It was reported by the local media in Argentina. I'm torn on this one. On the one hand, I want him to be 100% ready for the Spurs next season so am worried he won't be able to recharge his batteries and heal completely from the jammed ankle (or worse) in time, so don't want him to participate. On the other hand I realize he's a national hero there (he's to Argentina what Pele was to Brazil) and representing his country and fellow countrymen is HUGE for him and them, so I would like for him to do so. I just don't know..........like I said I'm torn. What do you guys (and girls) think?

I haven't been following the Finals or the NBA since the WCF. I had some downtime at work and came across the Donaghy story Chris Sheridan has on ESPN (check out the link). Sheridan  I'm not crying conspiracy or anything and I do realize that Dona doesn't have much credibility but.......I wonder if there are any Spurs games included in his 7 page report? Hmm......Also check out Marc Stein's take on the whole thing Stein. And again, I AM NOT a conspiracy jockey, the whole thing is just interesting. Public perception may not be reality, but it carries almost as much (if not more) weight. What do you think?

Big surprise, everybody is writing us off again, just lack last round vs the Hornets. So we're down 2-0 and couldn't "steal" one of the first two. We call it stealing because it's not supposed to happen. The team with the home court is SUPPOSED to win. That being said, one way or another we'll HAVE to steal one. There are potentially two more chances for the steal, granted the farther into series you go for that steal the lower your chances, BUT as long as we can take care of business in our house we still have good chance, i.e. the afformentioned Hornets series. Eff the injuries, the conspiracy theories, the over the hill/too old B.S. Our Spurs are champions and have the heart of one. I realize this post wreaks of homerism but I truly believe that until we lose one at home there's nothing to sweat about.  The basic keys for victory are these:

1.) Bruce MUST stay out of foul trouble stick to Kobe like glue. ( He'll get his 30 but will have to shoot 30 times and work for it)

2.) Manu needs to be Manu. If he's hurt either sit him to heal or shoot up his ankle so the real deal shows up.

3)Tony needs to be aggresive with his one man fastbreaks and attack the basket. If they pack the paint, focus on Chips shooting techniques and hit the open shot

4) Horry needs warm the bench, and if he HAS to come in, at least not until the very end so he still has his legs for a Big Shot" to even be a possiblity (would rather he warm the bench period, but Pop has blinders on when it comes to him)

5a.)J.V. MUST NOT come into the game other than to intentionally foul if needed

5b.)Bones needs to back up Tony. He's too smart and can shoot lights out opening up the paint for everyone else. Why the hell is here anyway?

As I mentioned in a prior post, NOOCH, you gotta pay your dues. You have to feel the pain/disbelief of your season being over. All the hype, the best regular season record in franchise history, the induvidual awards and recognition, homecourt and even a division championship do not/ can not equal a world championship if it's your first time there and unluckily matched against a veteran playoff tested team. It took the Bad Boy Pistons a couple of tries to get past the Celtics then Showtime Lakers respectively, it took MJ a few tries to get past those very Pistons, it took Timmy a couple of tries to get past Utah (luckily for us, the Bulls Dynasty was done so we never had to overcome them). Youth and talent can get you alot of wins, alot of fans, and past the first couple of rounds, but eventually at some point you're going to come up against a playoff hardened (and in your case championship) team. It's like the Sun (Phoenix Ha-Ha) going against the dad or the little brother going against the big brother. You don't succeed the first time thru, it takes a few years to mature and catch up. Somtimes you come close (even compete) but when it really counts the dad or big brother raises the intensity level, plays for keeps and sends you to defeat. Eventually you do catch up and if you've dedicated yourself, practiced and worked hard you might actually win, maybe even be dominant against your older nemesis. But it's not quickly done or easy, the bottom line is that it takes time and it is NOT given to you. NOOCH is a very good team, they are talented and played extremely well against our Spurs. They came close (very), they competed, but when it really counted (game 7) the intensity level went up, we played for keeps and now have sent you to defeat. Don't hang your head, don't make drastic changes, just feel this agony, let it harden you and maybe, just maybe if you dedicate yourself, practice your craft and work hard you might overcome.... someday. I'm not saying the NOOCH is ever going to win a championship. I'm only saying that any team that does, took their lumps, were better for it and eventually got over the preverbial hump.

I've been a Spurs fan all my life. I've read/known about PtR for about 3 or 4 years. I really dig the insight you guys bring to the table. ESPN SUX, the national media in general sucks (Spurs rarely get props they deserve) and I would take it personal when these putzes (is that a word?) would either make little to no mention of or take a crap on the Spurs. Prior to PtR I was pretty much limited to mysa.com, the opponents newspaper websites and the local news for anything in depth. Anyhow, I'm new to PtR as a blogger so what was meant to be a post I mistakenly left as comment on another post so here it is........

Although the Horn Nutz ARE talented and they DID hand us our asses twice during the regular season, it was just that, the regular season. As you all know, the playoffs are a different beast altogether. For those teams that are talented enough to make them repeatedly, and smart enough to learn from their previous attempts to get past the first round or beyond, there is a learning curve involved in understanding and attaining the increased intensity level that it takes to advance far into the playoffs and hopefully end up the last team standing. Unless you're team is supremely talented and they completely outmatch their series opponents, it’s extremely difficult for young, first time (even second or third time) playoff teams to advance far into the playoffs and win the whole thing. Timmies rookie year (I still feel we were robbed), Mikes Bulls, Lebrons Cavs (still waiting on them), the Dynasty Pistons, even these current Pistons ect, ect. have had to overcome an experienced ballclub, usually a few times, who always handed them their lunch. They had to take  their medicine and go home young, a little more playoff hardened and empty handed. In this league, you have to take your lumps, get bounced a couple of times (at least once) FEEL that pain of knowing their season is OVER, no more games to play in or prepare for, and that ALL the hard work, the bumps, bruises, the induvidual awards if applicable, were in the end…...for nothing. They have to chalk it up to experience, spend the offseason thinking what if, working on that jump shot/ free throw shooting/ game plan/ overall self and team improvement. Above all, they take the experience gained from actually being there, the pain of losing and going home early, job unfinished, and try again next season with a better understanding of what it REALLY takes to get there. CP3 is awesome, I like the Hornets and it should be a competive series. In the end though, they’re taking on the 4 time and current defending champs, they're in the 2nd round for the first time since they we’re in Charlotte (I think) and taking on a Spurs team that is now officially in PLAYOFF MODE. They will NOT see the same, somewhat disinterested team they spanked twice earlier this year. They will learn from this series and they themselves, end up having to chalk it up to experience and hopefully for them, learn from it. It's the way of the world, to be the best, to succeed at ANYTHING you do (unless you're smokin HOT and have everyting given to you of course) you have to put in the work. You have to experience failure. Horn Nutz, you have experience SPURS PLAYOFF MODE. Spurs in six

I'm at wrk right now, so gonna try to be quick with this. Hope it makes sense since I'll off and on this while working. I LOVE our Spurs, not just because of the hardware, not just because we DO have really good guys but more so because of the overall work ethic, the commitment to the goal. These things are instilled, not purchased or given and along with talent leads to success in not only sports, but whatever you do. Our Spurs along the lines of pounding the rock see the big picture and play those 82 games as well the playoffs with their eyes on the ultimate goal of getting the trophy and rings. The regular season and the post season are like two huge games to them. The first one preparing their focus, defensive rotations, offense, ect. but not meaning as much importance wise so not as much effort until the 4th (rodeo road trip and on). The second (postseason) being played with the full 48 playoff intensity minutes in mind. Each round counting one quarter with the Finals being the all important 4th. This team is built for the playoffs and getting through each round is expected. Just as getting to each quarter of an induvidual game is expected/required. Anything short would mean the game was never finished. These guys intend/expect to finish