DeJuan Blair on First Take
DeJuan Blair was on ESPN's First Take this morning, and although we weren't able to witness the love fest live, thanks to the internet, we are all able to watch uncomfortably as Skip Bayless professes his love for DeJuan.
Splitter and De Colo update
Most Spurs fans are probably frustrated about the Spurs continued inconsistent play. As you guys know, we here are Project Spurs are always keeping you updated on latest happenings on Nando De Colo and Tiago Splitter.
Let's start with De Colo.
De Colo is playing for Power Electronics Valencia which is currently ranked fourth in the ACB Spanish league with a 15-8 record and has qualified in the Eurocup's last 16.
In 21 games at the ACB Spanish league, he averaged 12.8 points, 3 rebounds and 2.6 assist while shooting 49% from the field and 34% from the 3 point line in 26 minutes of action.
In Eurocup's last 16, he has played even better having solid averages of 16.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assist on 50% shooting from the 3 point area and 40% from the field after playing 5 games.
In his latest game, he scored 11 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 4 assist with 3 steals in 33.4 minutes of action in Power Electronic Valencia's 69-64 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem.
The team is currently at first place in Group J with a 4-1 record at the Eurocup last 16.
Power Electronic Valencia will play one more game before the quarter final round against Unics Kazan on March 9. The top eight teams will advance to the Eurocup quarterfinal round.
How about Splitter? This guy is the most popular international player of the Spurs. With his current contract having an opt out clause this year, other Spanish league teams had already expressed their intentions of signing him.
His team Caja Laboral is currently 2nd in the ACB Spanish league with a 19-4 record wherein he averaged 16.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assist on 58% shooting in 21 games.While in the Euroleague, he averaged 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assist and 53.9 FG% in 10 regular season games.
Caja Laboral finished the regular season with a 7-3 record and qualified at the Euroleague's Top 16.
However, Splitter only managed to play only two games in the Euroleague Top 16. He is in and out of lineup because of a nagging ankle injury that caused him to miss some games.
The injury first occurred midway through a ACB Spanish League game against Meridiano Alicante where he led Caja Laboral to a victory with 19 points on 71% shooting from the field.
He was able to return to action and played against the Olympiacos. A game that Caja Laboral lost 85-89. Splitter scored 10 points, grabbed 6 boards and added an assist on 40% field goal shooting for the game.
Caja Laboral held out Splitter in the next game against Cibona Zagreb which the team won 78-75.
He promptly returned to play for Caja Laboral after missing a game and scored 15 points, grabbed 4 rebounds with 2 assists on 83% shooting from the field in 26 minutes of action. Caja Laboral lost that game 71-82 to BC Khimki Moscow.
Again, Splitter was not able to play in Caja Laboral's next game against BC Khimki Moscow due to his ankle injury and is expected to miss at least the next two weeks of the Euroleague's Top 16.
Nonetheless, Caja Laboral stayed alive with a key 93-84 win over over BC Khimki Moscow without Splitter. Laboral is currently tied at 2-2 good for second place in Group H and will play 2 more games on March 4 at Olympiacos and on March 11 against Cibona. The top eight teams will qualify to play at the Euroleague's quarter final round.
In the ACB Spanish league, Caja Laboral lost 85-86 to GC 2014 with Splitter still recovering from an ankle injury.
These players would be a welcome addition to the Spurs' lineup in the coming offseason. As they can address the major spots that the Spurs team needs.
Splitter would be a great complement next to Tim Duncan and De Colo would give the Spurs another combo guard who can handle the ball, drive to the basket and shoot the ball.
Spurscast #196: Mass Effect, Kitty Vader and the Fail Count
Michael and Jeff were live to recap Monday night's Spurs-Hornets game.
Just like most post game shows, we broke down each quarter with analysis, and highlighted some positives and negatives throughout the game. We also had Sarah from HornetsHype on to help us recap the game and talk about things from a Hornets point of view.
All things were going according to plan as we went through the show until Mass Effect, the fail count and kitty vader took over and we never seemed to get this train back on the rails. For all of the hilarity, along with the actual Spurs postgame, press play below.
The Admiral Challenge
Every Spurs fan's dream is to sit courtside at a Spurs game, but PinkDingo wants to take your dreams to the next level by giving you a chance to sit courtside with Spurs great and Hall-of-Famer David Robinson and a friend of your choice. Outside of San Antonio, airfare and hotel are included.
But it gets better.
Not only can you live your dream, you'll also be supporting the Carver Academy at the same time. So how can you make this happen? Give as little as $2.99 to the Carver Academy through Pink Dingo. You can also donate $9.99, $24.99, $49.99 or write in any amount.
PinkDingo also has options to make recurring donations and a $1 donation every time the Spurs win a game.
To this date, over $12,000 has been donated. Let's see if we can increase that even more. But if you want a chance to sit courtside, get in your donations soon, because the challenge ends tomorrow.
Top 5 Finley Moments
By now all of Spurs nation heard the news that Michael Finely has been waived by the team. After coming back from injury, he really couldn't crack the rotation. His minutes were down and in the end, the Spurs honored his request to be released so he can play for a contending team.
However, while he was with the Spurs, he gave Spurs fans some memorable moments. Who would have thought a former Dallas Maverick and Phoenix Sun, signed by the Spurs on September 2, 2005, would have a place in the hearts of Spurs fans.
With that being said, here are the top 5 Michael Finley moments.
5. Finley sends the game into overtime
4. Posterization of Erick Dampier
3. Finley buries the Denver Nuggets
2. Finley's clutch three on the Suns
1. Finley wins first NBA Championship
Thanks Finley for the great memories you gave Spurs fans.
Spurscast Live - Hornets Postgame
Call-in Live: 210-757-0847
Manu wishes Finley luck
After the Spurs announced today they have waived Michael Finely, Manu Ginobili said the following about his former teammate.
Class act Manu!
Spurs Release Finley
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Spurs have released guard Michael Finley.
Just filed to ESPN.com: Spurs agree to release former All-Star and Stein Line fave Michael Finley so Fin can sign elsewhere before playoffs
With Finley's departure, this opens the door for Malik Hairston to perhaps get more minutes on the court. Plus, Finley has not had much time on the court since coming back from injury. Basically, he fell out of the rotation. Not to mention this move cut more salary off the Spurs book.
Stay with Project Spurs for all the latest on this move by the Spurs.
UPDATE:
The Spurs have officially announced they have waived Finley.
Today, to honor Michael Finley's request to be released from his contract, the San Antonio Spurs waived the veteran guard. This move will allow Finley to sign with another team and be eligible to participate in the 2010 NBA Playoffs.
"Michael Finley was an outstanding professional during his time with the Spurs," said Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich. "Both on and off the court he was great example for all to follow."
Spurs vs. Suns Recap
After losing to the Houston Rockets, the Spurs came back to San Antonio to take on the Phoenix Suns. And in typical Spurs vs. Suns games, it came down to the final minutes.
The Suns came into this game on a 5-game winning streak and brought their high-scoring offense to San Antonio.
Let's fast-forward to the fourth quarter.
It was a close game in the waning moments of the game and the Spurs were up by two points. Then, off a Spurs turnover, the Suns' Jason Richardson had a chance to tie the game.
He had an uncontested dunk when this happened.
Also, Steve Nash passed up a wide open three-point shot opportunity to tie the game but instead, he passed the ball to Suns' Channing Frye as the clock expired.
Suns lose to the Spurs. Final score 113-110, Spurs win.
Spurs fans can add this to the list of Suns failures against the Spurs along with Suns players coming off the bench in the Spurs vs. Suns playoff series when Robert Horry and Steve Nash got tangled up thus gaining suspensions for the next game, leaving Roger Mason wide open for a buzzer-beating three, never understanding defense wins championships, Nash passing up a three-point shot in today's game, and the constant playoff dismissals by the Spurs.
Now for some stats:
- Richard Jefferson came off the bench for 20 points. Spurs are 6-0 when RJ scores 20 or more points. Hopefully Spurs fans will see more of this to end the season.
- Tim Duncan had 21 points and 10 rebounds.
- Antonio McDyess left the game with an injury scare, hyper-extending his left knee, but did come back into the game finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds.
- Tony Parker returned after dealing with stomach ailments, scoring 16 points.
- Spurs bench scored 55 points, led by Manu Ginobili's 21 points and DeJuan Blair with 14 points.
- Spurs shot 4-14 (28.6%) from the three-point line, 23-28 (82%) from the free-throw line, committed 11 turnovers, and grabbed 41 rebounds.
- The Spurs beat an above .500 team and move their record to 33-24. They remain seventh in the Western Conference.
