the rest of the season. For now, let's look at the numbers that stood out in this game.

63.6 - The Hornets had a great shooting night from behind the arc converting 7-11 (63.6%) of their 3-point attempts. The Spurs on the other hand, just made 6-26 (23.1%) of their 3 point shots.

50 - For the second straight game, the Spurs allowed their opponents to shot at least 50% from the field an indication that they need to improve a lot on defense. Also, the Spurs locked Tony Parker into a $50 million multi-year extension.

33 - The Hornets outscored the Spurs 33-18 in the third period that proved to be the turning point of the game.

38 - DeJuan Blair logged the most minutes in the game (38 minutes), and scored 4 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

25 - Chris Paul had a game high 25 points to go a long with 7 rebounds and 5 assists in just 31 minutes of action.

23 - Manu Ginobili led the Spurs with 23 points and six assists in 37 minutes of playing time.

17 - The Hornets bench outscored the Spurs bench 35-25. With Marcus Thornton scoring 17 points off the bench.

2 - To sum up the Spurs woeful shooting from the floor, Tim Duncan (2-10), DeJuan Blair (2-10) and George Hill (2-7) only made two field goals each for the entire game.

What's Next? The Spurs will try to bounce back on Monday when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center. This could be the NBA debut of Tiago Splitter.

And just like that, the dishes are done, man.

Word broke today that Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs have come to an agreement on a 4-year, reportedly $50 million contract extension.

Unlike Manu Ginobili of a year ago, Parker wasn’t coming into camp off successive summers of surgery and rest and rehabilitation after significant injuries and with questions of his ability to return to form. He was coming off one of his most productive offseasons -- a summer away from his French team afforded him the opportunity to work on his body and game while managing plenty of rest.

Parker came into camp looking as fit as ever and with the gear he had lost last year due to nagging injuries. And with an impending CBA and enough evidence to suggest Parker was once again “Tony Parker,” the Spurs looked to waste no time.

$50 million over 4-years for Parker’s services seems quite the bargain in today’s NBA. And with his willingness to accept the offer so early on, forgoing next year’s free-agency in the process, this has to be a best-case scenario for everyone not named Steven Heumann (Parker’s agent). This is a vote of confidence on Parker’s behalf as much as it is him playing it conservative or even settling.

The Big Three will be afforded the rare opportunity to finish what they started, Parker will avoid the uncertainty of a new CBA (one in which salaries could be significantly slashed) and he’s given the confidence to know the franchise that gave him his start will continue to be his home.

The Spurs continue to be one of the shrewdest franchises going, once again finding a way to make sense out of cents. After plenty of criticism over the refinancing of Jefferson, there seems to be some method to the madness.

When the Spurs traded for and committed to the $29.4 million left on Jefferson’s contract last summer, they knew that it would make them a taxpayer for the next two seasons. The Spurs, nor anyone else, could have expected or believed a $15.2 million player-option would be opted out of.

Whether by dumb luck or some not-so-subtle prodding, Jefferson did decide to opt-out of his $15.2 million option. He was looking to secure as much guaranteed money as possible before the current CBA expired, and he was able to do just that -- to the tune of nearly $40 million.

RJ made out like a bandit, but the Spurs look to be in position to be more than all right.

What that opt out and extension did for the Spurs was two fold: they kept a talented player they believed could help in the program; and they managed to put themselves into a position to save $16-17 million, should they remain below the luxury-tax line.

With a lockout looming, it remains to be seen how many games will be played or dollars will be paid come next year. And with that prospect in mind, the Spurs jumped on an opportunity for guaranteed savings against the possibility of future cost.

And who knows, the Spurs just may find themselves in a better, more advantageous financial situation once the CBA’s renegotiated, or even two years from now. ... Should Duncan retire in 2012, they may only find themselves being a taxpayer for the 2011-12 season and no further. Two years of taxpayer status, once Jefferson was aboard, is what they expected all along.

In the end, this extension is a win-win. Parker’s given long-term security and the Spurs have given themselves the opportunity to keep a quality product on the floor for many years to come.

Score one for the fans.

Make that, a win-win-win.

After a long summer of being involved in trade rumors, the San Antonio Spurs have resigned guard Tony Parker to a multi-year deal according to Humberto Cervera of News 4 WOAI. No contract details were given.

On media day, Parker avoided the question of signing an extension or testing the free-agent waters. This should take any pressure off Parker and the Spurs regarding his future in San Antonio.

UPDATE:

Parker's contract extension is for 4-years $50 million and said the following regarding the extension:

"I didn't mind playing through the year and be a free agent," Parker said. "But it was my first option and for my wife was to stay in San Antonio."

"It's home here," Parker said. "I love being with Pop. I love being with Timmy and Manu. I'm happy to keep the adventure going with them." (source abcnews.go.com)

Is it fair to say right off the bat that the San Antonio Spurs won't win a title this year? Are we ready for that? Is that too un-politically correct for a Spurs site?

OK how about this: I'm more certain this season than I have been in any previous season that the Spurs will not win a title.

The reason for that is because their ultimate success would be contingent on two opposing factors: 1) the accelerated progress of the Youth Movement (George Hill, DeJuan Blair, James Anderson, Tiago Splitter) and 2) the continued consistent health of the Big Three.

Both of these need to happen throughout the season, but especially going into the post season. Understand, however, this is a catch-22; if the Big Three get hurt, the Youth Movement is forced to pick up extra minutes/shots/responsibility and as a result grows rapidly, but then the Big Three isn't healthy.

If Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili stay in the lineup consistently and avoid missing more than a couple of games, Youth Movement never picks up those large chunks of minutes needed to fertilize their rapid growth. It's possible for there to be another model for this - for the young talent to develop quickly and the veteran core stays healthy, but it's unlikely.

What's more likely is the Spurs rallying to 54-28 record, a first round victory, and a second round exit, probably to a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder.

You may be thinking, "What if both of these conditions are met?" "What if the Spurs young players make great leaps and Big Three stays healthy?" Oh, well in that case the Spurs are absolutely winning a title. . . fingers crossed?

It appears the ankle sprain that Spurs forward/center Matt Bonner suffered in last night's win at Indiana will keep him out about two week, according to MRI results.

Spurs forward/center Matt Bonner underwent an MRI earlier today after injuring his right ankle in last night’s game vs. Indiana.  The MRI confirmed Bonner suffered Grade 2 right ankle sprain.  He is expected to be out of action for 10-14 days.

This leaves the Spurs pretty thin in the paint. Antonio McDyess will likely play extended minutes and it appears Tiago Splitter will be coming back right when the Spurs need him most. He's expected back on Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The San Antonio Spurs blew an early double digit lead but they leaned on their experience and defense to pull away in the fourth quarter for a 122-109 opening night victory over the Indiana Pacers.

It was a good win and here are the numbers that stood out in this first Spurs game of the new season.

122 - This is the most points piled up by any Spurs team on opening night since Tim Duncan came into the league.

80.6 - The Spurs made 29 of 36 (80.6%) from the foul line, including 5-5 from Manu Ginobili and DeJuan Blair. It's not stellar, but they did a good job of converting their free throws compared to the Pacers who made just 19 of 28 (67.9%) of their foul shots with Mike Dunleavy going 1-4.

53.2 - The Indiana Pacers had a great shooting night as they shot 53.2% from the field. The Spurs weren't bad either, as they made 50.6% of their shots. But it also mean that the Spurs have a lot of work to do on the defensive end of the floor.

45 - The Spurs shot well from behind the arc, making 9-20 (45%) shot of their attempts. Including 5-9 from Ginobili and 2-5 from rookie James Anderson.

29 - The Spurs shared the ball better as they finished with 29 assists for the game. Nine of them coming from Tony Parker. The Pacers had 20 assists.

28- Roy Hibbert had a monster game as he led all scorers with 28 points including 8-8 from the free throw line.

27 - With Richard Jefferson getting into foul trouble, the Spurs gave Anderson some extended minutes. Anderson responded by scoring 10 points on 4-8 shooting from the field in 27 minutes of action.

23 - Duncan had a great game leading the Spurs with 23 points, 12 boards, 4 blocks, 3 assist and 3 steals, all this while also shooting 10-12 from the field. The Spurs took care of ball pretty well, as they committed just 14 turnovers compared to the Pacers' 23.

16 - Jefferson may had trouble staying on the floor, but he made the most out of it scoring 16 points in 21 minutes including a 3-pointer that sparked the Spurs' rally in the final period.

15 - After scoring just 1 point in the first half, George Hill made his presence felt on the offensive end after half time scoring 15 of his 16 points. The Spurs also had a 15-9 advantage on steals against the Pacers.

1- Duncan, Jefferson, Blair and Antonio McDyess committed just one turnover each for the entire game.

What's Next? The Spurs will face Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday October 30 in San Antonio. The Hornets also won their season opener over the Milwaukee Bucks 95-91. Paul had 17 points and 16 assists in that game.

I said throughout training camp and the preseason that Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili looked to be in the best shape I had seen them in the past three years.

The proof was certainly in the pudding in the Spurs 122-109 season-opening win on Wednesday night.

“I feel great. In the first half, I was a little too excited and tried to create so I had to settle down," Parker said. "But it’s the first game of the season and you want to try to do good.”

Parker ended the game with 20 points, nine assists and three steals. If there was ever any doubt about it, I can tell you after watching that Tony Parker is officially back.

He seemed to have the same speed and elusive moves that made him impossible to guard in the 2007 NBA Finals.

While Parker was just one of six players in double figures for the Spurs, the Pacers went into the lockerroom after the first half with three of their own scoring in double digits.

The Spurs had been up by 10 points at one point in the first half, but Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and Darren Collison kept chipping away at that lead and went into the half with only a one point deficit.

While the Spurs scored 66 points in the first half, the Spurs' shaky defense kept the Pacers right there with them.

"Pop kind of made it clear at halftime, it was a very poor job. It's good that we made a lot of shots," Spurs guard Manu Ginbili said. "The good thing is that we stepped up in the second half, it was much better, 44 points compared to 65 in the first half so we improved."

One of the players the Spurs clearly needed to step up their defense against was Danny Granger. Granger seemed to be hitting every shot and exited the first half with 19 points.

Granger would only score seven more points in the second half and the Spurs controlled the boards, got some of their second unit going and relied on their veteran leadership to open up another big lead in the fourth quarter.

George Hill, who had been struggling through a preseason shooting slump that saw him only make 23 percent of his shots, came alive at the right time.

It seems his slump may be over for now, after scoring 16 points and making 50 percent of his shots.

"With any player, once one goes in, you start to find the touch you need," Hill said. "Once the first one went in, I knew if I could get a couple more open ones like that, my chances were better."

10 of Hill's points came in a crucial fourth quarter run that the Pacers just could not fight back from.

Tim Duncan, who faced stiff competition all night in third-year center Roy Hibbert, was also instrumental in the second half, scoring 13 of his 23 points.

"I started to get going but overall I really felt like I let the team down." Hibbert said. "I let Tim get going in the fourth quarter."

"I thought we did a much better job in the second half to slow them down a bit and continue our offense," Duncan said. "It was a good win for us and a good start to the season. Obviously we have a lot of work to do throughout the season to get a little more consistent, but that’s what it’s all about.”

The Spurs will look to go 2-0 on Saturday night against the New Orleans Hornets.

Notes

• Bonner suffers ankle sprain

Matt Bonner suffered a sprained right ankle in the second half. X-rays were negative, but Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said it will keep him out a while.

He’ll be out for a while," Popovich said. "I don’t think a long while, but he’ll miss some games.”

• Anderson's debut

Spurs rookie James Anderson started his rookie season off on the right foot Wednesday night, scoring 10 points in 26 minutes. Anderson got some hefty minutes at backup small forward and spent about five more minutes on the floor than Richard Jefferson.

"He was great tonight. He had a little deer in the headlights look for a while, just getting used to the pace of the game and being out on the floor," Duncan said. "As he calmed down and tried to get his rhythm, he hit some big shots. Defensively, he was really trying hard and he just has to get used to the speed of these guys.”

Line of the night

Tim Duncan - 23 points, 12 rebounds, four blocked shots, three assists, three steals.

Fantasy Focus

While Tony Parker isn't highly regarded in fantasy circles, his 20 point, nine assist and three steal night on 50 percent shooting from the field may give you another reason to take a second look at him. If James Anderson continues to play as many minutes as he did last night, and you're in a deep league, he can be had easily to fill out one of your bottom of the roster spots.

Tweeting the game

@mg_indy - Spurs-Pacers hilites fail 2 make the cut on SportsCenter last night. But we WERE able to see clips of the Nets-Pistons classic. SMDH

@miseree1 - Well the Spurs did their job. Maybe now the Cowboys can do their job.

@ChaseReynolds - Great win last night #Spurs! James Anderson is legit, @DeJuan45 is a beast and Splitter comes back after Saturday. The forecast is bright!

Highlights

Elsewhere

Kens 5 - Opening Night Slideshow.

MySA - Why TD will be badly missed one of these days.

Indy Cornrows - Spurs take advantage of Pacers' depth issues

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