At 7PM, central time, on TNT the Spurs will tip off game one of their opening round match up versus the Dallas Mavericks. As a proper Spurs fan we wouldn't expect you to watch any other game in place of this one, if you had to choose only one. Thankfully, the profit minded folks at ABC, ESPN, Turner Broadcasting, and the National Association of Basketball don't want you to choose just one. Playoff games are like Pringles or Ambien – you can't have just one.

So this weekend, and for the duration of the first round, we encourage you to watch basketball, lots of basketball, and not just Spurs basketball. If anything, consider it this way: if the Spurs advance, you will want to know how their next opponent has been playing. Therefore, as something of a PS, PSA, we're bringing you a break down of the other Western Conference first round playoff match ups.

Enjoy.

• Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8)
  Game One: Sunday, 2PM – ABC

This series is about Kevin Durant. Durant is the best pure scorer I've seen step on a basketball court since the 2001 Allen Iverson, and as such, every time he takes the floor the game becomes about him. Fortunately for the Lakers, they are equipped to slow him down. Ron Artest is a premier defender, so versatile that we've had to shed the “perimeter” from his “defender” title because he can guard anybody at any position. A combination of Artest and Lamar Odom may slow Durant considerably, depending on how well the third-year player, and league leading scorer, rises to the postseason pressure.

The Lakers will capitalize on their superior presence inside with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, and utilize their length to disrupt Durant. This series will be closer than people anticipate; Durant is deadly, and for however much hype he's associated with, he's still underestimated. The Thunder will steal two games, but the Lakers will prevail in a 4-2 series win.

• Phoenix Suns (3) vs. Portland Trailblazers (6)
  Game One: Sunday, 9:30PM – TNT

Never underestimate the sports media's ability to bluster erudite punditry on matters which they hold no significant expertise. Brandon Roy has a torn meniscus in his right knee and that means he will not play basketball well – period. I laughed when I heard Roy was planning on playing through his injury because the doctor told him, “it can't make it any worse.” That's like gleefully attempting to reach the opposite end of a pitch black room because you can't make your inability to see any worse; you're still going to have a bitch of a time getting where you want to go.

First, a torn meniscus is painful, and it's not the type of pain that you can ignore. It will affect him. Second, a tear of the menisci affects mobility and flexibility in knee. Even if Roy is fine toughing out the pain and discomfort (which I'm sure he is), that knee simply won't do what he wants it to all the time. It will affect his effectiveness.

With a healthy Roy, I would have given the Blazers a solid chance for an upset, but their offense identity resides with Roy. There aren't a lot of options for the Blazers offensively without Roy to create his own shot. Andre Miller will try to pick up some slack, and so will LaMarcus Aldridge, but a hampered Blazers offense will not be able to keep up with high scoring tempo team like Phoenix. Suns win the series convincingly in five games.

• Denver Nuggets (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)
  Game One: Saturday, 9:30PM – ESPN

The Nuggets and Jazz have identical regular season records (53-29), separated by a tie-breaker (held by Denver). They're evenly matched. It's possible lingering injuries to Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko may prove more severe than we thought and tilt the series, but right now it looks like this is going to be one of the closer first-round match-ups.

Carmelo Anthony is the best player in the series and I expect him to wreck shop all over Utahover the course of a long series. Anthony can score from all over the court, and exploit multiple types of defenders; there's simply no one for the Jazz who can check him effectively and if he gets off on one-too-many big games it could spell defeat for Utah.

I'm also a big fan of Chauncey Billups in the playoffs. At least once, if not more than that, he will win a game in the closing moments for Denver. If this series comes down to a deciding game, Utah had better make sure the ball is not in his hands with the clock winding down.

With all that love for Denver out of the way – here's the truth: the Nuggets went 8-7 over their last 15 games and endured a stretch where they lost 6 of 7 games, which is largely why they dropped from near the top of the conference to the fourth seed. They are inherently a jump shooting team that forgets about Nene and Camby down low far too often, and at times they're a jump shooting team lacking ball movement, leading to low percentage shots.The unfortunate reality for Utah is that Kirilenko will be out for two weeks with a strained left calf, and Carlos Boozer is a game-time decision for game one with a strained right oblique. That limits their defensive options on the frontline, and against Carmelo (AK typically a guy who would check 'Melo). This was going to be a tight series no matter what, and I hate to see it come down to injuy, but with Kirilenko out and Boozer clearly affected in a significant way by his injury, I think the Nuggets will outlast Utah in a tough seven game series. Denver wins.

Just minutes after it had been confirmed that the Spurs would be playing the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs, I got a chance to interview fans of both teams that gathered at a local sports bar.

They talked about their predictions of the series, the x-factor for both teams and they also had a little back and forth of their own.

Representing Spurs fans were Project Spurs' own Lance Fell and Jeff Cerda.

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With the San Antonio Spurs facing the Dallas Mavericks in the first-round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs, who better to turn to than Brian Cuban, brother of Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, to discuss the upcoming series between these two old rivals.

Aside from talking Spurs vs. Mavericks, Brian also runs The Cuban Revolution. A site where you can enjoy many topics and opinions on what's in the news around the world. I'm proud to say I've been interviewed for The Cuban Revolution. The site is a MUST visit! 

Brian is also coming out with a new book titled "You Don't Say" The First Amendment and Hate Speech in Social Media. Keep checking his site for details on the release date.

And now for the nitty-gritty.

It's the Spurs versus the Mavericks once again! This rivalry is intense. From pushing-and-shoving, to heartbreaking losses for both teams, Spurs and Mavericks fans know to expect the unexpected anytime these two teams tangle in the playoffs.

So without further adieu, here is the Q&A with Brian Cuban:

JG: Another post-season begins in the NBA and another Spurs vs. Mavericks match-up.  The Mavericks come into the match-up with the Spurs riding a win against them in the final game of the regular-season and thus taking the season series 3-1. How much of a factor is that for Dallas?

BC: I don't think its a factor at all.  The playoffs are a different style of win or go home basketball, all bets are off.

JG: Spurs rookie, DeJuan Blair put up some impressive numbers in the final regular-season game against Dallas. In case you forgot, he finished with 27 points and 23 rebounds. How will Dallas adjust in game one?

BC: Being a graduate of Pitt I am a huge fan of DeJuan Blair. Obviously we are going have to deal with him but it remains to be seen how many minutes he actually gets in the playoffs.

JG: Sure Dallas beat San Antonio in the final game but it was a win without Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and George Hill sat for the rest of the game after tweaking his ankle. What can Dallas take away from that heading into the playoffs?

BC: I don't think we take anything away from it.  Even if we had beat them at full strength the playoffs are a different animal.

JG: What are your keys to the game for Dallas to beat San Antonio in this series and can the Mavericks make it to the NBA Finals?

BC: Tim is going to get his double-double. I think the key will be putting pressure on Parker and not letting Ginobili get to many easy 3's. We need to slow him down. We also can not let the Spurs bench eat us alive.  The West is so balanced this year the Mavs have a good a chance as anyone to make it to the finals.

JG: This will be yet another chapter in the long history of this rivalry between Dallas and San Antonio. What are some of your fondest memories of this rivalry?

BC: There are so many great match-ups. From a Mavs fan standpoint it would have to be Game 7 of the 2006 playoffs against the Spurs. 119-111 OT win sending us to the WC finals for the 1st time.

Thanks to Brian for taking time to do this Q&A. Oh and Project Spurs has a bet with Brian on this series. Whichever team advances, the loser has to put up a banner of the winners site on our respective blog. Yeah . . . uhhhhh . . . go Spurs go!

Expectations. Never before had the expectations for the San Antonio Spurs been so high. The feeling around the Alamo city was championship or bust, and rightfully so. The Spurs had one of their best offseason in recent memory, and it seemed like nothing, except the Los Angeles Lakers, could derail the Silver and Black train from returning to the NBA Finals. All of these expectations, of course, started on June 23, 2009, when the Spurs acquired Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks for Fabricio Oberto, Kurt Thomas and Spurs favorite Bruce Bowen.

To say we Spurs fans were excited when the Jefferson deal went through is an understatement. Spurs G.M. R.C. Buford had done it again, bringing in a career 17 points, 5 rebounds a game guy, with the ability to work off the dribble and defend. Taking on his huge contract showed the entire league, we can still contend for a ring, no matter how old the media says we are. Christmas came early to the City of San Antonio.

However, the "Jefferson Experiment" didn’t turn out like we all had hoped. This season, Jefferson had his lowest points per game average since his rookie season in New Jersey with 12.3 points per contest. It seemed at times Jefferson was just unwilling to take over when we needed him to. He would shy away from wide open shots, and never appeared to be comfortable when he was on the court. And the season, much like the Jefferson trade, didn’t turn out like we Spurs fans had anticipated.

This season had more ups and downs then a drive through the Texas Hill Country. The Spurs had three-three game losing streaks. Unheard of in the Tim Duncan era. They also lost back-to-back games four times this season. And even when the Spurs play great basketball and beat the Thunder, Lakers, Cavaliers, Celtics and Magic in a two week span, they lose to the one of the worst NBA teams of all-time, the New Jersey Nets. But the Spurs did have their share of winning streaks. They had two-five game winning streaks, as well as three-four game winning streaks.

Injuries played a huge role in the Spurs inconsistencies throughout the season. It seemed like every Spurs player dealt with some kind of injury or sickness, and because of the injuries, the Spurs second unit ended up being a revolving door for D-League players. Malik Hairston and Garrett Temple are just two of what seemed like hundreds of D-League players that played for the Spurs this season. However, one bright spot shined through all the injuries, and his name is George Hill.

The second year guard from Indiana University-Purdue University Indiana had a breakout season averaging 12.4 points a game. His commitment to both ends of the court made him coach Gregg Popovich’s new favorite player, and he has quickly become a fan favorite in San Antonio. Hill played extremely well starting for the injured Tony Parker, leaving some to think the Spurs should continue to start him in the playoffs. But Hill’s not the only young gun make a name for himself in a Silver and Black jersey.

Enter the rookie straight out of Pittsburg, DeJuan Blair. Once projected as a lottery pick, Blair fell out of the first round and into the lap of Buford who was salivating at the thought of landing such a physical player. Blair fit into Pop’s system right away, showing a natural ability for crashing the glass. Blair averaged 7.8 points and 6.4 rebound per contest this season, including 2.4 offensive boards a game. On  January 13, he was the first rookie since, wait for it, Tim Duncan to have a 20/20 game with 28 points and 21 rebounds. He was the only player to suit for all 82 games this season.

One question, that seemed to plague the Spurs all season long, was about the future of Manu Ginobili with the San Antonio Spurs.  Well that question was answered with a three year, nearly 38.9 million dollar contract extension. Ginobili is averaging 16.5 points and nearly five assist a game this season. His body appears to be at full strength and he is back to playing "Manu" basketball. He recently dropped 43 points on one of the better defensive teams in the league, the Orlando Magic.

Scoring, for once, is not the problem with this Spurs roster. Last season, there were stretches where it seemed like the Spurs couldn’t buy a bucket. But this season the Spurs are putting up points, and lots of them. They are averaging over 100 points a game for the first time since the ’95-’96 season under coach Bob Hill. But it’s their defense, the thing they take their most pride in, that has been in question all season long. For the first time since the disastrous ’96-’97 season, the Spurs aren’t ranked in the top five in defense.

This article, however, is only a recap of the first season. We Spurs purist know that the first season is just a warm up to get ready for the second season; the Playoffs. This might be the first time we are on the bottom half of the playoff bracket since Timmy joined, but believe this, the Spurs, like the City of San Antonio, will never give in without a fight. They will continue to give us, the Spurs fans, everything they have. And maybe, just maybe, they can pull off the unthinkable.

Hola amigos y fanáticos de los Spurs y bienvenidos a nuestra página de Project Spurs una vez más, donde siempre encontraran la información mas actualizada sobre su equipo favorito de baloncesto.

Hoy estaré repasando los juegos de los Spurs de la semana pasada.

Pero antes adivinen que? Les tengo un notición. Ya saben el dilema por la cual andamos pasando con Manu Ginobili, que si se quedaba que los Spurs que si no.  Pues la semana pasada Jeff García nos escribió un articulo aquí mismo en nuestra pagina de Project Spurs donde el anuncia que de acuerdo a Ric Bucher de ESPN, Manu Ginobili y los San Antonio Spurs han llegado a un acuerdo. El acuerdo vale nada más y nada menos que $38.9 millones de dólares por un contrato de 3 años, confirmo el recurso de liga el miércoles.

Bueno y de esta gran noticia continuamos con el repaso de los juegos de la última semana. Comenzamos con el triunfo que vivieron los Spurs de San Antonio el miércoles de la semana pasada el 31 Marzo. Donde los Spurs se enfrentaron victoriosamente a los Rockets de Houston. Para este estupendo juego nuestro mayor contribuyente fue George Hill. Parece ser que desde que Tony Parker a faltado como escolta para mas de 10 juegos, Hill a sobresalido.

Para este mismo juego contra los Rockets también contribuyeron Richard Jefferson con 19 puntos y Manu Ginobili con 18 ayudando así a los Spurs derrotar a las Rockets de Houston 102 a 119.

Bueno y justo al siguiente viernes 2 de Abril, se enfrentaron los Spurs a Orlando Magic saliendo una vez mas victoriosos. Para este juego Manu Ginobili anoto su puntuaje mas alto de la temporada ya que asombrosamente anoto 43 puntos! Bueno y a pesar de que Tim Duncan fue llamado debido a su tercera falta y obligado a sentarse por el resto de la mitad del juego, el brillante jugador se lucio anotando un total de 23 puntos en tan solo 24 minutos. Esto junto con los 15 puntos que aporto Bonner ayudo a que los Spurs vencieran a Orlando Magic esa noche 112 a 100.

Y afortunadamente de esta victoria continuamos con un triunfo aun mas sabroso, uno que nos supo a gloria. Estoy hablando de nada mas ni nada mas que del enfrentamiento que vivimos contra nuestros rivales de cancha Los Lakers de Los Angeles el pasado domingo 4 de Abril donde nuestro mas querido Manu Ginobili quien aporto a esta ganancia con un total de 32 puntos describió el triunfo de los Spurs de esa noche como una "Increíble Victoria". Para esta victoria Tim Duncan también contribuyo con 24 puntos y 11 rebotes mientras Richard Jefferson con 14 ayudando así a que los Spurs derrotaron a los Lakers 100  a 81.

Bueno y seguimos con aun otro triunfo mas. Esta vez con los Kings de Sacramento a quienes enfrentamos el pasado martes 6 de abril en la ciudad de Sacramento. Para este juego quien demostró su energía anotando mas puntos por parte de los Spurs fue Richard Jefferson ya que aporto a la total puntuación con 18 puntos.  Manu Ginobili también ayudo con 16 puntos para este juego mientras el novato Garrett Temple con 15 y Antonio Mcdyess con un total de 12 puntos y 11 rebotes venciendo así a los Kings de Sacramento 95 a 86.

Lamentablemente los Spurs no contaron con la misma suerte el pasado miércoles 7 de Abril al enfrentarse a los Soles de Phoenix ya que los Spurs fueron vencidos esa noche 112 a 101. Para los Spurs  Roger Mason fue el mayor anotador esa noche, aportando a su equipo con un total de 18 puntos y mientras Richard Jefferson ayudo con 17 mientras los Soles de Phoenix se dedicaran el juego entero a limitar las anotaciones de Ginobili y Duncan logrando así a que Manu anotara solo 10 puntos para el juego entero y Duncan 14.

Por desfortuna los Spurs volvieron a sufrir aun otra derrota mas al enfrentarse a los Grizzlies de Memphis el pasado viernes 9 de abril bajando así al octavo lugar de la conferencia oeste. Parece ser que para este juego los Spurs hicieron confianza ya que al terminarse el primer cuarto del juego los Spurs llevaban la delantera por 9 puntos. Para los Spurs, Manu Ginobili anoto un total de 26 puntos cuales incluyeron 11 exitosos tiros libres mientras Tim Duncan ayudo con 15 puntos y 10 rebotes y Tony Parker quien ya a regresado a la cancha desde los últimos tres juegos después de haber sufrido de una mano fracturada logro también ayudar con 13 puntos y 8 asistencias. Por desgracia a los Spurs les falto George Hill quien a estado fuera de la cancha por los últimos tres juegos consecutivos debido a una lesión al tobillo para haber podido vencer a los Grizzlies. Esa noche los Grizzlies ganaron con una puntuación de 107 a 99.

Afortunadamente para los Spurs y desafortunadamente para los Nuggets, los Spurs lograron recuperarse anoche al enfrentarse a los Nuggets de Denver después de dos perdidas consecutivas, ya que anoche jugaron como los campeones que son ganandole asi a los Nuggets de Denver 104 a 85. Parece ser que esta perdida puede afectar severamente la posición que actualmente obtienen los  Nuggets de Denver. Para este juego los Spurs lograron apoderarse tomando la delantera durante a mediados del segundo cuarto. Nuestro mas grande contribuidor para esta derrota fue Tim Duncan anotando un total de 18 puntos seguido por Ginobili y Jefferson con 15 puntos cada uno.

Preparense por que ya llega lo mas emocionante de la temporada y para eso estaremos aquí, el equipo informativo de Project Spurs para mantenerlos siempre actualizados e informados en el mejor sitio de Blog. Gracias por escucharnos, es todo por hoy. Les informaron Arianné Villanueva para Project Spurs.

Thursday night we were lucky enough to have the privilege of interviewing former Spurs center Fabricio Oberto.

After answering questions from our chat room, we got to asking Fabricio about how his season was with the Wizards, his thoughts on the Mavs series and got his prediction.

We also asked him about his participation in social media sites like twitter, his interest in music and we even read him some of our notorious Oberto Facts, like "the original title for the movie Bloodsport was Oberto kicking ass, beating the snot out of people, roundhouse kicking to the face, cracking bones-sport."

And after a power outtage at the very beginning of the interview, we have the start to a new set of Oberto Facts.

"One time Oberto came on to the Spurscast and his presence caused a citywide power outage in San Marcos."

Thanks to Fabricio for putting some time aside with us pre and post-outage, and to two very special friends of Project Spurs who arranged the interview. Oh and as if that wasn't enough, Oberto plans to set a back screen on Jeff and I next time he's in San Antonio.

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Fantastic. Just when the Spurs are about to face their interstate rival, the Dallas Mavericks, in the opening round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs, this was something Spurs fans did not want to hear. Tony Parker is considering playing for France in this summer's world basketball championship in Turkey.

For the moment, in my head, I'm going to play. We have to see first how far we go with the Spurs, what we're going to do in the play-offs," said Parker, as he prepares with his side for the NBA play-offs in Dallas on Sunday.

However, this past March he said he might not play but it seems he might be changing his mind.

I know this will not sit well with Spurs fans as there might also be a possibility Manu Ginobili may play for Argentina in Turkey as well.

So with Ginobili 50/50 about playing for Argentina and now Parker now considering playing for France, this pretty much sums up Spurs nation's feelings right now:

Tonight at 6 p.m. CST, we'll be going live with a very special edition of the Spurscast Live. Thanks to a few friends of the show and site, we've arranged an interview with former Spurs center Fabricio Oberto.

Now a member of the Washington Wizards, Oberto spent four years with the Spurs and we'll be getting his takes on everything from how the Spurs fare against the Mavericks to his involvement in social networking. Perhaps, we'll even read a few of our old Oberto facts to him.

But don't let Jeff and I have all the fun. Be a part of the interview by chatting with us live and asking questions in the chat. A select few will also have the opportunity to join us live "on-the-air" and speak with the man himself.

Get Project Spurs bookmarked, set your alarm clocks and join us back here at 6 p.m. CST for this special episode of the Spurscast.