Anderson: "Being with the Spurs, I couldn't think of a better fit."

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

After being selected by the San Antonio Spurs, James Anderson reflected on beingselected by the Spurs and dropping late in the 2010 NBA Draft.

On the hamstring injury and falling to the 20th spot:

"I think it did (drop me) because I didn't get to show all the teams I was supposed to work out for my full potential," Anderson said. "They would see me limping around, and I think I kind of dropped down a little."

On being welcomed by the Spurs:

"Being with the Spurs, I couldn't think of a better fit."

"They welcomed me with open arms, and I wasn't even on the team yet," Anderson said. "I just know the kind of people that they have around them."

"Tears of joy just came rolling down my eyes (when I was picked)," Anderson said.

Spurs' G.M. R.C. Buford on Anderson:

"The last Big 12 Players of the Year have been Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant, so he's got big shoes to fill," Buford said, laughing. "We don't have those kind of expectations, but if he wants to go ahead and do that, it's fine with us."

One of the areas the Spurs needed to address is reliable shooting. Anderson averaged 45.7% from the field and 34.1% from the three-point line and averaged 22.3 points while at OSU. He should provide the team with much needed offense.

(source newsok.com)

2010 Vegas Summer League update

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

The 2010 Vegas Summer League is next month and the San Antonio Spurs will take part but which players will be on the squad? 

Well for one thing new Spur, James Anderson, may not make it due to a hamstring injury.

"Hamstrings are something you want to get healed," general manager R.C. Buford said. "We're not going to jeopardize a long-term injury at the expense of the lights of Las Vegas."

Spurs' forward, DeJuan Blair will be there despite news he was not going to make it to Vegas in order to partake in personalized workouts.

Also Malik Hairston, Alonzo Gee, Curtis Jerrells, Garrett Temple, James Gist, and 2010 second round pick Ryan Richards are likely to be there as well.

(source Express-News)

Buford interviewed with the Trailblazers?

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

It's no secret, the San Antonio Spurs produce many quality front office personnel. From Sam Presti in Oklahoma City to former Portland Trailblazers' GM, Kevin Pritchard, having the "San Antonio Spurs" on a resume will open doors for you for other front office positions in the NBA.

This cycle continues today as current Spurs' GM, R.C. Buford, has already interviewed for the vacant Blazers' GM position after Pritchard was fired from the Trailblazers after last night's NBA Draft.

Hot on the news that GM Kevin Pritchard will be escorted out the door after tonight's draft comes word from Brian T. Smith of the Columbian that the Blazers have already interviewed Spurs GM R.C. Buford and Thunder GM Sam Presti for the job. With owner Paul Allen's deep pockets, Portland might make an offer one of those two can't refuse. (source sportsillustrated.cnn.com)

Buford has been a main cog in the Spurs machine when it comes to bringing in new players whether it be through the draft or free agency. He has been the architect for the Spurs which was able to capture four NBA titles.

Should Buford accept the job, this would be a loss which would rank right high just as any star player leaving the team.

UPDATE:

R.C. Buford set the record straight and said he is not interested in the Blazers G.M. position or did he interview with Portland:

Buford, whose official title is president of sports franchises for Spurs Sports and Entertainment, on Friday said he had not interviewed for the Portland job and had no plans to do so.

"It looks like you're stuck with me until (Spurs chairman) Peter (Holt) gets tired of me," Buford said.

(source Express-News)

Spurscast special: Interview with AJ Slaughter

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

On this special edition of the Spurscast, Mike and I interview Western Kentucky University's AJ Slaughter.

In the interview, he discusses his work out with the San Antonio Spurs, who he worked out with, his thoughts on playing with the Spurs, and much more. He also let's us know what the Spurs will do with their second round pick.

The Spurscast. The first and original Spurs podcast.

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Parker: "I wish I can stay in San Antonio, but it's not in my hands."

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

Since the end of the San Antonio Spurs' 2009-2010 season, Tony Parker has been the subject of many trade rumors involving the San Antonio Spurs.  From the New York Knicks to the Indiana Pacers, it seems Parker could be on his way out of San Antonio if there is any truth to the rumors.

But what does Parker have to say about these rumors?

In an interview with Yahoo! Sports, here is what Parker had to say:

“Everybody keeps telling me, ‘Don’t go, don’t leave,’ ” Parker told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday while preparing to play in Steve Nash’s charity soccer game. “I’m like, ‘It’s not in my hands.’ I don’t decide. I have one more year on my contract, so we’ll see what happens. Obviously because I have one year on my contract I will be in all the rumors. That’s normal.

“Hopefully, I will stay in San Antonio. If not, it’s a business.”

“I’m not nervous at all,” Parker said. “I’ve had great years in San Antonio, so we’ll see what happens. Whatever San Antonio does, I’ll understand. It’s a business.

“I wish I can stay in San Antonio, but it’s not in my hands.”

Should Parker not be a Spur next season, the point-guard duties will fall to Spurs' guard George Hill.  While he is an up-and-coming player, many Spurs fans feel he is not ready to replace an All-Star like Parker.

Personally, the Spurs should not trade Parker. What he brings to the team is crucial to its success. Familiarity with the players, the coaches, the respect he commands from opposing teams, and much more.

 

Spurs trying to trade out of the first round?

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

As the days leading up to the NBA Draft nears, one rumor surrounding the San Antonio Spurs was that the team was trying to trade up in the draft.  One rumor had them trading with the Indiana Pacers to receive their 10th pick.

Now there is a report the team is trying to trade out of the first round.

According to Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com, the Spurs have investigated trading out of the first round:

Teams who have investigated trading out of the first round to get away from guaranteed money: Miami, Chicago and San Antonio.

First, it makes sense they would look into making such a move due to their financial situation with being over the salary-cap.

Second, this just shows you no one has a clue what direction the Spurs will be going come draft day.

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Spurscast #211: 2010 Spurs NBA Draft preview

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

On this episode of the Spurscast, Mike and I preview the San Antonio Spurs' picks in the 2010 NBA Draft.

We discuss the college players speculated to be drafted by the Spurs, should the team draft an international player, trade rumors, the team trying to move up in the draft and much more!

Also, we put on our Spurs' G.M. hat and make our own draft selections. Listen to who we would draft.

The Spurscast. The first and original Spurs podcast.

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Room for improvement : DeJuan Blair

Written by Robby Lim on .

In the 2009 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs wasted no time in selecting DeJuan Blair when he fell in their lap at the 37th overall pick. Other teams passed up on him despite being projected as a lottery pick due to concerns about his ACL-less knees and being undersized at the power-forward position.

blairbox2The Spurs took a gamble and believed in Blair when they locked him up with a multi-year contract. Looking back at Blair's rookie season campaign, it's safe to say the Spurs made the right decision.

Blair averaged 7.8 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 55.5% from the field in just 18.2 minutes of playing time in 82 games.

He started 23 games in the regular season where his numbers improved to 8.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 56.3% field goal shooting in 23.6 minutes of action. If we use his per-minute stats his numbers will be more impressive -- 20.5 points and 16.9 boards per 48 minutes. Talk about a steal in the draft!

But in basketball, while stats are looked at to measure players' performance, there are a lot of intangibles to be considered.

There is no doubt that Blair had a good rookie year. He made it to the Rookie All-Star Game where he should have won the M.V.P. trophy but more importantly, he played a key role in the Spurs' rotation.

However, there are still areas of his game where he can improve.

On offense needs to improve his free-throw shooting. He shot a woeful 54.6% from the foul line in 82 regular season games. He also need to develop a mid-range jump shot and back-to-the-basket moves to make him more dangerous in the post.

In his rookie season, Blair relied on cutting to the basket and making put backs that showed he knows how to use his bulk and wingspan to get around the basket and grab some boards. Adding more to his offensive arsenal will make him a better all-around player and should be harder to stop in the post.

blairreverse2On defense, he is giving up a lot of height which causes him to commit more fouls. Also his lack of lateral quickness is a reason why he misses defensive rotations that makes him less effective on the floor and a liability on defense. Blair may need to lose some weight to make him quicker and he has to fully understand the Spurs' defensive principles to be an effective defender.

The off-season training could help him. He will not attend the 2010 Las Vegas Summer league but will have an individualized off-season training.

He has the right attitude towards the game, is hungry to learn and a hard worker. If he can improve on those things mentioned above, then expect a better second season for Blair.

It's no secret that most new Spurs players play better during their second year. George Hill is a testament to that. If this holds true for Blair, then things are going to be better for number 45 next season.

What are your thoughts? Are there other areas where Blair can improve to be a better player? Leave us your comments.

Parker wants trade if Hill starts

Written by Michael A. De Leon on .

According to Newsday, Spurs' guard Tony Parker has said that he'd like to be traded if George Hill is given the starting point-guard job.

The Knicks have explored a few options, including Spurs point guard Tony Parker, who has told confidants that he would like to be traded if San Antonio goes with George Hill as the starter.

That's probably about the last thing I would have expected from Parker, considering he's always been very positive about Hill's growth.

Parker may not have to wait till the season starts to request his trade. He's been mentioned in several trade rumors leading up to the NBA Draft tomorrow.

Splitter will be offered a contract and his thoughts on coming to the Spurs

Written by Jeff Garcia on .

According to elcorreo.com, El Baskonia will offer Tiago Splitter a contract which will run until 2015:

Ante la más que posible marcha a la NBA de una pieza básica en su entramado, el club vitoriano va a realizar un último esfuerzo por retener al capitán azulgrana con una propuesta de ampliación de contrato hasta 2015.

Fantastic news for Spurs fans huh?

Again, the San Antonio Spurs can offer Splitter the full mid-level exception which would be considerably less than what his current team probably will offer him. I'm sure Spurs fans will be hoping he passes up on a pay-day to play in the NBA. Stay tuned.

Also, Splitter spoke on his possible move to the NBA and the Spurs.

According to noticiasdealava.com, he states it is up to the Spurs and how interested they are in bringing him over:

Depende de que haya un interés real por parte de San Antonio en este momento, que son los que tienen mis derechos en la NBA. Todo depende de ellos.