Tag: Spurs

Spurs poised to take the title in an “even” year

The Spurs are back.  The best evidence to back up this claim is the lack of media attention the Spurs have been playing through.  No longer are there catcalls that the team is too old to compete.  In fact, this 2011-12 edition of the Spurs are now the 13th oldest team behind such teams as (and in order)

NBA Oldest Teams

  1. Mavericks
  2. Hawks
  3. LA Lakers
  4. Celtics
  5. Suns
  6. Heat
  7. Trailblazers
  8. Magic
  9. Bulls
  10. Clippers
  11. Raptors
  12. Pistons
  13. Spurs

The Spurs are also still being disrespected by the Vegas odds makers who still have them listed at 8/1 to win while the Heat are 9/5, Thunder are 3/1, the Bulls are 15/4, the Lakers 14/1 and the Clippers 20/1.

While the Spurs are indeed younger, this team in this lockout shortened season and their head coach Gregg Popovich are indeed the perfect fit.   Pop has been regulating minutes for his “Big Three” all season and when an 11-game winning streak was on the line, Pop did not hesitate from not playing (heck not even flying them over) the Utah Jazz in Utah.  While some of the Jazz players said they felt “disrespected” by Pop’s move, they have to know that if the “Big Three” had shown up, the Jazz would have been one step further from the playoffs. As it is, they are barely hanging on and the victory over the Spurs kept them alive.  So, Jazz fans do not be miffed that the “Big Three” were held back.   You should be thanking Popovich for the gift.

San Antonio Spurs Tickets

We would like to help you see the San Antonio Spurs in person. The place we would recommend checking out for to get those hard to get tickets is: Prime Seat Tickets. Yes everyone likes to see a winning team, but going to the game is really more about “BEING THERE”. Did your parents ever take you to a live professional basketball game? Did you ever take your kids? You know there is nothing better than being there!

Stay or go? McDyess’ status still unclear

In a little more than 24 hours, the Spurs will hit the floor for their first training camp practice of the lockout-shortened season.

Whether 37-year-old center/forward Antonio McDyess intends to join them remains a mystery, even at this late date.

“I wish I had an answer for you, but I don’t,” said Andy Miller, McDyess’ agent.

McDyess has long said he intended to retire instead of playing a 16th NBA season, appearing more adamant about that decision as last season wore on.

The three-year free-agent deal he signed with the Spurs in the summer of 2009 included a nice retirement gift: $2.64 million guaranteed for 2011-12, even if he decided not to play.

The Spurs have until today to either waive McDyess,and cut him a check for that $2.64 million, or guarantee the full value of the contract ($5.22 million). McDyess’ contract is set up in such a manner as to make him an enticing trade piece to teams in search of salary cap relief, especially if he intends to retire now.

That could be one reason for the ambiguity.

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said McDyess’ status for the start of camp is “unclear.”  At the end of last season, Spurs officials seemed hopeful they could convince McDyess — a Gregg Popovich favorite — to return to play spot minutes in a short season.

For now, signs seem to point to McDyess not opening camp with the Spurs on Friday.

McDyess, who has averaged 5.6 points and 5.7 rebounds in 150 games with the Spurs, has not been back to San Antonio since the lockout rules were loosened last week.

He has kept a low profile at his offseason home in Houston, either wrestling with his retirement decision or waiting out the trade market.

“I’m his agent and his friend,” Miller said. “The one thing I’m not is his therapist. I’m going to give him my opinion, but then he’s got to make the decision that’s in his best interest.”

Should McDyess decide he needs to attend Spurs training camp, he could get to San Antonio at almost a moment’s notice, his agent notes.

“It’s only a three-hour drive,” Miller said.

With the minutes counting down until the start of camp, McDyess has yet to decide if he wants to make that  drive.