Tag: Memphis

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.

Neal set for Goodman-Drew All-Star Game on Aug. 20

Spurs guard Gary Neal will be among the NBA standouts who will participate in an all-star game involving top players from the Los Angeles and Washington area.

Pro Basketball Talk reports that the a venerable pro-am summer league from the area that has seen a lot of NBA players come through it over the years.

They will be meeting NBA players who will represent the Drew League from Los Angeles in a game that will be played Aug. 20 and will be available through live streaming on the web.

Among Neal’s teammates for the Goodman League will include Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, Washington’s John Wall, Sacramento’s Tyreke Evans, DeMarcus Cousins and Donte Green, Minnesota’s Michael Beasley, Memphis’ Josh Shelby and Sam Young, Hugh ”Baby Shaq” Jones of the AND1 Tour and Emanuel “Duce” Jones and Warren “D-Nice” Jefferson.

Among the Los Angeles-area players for the Drew League will include Oklahoma City’s James Harden, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan, Washington’s Nick Young and JaVale McGee, Sacramento’s Dorrell Wright and Pooh Jeter, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Craig Smith, Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings, Memphis’ Marcus Williams, Bobby Brown of Aris BC and a couple of other players to be named.

For NBA junkies in need of a hoop fix, it should be an entertaining game. But Neal’s perimeter-heavy game might be a tad out of place, considering this contest’s potential for rim-rattling slam dunks and transition excitement.

The first team to 200 will win this game, trust me.