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In a game where Tony Parker, Richard Jefferson, Tim Duncan and George Hill played more than than expected, it was one player that kept the San Antonio Spurs in their preseason opener against the Rockets.

Marcus Cousin.

And no that is not a typo. The player several expected could be cut next, got a lifeline when Tiago Splitter suffered an injury. After his performance last night, he may not be going anywhere anytime soon.

In 24 minutes, the former Houston Cougar had 10 points, eight rebounds, two blocked shots and one steal.

Unfortunately it wasn't enough as the Rockets beat the Spurs 90-87.

The Spurs came out of the gates hot, putting up 32 points in the first quarter. Tony Parker and DeJuan Blair got off to a quick start and ended the quarter with eight points apiece.

In the second quarter, the Rockets stepped up their defensive efforts, Jordan Hill came alive and the Rockets' second unit fought back to tie the game up 50-50 at halftime.

The third quarter was a mirror image of the second, but two of Houston's starters, Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin, got hot. Martin connected on several of his outside shots while Brooks shredded the interior defense to get to the basket.

Kirk Penney started the second half, and Garrett Temple and James Gist also saw playing time in the third quarter alongside Cousin.

While the second and third quarters belonged to the Rockets, the Spurs showed more life in the fourth quarter. The Spurs went on a 9-2 run before Courtney Lee ended it with a reverse layup with just over two minutes remaining.

Spurs rookie James Anderson entered the game midway through the fourth, but he forced shots, and was called for an offensive foul and traveling. However his layup with less than a minute remaining brought the Spurs within one point. After a foul put Lee on the line, Jerrells missed a half-court desperation three to try to send the game into overtime.

Aside from Cousin, two other spurs scored in double figures. Blair ended the game with 12 points, eight rebounds (5 offensive), and two steals in 19 minutes. Parker finished with 10 points and five assists in just under 17 minutes.

The loss leaves the Spurs at 0-1 for preseason, but they'll look to even it up this Saturday when the Miami Heat come to San Antonio.

The San Antonio Spurs will open their pre-season at home against the Houston Rockets who dropped their pre-season opener, 97-88, in Hidalgo, Texas against the Orlando Magic.

Eight of the Rockets' rotation players from last season played 20 minutes or more against the Magic, including four of their starters. Yao Ming is the only starter who played under 20 minutes. He logged in 12 minutes, scored 3 points and grabbed 3 rebounds with the Rockets closely monitoring his playing time.

The Spurs on the other hand could give more playing time to their young players and camp hopefuls. With Tiago Splitter, Richard Jefferson and Garrett Temple out with injuries, DeJuan Blair, George Hill and James Anderson might see a lot of time on the court.

It will also be interesting to see who will the Spurs use at small forward. Expect Alonzo Gee, Bobby Simmons and James Gist to battle it out for that spot. The Spurs' starters, especially their 'Big Three' will probably be given limited playing time.

KEYS TO THE GAME

SPURS:

Offense: The Spurs have been evaluating players with specific offensive abilities this offseason namely shooting. It will be exciting to see how Gary Neal, Kirk Penney will look on the floor and if they can nail the outside shot consistently.

With their shortened frontcourt rotation, the Spurs should rely more on their backcourt and wing players to get the job done on offense. Hill maybe the team's floor leader in this preseason game, but this is a good opportunity for Anderson, Neal, Penney and Gee to showcase some of their scoring talents.

Defense:The Rockets backcourt of Martin, Aaron Brooks and Courtney Lee matchup well with the Spurs. It will be key for the Spurs to limit Houston's inside threat of Luis Scola and Ming.

ROCKETS:

Offense: Martin and Brooks can both score on any given night but with the Spurs' frontcourt cut short, expect Scola, Jordan Hill and Ming get the ball often.

Defense: With Splitter out and Duncan probably playing limited minutes, the Rockets can focus on stopping Hill, Anderson, Penney and Gee on the offensive end.

INJURIES

SPURS:

Tiago Splitter - strained right plantaris muscle. Richard Jefferson - sprained ankle. Garrett Temple - sprained ankle.

ROCKETS:

None.

PREDICTION

Since this is a just preseason game both teams will use it to have a closer look at their camp hopefuls.

Hola amigos y fieles fanáticos de los San Antonio Spurs. Hoy repaso con ustedes las noticias de la semana de los Spurs.

Comenzamos con la dolorosa lesión que sufrió Tiago Splitter durante su entrenamiento el jueves pasado 30 de septiembre. De acuerdo a los San Antonio Spurs, Splitter sufrió una lesión al músculo plantar derecho. Después de el programa de rehabilitación de 7-10 días que se vera obligado a tomar Splitter, se determinara la fecha de su regreso al juego.

Lamentablemente Richard Jefferson se unió al grupo de lesionados tambien ya que de acuerdo al Express News de San Antonio el delantero de los Spurs, Jefferson se lesiono su tobillo durante su sesión de entrenamiento el lunes pasado. Popovich le informo a la prensa q aun que la lesion no es de gravedad lo mas probable es que Jefferson no se presente al primer juego de pretemporada que esta programado en Houston el proximo jueves. Esperemos que realmente no se trate de nada grave y que logre el joven jugador a recuperarse para darle la bienvenida al inicio de temporada de los Spurs.

Bueno y tocante a otras noticias Tony Parker nos informo que el solo desea enfocarse en esta temporada que se aproxima. El joven jugador fue entrevistado en San Antonio sobre su estado como agente libre, si se quedara en San Antonio, y sobre las probabilidades que tienen los Spurs de ganar este año. De acuerdo a KTKR lo que el jugador definitivamente aclaro fue que a el le gustaría quedarse con el equipo de los Spurs informandonos que el siempre se lo aceptaba a la prensa y que el comunicado aparentemente no se publicaba correctamente añadiendo que quizás los medios de comunicación lo hacen por que de esa manera se venden mejor sus notas amarillistas.

En otra nota los San Antonio Spurs optaron por no contratar a Thomas Gardner. Como ya lo saben el joven fue invitado al primer campo de entrenamiento compitiendo con Kirk Penney, Gary Neal, y Garret temple por un puesto en el roster. Aun así, si el demuestra suficiente potencial es posible que los Toros de Austin lo contraten para ser asignado a la liga D conocida como D-League.

También la semana pasada Michael De Leon y Jeff Garcia fundadores y escritores de nuestra pagina tuvieron la oportunidad de entrevistar vía podcast a el entrenador de los Austin Toros, Brad Jones así es que no olviden ingresar a la pagina y escuchar la entrevista.

Gracias por mantenerse actualizados e informados por medio de nuestra pagina. 

San Antonio Spurs' players Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili get the cowboy look going for their new commercials for HEB, a San Antonio grocery store chain. To see the making of the commercial vist spurs.com.

San Antonio Spurs' guard Manu Ginobili is known for his unwavering determination on the court and is a proven winner. Last season he stepped up his game after the All Star break to help lead the Spurs into the 2010 NBA playoffs.

Now entering his ninth season with the Spurs, a new contract in hand and his word to play for the Argentinian national team in this summer's Olympic qualifier, all Ginobili has on his mind is another gold medal and an NBA title:

"I want to win another medal with the national team and another title with San Antonio" (source clarin.com)

Many will point to his age or his past ankle injuries and doubt this will happen for him but if anyone can pull this off would be Ginobili. It wouldn't be the first time he won an NBA title and an Olympic gold medal. In the 2004 summer Olympics he won gold with the Argentinian national team and the following summer won an NBA title in 2005 with the Spurs.

The 2010-11 GM survey results are out, and several San Antonio Spurs' players and coaches were listed in the results of the 60-question survey.

Tim Duncan was third in voting for best power forward behind Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki, who tied for first. Duncan was also second in voting for the league's best center behind Dwight Howard, who got 96 percent of the vote, and tied for fifth for best leader.

Manu Ginobili finished fourth in voting for best international player behind Nowitzki, Gasol and Steve Nash. He also received votes for "toughest player in the NBA" and "best moving without the ball."

Other players receiving votes were Tony Parker for "most dangerous in the open floor," Matt Bonner for players that "do most with the least" and rookie Tiago Splitter tied for second in voting for "international players most likely to have a breakout season."

Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich finished third for best head coach and best manager/motivator, first for the coach who makes the best in-game adjustments and best in the last two minutes of a game, fourth for the coach that runs the best offense and second for coach with the best defensive schemes.

Assistant coach Mike Budenholzer also got a nod and tied for third for best assistant coach.

The Spurs were also second behind the Dallas Mavericks when GMs were asked which team would win the Southwest Division.

GMs were not allowed to vote for their own team, players or coaches.

When asked about other contenders in the western conference, and if San Antonio Spurs' rookie Tiago Splitter will give the Spurs a chance at competing with the Lakers, Artest's response was "who's that."

Hopefully someone will inform Artest before the Lakers come to San Antonio on December 28.

Hat tip to Sports Grind Entertainment for the tip.

The San Antonio Spurs' search for a solid shooter continues with the addition of Kirk Penney to the training camp roster.  At 6'5" and 220 pounds, the 29 year old brings some size to the wing position.  A journeyman, Penney has played in six leagues since graduating from Wisconsin in 2003, including two stints in the NBA - a season with the Miami Heat and another with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Born in New Zealand, Penney, like Tiago Splitter, is fresh off of the FIBA World Championships where he played for his home country.  In six games at the World Championships, Penney managed an impressive 24.7 points per game shooting over 45% from the field including 37% from the three-point line.  In terms of efficiency with the basketball, he did commit an average of three turnovers per game and only two assists per contest.

Penney's most recent entry on his resume had him playing shooting guard for the New Zealand Breakers in the National Basketball League.  In 2009, he was selected MVP after leading the league in scoring.  He has seen a lot of success in New Zealand and all eyes are on him in that country as he tries to succeed in the NBA.  Penney has been named All-NBL First Team in each of his three seasons there.

Penney is fighting for one of basically three remaining roster spots.  The competition is stiff - the Spurs will more than likely cut five of the eight players competing for these final spots.  He is a solid offensive player, but that alone will not get him onto the final roster.  The Spurs are looking for someone who can defend as well, which could be a challenge for this guard who has not played against NBA competition since 2005.  For his part, Penney is confident:

“You’ve got a lot of talented players here and to be able to measure myself against these guys is exactly where I want to be. I know on this team (among the non-guaranteed players) there isn’t a player like me, who moves well of the ball.

“I know I’m very much at the level. It’s just bringing it every day and showing that.”

Penney is likely to see his first action this week as the Spurs open their preseason schedule against the Houston Rockets on Thursday. No doubt his fans in New Zealand will be watching.

However, if I can make one suggestion should Penney make the squad -- is there any chance he can teach the Spurs the New Zealand Haka war dance? How great would it be to see him lead Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, coach Popovich and the rest of the team in performing the dance before tip-off?

Check out Penney. He is number six.

Jeff and I are joined by San Antonio's News 4 WOAI's Humberto Cervera as we review the first week of the San Antonio Spurs training camp.

We assessed the injuries to Richard Jefferson and Tiago Splitter, talked about Tony Parker putting a stop to all of the trade rumors, which players have impressed us after the first week, our take on the Wilson Chandler rumors and much more.

The Spurscast. The first and original Spurs podcast.

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After a lackluster first year with the San Antonio Spurs, coach Gregg Popovich made it his mission this summer to get Spurs forward Richard Jefferson back to basics.

David Aldridge, in his latest column on NBA.com, said Popovich gave Jefferson the choice to work with the coaching staff this summer or he could enjoy his summer off and Popovich would work on finding Jefferson somewhere else to call home.

So Jefferson chose summer school, working out for two hours at a time with the Spurs' coaches all over the country. It was all basics: pivoting with the ball, jump-stopping, drills designed to improve his efficiency of movement on the court. On the defensive end, Jefferson got reinforcements on the Spurs' defensive concepts, which go into much greater detail than simply pushing everything baseline and keeping guards from dribble penetrations in the paint. He reported to camp last week with 7 percent body fat and a cut-up physique.

"I asked him if he wanted to reach his potential, or just let the next few years slough away and just put money in the bank," Popovich said. "He said 'I want to reach my potential.' "

At training camp last week, Jefferson said the work has helped and he's more comfortable now that he knows what to expect.

"I didn't forget how to play basketball, I don't think my talents dropped in a year. It was just getting used to system," Jefferson said.

"The work that I put in wasn't above last summer. I didn't do anything more, it was more coming in and trying to focus on the areas where I need to improve that help the team...so I spent a lot of time working on that and yes, that has helped quite a bit. I'm just feeling more comfortable out there already."

Jefferson also said that his work in the summer wasn't about doing anything better, but just being more consistent and accurate. Hopefully Spurs fans will see it when the Spurs play their first preseason game against the Rockets on Thursday.