Jeff McDonald: Spurs' January planner

[Spurs Brazil]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...N.28fa893.html

Pro basketball: Spurs' January planner

Web Posted: 12/31/2007 10:47 PM CST

Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News

Schedule
3: @Denver

4: New York

6: @L.A. Clippers

7: @Golden State

10: Detroit

12: Minnesota

14: Philadelphia

17: Cleveland

19: @Houston

21: @Charlotte

23: L.A. Lakers

24: @Miami

26: New Orleans

28: @Utah

29: @Seattle

31: @Phoenix

Must-see TV

Jan. 31 @Phoenix: Robert Horry will probably need to enter town under the cloak of night, and with an armed guard. This will be his first trip to Phoenix since he hip-checked Steve Nash into the AT&T Center scorer's table in last year's Western Conference semifinals. His return adds another juicy storyline to what already is one of the league's best rivalries.

Return of the King

Jan. 17 vs. Cleveland: LeBron James' coronation didn't quite go as planned in last year's NBA Finals — the Spurs swept him into an early summer vacation. So far, the Cavs haven't looked quite up to a Finals return, but James has been spectacular. He enters January averaging 28.8 points per game.

Circus comes to town

Friday vs. New York: In the aftermath of Isiah Thomas' sexual harasment trial, and in the midst of Stephon Marbury's apparent strike, it's difficult to remember that the Knicks also are a nightmare on the court as well. Will Thomas show up at the AT&T Center with a bag over his head? Will Marbury show up at all? Stay tuned.

Foe focus

Chris Paul, Hornets (Jan. 26, AT&T Center): There are a small handful of players who could challenge Tony Parker for the le of "Best Young Point Guard in the West." Paul is one of them. He averaged 25.6 points and 10 assists during the month of December, and remains the main reason New Orleans is nipping at the Spurs' heels in the Southwest Division.

Fantasy play

Michael Finley vs. Nuggets (Thursday): A famously streaky shooter, Finley seems to be on the upswing now. He has scored in double figures in 10 of the past 11 games, the most consistent such string of his Spurs career. Finley probably hasn't been owned in many fantasy leagues so far this season, but he's worth riding while he's hot.

Monthly prediction

The Spurs struggled at times during an injury-filled December. They will need to be at full health to survive what could shape up to be a jagged January. The Spurs face nine teams which were in the playoffs last year, and for the first month this season will play more games on the road than at home. Call it 10-6.

[SAGambler]

I think the early part of the schedule will determine how many we win. Depends on when Manu and Brent come back and how well they play the first game or two back.

10-6 is a reasonably good prediction, but I could see an 11-5 or even a 12-4 if Manu can come back and shoot with that plastic contraption on his left hand.

However, if Fin keeps up his production, and Matt manages to throw in 12-18 a game, it may not matter how well Manu shoots.

I think the dangerous teams for us in Jan are the Hornets, Utah, Phoenix, @Denver, and the Lakers. Probably will be the best games to watch.

[colargol]

I think the dangerous teams for us in Jan are the Hornets, Utah, Phoenix, @Denver, and the Lakers. Probably will be the best games to watch.

Detroit and Cleveland missing.....

[m33p0]

Return of the King

Oh, pluh-eeze. who gave him that monicker anyway? its really irritating.

[theroc5]

12-4...no way in is it going to be 10-6

[smeagol]

12-4...no way in is it going to be 10-6

Only if the big three are healthy

[We born to be bad]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...N.28fa893.html

Pro basketball: Spurs' January planner

Web Posted: 12/31/2007 10:47 PM CST

Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Express-News

Schedule

31: @Phoenix

Must-see TV

Jan. 31 @Phoenix: Robert Horry will probably need to enter town under the cloak of night, and with an armed guard. This will be his first trip to Phoenix since he hip-checked Steve Nash into the AT&T Center scorer's table in last year's Western Conference semifinals. His return adds another juicy storyline to what already is one of the league's best rivalries.

Horry who?

[urunobili]

13-5

[TDMVPDPOY]

16-0 is dreamin, but can happen without injury plague month

14-2 is what im hopin for...

[ancestron]

January was the worst month for them last year, going 9-7 if I remember correctly.

[dmac]

13-5

Are they going to play a couple extra games on their off days?

[101A]

9-7, maybe 8-8

Doesn't matter.

This team is going to win the championship.

[bdubya]

Detroit and Cleveland missing.....

Hush.....





....we're happier under the radar....