Tag: San Antonio Spurs

Warriors to talk to Spurs assistant

Though he insisted one month ago that he prefers to remain on coach Gregg Popovich’s staff, it appears Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer will interview with the Golden State Warriors about their head coach position.

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford confirmed Tuesday the Warriors had sought and been given permission to speak to Budenholzer about the job vacated when Keith Smart was dismissed after the regular season.

A report in the Contra Costa (Calif.) Times indicated that the Warriors’ new owner, Joe Lacob, will travel today to San Antonio to meet with Budenholzer, a member of Popovich’s staff for 15 seasons.

Budenholzer’s name first surfaced after Smart was fired in late April. Before Game 6 of the Spurs’ first-round series against the Grizzlies, he said he was flattered but would remain with the Spurs.

“That could change at some time,” he said then, “but for the foreseeable future, that’s how I feel, and that’s how I’ve felt for the last little while.”

Since then, Lacob hired former Lakers and Grizzlies general manager Jerry West to be part of his basketball operations department, a possible factor in Budenholzer’s change of heart about interviewing for the job.

Peeved Kareem wants his Staples Center statue

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is wondering why he hasn’t been immortalized outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles along with a group of Los Angeles sports icons.

Abdul-Jabbar, who helped lead the Lakers to five world championships and still leads the NBA in career points, told the Sporting News by the lack of a statue outside the home of his former team.

“It’s either an oversight or they’re taking me for granted,” Abdul-Jabbar told the magazine.

There are five statues for Los Angeles-area icons outside the arena recognizing Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Chick Hearn, Wayne Gretzky and Oscar De La Hoya. Abdul-Jabbar believes he should be next.

“I am highly offended by the total lack of acknowledgement of my contribution to Laker success,” Abdul-Jabbar told the magazine. “I guess being the linchpin for five world championships is not considered significant enough in terms of being part of Laker history.”

Abdul-Jabbar had a couple of interesting tweets Wednesday that showed he’s not backing down on his comments.

“Magic waited 8 years to be honored in that way,” . “So maybe I am chopped liver?”

Abdul-Jabbar has been involved with the Lakers in recent years as he helped  develop center Andrew Bynum.  

But the Los Angeles Times reported last month that Abdul-Jabbar’s contract as a part-time assistant coach along with those of other Lakers’ assistants and scouts after they expire when the expected lockout begins.  

“Rumor has it that I will be getting a statue,” . “A caveat for all my fans — don’t hold your breath. Lakers don’t care about me.”

He : “Its not about a getting a statue because I’m over it – it’s about RESPECT! Lakers have given me the absolute minimum of respect.”

Quick question for Spurs Nation.

Does anyone in Spurs Nation care about the Finals?

Well, it’s down to the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat.

The Mavericks have drawn the wrath of Spurs fans because of actions on the court and comments (usually by owner Mark Cuban) off the court.

Miami Heat player LeBron James. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

The Heat have drawn the wrath of so many NBA fans because of the way the team was put together over the offseason, especially LeBron James’ televised “Decision.”

While some readers have expressed a preference for no champion rather than one of these, like it or not, one of the two teams will be the NBA champion for the 2010-11 season.

So, will you watch? Do you care? Will you watch and root against one team rather than really for the other?

Share your plans with us in our poll. Voting closes Tuesday afternoon.