Could Splitter be ready for the season opener?

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

San Antonio Spurs rookie Tiago Splitter has yet to make his NBA debut due to a calf injury and recently Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has stated he doesn't plan to have Splitter for the season opener against the Indiana Pacers.

However, according to 45graus.com, Splitter could be in action come Wednesday night:

The Brazilian has conducted intense training to get [into] physical shape and should debut [for] the Spurs in the first game of the regular [season] against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili weighed in and had this to say about Splitter:

"It's a difficult moment, because the preseason is for someone new to fit on your [team] and know their teammates. But it goes back to playing when you are better. What he needs is to be patient and relax, because things will come to him. [He's] a great kid, a hard worker and knows how to play," Ginobili said.

As much as it would be fantastic to see Splitter suit up Wednesday, it be much better to not rush him back onto the court and risk further injury to his calf. The NBA season is a marathon and not a sprint and it be much better to have him healthy and producing for the team rather than sitting on the bench because of injury come towards the end of the season and especially for the playoffs.

Spurscast En Espanol: Episodio 17

Written by Arianne Villanueva on .

Arianné is back for the latest Spanish edition of the Spurscast. In this episode, Arianne recaps the recent San Antonio preseason games for the Spanish speaking Spurs fans.

Remember, Project Spurs was the first Spurs blog to have a San Antonio Spurs podcast and the first to have a Spanish podcast for Spanish-speaking Spurs fans.

Arianne regresa con el Spurscast en Español mas reciente con los juegos de pretemporada de los Spurs.

Y recuerden que Project Spurs fue la primera página de Internet en tener un podcast de Los San Antonio Spurs y la primera en tener un podcast en español para los fanáticos de habla hispana.

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Video: Blair on his offseason, being in the starting lineup and more

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

Recently, San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair stated in his mind he is always the best. Well nothing could be further from the truth.

This offseason he worked hard to improve his conditioning and his game and it paid off. After his stellar performance in the preseason he is now part of the Spurs starting five once the regular season kicks off next week.

While I was in Pittsburgh for the preseason game between the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers, Blair spoke on his offseason training, being in the starting lineup, the Spurs preseason game in Mexico City and much more.


(Video by Glenn Moore, The Dug Out Sports Show)

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Splitter still not ready

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

San Antonio Spurs rookie Tiago Splitter has been dealing with a strained calf injury which has prevented him from playing a single preseason game. Looks like he will continue to be out for the season opener against the Indiana Pacers.

"I'm not planning on Tiago for the opening night," Popovich said, "If he's going to be ready, he'll have to change my mind."

As I have stated before, Splitter has had a long offseason playing in the Spanish Finals, the 2010 World Championships and has dealt with a list of injuries leading up to him joining the Spurs.

Perhaps it's best he rest up now, delay his NBA debut and miss the opening days of the season than him sitting out games towards the end of the season when playoff positioning is at stake for the Spurs.

(source Express News)

Cousin and Palmer waived

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

Marcus Cousin and Kevin Palmer have been waived by the San Antonio Spurs.

The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have waived center Marcus Cousin.

At the same time the Spurs have placed guard Kevin Palmer on waivers. Palmer was signed by San Antonio on October 20.

With the two cuts, the Spurs' roster is at 14. Recently coach Popovich stated he will likely go with a 13 man roster. If so, then the final two players on the "bubble" are Alonzo Gee and Bobby Simmons both competing for the backup small forward position.

Knowing Popovich and his history, he tends to prefer seasoned veterans which is great for Simmons and not so great for Gee. Should Gee be waived, expect him to return to the Austin Toros.

Preseason Game Day Preview: Spurs vs. Rockets

Written by Robby Lim on .

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (3-3) vs. HOUSTON ROCKETS (4-2)
TEAM LEADERS

Points Rebounds Assists
SPURS Tony Parker 12.8 DeJuan Blair 8.8 Manu Ginobili 3.8
ROCKETS Kevin Martin 15.5 Luis Scola 6.0 Kyle Lowry 4.3

The San Antonio Spurs will play their final preseason game at home against the Houston Rockets. The Rockets are coming off a 95-85 victory over the New Jersey Nets, while the Spurs lost their last preseason outing against the Oklahoma City Thunder 102-111.

This is the second time the two teams will meet in this preseason. The Rockets won the first meeting against the Spurs, 90-87. 

Since this is the final preseason game for the Spurs, expect more minutes from their starters. However, with two more cuts to make before the regular season starts, the Spurs might also give significant playing time for Bobby Simmons, Alonzo Gee and Marcus Cousin. 

The Rockets, on the other hand, could use this game to give their starters regular minutes. Luis Scola has only played in three preseason games so far and Brad Miller just recovered from an injury. He played 26 minutes scored 11 points, grabbed five boards with four assist against the Nets.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Spurs:

Offense
-- Entering this game, Tony Parker and DeJuan Blair are the only Spur averaging in double figures but with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, George Hill and Matt Bonner probably playing more minutes, the Spurs will not lack firepower on the offensive end. 

Defense -- With the frontline of Scola, Yao Ming and Miller, it will be key for the Spurs to limit the Rockets inside points. They also should be wary of the Rockets' backcourt of Kevin Martin, Aaron Brooks, Courtney Lee and Chase Budinger all of whom can score.

Rockets:

Offense -- The Rockets' offensive strength is on the interior but they also have good outside shooters. After six preseason games, five players are averaging in double figures for the Rockets.

Defense -- If they can matchup well against the Spurs in the paint, it will be key for the Rockets to limit the Spurs' dribble penetrations and kick outs. Also they have to look out for the Spurs' transition game.

INJURIES

Spurs -- Splitter - strained right plantaris muscle (out).

Rockets -- Ming - ankle (day-to-day), Miller - ankle (day-to-day), Kyle Lowry - bruised right knee (day-to-day)

PREDICTION: This is the final preseason game for the Spurs, which means the regular season will start soon. Unlike in their previous outings, expect the Spurs' starters to be on the floor in the final period. This will be a good time to see how they really measure up against the other NBA teams.

Thor, Iron Man, Captain America and the Spurs Big 3

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

Well this is just a big pile of awesomeness!

As part of a collaboration between the NBA and Marvel Comics, check out this cover art of an enshrined San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili with Thor, Captain America and Iron Man.

Got to love Thor raising his hammer in respect to the Spurs' Big 3!

Pop sets starting lineup

Written by Michael A. De Leon on .

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has set his season-opening starting lineup, and it appears he'll stick with what has worked during the preseason.

Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Tim Duncan and DeJuan Blair will be taking the court first when the Spurs open the 2010-11 season at home next Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers.

If there was ever any doubt on whether or not Blair could start a center, his performance throughout the preseason has put those doubts to rest. Blair has averaged 11.8 points and 8.8 rebounds through six preseason games.

Ginobili, a previous sixth man award winner, will start this season after coming off the bench for a majority of last season's games. He'll likely make his return to the bench at some point during the season if the second unit runs into trouble on the offensive end.

Tiago Splitter could also affect the lineup once he is healthy and back into game shape, but Pop will likely be cautious with Splitter early in the season.

The Spurs will play their last preseason game tonight at home against Houston.

Noticias de los Spurs

Written by Arianne Villanueva on .

Como ya lo saben el inicio de juego de pretemporada para los San Antonio Spurs se llevo acabo el pasado 7 de octubre contra los Rockets de Houston.  Lamentablemente el hecho de que los Spurs tienen a tres de sus jugadores lesionados Tiago Splitter, Richard Jefferson, y Garrett Temple, no resulto nada favorable para este juego ya que los Spurs fueron derrotados 90-87.  Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, y Tony Parker dieron apertura al juego pero quien llevo la delantera en cuestión de puntuaje fue DeJuan Blair con 12 puntos. Parker aporto con 10 puntos, Duncan atrapo 5 rebotes y Ginobili logro ayudar con 5 asistencias.

El segundo enfrentamiento de pretemporada para los Spurs fue contra el Heat de Miami. Resulta ser que el famoso "Dream Team" (traducido al español como "El equipo sonado") con Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James sobrenombre ganado debido a la reconstrucción del equipo con nuevos jugadores este ultimo verano, no mostró ser tan fuerte como esperábamos. En el primer cuarto del juego ambos equipos anotaron 26 puntos y aunque al final de medio tiempo el Heat de Miami llevaba la delantera por cuatro puntos los Spurs salieron victoriosos en este juego ya que rápido los alcanzaron y sobrepasaron ganando 90-73. Para este juego nuevamente el mayor contribuidor fue DeJuan Blair con 13 puntos.

Super emocionante fue el juego que vivieron los Spurs contra los Clippers de Los Angeles ya que ganaron los Spurs 100-99 al anotar Gary Neal de los Spurs una canasta de tres puntos justo cuando quedaba solo un segundo y medio para el final de juego.

Algo interesente sobre esto fue que Manu Ginobili fue quien guio a Gary Neal para que lograra esta canasta durante el ultimo tiempo fuera de ellos. DeJuan Blair también nos sorprendio nuevamente aportando al puntuaje de los Spurs con 21 puntos mientras Tim Duncan ayudo con 17. Este juego tomo lugar en "El Palacio de los Deportes" en la cuidad de Mexico.

Y después de dos victorias consecutivas los Spurs se volvieron a topar con la derrota al enfrentarse a los Cavaliers de Cleveland. Esto juego fue una verdadera pena ya que los Cavaliers mantuvieron la delantera de principio a fin derrotando a los Spurs 106-80. Este fue un juego esperado por DeJuan Blair ya que el joven jugador estubo matriculado en la Universidad de Pittsburg. Lo único que si me queda usar a nuestra defensa  para este juego es que definitivamente se sintió la ausencia de nuestro trio Duncan, Parker, y Ginobili ya que aun no habían regresado de su visita a Mexico para este juego.  Para este juego quien ayudo con mas puntos fue Gary Neal con 10 y un total de 3 asistencias mientras ambos, DeJuan Blair y James Anderson anotaron 9 puntos cada uno.

Finalmente Jeff Garcia de Project Spurs entrevisto a Garrett Temple la semana pasada. Asi es que no olviden ingresar a la pagina para leer su articulo sobre esto.

Es todo por hoy!  Volvere la próxima semana para seguir manteniendolos actualizados!

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Spurscast #226: Take 2

Written by Michael A. De Leon on .

Although we recorded a show last week, which would have been episode 226, the file never made it online so we decided to give it another run this week.

With one week prior to the San Antonio Spurs' regular season tipoff, Jeff and I discuss the team's latest moves, including trading Curtis Jerrells and waiving James Gist. We also predict which Spurs will be the next to go as Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has decided to keep only 13 players on the roster.

We discussed the battle for the backup small forward spot, and if James Anderson could end up stealing that spot away from Bobby Simmons and Alonzo Gee, and if Richard Jefferson's work in the offseason is paying off yet.

The Spurscast. The first and original Spurs podcast.

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