San Antonio Spurs Blog – Page 95 – NBA Blog

Avery Johnson joins ESPN

Former NBA point guard and head coach Avery Johnson has also joined ESPN as an NBA studio analyst, mainly joining host Stuart Scott and analyst Bill Walton on ESPN’s NBA Shootaround pregame show throughout the season and postseason. Johnson, who contributed to ESPN’s NBA Playoff coverage earlier this year, will also contribute at times to ABC’s GMC NBA Countdown.

“Avery has excelled in every professional endeavor and we know his success will carry over to his on-air role,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production. “His experience and passion for the game will resonate with our fans.”

“I’m excited to join the ESPN family of networks and, specifically, to join the NBA broadcast team,” said Johnson. “ESPN and ABC has an abundance of terrific talent and I’m glad to launch my career in broadcasting with the premiere sports network.”

Johnson most recently served as coach of the Dallas Mavericks (2004-08), guiding the franchise to a .735 winning percentage (194-70). His team advanced to the Finals in 2006 and Johnson was rewarded with NBA Coach of the Year recognition. During the 2007 season, Johnson became the fastest coach to reach 150 wins.

Johnson, an NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999, had a 16-year NBA career including time with the Seattle SuperSonics (1988-90), Denver Nuggets (1990-91; 2001-02), Spurs (1991, 1992-93, 1994-2001), Houston Rockets (1992), Golden State Warriors (1993-94, 2003-04) and Dallas Mavericks (2002-03). Johnson earned the NBA Sportsmanship Award in 1998.

Oct 14: Spurs 86, Pistons 64

The AP reports: Desmon Farmer scored 13 points while Tim Duncan had 10 points and eight rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to an 86-64 preseason victory over the Pistons on Tuesday night. The Pistons shot just 27.8 percent (22-of-79) from the field. It was the first win of the preseason for the Spurs (1-2) and the first loss for the Pistons (4-1)… “Just look at the guys we have, we definitely have a good shooting team,” said Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace, who missed all seven of his field goal attempts… Will Bynum led the Pistons with 10 points and Jason Maxiell had eight rebounds.

Oct 10: Hornets 89, Spurs 84

The AP reports: Reserve Mike James scored 18 points while Tyson Chandler added 14 on 7-of-9 shooting and New Orleans beat the Spurs 89-84 in a preseason game Friday night… The Spurs were led by strong efforts in limited playing time from Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Playing only the first half, Duncan scored 12 points in 18 minutes and Parker added 10 points in 15 minutes. Combined they were 9-of-16 from the field… Chris Paul had seven assists to go with 4-of-7 shooting and finished with nine points.

Oct 9: Rockets 85, Spurs 78

The AP reports: Ron Artest had 18 points and five rebounds and Luis Scola added 13 points as the Rockets beat the short-handed Spurs 85-78 on Thursday night. By design, Popovich used mostly reserves. Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen and Michael Finley all watched in street clothes and Tony Parker scored eight points in 14 minutes, all in the first half. Rookie Malik Hairston scored 10 points to lead the Spurs, while rookies Devin Green and Anthony Tolliver added seven points each… Yao played the first quarter and had one basket and three rebounds.

Ginobili out 20-25 games

The San Antonio Express-News (Jeff McDonald) reports: Manu Ginobili, the Spurs’ leading scorer last season, will miss at least all of November while recuperating, coach Gregg Popovich said. “Manu will be out 20 to 25 games – until mid-December at the latest,” Popovich said on the eve of Spurs training camp. Doctors initially gave Ginobili a timetable of 8-12 weeks for recovery. The most optimistic end of that spectrum would put him back in uniform for the start of the regular-season. For now, it appears the Spurs will approach Ginobili’s return more cautiously. When training camp begins today, Ginobili, 31, will be a non-participant. He has been able to walk without crutches and without pain for some time but has not been cleared to participate in any activities other than swimming and weightlifting.

InsideHoops.com editor says: For the good of the Spurs and his NBA career, Manu needs to stop playing international basketball. Or else he should just start paying money back to the Spurs for all the times he’s not 100 percent because he keeps playing for Argentina in the summer.

Roger Mason has shot to show his stuff

The San Antonio Express-News (Jeff McDonald) reports: Even before Manu Ginobili went under the knife, Roger Mason Jr. expected to find himself under the preseason microscope. The former Washington Wizards swingman rates as the Spurs’ most notable free-agent acquisition of the offseason. With Ginobili out, Mason — who averaged a career-high 9.1 points last season — will get plenty of time in the preseason to show his stuff. How quickly he can grasp the Spurs’ system will go a long way toward determining how the Spurs fare without Ginobili.

Spurs name new marketing/sales exec

Spurs Sports & Entertainment announced today that Frank Miceli will join the management team as senior vice president of marketing and sales, overseeing all marketing, promotional, ticket sales, new media and communications initiatives for the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), San Antonio Rampage (AHL), San Antonio Silver Stars (WNBA), Austin Toros (NBA D-League) and the AT&T Center.

“Frank is a very highly regarded and accomplished leader in the sports and entertainment industry,” said Spurs Sports & Entertainment President of Business Operations Rick Pych. “He shares our commitment to constantly strive to provide the best entertainment product and value for our fans. We are very fortunate to have someone of Frank’s high character and work ethic join us, and we look forward to adding his experience and vision to our team.”

Miceli comes to SS&E after having spent the last 18 years with Comcast-Spectacor, most recently as chief operating officer for both the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL) and Philadelphia Wings (NLL). A South Philadelphia native, Miceli served as the COO of the Phantoms since their inaugural season in l996 and became COO of the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League in 2006.

“Spurs Sports & Entertainment is a world-class organization. Joining this outstanding management team, led by Rick Pych, is an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Miceli. “I am looking forward to continuing to drive the expansion and growth of the sports properties, while building upon the business success of the Spurs, Silver Stars, Rampage, Toros and AT&T Center. My experience working with Ed Snider and Peter Luukko at Comcast-Spectacor has prepared me well for this opportunity, and I am ready for the new challenge and opportunity to continue my career in San Antonio.”

Prior to 1996, Miceli was the director of sales and marketing for the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) where he was responsible for moving the team’s season ticket base into their new home at the Wachovia Center. He began his career with Comcast-Spectacor in l990 as vice president of marketing and advertising for Spectathlete.

Additionally in 2000 while operating the Phantoms, he was also charged with overseeing the day-to-day operations of Comcast-Spectacor’s three Baltimore Orioles minor league affiliates until 2006 when all three teams were sold.

“Frank has been an integral part of the growth and success of Comcast-Spectacor as a leader in the sports and entertainment industry,” said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider. “I know I’m really going to miss Frank, especially his enthusiasm and humor.”

Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko added, “I’ve had the real pleasure of literally growing up in the business with Frank and I consider him one of my closest friends. This was such a fantastic opportunity for Frank and we all support his decision. We are all going to miss Frank and wish him and his family success in San Antonio.”

Spurs sign Salim Stoudamire

The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have signed guard Salim Stoudamire. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Stoudamire, 6-1, 175 lbs., has spent his entire three-year NBA career with the Atlanta Hawks. Last year he appeared in 35 games, averaging 5.7 points in 11.5 minutes. He scored in double figures in nine games including a season-high 18 points vs. Golden State on 2/22. Stoudamire enjoyed his best season in 2005-06 when he played in 61 games, averaging 9.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.3 minutes. For his career, he has appeared in 157 games, averaging 8.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.0 minutes per game.

Originally selected by Atlanta with the 31st pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, Stoudamire played four seasons at the University of Arizona where he played in 129 games, averaging 15.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Stoudamire finished his collegiate career in ninth place in NCAA history in career three-point field goal percentage (.458, 342-747) and tied for 18th in career three-point field goals made. As a senior he led the nation in three-point shooting (.504, 120-238) and ranked fourth nationally in free throw percentage (.910, 122-134).

The roster now stands at 19.

Spurs sign George Hill

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard George Hill. Per club policy terms of the agreement were not announced.

The native of Indianapolis, Indiana was drafted by San Antonio with the 26th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

The 6-2 Hill played this summer with the Spurs entries in the Vegas Summer League and the Rocky Mountain Revue. He appeared in three games – all starts – in the Vegas Summer League and averaged 8.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 31.8 minutes. Hill posted 17 points and 8 rebounds on 7/14 against Memphis. In four games at the Rocky Mountain Revue, he averaged a team-high 12.8 points with 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.00 steals in 30.8 minutes. Hill scored 21 points and added 4 rebounds and 3 assists against Utah on 7/18.

Hill spent the past four years at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Last season he was named the Summit League Player of the Year, earned First Team All-Conference honors and was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press. Hill led the Summit League and ranked 16th nationally in scoring with 21.5 points per game while shooting .545 from the field (195-245) and .450 (49-109) from three-point range. He posted nine double-doubles and averaged 6.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.78 steals in 32 games. Hill scored in double figures in all 32 games, finishing with 20 or more points 16 times, and topped the 30-point mark in seven contests. He appeared in just five games as a junior before missing the rest of the season with a broken foot. As a sophomore Hill earned First Team All-Conference honors, averaging a team-high 18.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He was named to the league All-Newcomer Team as a freshman. For his career Hill appeared in 95 games for the Jaguars, averaging 17.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.63 steals.

G.Dragic wants to be Tony Parker

The AP reports: The Suns’ newest player, Goran Dragic, has molded his game after Spurs point guard Tony Parker. “I’m like, how do you say, a little version of Tony Parker,” Dragic said with a chuckle. “But I must work hard to be as good as he is.” Fans of the purple and orange might cringe at the very mention of the Suns’ nemesis, who has helped the Spurs oust Phoenix from the playoffs four times in the last five years. But coach Terry Porter, who teamed with Parker in San Antonio in 2001-02, relished the comparison.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I have molded my game after the retired version of JR “Isaiah” Rider.