River Walk Chronicles ♦ ///

[Gamebreaker]

No, not best of all-time but definitely a great playoff series

I don't know man. Coming back down five in the final minute to win the last game? On the road? I can't think of a series that ended THAT tight. Not that I've exactly got a computer in my noggin though.

Always nice to have a new follower, thanks man. I don't see realism in a 29- or 58-game season. It was a heartbreaking loss for me...

Yeah, I needs 82 for a season to feel whole too. Could never do anything less.

As far as the heartbreaking loss, I wonder if I'd feel the same way. For awhile I've been playing with crappy teams, I get my ass handed to me a bunch. I don't mind though, I just really enjoy getting caught up in the action. Ah, maybe it's because I don't really have title aspirations.

I dig the Spurs a bunch. Hope they can do better next season, although I'm not sure I'd bet on it.

How long are you going to wait to start another season?

[Bucket]

I like your style, always something new and cool. Nice review

[Nutellar]

Tony Parker

[µTorrent]

Goodness! I gotta love the layout! I'm inspired!
Your PG's haven't scored much this season ey? But their assist totals are a

[The X]

Thoughts on the Season Review?

Very sexy. All that being said, I'm keen to see what you do with NBA Draft (& rest of off-season).

[George7]

Eye candy from you,as always! Awesome job there, waiting for the others!

[kibaxx7]

Sucks you couldn't win it all. There's always next season, right?holy shit, we're telling Thierry this! lol

Incredible, man

OMG, that rocks. Do you take requests, cuz I would love your-style Cavaliers little pics. I mean those Schedule pics and those coffees, the mainly post 3 ones

From that, I just wanted to say that your previews rock and you are a god in pic. editing.

I can do them for you. Sent you a PM. Thanks a lot man!!

another awesome review...can't wait for what u gunna say about Maggs

Parker disappointed... Maggs was the best player after Manu and Tim. I can't wait to make his highlights video. Dunks, dunks, dunks and more dunks.

Your reviews are great,man. Really fun read

Thanks man, I went with a shorter recap this time, wanted to make it simple, with the videos and links to the games.

Yeah, I needs 82 for a season to feel whole too. Could never do anything less.

As far as the heartbreaking loss, I wonder if I'd feel the same way. For awhile I've been playing with crappy teams, I get my ass handed to me a bunch. I don't mind though, I just really enjoy getting caught up in the action. Ah, maybe it's because I don't really have title aspirations.

I dig the Spurs a bunch. Hope they can do better next season, although I'm not sure I'd bet on it.

How long are you going to wait to start another season?

Don't have title aspirations? Try and play with the Heat. I'm gonna post the five positional recaps, and then the offseason starts with the re-signing, mock drafts (with NLSCers, finally!), free agency, etc.

I like your style, always something new and cool. Nice review

Thanks a lot man, I think I have your NLSCer for next season!

Tony Parker

Lots of And-1's and big shots, but he struggled with his scoring this year; I went more with the other three guys (TD-Maggs-Manu) for points.

Goodness! I gotta love the layout! I'm inspired!
Your PG's haven't scored much this season ey? But their assist totals are a

Nah, I don't score a lot with my point guards, but when one of them starts to score, I go with him all the time (like, check Hill's 3-pointers, dunks...)

Very sexy. All that being said, I'm keen to see what you do with NBA Draft (& rest of off-season).

I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve.

Eye candy from you,as always! Awesome job there, waiting for the others!

Thanks George I had a good time making the signature highlights vids.

Ok, so I have an article I need to write for school, that's what I'm gonna do now. Then, SGs coming! (Ginobili-Hughes-Gary Neal)

[Gamebreaker]

I wasn't trying to rush you, although I would like to see the next season. After I do an 82 game season I usually take at least a couple months off before I start another one.

Be tough!

[homicide1550]

Top-notch reviews man!

[Valor]

Thoughts on the Season Review?

Very sexy. All that being said, I'm keen to see what you do with NBA Draft (& rest of off-season).

That

[hova-]

Not all that impressive season by TP. Trade him !

[kibaxx7]

2010/11 Season Review :: The Shooting Guards
nba.com/spurs/beat | June 23rd, 2011

♦ NBA experience: Nine seasons, all with San Antonio (2002-03 :: 2010-11)
♦ Age: 33
♦ How the Spurs roster was built: Second round pick in 1999 NBA Draft, 57th overall selection
♦ Games played (starts): 78 (78)
♦ Statistical averages: 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals, .482 FG%, .401 3PT%, .949 FT%, 29.9 minutes

♦ What went right: Despite losing star Tim Duncan for nine games in the regular season and the entire West Semis series against the Dallas Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs survived the absence of their big man thanks, in part, to Ginobili's decision making. After Tony Parker and George Hill, Manu played a secondary role as the team's playmaker because his shooting was off, very off. Along with Corey Maggette, the duo helped pace the Spurs to a league-best 63-win season, as both picked up their scoring when Duncan was out and ended up being one of the best 1-2 punches in the league. Ginobili led the team in scoring with 16.9, had the best free throw percentage in the entire NBA with .949% and was one of only 16 players in the league shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc.

♦ What went wrong: In the playoffs, Manu wound up the poster child for most of San Antonio's struggles. No one on the Spurs team works harder on his shot than Manu, who regularly puts up about a hundred jump shots every day on practice. However, he capped a miserable series against the Dallas Mavericks by missing 14-of-17 shots in Game 1, 10-of-13 in Game 2, and 8-of-10 in Game 4, including all four of his attempts from 3-point land. Despite this shooting woes, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said his faith in Manu is rock solid; he gave him a hug and told him not to worry about it. With San Antonio's front office publicly stating they will look for a new backup for him, Manu can rest assured he will have an easier season next year.

♦ Best games: Let's go: 12-of-17 from the field, for 27 points, to defeat the Orlando Magic in overtime, back in November; 23 points, 8-of-11 from the floor, the very next game at Minnesota; 27 points to defeat Golden State in the last game of the month; 21 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists, a huge triple-double to defeat Denver in December; in a rematch against the Nuggets, made the buzzer-beater to win in the last second; 19 points to lead San Antonio, one day later, over the Magic in Orlando; 21 points in a key win over Boston; 24 points in big victory over Miami in March; another triple-double in a win over Memphis; season-high 28 points in a triumph against Atlanta; etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

♦ Offseason projects: Manu signed a contract extension in April of 2010. This probably means that he will finish his career with the Spurs, or at least the last of his best years. Terms of the deal do not come without risks. Already paying roughly $10 million in luxury tax this year, every dollar given to Manu will have to be matched in tax payments. But this is a deal that had to be done to lock him up, before he was allowed to euro step his way through free agency. Financially, the potential amount of money the Spurs would have lost at the gate had they lost him, without making any other key additions (even had his contract expired) would have made just as significant an impact as the luxury tax payments Spurs owner Thierry Tirieux will have to afford.

♦ Video Music :: Nic Fanciulli • “Work The Week” ♦

♦ NBA experience: Thirteen seasons; one and a half with Philadelphia (1998-99 and 1999-00); two and a half with Golden State (1999-00, 2000-01 and 2001-02); three with Washington (2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05); two and a half with Cleveland (2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08); one with Chicago (2007-08 and 2008-09); one with New York (2008-09 and 2009-10); half a season with Charlotte (2009-10) and one with San Antonio (2010-11).
♦ Age: 32
♦ How the Spurs roster was built: Signed as a free agent on November 4, 2010
♦ Games played (starts): 78 (5)
♦ Statistical averages: 7.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 steals (all four career-lows), .437 FG%, .362 3PT%, .804 FT%, 17.4 minutes

♦ What went right: After missing the first month of the season in the free agency pool, Hughes was signed by San Antonio after injuries to Ginobili and rookie James Anderson. He established himself off the bench, showing some small glimpses of his good years. He proved to be a reliable option as a reserve, both on the perimeter and when going into the hoop. He sank 36 percent of his three-pointers, making several of those shots in the waning moments. He quietly turned in a very effective backup.

♦ What went wrong: Despite having some really solid games, giving the Spurs needed boosts off the bench, it was a disappointing season for Hughes. He had a relatively quiet stretch in December and early January to start his year, surpassing the 10-point mark only two times in 21 games. He posted career-lows in four statistics -- points, rebounds, assists and steals (this last stat, the most painful to him, after leading the league in steals in 2005). He resurfaced in the starting lineup five times, but he lapsed back into a stretch in which his touch deserted him and could never post a sixth man effort regularly.

♦ Best games: 15 points to help San Antonio defeat Milwaukee in January, the Spurs best field goal percentage game of the season; 19 points in the last game of February, to defeat Memphis in the AT&T Center; season-high 21 points in March to defeat the Miami Heat, just in the nick of time; 14 points and nine rebounds, five days later, to defeat Detroit; 13 points in 16 minutes in a victory against Phoenix in April.

♦ Offseason projects: Hughes said he planned to rest for the first two weeks of the offseason, hoping to recuperate, and then will work on a little bit of everything; he's always trying to get better. After agreeing to a season-long deal with the Spurs in November, he is an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any NBA team this summer; his days in the AT&T Center seem numbered. It will be interesting to see what kind of offers the swingman and his agent will receive. He is a consummate professional and will be a good fit with any squad that needs a versatile player off the bench.

♦ Video Music :: Deadmau5 • “Sofi Needs A Ladder” ♦

♦ NBA experience: One season with San Antonio (2010-11)
♦ Age: 26
♦ How the Spurs roster was built: Signed as a free agent on July 22, 2010
♦ Games played (starts): 78 (0)
♦ Statistical averages: 4.7 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.4 steals, .441 FG%, .439 3PT%, .714 FT%, 10.5 minutes

♦ What went right: One of the reasons Neal's signing created optimism in San Antonio was that the team needed a bench solution at shooting guard -- specially being swept by the Phoenix Suns in the 2010 West Semifinals. In the previous years, they had rotated through several players at the spot, including Keith Bogans, Michael Finley, Roger Mason Jr. and Brent Barry, to name a few. He was projected to provide an answer to that; give the team another feared perimeter shooter... and he did it, without any pressures. In his first year in the NBA, he shot almost 44 percent from 3-point territory, fifth in the league, behind players like Kyle Korver, Kelenna Azubuike or Mike Miller, and ahead 3-point bombers like Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis or Aaron Brooks, and was a second half master.

♦ What went wrong: He made an early impact with a huge game over the Los Angeles Clippers in November. But then his inexperience showed: he was in the middle of a funk, mistake-prone at times, with some head-scratching turnovers, and fell out of the mix after the appearance of Hughes and also fellow rookie Anderson; he logged two DNPs in a row in March.

♦ Best games: In just his seventh NBA game, Neal piled up 24 points against the Clippers, 9-of-11 from the field, all in the second half as the Spurs rallied from a 19-point deficit; eight points in only nine minutes to defeat the Dallas Mavericks, recovering from a 16-point deficit, in January; 17 points in 17 minutes, again all in the second half, in February to defeat Toronto in Canada; 13 points and four rebounds to defeat Utah in April.

♦ Offseason projects: Neal is playing under the terms of a three-year contract signed last July. He just needs to work: he will focus on continuing to improve his inside jumper as he rarely attempted shots from just inside the arc, but that was partly due to the Spurs' need to utilize him outside of it. He will also need to work on his decision making, specially after the front office announced they will look for a shooting guard in the free agency period. Truth be told, San Antonio would be foolish to let him go.

♦ Video Music :: The Faint • “The Geeks Were Right” ♦

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[kibaxx7]

I wasn't trying to rush you, although I would like to see the next season. After I do an 82 game season I usually take at least a couple months off before I start another one.

Be tough!

I know man I have a 1-month vacation coming in around three weeks, so I will have more free time then. Rest assured you will see a second season.

Top-notch reviews man!

Thanks bro, nice to see your Knicks didn't die!

Very sexy. All that being said, I'm keen to see what you do with NBA Draft (& rest of off-season).

That

Leo Lai will be drafted man, you can sleep without any pills

Not all that impressive season by TP. Trade him !

I guess I could give it a try after there were some rumors flying in real life...

Saturday -- Small Forwards.

[Valor]

Leo Lai will be drafted man, you can sleep without any pills

I completely forgot I had a NLSCer here

[Mavs4Life]

Neal FTW! The Dunk Contest fail should be traded on draft day.

[Gamebreaker]

I wasn't trying to rush you, although I would like to see the next season. After I do an 82 game season I usually take at least a couple months off before I start another one.

Be tough!

I know man I have a 1-month vacation coming in around three weeks, so I will have more free time then. Rest assured you will see a second season.]

Cool. Like with the real Spurs, I wonder how much you're gonna shake up your roster. I hope not too much. Having to root on Larry Hughes is painful though, heh.

Is a hundred shots at a practice a lot? Dang, I must be a workhorse then, cause I shoot way more than that trying to get a dang fallaway shot that's halfway effective.

I remember back in the day Kobe saying he was not only shooting a 1000 jumpers a day in the offseason, he'd only stop after he MADE a thousand.

Could be B.S. Or the reason he beat you, ha.

[Cruzerr]

Neal FTW! The Dunk Contest fail should be traded on draft day.

Agreed, for a nice pick, you might have more talent in your SF/SG department.

[Houndy]

Maybe Dangle Hill for Mr.Leonard?

[kibaxx7]

I completely forgot I had a NLSCer here

What? Tar Heels, man!

Neal FTW! The Dunk Contest fail should be traded on draft day.

You mean make the Dunk Contest on draft day?

Cool. Like with the real Spurs, I wonder how much you're gonna shake up your roster. I hope not too much. Having to root on Larry Hughes is painful though, heh.

Is a hundred shots at a practice a lot? Dang, I must be a workhorse then, cause I shoot way more than that trying to get a dang fallaway shot that's halfway effective.

I remember back in the day Kobe saying he was not only shooting a 1000 jumpers a day in the offseason, he'd only stop after he MADE a thousand.

Could be B.S. Or the reason he beat you, ha.

I have at least three new players joining the team (Gist, Cousin and a new SG). Hughes will leave. I just said a hundred shots.

Agreed, for a nice pick, you might have more talent in your SF/SG department.

Spurs have the best scouting department in the league.

Maybe Dangle Hill for Mr.Leonard?

George is on the trading block if I get another PG back.

Added the Gary Neal video with his 24-point second half!

[Valor]

I completely forgot I had a NLSCer here

What? Tar Heels, man!

Haha yeah I remember now, got blasted by Martti in Sweet 16 if I recall?

[Bucket]

Another nice looking article.
I smell big changes in NBA.

[kibaxx7]

2010/11 Season Review :: The Small Forwards
nba.com/spurs/beat | June 25th, 2011

♦ NBA experience: Twelve seasons; one with Orlando (1999-00); eight with LA Clippers (2000-01 :: 2007-08); two with Golden State (2008-09 & 2009-10); one with San Antonio (2010-11)
♦ Age: 31
♦ How the Spurs roster was built: Obtained from Golden State in a four-team trade with Chicago and Milwaukee, trading Richard Jefferson and Bobby Simmons to Chicago (October 25, 2010)
♦ Games played (starts): 77 (77)
♦ Statistical averages: 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals (career-high), .481 FG%, .323 3PT%, .791 FT%, 31.5 minutes

♦ What went right: Following a 2009-10 season in which Maggette in he was second in scoring (19.8) in Golden State behind Monta Ellis (25.5), there was national skepticism about how would he mold with the Spurs and their well-established Big Three, following Jefferson's departure to Chicago. In essence, the forecast for San Antonio was dependent upon how he would play with them. Owner Thierry Tirieux and general manager R.C. Buford knew that if Maggette was on the floor constantly, providing another scoring threat, the ceiling for this team would be the sky. He proved to be a significant factor behind the Spurs' league-best record: Maggs couldn't keep up with his scoring average -- unsurprising as he is playing with one of the best trios in recent league history -- but he surprised nearly everyone with his defense. Some of the most impressive aspects of his year were that he started every single game he played this year, had career-bests in fouls per game (1.1, his lower before was 2.0), turnovers per contest (1.1, his lower before was 1.5) and steals (1.2).

♦ What went wrong: He was very inconsistent. He could go perfect from the field one night (check "best games") and then go almost without a field goal the very next game; some of the worst were 2-of-10 from the floor at Minnesota; 1-of-9 against Atlanta; his worst game of the year, 1-of-14 at Indiana, even a 1-of-13 in the playoffs against the Mavericks. Apart from that, one could say that despite playing a career-high minutes per game since 2007-08, his numbers really went down in points, rebounds and assists, but that was more than expected as he is playing around Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan. He was a great complement, helping spread the floor and feasting on open looks that resulted from Parker or George Hill's distributing skills.

♦ Best games: THRICE this year he scored 20 or more points while staying perfect from the field. In January, against New Orleans, for his season-high 24 points, 10/10 shooting; then in February, versus Memphis for 23, 7/7; and in April, 7/7 for 16 points in a game with Phoenix. He then went to almost repeat that feat one more time, going 11-of-13 in a contest at New York.

♦ Offseason projects: Received an invitation to the next Dunk Contest, so we guess he's already working on it. He has two years remaining on the five-year free-agent contract he signed in the summer of 2008 with the Warriors. He will be key to San Antonio's hopes of bouncing back from its Western Conference Finals defeat. With 12 NBA seasons under his belt, it’s primarily about conditioning and putting himself in the best position possible to remain healthy.

♦ Video Music :: Niels Van Gogh • “Monza” ♦

♦ NBA experience: One season with San Antonio (2010-11).
♦ Age: 22
♦ How the Spurs roster was built: First round pick in 2010 NBA Draft, 20th overall selection
♦ Games played (starts): 76 (1)
♦ Statistical averages: 6.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.3 steals, .479 FG%, .408 3PT%, .695 FT%, 13.8 minutes

♦ What went right: Some NBA analysts did not believe Anderson would still be on the board when the Spurs picked at the No. 20 pick of the 2010 draft, so San Antonio's front office was thrilled to land the 6'6'' swingman from Oklahoma State. His ability to immediately make an impact, with Maggette joining the team as well, was uncertain after he’d spent three seasons in college with the Cowboys, but the opportunity was there to move into the rotation as Maggs' backup, helping as a reserve. He logged almost 14 minutes per game this year, pretty good considering Maggette's explosion and also fellow rookie Gary Neal's contributions. Along with Hill and Tiago Splitter, he was one of the keys in the improvement during the latter stages of the regular season; not to mention his lethal mid-range jumper, and the regular 3-pointer he makes.

♦ What went wrong: Anderson had the worst NBA baptism possible, going down with a lower back strain in his very first professional game. When he returned, the former Oklahoma State standout was forced to make an adjustment to being a role player and receiving fluctuating playing time for the first time in his career. His inexperience showed during the early portion of the year, when he was on the fringe of the rotation, being mistake-prone at times, and his free-throw shooting didn't help. However, when Maggette went through a five-game absence, he earned another opportunity to play and took full advantage of it.

♦ Best games: He had his career-high of 17 points twice this season, in a blowout of Minnesota in December and in March at Cleveland, and passed the 10-point scoring mark 15 times in regular season and four others in the playoffs, including a 16-point output at Boston and 12 and five rebounds against Toronto, both in January, and 15 points at Sacramento already in February.

♦ Offseason projects: Anderson will focus on continuing to improve his 3-point shot, which is already outstanding: his 49-for-120 shooting from beyond the arc as a rookie yielded an excellent 40.8 percent accuracy rate -- interesting, both him and Neal shot over 40% from 3-point land. It's also a must for him to practice his charity stripe shooting, 69 percent for him was low. Like all recent first-round picks, Anderson is playing under the terms of a four-year contract, with San Antonio holding an option in Years 3 and 4. The Spurs have a deadline of October 2011 to determine whether to exercise their option on James for year 4. Neal is not in the midst of that scenario right now, as he was a free agency pickup.

♦ Video Music :: Dada Life • “White Noise / Red Meat” ♦

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[kibaxx7]

Haha yeah I remember now, got blasted by Martti in Sweet 16 if I recall?

Yes you did. Still, Leo has a great chance of being a first round pick.

Another nice looking article.
I smell big changes in NBA.

Hopefully there's not a lot of changes, things are going really well right now.

Dunk Fest for Corey. Anderson had a nice impact too,

[Mavs4Life]

Mr. Flip has aged to a veteran. This is a great overall team. Every position has a strong presence leading it.

[µTorrent]

Good stats from you Forwards, hope Maggette could find his home in San Antonio (He doesn't have any distant home! So far )