This Week in San Antonio Spurs Basketball: Your One Stop Linkapalooza

by Tim C. on Aug 31, 2009 9:00 AM CDT in TWSS

Due to the rather glaring lack of basketball news on the web during the offseason, we've decided to cut TWSS to once per week, instead of twice. But fear not - when the NBA resumes in October, there will be two of these per week again.

Lots of stuff to click, after the jump. Apologies if too much of it has to do with Stephen Jackson, but it's the offseason, and this is the most we've had to talk about in a while.

The Music

My choice, for no particular reason other than I like it.

JRW emailed this next suggestion to me. You know, if you aren't into obscure Swedish music.

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Everything Black, Silver And White

48 Minutes of Hell | Should the Spurs Make Another Move Before Camp?
Tim Varner doesn't think so. Of course, no one knows what the Spurs are actually going to do, but unless the Spurs can get Capt Jack back without giving up much, I agree with him.

48 Minutes of Hell | Should the Spurs Buy a Ticket to the Stephen Jackson Sweepstakes?
Graydon Gordian gives us the first serious analysis on whether the Spurs should pursue Stephen Jackson, and also talks about the unnerving possibility of Captain Jack ending up in Dallas.

48 Minutes of Hell | Globetrotting with the Spurs
Tim Varner gives us some great analysis of how Ian and Tiago are doing this summer.

Project Spurs: Evaluating The Spurs' Roster
Fred Silva gives us a look into the current Spurs roster, with a rating for each player.

Project Spurs: Duncan's Top 5 Games
Ahh, memories. David Thiessen brings a lot of great ones from TD flooding back.

Jeff McDonald - Popovich ready to play with new toys
After the most eventful summer of his Spurs tenure, coach Gregg Popovich is ready to get back to work. "You can only relax so much," Popovich said Tuesday. "You can only chase players so much. My stomach is starting to churn. I'm getting anxious."

Buck Harvey - Jack was never coming back
Buck cuts to the quick on what he thinks the chances of Stephen Jackson coming back are.

San Antonio Spurs: 30 Teams in 30 Days | Bleacher Report
John Friel grades the Spurs, but doesn't give Manu his due. Chilai, would you like to take this one?

NBA offseason makeovers [Spurs] - NBC Sports
ProBasketballNews.com breaks down moves made heading into the 2009-10 NBA season.

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This Week In Pounding the Rock

My Team Is Better Than Yours: Toronto Raptors Edition - Pounding The Rock
The eighth entry in BlaseE's series comparing teams to the Spurs for the '09-'10 season. This entry compares the Spurs to the Raptors with emphasis on last years stats, head to head recaps, roster changes, and a match-up preview.

Where You At? - Pounding The Rock
CapHill asks a very simple question - where are you? Answer it, if you haven't already.

Silver Stars @ Fever Game Thread & Hack Recaps - Pounding The Rock
LatinD gives us another game thread, and another recap. Will the real Stars please stand up?

Silver Stars Vs Shock Game Thread and @ Fever Hack Recap - Pounding The Rock
The Stars keep on doing their best, and not-winning. Yes-cheer for them in LatinD's not-professional game thread.

Tiago Splitter @ FIBA Americas 2009 - Pounding The Rock
Tiago Splitter updates from FIBA Americas 2009 championship! More international Spurs updates here.

The Admiral's Ghost - Pounding The Rock
David Robinson in full motion, brought to you by LatinD.

A few of My Photos from 08-09 Season - Pounding The Rock
Janieannie shares some nice photos of Manu.

Survey: Spurs Stuff? - Pounding The Rock
dfjmed asks what kind of Spurs swag you have.

Yahoo's best blocks missing Manu - Pounding The Rock
Stupid Yahoo - don't make me get all ARGENTINE on you.

Poll: 2nd Favorite NBA Franchise? - Pounding The Rock
dfjmed regales us with another poll, this time asking who we root for other than the Spurs.

Power Rankings (Sports Illustrated) and your Top 5 thoughts. - Pounding The Rock
Hirschof links to SI's preliminary rankings, and ask for everyone's thoughts on who the top 5 teams are right now.

Hipuks' Pictorial Journey Starts Getting Old Part III: The Japanese Garden. - Pounding The Rock
Hipuks series continues with pictures of the awesomeness that is the Japanese Garden.

Why I love the Spurs - Pounding The Rock
bj1der shares how he became a Spurs fan.

Poll: Can Tony be the franchise player during the post-Duncan era? - Pounding The Rock
Yes, yes he can. Thought-provoking post from bj1der on what the Spurs might look like after Timmy retires.

Fun Stuff Involving Manu - Pounding The Rock
KA1Z3R checks in and delivers a FanPost as only he can. No crazy pics this time, though.

PtR was pretty busy this week. Keep it coming, folks... training camp starts sometime in September.

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Around SB Nation

Jack trades, based on his requests. Then mine... - Golden State Of Mind
Myk over at GSoM gives a pretty comprehensive list of teams that Stephen Jackson could be traded to and suggestions for those trades, including one in which the Spurs essentially swap RJ for Capt Jack + spare parts.

What If Rod Was One Of Us? - Ridiculous Upside
Promoting the new Boom Tho Mixtape, specifically Internet Dominance.

Sham Sports: Blazers Title Triggers Roughly $5 Million Guarantee For Brandon Roy - Blazersedge
Ben from BlazersEdge talks about some of the interesting caveats in Roy's contract, with figures courtesy of ShamSports.

Worrying about being a contender when there are already supercontenders - Blog a Bull
Just how far away are the Bulls from 'supercontenders' like the Lakers, Celtics, and Spurs?

Malcolm Gladwell Makes a Brilliant Argument for Rubio/Flynn - Canis Hoopus
Interesting thoughts, but I'm not sure I buy it.

What happened to the "big trade" that has yet to materialize? - The Dream Shake
Are the Rockets ever going to make an impact trade? Summer is almost over... what is Morey up to?

A very lengthy post on, yes, Ramon Sessions - Clips Nation
The Case for Ramon Sessions, from a Clips fan's point of view.

Hahn: David Lee Still a Sign & Trade Candidate - Posting and Toasting
According to Alan Hahn, Donnie Walsh is still considering sign-and-trade offers for David Lee before the two parties agree on a qualifying offer. What would make Knicks fans least sad?

Why the Wizards need an in-season trade to upgrade the frontcourt - Bullets Forever
A comparative look at how the Washington Wizards' big man rotation stands in terms of the major contenders for the NBA championships. The answer? Not good. The solution? Make an in-season trade, please.

The X Factor Report - Hedo Turkoglu - Raptors HQ
The X Factor Report - Raptors HQ looks at the importance of Hedo Turkoglu this coming season... great in-depth analysis of the Turk's possible impact.

Michael Beasley's stay in rahab was planned - Peninsula is Mightier
Apparently, the Beeze planned his rehab stint well in advance of Twittergate.

The Pistons are, Without a Doubt, a Playoff Team - Motown String Music
Charlie Villaneuva says there is no doubt that the Pistons are a playoff team. Bold statement, even in the East.

Allen Iverson is Creamy Peanut Butter - Rufus on Fire
Allen Iverson isn't anywhere near the best player in the league anymore, but Rufus on Fire has an analogy describing why he might be the right fit for the Bobcats. See, other SBN blogs go for crazy analogies too.

Against the tyranny of the immediate. - Peachtree Hoops
Is improving from within, like the Atlanta Hawks did this off season, really not a plan at all?

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Even More Hoops

Jackson wants out of Golden State - Sports Rumors - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
His preferred destination: "Either Cleveland, anywhere in Texas or out here with Al [Harrington] in New York."

Special Dime: 10 greatest point guards ever - NBA - ESPN
In an era of great point guards, the staff at ESPN try to figure out who the all-time greatest point guards are.

Hamed Haddadi: A Legend in His Own Mind? | PROTECT THE PAINT
Yipes. Can't believe I seriously thought the Spurs should trade for this guy.

Free Darko: It's Judgment That Defeats Us
A good read from djturtleface, creator and author of SBN's Grizzlies blog.

Romel Beck gets medieval
I still don't know why Beck was so pissed, but it looks like he can hold his own in a fight.

Amare Stoudemire, Taoist? - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN
I don't think Amar'e even knows what he's saying anymore.

The Math behind Basketball - Basketbawful
Well, it's the offseason.

Hardwood Paroxysm " Blog Archive " Changes In Attitude, Changes in Lattitude, Changes In Offensively Selfish Small Guards
Because really, when you think Allen Iverson, you think Jimmy Buffett.

Defining Success: The Backcourt | The Two Man Game
Rob Mahoney lists what the Mavs need to do in the backcourt to succeed.

Ball in Europe – European Basketball Blog " Blog Archive " Sportsbooks expecting blowout in France-Belgium AQR final
"Whoa, can Team Belgium’s chances against France tonight really be as bad as the bookmakers insist?" asks the author. Well, I think that's been answered.

PTR and Friends

Dunkin' Cheerleaders: A Potpourri of Amazing Moments #1
LatinD turns up the dial on the awesome machine.

Singletary: Alex Smith Is My Guy When I Need To Go Number Two | Bleacher Report
PtR's own Aaronstampler continues his day job, writing about the 49ers.

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Completely Off-Topic

Brazilian Animators Invoke Urinating Jordan to Help Save Rainforest - Dan Levy - The Sporting Blog - Sporting News
CapHill found this hilarious commercial. Probably NSFW.

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Single molecule's stunning image
Researchers have imaged single molecules in unprecedented detail, showing the chemical bonds that hold them together.

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Pics of the Week

Yes, that's a hurricane heading toward Arizona. Good times.

Quote of the Week

"I really can’t get too much into it right now, but I’m just looking to go somewhere where I can go and win a championship," [Stephen] Jackson said. "Either Cleveland, anywhere in Texas or out here with Al [Harrington] in New York."

via www.offresonance.com

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Comments

Great TWSS post, rik. No recommended links, though?

The Admiral photo came out pretty well, didn’t it? It was actually warped because of perspective (it was a framed picture hanging from a wall), and the camera’s flash had reflected off a plaque that read “Hall of fame”. I wonder where that was…

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Aug 31, 2009 10:29 AM CDT reply actions

eh, I meant to add them, but it was late. Now I’m at work – I can put those in tonight.

ACLs are like crutches. They’re only for the weaklings who can’t get along without them. -jollyrogerwilco

by Tim C. on Aug 31, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

There. Happy now? :)

ACLs are like crutches. They’re only for the weaklings who can’t get along without them. -jollyrogerwilco

by Tim C. on Aug 31, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah. :)

Free Darko: It’s Judgment That Defeats Us
That’s pretty good. Could use some editing, but I like this guy’s writing a lot.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Aug 31, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions

You forgot the “Offseason Photo Diary – Arizona”. Or is that last week already?

Haters beware: Kobe's drive for 5 starts now!-SLAM Magazine

by olf on Aug 31, 2009 11:21 AM CDT reply actions

LatinD linked it in the last one. But, I’m also not very keen on linking myself. :)

ACLs are like crutches. They’re only for the weaklings who can’t get along without them. -jollyrogerwilco

by Tim C. on Aug 31, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

LD does it :P

Anyway, thanks for the post, rik. I got a whole lot to read later.

The Roleplayer's Realm

by silverandblack_davis on Aug 31, 2009 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions

That doesn’t mean it’s easy for me. :)

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Aug 31, 2009 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions

WHAT THE FUCK IS THE BEACH REPORT THINKING !!!! YOU CANT FORGET TO MENTION GODS NAME LIKE THAT! IMS SURE HE DID IT BECAUSE HE IS FROM UNITEDS STATES WHERE THEY DONT GIVE DUE RESPECT TO THE BEST OF THE WORLD US THE ARGENTINES BUT YOU WILL SEE MANU WILL DESTROY THE LEAGUE AND SCREAM WITH THE HEAD OF LEBRONK JAMES ON HIS HAND “FAAAAAAAAAAANGIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO” WHILE HE DUNKS THE HEAD ON THE TORCH OF THE LIBERTY STATUE
…..
…..

CABRERA !!!!

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Aug 31, 2009 6:55 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"

by Chilai on Aug 31, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

everything I’d hoped for and more.

ACLs are like crutches. They’re only for the weaklings who can’t get along without them. -jollyrogerwilco

by Tim C. on Aug 31, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions

An Argentine apology forthcoming?

I, like you and perhaps many others, didn’t bother to click on the link with the number “2” or “Next,” which would have inevitably led me to the second page, where he does write about Manu Ginobili. Is it “Lo siento?” Or perhaps, “MY BAD?”

by theonlyromeo on Aug 31, 2009 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions

You shall not say the Lords name in vain?

"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG

by LasEspuelas on Sep 1, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Jefferson was like Jackson “without the drama.”

Ooh, I like that.

And, yeah, that b/r writer should be reminded that we still have an SG from Argentina whose name starts with a G and rhymes with inobili.

And I recced that Argentine rant. Hilarious.

by theonlyromeo on Aug 31, 2009 9:34 PM CDT reply actions

Hey, I got a question. The 1st preseason game is Oct 6th. And I presume that the players will report for camp about 2 weeks before that. Then they’ll do media day and all that stuff.

Does that sound about right?

Haters beware: Kobe's drive for 5 starts now!-SLAM Magazine

by olf on Sep 2, 2009 12:47 PM CDT reply actions

Camp starts Tuesday, September 29th for the Spurs. So yeah, that sounds about right.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Sep 2, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Great thanks!

Haters beware: Kobe's drive for 5 starts now!-SLAM Magazine

by olf on Sep 2, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Sept 29th to October 6th seems short….just one week

I guess it is what it is

by BlaseE on Sep 2, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Is it that odd for camp to straddle a preseason game or two?

From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 4, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

I don’t know. I’ve never paid this much attention to off-season or cared so much about preseason.

by BlaseE on Sep 4, 2009 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions

I was talking to a fellow Spurs fan who works at the bank I use, and asking him about how excited he was about the season starting with the great offseason we’d had. He said that he hadn’t been following it and I started telling him about all of the transactions. He said, “Wow, that’s a lot of guys,” and I thought, I guess it is. But it’s not too many is it?

So I started naming off the roster for him, certain that I’d get to the point where I’d say, “… and someone else I can’t remember.” but I never did. I guess it’s official that I spend either way too much time thinking about the Spurs — or just the right amount to unintentionally memorize the roster.

From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 4, 2009 11:57 PM CDT up reply actions

I have a new CD and when I’m driving and listening to it, sometimes I think about how the song could be related to the Spurs. Those are my moments when I think I’m thinking about the Spurs too much. I’ve been thinking of fanposting it, but I haven’t even had enough time to write a “My Team is Better” recently….

by BlaseE on Sep 5, 2009 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions

What is this CD? My curiosity is piqued.

From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 5, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

You're forcing my hand, jrw, forcing my hand.......

Fun.‘s Aim and Ignite…Even the album title is our FO’s offseason mantra….

I can’t get you links because I’m at work, but….

Track Listing:
1. Be Calm : Dealing with losing to Dallas…It also reminds me of Bonner’s inadequacies….

2. Benson Hedges: Dealing with the season ending and not having anything to watch….he sings about nothing being on TV and just turning it off….this isn’t one of my favorite songs

3. All the Pretty Girls: Nothing for this one…

4. I Wanna Be the One: Moving on from the rough season…this one is kind of more forced…this song is one of less memorable ones

5. At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be): This is Duncan singing about Gooden, especially after this. This is one of the main ones I wanted to fanpost about. Basically, Duncan is singing to Gooden about his lack of focus and then he flips it at the end, he says “while we were laughing and drinking…..and singing” which makes me think of us celebrating in the locker room post championships, especially in ‘07 when Gooden was on the Cavs. He also sings about not falling in love but only making acquaintances, it is like Duncan telling Gooden, you’re were just a passing team mate, you’re not important and don’t think you are.

6. Light a Roman Candle With Me: This picture makes me think of Pop on the beach in the Virgin Islands talking to Duncan about joining the Spurs. He is telling him about everything the Spurs can accomplish. Roman Candles = Chips. I love this one.

7. Walking the Dog: This song is all about Summer League and ATS’s real reporting. The chorus is about how the Summer League players singing how its not all glamorous like the Pros, and how its tough and about scraping and scrapping for contracts.

And then at the end of the song you get this “After all the shows [or games], after the boys of summer [league] have gone, amid all the confusion, these friends [team mates/reporters] I’ve been losin’, I always thought from the start I’d be movin’ on [to the pros], I guess I’ll never know where all the boys of summer [league] go, but I’ll miss what we made, all the days weren’t wasted, there are some things I may never know [because ATS didn’t microscope it], how you lost your mind [how much of a wear it was on you], and your wrist got bruised [or your nose broken twice], and you wanted better love sleeping in your bedroom [without your family in vegas]”

8. Barlights: this song is missing on my ipod at work…..sorry

9: The Gambler: Peter Holt singing to Duncan about risking it all for chips because he knows what Duncan has sacrificed. “I won’t just buy you a rose [Haislip], I will buy the flower shop [RJ, Dice, Blair, Haislip, Hairston, Ratliff] and you will never be lonely”. Then there is this, “And to think I nearly lost you, when the doctors tried to take you away…..you swore you’d be here til we decide its our time, but its not time, you’ve never quit in all your life, so just take my hand and know that I’ll never leave your side. You’re the love of my life [err, I mean franchise…Freudian slip], and know that I’ll never leave your side”. Then it ends, “The kids [fans] are coming home so I set the table [get you the team you need], you can make the fire [win the chip].”

10. Take Your Time (Coming Home): This is us, Spurs fans, saying that we love Parker, and we’re asking him to take his time coming back to SA after getting injured in international league play. We are asking him to take his time because we really want him to just take more time resting before he plays again. We’re also asking him to forgive us and the FO for asking him to come in the first place. It switches perspective at some point and its Tony being understanding of our point of view.

This song also makes me think of Manu swimming with sharks and that incredibly candid picture on his facebook of him laying in bed with his wife while she is sleeping and she is all bothered by the flash and the picture of Manu eating with the other Argentine basketball players and run-on sentences. It is us telling him to just relax and take his time coming back to SA (which isn’t really isn’t home) because we need him well rested, healthy, and happy.

It is an amazing album. Not one song is boring. The vocals by Nate Ruess, formerly of the Format, are beyond awesome as usual. Itunes gives you two b-sides for your dime too. Youtube has the songs too if you want to preview how amazing it really is.

Sorry for typos…I can’t proofread all of that since I’m at work and shouldn’t have written it all in the first place…It just snowballed.

by BlaseE on Sep 5, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions

6. “This song reminds me of the picture” and not “This picture”…..

by BlaseE on Sep 5, 2009 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions

BlaseE, this is great stuff. I couldn’t agree with you more. My favorite so far is Roman Candle and I completely get the Holt/Timmeh dynamic.

Just terrific stuff. Great analogies and references — and the music’s good too, eh?

Thanks for sharing.

From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Sep 5, 2009 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Someone at work who knows I care about the Spurs asked me the other day if I had heard Bowen was retiring. I almost SOL’d (scoffed out loud) having read Rikiddo’s piece 5 hours earlier that day.

by BlaseE on Sep 5, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions