Category: In the News

Manu in holding pattern about Virtas Bologna offer

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said Wednesday he’s unwilling to commit to playing for Italian team Virtus Bologna during an extended NBA lockout – yet.

Ginobili practiced with the Argentinian college team Weber Estudiantes earlier on Wednesday. While there, he to Buenos Aires journalist German Beder in remarks that were .

Ginobili said he is intrigued by the offer, but still unwilling to commit with the team — whether or not Kobe Bryant joins them.

It would mark his return to Italy after playing in Bologna before joining the Spurs.

“I did not go to Italy in the last six years and it could be a nice thing to return there,” Ginobili said.  “But right now I need to rest. I cannot give them an answer today.”

Because of that lag, Ginobili said the Italian team should consider adding other players instead of him.

“If they want another player, they are free to look for a new one,” Ginobili said. “I am not ready to play.”

To prepare for an eventual season — either overseas or with the Spurs after the lockout — Ginobili is intently working with the Argentinian college team. 

“I am going to practice with Weber, I help them,” Ginobili said. “Nothing more so far.”

Those comments reiterated what Herb Rudoy, Ginobili’s agent, said on Tuesday when he “” reports that Ginobili would agree to a deal with Virtus Bologna if  Bryant did not sign with them.

It looks like Ginobili and Bryant are unwilling to commit to playing in Italy before Monday’s deadline imposed by the NBA owners’ bargaining committee. At that time, it is expected  to be known if the start of the 2011-12 NBA season will be postponed after the remainder of the league’s preseason games were shelved on Tuesday.

Spurs miss Lakers-Portland back-to-back among six lost lockout games

The Spurs will get a bit of a scheduling break after the NBA cancelled  the first two weeks of games through Nov. 14 because of the extension of the lockout.

Here’s a look at the games the Spurs will miss:

Nov. 2 – Milwaukee

Nov. 4 – Dallas

Nov. 7 – at Golden State

Nov. 9 – at Los Angeles Lakers

Nov. 10 – at Portland

Nov. 12 – New Orleans

On the surface, it appears that missing those six particular games won’t hurt the team. San Antonio will skip contests with four teams that made the playoffs, including a tough back-to-back that would have featured games at the Lakers and Portland on consecutive nights. That game would have been followed by a home game against improving New Orleans two nights later.

San Antonio’s six opponents had a combined record of 279-213 last season for a combined winning percentage of .567.

Spurs Nation will miss out on a chance to jeer Mark Cuban and Jason Terry during their first trip to the city after their championship banner would have been raised at the start of the season. I would imagine they will save up their catcalls for whenever their first scheduled trip to the city by the Mavericks finally materializes.   

Of course, there’s no indication how many games the team will be actually miss. The first six were announced Monday night were only a start and many more could be coming.

The Spurs thrived with a veteran team during the 1999 season that was abbreviated by a similar lockout, posting a 37-13 record and eventually claiming their first NBA title.

Considering the veteran core for their current team, missing a few games at the start shouldn’t necessarily a problem for them.

When he saw the games that he would be missing, I wonder if Gregg  Popovich secretly might have felt a little relieved.

Bruuuuuuuce: Bowen highlights five-person S.A. Sports Hall of Fame class

Spurs defensive stopper Bruce Bowen was announced Monday among a group of five notable athletes and coaches set for induction into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame early next year.

Bowen was a member of three Spurs NBA title teams, where he was known for his defensive prowess and his 3-point shooting ability. Before his retirement in 2009, Bowen was a five-time selection for the NBA All-Defensive first team.

Most notably, his career is a testament to perseverance after he went undrafted after his college career at Cal State Fullerton and bounced around France. His career turned around when he joined the Spurs in 2001 and became one of the top defenders in modern NBA history.

Bowen will be joined by former East Central High School basketball coach Stan Bonewitz Sr., NFL Pro Bowler David Hill, St. Mary’s pitcher Leticia Morales-Bissaro and notable U.S. equestrian leader John Russell.

All of them will be honored during ceremonies Feb. 10 at the Alamodome.

Among those Spurs figures who have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame include Bob Coleman (former member of Spurs ownership group), George Gervin, Angelo Drossos, James Silas, Red McCombs, Johnny Moore, David Robinson, Bob Bass, Sean Elliott and Avery Johnson.

Interestingly, the selection committee did not choose to induct the Spurs 1999 championship team, which had been nominated earlier in the selection process this year.

And even with all of the worthy Spurs who have already been inducted, several other strong candidates with a Spurs lineage also merit serious consideration.

Original “Voice of the Spurs” Terry Stembridge is an absolute no-brainer, as are Mike Mitchell, Larry Kenon and Doug Moe.  And anybody who grew up watching games at HemisFair Arena likely would include Pat Tallman, the first in-arena announcer for the team.

And after their retirements, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Gregg Popovich also are locks to be recognized.