Tonight, the Spurs will be celebrating Noche Latina when the Spurs take on the New York Knicks in the AT&T Center. Noche Latina honors Hispanic fans and players with Latin-themed activities, including music, performances, and giveaways.

With the Spurs playing in San Antonio, the Hispanic influence, in particular the Mexican culture, is felt not only in the community, but even within the Spurs franchise itself.

So today Project Spurs celebrates with the NBA and the Spurs, Noche Latina, with an article in Spanish from Project Spurs' very own, Arianne Villanueva. Here she spotlights Manu Ginobili and what he does off the court to represent Hispanics not only in San Antonio, but also in Argentina.

By Arianne Villanueva

El NBA estará celebrando su evento anual “Noche Latina” esta noche durante y después del juego de Los Spurs en contra de Los Knicks de Nueva York. Este es el cuarto año consecutivo en el cual el NBA se ha tomado el tiempo de reconocer a al comunidad Hispana...

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

Arianné Villanueva is back and this time I join her for the latest Spurscast in Spanish. In this episode she recaps the past games for the Spurs and we get her opinion on Tony Parker's recent comments on playing for the French National team this summer.

Remember Project Spurs was the first Spurs blog to have a Spurs podcast and the first to have a Spanish podcast for Spanish speaking fans.

Arianné Villanueva y Jeff Garcia vuelven y discuten los juegos del pasado de los Spurs. También su opinión sobre los recientes comentarios de Tony Parker jugando para el equipo nacional de Francia este verano.

Y recuerda que Project Spurs fue la primera página de Internet en tener un podcast de los Spurs y el primero con un podcast Español para nuestros fanáticos

Click HERE to listen at Project Spurs.

Escucha AQUI!

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

Recently, it was announced that Denver Nuggets' head coach, George Karl, was diagnosed with throat and neck cancer. Unfortunately, this isn't his first bout with cancer. In 2005, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and won that battle.

Though he does coach an opposing Western Conference team, Spurs fans must not forget, he began his NBA playing and coaching career with the San Antonio Spurs.

He signed with the Spurs when the team was in the ABA in 1973 and his NBA career began when the Spurs were absorbed into the NBA in 1976. While with the Spurs, he averaged 6.5 points, 3 assists, 1.4 rebounds, shot 46% from the three-point line in 16.9 minutes for the Spurs from 1973-1978. His best year was the 1974-75 season, when he averaged 8.1 points, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. It is funny, he considered himself more the ladies man than a basketball player while in the ABA. He retired from the Spurs in 1978 and began his coaching career with the team as an assistant...

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

UPDATE: X-rays revealed Parker's hand was fractured.

It was announced during the Spurs vs. Grizzlies game that Parker has fractured his shooting hand. Specifically it was an injury to his fourth on right hand. Basically his ring finger. Injury occurred in the first half of the game.

Add this to the list of injuries for Parker this season. Two ankle injuries, dealt with plantar fasciitis, a hip injury and now this. Expect Parker to be out 2-3 weeks or possibly the rest of the season.

Stay with Project Spurs for more details on this injury to Parker.

By Michael De Leon, Project Spurs

www.projectspurs.com

Michael and Jeff get together for a non-live show to talk about Michael Finley signing with the Celtics and Tony Parker having second thoughts about playing with France this summer.

We also preview tonight's Hornets game and put a new Spurs player on the hot seat. Look for our next live show and the next episode of Spurscast En Español next week.

Click HERE to listen to this, and more shows at Project Spurs.

The Our Lady of the Lake University Saints Softball Team began their season this February with a pep rally and blessing held on Feb. 2, 2010. The video was produced by OLLU multimedia director Juan Stakes and shot by design services manager Cathy Maule.

Hugo Carrizales, OLLU Lake Front Sports Reporter

The Lake softball team inaugurated its season on Feb. 6 in a double-header against Trinity Valley Junior College. The newly introduced softball team watched as Athletic Director Jack Hank threw the first pitch. Softball head coach Marie Stone saw the first game as a great turnout with many families present.

The season for softball brings many important games. However, there is a very significant match on March 16 when the team will play a breast cancer awareness double-header against Texas Wesleyan University.

OLLU Softball Headcoach Marie Stone, OLLU YouTube video

“I organized the game against Texas Wesleyan with people from the community,” said Stone.

Stone believes that...

By Robby Lim, Staff writer Project Spurs

The offseason trade for Richard Jefferson has not panned out as expected. Instead of being considered as one of the top contending teams this season, the Spurs are now fighting hard just to maintain playoff position. The team is currently ranked 7th in the West and are virtually tied with 8th placed the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Spurs even lost their patience on RJ and tried to shop him at the trade deadline but there were no takers. Mainly due to his huge contract which is at 14.2 million due this year and 15 million in the next. He also haven't played well enough to attract or convince other teams to gamble on him.

Now the Spurs are stuck with Jefferson and hope that his play gets better as the post season approaches.

With Jefferson struggling and the rotation not yet set, Coach Pop decided to put Jefferson on a reserve role. So far, it seems that the move has benefited Jefferson. He has looked more confident and comfortable when playing off the bench.

In 50...

By Jordan Rivas, Staff Writer Project Spurs

SPOIL: "4 a : to impair the disposition or character of by overindulgence or excessive praise b : to pamper excessively : coddle"

How, exactly, does a person become spoiled? When I began approaching the question of are Spurs fans being spoiled, I began contemplating the meaning of the condition. I started considering how it starts in someone.

Does having too much of something spoil someone? There are people who have large sums of money that are extremely generous and use their wealth to benefit others. So is having too much of a good thing really enough, by itself, to spoil someone?

Perhaps having too much of something without earning it causes someone to be spoiled. There are, however, those who have unexpectedly come into money or influence suddenly, and they express tremendous gratitude and also seek to help others. So it would seem someone can't become spoiled simply by having a lot of something they didn't earn.

Maybe it's having a lot of something you didn't earn...

By Michael De Leon, Founder Project Spurs

Every Spurs fan's dream is to sit courtside at a Spurs game, but PinkDingo wants to take your dreams to the next level by giving you a chance to sit courtside with Spurs great and Hall-of-Famer David Robinson and a friend of your choice. Outside of San Antonio, airfare and hotel are included.

But it gets better.

Not only can you live your dream, you'll also be supporting the Carver Academy at the same time. So how can you make this happen? Give as little as $2.99 to the Carver Academy through Pink Dingo. You can also donate $9.99, $24.99, $49.99 or write in any amount.

PinkDingo also has options to make recurring donations and a $1 donation every time the Spurs win a game.

To this date, over $12,000 has been donated. Let's see if we can increase that even more. But if you want a chance to sit courtside, get in your donations soon, because the challenge ends tomorrow.

The Texas Mavericks are San Antonio's very own Minor League Football Team. 210 TV will be filming their home games. The season opener took place at Jerry Comalander Stadium with the Mavericks taking on the Austin Tigers.



The next home game will be this Saturday, March 6th @ 5PM in Heroes Stadium.

For more info on the Texas Mavericks check out their site at TXMavericks.com

210 TV, San Antonio's first internet television network

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Spurs have released guard Michael Finely.

"Just filed to ESPN.com: Spurs agree to release former All-Star and Stein Line fave Michael Finley so Fin can sign elsewhere before playoffs"

With Finley's departure, this opens the door for Malik Hairston to perhaps get more minutes on the court. Plus, Finely has not had much time on the court since coming back from injury. Basically, he fell out of the rotation. Not to mention this move cuts more salary off the Spurs book.

Stay with Project Spurs for all the latest on this move by the Spurs.

What could be NBA's block of the year.  Our very own Spurs' Manu Ginobili blocks Kevin Durant.

And they wanted to trade him.... please!

Arianne Villanueva esta detras del mas reciente Spurscast en Espanol. En este episodio ella repasa el viaje por carretera de los Spurs durante el Rodeo.

Y recuerden que Project Spurs fue la primera pagina de Internet en tener un podcast de los Spurs y el primero en tener un podcast en Espanol para nuestros fanaticos.

Arianne Villanueva is back for the latest Spurscast in Spanish. In this episode she recaps the Rodeo Road Trip. Remember Project Spurs was the first Spurs blog to have a Spurs podcast and the first to have a Spanish podcast for Spanish speaking fans.

Click HERE to visit the show's website. Visita el sitio web AQUI!

By Robby Lim, Staff Writer Project Spurs

It's a been a disappointing season in San Antonio so far. If you asked Spurs fans what is causing the Spurs' continued struggle, the responses range from "Jefferson has been a huge let down," "They are too old," "There are still chemistry issues with the team" or "The Spurs can't defend the way they used to."

In short, there are a lot of factors why the Spurs are not playing at a level they want or expected to be. Yes, some of the players have underachieved and bringing in six new players into a complex system is a tough process.

But haven't they played enough games to resolve those issues?

After a busy summer, the Spurs were expected to challenge the Lakers for West's supremacy and compete for the NBA title this year. Coach Gregg Popovich even quipped at the time "If we don't win it, I should probably be fired, without a doubt."

Now, the Spurs are not considered a title contender and their offseason trade for Richard Jefferson has not panned out.

Does that mean coach...

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

In a recent article from the San Antonio Express News, ailing Tony Parker was reported to have participated in light practice after the Spurs recent loss to the Philadelphia 76ers before the team headed to Auburn Hills, Michigan to play the Detroit Pistons.

"Hobbling Spurs point guard Tony Parker participated in the team's light practice before leaving Philadelphia for Detroit this afternoon, and remains a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Pistons."

 

"Parker has been dealing with a litany of injuries this season, the most recently being a lingering hip flexor strain that has been bothering him since a Feb. 8 loss at the Los Angeles Lakers."

A litany of injuries indeed. Not only is he suffering from the hip flexor injury, he also suffered from a bout of plantar fasciitis and suffered an ankle injury this past November. Spurs fans should also not forget he played this past summer for the French national team where he suffered an injury to his ankle....

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

Last week I had an opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with TNT/NBA analyst David Aldridge. With the Spurs lackluster play so far in the first half of their season and the future of Manu Ginobili on the minds of Spurs nation, I asked David his thoughts on these two topics. Enjoy!

Jeff: The Spurs had a great offseason, trading for Richard Jefferson, drafting DeJuan Blair, and signing Antonio McDyess. Yet here we are heading into the All-Star break and the Spurs seem to still be looking to turn the corner and get some consistency. What one thing can you point to as a reason for the lack consistency with the Spurs?

DA: I think it's their defense. Their defense is falling precipitously in the last couple of years. The way San Antonio won championships is it made it impossible for you to get to 90. You had to really struggle to score 90 points against them when they were good defensively. And so, they never had a great offensive team. This is the best offensive...

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

According to an article by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Spurs are looking to trade Antonio McDyess to make way for a possible trade with the Chicago Bulls to obtain Tyrus Thomas.

"The Spurs have been searching for expiring deals to move McDyess, who will make $4.9 million next season and is guaranteed about $2.6 million in 2011-12. Trading McDyess would free minutes and give them greater flexibility to re-sign Thomas this summer if they want. Thomas would give the Spurs a younger, more athletic complement to Tim Duncan,and could be part of a future frontline with former first-round pick Tiago Splitter and rookie DeJuan Blair."

Currently, the Spurs have several players with expiring contract which are attractive to other teams looking to clear cap space.

Keep coming back to Project Spurs for all the latest on the Spurs during the final days of the trade deadline.

UPDATE:

According to the San Antonio Express News, the Spurs have not offered McDyess...

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

In a recent article from Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express News, Tim Duncan mentioned he would like to play as long as he can.

Q - Do you have an idea how much longer you want to do this?

A -- I have one year, this year, and two more years after this. I think they're going to tell me to go home after that. That's what I'm planning on right now.

Q -- If you feel as good then as you do now would you want to keep going?

A - I'd love to play as long as I can. I want to be as effective on the court. I don't' want to be on the court just to be on the court. I'm a player. I'm a competitor. If I can do it the way I want to do it, yeah, I'll keep doing it."

If by "they" Duncan is referring to the Spurs organization, then they might have to reconsider. At 33 years old, this season Duncan is averaging 19.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 32.1 minutes per game. Not too bad for someone considered "over the hill" for NBA standards.

Granted he will be 35 years old by the...

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

According to an article by Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express News, Roger Mason's agent, Mark Bartelstein, clarified his comments about Mason's trade demand.

"It's not a trade demand," Bartelstein told the Express-News on Monday night. "It's simply, if there's an answer to the problem of not enough minutes, and everybody can come out good, they should look at that. That's all that's going on."

Bartelstein said Mason was "happy playing for (Gregg Popovich) and San Antonio has been good to him."

"It's just that players like to play," Bartelstein said.

Bartelstein insisted Mason would be comfortable finishing the season with the Spurs, should a suitable trading partner not be found.

With the trade deadline approaching this Thursday, Project Spurs will continue to monitor this and any other Spurs trade news. Please come back for all the latest in Spurs news.

UPDATE: According to the San Antonio Express News, one league executive expect the Spurs to contact the Miami...

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Spurs are looking to trade Roger Mason.

“Roger had a terrific season last year after the Spurs had a bunch of injuries, and now that everyone is back healthy and his minutes are limited, the Spurs are trying to do the right thing and find a good spot for him,” Mason’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, told Yahoo! Sports on Monday.

According to the report, there is strong interest in Mason from other teams. Especially because he has an expiring contract which make him an even more attractive piece to make a trade possible.

His minutes and numbers are down from last season. Last season he averaged 30 minutes a game and 12 points. This season, he is averaging 19 minutes a game and averaging 7.4 points. Mason is asking to be traded to a team where he can play a significant role.

With the trade deadline coming this Thursday, Project Spurs will keep an eye out on this and stay tuned to Project Spurs for all...

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

Congratulations to Spurs guard George Hill as his college jersey will be retired by his alma mater, IUPUI, this Thursday.

"The IUPUI Athletics Department will bestow one of its highest individual honors upon former basketball standout George Hill on Thursday when his No. 3 jersey is retired following the game with UMKC. Hill will be just the second former IUPUI men's basketball player in the program's history to have his jersey retired, joining Carlos Knox's No. 34."

"Hill, in his second season with the San Antonio Spurs, is expected to be in attendance as the Spurs are scheduled to play the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse on Wednesday night."

"This is truly an honor for George and all of his accomplishments," IUPUI Head Coach Ron Hunter said. "You're talking about a kid who's the first in his family to attend college and he's going to go down as one of the best players in our league's history. I'm just as proud of the fact that he's going to get his degree; that'...

By Lance Fell, Staff Writer Project Spurs

Our very own staff writer, Lance Fell, had the opportunity to attend the 2010 NBA All-Star game in Dallas. Here is his recap of the sights and sounds of the game, his quest for a Tim Duncan jersey, exclusive photos from Dallas and fan interviews. Enjoy!

Being the die-hard Spurs fan that I am, Dallas has always been the last place I’ve ever wanted go. Countless times I’ve told myself I would never step into Dallas County, but with Tim Duncan’s hall of fame career winding down and talented forwards like Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony heading into the prime of their careers; this could be Duncan’s last start as an All-Star, and there was no way, Dallas or not, I was going to miss this.

My two friends and I arrived in Dallas late Friday night and stayed at my cousin’s place right smack downtown. The next day, with no tickets to the Jam Session or to All Star Saturday night, we jumped on the Dallas Dart Rail and headed to the home of our bitter rivals, the American Airline...

By Robby Lim, Staff Writer Project Spurs

The Spurs are currently 7th in the West and are not playing like an elite team. A lot of fans are getting frustrated and disappointed because of the Spurs' mediocre play and inability to consistently beat playoff caliber teams. Not to mention the pathetic effort on defense.

But for all their fault, the Spurs are still in playoff position. However, with the way they are playing, there are concerns the Spurs could have a "one and done" performance in the playoffs just like what happened against the Mavericks in the 2009 NBA playoffs. But it's good to point out that in a playoff series, the bench plays an important part for the team to succeed.

This year, the Spurs have arguably the deepest bench in the entire NBA and that could make a whole lot of difference for the Spurs. Outside of Manu Ginobili, two young players could play vital roles in the Spurs' playoff success this season -- George Hill and DeJuan Blair.

Let's talk about George Hill first. After a year under his...

By Jeff Garcia, Co-Founder Project Spurs

UPDATE:

George Hill has issued an apology over the nude photos.

In a statement issued by the team on Tuesday, Hill said: “A year ago I made a mistake and take full responsibility for my actions. I have matured and learned from this episode.”

This is exactly what Hill should have done a year ago in February 2009 when it first went public. Regardless, this was the right decision for Hill and the Spurs organization. Now let's move on.

Click HERE for more stories on the San Antonio Spurs at Project Spurs.

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Just when Spurs fans think it can't get any worse this season, now this. A year ago, in February 2009, we here at Project Spurs posted a story about photos surfacing of a nude George Hill. Well seems after a year, the issue has resurfaced.

"The San Antonio Spurs are SOL in their attempt to have nude pics of one of their players removed from a website -- for now -- because the site's lawyer just said the pics of their player's basketballs...