Tag: DENVER

Red-letter dates on Spurs’ schedule (circle them in pencil)

Here are some games not to miss on the Spurs’ 2011-12 schedule, lockout permitting. With the NBA labor crisis still nowhere near a resolution, we’d circle these dates in pencil, and hold off on hiring a babysitter for now.

for complete schedule.

Nov. 2 — The Spurs open the season at home against Milwaukee. The last time the Bucks visited the ATT Center, Manu Ginobili sank them with a buzzer beater.

Nov. 4 – First visit of the season from the Dallas Mavericks, who much to the chagrin of folks in San Antonio can now add “defending NBA champions” to their official title. The Spurs also face the Mavs on Jan. 29 and March 17 in  Dallas and on April 8 again at home.

Nov. 9 — First of two visits out west to take on Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. After this, Spurs won’t face Lakers again until April, when they close the season by playing two of the final four games against their West Coast rivals.

Dec. 17 — Reigning MVP Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls come to San Antonio, repaying the Spurs’ visit to the Windy City on Nov. 30.

Dec. 26 – First of four revenge games against the Memphis team that knocked the Spurs from the playoffs last season in an historic 1 vs. 8 upset. This one will be at the ATT Center. Spurs also face the Grizzlies on Jan. 3 and Feb. 14 in Memphis and at home on April Fool’s Day.

Dec. 31 – Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style. Sort of. Spurs ring in 2012 by hosting the Toronto Raptors.

Jan. 11 — Ex Spurs guard George Hill will face his former team for the first time since his draft-night trade to the Pacers. This game  is in Indiana. Hill comes home to San Antonio on March 30.

Jan. 17 – Spurs vs. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh in Miami. Enough said. Heat make their lone visit to ATT Center a few weeks later, on Feb. 1.

Feb. 6 – Spurs open nine-game rodeo road trip, beginning in Washington. Trip will also take them to Philadelphia, Toronto, Detroit, Memphis, Los Angeles (Clippers), Utah and Portland before concluding Feb. 23 in Denver.

March 7 – The only trip to the ATT Center for Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and the reconstituted New York Knicks is part of a seven-game homestand that follows the rodeo trip. After the rodeo leaves town, the Spurs finish with 16 of their final 22 games at home.

Don’t save dates on Spurs’ schedule

Normally, the release of the NBA schedule is one of the most anticipated days of a long and sweltering offseason. This year, however, it feels like one big tease. The league proceeded with the announcement of the full 2011-12 schedule Tuesday, despite an ongoing labor dispute that could eventually erase most or all of it.

Staff writer Jeff McDonald circles some red-letter dates on the Spurs’ potential schedule — in pencil, of course:

The Opener
Nov. 2: Milwaukee Bucks at ATT Center
The last time the Bucks visited the ATT Center, Manu Ginobili stunned them with a buzzer-beater. Former Spurs guard Stephen Jackson is now playing with Milwaukee.

The Champs
Nov. 4: Dallas Mavericks at ATT Center
Mark Cuban’s boys, led by Dirk Nowitzki, visit San Antonio for the first time with “defending NBA champions” attached to their title.

The MVP
Dec. 17: Chicago Bulls at ATT Center
Reigning league MVP Derrick Rose and Co. come to town, repaying the Spurs’ visit to the Windy City on Nov. 30. Caution: If a lockout shortens the season, games against the Eastern Conference will be the first to go.

The Rematch
Dec. 26: Memphis Grizzlies at Memphis
The Spurs get their first crack at Zach Randolph and the Grizzlies, who knocked them out of the first round last season in a stunning No. 8-over-No. 1 upset.

The Superfriends
Jan. 17: Miami Heat at Miami
The Spurs’ lone stop in South Beach to face stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and, uh, Joel Anthony. Miami comes to San Antonio on Feb. 1. Remember, a lockout could scuttle games against the East.

The Rodeo Trip
Feb. 6: Washington Wizards at Washington, D.C.
em year’s buckin’ bronco tour spans nine games covering 18 days, starting with this trip to D.C. The itinerary also includes Philadelphia, Toronto, Detroit, Memphis, Los Angeles (Clippers), Utah and Portland before concluding Feb. 23 in Denver.

The Homecoming
Feb. 29: New Jersey Nets at ATT Center
After returning from the rodeo trip, the Spurs settle in for a seven-game homestand beginning with this visit from the Nets and coach Avery Johnson. The Spurs finish the season with 16 of 22 games at home.

The Homecoming, Part 2
March 30: Indiana Pacers at ATT Center
Popular ex-Spurs guard George Hill, dealt to the Pacers on draft night in June, makes his first return to S.A.

The Mamba
April 11: Los Angeles Lakers at ATT Center
Kobe Bryant comes to town for only one night this season. The Spurs face the Lakers in two of the final four games, returning to Los Angeles on April 17.

Rick Barnes says Spurs have a keeper in Cory Joseph

University of Texas coach Rick Barnes believes that the Spurs might have a strong contributor in point guard Cory Joseph.

Joseph was ranked by most talent analysts before the draft as a second-round selection. But Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said that Joseph can help the team defensively at point guard as he explained why he was picked 29th in the first round with the Spurs’ second first-round draft selection.  

Buford should know. He saw Joseph play often during his freshman season as a teammate of his adopted son, Texas forward Alexis Wangmene.

Joseph played in all 36 Texas games as a freshman, leading the team in assists, steals, 3-point percentage and minutes played. He averaged 10.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, reaching double figures in scoring in 21 of the Longhorns’ 36 games last season.

“Cory is a player who, as a coach, you really enjoy being around because of his approach to the game and his work ethic,” Barnes said. “He simply loves to be in the gym and compete.”

That competitive streak should help him prosper in the NBA, Barnes said.

“Cory has a quiet confidence about him and he does all the little things that help a team,” Barnes said. ”We would have loved the chance to work with him at Texas for a longer period of time, as we understand that he is just beginning to develop into the type of player we know he can become.”

Joseph was the third Texas player selected in the first round Thursday night, joining forward Tristan Thompson (No. 4 pick by Cleveland) and Jordan Hamilton (No. 26 pick by Dallas, eventually traded to Denver).