Michael Finley News Archives

Tim Duncan speaks Thursday to Richard Jefferson, who is one of six new players trying to learn the Spurs' system and jell with veterans.

This No. 50 was supposed to give Tim Duncan and the Spurs fits. Hornets coach Byron Scott told us as much as he explained the upgrade from Tyson Chandler to Emeka Okafor.

Veteran players acquired by the Spurs in the offseason remain weeks away from being completely ingrained in the team's offensive and defensive schemes, but they are about to get some serious on-the-job training, beginning with Wednesday's regular-season opener against the New Orleans Hornets at the AT&T Center.

Gerry Borghesi learned a hard way that sometimes what appears to be fact is not.

For the first time in his young NBA career, Spurs rookie DeJuan Blair looked human Friday night.

Once the San Antonio Spurs traded for forward Richard Jefferson , they went from aging and hobbled to solid challengers to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference.

Malik Hairston does everything Gregg Popovich could ask a second-year, second-round pick to do.

Is life fair? No, life isn't fair. The San Antonio Spurs had their moment in the sun; actually, they had nine years in the sun.

There was a time, not long ago, when Spurs forward Michael Finley would have gladly taken on all comers in a team-wide slam-dunk contest.

The San Antonio Spurs were not the feared and formidable Spurs last season. Not only did the Los Angeles Lakers capture the NBA championship but the Denver Nuggets surpassed the Spurs with the Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers creeping up right behind.

There is a bond among NBA players selected in each draft class, especially among first-round picks.

After using the first four preseason games to evaluate the Spurs' newcomers, coach Gregg Popovich will turn his focus on getting the team ready for the regular season, beginning tonight with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Not long after the busiest and most prolific NBA season of his career ended last April, Spurs guard Roger Mason Jr.

Blake Griffin, the overall No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, had 23 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 93-90 preseason victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

The Spurs won't worry about honing their games to regular-season sharpness until the final few preseason games.

Rookie DeJuan Blair scored 28 points on 11 of 13 shooting, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Miami Heat 95-93 in a preseason game Sunday night.

The Southwest could easily evolve into the most competitive division in the league.

The San Antonio Spurs won the NBA title in 2003, 2005, and 2007.A Given this pattern, many expected the Spurs to contend in 2009.A Instead, the team suffered its worst season since 1996-97, or the year before Tim Duncan came to San Antonio.

Remember the day. Remember where you were. And know that you were there at the dawn of the Air Bud era of Rockets basketball.

The San Antonio Spurs are a glorious mess, but a mess nevertheless. Their first preseason game hinted at the team's potential greatness, but also showcased all the work that lies ahead before they can achieve that greatness.

Trevor Ariza scored nine points in his Rockets debut, helping Houston beat the San Antonio Spurs 99-85 on Tuesday night in the preseason opener for both teams.

The Spurs have added a new piece to their training camp routine: Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize.

Antonio McDyess is expected to be the Spurs' starting center on opening night. Antonio McDyess Positions: Center, forward Age: 35 College: Alabama How acquired: Signed with Spurs on July 8 Experience: No.

Tony Parker crashed to the ground, his ankle wrecked after a missed floater in traffic caused an awkward landing.

When you think about aging big men in the NBA, they all get bigger. Look at Shaq.