Prior to the 2010 season, the San Antonio Spurs failed to capture the NBA crown for two straight seasons. Known for their dedication to winning, the Spurs made moves last summer and tried hard to put together a team they believed could capture another title.

For the first time in years, the Spurs went on a spending spree and went over the luxury tax to acquire Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess.

Jefferson was expected to provide the Spurs an offensive threat at the small-forward position while adding some youth and athleticism. McDyess was signed to be Tim Duncan's side-kick in the post.

Expectations were high.

But as the season went on, it was apparent the team was lacking in chemistry and couldn't get into the right rhythm. The integration of new players into the Spurs' system proved to be a tough task for coach Gregg Popovich.

Jefferson in particular was a major disappointment. He never fit into the Spurs' scheme and at best, he only showed some flashes of why he was acquired by the Spurs.

Because of their early struggles and their inability to stay healthy (Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili suffered multiple injuries throughout the 2010 season) some people doubted the Spurs' chances to even make it to the playoffs.

Nevertheless, with Ginobili's resurgence, George Hill rising into the occasion when Parker was hurt and the team making a strong run towards the end of the season (beating quality opponents along the way) gave Spurs fans a glimmer of hope for a deep playoff run.

In the first round of the post season, the Spurs upset the second seeded Dallas Mavericks in six games. However, the Spurs were ousted from the playoffs by the Phoenix Suns, losing in four games to none in the Western Conference semi-finals.

This begs the question, "Was 2010 season a bust?"

When you talk about consistency and standard for basketball excellence, it's not a stretch to say the Spurs have been the "gold standard" in the NBA for more than a decade. Because of such a high standard, anything less than a championship is considered a failure in San Antonio. So to answer the question if the 2009-2010 Spurs' season was a bust, in my opinion -- yes.

I say "yes" because despite their player moves to make it back to the top, they still came up short. Make no mistake about it, with the player additions, along with Ginobili resting in the summer prior to the start of the season, the team was considered the biggest threat to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference.

Again, expectations were high.

The bottom line is the Spurs' failure to win the title could not be blamed on one factor. It was an assortment of factors. Jefferson never became the player he was expected to be, Parker was not healthy for most part of the season, Duncan's extended minutes in the regular season caught up to him, Ginobili's nose injury came at a very bad time and coach Popovich's ever changing rotation were some of the glaring issues the Spurs were dealt.

Perhaps "bust" may be too strong of a word. Perhaps "inconsistency" would be better but with expectations riding high, anything less than an NBA title with the make-up of the 2009-2010 team, could be viewed as a "bust."

All NBA teams need a little luck to win it all. Unfortunately the Spurs never got their breaks. Their early season struggles had a lot to do with their own undoing. Remember, prior to the 2009-2010 NBA season, many believed they could win it all and coach Popovich even said "If we don't win it, I should probably be fired, without a doubt."

Expectations were high and in the end were never met.

What do you guys think? Do you agree that the Spurs' season was a bust? Send us your thoughts.

Should Tiago Splitter come to San Antonio Spurs next season, one team he will face will be his former team, Baskonia/Caja Laboral.

According to elcorreo.com, Baskonia will play against the Spurs October 16, 2010 in San Antonio:

From the heart of the state of Tennessee, the issue will baskonista course towards the west to try on two days later at San Antonio Spurs. On paper, should be a reunion with Tiago Splitter if you finally get to square its agreement with the Texas team in the coming weeks.

Now how ironic is that should Splitter formally sign with the Spurs?

(translated using Google Translate)

After a successful rookie campaign with the San Antonio Spurs, DeJuan Blair had a sit-down interview with thepittsburghchannel.com to discuss his first year in the NBA and areas he needs to improve upon for next season.

In the interview, Blair was asked about his goals. He said:

My goal is one day, be the MVP of the league, and win a world championship.

Blair also talks about becoming quicker, improving his jump-shot, hitting the "rookie wall," his reaction when he tore both his ACLs and much more.

Click HERE to view the interview.

San Antonio's News 4 WOAI invited Project Spurs' very own Mike De Leon to take part in their Sports Talk Death Match!

In the Death Match, Mike tackled topics such on the San Antonio Spurs' draft selections, should the Spurs have traded up in the draft, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup without Team U.S.A.

Did Mike survive the Sports Talk Death Match? See how far he went!

Thanks to WOAI for inviting Project Spurs yet again to be a part of the show!

If you look at some of the other teams in the NBA, their coaching staff or front-office might have a familiar face or two if you are a San Antonio Spurs fan.

From ex-players to ex-coaches, the Spurs have produced several leaders who move on to get their own shot of success. Let’s take a look at a few and how they have panned out after leaving the Spurs.

Danny Ferry

Ferry played for the Spurs from 2000 to 2003. After lacing them up for the Spurs, he then worked in the Spurs' front office from 2003 to 2005. Ferry was in charge of basketball operations and was a very active member of draft-day war-rooms.

In 2005, the Cleveland Cavaliers signed Ferry to a five-year deal to become their new General Manager. He proved he was willing to do what it takes to put together the best team possible to get LeBron James the help he needed to get to the NBA Finals.

Ferry added Mike Brown as a head coach in 2005 and then began to reshape the organization's identity by adding depth to the Cavaliers' roster. Mo Williams, Shaquille O’Neal, Anthony Parker, Leon Powe and Antawn Jamison are just a few players that Ferry brought to Cleveland.

The Cavaliers made it to two Eastern Conference Finals (2007 and 2009) and to the NBA Finals in 2007 where they lost in four games to the Spurs.

He recently resigned from the Cavaliers as G.M. of the Cleveland Cavaliers but he did have a measure success while he was there in the land of King (LeBron) James.

Mike Brown

Brown was a Spurs’ assistant coach from 2000 to 2003.

After winning an NBA championship with the Spurs in 2003, he was hired by Rick Carlisle to be an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers in 2004. Brown helped the Pistons get to the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2005 Brown replaced then interim head coach of the Cavaliers, Brendan Malone.

After taking over, Brown led them to a 42-22 record and clinched the number four seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Cavaliers defeated the Washington Wizards in the first-round before losing in the second-round to the Detroit Pistons in a wild seven-game series battle.

In the 2006-2007 season, the Cavaliers earned the number two seed in the East and got a rematch against the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. Brown and the Cavaliers would get the better of the Pistons and make it to the NBA Finals to face the Spurs. Spurs fans know how that championship series ended.

Despite having the best record in the NBA in the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 NBA season, the Cavaliers never made it back to the NBA Finals.

Brown was released from coaching duties on May 24, 2010. He finished 272-138 coaching record (.663 winning percentage) in the regular season and finished 42-29 (.592 winning percentage) in the post season.

Monty Williams

Williams played for the Spurs from 1995 to 1998.

When he retired from the NBA, Spurs' coach, Gregg Popovich, brought him along to learn the ropes of coaching. From picking up sweaty towels, to watching video tape, Williams did all this for no pay to gain the experience and tap into the coaching knowledge of Popovich.

In 2005, Williams was hired by Nate McMillan as an assistant coach for the Portland Trailblazers. With Williams on the coaching staff, the Trailblazers would work to a 41-41 record, their best since the 2003-2004 NBA season. Despite key injuries which plagued the Trailblazers, the coaching staff, along with Williams, showed its grit by leading the team into the playoffs this past NBA season.

These are just a few of the many “students” to come through the San Antonio Spurs organization. Come back to Project Spurs next week for part II of the Spurs' family tree.

In a recent interview with www.basketusa.com, San Antonio Spurs' guard, Tony Parker, was asked about his future with the Spurs and his thoughts on the trade rumors surrounding him:

Parker on his last contract season with the Spurs:

I prefer to wait [before renegotiating]. See what all the "fat" will do. I'm in no hurry. And I love San Antonio and I want to stay for my last year of his contract, play another year with Tim, Manu and then be a free agent and evaluate the situation.

Parker on whether he will leave the Spurs at the end of next season:

It will be 10 years at the end of next year I played in San Antonio. It would be a nice loop and maybe a good challenge for me to go elsewhere. If I leave, I can make another career, eight, nine years in another club.

Parker on the trade rumors and saying the Portland Trailblazers were interested in him:

It is normal that I am in the rumors. It is I who have the largest value in the team. I talked to Pop, 'he told me that I'm not going anywhere. New York and Portland were the two most serious runway is true, but San Antonio has said no.

Smart move by Pop and the team. Trading Parker would be a bad move. He is someone who is familiar with the team and the players. Plus he is still one of the top point-guards in the NBA and with the league "point-guard" driven, losing Parker would be a step back for the Spurs regardless of guard George Hill on the squad.

(above quotes translated using Google Translate)

In a recent interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Magic's free-agent, Matt Barnes, stated he was once sought after by the San Antonio Spurs prior to the 2009-2010 NBA season and, according to him, still feels he is on the Spurs' list as well as on other NBA team's list:

Before signing with the Magic last summer, Barnes said the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs were among the heavyweights who showed interest and he feels he's still on their lists.

Barnes, a small-forward, averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 81 appearances for the Magic. He was also the Magic's go to defender often called upon to defend the opposing team's best perimeter player.

Barnes does say he would like to return to the Magic but don't be surprised this is more posturing in order to get the Magic to resign him come July 1.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, San Antonio Spurs' Assistant G.M. Dennis Lindsey is the frontrunner for the vacant G.M. position with the Phoenix Suns.

Spurs executive Dennis Lindsey is interviewing with owner Robert Sarver for Suns GM job on Monday, sources tell Y! He's frontrunner for job.

July 1, 2010 is right around the corner which means the NBA's free-agency period will begin. Marquee players such as LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, David Lee, and Amar'e Stoudamire, might be with new teams once the dust settles.

As for Stoudamire, could the San Antonio Spurs be in his future?

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Spurs still remain a possible destination for Stoudamire:

Nevertheless, the Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs could be possibilities in sign-and-trade scenarios for Stoudemire.

I find this highly unlikely. With all signs pointing to Tiago Splitter coming to the team next season to address the lack of a center and the fact the Spurs are an inter-conference rival for the Suns, chances of this coming to fruition are slim.

Also, if it is a sign-and-trade, who will the Spurs give in exchange for Stoudamire not only to match his contract but the Suns would want quality players in return.

This isn't the first time Stoudamire has been mentioned in trade talks with the Spurs. During the 2010 NBA regular season, there was a report the Spurs and Suns were working on a trade to send Stoudamire to San Antonio.