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luvs_too_shop_90 Vice Captain
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 Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 5:53 pm
News about the Spurs and NBA
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 6:25 pm
Anways most of the News will be coming from Spurstalk.com
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luvs_too_shop_90 Vice Captain
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luvs_too_shop_90 Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 6:30 pm
David Flores: Daniels remains a fan of Duncan
Web Posted: 07/23/2005 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
Maybe it was a case of Antonio Daniels being too close to Tim Duncan to fully appreciate his talent when they were Spurs teammates for four seasons.
Antonio Daniels spent four seasons as a teammate of Tim Duncan with the San Antonio Spurs.
More coverage
Devin Brown weighs hometown vs. more minutes
After eight years in the NBA, including the last two with the Seattle SuperSonics, a more mature Daniels knows better now.
"I had no idea how good Tim was until I left," said Daniels, a guard who was traded by the Spurs to Portland in August 2002. "I knew he was good, of course, but I never realized how great he really is until I played against him."
Daniels, a free agent who came to terms with the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, talked about his career, Duncan and the Spurs on Friday at his basketball camp at the Factory of Champions.
Daniels lives in San Antonio in the offseason and still shares a warm relationship with Duncan. He is probably one of Duncan's biggest fans.
"Tim has been in the league for eight seasons and he already has three championship rings," Daniels said. "There are great players like (Charles) Barkley, (John) Stockton and (Karl) Malone who never even won one. It's amazing."
Daniels averaged 17.8 points and 4.2 assists a game against the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals this season. San Antonio won the series 4-2 en route to winning the NBA title.
"It was a good series," Daniels said. "The better team won. The Spurs aren't just Tim Duncan anymore. They have very good balance."
Daniels cited the play of Manu Ginobili and Robert Horry as key factors in the Spurs' playoff success.
"Manu is a hell of a player," he said. "He's so unpredictable, but that isn't a bad thing because he makes the right decisions.
"Robert Horry in the playoffs? What can I say that hasn't already been said?"
Daniels also praised Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
"Pop may be the best coach in the league," he said. "He will get on Tim Duncan the same way that he gets on the guy on the injured list. You have to respect that."
Daniels has agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract with the Wizards, who finished 45-37 this season and were swept by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Adept at both guard sports, he joins All-Star Gilbert Arenas in the backcourt and gives the Wizards leadership.
"This is a great situation for me and the family," Daniels said. "The Wizards are a perfect fit."
The Spurs were among the teams Daniels talked to.
"We were talking all the time, but it would have had to have been a sign-and-trade deal," he said. "That's easier said than done. Things just didn't work out."
Life never has been much better for Daniels, an affable fellow who turned 30 in March. He and his wife, Sonia, who is from San Antonio, are expecting their first child, a girl, in mid-August.
Marriage has helped Daniels mature greatly in the past year.
"I'm growing not just as a man, but as a man my wife, mother and entire family can be proud of," he said. "My life has come full circle. I'm very blessed not just financially, but emotionally as well. I have a great group of friends."
Daniels has had basketball camps in San Antonio each of the past five summers, and leaves no doubt that he plans to continue next year.
"I've always loved this," said Daniels, who has a degree in elementary education. "These camps give me a chance to have an impact on kids."
Walter Kramer, in his third year as the director of the camps, said Daniels has a passion for working with children.
"He's here every day," Kramer said. "He's very generous with his time and very sincere when he says that he wants the kids to get something positive out of his camps."
Daniels will have another camp next week before he starts working out with Kramer, a middle school coach who has trained him the past two years.
"Working with Walter has been incredible for me," Daniels said. "He is very observant and knows what he's talking about. His opinion is important to me."
That confidence shows.
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:50 am
We wish an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! to Manu Ginobili who will turn 28 this thursday!
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:09 pm
bah I still don't like Antonioo Daniels that much for talking bad about Robinson behind his back. . that's just not cool stare
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Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:12 pm
Quote: Source: Las Vegas to host 2007 NBA All-Star game By CHRIS SHERIDAN, AP Basketball Writer July 29, 2005 Las Vegas will be the site of the 2007 NBA All-Star game, marking the first time the event will be held in a non-NBA city. An official with knowledge of the decision, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed reports in the Las Vegas media that the city has been given the go-ahead to play host to the league's showcase event. Mayor Oscar Goodman and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority had been making a strong push to land the game, and one of the final obstacles was finding a way to convince a few luxury suite holders at the Thomas & Mack Center to relinquish their boxes in exchange for seats elsewhere in the arena. Casino operators had already agreed to not take bets on the game, one of the requirements the NBA laid out when the sides first began talking about placing the game in America's most popular gambling destination. Commissioner David Stern has been open to the idea of holding the All-Star game in non-NBA cities, and during the finals he said there was consideration being given to playing the 2008 or 2009 game in Paris. League officials have made several trips to Las Vegas to scout possible locations, including the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus. Last month, state gambling regulators approved a league request blocking Nevada sports books from accepting wagers on All-Star events held in the state. Such bans are not unprecedented. The Palms hotel-casino does not accept bets on professional basketball games because it is owned by the Maloof family, which also owns the Sacramento Kings. Next year's game will be in Houston.
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Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:04 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:43 pm
San Antonio Express-News
The Spurs' 2005 NBA title was the third in franchise history. Here's a look at how this one stacks up against the 1999 title team and the '03 version.
*Visible fan in Finals series*
1999: Spike Lee (Knicks)
2003: Joumana Kidd (Nets)
2005: Eva Longoria (Spurs)
*Devin Brown*
1999: Led UTSA to NCAA Tournament
2003: MVP of NBA's developmental league
2005: NBA champion
*Key clutch shooter*
1999: Mario Elie
2003: Steve Kerr
2005: Robert Horry
*David Robinson*
1999: Solid scorer, rebounder, defender
2003: Solid rebounder, defender
2005: Solid supporter
*Funny accent*
1999: Avery Johnson
2003: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili
2005: Take your pick
*Alamodome*
1999: Home court, party central after the victory parade
2003: Party central after the victory parade
2005: Still party central after the victory parade
*Demons the Spurs vanquished*
1999: Critics who said David Robinson was soft
2003: The Lakers
2005: Critics who said Tim Duncan was soft
*NBA Finals MVP*
1999: Tim Duncan
2003: Tim Duncan
2005: Tim Duncan
*Lasting Finals image*
1999: Avery Johnson's series-winning jumper
2003: David Robinson exiting amid confetti, as a champion
2005: Robert Horry draining a three to win Game 5
*Other big story of the season*
1999: The lockout
2003: Kobe Bryant charged with sexual assault
2005: The near-lockout and the Malice in the Palace
*Veteran who finally wins big one*
1993: Jerome Kersey
2003: Kevin Willis
2005: Tony Massenburg
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:08 pm
NICK VAN EXEL OFFICIALLY A SPUR! http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2146285Quote: Updated: Aug. 29, 2005, 6:26 PM ET Spurs sign Van Exel without cutting into Finley offerESPN.com news services Tony Parker won't have to carry as much of the Spurs' load next season. San Antonio announced Monday that is has signed veteran guard Nick Van Exel. "We are very happy to have Nick as a part of our team," coach Gregg Popovich said in a statement. "His leadership and skills will be assets at both ends of the floor." The team did not disclose terms of the contract, but ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported that the Spurs were able to sign Van Exel without cutting into the estimated $2.5 million they have offered free-agent swingman Michael Finley for next season. Selected by the Lakers with the 37th overall pick in the 1993 draft, Van Exel has averaged 15.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 815 career regular-season games with the Lakers, Nuggets, Mavericks, Warriors and Trail Blazers. Finley is expected to decide early this week whether to sign with the Spurs, Suns, Heat or Timberwolves I'm extremely excited about this move, we get a proven back-up and another clutch shooter, not to mention a point guard who can handle a Stephon Marbury or Chauncey Billups on defense. Only problem is now I dunno what they're gonna do w/Beno. Most likely third string or worse. . .
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:52 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 11:02 am
Quote: Spurs sign five before training camp September 29, 2005 SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The San Antonio Spurs signed five free agents Thursday, including former North Carolina forward Jawad Williams. The Spurs also signed guards Kyle Bailey and Stephen Graham and forwards Sharrod Ford and Melvin Sanders. Williams, a forward, averaged 13.1 points and four rebounds in helping the Tar Heels win the national championship last season. Ford averaged 14.2 points and 8.2 rebounds for Clemson during his senior year. Sanders spent last season with the Dakota Wizards in the Continental Basketball Association. Bailey played at Santa Clara for four seasons and Graham spent the last two years at Oklahoma State after transferring from Central Florida.
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 11:04 am
Quote: Steve Smith retires from NBA September 30, 2005 EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- After a storied career at Michigan State and 14 seasons with six NBA teams, Steve Smith retired Friday. Smith returned to his alma mater to announce his retirement as a player at age 36. ``My mother would be very proud,'' Smith said of his inspiration, the late Clara Bell Smith. ``She'd say, `You can close this chapter now. But you still have work to do.''' Smith scored 13,430 points in the NBA, a 14.3 average. The No. 5 overall pick in the 1991 draft began his career in Miami, became an NBA All-Star in 1998 with Atlanta and earned a championship ring in 2003 with San Antonio. He also played for Portland, New Orleans and Charlotte. Smith won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in Sydney in 2000 and was part of the USA Basketball squads that went undefeated in the 1994 World Championships in Toronto and the 1999 Tournament of the Americas in San Juan. Smith was a two-time All-America at Michigan State and is the school's No. 2 career scorer with 2,263 points. He was the Big Ten's MVP as a junior in 1990 after leading the Spartans to a league title and a then-school record 28 wins. ``I still think I can play, but it's time for me to do something else,'' Smith said. ``The whole ride has been tremendous. When I'd lie in bed at 6 or 7 and dream of playing in the NBA, that dream came true.'' Smith's off-court contributions have been recognized with the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1998 and the NBA Sportsmanship Award in 2002. His $2.5 million gift helped fund the $7.5 million Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center, where he announced his retirement. His scholarship program has sent Detroit Pershing High graduates to Michigan State. Smith's former head coach at Michigan State, Jud Heathcote, traveled from Spokane, Wash., to join Smith at Friday's tribute. Current Spartans coach Tom Izzo, who made Smith his first recruit, was the master of ceremonies. Updated on Friday, Sep 30, 2005 7:31 pm EDT
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 11:06 am
Quote: Title hopes Heat up for new-look Miami By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports Writer October 1, 2005 MIAMI (AP) -- Slumped at his locker, moments after Miami's season ended in a Game 7 loss to Detroit in the Eastern Conference finals, Shaquille O'Neal was looking toward the future. ``Next year,'' said the Heat center, his tone barely above a whisper, ``we've got to start from square one.'' He had no idea how prophetic he was. In many respects, when training camp opens Tuesday, Miami will be starting over. Gone are two starters from last season's 59-win club -- Eddie Jones was traded to Memphis; Damon Jones signed with Cleveland as a free agent. In their place are four legitimate starting candidates, whom Miami acquired without sending payroll skyrocketing or losing either of its superstars, O'Neal or Dwyane Wade. Hovering over much of the offseason were the persistent -- and apparently unfounded -- rumors that team president Pat Riley was poised to fire his former longtime assistant, Stan Van Gundy, and return to coaching. Now, it's time for Miami to put the new pieces together. ``We know we can win,'' Wade said. ``That's what we're all here for. ... This is my third year here and it's like it's my third different team, but we can win.'' Expectations may be higher than ever for the Heat as they pursue their first NBA title. O'Neal -- who signed a $100 million, five-year deal this summer -- promises that Miami will advance further than it did last year, which would mean at least reaching the Finals. Wade made a meteoric rise to superstardom, and insists he'll get even better. He and O'Neal will find plenty of new faces. In the 13-player, five-team trade that sent Eddie Jones to Memphis, the Heat got point guard Jason Williams and forward James Posey and landed forward Antoine Walker from Boston. Later in the summer, free-agent point guard Gary Payton -- still seeking his first title -- signed a one-year deal and most likely will be Williams' backup. And Miami drafted Kansas forward Wayne Simien. Most of the newcomers say they've never felt closer to a championship. ``Probably when I was 8 or 9, because I knew I was the best player in the league, but that's about the last time,'' said Williams, the flashy guard who spent three years in Sacramento and four in Memphis before coming to Miami. ``I always felt like we could win, because if I didn't feel we could win, what the use playing? But realistically, no, this is the first time.'' The team, of course, will be built around O'Neal and Wade. They combined for 42 percent of Miami's points last season and took 38 percent of the team's shots. Walker and Payton will find themselves in subordinate roles for perhaps the first time. Payton hasn't been a backup since the 1992-93 season. Walker, a career average of 19.8, has been a reserve only 15 times since joining the league in 1996. ``When 'Toine and them came over, a lot of people said 'There's not going to be enough shots for Shaq and Dwyane.' We don't think about that,'' Wade said. ``We're just thinking about getting our chemistry together. It's a 48-minute game. There's shots for everybody.'' So far, that message seems to be getting through. ``We've got to understand the options on the team and the situation we're in, and to get the ball to people who can deliver at that time,'' said Walker, who's averaged 18.6 shots a game for his career. The Heat also signed power forward Udonis Haslem -- who probably will contend with Walker for the starting job -- to a five-year deal worth more than $30 million. They lured back center Alonzo Mourning for another year and re-signed key reserve Shandon Anderson. Much of training camp could resemble a glorified get-to-know-you session, with players trying to jell into a championship unit. ``All that stuff takes time, but unfortunately for us, because expectations are so high we've got to come out the gate ready to play,'' Walker said. ``So there's a lot of little things we've got figure out. But when in doubt, you just throw it to Shaq.'' All i have to say about this is... IF YOU WANT IT, COME GET IT!
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