San Antonio Spurs

Baylor’s Christina Holland and Texas A&M’s Greg Coleman cruised through opening heats Thursday and into the quarterfinals of the 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds. Both former San Antonio area prep standouts will compete Friday at Myers Stadium in an effort to make it to Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA championship meet. Coleman will be joined in the men’s quarters by Joshua Smith and Jumarcus Shelvin from UTSA.  Both moved up a round on Thursday, as did UTSA’s Christopher Hall in the open 400. In the long jump, UTSA’s Roscoe Robinson placed 15th, narrowly missing a trip to the nationals.  Also failing to advance was [...]

May 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Glen Rice Jr is interviewed during the NBA Draft combine at Harrison Street Athletics Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports When all the ping-pong balls fall into place and we know the order of the upcoming draft, this always makes for some interesting mock drafts from around the internet world.  We take a look first at a partner of the Fansided Network, Sports Illustrated writer Chris Mannix and his mock draft selections which were released this past Wednesday, May 22nd. With the 28th pick of the 2012-2013 NBA Draft, Mannix has the San Antonio Spurs selecting Glen Rice Jr.  For those that have followed the San Antonio Spurs and their last few draft picks, you know they like to go after some international players.  If you didn’t know that, check out this graphic from CBS Sports, as they themselves took a look back at how Western teams make their picks. As you can see by the graphic, 48% of the Spurs draft picks come from Foreign region, outside of Kawhi Leonard being drafted out of San Diego State.  Back to Mannix and his choice for the Spurs.  Here is what he had to say about that choice.  From the start, you can tell that it was even hard for him to pick a player as he too knows the way the Spurs usually go in previous drafts. It’s tough to get a read on what direction the Spurs will go here. They could opt for a raw international talent such as Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo or France’s Mouhammadou Jaiteh, someone they could stash overseas for a year or two like Manu Ginobili, Tiago Splitter or Luis Scola. Or they could opt for someone who can play right away. After a checkered career at Georgia Tech that ended in a dismissal from the team last year, Rice thrived in one season in the D-League, averaging 25 points and 9.5 rebounds for Rio Grande in the playoffs. More important, he stayed out of trouble, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by NBA executives. I have not had a chance to watch any of his games while he was in the developmental league, but from what Mannix states above, seems as if he had himself a good stay.  We all know our praised players have been from coming from the D-League into the NBA, ala Cory Joseph. Are you thinking San Antonio will go overseas yet again?  Why fix what is not broken right?  Let’s hear it.

Having just graduated high school, I convinced my dad to make the five and a half hour trip with me to see the WCF as a grad gift. We've got the hotels and tickets all lined up, and I am, to say the least...PUMPED. I've seen 3 OKC spurs matchups over the last few years, but never a playoff game. I'm planning to soak up as much of the experience as possible by getting in when the doors open and watching the warm-ups. Can't miss the autographs as well!! So PtR, who else is taking a journey to the music city to support our boys? Feel free to discuss your experiences as an away fan and share any words of wisdom or advice/secrets you may have to maximize a playoff experience! You rock, PtR, and GO SPURS GO!! Having just graduated high school, I convinced my dad to make the five and a half hour trip with me to see the WCF as a grad gift. We've got the hotels and tickets all lined up, and I am, to say the least...PUMPED. I've seen 3 OKC spurs matchups over the last few years, but never a playoff game. I'm planning to soak up as much of the experience as possible by getting in when the doors open and watching the warm-ups. Can't miss the autographs as well!! So PtR, who else is taking a journey to the music city to support our boys? Feel free to discuss your experiences as an away fan and share any words of wisdom or advice/secrets you may have to maximize a playoff experience! You rock, PtR, and GO SPURS GO!!

The UTSA Roadrunners posted a 13-3 victory over the San Jose State Spartans on Day 2 of the Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament. UTSA pounded out 20 hits, including five apiece by Riley Good and Mike Warren, in a game called after eight innings on the run rule.  Reliever Logan Onda was steady, pitching the last five innings and yielding only one run on six hits. The Roadrunners blew the game wide open with a six-run seventh.  After Onda and the Roadrunners held San Jose State scoreless in the eighth, UTSA had strung together 22 straight innings without an error in the tournament. The tourney is being played in Grand Prairie at QuikTrip Park.  Undefeated at 2-0 in the tournament, UTSA (33-23 [...]

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan and Tony Parker have been selected to the 2012-13 all-NBA first and second team respectively. Duncan received 45 first-team points and joined LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul on the first team. Parker is joined by Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin, Marc Gasol and Russell Westbrook on the all-NBA second team. Duncan averaged 17.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.7 blocks during the regular season while Parker notched 20.3 points, 7.6 assists, and shot 52% on the season. For Duncan this marks his 10th selection on the all-NBA first team and for Parker it marks his second selection to the second team. Here are the final results: 2012-13 ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM Position Player, Team (1st Team Votes) Points Forward LeBron James, Miami (119) 595 Forward Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City (102) 555 Center Tim Duncan, San Antonio (45) 392 Guard Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (91) 521 Guard Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers (97) 537 2012-13 ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM Position Player, Team (1st Team Votes) Points Forward Carmelo Anthony, New York (24) 397 Forward Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers 132 Center Marc Gasol, Memphis (38) 295 Guard Tony Parker, San Antonio (16) 273 Guard Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City (20) 306

Apr 24, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks with Kawhi Leonard (2) during game two of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at AT Good for him. ESPN’s Marc Stein just tweeted that Kawhi Leonard will definitely be on of Coach K’s 24 invitees to Team USA Mini Camp in Las Vegas. Don’t worry, @stackmack. Word is Kawhi Leonard will definitely be one of Coach K’s 24 invitees to Team USA mini camp in Vegas, too — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 23, 2013 With Leonard’s popularity becoming a norm in the NBA, this is no surprise. Leonard has been getting praise from players, teammates as well as other coaches for his play this season and continued play during the playoffs. This playoffs, Leonard is averaging 13.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game.  Leonard and the rest of the Spurs will be in action when the Western Conference Finals continues Saturday, May 25th in Memphis.

May 21, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) prior to tip-off against the Memphis Grizzlies in game two of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at AT It was an as usual hot and steamy day in May on the southside of San Antonio. On that 18th of May, a day that will live in infamy for any person growing up or living in San Antonio that grew up a Spurs fan. That season had been miserable. Chuck Person, Sean Elliott, David Robinson had all been on the injured list all season. They had struggled while fielding players like Jamie Feick, Cadillac Anderson, Jason Sasser, Devin Gray, and free agency failure Carl Herrera. Starting lineups included Will Perdue, Dominique WIlkins, along with Vinnie Del Negro and Avery Johnson. After David Robinson broke his foot and it was clear he would miss the rest of the season, reality had set in. No playoffs and they were headed for the lottery. I mean my god, it was the thing I’d watched during halftime of Spurs playoff games. They would be amongst the likes of Dallas, Boston, Denver, Golden State, and ugh, the Clippers. Well wait, even that season the Clippers made the playoffs!! GOD! HOW EMBARRASSING!!! So, at the age of 16, I booted up my Apple macintosh and got online through AOL. I patiently waited as I looked up college player’s stats. The Spurs clearly needed a power forward to replace the aging and injured Terry Cummings. So the first player that stood out? Adonal Foyle. He lead the nation in rebounding at Colgate. Keith Van Horn, I didn’t like, he really made me think tall lanky and soft. Tim Duncan? Oh, yeah well the Spurs arent getting him, he’s gonna go to Boston. Boston that year had lots of draft picks, and had actually been worse than the Spurs. May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Tracy McGrady (1, back) hugs power forward Tim Duncan (21, front) during the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports I had estimated at the time, the Spurs will draft third most likely. So for weeks I followed stats, Foyle stayed up at the top of rebounds. So I figured, him next to Robinson would be fantastic! He could be a normal Rodman! How about Tony Battie? He would look good blocking shots next to D-Rob, but eh, he’d get taken too most likely. So for the longest time I ignored Duncan. Spurs weren’t getting him, but I watched him on TV and wished he would come. Logically though, nah. So time went by and finally. FINALLY! The 18th of May had come. As Russ Granik pulled the logos from the envelopes, Cleveland first. Ugly logo, next. Indiana. Tough but, another playoff compatriot in the lottery.Sacramento, Milwaukee, and Toronto went by. Totally as planned. Golden State, then New Jersey. Boston at 6! Wow I thought, 1 and 6, they’re gonna own next year. 5 Denver. Hmm, strange, guess we got 4. Vancouver, understandable but strange they weren’t allowed to have the #1 pick yet anyways. Then Boston came out again. My jaw dropped, OMG we have one of the top 2 picks!!!! Then Granik and I remember this like yesterday, struggled opening the second envelope. As he slid the card out the Philadelphia 76ers logo was revealed and I literally jumped up and ran around the house screaming. WE GOT DUNCAN WE GOT DUNCAN WE GOT DUNCAN!!!!! Didn’t hear till later Peter Holt’s chortles of joy. As soon as everything calmed down, it was just a matter of time till June 28th rolled around and it would be official. We fast forward to the first game. A game that any other year would’ve just been a scroll page on ESPN. A battle of two lottery teams from the previous year, San Antonio in Denver. However for us San Antonians we were glued to the TV. It was a late start, however, we stayed up. Watching Duncan next to Robinson was

On Friday, the San Antonio Silver Stars will begin their 2013-2014 season with the game opener against the reining WNBA Champions, the Indiana Fever. Both preseason games were against the Fever, and while the Stars lost both games, the team showed drive and aggression, displaying a team ready to fight. What is to make of this year’s roster? But bad news first – Becky Hammon, the seven-time WNBA All-Star player, has been sidelined with a broken middle finger on her right hand, sustained during training camp this past Saturday. As told by Stars staff, "A timeline for her return will be established following further evaluation this week." This is in addition to the loss of Sophia Young, the Stars’ leading scorer, who tore her ACL in February while playing in China during the off-season. As said perfectly by Nate Parman (@NateP_SBN), writer for SBN’s Swish Appeal: And really, no matter how long Hammon is out as a result, the significance of this one is pretty simple as well: the Silver Stars have had a rough offseason and could be headed for a tough regular season … Or if you prefer a more positive spin, this could be a development year with some opportunities for their young talent to play. Are fans worried? YES. Are fans hopeful? YES. Luckily, a broken finger won’t keep Becky out too long, but a few weeks does equal to many early games. During Media Day, I spoke with Becky Hammon about how it felt to sit out during the first preseason game, since she did not play, which is (sadly) a perfect look into what she will be feeling for the coming weeks: I hate sitting out. I hate being injured, I just hate sitting out. Even in practices, I don’t like sitting out of practices. A lot of players that I’ve played with, with every little ache and pain, they say, "I’m out." To me, it’s boring sitting out. I’d rather get something out of my time than sit over there watching. But fear not, anxious supporter. The San Antonio Stars rely on each other to accomplish the ultimate goal, which is winning. As Coach Dan Hughes said at training camp, "To us, star power is like a constellation – we have stars but they are all in alignment. If we are missing one of those stars, it doesn’t destroy the whole constellation." That’s the culture of the Stars family. Many of the veteran players told me that over the years, they move more into the role of mentor along with teammate. Those women have gone through the worries and the doubting, just as the rookies are now, so finding a way to help them through those emotions is an important role for the "established" crew. Specifically, for Christine Flores, rookie from Missouri and hometown hero from Churchill High School, the veterans on the team who are helping her through the rollercoaster knows as professional sports are also the same women who acted as role models for her basketball career: When I was younger, I was one of those annoying girls who were walking around, trying to get a picture with everyone on the team. Just finally being here and having girls to that to me now, I’m like, "Oh my gosh, I made it!" And the fact that I’m actually on the team with some of the girls that I’ve been watching since I was younger is the most incredible feeling in the whole world. Interestingly, Flores told me that she was quite surprised to be where is she now, a WNBA player, because her past athletic performance wasn’t too promising: No one thought I would make it here, because I couldn't even catch a basketball in my freshman year. I came in and was so awful. Nobody, and I mean nobody, thought I would be here right now. Now, this local star is ready to transition from the college game to professional game. She told me she feels ready, but is also ready to learn and grow to become more physical and ready for the muscle that comes with the women’s game.

Kawhi Leonard may have slipped to the 15th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, where the San Antonio Spurs promptly grabbed him in a draft day deal, but he has already garnered league-wide respect for his rapid development -- improving upon his college 3-point percentage by nearly 13 points (37.5 percent shooting from behind the arc in his first two seasons). All of this, despite an inconsistent release and the athleticism of wing defenders capable of bearing down and eliminating his space to shoot. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Leonard will likely be invited to Team USA's July mini-camp, headed by Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Leonard will join 23 high profile young players including 2012 No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes and Larry Sanders. Team USA will use this mini-camp as a decent barometer to judge whether Leonard is a good fit for the select team, which competes against the national team in several tune ups before Olympic and World Cup play. Moreover, last summer, Kawhi participated in Las Vegas for the U.S. Select Team and had nothing but great things to say about the experience. Leonard recently clamped down on fellow camp invitee Thompson in the Western Conference semifinals, limiting the second "Splash Brother" to just 14 points per 36 minutes and 41.5 percent shooting when he was on the floor, both figures below his regular season marks. Leonard's precipitous ascension to the league elite just continues -- many of of his draft mates still remain on the fringe of their respective rotations. Leonard, meanwhile, is averaging 13.9 points and 7.9 rebounds in 37.3 minutes per game for a team two wins away from the NBA Finals. He isn't quite a household name, but he's getting closer every year.