San Antonio Spurs Blog – Page 87 – NBA Blog

NBA to borrow $175 million

The Sports Business Journal (Daniel Kaplan and John Lombardo) reports: The NBA is set to borrow $175 million Feb. 26, marking one of the first league financings since the implosion of the credit markets last fall. The money, which will be available to 15 teams, supplements an existing $1.7 billion leaguewide credit facility that uses the NBA’s media contracts as collateral to secure loans for the clubs. The NBA surveyed its teams, and 15 responded they would like to tap into the new borrowing. While the league said it is pleased to borrow in an extremely illiquid credit market, the deal came at a cost, with interest rates up to 8.27 percent, hammering home the notion that the era of cheap money in sports is over. The 15 teams can use the money for any purpose, but covering operating losses may be high on the list.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Loan me three fiddy. I want some ribs.

Tim Duncan talks about David Robinson

Here’s what San Antonio Spurs superstars Tim Duncan said Friday in Phoenix at NBA All-Star Weekend about former teammate David Robinson.

Question: First of all, David Robinson. One of the 16 finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame, how do you feel about that?

Tim Duncan: Easy decision. I’m happy for him. What he has been through over the years, his career, how he has touched people on and off the basketball courts, what he has done, just a great guy and glad that it’s done for on his first try.

Question: What has he meant to you in your career?

Tim Duncan: Well, he has always been like a big brother to me, ever since day one walking in there, he has always been my big brother on the court, showing me how things are done off the court, just being there for me. So, as I said, just really excited for him.

Question: How about as far as him helping you develop your games, perhaps?

Tim Duncan: I think more than anything he helped me develop my game by being there, by being next to me, taking the pressure off of me, allowing me to mature and become the player I could be on my own time instead of being forced in there in a situation where I’m the number one pick and have to be the man right off the back. It was a great situation for me.

Ukic huge, no Bosh, Raptors beat Spurs 91-89

The AP reports: Manu Ginobili wasn’t happy to head into the All-Star break after a tough loss to the short-handed Toronto Raptors. Roko Ukic scored a career-high 22 points, Andrea Bargnani had 23 and the Raptors overcame a 32-point effort by Ginobili to beat the San Antonio Spurs 91-89 on Wednesday night… Toronto forward Chris Bosh missed his fourth straight game with a sprained right knee, and point guard Jose Calderon sat out with a sore right hamstring… Tim Duncan had 20 points and 13 rebounds and Tony Parker added 22 points for San Antonio, but missed what would have been a tying jumper at the buzzer.

Robert Horry wants to play for Spurs or Celtics

Robert Horry is tall, old, good at three-point shooting and making clutch shots, and if you only see him from the neck on up you can pretend you’re talking to Will Smith, which would be neat and stuff. The Sacramento Bee (Scott Howard-Cooper) reports (via blog):

Robert Horry wants to play again this season. That much is obvious after talking with him in advance of the Kings arriving in his adopted hometown of Houston and in the aftermath of the Sam Amick report that the Spurs weighed a bid for Brad Miller or John Salmons and could use Horry in a sign-and-trade for salary-cap purposes. The important league-wide development is that Horry rates the Spurs and Celtics as his most-likely landing spots. Both understandable. San Antonio is a contender and familiar from the past five seasons there and close to Houston, an important consideration to stay near his family. Boston is the defending champion and has kept him on the radar all along as a potential stretch-drive signing.

I’m not sure how much game he has left. At this point Horry should probably only be considered useful as a bench contributor to come in, play five minutes per half, fire three three-pointers, hit one or two of them, and sit down.

Duncan dominates, Spurs beat Nets 108-93

The AP reports: Tim Duncan had 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and the San Antonio Spurs posted a 108-93 victory over New Jersey on Tuesday night, beating the Nets for the 13th straight time. Matt Bonner scored 13 of his 22 points in the opening 5 minutes of the third quarter in helping the Spurs win for the 15th time in 19 games since the start of 2009. Tony Parker added 20 points and Bruce Bowen came off the bench in the third quarter to help cool off a hot Vince Carter, who led the Nets with 25 points. Devin Harris added 21 points for New Jersey, which lost its second straight game after winning a season-high four straight. Brook Lopez added 18 points.

Mason’s 3, Ginobili steal help Spurs beat Celtics 105-99

The AP reports: Roger Mason pulled up and leaned into a 3-pointer with 20.4 seconds left to give San Antonio the lead, then hit a pair of free throws after Manu Ginobili hit four as the Spurs pulled away from the Celtics. Tim Duncan scored 23 points with 13 rebounds and Matt Bonner had 23 points—the second-most in his career— including 3-of-6 from 3-point range… Ginobili scored 19 points off the bench, playing more than 31 minutes after sitting out Tuesday’s game against Denver with a bruised hip… Kevin Garnett scored 26 points with 12 rebounds, Paul Pierce had 19 and eight and Rajon Rondo had 16 assists for Boston.

Tony Parker buys part of overseas team

The San Antonio Express-News (Jeff McDonald) reports: In preparation for life after his playing days are over, Parker has purchased the second-largest stake in ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, the most storied basketball club is his native France. “I just wanted to do something to prepare my future,” Parker said. “I had a good opportunity with that team, and I took it.” Parker says he hasn’t ruled out finishing his career with the French team once his NBA career is over.

Melo scores 35, Nuggets beat injured Spurs 104-96

The AP reports: This wasn’t quite the test Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets had in mind. With Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all sidelined Tuesday night, the Denver Nuggets took advantage for a 104-96 win over the San Antonio Spurs after frittering away most of a 17-point lead… Anthony scored 35 points, but he had to come back into the game with 8:47 left and the Nuggets clinging to an 80-78 lead… Denver wasn’t at full-strength, either. Kenyon Martin missed the game with tonsillitis and strep throat, and Billups sprained his right ankle in the second quarter and didn’t return.

Duncan and Ginobili rock, Spurs beat Warriors in OT

The AP reports: Tim Duncan scored five of his season-high 32 points in overtime and the San Antonio Spurs overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Golden State Warriors 110-105 on Monday night. Manu Ginobili also had a season-high 32 points as the Spurs won their fourth straight, ninth in 10 games overall and third straight on the road. Tony Parker had 23 points. Duncan added 15 rebounds for his 30th double-double. Stephen Jackson scored a season-high 33 points for the Warriors, who were trying to beat the Spurs at home three straight for the first time in 21 years. Monta Ellis, who left the game with a sprained ankle, added 17 points.

2009 All-Star Skills Challenge participants

A new PlayStation Skills Challenge champion will be crowned as the New Jersey Nets’ Devin Harris, the Orlando Magic’s Jameer Nelson, the San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker and the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose will take the floor on Feb. 14, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at US Airways Center in Phoenix.

My initial prediction is that Jameer Nelson will win it.

Why? Because he has the most to prove.

This is the season that Nelson put himself on the map. He has faced years of doubt and was often considered to be more suitable as a backup than a starter.

Devin Harris is having a breakout season too. But he hasn’t faced years orf criticism and doubt like Nelson has.

Rose and Parker can win it, too. If they want.

Anyone can take it. But even though it’s a minor event I bet Nelson wants it the most.