Spurs of the Moment

It’s about freaking time. On the one hand, I am stoked that the Spurs signed Manu to an extension, but the Devil’s Advocate in me is a little perturbed that they waited so long that they had to shell out $39 million to keep him in San Antonio. Then again, with the way he has been playing over the past few months, they may have still gotten off cheap.

Now, with Manu locked up and RJ playing at a higher level again – and consistently I might add – we just need the rest of the team to get healthy. Tim Duncan has been a rock this season, and the Spurs should have George Hill and Tony Parker both in uniform by the time the playoffs start. Tony hasn’t been starting, but Garrett Temple is doing a decent job in place of both Parker and Hill. Temple got his first startagainst Sacramento and again in Phoenix and has averaged 13 points, 2.5 rebounds, two assists, and .5 steals per game. He also is shooting 9-of-17 from the floor. He has proven to be a savvy pickup by the Spurs, especially in light of their point guard injury woes this season.

Some good has actually come out of George Hill’s injury. First off, as I just noted, Temple is getting some nice minutes and is looking like a solid player that the Spurs could conceivably hang on to – and possibly move the inconsistent Roger Mason. Second, there was already some concern about how Coach Popovich was going to arrange the starting unit once Tony returned. With Hill sidelined, Parker can work his way back into his old spot without Hill simply being “demoted”. No harm no foul. Now that RJ and Manu are playing well together as starters, that really only leaves the center position as a weak link. Antonio McDyess has been ok, Matt Bonner has been able to come off the bench and knock down some big shots and get to the glass more, plus DeJuan Blair adds some energy and great offensive rebounding, so that may not be so weak of a link. I think the Spurs are coming around now and should be considered a legitimate threat in the West, if not the entire league.

The Spurs play Memphis today, and hopefully have a little more swag than they did against Phoenix the other night. If the Grizzlies start Thabeet then I hope DeJuan Blair gets the start just so we can watch Thabeet get abused again. DeJuan Blair may really rip his arm off this time.

DeJuan Blair was chosen to participate in the Rookie Challenge.

The Sophomores have won for seven straight years, but I think this Rookie squad could win it this year. A few names missing from the Rookie team that will likely rub a few fans the wrong way are Ty Lawson and DeMar DeRozan, but I can’t really argue with the guys they picked. Of course the top two picks in the draft, Blake Griffin and Hasheem Thabeet, won’t be participating. Griffin’s knee is busted and he’s out for the season while Thabeet is just plain busted. My guess for MVP is either Brandon Jennings if the Rookies win, or O.J. Mayo if it’s the Sophs.

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Malik Hairston may be better than you or I think. It seems his committment to defense is what earned him a spot on the team. The way the coaches and teammates are talking about him, it may not be a surprise to see him suit up sooner rather than later. I suppose the real question at hand is simply, “Who is our new Bruce Bowen?” Presumably, it’s Keith Bogans, but I honestly don’t see it. Maybe the coaches are skeptical too, which is why Hairston’s efforts were so highly regarded. We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out, though. Chances are that neither of them will get enough minutes to matter a whole lot.

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We’re all busy people, and it sucks when we finally have time to sit down and watch a basketball game only to find out it’s the Clippers or Bucks tonight. Who needs that kind of aggravation? I know I don’t, so I have compiled the following list of the Top 15 Must-See Games for Spurs fans this season. So mark your calendars, get your tickets, set your Tivo, book your flights, save up your sick days, or whatever you have to do, but do not miss these match-ups.

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The Spurs erased the Heat’s 11-point lead in the 4th quarter on Sunday in a game with no Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili or even Dwyane Wade for that matter. The highlight? Probably DeJuan Blair once again. He played nearly 26 minutes off the bench and had 28 points, four assists and two steals. He only had four rebounds this time, and only one defensive board. Still, I can’t help but feel like the teams that passed him are going to be kicking themselves by Thanksgiving (if not already). *COUmemphisGH*

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