Durant provides offensive, defensive lift in S&D effort

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Tim Griffin

Kevin Durant’s offensive abilities are well-known across the NBA after leading the league in scoring three times during his career.

But his underrated skills as a defender are among the main reasons why Oklahoma City made a dramatic comeback Wednesday night. Durant’s late heroics fueled the Thunder’s 77-75 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Durant scored a game-high 22 points, including the go-ahead basket with 18 seconds left to punctuate a Thunder rally that saw them score the final nine points of the game. He also had a big steal from Kobe Bryant that was critical in the Oklahoma City victory, boosting them to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

”People talk about how I score the ball,” Durant told the Associated Press. ”They don’t look at me when we go on the other end. I think this whole playoff run, I’ve been picking it up on the defensive end.”

Oklahoma City trailed by seven with 2 minutes left before the late charge with several key defensive stops to seal the victory.

The Lakers came up empty on their final possession when Steve Blake missed an open 3-pointer from the right side with about 5 seconds left. That shot came after Metta World Peace failed to get the ball to Bryant on the inbounds play. 

”They won’t quit. That’s not in their DNA,” Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks told the AP.  ”They’re not wired that way and if they were, they wouldn’t be here. We’re not going to win every game, but we’re going to fight to the last second of the game and we did that tonight.

”If we would have gotten down on ourselves with 2 minutes to go, we would have lost by 12 and we would go to L.A. 1-1.”

Instead, the Thunder can sweep the Lakers with back-to-back victories Friday and Saturday at the Staples Center.

STUDS

Boston F Kevin Garnett: Went for 27 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and was plus-27 in the Celtics’ victory at Philadelphia.

Boston F Paul Pierce: Notched 24 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals and was plus-13 in the Celtics’ triumph at the Sixers.

Boston G Rajon Rondo: Produced 23 points, six rebounds, 14 assists and was plus-15 in the Celtics’ triumph at the Sixers.

Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant: Went for 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in the Thunder’s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Philadelphia F Thaddeus Young: Came off the bench to score a team-leading 22 points in the Sixers’ loss to Boston.  

DUDS

Philadelphia G Evan Turner: Clanked through a 1-for-10 shooting night and was minus-6 in the Sixers’ loss to the Celtics.

Los Angeles Lakers F Metta World Peace: Went 2-for-10 from the field with two turnovers and was minus-3 in the Lakers’ loss to the Thunder.

Philadelphia C Spencer Hawes: Went 2 for 8 from the field with two turnovers and was minus-13 in the Sixers’ loss to the Celtics.

Popovich finishes among top-10 highest paid coaches

Source: Project Spurs

There is no doubt San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has made a tremendous impact on the franchise since becoming the coach in 1996.

He has guided the franchise to four NBA titles, won the NBA Coach of the Year twice, is the longest tenured head coach in all of the big four sports, and owns an overall .680 winning percentage in the regular season.

In this shortened season, Pop also help guide the Spurs to the best record in the Western Conference and a 15-game winning streak which includes a sweep of the Utah Jazz in the first-round of the playoffs. All of which led to Pop being named the 2011-12 NBA Coach of the Year.

And it is this kind of winning atmosphere is why he is paid the big bucks by Spurs owner Peter Holt -- $6 million to be exact -- and it is because of this Popovich ranks among the top-10 highest paid coaches.

Pop finished sixth overall (second to Celtics' Doc Rivers) among the highest paid coaches in pro sports.

Safe to say he has earned every penny and continues to this season as the Spurs are up 1-0 in their semi finals matchup with the Clippers.

Clippers vs Spurs Game 2: San Antonio Will Keep Winning and Fly Under-the-Radar

Source: Bleacher Report

Gregg Popovich is the Sandman.

The head coach’s San Antonio Spurs lull opponents to sleep year in and year out with methodical offense and dedicated defense. This season is no different. But despite the lack of hype surrounding the streaking squad, they’ll continue to give nightmares to teams that do doze off on them.

San Antonio is rolling. The Los Angeles Clippers just happened to be the team in their path. Therefore, LA is about to get flattened.

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin made the Clips a popular second-round upset pick for the common NBA fan. But no one in their right mind predicted the Spurs’ season to end this early. They’re simply the superior ball club.

According to ESPN, Manu Ginobli talked about Tony Parker’s adjustment from being a scorer to distributor after their Game 1 win:

“He didn't score, but he got 11 assists. That's who we are. Sometimes it's not going to be him.”

Sometimes it's not going to be him—and that’s exactly why the Spurs are so dangerous. They are the best team in the entire league.

Parker was an MVP candidate this season. How many teams are capable of blowing out an opponent by 16 points on a night when their best player goes 1-9 from the field? One: San Antonio—that’s it.

Ginobli is balding, but he isn’t showing age on the court. He blew up for 22 in points on Tuesday and continues to be the league’s premier sixth man.

Athletic is one of the worst adjectives in the English dictionary that you could use to describe Tim Duncan, but physical freaks Griffin and DeAndre Jordan can’t touch him. He dropped 26 points and hauled in 10 boards in the Spurs’ victory. San Antonio won’t get those massive numbers out of him every night, but he’s still one of the NBA’s most efficient big men.

When the Spurs’ Big Three was on the court, they outscored the Clippers by 21 points. But being top-heavy isn’t even their strength. They’re the deepest team in the league.

Daniel Green and Kawhi Leonard are solid defenders that injected much-needed youth into the Spurs’ starting lineup this season. Boris Diaw and Steven Jackson were late additions that provide incredible value within their roles. Tiago Splitter and DeJuan Blair provide a physical presence in the paint while Gary Neal and Matt Bonner spread the floor with deadly range.

Los Angeles doesn't boast that type of depth. No one does. And with fatigue being a factor in this condensed NBA schedule, San Antonio possesses a physical edge over the opposition because of that depth.

San Antonio didn't just sneak by for the best regular season record in the league. They blew out teams at a higher rate than the Miami Heat.

They swept the Utah Jazz. And it wouldn’t be shocking if they reach for the broom again against the Clippers. While everyone is salivating over the Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder as the top championship contenders, San Antonio will continue to keep winning basketball games and keep flying under the radar.

 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels

Read more San Antonio Spurs news on BleacherReport.com

Woodland Hills student runs afoul with ‘Red Rocket’ hairstyle

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Tim Griffin

Having Matt Bonner in your rotation is very good, especially for the Spurs.

But having an image of Matt Bonner shaved into your head apparently isn’t so good, especially for a young Spurs fan who has run into conflict with administrators of the Judson School District because of his unique tonsorial tribute to the Spurs forward.

KABB reports that Woodland Hills Middle School student Patrick Gonzalez faces an in-school suspension today if his style isn’t fixed.

Bonner’s unique and quirky behavior, along with his strength as one of the NBA’s best perimeter shooters, has made him a fan favorite among many in Spurs Nation.

I’m sure Bonner hopes that he’s not an instigator of truancy or bad behavior. His mother is an elementary school teacher back home in Concord, N.H.  

Bonner was the keynote speaker to the graduating class at his old high school last June. He graduated from the University of Florida with a 3.96 grade point average and was a two-time Verizon Academic All-American in basketball while there. There can’t be many better educational/athletic role models for a young student to aspire to be.

But at the same time, I bet Bonner is a little bemused that his image has been trimmed into the back of a fan’s head.

Here’s a link to KABB reporter Grace White’s story on Gonzalez’s battle with the Judson ISD over his unique tribute to “The Red Rocket” shaved into his own red hair.

Clippers vs. Spurs Game 2: San Antonio Will Keep Winning and Fly Under-the-Radar

Source: Bleacher Report

Gregg Popovich is the Sandman.

The head coach’s San Antonio Spurs lull opponents to sleep year in and year out with methodical offense and dedicated defense. This season is no different. But despite the lack of hype surrounding the streaking squad, they’ll continue to give nightmares to teams that do doze off on them.

San Antonio is rolling. The Los Angeles Clippers just happened to be the team in their path. Therefore, LA is about to get flattened.

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin made the Clips a popular second-round upset pick for the common NBA fan. But no one in their right mind predicted the Spurs’ season to end this early. They’re simply the superior ball club.

According to ESPN, Manu Ginobli talked about Tony Parker’s adjustment from being a scorer to distributor after their Game 1 win:

“He didn't score, but he got 11 assists. That's who we are. Sometimes it's not going to be him.”

Sometimes it's not going to be him—and that’s exactly why the Spurs are so dangerous. They are the best team in the entire league.

Parker was an MVP candidate this season. How many teams are capable of blowing out an opponent by 16 points on a night when their best player goes 1-9 from the field? One: San Antonio—that’s it.

Ginobli is balding, but he isn’t showing age on the court. He blew up for 22 in points on Tuesday and continues to be the league’s premier sixth man.

Athletic is one of the worst adjectives in the English dictionary that you could use to describe Tim Duncan, but physical freaks Griffin and DeAndre Jordan can’t touch him. He dropped 26 points and hauled in 10 boards in the Spurs’ victory. San Antonio won’t get those massive numbers out of him every night, but he’s still one of the NBA’s most efficient big men.

When the Spurs’ Big Three was on the court, they outscored the Clippers by 21 points. But being top-heavy isn’t even their strength. They’re the deepest team in the league.

Daniel Green and Kawhi Leonard are solid defenders that injected much-needed youth into the Spurs’ starting lineup this season. Boris Diaw and Steven Jackson were late additions that provide incredible value within their roles. Tiago Splitter and DeJuan Blair provide a physical presence in the paint while Gary Neal and Matt Bonner spread the floor with deadly range.

Los Angeles doesn't boast that type of depth. No one does. And with fatigue being a factor in this condensed NBA schedule, San Antonio possesses a physical edge over the opposition because of that depth.

San Antonio didn't just sneak by for the best regular season record in the league. They blew out teams at a higher rate than the Miami Heat.

They swept the Utah Jazz. And it wouldn’t be shocking if they reach for the broom again against the Clippers. While everyone is salivating over the Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder as the top championship contenders, San Antonio will continue to keep winning basketball games and keep flying under the radar.

 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels

Read more San Antonio Spurs news on BleacherReport.com

NBA Playoffs 2012: Spurs Bench Key to Championship Aspirations

Source: Bleacher Report

The San Antonio Spurs have 11 players who played 10-plus minutes per game this season. Of those players, 10 of them averaged at least five points per contest. 

To put it simply, the Spurs bench is the key to their championship dreams. It separates them from every remaining playoff team because of its size and productivity. 

Sometimes coaches like to cut down their rotation when the playoffs roll around. Gregg Popovich is not one of those people. 

The Spurs are still playing 10 guys at least 10 minutes per night. San Antonio's age is negated by this and their experience is able to shine through. 

San Antonio brings quality scorers off the bench in Stephen Jackson, Gary Neal and Tiago Splitter. Not to mention veteran shooting guard, Manu Ginobili.

All of these players average at least seven points per game with Ginobili averaging a little over 11 per contest.

Let's take a look at San Antonio's bench compared to their biggest title threats, Miami and Oklahoma City.

 

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Spurs will face the Thunder in the Western Conference finals barring an unforeseen change in attitude from the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Thunder's bench receives a major boost from the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year, James Harden. Harden is a legitimate threat to score 20 points every night. He comes off the bench but is essentially a sixth starter at this point.

Oklahoma City brings the likes of Daequan Cook off the bench in the backcourt. Nazr Mohammed, Cole Aldrich and Nick Collison relieve Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka in the frontcourt.

The Thunder do not have the quality bench San Antonio has. Kevin Durant does not have a reliable backup and either does Russell Westbrook. Most of the time these two do not need subs but situations change against tougher teams. 

The Spurs will win the bench battle against the Thunder. They bring quality players off the bench at every position.

 

Miami Heat

The Spurs are facing a potential matchup with the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals.

Miami's bench needs to play a more important role with Chris Bosh's injury. However, they are not loaded with skilled reserve players. 

The Heat started Ronny Turiaf in Game 2 against the Pacers, but he is a bench quality player. He and Joel Anthony are the Heat's sole frontcourt options off the bench. 

Neither are very skilled, but provide some athleticism. 

Mike Miller and Shane Battier add depth on the wing. Both play good defense and are quality perimeter scorers.

Other than that, the Heat bring Norris Cole, James Jones and occasionally Juwan Howard off their bench in certain situations.

Miami is largely a three-man show, or a two-man show with Bosh's currently ailing. Their bench does not need to play a huge role when everything is going according to planned. 

San Antonio's methodical approach will slow down Miami's starters. When the series turns into a bench battle the Spurs depth will take over.

Read more San Antonio Spurs news on BleacherReport.com

San Antonio Spurs Thursday Links

Source: Air Alamo by Quixem Ramirez

San Antonio Spurs Thursday Links - Air Alamo - Air Alamo - A San Antonio Spurs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

How Stephen Jackson Is Already Making a Difference for the San Antonio Spurs

Source: Bleacher Report

The deadline deal that went down—sending Stephen Jackson from the Golden State Warriors to the San Antonio Spurs—has been a key acquisition. With Manu Ginobili having an injury-plagued season, Jackson provided extra depth at the shooting guard and small forward positions.

While the move was known to be important if they wished to win the championship, few could have predicted the impact Jackson would make for the team.

Known for being a hot-head, many wondered whether Jackson's bad-boy persona would destroy the Spurs' low-key style. He tended to be selfish during the beginning of the season, which he spent in Milwaukee. 

These negative attributes masked his true talents and prevented him from reaching his full potential with the Bucks. That attitude, however, proved to be a blessing for San Antonio—and Jackson himself.

Due to his on-court issues, Jackson found himself riding the bench for long periods of time. His attitude also was the key reason for his shifting teams in mid-March.

Any qualms that San Antonio fans had about taking in Jackson and his notorious attitude were quickly put to rest, as Jackson not only left his bad-boy persona in Milwaukee, but used this opportunity as a chance to be a vital contributor on a contending team.

The biggest thing that Jackson brought to the Spurs was, surprisingly, his passing ability. Despite his tendency for chucking up low-quality shots throughout the majority of his career, he soon found himself distributing the ball at a rate which surprised everybody.

Often, he would receive the ball beyond the arc, but instead if forcing a contended three, he made the extra pass in order to increase the quality of the attempt.

This has been key in San Antonio's offense, as their ball movement—due to their outstanding passers at every position—deceived defenses and often led to open threes or clear lanes.

However, his role has not merely been to distribute. Jackson is one of the team's top shooters, and their overall dominance from downtown has been one of the key aspects to their success.

His defense too is a huge advantage over Richard Jefferson, as Jackson's tall frame—6'8''—allows him to guard players of positions ranging from the 1 to the 4. While the Spurs have been an offensive-oriented team thus far into the playoffs, the occasional stop at the hands of Captain Jack has been important.

However, neither his defense, passing or scoring has been his best quality since joining San Antonio. While Jackson's attitude has been a liability for other teams, there are some positives that come with it.

His level of competitiveness has been something that the team needed, and his ability to add energy and pace to the game is one of the main reasons for the Spurs' postseason dominance. Tim Duncan once called Jackson the "ultimate teammate" due to his ability to be there for you on and off the court.

Since Jackson joined the squad, the Spurs have gone 27-3 (regular and postseason combined). Clearly, he is doing something right. Down the road, he may lead the Spurs to a fifth championship.

Read more San Antonio Spurs news on BleacherReport.com

Playoff Round 2 Game 2 Preview: Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs

Source: Pounding The Rock by The Big Fundamental

San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Clippers GAME 2 - AT&T Center
May 17, 8:30 p.m. Spurs Time
TV: ESPN - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI

I have never really wanted "nice" things. It started when I was a child. I would be content within the confines of the box that contained my toy rather than, you know, the actual toy. The box never ceased to entertain, it's square frame eliciting numerous possibilities which, at the time, seemed endless. (Yeah, I was a weird kid.) I feel that same basic methodology applies to the Clippers fan base. They were

Game 1 Thoughts

Source: Pounding The Rock by Aaronstampler

Because I don't have much to do right now and there's no way I can just watch this Celtics-Sixers game without bludgeoning myself.

First off, if you don't recognize that Boris Diaw was the MVP of Game 1, I've got no time for you. Simple as that.

I mean, good lord was he awesome. The individual defense on Blake Griffin. The rotations on defense to snuff all their pick-and-rolls and backdoor cuts. His awesome board work on both ends. His timely cuts on offense. The high post passing that absolutely RUINED the Clippers

Duties of Parker, Paul different for Spurs, L.A.

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Jeff McDonald

As every parent knows, life is about teachable moments.

Chris Paul found one of them at the AT&T Center late Tuesday night, not long after the Spurs had put a 108-92 hurting on his Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

“Good game, Daddy,” Paul’s 2-year-old son, Chris, told him.

“No, bad game,” Paul corrected, still stinging from a 3-for-12 shooting effort. “Daddy had a bad game. Daddy couldn’t make a shot.”

On one level, the point guard in the other locker room could relate.

The Spurs’ Tony Parker made just one more basket than Chris Paul Jr. in Game 1 and missed eight.

Yet when Spurs players and coaches insist Parker’s first go-round against Paul in the series was good enough, he doesn’t disagree.

“From the beginning of the game, they wanted to take me out, trapping me and forcing me to give the ball up,” said Parker, who turns 30 today. “If they want to use that strategy, I’m pretty confident in my teammates to know they’re going to make shots consistently.”

That’s where the respective tasks of the two All-Star point guards diverge tonight.

Unless Paul improves his woeful shooting in Game 2, the Clippers stand little chance of evening the series. The Spurs, meanwhile, have already proved they can win by double digits despite a one-basket night from their leading scorer.

Though he recorded a playoff-low seven points in Game 1, Parker produced 11 assists, his most in a postseason game since doling out 12 in an elimination loss to Dallas in the 2009 first round.

In stretches, Parker was (as L.A.’s Caron Butler calls him) “the maestro,” orchestrating the superb ball movement that helped the Spurs match a club playoff record with 13 3-pointers.

“He was important in us winning the basketball game,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Good players take what’s given and make their teams better. Tony did that.”

In an odd sort of opening to a much-anticipated showcase of otherworldly point guards, Paul produced a line nearly identical to Parker’s — six points, 10 assists and five steals negated by five turnovers.

Boxed in by the Spurs’ defensive game plan, Paul mustered his lowest-scoring postseason effort since 2009. Even Paul’s toddler couldn’t convince him he’d had a good night.

It proved an ominous harbinger for the Clippers, who have won just once this postseason when Paul contributes fewer than 19 points.

“We need Chris to be aggressive and control tempo and just be Chris Paul,” Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said.

Complicating Paul’s bid to impersonate himself are nagging hip and groin injuries that tend to limit his explosion. Paul acknowledges he is not 100 percent but refuses to accept that alibi for a sub-par Game 1.

“I’ve got to come out and have a better game,” Paul said.

The notion of what constitutes an acceptable game from a starting point guard varies with each team.

L.A. can’t surround Paul with the stable of scoring outlets the Spurs have offered Parker.

In truth, Paul was probably flanked by better talent in New Orleans in 2008, when he took a supporting cast of David West, Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic and pushed the defending champion Spurs to seven games.

Parker, meanwhile, is surrounded by the kind of depth that allows the Spurs to prosper even when he’s largely absent from the scoring column.

With Parker absorbing the defensive focus in Game 1, Tim Duncan had 26 points, his most in the playoffs in three years. Manu Ginobili had 22 off the bench, his highest total this postseason. Kawhi Leonard notched 16 points and Danny Green 15.

It’s a formula the Spurs believe they can win with, so long as Parker continues to make proper decisions.

“I know he’s going to do the right thing and keep doing what works,” center Boris Diaw said. “So if they’re still playing him this way and double team, he’s going to still pass the ball.”

And so it was in Game 1: Two All-Star point guards. Two similar box score lines.

Only one satisfied with the outcome.

“All I care about is for the Spurs to win,” Parker said. “That’s the most important thing.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Buck Harvey: Del Negro as a career Spur — what he missed

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Buck Harvey

In the hours after the 1999 championship, David Robinson and Avery Johnson talked about everything.

Their path together. Their joy. Maybe even the Knicks.

And at some point, they wished someone else was there, someone who had played with them the previous six seasons. Someone they liked.

Far away from Manhattan that night, Vinny Del Negro likely missed them even more.

Del Negro moved on. He’s been associated with five other NBA franchises since leaving San Antonio. And when he was introduced Tuesday night with his fifth at the AT&T Center, the crowd responded as if he were just another faceless, opposing coach.

But all of it could have been different, and this begins with 1999. By then, Del Negro had secured a place with the franchise, starting on a series of teams that won a lot of regular-season games. Waiting for the lockout to end, Del Negro played in Italy while his agent tried to work out a new contract with the Spurs.

Gregg Popovich was scrambling in the days after the lockout to rebuild his roster, and not everyone was happy with his decisions. Monty Williams, now a rising star as the New Orleans coach, left in disgust when Popovich tried to put him into a sign-and-trade.

Popovich had an agenda. He wanted to get tougher and find shooters who could stretch the floor. That’s why he planned to go after Mario Elie.

This speaks to what Popovich thought of Del Negro. He was never exactly Popovich’s kind of player; he was closer to being Bob Hill’s.

But Del Negro would have been a handy backup. He could have played with either Johnson or Elie, and he had a touch with the pick-and-roll.

“He was one of the best at it,” Popovich said this week. “He knew how the spatial relationships worked.”

Del Negro struggled with the spatial relationship between his toes and the 3-point line. Still, if he wasn’t the ideal spread-the-floor candidate, he was a solid shooter.

But Popovich backed off when Del Negro’s agent, a former player named Jack Marin, asked for a pricey deal. When that news leaked, Del Negro was initially furious with Popovich.

“Hurt … angry,” Del Negro told an Express-News columnist. “There has been maliciousness. I hated the way I was made out to look greedy.”

Marin’s version of what happened: Popovich had told him to come in high with his offer and, according to the columnist, “Make an offer that makes you look like an idiot and me look like a hero.”

That didn’t make sense then, and it makes less now. After all, how many times in the past decade has Popovich been accused of playing these kinds of games?

Del Negro doesn’t want to talk about that now. But those close to him say once he understood the facts, he blamed Marin, not Popovich.

His current relationship with Popovich supports as much. As it is with Williams, Del Negro considers Popovich a friend and mentor.

No matter the details, Del Negro was left behind in 1999. Popovich traded for Steve Kerr instead, and Kerr’s championship credentials made him a locker-room anchor. Several Spurs later thought he was invaluable this way.

Still, Kerr didn’t do much on the floor until his second tour with the team. It’s logical to think Del Negro would have been more of a factor.

Del Negro likely thought the same. He knew how close the Spurs were and, as if it were a cruel tease, he was out just when they broke through.

But what if the contract issues had been resolved? What if Del Negro had played eight or nine seasons with the Spurs? What if he had been part of the first title, celebrating in the aftermath with Robinson and Johnson, and he had retired here?

He wouldn’t be just another faceless, opposing coach tonight.

Del Negro would be a career Spur.

bharvey@express-news.net

Twitter: @Buck_SA

Spurs notebook: Diaw limits Griffin’s boards, dunks

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Mike Monroe

Clippers forward Blake Griffin jumped over a car to win the dunk contest at the 2011 All-Star Game.

Spurs forward Boris Diaw would be hard-pressed to jump over a bicycle.

Somehow, the relatively earthbound Diaw managed to minimize Griffin’s effect on Game 1 of the Spurs-Clippers Western Conference semifinal.

Griffin needed 17 shots to score 15 points. He had only two offensive rebounds among the nine he grabbed in 28 minutes and 24 seconds.

Diaw, who grabbed a playoff career-high 12 rebounds, did his best to keep Griffin from getting close enough to the basket to dunk.

“Well, it’s not easy, of course,” Diaw said. “Everybody knows him, the way he’s playing. He’s very athletic, so I try to take some stuff away from him. The main thing with him is to try and keep him outside the paint because as soon as he’s in the paint, he can dunk from anywhere. So try to keep him out.”

Griffin is nursing a strained ligament in his left knee, so his edge in athleticism over Diaw has diminished, but he acknowledged Diaw’s bulk made it difficult for him to maneuver in Tuesday’s game.

“He’s a big body and knows how to use it well,” Griffin said. “As far as brute strength, he’s not like the strongest (power forwards), but he uses his body well and uses his weight well.”

Executives sweet: Spurs general manager R.C. Buford finished second and Clippers GM Neil Olshey third in voting by his peers for the annual Executive of the Year Award.

Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird won the award, receiving 12 first-place votes from the 30 basketball executive voters. Buford received eight first-place votes; Olshey got six first-place votes; Chicago GM Gar Forman received two and Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti and Heat president of basketball operations Pat Riley got one first-place vote each.

Bird has made something of a clean sweep of NBA honors, beginning with Rookie of the Year, which he won in 1979-80. He also has been Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year.

One of the moves that earned Bird the honor was a trade with the Spurs that helped both teams: The draft-night deal that sent guard George Hill to Indiana in exchange for the rights to the 15th pick in the draft, Kawhi Leonard. Both players are starters for two of the eight teams still in the running for this season’s title.

Though the Spurs have the league’s highest winning percentage in the 10 seasons Buford has served as general manager (71.1 percent), he never has won the Executive of the Year Award.

Painful day: Clippers reserve guard Nick Young admitted he was not looking forward to a visit he was to make Wednesday afternoon to a local dentist for a root canal procedure on a tooth he said had been aching for days.

“I’ve had root canal before,” he said. “It’s not fun, but the pain relief is worth it.”

mikemonroe@express-news.net

Twitter: @Monroe_SA

Clippers’ stars try to cure aches and pains

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Mike Monroe

A light practice session at the AT&T Center had concluded, and a few Los Angeles Clippers still on the court killed time while All-Star guard Chris Paul completed a physical therapy session that was more important than anything else they did to prepare for tonight’s Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.

All-Star forward Blake Griffin tried bouncing basketballs into a rack from 15 feet away, and when his version of Skee-Ball produced nothing but frustration, he kicked a ball high into the stands.

Players being players, this exercise soon became a quest. Challenged by teammates, Griffin vowed to kick a ball into the upper deck, failing on his first four tries.

Finally, the NBA’s leader in dunks carefully lobbed a ball ahead, with lots of backspin, took three long strides and caught it so powerfully with his right foot that it hit the banner commemorating Sean Elliott’s No. 32, retired by the Spurs in 2005.

What mattered most to the Clippers: Griffin’s plant leg, including his ailing left knee, held together through the kicks.

The health of Griffin’s left knee has become a major factor in the Clippers’ quest to advance farther in the playoffs than any time in franchise history. He suffered a sprain during Game 5 of their first-round series against the Grizzlies and hobbled through a Game 6 loss. He was on the bench for much of the fourth quarter when the Clippers won Game 7 to advance.

Griffin tried a new brace for Game 1 on Tuesday and scored 15 points, with nine rebounds, but admits the injury continues to limit him, especially as each game continues.

“To be honest, it’s just one of those things,” he said. “At the beginning, I feel like it’s going to feel great — well, not great, but better. Then I’ve just got to do a little better job of managing it so I have more left in the fourth (quarter) and the third, the second half, really.

“I’m just going to keep working. I tried a new brace last night, and it felt a little better, so I’ll keep doing those things and try to find any little thing that will help.”

What didn’t help was turning his left ankle in the second half Tuesday.

“The ankle is a little bit easier (to handle),” he said. “It’s really my knee. My ankle I’ve done before. It’s just a matter of playing through it. It just kind of adds to the issue.”

Paul is battling a strained groin and a hip flexor. Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro understands the limitations of his ailing stars but knows a playoff series is cruelly demanding.

“You can’t ignore (the injuries),” he said. “You’ve got to play through them. We have all the doctors and therapy we need, but it’s about rest therapy and the guys who are out there.

“Other than Chris and Blake, no one’s playing that many extensive minutes, and you have a day off between games now. So get your rest, know what we’re trying to do, get out there, and work your minutes and play hard, and we’ll go with the guys who give us the best rhythm out there on both ends of the floor that are healthy and it works, matchup-wise.”

mikemonroe@express-news.net

Spurs vs. Clippers: Game 2 keys to victory

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Jeff McDonald

Get to 100: Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro says his team doesn’t want to get into a track meet with the Spurs. They also don’t want to get into a shootout. Los Angeles has eclipsed 100 points just once in eight playoff games. If the Spurs — who are averaging 110.8 points during their 15-game winning streak — can again get into triple digits, you have to like their chances of making it 16 straight.

Corner them: During the regular season, the Clippers allowed an NBA-worst 42.9-percent accuracy rate on corner 3-pointers. It just so happens that the corner three is a staple of the Spurs’ offense. In Game 1, the Spurs went 3 of 5 from that spot en route to a 13-of-25 night from downtown. The Spurs will be hard-pressed to shoot as sharply in Game 2, but if they can finagle more attempts from the corners, they have a shot.

Work the glass: For the second series in a row, the Spurs are facing an opponent that should be controlling the glass against them, but isn’t. The Spurs outrebounded the Clippers 47-34 in Game 1, including an 11-8 edge on the offensive glass. The Clippers’ half-court offense relies heavily on those second opportunities. In Game 1, the Spurs made sure they didn’t get them.

Series at a glance: Western Conference semifinals

Game 1: May 15 @Spurs 108, Clippers 92
Recap: Duncan’s 26 points, 10 rebounds help erase concerns of long layoff.

Game 2: Today Clippers @Spurs 8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350 (Spurs lead 1-0)

Game 3: Saturday Spurs @Clippers 2:30 p.m.
TV: ABC Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350

Game 4: Sunday Spurs @Clippers 9:30 p.m.
TV: TNT Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350

*Game 5: Tuesday Clippers @Spurs TBD
TV: TNT Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350

*Game 6: May 25 Spurs @Clippers TBD
TV: ESPN Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350

*Game 7: May 27 Clippers @Spurs TBD
TV: TNT Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350

* — As needed in best-of-7 series

Video: James Harden exacts revenge

Source: Air Alamo by Quixem Ramirez

Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden exacted his revenge on Metta World Peace after his elbow inadvertently connected on Peace’s face late in the first quarter. Now, they are even.

visit site to read more]

Video: James Harden exacts revenge - Air Alamo - Air Alamo - A San Antonio Spurs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

The Spurs Are As Fun (And As Boring) As You Decide They Are

Source: Pounding The Rock by Edg5

Fun is overrated; at least it is insofar as the idea of it being something that can provide lasting joy. In Spanish the word for fun is "diversion". We need fun stuff to allow us to not think; if we think about the things that really matter all the time, we'd go insane. Don't get me wrong, fun is fine. But at its very core it's nothing more than a fleeting distraction.

A more lasting way of enjoyment, and one that in my eyes gives meaning to a person's life, is to look for more nuanced ways of distraction; ones that don't necessarily have immediate payoff and that make us work for them. I watched The Avengers a couple of days ago and had a whole lot of fun for the

2012 NBA Playoffs TV Schedule for Thursday, May 17 (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The 2012 NBA Playoffs schedule for Thursday, May 17 will feature two games. On May 16, the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder each moved one step towards the next round with wins over their respective opponents. Which of these four teams playing on Thursday will win the next game of their respective series?

Kid shaves Bonner's face on his head, faces suspension

Source: Pounding The Rock by Big50

Kid shaves Bonner's face on his head, faces suspension

"You hear that, Texas schoolchildren? Whether you support spurs or cowboys or even Spurs or Cowboys (two teams that obviously play against each other several times a year for the World Finals of Stanley Bowls), shaving a rather benign image of a fan friendly forward that wears New Balance sneakers during pro basketball games seems like the least offensive infraction we can possibly imagine."

Awesome.

Diaw limits Griffin’s boards, dunks

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Spurs Nation

Clippers forward Blake Griffin jumped over a car to win the dunk contest at the 2011 All-Star Game.

Spurs forward Boris Diaw would be hard-pressed to jump over a bicycle.

Somehow, the relatively earthbound Diaw managed to minimize Griffin's effect on Game 1 of the Spurs-Clippers Western Conference semifinal.

Griffin needed 17 shots to score 15 points. He had only two offensive rebounds among the nine he grabbed in 28 minutes and 24 seconds.

Diaw, who grabbed a playoff career-high 12 rebounds, did his best to keep Griffin from getting close enough to the basket to dunk.

“Well, it's not easy, of course,” Diaw said. “Everybody knows him, the way he's playing. He's very athletic, so I try to take some stuff away from him. The main thing with him is to try and keep him outside the paint because as soon as he's in the paint, he can dunk from anywhere. So try to keep him out.”

Griffin is nursing a strained ligament in his left knee, so his edge in athleticism over Diaw has diminished, but he acknowledged Diaw's bulk made it difficult for him to maneuver in Tuesday's game.

“He's a big body and knows how to use it well,” Griffin said. “As far as brute strength, he's not like the strongest (power forwards), but he uses his body well and uses his weight well.”

Executives sweet: Spurs general manager R.C. Buford finished second and Clippers GM Neil Olshey third in voting by his peers for the annual Executive of the Year Award.

Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird won the award, receiving 12 first-place votes from the 30 basketball executive voters. Buford received eight first-place votes; Olshey got six first-place votes; Chicago GM Gar Forman received two and Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti and Heat president of basketball operations Pat Riley got one first-place vote each.

Bird has made something of a clean sweep of NBA honors, beginning with Rookie of the Year, which he won in 1979-80. He also has been Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year.

One of the moves that earned Bird the honor was a trade with the Spurs that helped both teams: The draft-night deal that sent guard George Hill to Indiana in exchange for the rights to the 15th pick in the draft, Kawhi Leonard. Both players are starters for two of the eight teams still in the running for this season's title.

Though the Spurs have the league's highest winning percentage in the 10 seasons Buford has served as general manager (71.1 percent), he never has won the Executive of the Year Award.

Painful day: Clippers reserve guard Nick Young admitted he was not looking forward to a visit he was to make Wednesday afternoon to a local dentist for a root canal procedure on a tooth he said had been aching for days.

“I've had root canal before,” he said. “It's not fun, but the pain relief is worth it.”

mikemonroe

@express-news.net

Twitter: @Monroe_SA

Clippers’ stars try to cure aches and pains

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Spurs Nation

A light practice session at the AT&T Center had concluded, and a few Los Angeles Clippers still on the court killed time while All-Star guard Chris Paul completed a physical therapy session that was more important than anything else they did to prepare for tonight's Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.

All-Star forward Blake Griffin tried bouncing basketballs into a rack from 15 feet away, and when his version of Skee-Ball produced nothing but frustration, he kicked a ball high into the stands.

Players being players, this exercise soon became a quest. Challenged by teammates, Griffin vowed to kick a ball into the upper deck, failing on his first four tries.

Finally, the NBA's leader in dunks carefully lobbed a ball ahead, with lots of backspin, took three long strides and caught it so powerfully with his right foot that it hit the banner commemorating Sean Elliott's No. 32, retired by the Spurs in 2005.

What mattered most to the Clippers: Griffin's plant leg, including his ailing left knee, held together through the kicks.

The health of Griffin's left knee has become a major factor in the Clippers' quest to advance farther in the playoffs than any time in franchise history. He suffered a sprain during Game 5 of their first-round series against the Grizzlies and hobbled through a Game 6 loss. He was on the bench for much of the fourth quarter when the Clippers won Game 7 to advance.

Griffin tried a new brace for Game 1 on Tuesday and scored 15 points, with nine rebounds, but admits the injury continues to limit him, especially as each game continues.

“To be honest, it's just one of those things,” he said. “At the beginning, I feel like it's going to feel great — well, not great, but better. Then I've just got to do a little better job of managing it so I have more left in the fourth (quarter) and the third, the second half, really.

“I'm just going to keep working. I tried a new brace last night, and it felt a little better, so I'll keep doing those things and try to find any little thing that will help.”

What didn't help was turning his left ankle in the second half Tuesday.

“The ankle is a little bit easier (to handle),” he said. “It's really my knee. My ankle I've done before. It's just a matter of playing through it. It just kind of adds to the issue.”

Paul is battling a strained groin and a hip flexor. Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro understands the limitations of his ailing stars but knows a playoff series is cruelly demanding.

“You can't ignore (the injuries),” he said. “You've got to play through them. We have all the doctors and therapy we need, but it's about rest therapy and the guys who are out there.

“Other than Chris and Blake, no one's playing that many extensive minutes, and you have a day off between games now. So get your rest, know what we're trying to do, get out there, and work your minutes and play hard, and we'll go with the guys who give us the best rhythm out there on both ends of the floor that are healthy and it works, matchup-wise.”

mikemonroe

@express-news.net

Spurs' Buford finishes second in Executive of the Year voting

Source: Project Spurs

The 2011-12 San Antonio Spurs team is stacked and their depth is staggering. From rookie Kawhi Leonard, the "Big 3," to having Stephen Jackson, Manu Ginobili, Boris Diaw, Tiago Splitter, Gary Neal come off the bench, there is no doubt San Antonio's roster can be intimidating for any opposing team. Much of this is due to Spurs GM R.C. Buford.

Buford was able to create a roster which has allowed the Spurs to capture the best record in the Western Conference and own a 15-game winning streak which includes a sweep of the Jazz in the first-round of the playoffs.

However, all this success wasn't good enough as Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird won the 2011-12 NBA Executive of the Year with R.C. coming in second in the voting.

Bird set the tone for the 2011-12 season by naming Frank Vogel, who had served in an interim capacity for 46 games during the 2010-11 season, head coach on July 6, 2011. He added to an already strong nucleus by signing David West in December, and beefed up the Pacers' bench by trading for Lou Amundson and Leandro Barbosa. Indiana's draft picks under Bird's watch have included three key contributors on this year's team: Paul George (2010), Tyler Hansbrough (2009), and Roy Hibbert (2008).

Duncan’s rivalry with Garnett detailed in SI article

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Tim Griffin

Spurs captain Tim Duncan is the subject of  a fascinating cover story in the most recent Sports Illustrated that started showing up in mailboxes across South Texas Wednesday morning.

It is the fourth time that Duncan has been a cover subject for the venerable weekly sports magazine since joining the Spurs.

The article, written by veteran SI staffer Chris Ballard, details some interesting glimpses about Duncan. It is written in the form of providing 21 different anecdotes about him. 

In it, Ballard calls Duncan “arguably the greatest player of his generation”  and “inarguably the most successful” after four NBA titles.

The most interesting part  of the article details what Mannix entitled “His Buddy KG.”

In it, Mannix quotes sources who claim that Duncan “hates Kevin Garnett. Hates him the way that liberals hate Sean Hannity.”

Sources tell Mannix that Garnett has made a career of attempting to “punk Duncan, baiting him and slapping him and whispering really weird smack into his ear.”

Of course, most people in the NBA know that an angry Duncan is perhaps the most dangerous way he can play for opposing teams.

Through the years, Duncan has averaged 19.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and the Spurs are 44-17 against Garnett’s teams, including the postseason.

Mannix asked Duncan for the story if it might be that he and Garnett actually have a kinship like the one that legendary NBA players Magic Johnson and Larry Bird once had.

And this is the reaction: “Duncan leans back on the couch of the hotel room and grins. There is a pause. A longer pause. Finally, he says, “Define kinship.”

Maybe it’s me, but after reading the story, am I the only one who would think a San Antonio-Boston NBA Finals series would be especially delicious this season?

The magazine is available at most local newsstands and online for free for Sports Illustrated subscribers. It’s must reading for Spurs Nation.

Shaving a picture of Matt Bonner in his head could net a young Spurs fan an in-school suspension (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

A young San Antonio Spurs fan faces an in-school suspension on Thursday if he doesn't somehow find a way to alter the image of Matt Bonner that was shaved into the back of his head. You read the previous sentence correctly. The Spurs forward, who is averaging just 14.6 minutes per game in the postseason, has apparently made such an impact on Woodlake Hills Middle School student Patrick Gonzalez that the youngster decided to have a hairstylist shave an image of the Spurs sharpshooter into the back of his haircut. Via Tas Melas , here's the image that has the principals at Woodlake Hills Middle School in righteous fear of the apparently inevitable anarchy and lawlessness in the school halls that will result if Gonzalez comes to school on Thursday without changing the haircut: Because the image is so threatening, and so severe, if the style isn't "fixed" by Thursday, Gonzalez will have to take in an in-school suspension (the worst of all suspensions, because you don't get to go home and watch TV), because that seems very rational and fair to all the children. Here's the story, from Grace White at FOX 29 :

Tony Parker - Practice

Source: NBA.com

Coach Pop - Practice

Source: NBA.com

Boris Diaw - Practice

Source: NBA.com

Kawhi Leonard - Practice

Source: NBA.com

Leonard Finishes Fourth in Rookie Voting

Source: NBA.com

Spurs Forward Kawhi Leonard Finishes Fourth in Voting

Spurs fan gets Matt Bonner shaved into hair and it is glorious

Source: Project Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are marching through the playoffs and making short work of the competition. So of course, Spurs fans are showing their love for the men in black and silver by wearing Spurs jerseys, decorating their cars, or perhaps painting their face with the Spurs' logo.

Then there are the super fans who will do anything and everything to show their Spurs pride.

As we reported, one fan got a pretty cool face of Tony Parker shaved into his hair but this tops even the TP haircut. How about a Spurs fan getting Matt Bonner's image shave into his hair! And the fan is even a red-head like "The Red Rocket."

(photo: KABB Fox 29, San Antonio)

How awesome is that Spurs fans? Seriously, that has to be on the Mount Rushmore of all haircuts ever done to someone's head.

Personally, I would never do this, but what do you have to say Spurs fans? Does this kid deserve a round of applause for showing his Bonner fandom? And I got to ask, would you ever get a Spurs player's face etched on your head?

Kentucky's Davis compared to Tim Duncan

Source: Project Spurs

With a little over one month before the 2012 NBA Draft, there's little guesswork involved in figuring out who the number one pick will be.

That should be of little surprise when Kentucky's Anthony Davis is being compared to San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan.

At worst, he is compared favorably with Marcus Camby and Tyson Chandler. At best, the name Tim Duncan rolls off some scouts' tongues.

The only question NBA scouts have about him is whether he'll run into trouble early in his pro career with the league's bigger, stronger power forwards.

The freshman power forward averaged 14.3 points, 10 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per game on his way to leading the Wildcats to a National Championship.

While Davis has plenty to prove before the comparison to Duncan is truly deserved, he's received other strong comparisons to make him one player to watch next season, especially if Duncan and Davis square off next season.

Clippers-Spurs Preview (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

SAN ANTONIO (AP) Hours before turning 30 years old, Tony Parker grinned Wednesday as though his lowest-scoring playoff game since his early twenties was an early birthday gift from the Los Angeles Clippers.

Spurs’ R.C. Buford finishes second in 2011-12 Executive of the Year

Source: Air Alamo by Quixem Ramirez

Spurs’ R.C. Buford finishes second in 2011-12 Executive of the Year - Air Alamo - Air Alamo - A San Antonio Spurs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Clippers Can Still Win This Series: Fan Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

I am going to stay optimistic about the Los Angeles Clippers. Granted, I am also realistic, and I know that the San Antonio Spurs are the better team on paper. The Spurs are experienced, deep and built for the playoffs. I wouldn't put a lot of money on the Clippers, but I still believe that they can play with this team. Game 1 was a very definitive Spurs victory, but there are signs that point to the possibility that the Clips could still pull off some wins.

Popovich should be Team USA's coach in waiting

Source: Project Spurs

With the college basketball season and most of the recruiting process over, Duke University Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski is now in full Team USA mode.  The man who has been at the helm of USA Basketball's rebirth feels confident that 2012 will play out much like 2008 in Beijing did, but according to ESPN's Marc Stein, he's even more certain that this is will be his last go around with the world's best athletes.

"I think this is the last time. I hope we can win the gold medal."

Coach K has been spectacular for Team USA.  Having a guy with his coaching skills (not to mention the extra time off to game plan) was exactly what Team USA needed to get back to being the dominant force in international play.  Now that he's stepping away, it's time for another military grad to take the reigns of the team: San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.  Pop's hold everyone accountable coaching style is similar to Coach K's and seems to be one of the few ways to get stars to work together with a common goal in mind.  He has Team USA experience, though most would like to pretend that 2004 in Athens didn't happen, and he has the name recognition to get his players' attention.

However, there's already a problem according to this tweet by Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wednesday 5/16 Loser Thread

Source: Pounding The Rock by Tim C.

Good evening, fellow Pounders! We're all obviously happy that the Spurs won last night, but now it's time to talk about some other things. Like these things:

If you haven't already, please read this piece on Tim Duncan by Sports Illustrated's Chris Ballard. It's AMAZINE.

In other news, Bruno of SpursTalk tells us that Nando De Colo's agent may have spilled the beans about part of the Spurs' offseason plan.

But wait, there's more!

There are

Tony Parker - Practice

Source: NBA.com

Coach Pop - Practice

Source: NBA.com

Boris Diaw - Practice

Source: NBA.com

Kawhi Leonard - Practice

Source: NBA.com

Afternoon tea: What the pundits wrote about last night

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Tim Griffin

The press room was packed last night as the visiting press was pounding away at the word factory after the Spurs’ victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

So pass the Earl Grey and the crumpets and scones. It’s high tea-time to go along with the NBA playoffs. 

Here’s a sampling of the pundits and their thoughts after Game 1.

• NBA.com’s Fran Blinebury explains why Tim Duncan doesn’t need to jump over cars when he can climb into them. 
• Boris Diaw told ESPN.com’s Marc Stein that he expects Duncan to play for about 12 more years.  
• Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com explains why the Spurs aren’t boring.
• The Orange County Register’s Dan Woike compared the Spurs to a bullet train after their Game 1 victory.
• Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles  Times chronicles the Clippers’ first playoff game against the Spurs, particularly focusing on the Spurs’ Game 1 domination.
• Matt Stevens of the Los Angeles Times details the surprising Game 1 emergence of Eric Bledsoe for the Clippers.  
• Miss Spurs broadcasters Bill Land and Sean Elliott, who are out of work with the rest of the games on national carriers? They provide their thoughts to Spurs.com after Game 1.
• Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times analyzes Chris Paul’s importance for the Clippers.
• David Flores of KENS5.com breaks down Duncan’s big night in the Spurs’ Game 1 victory.
• The Associated Press’ Paul Weber provides the background about the Spurs’  Game 1 victory. 
• Tully Corcoran of Fox Sports Houston calls Duncan the best power forward in the playoffs.
• T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times wonders why Blake Griffin isn’t appreciated more.
• Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman opines that Paul will have to significantly outplay Tony Parker for the Clippers to win the series.
• NBA.com’s Tim Price provides an extensive notebook from Game 1.
• ESPN Los Angeles’ Arash Markazi notes that rest played a big part in the Spurs’ victory over the Clippers Tuesday night.
• D.J. Foster of ESPN Los Angeles gave the Spurs an “A” and Paul a C-minus in his daily grades on his “Lob City Ledger.”

Leonard Finishes Fourth in Rookie Voting

Source: NBA.com

Spurs Forward Kawhi Leonard Finishes Fourth in Voting

Buford finishes second in NBA Executive of Year behind Bird

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Tim Griffin

San Antonio general manager R.C. Buford finished second in balloting for the NBA Executive of Year behind the winner Larry Bird of Indiana.

As the Pacers’ director of basketball operations, Bird made several critical moves starting with the hiring of Frank Vogel as his coach.

As President of Basketball Operations, Bird oversaw a Pacers team that went 42-24 (.636), earning the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and finishing with the league’s fifth-best record. He oversaw the acquisition of David West as a free agent and also traded for key contributors Lou Amundson and Leandro Barbosa.

Bird totaled 88 points and received 12 first-place votes from a panel of his fellow team executives throughout the NBA. Buford finished second with 56 points (eight first-place votes) votes and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Neil Olshey finished third with 55 points (six first-place votes). Executives were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

The vote is a tad suspect considering the Spurs tied for the league’s highest record, eight games ahead of the Pacers and their draft-day trade with the Pacers where they picked up a package of players including Kawhi Leonard for George  Hill. Most observers have given the Spurs the advantage of that trade after the first year.

Buford has never won the award, despite being a big part of four NBA title-winning teams during his tenure with the team.

The Spurs have had two previous winners for the award with the late Angelo Drossos in 1978 and Bob Bass in 1990.

Here’s a look at the balloting for this year’s award.

Executive, Team	1st	2nd	3rd	Total
Larry Bird, Indiana	12	8	4	88
R.C. Buford, San Antonio	8	4	4	56
Neil Olshey, L.A. Clippers	6	7	4	55
Gar Forman, Chicago	2	2	-	16
Kevin O’Connor, Utah	-	2	4	10
Glen Grunwald, New York	-	2	2	8
Pat Riley, Miami	1	-	2	7
Sam Presti, Oklahoma City	1	-	-	5
Chris Wallace, Memphis	-	1	2	5
David Kahn, Minnesota	-	1	1	4
Rod Thorn, Philadelphia	-	1	-	3
Dell Demps, New Orleans	-	1	-	3
Rick Sund, Atlanta	-	1	-	3
Danny Ainge, Boston	-	-	1	1
John Hammond, Milwaukee	-	-	1	1
Lon Babby, Phoenix	-	-	1	1
Mitch Kupchak, L.A. Lakers	-	-	1	1
Otis Smith, Orlando	-	-	1	1
Masai Ujiri, Denver	-	-	1	1

Parker vs. Paul no All-Star showdown so far (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

SAN ANTONIO (AP) Spurs guard Tony Parker has a message for the Los Angeles Clippers after being held to just seven points in their playoff series opener: Keep it up.

Game 1 Spurs vs. Clippers: What went right, what went wrong

Source: Project Spurs

Another double-digit win for the San Antonio Spurs and the win streak continues. The Spurs showed that the extra rest was worth it as they piled it on the Los Angeles Clippers late in the game on their way to a 108-92 win to take the first game in the playoff semi finals series.

The Spurs didn’t look rusty to me at all. They scored 29 points in the first quarter and the offense was firing on all cylinders. They lacked a little bit of focus on the defensive end, and maybe that can be attributed to their 8 days off, but all-in-all I’d say the mini vacation was worth it.

What went right for the Spurs?

I said in my series preview that I thought Tim Duncan was going to have a great series, and he proved me right in Game 1. Duncan showed why he’s headed to the hall of fame and Blake Griffin is still just a developing young player. Duncan put in 26 points and added 10 rebounds. He shot 12 of 20 from the floor and seemed to get his way on the offensive end. He also threw in 2 blocks and 2 steals. The Clippers aren’t going to have an answer for Tim Duncan. Griffin, Reggie Evans and DeAndre Jordan all have defensive weaknesses that Duncan will be able to exploit at will.

It also didn’t hurt that it was raining 3’s in San Antonio last night. The Spurs shot 13-25 from behind the arc and it was just a dagger in the side of the Clippers every time they buried one. Normally, you say don’t live by the 3-pointer, but in the Spurs’ case, their shots from long distance came from such excellent ball movement, that they were getting open looks whenever they wanted. The Spurs passed the ball so well last night, it must have been incredibly frustrating for a worn out Clippers squad.

Scatter Shooting - Spurs vs. Clippers

Source: NBA.com

TP not fazed by struggling Game 1 shooting effort

Source: Courtside with the Spurs by Tim Griffin

Despite one of the worst shooting games of his playoff career, Spurs guard Tony Parker said Wednesday he wasn’t disappointed in his effort in his team’s Game 1 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Parker clanked through a 1-for-9 shooting night and was limited to seven points. It was the second-worst shooting effort of his playoff career, trumped only by a 1-for-12 performance in a Game 4 loss to New Jersey in his second NBA season on June 11, 2003. His scoring effort was his playoff low since he was limited to four points in the series-clinching Game 6 victory over the Nets in that same series.

“From the beginning of the game, they wanted to check me out, trapping me and forcing me to give the ball up,” Parker said. “If they are going to do that strategy, Timmy (Duncan) is going to have a lot of wide-open shots and all of our shooters will have wide-open shots.”

That was the case Tuesday night as Duncan went for 26 points in his top playoff scoring effort since the 2010 playoffs.

The rest of the Spurs picked up the slack in their 15th consecutive victory. 

“That’s what is great about our team is that we’re deep and we can make shots,” Parker said. “If you want to use that strategy, I’m pretty confident in my teammates that they are going to make their shots.”

Paul was limited to six points on 3-for-13 shooting. It was his lowest scoring playoff effort since he scored four points in a Game 4 loss with New Orleans against Denver on April 27, 2009. 

And despite Parker’s low scoring numbers, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn’t diminish his importance in the victory.

“Tony needs to play well, like he did last night,” Popovich said. “He had 11 assists last night which is important in us winning the basketball game. Good players take what is given and make their teams better. And Tony did that last night.”