The complete rosters for the 2011 NBA All-Star game were released on Thursday and the Spurs have two players who were chosen as reservers – Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. Duncan is averaging 13.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks per game this season. Manu Ginobili is averaging 18.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game this season. Tony Parker (17.3 points, 6.7 assists) missed the cut. While there is going to be another player selected to take Yao Ming’s place on the team (he’s been injured for basically two years, how the !@#% did he get voted in?!) I wouldn’t hold out much hope for Parker. I expect the slot to go to LaMarcus Aldridge… at least it should. The Celctics lead all teams with four players (Rondo, Garnett, Allen, Pierce).

Spurs vs Lakers

The Spurs topped the Lakers last night 89-88 on a McDyess tip-in off a Duncan miss just before the buzzer. And this is why the Spurs are the best. Parker misses, no problem. Ginobili misses, no problem. Duncan misses, no problem. The Spurs don’t stand around and hope one guy will save them (*COUlakersGH*), or have three stars and a bunch of scrubs (COheatGH*). Honestly this year should be the Boston Celtics vs the Spurs in the Finals. You can’t tell me that wouldn’t be a great match-up. Anyway, the main problem the Spurs had last night was poor shooting, only 41% from the field. Tim Duncan was only 3-of-12 for eight points points plus eight rebounds. Parker led the team with 21 points, Jefferson had 18, and Ginobili had 14 along with eight assists. McDyess finished with eight points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

Kobe was one rebound short of a triple-double. Guess which rebound he wishes he got. Mwahahaha.

Highlights Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KgjuG_GhHw

The Blazers outscored the Spurs 29-14 in the first quarter and led by as many as 17 in the game. The Spurs were able to trim Portland’s lead to three with about three minutes left in the game, but ultimately came up short in their comeback attempt. They had the deficit down to three twice in the 4th quarter, but Brandon Roy hit an off balance shot that rolled around the rim like 80 times before it finally dropped in, and the Spurs were never able to get over the hump. They played without Tony Parker for most of the game who sprained his ankle in the second quarter. The Spurs were out-rebounded again, this time 48-37. Richard Jefferson also had a huge dunk over Greg Oden. Check it out:

[youtube 4XjDjpHpwJY]

A few more thoughts from the game:
-Ginobili’s energy was great, and was a big factor in getting the Spurs back in it, but that won’t show up in the box score.
-McDyess was hitting that 15-footer last night, and we need more of that.
-Duncan was held in check several times by Greg Oden. Oden may not be a bust after all, folks. He was probably as big a reason (if not bigger) as Roy in the Blazers hanging in to win this. He patrolled the paint and had several key blocks and shot alterations down the stretch against Duncan, Ginobili and Jefferson. (Obviously not counting RJ’s dunk… I like how he gives Oden that little slap in the face while he dunks it.)
-The Spurs three point shooting needs work. They were 4-of-21 last night.
-DeJuan Blair is mortal. Last night he played 10 minutes an had zero points and four rebounds.
-Keith Bogans doesn’t suck. He logged 24 minutes and played some good defense during the game and is starting to look like he belongs. The Spurs defense is improving, and these guys are starting to gel. I just wish they started in the first quarter.

Spurs Relevant Stat Lines
Tim Duncan: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. He was no where near dominant against Greg Oden last night, but at least he didn’t get bullied. He shot 5-of-14 from the field though, and he wasn’t even one of the Spurs brickin’ threes all night. That just ain’t right.
Manu Ginobili: 17 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds. He was 4-of-14 from the field, but 7-of-7 from the charity stripe. He was agressive last night and we need more of that.
Richard Jefferson: 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 posterized Blazer. RJ was all over the place, and that dunk was one of the best I have seen in awhile. Unfortunately, he and Duncan missed 6-of-15 free throws last night, meanwhile the rest of the team was perfect from the foul line (11-of-11).
George Hill: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals. He filled in for Parker admirably until fouling out when the game was all but over.
Keith Bogans: 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. Honestly, the way this guy was stepping up on defense, I thought he would have had maybe 3 steals. Hopefully he can build on this game.
Antonio McDyess: 8 points, 3 rebounds. Not a phenomenal game, but those buckets came at the right time. We need to get the 9 point, 9 rebounds McDyess though, or at least throw in some blocks.
Tony Parker: 11 minutes, 4 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 ankle sprain. X-rays were negative (or so they say), so hopefully he’ll be back soon. It didn’t look too bad and he was able to walk away himself. He did miss 9 games last year with an ankle sprain though, so we’ll see.

Blazers Relevant Stat Lines
Brandon Roy: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists. He was solid last night, as you had to expect. That shot that rolled around the rim for eons was crucial.
Greg Oden: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks. He annoyed the bejesus out of me last night with his defense. That’s a good thing for Blazerss fans or Oden fans. He had his best game this season and is starting to really put it together and play like a #1 pick. Of course that means that he’ll probably break his foot any day now.
Steve Blake: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal. He played a whopping 38 minutes. He also shot 3-of-5 from downtown including a dagger in the 4th when the Spurs were threatening a comeback.
Andre Miller: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals. Coach McMillan started both Miller and Blake last night. Interesting.
Joel Przybilla: 4 points, 1 block and 13 freaking rebounds (6 offensive boards). He had 10 by the middle of the 2nd quarter. Needless to say I hated him last night.
Travis Outlaw: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal. He also had a huge basket in the 4th with a few minutes to go. His shot, the Blake three, and Roy’s roll-around- the-rim-forever shot saved the Blazers last night.
LaMarcus Aldridge: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist. Not sure what happened to him last night, but I will take those numbers as a Spurs fan.

Coyote Ugly: Matt Bonner
While Keith Bogans and George Hill bounced back from the debacle in Utah, Bonner was still floating around jacking up errant three-pointers and not playing defense. He finished with 2 points on 1-of-4 shooting. He missed all 3 of his three-point attempts. He also had 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls and a turnover. What’s the problem, Matt? That’s two off nights in a row. Can someone find this man a hoagie or something?