During the press-conference introducing Monty Williams as the new head-coach of the New Orleans Hornets, he made it a point to thank the San Antonio Spurs and Gregg Popovich for giving him his first steps into coaching.

But how did it all begin?  Well with no pay, sweat-soaked towels, and sweeping.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich saw it too. When chronic knee injuries forced Williams to retire in 2003, Popovich offered him a notebook, a chair and a spot in the corner of the team's practice facility. There Williams could observe workouts, evaluate players and learn about life as an NBA coach.

Williams expanded his duties to include chasing down loose balls, picking up sweat-soaked towels, sweeping the practice courts and breaking down videotape. At first, he was paid nothing, but the experience was invaluable.

"I didn't have a title," Williams said. "I did whatever they needed me to do. It was the best time of my life. I loved it."

The labor of love in San Antonio allowed Williams to catch the eye of Portland coach Nate McMillian, who offered a spot as an assistant in 2005.

Many in the NBA owe the Spurs and Popovich thanks. From Sam Presti with the Oklahoma Thunder, to Steve Kerr with the Phoenix Suns, and many others and now Monty Williams can be added to this list of the Spurs-Popovich coaching tree.

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Recently, the San Antonio Spurs worked out Manny Harris from Michigan. While at Michigan, Harris led the Wolverines in nearly every offensive category, averaging 18.1 points per game.

He even says he patterns his game and is said to look like Spurs' guard George Hill.  I don't see the physical resemblance to Hill but I will leave it up to you to be the judge.

Harris already has worked out for San Antonio and Houston. He patterns his game after the Spurs' George Hill and even resembles Hill.

Aside from averaging 18.1 points per game, Harris shot 42.1% from the field, 30.8% from the three-point line, 80% from the free-throw line, and 4.1 assists.

Harris was suspended due to an incident while in practice this past January. He was later reinstated by Michigan coach John Beilein. Harris did make a public apology for his suspension.

With the 2010 NBA Draft nearing, the San Antonio Spurs are one of the most agressive teams trying to move up in the draft according to ESPN's Chad Ford (via DailyThunder.com):

Per sources in the league, the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder have all had discussions about moving up, down or out of the draft.

The Pistons, Spurs and Thunder have been the most aggressive about moving up.

The Spurs and Thunder are also in the hunt for a big and have targeted a number of teams in the lottery to move up a few spots.

The Spurs have Tony Parker or George Hill. While the Spurs aren’t necessarily shopping either player, they’re not untouchable either. If the Spurs can get another big man to help prolong Tim Duncan’s career, they’ll do it.

The Spurs have already spoken with Georgia Tech's Derrick Favors during the NBA Draft combine in Chicago.  Though it will take a lot for the Spurs to give up to move into the top four slots in the draft to get Favors even with the Philadelphia 76ers open to trading their number two pick.

Also, if the team is looking at a big in the draft then is this a sign the team isn't 100% sure Brazilian center Tiago Splitter will be coming to play for the Spurs next season?

San Antonio Spurs' point-guard, Tony Parker, is again involved in trade rumors involving the New York Knicks.

Last month, it was reported Parker would welcome a move to the Knicks. However, Parker denied any rumblings he would welcome the move and publicly stated he wants to remain a Spur.

Well here we go again! The following is from Newsday.com:

According to several sources, the Spurs may be downplaying trade rumors involving Tony Parker, but they are clearly ready to consider moves. The franchise committed to Manu Ginobili and have George Hill as a built-in replacement, which has made Parker expendable. But at what cost?

The Knicks would love to get a deal done before July 1 as an attention-grabber for free agents, but it might take the rights to David Lee in a sign-and-trade to get the Spurs talking. If that’s the case, it couldn’t happen until after July 1, because, as a one-year contract player, Lee can’t be signed to an extension.

Parker is an obvious target. His offensive skills, which are very close to Steve Nash (though Parker gets to the rim much better than Nash), make him a perfect fit for Mike D’Antoni’s system.

On this episode of the Spurscast Mike and I are joined by special guest, Humberto "Humbie" Cervera, of San Antonio's WOAI TV.

In this episode we talk about the latest Tony Parker trade rumor and state whether he will be in a San Antonio Spurs' jersey next season. We also talk about the many college players the Spurs have worked out and what it means come NBA Draft day.

Mike and I try to get Humbie to wear a crazy suit a la Craig Sager, Humbie gives an interesting "fact" about sexy women and their cooking, we "compliment" Mike on his red sneakers, and much more!

Thanks to Humbie for taking time to join us and don't forgot to check out his blog at WOAI by clicking HERE.  Oh and to see Mike's glorious red sneakers click HERE!

The Spurscast! The first and original Spurs podcast!

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Music by Rush.

As the 2010 NBA Draft nears, the San Antonio Spurs have been working out players at a fever pitch.  One player they worked out was Memphis' Elliot Williams.  It was during this work out where Williams suffered a knee injury and has dropped out of sight and has ignored other invitations from other NBA teams for a work out.

However, according to the commercialappeal.com, some speculate the Spurs have given Williams a promise to draft him if he is still available at the 20th pick when the Spurs draft:

Some have speculated that Williams received a promise from the Spurs that they would use the No. 20 pick on him if he's still available. Others wonder if Williams is perhaps more injured than he's letting on, though those in direct contact with the Williams camp insist he's fine ...

Williams is a 6'4" shooting guard who averaged 17.9 points, 3.8 assists, shot 45.9% from the field and 36.6% from the three-point line.

"Will he finally play for the San Antonio Spurs?" seems to be the question surrounding the Spurs 2007 draft pick Tiago Splitter this off-season.

According to cbssports.com, rumor has it Splitter's agent and Spurs management are already in talks:

The player the Spurs hope to lure to San Antonio next season, 2007 draft pick Tiago Splitter, was named the MVP of ACB for the 2009-10 season. Splitter averaged 21.2 points. Selected 28th overall, the 7-footer has dominated in Europe, and there are rumors that Splitter's agent is already talking with Spurs management.

Hopefully this is a sign of good news for Spurs fans as one of the most glaring needs for this team is a legitimate center to help Tim Duncan.

With all the trade rumors circulating around San Antonio Spurs' guard Tony Parker, how about this for a change -- Parker was involved in an incident at the San Antonio International Airport.

Seems after some fans approached Parker to request an autograph, Parker refused and a shouting match ensued. The following is from The Express News:

Tony Parker, 28, was reportedly shopping at Simply Books in Terminal 1 around 1:30 p.m. Thursday, when fans approached him wanting autographs, according to a San Antonio Police Department incident report.

Parker refused the requests, the report states, which upset book store employee Courtney Giberson, 24.

“That's why you guys lost to the Phoenix Suns,” Giberson said to Parker, according to police.

Police said Parker then began to speak loudly and called Giberson a “bitch.”

Giberson reported the incident to a police officer working nearby, who got information from both her and Parker before the Spurs guard said he was late for a Southwest Airlines flight and left.

Talk about fan relations. The fan did hit Parker with a low blow about being swept against the Suns but really Parker? I know he is only human but calling her a bi#$h? Over/under the fan will be cheering for Parker next season?

With the San Antonio Spurs working out many players from across the nation before the 2010 NBA Draft, the team recently worked out someone from San Antonio -- Ben Uzoh.

Uzoh's hometown is San Antonio. He played high-school basketball for Warren and in college for Tulsa.

Uzoh is working out for his hometown San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.

I think I've been solid," Uzoh said. "I've done a good job overall and every place that I've (gone), I definitely feel like I've done a lot of things that they've liked."

Uzoh is a 6'3" point-guard, who averaged 14 points, shot 43.8% from the field, 32.8% from the three-point line, and 3.6 assists for Tulsa in 2009-2010.  Not to mention he has a 6-9 wingspan.

With so much attention on whether Tiago Splitter will come to the NBA and play for the San Antonio Spurs or not, seems everyone has their say on the situation including NBA Commissioner David Stern.

In a press conference today, when Stern was asked about possible changes to the rules on NBA teams acquiring foreign players, he had this to say and mentioned Splitter:

So we're experienced with players going back and playing, and I know there's some talk about the Brazilian (Tiago) Splitter whose contract is up, and there's all kinds of interesting conversations. But eventually the players will either come or they won't come. And if they have good careers in Europe and they choose that route, I think that's terrific.

Pretty much summed it up. Either Splitter will come or he won't. And with all that money being talked about from Real Madrid to sign him, it comes down to either passing up a pay-day or realizing an NBA dream.