According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Warriors coach Don Nelson came close to coaching the Spurs.

"When I was in Golden State and I was having all the (Chris) Webber problems and Gregg Popovich was the GM in San Antonio and wanted to make a change. He called me up and said, 'Can you get out of your contract and come here and be my coach?'

"It was a great idea, because the way we were looking at it, one of us (Webber or Nelson) had to go and if I leave they can keep Webber and get a good coach and everything would be great. So I begged Fitz (Jim Fitzgerald had since bought the Warriors) to let me out of my contract, but he refused, so he and I got into a big argument.

"But he was going to sell the team and I had to be part of the sale because I guess (new owner) Chris Cohan wanted me in place. I've often thought, if Pop would have been the GM and I would have been the coach, that would have been a happy, happy time for me.

After seeing Pop lead this team to four championships,  I can't even imagine Nelson as coach of the Spurs.

Before Pop was named Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Spurs, he spent two years on Nelson's bench in Golden State.

I do wonder though if the Spurs would still be four-time NBA champions if Nelson was able to get out of his contract. Would we have ever seen Pop become one of the NBA's greatest coaches?

Feel free to add your opinions and thoughts in the comments.

Sure the Phoenix Suns may be ahead of the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference playoff standings, but Spurs fans know who reigns supreme when it comes down to facing the Suns in the playoffs.

Time after time, the Suns made roster changes to compete with the Spurs. Bringing in Shaquille O'Neal, adding Raja Bell, even hiring Steve Kerr. All in attempts to beat the Spurs in the playoffs. In the end, every move proved futile.

With the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns meeting today, let's take a stroll back in time and relive a few of the countless times the Spurs smacked the Suns back down to Earth whether it be in the regular season or in the playoffs. 

Without further adieu, here are some of the best Suns all time fails against the Spurs.

Suns fail #1: Dunk fail!

With a chance to tie the game with 41 seconds left in the game against the Spurs, former NBA dunk champion, Jason Richardson, blows the dunk. 

Suns fails #2: Leaving the bench fail!

With the Suns beating the Spurs in Game 4 of the 2007 playoffs in the waning moments of the game, former Spur, Robert Horry, hip-checked Steve Nash into the scorers table. OK maybe it was unnecessary but Amar'e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw stupidly came charging off the Suns bench resulting in their suspensions for the next game in Phoenix. Spurs went on to win the next game and the series.

Suns fail #3: Christmas fail!

It was Christmas 2008 and the Spurs and Suns were having another "down to the wire" game. With the Spurs losing by two points, 88-90, Tony Parker drove into the lane and was not going anywhere with the shot seeing how Shaq was in the paint.

However, Jason Richardson then leaves one of the Spurs' best three-point shooters, Roger Mason, wide open for a three-point shot, Parker makes the pass, and ball game! Spurs smack the Suns again. Thanks again J-Rich!

Suns fail #4: Twice the three-point shots, twice the Suns fail!

Spurs and the Suns met again in the 2008 playoffs opening round. Game one proved to be an instant classic for the NBA. But for the Suns, the game was another heart-breaker against the Spurs. 

First, Michael Finely hit a clutch three-point shot to send the game into overtime.

Second, with the Suns up by three points, 104-101, in the first overtime period, Tim Duncan was left wide-open for a three point shot. He spotted up, took the shot and made a three to send the game into double overtime where the Spurs would eventually beat the Suns yet again in the playoffs and the series.

Suns fail #5: 18 point lead choked away fail!

It was January, 2005 and the Suns had an 18 point lead on the Spurs in the fourth quarter. Not a problem for the Spurs. The Spurs made a furious comeback, sent the game into overtime where the Silver and Black emerged victorious. Final score, 128-123, Spurs win. In this game Manu Ginobili scored 48 points.

Bonus:

Just for kicks, and to laugh at the Suns some more, check out Ginobili posterizing the Suns in the same January 2005 game.

Great memories for Spurs fans. Sad ones for Suns fans.  

By now, all Spurs fans know the contract situation with Manu Ginobili.

At the end of this season, he will be a free-agent and a desirable player for any team to add. And with the way he has been playing in the second half of the Spurs regular season, his value is only increasing thus making it more difficult for the franchise to offer him anything less than what he is making now.

Coupled with the fact the Spurs financial situation is not looking good after this season, things will get interesting when dealing with Ginobili's future in San Antonio.

That being said, in a recent interview with canchallena.com, Manu says he will still listen to offers from other NBA teams when he becomes a free-agent but right now is not the right time to discuss his contract situation with the playoffs fast approaching:

"A no ser que me soprendan con una gran cifra... Igual, no creo que éste sea un buen momento para hablar de dinero porque se viene la parte más importante de la temporada, los playoffs"

La situación parece clara. Hasta julio difícilmente haya novedades. "Sé que no voy a quedarme sin trabajo. Y no estoy actuando con rencor. Esto es un negocio y tengo que hacer lo que más me convenga. Cuando llegue el momento, me reuniré con mi esposa y pondremos todo sobre la mesa para tomar una decisión", afirmó Manu.

In the article Ginobili does say he is not playing to prove anything. Just playing to win.

También señaló: "No estoy jugando para demostrar nada, siempre juego para ganar"

As Spurs fans we all can do is just sit and wait and hope the Spurs make the right decision and resign Ginobili.

Just when the point guard spot was starting to look shakey for the Spurs after George Hill suffered an ankle injury against the Lakers, comes this good news:

Spurs guard Tony Parker has been cleared to resume full basketball activities and will be in uniform tonight when the Spurs take on the Sacramento Kings.

With six games remaining in the regular season, including tonight's game against the Kings, hopefully Parker can get back into game shape heading into the playoffs and duplicate his stellar playoff performance last season against the Dallas Mavericks.

With injuries to Tony Parker and George Hill, it seems the point-guard position is cursed for the Spurs this season.

However, in the eyes of Tim Duncan, this presents a golden opportunity for him to finally play the point-guard position after 12 years with the Spurs.

"I've been willing to play point guard for about 12 years now. I might finally get my chance."

And they say Duncan has no personality.

(photo by CH/Project Spurs)

After the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, Lakers coach Phil Jackson targeted the refs in his post-game remarks saying they were against them.

Earlier today, Project Spurs posted some of Jackson's post-game remarks but he also did have this gem to add about the refs and Bennett Salvatore.

"You never know with a referee," Jackson said. "You go over and talk to him, he may not have wanted anybody to talk to him at that point. It didn't look like Kobe berated him at all, but you guys probably had a better television view than I had at that end of the court."

Jackson added: "It didn't look like he was berating him or anything," Jackson said. "But, with Bennett you don't know what you're going to get."

Well the NBA has fined Jackson $35, 000.00 for criticizing the refs.

Knowing Phil, he will gladly pay this fine if it means getting into the minds of the refs and the Spurs should these two teams meet up in the NBA post-season.

With the Lakers and Spurs finishing the season 2-2 in head-to-head matchups, once again I venture into enemy territory and speak with Lakers blogger and friend of Project Spurs, Rey Moralde, of The No Look Pass.

Here we talk about the Spurs recent win over the Lakers, Phil Jackson's antics, are the Lakers worried about the Spurs if they meet in the first round and much more including a discussion on Katharine McPhee versus Olivia Munn.
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Jeff: Suck on that LA!

Rey: It's a big win by San Antonio. It's just... hard for me to be concerned about the Lakers. I don't know what to think of them.

Jeff: Sure you guys didn't have Bynum but we didn't have Tony Parker and lost George Hill and still got the W.
Rey: As I always say... the Spurs will never die.

Jeff: Speaking of never dieing, Manu torched the Lakers. Dropped 32. Uh I thought Ron Artest was a perimeter defender?
Rey: He let the technical get into his head. Really threw him off. He should know better.

Jeff: Oh I see you are now sounding like Phil Jackson. Nice job Rey!
Rey: Oh, give me a break. Do you see me blaming the referees?

Jeff: Yea WTF? Phillip not see the box score?
Rey: It's hard to blame the refs when you get blown out of the building. And the game was still close at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Jeff: Speaking of box score, are the Lakers just a 5 man team? Spurs bench outscored the Lakers bench 20-4. 4 points! Really?
Rey: The bench can do better. If AND when Bynum comes back, Lamar Odom should shore up that bench. Plus I'm not as concerned about the bench, really, as they have been pretty good as of late.

Jeff: Recently Spurs coach Pop and Lakers coach "crybaby" errrrrrr I mean Phil been "complimenting" each others squads. Philsaid he is worried about the Spurs and Pop said he is trying to avoid the Lakers. If they do meet in the opening round, I still feel Lakers will come out on top.
Rey: I do, too... but dammit, it's hard to gauge their performance. They won't be playing for much more in the next few games. I'm just waiting for the playoffs to start. At L.A.'s best, they're still the favorites in the West.

Jeff: I called Phillip a "crybaby" and you do know why right?
Rey: You mentioned the refs. Any other reason?

Jeff: Blaming the refs AGAIN? Seriously Phil. Will he give some cred to the Spurs?
Rey: Phil Jackson is concerned. We all know he throws out that psychological warfare.

Jeff: As much as I say the Lakers will win a series vs the Spurs, I still have the Spurs making it interesting because of the stronger bench and better backcourt. If the Spurs were to upset the Lakers would you be surprised?
Rey: No. It's the Spurs. I know what they're capable of. Maybe if it was... say... the Thunder upsetting the Lakers, then I'd be surprised. But come on, look at those string of victories the Spurs have: Cleveland, Boston, Orlando, Lakers...

Jeff: You forget the fail loss to the Nets. It's shit like that which makes me worried about the Spurs team.
Rey: Eh, every team has a bad day. The Lakers lost to the Clippers earlier this year, too.

Jeff: Spurs and Lakers went 2-2 this season. If its them both in the first round, will it be a war or a cake walk for either team?
Rey: It's a war. I can see it going seven.

Jeff: Know what else is a war? Katharine McPhee vs. Olivia Munn. McPhee is so the chick you can take home. Munn is down and can hang with you and the fellas.
Rey: I'll take Olivia Munn.

Jeff: Man I will take McPhee. Brunette version though. I think you are underestimating her hotness.
Rey: I probably am but I always wanted to play Street Fighter with Olivia Munn.
Jeff: It's win-win.

Rey: The Spurs, though... Ginobili is hot. Parker will be back. One-and-done? Or title contender?
Jeff: McPhee is so underrated. You guys are fools. But I might be one and done if I got her alone.
Rey: I'm guessing you're still not taking the Spurs seriously.

Jeff: Dammitt Rey! McPhee. She is clouding my train of thought
Rey: Hey, look here. I'm trying to do my part in this conversation. (Olivia Munn... Olivia Munn... Olivia Munn...)

Jeff: OK. Focus is back. Spurs are not a title contender. Even if by some miracle they get past LA, the Nuggs, Jazz and Mavs will be a problem.
Rey: And you don't think they can run through the West if they get past L.A. Beating L.A. would be a HUGE confidence-booster.
Jeff: Hell no. It would be a boost but the Spurs lack the front-court of the Nuggs, against the Jazz they got swept, and the Mavs additions of Caron Butler, and Bendan Haywood will be headaches for the Spurs.

Jeff: Rey. Take a look at this! BAM!

Rey: Okay... bottom line... you don't think Spurs are a title contender... I still do. And we both think the Lakers are still the faves... but I can't gauge them very well until the postseason starts. All right. Awesome. Here.

Jeff: (heading to men's room)
Rey: I don't think he's going there to flush the Spurs' chances of winning a title...

First Lakers' coach Phil Jackson admitted he is worried about the Spurs and now Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich reciprocates the feeling.

In the ESPN - Daily Dime, Pop openly admits he is trying to avoid the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.

"The ones that say 'We don't care who we play,' they're full of baloney too, because we're all trying to hide from the Lakers," Popovich said. "I mean, really. 'Who do you want to play in the first round?' 'Oh, the Lakers'. What an idiot."

As I stated earlier today, I have to agree with Pop. Lakers pose a huge challenge for the Spurs mainly becuase of the Lakers' bigger front court and since the Spurs do not have a reliable perimeter defender to guard Kobe Bryant as in seasons past with Bruce Bowen.

Should the Spurs and Lakers meet in the first-round, the Spurs bench and the back-court of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and George Hill, will have to play at a high level in a 7-game series to have a shot at upsetting the Lakers.

Speaking of Parker, Pop also mentioned he should be returning to the Spurs for the last two games of the regular season and gave a status on the recently injured George Hill. 

Popovich says the broken bone in Parker's right hand should be healed enough for him to return between the final two games of the regular season and the first two games of the playoffs, with the April 12 game against Minnesota as the target. He said Hill, who will have further tests on the ankle Monday, "is probably going to be out a while."

Lakers' coach Phil Jackson on the refs and Ginobili in the loss to the Spurs

In yesterday's game against the Lakers, Spurs' Manu Ginobili and Lakers' Ron Artest got tangled up a bit which led to both of them receiving technicals. Of course, this didn't sit well with Phil and he had the following to say on the refs, and Ginobili:

"Tonight they wouldn't let Ron play the way he played prior to [the technical-foul call]," Jackson said. "[Ginobili] could hook Ron; [Artest] didn't get what was going on and ended up getting too many fouls on him."

"The way we ended up the half I think turned the referees against us, and when you do that, that's an unfortunate thing," Jackson said. "Ron didn't back off and didn't read that official well enough to know you got to back off, you got to lighten the load, he's not going to take any more of that. Ginobili forced the issue and got the calls."

"On both the replays that we looked at, Ginobili hooks him," Jackson said. "He does the up-and-under move with the hook. Obviously the referees just didn't want the contact at that time. I told Ron at halftime, 'You got to back off when it's time to back off.' You just can't keep being persistent about that because they sent you a warning signal, and that signal was, 'Back off.' We ended up giving them some momentum at the half and probably got the referees on the back end of our game."

Nice job Phil! No it wasn't anything the Spurs did.  It wasn't the fact the Spurs bench outscored your bench 20-4. I am sure the Lakers' loss to the Spurs had nothing to do with getting out rebounded by the Spurs 41-34, Ginobili scoring 32 points, or the Spurs outscoring the Lakers in the paint, 48-40.  It was all because of the refs!