haveballs.net - Have Balls!!

2011 Football Schedule

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:45:00 +0000

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/c.../87549872.html

Beginning with Northeastern (Okla.) State on Sept. 3, 2011.

2011 schedule

Sept: 3: Northeastern (Okla.) State
Sept. 10: McMurry
Sept. 17: @Southern Utah
Sept. 24: Bacone College
Oct. 1: @Sam Houston State
Oct. 8: South Alabama
Oct. 15: @UC Davis
Oct. 22: @Northwestern (La.) State
Oct. 29: Georgia State
Nov. 12: @McNeese State
Nov. 19: Minot (N.D.) State

UTSA home games at the Alamodome.
Southern Utah, Sam Houston, UC Davis and McNeese will all play at UTSA in 2012; UTSA goes to South Alabama and Georgia State in 2012.

Spurs defeat two teams in one game!

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:20:00 +0000

holy cow! :bang

Steve Nash

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:48:00 +0000

Congrats on getting out played by Derek Fisher. God bless.

Thunder Dan

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:40:00 +0000

Discuss.

Spurs vs. Clippers Previews

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:36:00 +0000

Los Angeles (25-41) at San Antonio (38-25)
Game info: 8:30 pm EST Sat Mar 13, 2010
TV: FSPT, FSSW
By Brett Huston

With their No. 1 draft pick sidelined for the season, their second-leading scorer nursing a leg injury and their general manager recently shown the door, its no surprise the Los Angeles Clippers are mired in a six-game losing streak.

What would be stunning is if they can snap it Saturday night.

The Clippers 15-game skid against the San Antonio Spurs is the leagues longest current drought against a single opponent, and theyll also be looking for their first-ever win in 15 visits to the AT&T Center.

The last time Los Angeles (25-41) played San Antonio was in Kim Hughes interim coaching debut Feb. 6 at Staples Center. Hughes was taking over for Mike Dunleavy, who stepped down as the teams on-court leader two days earlier after 6 1/2 seasons on the sidelines.

Hughes didnt have any better luck than Dunleavy against the Spurs in the 103-87 loss. San Antonio (38-25) has won three meetings this season by an average of 19.3 points, the past 15 overall in the series by 15.5 points per game and all 14 games versus the Clippers at the AT&T Center by an average of 13.4 points since the facility opened in 2002.

Its going to take us a while before we see results, All-Star center Chris Kaman said after the Clippers latest loss to the Spurs. Its a work in progress right now.

There havent been many positive signs in the past month. Los Angeles has dropped 13 of 17 under Hughes, and on Tuesday the organization relieved Dunleavy - still serving as general manager - of his remaining duties.

Added to the front office uncertainty is a six-game losing streak thats tied for the teams longest of the season.

The absence of Eric Gordon, who at 17.2 points per game is the teams second-leading scorer behind Kaman, hasnt helped. Gordon has missed the first four games of this road trip with a sore leg and is likely out for Saturdays finale as well.

The Clippers had their best shooting performance since Hughes took over Friday in Charlotte, but it wasnt enough. Baron Davis scored 24 points and Los Angeles shot 57.5 percent, but 23 turnovers were costly in a 106-98 loss.

We dont share the ball enough, Hughes said. I think when they double-teamed us, we held the ball too long. We have to be more unselfish when we get trapped.

While the Clippers are struggling without Gordon, the Spurs hardly seem fazed by a broken right ring finger that may cost Tony Parker the rest of the regular season.

Manu Ginobili followed his 38-point performance in a Monday loss to the Cavaliers by scoring 28 in a 97-87 win Wednesday against the New York Knicks, then fellow guard George Hill had 19 points and eight assists Friday in a 103-85 rout at Minnesota.

San Antonio has won six of seven.

Were right in the mix of things, and were trying to move up and try to jockey for some position so every win is a good win right now, Tim Duncan said.

The Spurs new starting backcourt has kept Duncan from having to carry the offensive load, as hes averaged just 15.0 points and 6.8 rebounds over his past five games.

Its possible coach Gregg Popovich could rest Duncan Saturday in the second night of a back-to-back, but he only played 25 minutes Friday and has averaged just over 20 in the last four meetings with Los Angeles.

San Antonio is 4-4 when playing the second of a back-to-back, while the Clippers - also playing their fourth game in five nights - are 4-13.

*********************

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Chris Kaman LAC 19.3
Tim Duncan SA 18.9

Rebounds
Chris Kaman LAC 9.3
Tim Duncan SA 10.6

Assists
Baron Davis LAC 8.0
Tony Parker SA 5.7

Gisela Dulko Beats Justine Henin at Indian Wells

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:33:00 +0000

Justine Henin arrived in Indian Wells as a title favorite, but on Friday the former world number one crashed out in only the second round to Argentina’s Gisela Dulko.

Dulko, who lost to Henin in the 2006 Indian Wells quarterfinals, dispatched the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s most famous wild card 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.

Despite the loss, as Henin has competed in three tournaments since coming back to the Tour, she will now return to the Tour’s rankings.

She is projected to re-appear in the Top 35 when the new rankings are released on March 22.

Seventh seed Na Li was also ousted in three sets on Friday. Britain’s Elena Baltacha outlasted the Chinese star 7-6(6), 2-6, 7-6(7).

On the Baseline’s live coverage of the 2010 BNP Paribas Open is brought to you by Grand Slam Tennis Tours. Become a fan of Grand Slam Tennis Tours on Facebook to enter to win a trip to the US Open!

Lebron Suspended 50 Games For Steroid Use

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:58:00 +0000

Quote:

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Indians minor league catcher Steven Lebron was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for the steroid Boldenone metabolite.
Lebron, a member of the Indians Dominican Summer League team, was signed in January. His contract was voided at no cost to the Indians.
Three other minor leaguers tested positive: Mets pitcher Melvin Colon and Yankees catcher Josue Rodriguez and pitcher Israel Tolentino. They were suspended for 50 games.
Boldenone is a steroid used on horses. It's a favorite of body builders as they prepare for competition. It is also banned by MLB.
All four suspensions will be effective at the start of the 2010 Dominican Summer League season in May.

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index..._league_1.html

question: is malik to green for this season's playoffs?

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:52:00 +0000

i am malik fan; no doubt about it. but even if bogans and rmj (hypothetically) get injured before playoffs, do you think that malik can seriously contribute for another title push?

i did not watch his defense tonight, but i was listening to the radio, and 3 fouls and couple turnovers seem a bit costly; he might help us in the future, but did pop postpone his development this year for too long?

Unless The Laker Game Is On

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:41:00 +0000

Good Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3vz1uLsYm4

JJ Hickson

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:22:00 +0000

We all know you're gay. You can go beat off on another message board now, thanks.

We don't accept gays.

[gif] malik's dunk vs. wolves

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:17:00 +0000

Bucks win again.

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:56:00 +0000

They even beat a great Jazz team tonight. Questionable non-foul call against Boozer late, but still a nice win. How far can this team go?

So I got a speeding ticket....

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:50:00 +0000

75 in a 65... and I'm fighting it. The dude "paced" me... what are my chances of winning?

I wish this could have been our offseason

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:49:00 +0000

I know it really isn't feasible, but I believe we would be so much better had it gone this way

Sign:
G/F Ron Artest (MLE)
F/C Antonio McDyess (LLE)
F/C Dwayne Jones
PG Curtis Jerrells/Curtis Johnson

Draft:
PF DeJuan Blair
SF Robert Dozier
PG Nando de Colo

Trade:
1. Oberto, Thomas, Bowen to Washington for Caron Butler
2. Finley, Mason, Bonner for John Salmons, 2011 2nd (Finley and Mason go to Chicago, Bonner goes to third team)
3. Future 2nd to Portland for Channing Frye

Roster
C - McDyess, Frye, Jones
PF - Duncan, Blair, Ian
SF - Artest, Butler, Dozier
SG - Salmons, Manu, Hairston
PG - Parker, Hill, Jerrells/Johnson

The first two trades work money-wise, and both would make sense just prior to the trade deadline, based on how the season went for the Bulls and Wizards....however, prior to the season, neither of those teams would have made such a deal with the Spurs, as there was almost zero incentive to do so, unfortunately.

Oh and our current cap # is $79 million.....my wishful roster is $78 million. We only save $1 million, but we would be stronger offensively and so much stronger defensively. We would also be deeper, while taking away from the Lakers (Artest) , Suns (Frye), and Mavs (Butler).

San Antonio Silver Stars trade for Michelle Snow

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:42:00 +0000

Silver Stars Trade For Michelle Snow

http://www.wnba.com/silverstars/news...ow_100311.html

SAN ANTONIO, March 11, 2010 The San Antonio Silver Stars today announced a trade with the Atlanta Dream in which they acquire eight-year WNBA veteran center Michelle Snow in exchange for Dalma Ivanyi and the right to swap second round picks with San Antonio in the 2011 WNBA Draft to Atlanta. The draft picks option must be exercised within 15 days of the conclusion of the draft lottery.

Originally selected by the Houston Comets in the first round (10th overall) of the 2002 WNBA Draft, Snow has accumulated averages 9.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks per game in 266 career games played. After making two starts her rookie season, she earned a permanent starting position and was named the leagues Most Improved Player in 2003; she also helped the Comets reach the playoffs in four her seven seasons with the team.

We are very excited about the addition of Michelle Snow to our roster, said Head Coach Sandy Brondello. She has always been a player that was difficult for us to stop in the past and she has all the skills that will make her a great asset to our team. At 6'5 she is a player who will give us a dominant low-block presence on both ends of the floor as well as helping us to be a better rebounding team. Her mobility makes her a perfect fit for our 2010 campaign.

Snow has played in two WNBA All-Star Games: 2005 and 2006, in which she dunked and also recorded a team-high 11 rebounds.

The Pensacola, Fla., native joined Atlanta in 2009 after the Comets folded at the conclusion of the 2008 season. She was an integral part in helping the Dream improve upon its inaugural season in which it finished with a record of 4-30; Snow helped Atlanta finish second in the Eastern Conference with an 18-16 record and reach the playoffs for the first time.

Currently, Snow is playing for Dynamo Kursk (Kursk, Russia) and is averaging 12.9 points, a team-high 8.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. She has helped her team reach the FIBA Eurocup Women Semifinals with a two-game upset over favored Municipal Targoviste; Snow recorded team-highs in points (18), rebounds (7) and blocks (2) to go along with three steals and one assist in the win.

Ivanyi, a native of Hungary, has played five season in the WNBA four of which were in San Antonio (1999, 2000, 2005, 2006) and averaged 1.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 106 career games played. Currently, she is playing for MiZo Pécs 2010 (Pécs, Hungary) and helped her team reach the EuroLeague Women Eighth Finals. Ivanyi averaged 11.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.9 steals and 32.1 minutes per game in 13 games played for MiZo Pécs 2010.

The Silver Stars open the 2010 regular season on May 15 with a 7 p.m. tip-off against the visiting Atlanta Dream. Full and partial season ticket plans are on sale now. Visit www.sasilverstars.com or call (210) 444-5090 for more information.

what the cripple

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:21:00 +0000

so i went to taco bell to get a $5 box, but they ran out of boxes and gave me a bag

fuck taco bell and their $5 bag

New Tour in West Texas

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:32:00 +0000

Visit [u][url=http://www.therigstour.com][u] fo details.

You Rock, Tommy

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:25:00 +0000

I think the reason I, and most of Dodger Nation, loves Tommy is because of his unabashed homerism. He is a true blue Dodger cheerleader. No ways around it. He is "in your face" when it comes to his love of the team and I love him for it.

As further proof, check out this series of tweets he put out this afternoon.

Tweet Link:

Tweet Link:

Tweet Link:

Driver Refinishing

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:14:00 +0000

Like many before me, (aaahhhemmm...I assume) I have played a round or two with the boys, where by a few too many beverages are consumed.
Next thing you know you get under 1 or 3 balls and end up with some ungodly sky marks on the top of the driver you so everloving cared for.
I have googled and googled club refinishing and can only come up with 2 locations deep in the heart of the Southern states, and I am not prepared to spend 150-160 USD to get my club buffed, when new drivers have come down so much in price.
Anyone with some local, or provincial suggestions on a place or places I could get this done.

Thanks,

Ryan

IF tiger plays the masters, how will he finish?

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:32:00 +0000

i would say he finishes top 25.

How to Select the Right Tennis Coach for Your Child

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:43:00 +0000

In the 1930’s, when my father was in junior high school, little was known about the sound barrier. He tells the story of hearing a school teacher lecture in the 1933 on the then-current scientific belief that if anything goes faster than the speed of sound (700 miles per hour) it would immediately explode and disintegrate.

Not one to believe everything at face value, my father asked the teacher, “If nothing goes faster than the speed of sound, how do we know it would blow up?” Since the teacher couldn’t give an adequate answer, she did hit him on the knuckles with a ruler and sent him to detention for asking.

Of course, we now have supersonic airplanes flying daily and rockets traveling in space. This desire of humankind to reach for the stars and search for answers to difficult questions fuels progress. How does all of this relate to tennis? Read on.

Tennis in the 1930’s

Something else took place in the 1930’s that is the focus of this article. Slazenger designed and produced their unique PM model tennis racquet, with instructions printed along the neck of the racquet. It reads: “Ready. On your toes. Get into position. Concentrate, Stroke firmly. Watch the ball. Follow through.”

Slazenger’s idea in the 1930’s was undoubtedly to offer added value to their racquet with these “quick tips” to improve play.

Insanity Defined

What I find amazing is that, to this day, you can watch tennis lessons all over the world, and hear most of these same instructions repeated day in and day out, often to the same student, over and over again. The question I ask is, “If these instructions are effective, then why do they have to be repeated over and over again?” I am reminded of the common definition of insanity: “To keep doing the same thing again and again, yet expect different results.”

For example, think of how many parents nag their children to do the same thing every day, not realizing that their approach may be the problem. Then, think about the tennis teacher who keeps repeating the same thing to the same student over and over again, lesson after lesson. Both student and teacher lose.

I do believe that in the 1930’s life was simpler and slower-paced than today. There were simply less distractions. Many teachers were probably able to get away with more lengthy verbal instructions. Today, however, extended and repeated verbal instructions just don’t cut it. In fact, a recent study concluded that the average adult in the United States has an attention span of only about 15 seconds. And, we all know that children have shorter attention spans than that.

A selection checklist

How does all this help parents and players? If you are the parent of a junior tennis player or a lesson-taker yourself, here is an objective checklist to help you select the best teacher or coach for you and your children.

1. Setting Standards – This first skill-set for a tennis teacher is one of the keys to success. He or she has to establish standards to help players develop a good foundation, and then maintain those standards. Sounds simple, and it is fairly easy in private lessons, but not in groups. Make sure this coach is able to maintain standards in group lessons as well as privates.

2. Who’s talking? – In a normal school setting, it’s said that the best teachers speak at no more than 3:1 ratio over their students. In sports, however, it should be even less. Listen in to a lesson from a prospective coach and keep track. You’re in for a surprise. Tennis teachers, in general, simply speak too much.

3. Success:Failure Ratios – We all know the proof of a successful tennis lesson is that the students come back for more. Studies show that one of the most important ingredients in a solid tennis lesson is that the student succeeds, at least 60-70% of the time. Again, watch a lesson and keep track of several parts of the lesson for a few minutes each. The best teachers orchestrate all drills and practice exercises so that the students build confidence by succeeding the majority of the time.

4. Training Aids – The main ways to communicate instructions on a tennis court are verbally, visually, and kinesthetic (through feeling). Make sure your child’s prospective coach primarily uses visual and kinesthetic aids, not just through the use of analogies (such as for a topspin forehand, swing low to high to form a “C” with your swing) and metaphors (such as swing slower, like you are pushing your hand under water). Rather, check to see that this coach is actually being creative and using physical training aids to guide behavior, instead of just using words. These can be through setting up physical target areas (visual), or through other aids that result in a better “feel” for the ball (kinesthetic).

5. Face-watching – The fifth and final indicator in selecting the right teaching for your child (or yourself for that matter) is to watch the faces of the students in lessons with that professional. If the faces of the students are happy and excited, at the very least you or your child will be guaranteed to have a good time. Mix fun with the first four ingredients we just described and you’ve got one of the top tennis coaches in the world! It may be surprising to hear, but there are not that many that would score well in each of these 5 categories.

Conclusion?

The bottom line is that learning tennis can be a struggle where only the most determined will survive, or a pleasure where the student is encouraged and succeeds every step of the way. In selecting a tennis teacher, a little bit of research can pay huge dividends.

Joe Dinoffer is a USPTA and PTR Master Professional. Visit his site, Oncourt Offcourt, at www.oncourtoffcourt.com.

Since its inception in 1994, Oncourt Offcourt has become the world’s leading source for hundreds of creative training aids, books and videos for the tennis industry.

Watch Live Streaming of the Indian Wells Hit for Haiti

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:28:00 +0000

The BNP Paribas Open’s Hit for Haiti tennis exhibition will be streamed live on the internet at 7:30 p.m. PST on Friday, March 12.

A women’s match featuring an astounding 50 Grand Slam titles on the same court will include Stefanie Graf and Lindsay Davenport taking on Martina Navratilova and Justine Henin.

They will be the first match that evening, which will be followed by the match comprised of 44 Grand Slam title holders, Roger Federer and Pete Sampras playing Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi.

The event will be broadcast live in numerous countries around the world, and domestically on the Tennis Channel, beginning at 7:30 PM PST. In addition, live web streaming will be available on bnpparibasopen.org, TennisTV.com, atpworldtour.com, sonyericssonwtatour.com, usta.com, tennis.com, espn360.com, and others.

The evening will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the annual Salute to Heroes ceremony, where the tournament will recognize veterans, military personnel, police, firemen and women, and Red Cross volunteers on Stadium Court for their efforts in the community and around the world.

The ceremony and tennis exhibition will be followed by one main draw match.

Golf membership question

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:11:00 +0000

Hello I just recently joined a club, they were having a great deal that I just couldn't pass up. I shoot in the low 100's-high 90's but I replaced my 3-5 irons with hybrids and had a couple lessons. I'm hoping that I can shed a few more strokes and shoot in the mid 90's this season. My question is, should I be nervous that the other members will think I'm a "slow" golfer for shooting high scores or am I just being paranoid and most likely other members have high handicaps as well? What are some of your thoughts and are there high handicappers at your club? Thanks

Hi!

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:47:00 +0000

Hi,

My name is Greg and I just wanted to say hello. I just joined the forum. I am 25 and a huge golf nut. I currently have a 2 handicap and run a golf website of my own.

Again, I just wanted to say hi and I hope to join in on some great discussions about golf!

Thanks!

phil mickelson pga tour 12!!

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:29:00 +0000

PHIL MICKELSON PGA TOUR 12?? I WANNA SEE IT HAPPEN! | Facebook definetely join if your on facebook!!

Indian Wells: March 12 Schedule of Play

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:37:00 +0000

BNP PARIBAS OPEN

Indian Wells, CA-USA
March 10-21, 2010
$4,500,000/Premier
Hard/Outdoors

Friday, March 12, 2010

Stadium 1 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Vania King vs. Caroline Wozniacki
2. ATP: Blake vs. Gimeno-Traver
3. Justine Henin vs. Gisela Dulko
4. ATP: Monfils/Simon vs. Ferrer/Montañés
5. ATP: Isner/Querrey vs. Cilic/Ljubicic (NB 21.00hrs)

Stadium 2 (from 11.00hrs)
1. ATP: Sela vs. Levine
2. Olga Govortsova vs. Elena Dementieva
3. ATP: Koubek vs. Nalbandian
4. Vera Dushevina vs. Maria Sharapova
5. ATP: Ginepri vs. Seppi
6. Grandin/Spears vs. Makarova/Peng

Stadium 3 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Anna Chakvetadze
2. ATP: Gasquet vs. Greul
3. Nadia Petrova vs. Patty Schnyder
4. ATP: Stakhovsky vs. Odesnik
5. Polona Hercog vs. Marion Bartoli
6. ATP: Lorenzi vs. Russell

Court 4 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Sabine Lisicki vs. Jill Craybas
2. ATP: Almagro vs. Zverev
3. Li Na vs. Elena Baltacha
4. ATP: Mathieu vs. Becker (NB 17.00hrs)
5. ATP: Hanescu vs. Chela

Court 5 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Alicia Molik vs. Anabel Medina Garrigues
2. Francesca Schiavone vs. Kimiko Date Krumm
3. Maria Kirilenko vs. Virginie Razzano
4. Tamarine Tanasugarn vs. Aravane Rezai
5. Amanmuradova/Kustova vs. Govortsova/Poutchek

Court 6 (from 11.00hrs)
1. ATP: Lu vs. Hernández
2. ATP: Llodra vs. Matosevic
3. ATP: Kas/Norman vs. Tipsarevic/Troicki
4. ATP: Mello vs. Zeballos
5. ATP: Mayer vs. Korolev
6. ATP: Clément vs. Luczak

Court 7 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Jans/Rosolska vs. Benesova/Zahlavova Strycova
2. ATP: Benneteau/Tsonga vs. Lindstedt/Soderling
3. ATP: de Bakker vs. Daniel
4. ATP: Bellucci/Cuevas vs. Melo/Soares

Court 8 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Zheng Jie vs. Sorana Cirstea
2. Aleksandra Wozniak vs. Kirsten Flipkens
3. Peng Shuai vs. Alona Bondarenko

Vintage Dodger Stadium 1968

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:22:00 +0000

Here are some fan made vintage photos found on eBay from a Sunday afternoon game in 1968. It is June 9th, just three days after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, as the Dodgers faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies. As you'll notice, the flags in the outfield are at half-mast and a honor guard is present. With it so soon after his death you know it must have been a solemn day. The crowds are very sparse, but, at least, they had a chance to see the Dodgers beat the Phillies 4 to 3. Click on any of the photos for a detailed view.

Auction Link:

poster with the coolest job at Spurstalk?

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:43:00 +0000

wondering which posters have cool jobs???

I am merely a web developer. yeah, boring as shit :(

gigolo? secret agent? CSI Investigator? president of the USA? what do you do???

Kurt Thomas effect even in 2010

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:22:00 +0000

This was my first poll. I didn't know the format before I wrote it so it's messed up. My apologies, if you don't like this mess, no hard feelings if you give up and don't want to vote or simply don't care. the options correspond to the #d questions in this body:

in 2008 we traded with Seattle Supersonics(Oklahoma City Thunder) for Kurt Thomas in an effort to match up our frontline with the Lakers.

The transaction looked like this:

San Antonio receives:
-Kurt Thomas(final season approx $8,000,000)

Seattle receives
-Brent Barry(final season approx $5,500,000)
-Francisco Elson(final season approx $3,000,000)
-2009 1st round draft pick

At the time the trade seemed good, not great. But good enough considering Elson's production had sharply dropped, Barry was injured, Barry could possibly re-sign for the veteran's minimum/return from injury, we're thinking of being the top team in the West who ends up with a late 20s draft pick that might not give us much, and holy crap the Lakers just got better quickly(what they gave up would need 2 complete seasons to be valued correctly). The trade was not great because we still were old if not even older and what the heck, the salaries matched up did we HAVE to give ol' pals Presti and Carlesimo a future draft pick?

----------------------------
Now it's 2010. 2008 didn't work out-we made it to the WCF but couldn't get past the Lakers. 2009, we resigned Kurt Thomas for less money but that season was a mess of injuries and we got bounced in the first round. 2010, well we traded Thomas along with Oberto and Bowen for Richard Jefferson and things haven't worked out so well. ....but don't forget that 2009 first round pick that gave up. It turned out to be the 25th pick. Now we can spend a lot of time guessing how the team could have been better or worse had we not made the trade in 2008 but to start let's just say that we DID NOT make the trade and subsequently earned the 25th pick in the 2009 draft. We can discuss the other possibilities afterward.

------------------
The question is:
Was 2008-2009 with Kurt Thomas worth giving up the 25th pick in 2009?

Possible answers are:

1. -Yes, Spurs were better with Thomas, 2008-2009 would have been unbearable disappointments without him. I'm happy with DeJuan Blair and don't care about the 25th overall pick in 2009

2. -NO, Spurs were better with Thomas for two seasons but we still got bounced in WCF in '08 and 1st RD in '09 so it wasn't worth the chance to have a future with somebody like Rodrigue Beaubois, especially if that means the division rival Mavericks don't have him.

3. -WHAT? trade Dick.

4. -NO, Spurs were not better with Thomas, plus since we lost the WCF in 2008 I would have accepted a less successful season both years if it meant a deeper/younger bench this year. Imagine Beaubois and Hill behind or next to Parker. It's a utopia that includes Mason and Finley transformed into a shotblocker or bigger wing defender. Oh yeah, and Dallas wouldn't have Roddy B. Imagine Beaubois, Hill, Parker, Manu defending Kidd/Barea/Terry?
Ugh.

5. -YES, although I don't think Thomas made us better for two years, I enjoyed at least the level of success that we did have because as this year has taught us, playing even worse than 2009 really, really sucks so I'm ok with the result of 2008/2009 and losing the 2009 1st RD pick/ 'just' having DeJuan Blair

6. -Trade Parker

7. -YES, you can't really waste time arguing the "choose your own adventure" aspects of Kurt Thomas and the previous two seasons. It is what it is, but damn, I love the idea of Spurs gaining what Mavericks lose(Beaubois)

8. -NO, you can't really waste time arguing the results of 2008/2009 with/without Thomas but either way, since we didn't win a title, I would rather have the 2009 pick because it could have been one more piece to the "win one more for Timmy" puzzle.

9. -Bonner is white. He is pale white.

10. -No, you can't really waste time arguing the "choose your own adventure" aspects of Kurt Thomas and the previous two seasons. What if we had a 2009 first round pick? Would we too have said, "we're not using a 1st round pick on Blair" and then NOT gotten Blair before Denver or Houston or someone traded for his draft rights? I love Blair and I don't want to waste any time thinking about an alternate history that does not include him. He's part of the Spurs future. End of story.

---------------------------------
HOWEVER, if you have a lot of time to kill here's some inconsequential daydreams:

If we didn't get Kurt Thomas and we fell shorter in 2008, do we move up in the draft, get the wing we wanted in Nicolas Batum? Would that make us better even if Boston took Hill at #30 and we couldn't snag him in the 2nd round?

Do we still have Blair? Would NOT getting Kurt Thomas in 2008 mean that we made another move the following summer? ... in other words, if we had the 25th pick in 2009 do we take Blair right away and then someone else at #37? Jonas Jerebko? Would we be a stronger frontline team? Maybe we take Beaubois at #25 and still get Blair at #37 and suddenly we've got Hill/Beaubois rotating as off guard/Parker backup and we have solid motivation to get move Mason and turn him into a shotblocker or perimeter stopper?

Or is point moot because you think we wouldn't have even gotten to the WCF in 2008 without Kurt Thomas? Do you think his defense against Shaq in the first round was a strong factor in our dominance over that series?

none of that matters but we've all done our share of What-Ifs so I figured I'd do one that didn't involve the current roster but still impacted this season and those to come.
--------------------------------------------------

Also, since we're talking Kurt Thomas trade value. This dude has been in some wild trades. First of all, holy shit did he get too much money from New York. His 4 year $30million was the beginning of the Isiah Thomas era, right? Because of his huge contract he was involved in these trades:

2005
Phoenix gets:
-Kurt Thomas($6,620,062)
-2005 54th overall (2nd round/24th) Dijon Thompson($398,762)

New York gets:
-Quentin Richardson($6,940,000)
-2005 21st pick-Nate Robinson($1,102,680)

Phoenix wanted to beef up in the middle to cover Duncan, right? Well it looks like New York actually got a team to give them something for taking a bad deal-Nate Robinson. Nate would have been great in the D'Antoni system! Wait.......

-------------------

2007 Phoenix still couldn't stop Duncan and the Spurs and they sure as hell don't want to pay the escalating final year in Thomas' contract

Phoenix gets:
-$8 million trade exception
-2009 conditional 2nd round pick #57 -Emir Preldzic

Seattle(Oklahoma City) gets:
-Kurt Thomas
-2008-First Round Pick #24 Serge Ibaka
-2010 First Round pick(Suns)

Remember how Van Gundy and the rest of the media were jumping on the irony bandwagon and talking about how the Suns ate a couple years of overpaying Kurt Thomas so they could stop Duncan, but COULDN'T stop Duncan and had to bail on his contract only to find that the team they sent Thomas to(Sonics) had traded Thomas to San Antonio where Thomas became a key rotation player in the effort to stop Shaq and eliminate them from the playoffs again? Well, there's more. The month after the Spurs eliminated the Suns again and effectly ended the D'Antoni/Nash era the Thunder(previously Sonics) took one of the TWO FIRST ROUND PICKS the Suns had to give them in order to get out of paying Thomas and selected Serge Ibaka, a big boy just about the same size as Thomas! Imagine if the Suns had just paid Thomas? They'd still have 2008 and 2010 first round picks, maybe never wasted money/years/players/fans on Shaq, and possibly gotten the Spurs monkey off their back. And this upcoming draft the Suns will again give their pick(which figures to be around #21) to the Thunder.

All in all they gave up, Quentin Richardson, Nate Robinson, Serge Ibaka, and #21 in this year's draft for Kurt Thomas

Face Of The Day

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:12:00 +0000

Getty

Mario Ancic of Croatia celebrates winning the second set against Bobby Reynolds of the United States during the BNP Paribas Open on March 11, 2010 in Indian Wells, California.

::

Men's Singles - First Round
[WC] C Moya (ESP) d [Q] T Smyczek (USA) 76(7) 76(5)
M Fish (USA) d M Berrer (GER) 16 61 63
[WC] R Harrison (USA) d T Dent (USA) 63 64
J Chardy (FRA) d P Starace (ITA) 61 41 ret. (back)
M Ancic (CRO) d [Q] B Reynolds (USA) 46 63 64
E Gulbis (LAT) d M Chiudinelli (SUI) 36 63 63
P Cuevas (URU) d F Gil (POR) 64 75
D Koellerer (AUT) d R Ram (USA) 61 63
F Fognini (ITA) d O Rochus (BEL) 64 16 75
[Q] B Dabul (ARG) d L Mayer (ARG) 76(4) 62
P Petzschner (GER) d C Rochus (BEL) 62 75
F Serra (FRA) d A Falla (COL) 61 62
[Q] R Delgado (PAR) d A Beck (GER) 67(2) 62 64
[Q] R Schuettler (GER) d [Q] T Alves (BRA) 75 60
G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) d L Lacko (SVK) 46 64 75
[Q] K Anderson (RSA) d [Q] B Phau (GER) 63 63

Nice to see Mario Ancic back on the court and with a win, no less. He looks good and healthy. Let's hope he can say that way for a while now.

::

Women's Singles - First Round
Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. Alizé Cornet (FRA) 64 16 62
Sybille Bammer (AUT) d. Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) 36 75 61
Sara Errani (ITA) d. (Q) Viktoriya Kutuzova (UKR) 75 62
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) d. (Q) Michelle Larcher de Brito (POR) 62 62
Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. Melanie Oudin (USA) 36 63 60
Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Alberta Brianti (ITA) 63 64
Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) d. (Q) Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) 62 36 61
Julia Goerges (GER) d. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 75 36 63
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) d. Andrea Petkovic (GER) 63 63
Julie Coin (FRA) d. (WC) Tamira Paszek (AUT) 64 63
(Q) Petra Martic (CRO) d. (WC) Ajla Tomljanovic (CRO) 76(4) 61
(Q) Karolina Sprem (CRO) d. (Q) Shenay Perry (USA) 62 46 63
(Q) Chan Yung-Jan (TPE) d. Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 60 75
(Q) Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) d. (Q) Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) 63 62
(Q) Sloane Stephens (USA) d. Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 76(5) 76(7)
(WC) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 75 75

Not a good day for Miss Gonads. She ate a bagel? Mercy. At least Miss Bethanie got through.

::

Doubles - First Round
(2) Llagostera Vives/Martínez Sánchez (ESP/ESP) d. Dekmeijere/Schnyder (LAT/SUI) 62 64
(3) Petrova/Stosur (RUS/AUS) d. Coin/Pelletier (FRA/CAN) 64 62
Kirilenko/Radwanska (RUS/POL) d. (4) Raymond/Stubbs (USA/AUS) 64 46 10-3
Dulko/Pennetta (ARG/ITA) d. Uhlirova/Voracova (CZE/CZE) 16 64 105
Dushevina/Rodionova (RUS/AUS) d. Ruano Pascual/Shaughnessy (ESP/USA) 75 36 10-4
Borwell/Kops-Jones (GBR/USA) d. Medina Garrigues/Wozniacki (ESP/DEN)
76(4) 46 10-2
(WC) Garbin/Jankovic (ITA/SRB) d. (WC) Safarova/Zvonareva (CZE/RUS)
76(4) 63