I'm reminded of that sinking feeling when you wake up, dry mouthed, head pounding, sweat pouring out of you, only then to realize that you're half naked and locked inside your own car. Yeah that feeling. But that's not the worst part... The kicker comes when you turn on the car radio and hear Kidd Kraddic's jolly ass on the morning radio. That's when it hits you... This. Is. Not. Saturday. You're correct! It's Friday and because you thought it would be the bomb (that's right, I'm bringing it back) to tie one on last night with your own bottle of Tito's, you're now 10 minutes late to the weekly production meeting.

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I've always been fascinated with the counterintuitive. I think it had to do with convincing myself at a very early age that the Sun revolved around the Earth, only to find out that I was a dumbass. Damn you, science. I remember wrestling with this foreign concept because it flew in the face of my intuition and reasoning. Looking back, I had a paradigm shift. I learned to discredit the stuff that made too much sense, and seek out the counterintuitive. What does any of this have to do with the Spurs' current situation? Well I've been thinking...

Logical reasoning says the Spurs should do everything possible to avoid the dreaded 8th seed. The seed of death. After all, what are the chances that an 8th seed will actually advance to the second round? It just doesn't happen, people! (Wait...what's that you say?.... it happened to the Mavs in 07?....errr.... moving on) And everyone knows that this year, the 8th seed in the West earns you a date on death row with defending champions. Oh you're playing the Lakers? Well just sit right there in that metal chair while I plug this cord in.

The Spurs are currently presented with a unique opportunity that doesn't exist to the teams surrounding them in the standings. Because of our 187 stumbles and false starts at the beginning of this season, we find ourselves sitting last in the playoff race. Looking up, wanting. Usually this time of year we're sitting in the top 3-4 spots waiting to find out whom we're going to play. Well this year, we've been dealt a new hand and we're not quite sure how to play it. A late surge, Parker on the mend, Tim wearing down, Manu returning to form... What's the right play here? For your consideration...

How about we just say: Enough already, we want the Lakers. Instead of relying on the intuitive, why not dance with the devil and see how this plays out? Think about that.

Why not welcome the opportunity to knock off the defending champions? Let's choose to face the Lakers and meet that challenge. If it were up to me, I'd severely limit Tim's minutes for the remainder of the season. He needs and deserves the rest. I'd play Manu selectively and focus the rest of the season on getting Tony up to speed. For us to have any shot of getting out of the 1st round we must be healthy and our legs need to be fresh.

There's something very powerful when you call down the champs and take the fight to their doorstep. I guarantee you that the Spurs are the last team the Lakers want to play, especially in the first round. Unlike most 8th seeds, we have championship experience. We have the know-how; we've connected the dots. Tony will be back. Manu has resurrected himself to shock and awe. A reality that turns the stomachs of opposing coaches and fans across the league, and one that demands the utmost respect. And a rested Tim Duncan is a deadly Tim Duncan.

Some will call me crazy. Why take on such an enormous challenge when we don't have to? They may ask. Let's save this fight for a later day when the Lakers have been weakened by other teams. Other will say, as they blatantly ignore the fact that we too will be a weakened team by then. Well I say to them: Don't tell me I'm crazy because I want to beat the best. And don't tell me that our team, when healthy, can't do it. Let's make that our goal. Let's make that statement. Let's go for broke.

This is the time of year when my obsession for football gives way to my obsession for Spurs basketball. To get into the spirit, I watched my 2007 Spurs Championship DVD this past weekend. I was reminded that there was a defining moment in that '07 season. With the trade deadline looming, Pop spoke to the team and said there would be no trades. It's worth mentioning that at that time, the Spurs were under intense pressure to make a move in order to keep pace with the, soon-to-be-67-wins, Dallas Mavericks. The very same Mavericks team that had bounced them from the playoffs the previous year. With their anxieties subsided, the locker room rallied together. As a result the team gelled and quietly flew under the radar. The Spurs finished the season by winning 24 out of their final 32 games. With three of those losses coming at the very end of the season with our starters resting and/or being ejected out of the game by an asshat egomaniac official for laughing. Yes, laughing.

I'm in no way saying that we're destined for a Championship. This is just my attempt at optimism in hopes that we finish the season strong. It's fitting that our team motto this year is Come Together.

I might sound naive and foolish but I genuinely believe that we have the pieces in place to make a serious run in the playoffs. Let's see what happens when this team our team relaxes a bit, gains a little confidence and starts having fun. I have a sneaky feeling that there are better days ahead.

I just saw this on 48 Minutes of Hell. Caught me a little off guard because I heard Mason was openly saying that he wanted to stay in San Antonio. Looks like there will be a trade before the deadline.

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2010/02/15/report-mason-requests-trade/

Here is Adrian Wojnarowski's tweet...

Spurs working to help accommodate Roger Mason with a trade, agent Mark Bartelstein tells Y! Minutes down, wants to play. Spurs cool with it.

I think we're gonna go after Tyrus Thomas.

[added by Wayne]

There is THIS from mysa.com where the agent says it isn't a trade demand.  Just a request.  Interesting read.

Today, Manu made this post on facebook. I warn all those women who are in love with Manu to be cautious. This might hurt a bit. Hell, we might even have some men on this site pause for a moment of reflection. 

A los hombres seguro no le interesa, pero hoy se cumplen 5 años de esta foto y qué 5 años pasaron!!! Feliz Aniversario AMORRRR!!!!!! //// Men probably won't care, but it's been 5 years from this wonderful day. 5 unbelievable years! Happy anniversary mi amor!

Since PTR is going to have a face at this year's Summer League in Las Vegas, we should post some questions for ATS to pick from. That way, he'll have something to fall back on incase he freezes up while talking to his Ewwwie Pooie Idol, George Hill. The last thing we want is for ATS to comeback with recordings that contain... "Uh..... Hel-oooooo, this is a PTR interview.... Goodbye. BIGFAIL. So everyone take the time and throw out a few questions for Gramps. 

The guys over at 48 Minutes of Hell have a great piece on assessing Pop's performance throughout this season. As I was reading, I noticed that I was nodding my head in agreement nearly the entire time. 48MoH does a great job of dispelling some of the myths and misconceptions all the while still pointing out our fatal flaws. I suggest everyone take the time to read. Here's the entire article. Feel free to discuss...

The guys from 48 Minutes of Hell (BTW if you're not reading on a regular basis you're doing yourself a great disservice) introduced me to Austin Nichols. He's young, he's humble, he can defend, and boy can he shoot. He possesses a sick catch-n-shoot motion similar to that of Rip Hamilton and Reggie Miller. We have a glaring need for a SF and he's coming to camp this summer. He is now on our radar and I want this guy on our roster. Here is the article from 48MofH.

CMoney

*1st member on the PtR Austin Nichols' bandwagon. 

Things look pretty bleak all across Spurs nation due to the fact that we don't have Manu, Tim's shaky knees, and the rest of our team has gone AWOL. This has left us in a very strange and foreign situation. . . A possible first round bounce with us only winning one game in the playoffs. So what's it gonna be? How will our season end? Do we put up a fight on Tuesday night and send this back to Dallas? Or do we simply concede defeat and turn the lights off at the AT&T center? Does anyone out there feel that we're headed for a game 7, we just simply don't know it yet? And lastly, is there anyone clinging to hope that we are going to pull this series out of the crapper and win in 7?

I'm sure one of our PtR ballers is working on a kick ass game thread for tomorrow, that includes great photo shopped images with funny captions, useful articles and time devouring links, such as the one LatinD posted where you're stuck in a goddamn room with four walls, a briefcase and a chair bolted to the floor. I will never get those 10 hours back. "Oh you'll feel great when you finally get out of the room"... MY ASS! And don't even get me started on how much time I've spent on here. LD has a very informative section on how to better know a cheerleader. It's a must read for all perverts. Keep up the great work.  

I'm pretty geeked up for tomorrow night's game. I have a great feeling about this one, especially with Timmeh getting an extra day of rest. Is it just me or does he look more spry and nimble than a few weeks ago? I was under the impression that his condition wasn't going to get better. So how geeked out am I for this game? Well I put this little chump to shame. (Get that weak ass N64 out of here son, we're talking about Spurs basketball!) For one, I'm going to be there, but you already knew that. As SiMA pointed out, I will be BALL'N in up big timer style from the 300's. I honestly just wanted to make it rain from way up high. True story. Hammer's gonna be there too. Anyone else?

Now after Ericka's recent bigfail comment on Tony Parker, I'm ready for a rumble at the AAC. Seriously, let's get it CRACK'N! Now I have to admit, I feel bad for Damp a little bit. How would you feel if you proclaimed yourself as the 2nd best at something and then everyone in your profession laughed at you? You'd probably feel like you had something to prove. Cuz after all, you are...THE Erick Dampier 

"Bitch you may get this bucket, but you ain't gettin this rebound!"

Seriously, I haven't seen a bigger pwning since . . . hmmm. . . come to think of it, about a week ago when SiMA took my ass to task.  I mean, I'm not even mad. . . I just know how this feels now. . .

I feel for you Damon. - CMoney

Don't worry Damp. We know why you have all that pent up anger and frustration. It's not your fault you went undrafted and you're constantly looked at as a joke across the Association. A man like you deserves RESPECT! You show Tony what's up and impose your slight (7 inches, 85 lbs) body size advantage. Like I said before, LET'S GET THIS SHIT CRACK'N! And no worries about the recent bigfail moment. We've all had them. Like the first piece I ever directed and shot for my Intro to Film class in college. BIGFAIL moment in 3. . . 2 . . . 1. . .  And let's be completely honest with ourselves, it could have been a lot worse, at least we're not Chase Sampson.

For tomorrow's game, I think Lauri's bigfail pic says it all: "There Will Definitely Be Blood . . . Maybe"

So I did some investigative sloothing around and found out where Pop and his coaches are eating dinner tonight here in Dallas. And by sloothing I mean, my cousin who is a waiter at a fine dining restaurant called me and told me that Pop was on the books for Wednesday night. So I made my cousin (who's a Mavs fan) request that he wait on Pop and our coaches. I love the symbolism. He also has in his possession my mint condition 2007 NBA Championship cap and a black sharpie in an effort to have Pop sign it for me. . .  after their meal of course. Again, I love the symbolism. I'll keep you guys posted.

Anyone and everyone feel free to chat it up here about tomorrow's game. You geek'n like me? Let's fucking do this!

"Parker got into the teeth of our defense and caused problems. Every time he drives the lane, we have to put him on his back. The first foul has to tell him he's in for a long night. My first foul Thursday night is going to put him on his back. I guarantee it."
-- Erick Dampier

That was a great win last night. It was so nice to see our guys hustle and play suffocating defense. Tony was amazing. This season he has taken his game to new heights that I don't really think any of us saw coming. Now it's time to put this one behind us and get prepared for game 3. Erick Dampier has already issued an APB on Tony Parker's head. WE BETTER BE READY FOR THIS. I'm not about to pay good money to go see our boys get bitched around by Erick Dampier. Last night had little moments of chippiness with a couple of hard fouls on Tony. We need to come out swinging and beat the Mavs to the punch. I want to see us physically impose our will on the Mavs like we do the Suns. We could deal a significant blow to the Mavs' psyche if we walk in and physically wrestle game 3 away. We need to put these guys on tilt. 

I don't know about you guys but, after the dramatic finish to this season, all I can think about today is playoff basketball. I absolutely love this time of year. I've officially locked up tickets to game 3 here in Dallas and Saturday cannot come soon enough. I have a feeling we're in for an epic series against the Mavs. This is where we get redemption for 06. If playoff fever hasn't taken over your body then watch this video. Every year TNT creates a video to intro the playoffs. This was last year's, and it was genius. Enjoy.

A few years ago, my father took me to a Rangers baseball game for opening day. It was a beautiful spring day. A day in which I was supposed to be in school and my father was supposed to be working. In fact, I’m pretty sure 50,000 people called in sick to work that day. I remember the crisp blue sky and the green sea of grass like it was yesterday. The fresh cut was in the air; along with the smell of hot dogs, peanuts and popcorn. You could hear the buzz of the stadium, the crackle of people walking on discarded peanut shells, and the ever so sweet crack of a bat. It was a perfect day for baseball. We sat in our seats and joked about how the Rangers were, for once, tied for first place. I remember mentioning to my dad, “It would be sweet if we could catch a foul ball. ” He said with a smile, “If one comes near, we’ll get it.” Four and a half innings in and it finally happened. A foul ball was hit directly to us. It landed in our row, three seats away from my dad. I yelled, “Get it!” and watched as my dad made a break for it. Except, he wasn’t quite as fast as I had once remembered. He struggled to get out of his chair and came up empty handed. This punk kid had jumped down two rows and snatched it at the very last second. I will always remember the look in my dad’s eyes as he turned around to come back to his seat. I looked at him, and he looked back at me with a hint of embarrassment. “I’m slow”. Those two words hit me like a freight train. My dad, who had always been invincible in my eyes, was now on the decline. In that moment, I realized that my dad was getting older. I hated the thought of it. It was as if storm clouds had rolled in on our perfect day.

As I write this, the shockwave of Ginobili’s loss is rippling through Spurs nation. There’s no easy way to stomach it. No way to spin it and no use in denying it. This loss hurts. Bad. Today, I was reminded of how I felt on opening day years ago. Our team is getting older; our team is breaking down. All the signs are there. We all watched as age crept up on the Admiral. We joked as it finally caught up to Robert Horry. And this year we’ve seen firsthand how age has affected our foundation. Tim has been hobbled by tendonitis in his knees. For Duncan to actually admit how much his knees are bothering him speaks volumes. I cringe just watching him handle the ball in the post and the sight of him with those blue knee braces leaves me with an empty feeling in my gut. And then there’s Manu. Our human crash test dummy is finally falling victim to the night in and night out beatings his body has taken. It’s like watching your favorite pet slowdown in their latter years. You lie to yourself and try not to think about it. But the reality is there. His ankles are giving out on him. His wheels are wearing thin. Rehabilitation now takes longer and he’s a greater risk to himself every time he takes the floor. Now most players learn how to adapt their game to better suit their lack of mobility. Like Finley, they become jump shooters. This is what Manu will eventually be reduced to. I fear we will never see the same Manu again. It’s been an entire year and the only change in Manu’s ankle problems has been from the left to the right. Go ahead and ask Kurt Thomas how much ankle injuries will change your game.

At the start of next season, Manu will be 32 years old, entering into his 14th year as a professional. He’s will also be in the last year of his contract. As much as it kills me to say it, I feel that our FO needs to trade Ginobili while we can. He’s not getting any younger and his best days are four years behind him. We need some promising young talent to carry the torch into the 10’s. I’m sure I’m going to cause a shit storm by even suggesting this but before you send me to the guillotine or BAN me from PTR, think about the possibilities. One that comes to mind is a trade for another young talented player in his final year of his contract… say … Chris Bosh? A 6-10’, 230 lbs, 25 year-old power forward who’s been a double-double machine over the past month and who on multiple occasions has publicly stated that he will not resign with the Raptors. Forget the fact that he’s from Texas and that’s where his family is located. Instead focus on him having the opportunity to finally play with a contender. How do you pass up playing alongside Tim Duncan and learning from the best?  Humor me and think about the possibility of trading Manu, (Bowen or Fab) and the rights to Tiago Splitter for Chris Bosh and trash (Maybe Pops-Mensu?). Seriously, something like this is not that far fetched and is very plausible. If you don’t believe me please check it out for yourself. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine

The option of trading Manu has to be on the table. You can hate me for saying it, but it’s time. 

I was doing some casual reading on BSoTS and found this on their front page. (GASP!, I KNOW!) I'm, like the rest of you, extremely appalled. I can't believe the nerve of this guy. I swear. . . What is this world coming too?! And we thought Latin D was bad.

The article is actually pretty funny and is a spot-on assessment of the Suns organization. Everyone should take a look around their site. Their hatred for our Spurs runs deep but in a way it's endearing. You have to admit, they have been through quite a bit. 

::Cue last year's game footage from Game 1:: 

Courtesy of Jeff McDonald:

Thursday was a D-Day of sorts for Manu Ginobili. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had said if Ginobili was unable to get on the floor for practice by this day, that's when it would be time to worry.

Well, Ginobili was out on the practice floor this morning. It's too early to call "crisis averted," but it was an encouraging sign.

"It's the next step in getting him back to whole," Popovich said after the session.

Ginobili has missed 16 consecutive games with a stress reaction in his right ankle. Thursday marked four weeks since the prognosis of two-to-three weeks inintially offered by the team's medical staff.

This morning, Ginobili played a some one-one-one, did some scripted offense and defense, and -- perhaps most importantly -- worked out at full speed. He even dunked once, video you're likely to see on everybody's newscast tonight.

It would be premature to expect Ginobili in all his glory to be making an appearance on an NBA floor near you soon. By the end of full-court drills, Ginobili was sucking wind.

Just the fact that Ginobili's sore right ankle allowed him to do more today than he could do yesterday was clearly a heartening development for the Spurs. Popovich said it will be at least a week more before he will even consider getting Ginobili into a game.

"When he's able to play without fear of making it worse, that's when he'll play," Popovich said. "When's he's on a track where it's just getting better and better all the time and he can't go backwards, that's when he's going to play. When is that? Heck, I don't know."

What is clear is that Thursday's practice, and more like it, will give the Spurs medical staff a better sense of when Ginobili might be ready for action.

"You can tell in workouts if guys are favoring a foot," Popovich said. "The court is what gives us those answers. For him to get on the court today, and play a little of both offense and defense, starts to make a picture for us to look at. But it will be at least a week before we start to get serious about whether he's going to play or not."

First off, I'm sorry for not being around as much as I should. I've been bogged down with shoots and events at work. I know, I know, that's a pretty shitty excuse but that's the card I'm playing. Forgive me.

Secondly, as proof that I have been working and at the request of jollyrogerwilco, I'm posting a link to a recent short piece that I directed. Now before you get all excited about the possibility of The Traveler: Part 2, You must know that this video is not that. 

I had the privilege to work with a Non-profit organization who helps people with HIV/AIDS get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. I met a man named Thomas who is an inspiration to me and to many other people. He was willing to share his personal story with me and allow me to tell his journey though my lens. This video is designed to raise money for Samaritan House so they can in turn help more people like Thomas. Basically, they asked us to create one of those "ESPN Sad Stories" that you see every Sunday afternoon. In the industry, this is known as a "heartstrings" video.

http://www.vimeo.com/2205829

Every year the Dallas Cowboys have a kickoff luncheon. For the past 3 years my company has edited a video that plays during their annual luncheon. We were able to show this to the entire team and in front of a live audience. This video also plays before every home game right before kickoff. If any of you go to any Cowboy games this year, keep an eye out for it. Here you go...

Intro to luncheon video

Kick off video

Hey guys, my apologies for not stopping by as much as I should. Between work, fantasy football and a new woman, I've been really busy. But I did want to share this. Every year the Dallas Cowboys have a kickoff luncheon. For the past 3 years we've edited a video that plays during the luncheon. This video also plays before every home game right before kickoff. If any of you go to any Cowboy games this year, keep an eye out for it. Here you go...

Intro to luncheon video

Kick off video

Hey since these are the dog days of summer, I figured I'd share something with you guys that has nothing to do with Spurs basketball. I figured after Stampler gave us play by play of the Euro cup and Scrappy posting his life story, this is fair game. This past weekend our film team participated in the 48 hour Film Festival. This is a national traveling festival and this past weekend it was in Dallas. Every team is required to write, shoot and edit a 4 to 7 minute film in 48 hours. Our team competed with teams from all over the DFW area. Each team drew a different genre and every team had to incorporate a given prop, dialogue line, character and a profession. This year's prop was a book, the line was "What was I supposed to say?", character was Dale Taylor and the profession was an auto mechanic.  We drew Sci Fi so we had to somehow incorporate these into a script. I was the cinematographer on this short film. My responsibility is to make the writer/director's vision come to fruition. You can see my work by paying attention to the lighting, shot composition, mood and camera movement. We screened this for a live audience on Tuesday night. I'd like to know your thoughts. 

Click here to watch the video

So I wandered over to Mavs Moneyball to see what they were talking about and I found this. We're not even close to locking up Maggette, and they're starting to freak out. I had a good laugh after reading this...

Baron Davis signs with the Clippers...

WOW…

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3470016

One plus is that it all but guarantees Corey Maggette will not get more than the MLE… They’ve got to renounce his sign and trade rights to make this deal work, so he’s out there for 5.5 million or whatever…

So, what this means is that we can no longer do a S&T for Maggette... no one can.  So with everyone out there targeting Corey with their MLE, do the Mavs have what it takes to seperate themselves from the likes of Boston, Orlando, or even Phoenix? 

I believe so, and it's because of one of the most outspoken and player-friendly owners in the league.  Time to step up Mark... the money is even out there for him, but what are the Mavericks organization going to offer him that other teams wont?

[Note by Toddy, 07/01/08 9:55 PM MDT ] Dont worry, it just got worse... Spurs are reported as being the front runners for Maggette...

@#$%@$%@^$@!#$!@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn

Spurs are the Front runners....

by Toddy on Jul 1, 2008 10:44 PM CDT  reply  actions   0 recs

"Mr. Hicks, you watch, I'm going to be a leader on this team." Kinsler

by sprite on Jul 1, 2008 11:05 PM CDT  up  reply  actions   0 recs

Thats Typical

The Spurs get Maggette….They didnt win the finals last year which means their due for one this year…..This always happens to the Mavs Always….I remember a few years ago the mavs could have made a deal for Rasheed…..This was in the Nellie and Big 3 days and one of the big 3 wasnt even involved ….its inevitable….Mavs have the curse of the bambino….They cant ever get the coveted FA or work the right deal….Its always the deal they should have made….The Spurs get Maggette we might get Finley ….dont like that scenario at all!!!!!!!!!!

kiddisaster

by aaronp on Jul 1, 2008 10:58 PM CDT  reply  actions   0 recs

Corey would be bored in SA

he just can’t go there.

"Chase Irwin: You pissed me off, I just can't remember why." - Miles.

by Longhorn on Jul 1, 2008 11:20 PM CDT  reply  actions   0 recs

if the spurs

sign maggette… just kill me

by zkmavz on Jul 2, 2008 12:11 AM CDT  reply  actions   0 recs