Media Day / Training Camp Thread

Place for everything related to media day photos, quotes, etc and Training camp news

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma...vcno1_1280.jpg

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

And for those wondering: Yes de Colo is going to bunk w/Boris Diaw at Tony Parker's place, aka the French Frat House, for time being

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

Spurs planning on working de Colo at both guard positions. He acknowledges he has much to learn, eager to start.

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Spurs Training Camp Roster: (New)

Tyler Wilkerson
Derrick Brown
Josh Powell
Tre' Kelley
Wesley Witherspoon

(Returning)

DeJuan Blair
Matt Bonner
Nando de Colo
Boris Diaw
Tim Duncan
Manu Ginobili
Danny Green
Stephen Jackson
Cory Joseph
Kawhi Leonard
Patty Mills
Gary Neal
Tony Parker
Tiago Splitter

Isn't media day Monday?

Yeah, a mistake on my part; Spurs twitter posted that picture of SJAX in front of the green screen and I figured it was for media day.

REGULAR SEASON CHAMPS !!!!!!!!!!!!

Who cares about the playoffs ?

Can't wait to see Matt Bonner still in a Spurs jersey this season.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timtonymanu

Can't wait to see Matt Bonner still in a Spurs jersey this season.

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Well at least we won't have to see a certain player this year:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ECb9SJ8YzM...son-spurs1.jpg

http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/12/01/66.../9/628x471.jpg

http://www.nba.com/media/bobcats/090807_jefferson.jpg

witherspoon looks interesting, any pics withoutspoon?

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Originally Posted by ace3g

Well at least we won't have to see a certain player this year:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ECb9SJ8YzM...son-spurs1.jpg

http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/12/01/66.../9/628x471.jpg

http://www.nba.com/media/bobcats/090807_jefferson.jpg

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I suddenly feel much better about this season. Thanks :lol

oh yeah Bonner or RJ



Pick your poison

No Ryan Richards.

Wonder where he'll pop up next.

Would rather have Bonner, at least he knows what to do and simply curls up in a fetal position come April :lmao

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TimmehC

No Ryan Richards.

Wonder where he'll pop up next.

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He probably won't. Got a shitload of talent, but didn't seem to give much effort in SL.

:hungry:

Fastest off season ever.

GO SPURS GO!

Spurs still have 2 roster spot open for the training camp. I would be surprised if at least one of these 2 players isn't a center because Spurs are very thin at that spot. What would be interesting is if this center added is just a practice body or a player with a legit shot at making the final roster.

On another subject, De Colo just tweeted that he will wear #25 with Spurs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Spurs still have 2 roster spot open for the training camp. I would be surprised if at least one of these 2 players isn't a center because Spurs are very thin at that spot. What would be interesting is if this center added is just a practice body or a player with a legit shot at making the final roster.

On another subject, De Colo just tweeted that he will wear #25 with Spurs.

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So he's pretty much the French James Anderson? :downspin:

He posted this picture on his FB page earlier today, going with the Ben Stiller Zoolander Post Modeling look.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...93641008_n.jpg

^ it was part of a series of picture of french athletes taken before the Olympics. They were disguised in gold miners with the idea that they will go to the Olympics to find gold like miners do.

Diaw was too part of this campaign:
http://a10.idata.over-blog.com/525x7...dy-Doucara.jpg

Suits all of them tbh.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Spurs still have 2 roster spot open for the training camp. I would be surprised if at least one of these 2 players isn't a center because Spurs are very thin at that spot. What would be interesting is if this center added is just a practice body or a player with a legit shot at making the final roster.

On another subject, De Colo just tweeted that he will wear #25 with Spurs.

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Well it won't be Fesenko.

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine

Going online as we speak: ESPN sources say Bulls to sign center Kyrylo Fesenko by week's end after working him out in Chicago

Damn it. I thought Fesenko would've done just fine here. Big body who can defend and rebound, is that so hard to find? :lol

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine

Bulls been looking for proven big willing to take non-guaranteed deal now & possibly re-sign in late NOV when tax issues ease. Fes says yes

Wow, Spurs seem like they just DO NOT want a big.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ice009

Wow, Spurs seem like they just DO NOT want a big.

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You speak as if a free agent would be easier to acquire than a trade.

Plus, Pop isn't focusing on LAL, he's focusing on OKC as the team to beat. Guess guys like Rasho left a bad taste in his mouth.

The Spurs still need another big. What you said about OKC is might be true, but we still need another big. You must have another big, can't go into a series against LA with the current bigs on the roster.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ice009

The Spurs still need another big. What you said about OKC is might be true, but we still need another big. You must have another big, can't go into a series against LA with the current bigs on the roster.

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I doubt league minimum big men would be good for anything save 6 fouls to hack D12, tbh.

If the Spurs need a serviceable big they can package any of Blair/Bonner/Neal (and if you ask me, keep Blair even if he's useless against LAL precisely because he simply eats up OKC) for a salary dump, THEN sign a big. Or trade for one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by racm

Would rather have Bonner, at least he knows what to do and simply curls up in a fetal position come April :lmao

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And he's much cheaper too.

So, if Blair eats up OKC, was it a mistake of Pop's not to play him more in the playoffs?

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Originally Posted by rmt

And he's much cheaper too.

So, if Blair eats up OKC, was it a mistake of Pop's not to play him more in the playoffs?

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Pop hasn't liked what he's seen the past two seasons. Of course, it's a contract year and a season in shape for the Dancing Bear, so he has a good chance of being the fourth big.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crc21209

Damn it. I thought Fesenko would've done just fine here. Big body who can defend and rebound, is that so hard to find? :lol

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Apparently it is. When you stop and think about it, the number of 'franchise' quality centers has dropped off considerably in the NBA.

Ten questions for the 2012-13 season

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With training camp less than a week away, let’s take a broad overview of some of the bigger questions facing the Spurs as they attempt to wedge their way past the Lakers and Thunder for Western Conference supremacy.

Was standing pat the right move?

The Spurs’ decision to go with essentially the same team that, depending on your point of view, was either two games from the Finals or reverse swept off the court by Oklahoma City has been debated all summer.

On paper, it looks to be a typically sound, safe choice from the Spurs. But with the Lakers having loaded up and the Thunder not going anywhere, only time will tell if it was the right choice.

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http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...012-13-season/

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo

Spurs add Derrick Brown, Josh Powell, Tyler Wilkerson & Wesley Witherspoon to training camp roster. San Antonio's roster now stands at 18.

Laker Powell? Not bad.

Official Spurs release:

http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/120927_training_camp

Josh Powell is an excellent camp addition. Another player that has a better than average chance to make the team.

I've always liked Powell so good news to see him in camp. But with one spot open I'm hoping Brown wins the role.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by benefactor

Josh Powell is an excellent camp addition. Another player that has a better than average chance to make the team.

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Unless a trade is made, Brown most likely has the inside track. One, he's better; two, he's almost five years younger; and three, he fills a more glaring positional need.

I don't mind adding Powell for camp, but again, where is the true center? And why is damn near every big they acquire or bring in for camp 6-9 or under, with mediocre or worse athleticism? Fesenko would have made a lot more sense.

4 training camp invite = 4 long SF/mobile PF.

There are definitively something behind these moves. These players aren't just practice bodies for the training camp. Spurs are looking at a combo forward and, unless they all suck, the best of these 4 players will be kept past the training camp.

Probably so. I'd rather have Brown anyway. Need to get rid of some of these damn guards.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruno

4 training camp invite = 4 long SF/mobile PF.

There are definitively something behind these moves. These players aren't just practice bodies for the training camp. Spurs are looking at a combo forward and, unless they all suck, the best of these 4 players will be kept past the training camp.

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I was thinking the same thing. Brown and Powell are both NBA level players. The Spurs wouldn't invite players this good just to scrap them after camp.

"Players this good"? The Pistons invited Flynn and Williams and they already have 15 guaranteed contract. The Nets gave Blatche and Childress non guaranteed contracts. McGrady is probably going to have to accept a non guaranteed contract. Guys like Barbosa and Redd may not get signed before the season starts.

Things are changing. A few years ago, I'd have agreed that someone like Powell was slightly above "you wouldn't invite him for camp just for the hell of it", but not anymore.

As far as combo forward, that hasn't been accurate of Powell for years. He's flat out a PF. Although I guess you could add /C, because dam near every PF plays some C today.

So because a bunch of old players, player that suck and players that are head cases are unsigned/in camps instead of signed this is now the norm and the Spurs are just bringing in NBA level players for the hell of it?

Typical take from you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by benefactor

So because a bunch of old players, player that suck and players that are head cases are unsigned/in camps instead of signed this is now the norm and the Spurs are just bringing in NBA level players for the hell of it?

Typical take from you.

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No, I'm saying much higher profile players are not getting guaranteed contracts and some are in the untenable situation of having to beat someone out with a guaranteed contract. So it shouldn't be a surprise if someone like Powell (who obviously has far less cache than any of them) is brought in to camp with the likelihood of him making the team being slim. And I'm not sure why you think Powell is anything more than a fringe player.

Blair putting in work in the gym... Might have to kill the fat jokes

http://www.projectspurs.com/2012-art...n-the-gym.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bklynspursfan

Blair putting in work in the gym... Might have to kill the fat jokes

http://www.projectspurs.com/2012-art...n-the-gym.html

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If only there were height exercises. :depressed

Just a heads up, we will be streaming Monday's media day.

:flag:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spursdotcom

Just a heads up, we will be streaming Monday's media day.

:flag:

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Good to hear

:tu

Lot to keep an eye on as Spurs’ camp nears

Quote:

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By Mike Monroe

There are plenty of questions as the Spurs open training camp at their practice facility next week, but one big decision must be made before camp begins: Will the team insist that point guard Tony Parker continue wearing the protective goggles he sported during the Olympics in London?

Parker didn’t like the protective eyewear, but it was necessary after a freak injury that required surgery to remove a shard of glass from his left cornea. He pitched the goggles into the stands after Spain eliminated France from the medal round, declaring he was done with them for good.

When he arrives for his physical exam ahead of Tuesday’s start of camp, he may discover the club’s well-established history of erring on the side of caution with injuries demands he be fitted for new goggles.

“I’m not sure that’s a decision ‘Dr. Parker’ gets to make on his own,” Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. “We haven’t seen him yet. We’re now several months, post-injury. We’ll have a better picture of it when we see him. Somebody very qualified will examine that eye.”

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http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...99-camp-nears/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by benefactor

I was thinking the same thing. Brown and Powell are both NBA level players. The Spurs wouldn't invite players this good just to scrap them after camp.

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I fear Powell is done. but it doesn't hurt to doublecheck.
IMO Brown will make the team.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bklynspursfan

Blair putting in work in the gym... Might have to kill the fat jokes

http://www.projectspurs.com/2012-art...n-the-gym.html

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Fucking finally.
I expect a much better and more motivated Blair.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TE

Fucking finally.
I expect a much better and more motivated Blair.

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Same here... Then I expect him to be traded if he can build up enough value. But seriously, i don't know why he took so long to do this.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bklynspursfan

But seriously, i don't know why he took so long to do this.

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Contract year

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bklynspursfan

But seriously, i don't know why he took so long to do this.

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we know he is slow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eric365

Contract year

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I see that now, but the guy complained about not getting playing time, you'd think if he wanted it he'd take it more seriously.

Media briefing:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb...vcno1_1280.jpg

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

Summing up about 8 minutes of Pop: West is tough, Spurs want to improve defense, everyone's healthy, Duncan looks trim and fit, ready to go.

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

Not exactly a stop-the-presses headline, but Pop singles out OKC and Lakers as the teams to chase in the West.

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

Pop says Tony Parker's eye has not been examined by Spurs docs since his return, but nobody seems overly concerned about it.

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

Key to defensive improvement, Pop says is "more consistency." Thought they were good in spots last season, "mediocre" overall.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ace3g

Media briefing:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb...vcno1_1280.jpg

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

Summing up about 8 minutes of Pop: West is tough, Spurs want to improve defense, everyone's healthy, Duncan looks trim and fit, ready to go.

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

Not exactly a stop-the-presses headline, but Pop singles out OKC and Lakers as the teams to chase in the West.

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

Pop says Tony Parker's eye has not been examined by Spurs docs since his return, but nobody seems overly concerned about it.

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

Key to defensive improvement, Pop says is "more consistency." Thought they were good in spots last season, "mediocre" overall.

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You can add this one too (although it shadows one that was already said lol)

Quote:

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Joe Alexander ‏@JoeAlexander210
It sounds like Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will make defense the biggest emphasis in camp. Nothing new there.

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I'm just glad that will be a key emphasis as it really needs to be.

Pop says the same thing every year... wake me up when he starts getting in player's faces and benching guys after defensive fuckups... that Pop has been MIA for a long time now...

Video of Pop interview

http://www.nba.com/spurs/video/120928_pop

It would be great if the team shows defensive improvement this year. Might not happen individually for any of the big 3. Maybe Parker.

It's nice to hear from Pop that his priority is to improve the defense. We will see if he backs up his claim by playing the right players at the right spots.

The rest of the interview was some classic Pop with him doing a great job at not really answering at the questions.

And thanks to spurs website people for all these videos. :tu

It probably isn't any different than years past but it seems like Pop is really stressing that these guys compete hard for playing time during camp and all that. Wish I could be apart of some of these practices to see our guys going at it and competing for spots. Incredibly crowded roster.


Also, not that it should be a surprise but Tim Duncan is just fuckin awesome. Even thinner and more mobile then last year? This guy never fails to amaze.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DesignatedT

Even thinner and more mobile then last year?

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The Maps app sucks though... :lol

:lol


What's wrong with the maps app btw?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DesignatedT

:lol


What's wrong with the maps app btw?

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http://www.latimes.com/business/tech...,4208097.story

interesting

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DesignatedT

:lol


What's wrong with the maps app btw?

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whizbang 3d stuff, but the basic 2D mapping sucks. Apple really screwed up.

The question is now whether they will block Google maps app when it arrives in a couple months.

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

Far too early to know what to make of Nando de Colo, but ... those who have seen him in open gym this week rave about his passing skills.

i dunno what further defensive upgrade the spurs going to bring, when they still have the turd towers let alone not playin splitter/duncan at the same time more minutes....

Well if the either Brown or Wilkerson works out, the Spurs can try a few SF/small ball PF combo line ups of mobile guys; it worked for the Heat and Thunder. We would have Kawhi, SJAX, Diaw, and Brown/Wilkerson.

Against the Thunder we got in trouble when one of Kawhi/SJAX got in foul trouble and Thunder went with the Durant/Harden combo. Having an extra SF/small ball PF would really help.

Hopefully the Spurs make a trade for another big as well for the likes of the Lakers.

At least last year we ditched the Blair/Bonner lineup. Can we now ditch them completely?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DesignatedT

At least last year we ditched the Blair/Bonner lineup. Can we now ditch them completely?

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I think last year in the playoffs, Pop finally got over his Bonner love, not sure about Blair, but eliminating one of them would really help.

Pop: Tim looks great..trim fit ready to go. Bonner also looks great....looking to give him more minutes this season....particularly for his corporate knowledge.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ace3g

I think last year in the playoffs, Pop finally got over his Bonner love, not sure about Blair, but eliminating one of them would really help.

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Bonner out and more PT for Blair, tbh.

Small-ball with Kawhi/Jax at the 4 and Blair at the 5 worked pretty well, too.

tl;dr give Bonner more DNP-CDs please.

I believe Bonner is needed. We need a big who can shoot the 3 ball rather well, and he's the ideal candidate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spursince#99

I believe Bonner is needed. We need a big who can shoot the 3 ball rather well, and he's the ideal candidate.

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Diaw can shoot, jackson can shoot & Brown has been working on his 3 point shot. Bonner is not needed anymore.

I'm all for being defense first, but we don't actually have the personnel and the um...bigs...to do that at an elite level.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by justinandimcool

I'm all for being defense first, but we don't actually have the personnel and the um...bigs...to do that at an elite level.

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The Spurs have serviceable perimeter defense. Although they would get bullied in the post when Duncan sits, yes, but defending the pick and roll and perimeter players in general will benefit the team more overall since there is only one Dwight Howard.

Pop wears the same fucking Australia Bball shirt at the start of every season. He must anticipate to wearing it every year.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MR.SILVER&BLack

Diaw afraid to shoot.

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Fixed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IknowU

Pop wears the same fucking Australia Bball shirt at the start of every season. He must anticipate to wearing it every year.

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I never noticed. Got any other pics from previous seasons?

What is Timmy's weight theses days? 250?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by racm

The Spurs have serviceable perimeter defense. Although they would get bullied in the post when Duncan sits, yes, but defending the pick and roll and perimeter players in general will benefit the team more overall since there is only one Dwight Howard.

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Key point.
It's no secret Spurs got beat by not having adequate perimeter D vs. OKC in the WCF's. And they would of had even more trouble facing Miami if they made it to the finals. But the lack of defense minded bigs was also an issue when Duncan sat. My guess is Pop is leaning towards the direction of improving defense as you pointed out. Athletic/Quick 3/4's is the tendency throughout the league. And to be honest the depth of "quality" "traditional" bigs is lessening in the league. Hence small ball being implemented more than ever.

Small ball works because the quantity of big men who offer more than six fouls per game is at a low, what with AAU play focusing on speed and athleticism and guys like Dirk making it cool for seven footers to jack up threes.

and complete NBATV preseason schedule:

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2012/0...s=iref:nbahpt2

I've had it for the past 3 years but seem to have forgotten if League Pass broadband televises pre-season games. Anyone know?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by justinandimcool

I'm all for being defense first, but we don't actually have the personnel and the um...bigs...to do that at an elite level.

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NBA Bigs are going the way of the dinosaur. There wasn't a 7 footer in the Finals last year.

San Antonio Spurs ‏@spurs

[Live coverage] Spurs Media Day Begins at 12:30 http://j.mp/IztHjE

^Wow, spursdotcom is streaming media day. Nice :tu

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...23044712_n.jpg

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb...vcno1_1280.jpg

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb...vcno1_1280.jpg

#25 for De Colo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timvp

^Wow, spursdotcom is streaming media day. Nice :tu

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up and running now at spurs.com/live check for more photos at spurs.com/notebook

ahhhh....

Joe Alexander ‏@JoeAlexander210

Spurs camp roster includes Eddy Curry - 10 year veteran center.

Derrick Brown wearing #1, Curry #52

Eddy Curry. Interesting

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spursdotcom

up and running now at spurs.com/live check for more photos at spurs.com/notebook

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Great stuff, thanks! :tu

Josh Powell #10, Tyler Wilkerson #7 going with the Roger Mason Hair

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb...vcno1_1280.jpg

Damn, Eddy Curry? pics please

crofl Curry. He won't last long with Pop. He's been lazy for a decade. I doubt that will change now.

Pop needs to 'get over himself'. :lol Curry is the tallest guy in camp.