San Antonio Spurs: 30 Team Previews In 30 Days - Aug 29, 2010 (by David Edole)
2009-'10 StatisticsFinished 50-32, second in Southwest Division, seventh in Western Conference.Post SeasonFirst Round: Defeated Dallas Mavericks 4-2Second Round: Lost to Phoenix Suns 4-0Additions and Re-SigningsRichard Jefferson via re-signing, James Anderson via draft, Matt Bonner via re-signing, Curtis Jerrels via free agency, Gary Neal via free agency, Ryan Richards via draft, and Tiaggo Splitter via free agency.LossesRoger Mason via free agency and Keith Bogans via free agency [read more]
2009-'10 Statistics
Finished 50-32, second in Southwest Division, seventh in Western Conference.
Post Season
First Round: Defeated Dallas Mavericks 4-2
Second Round: Lost to Phoenix Suns 4-0
Additions and Re-Signings
Richard Jefferson via re-signing, James Anderson via draft, Matt Bonner via re-signing, Curtis Jerrels via free agency, Gary Neal via free agency, Ryan Richards via draft, and Tiaggo Splitter via free agency.
Losses
Roger Mason via free agency and Keith Bogans via free agency.
The San Antonio Spurs are a franchise that seems to be destined to win games forever. In fact, it's hard to believe that the 50-win season last year was their worst since they won 20 games in the 1996-97 season. With their rock in Tim Duncan (208-F-76, college: Wake Forest) leading the way, the Spurs know regular season success and they know how to transition it into the postseason.
After suffering their second straight early post season exit, could the Spurs dynasty be coming to an end?
San Antonio's only four years removed from winning their fourth title, but with Duncan at 34 years old and Manu Ginobili at 33, they could see their reign as one of the Western Conference's best coming to an end in the near future.
There is still little doubt that they will be in the postseason come next year and will pose as a threat to any team that attempts to stand in their way. Duncan has been leading the way since joining the league in 1997 and has earned every accolade as a future Hall of Famer. Last season, however, he averaged a career low in points and rebounds at only 18 and 10 respectively.
His blocking production went down as well to a career low 1.5, but even with the decrease in numbers, Duncan's leadership and high basketball IQ enable the Spurs to go out season after season and win 50 plus games. His plethora of post moves and strong defense are the catalyst to this Spurs team, and knowing Timmy, he will give it his all to secure a fifth title.
Duncan has also been blessed with an astounding supporting cast for his entire career, with Tony Parker being his running mate over the past nine seasons. Parker is two seasons removed from averaging a career high 22 points and seven assists, but had his season derailed last year by injuries and only played in 56 games. The 16 points he averaged was the lowest since his third year in the league way back in 2003.
The injuries to Parker opened the door for now third-year player George Hill, who stepped up in a big way last season. Hill averaged 12 points and three assists in his first season receiving significant minutes. Unlike Parker, Hill has the range to go with an already volatile game and hit one three-pointer per game last year on 39-percent shooting.
Parker has been the subject of rumors that he might be departing, which would open the door for Hill to begin to lead the Spurs offense in the future. Hill is one of a number of dangerous young threats on this team that are ready to fill the shoes that Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker will leave behind through either retirement or departing for a new team.
Their second round steal in DeJuan Blair has shown the most promise as an undersized power forward/center. Blair came through huge as a rebounding threat on both sides of the court averaging six rebounds over 18 minutes per game. He showed off a bright future with two games of 20-plus points and 20-plus rebounds, including grabbing 10 offensive rebounds in a game where he dropped 28 points and secured 21 rebounds overall.
The Spurs have been known to be a wise team when it comes to picking up young big men starting with David Robinson, Tim Duncan, DeJuan Blair, and they just might have found another gem in Tiago Splitter. The seven foot Brazilian has shown off impressive foot work and is ambidextrous and is a huge pick up for the Spurs who have needed a reliable center for some time now.
San Antonio is one of the most storied franchises and has been an NBA finals contender fo nearly the past 15 years thanks to smart pick up's and possessing some of the smartest, most fundamental players in NBA history. It's a fact that we will be talking about the Spurs come May, but it's going to be a stretch if we'll be seeing Timmy going for his fifth title.
Stevens switches from hoops to football - Aug 28, 2010 (by David Edole)
By: John Pettit | Posted: Thursday, August 12, 2010 6:49 pm | 0 commentsLambuth University's football practice was cancelled Thursday because it was 117 degrees on the field. The heat is just one of the things St. Thomas native Shoquan Stevens (196-F) is trying to get used to as he makes the switch from the basketball court to the gridiron.Stevens is in his first season as a defensive end at the Jackson, Tenn. school, which is ranked No. 7 nationally in the NAIA preseason poll [read more]
By: John Pettit | Posted: Thursday, August 12, 2010 6:49 pm | 0 comments
Lambuth University's football practice was cancelled Thursday because it was 117 degrees on the field. The heat is just one of the things St. Thomas native Shoquan Stevens (196-F) is trying to get used to as he makes the switch from the basketball court to the gridiron.
Stevens is in his first season as a defensive end at the Jackson, Tenn. school, which is ranked No. 7 nationally in the NAIA preseason poll. He spent the past two years at Post University in Waterbury, where he played Division II basketball last winter.
A 2008 Maloney (CT) graduate, Stevens has three season of football eligibility remaining. He hasn't played since high school. The Spartans lost in the football and basketball state title games in Stevens' junior year and won the Class L state championship in basketball in his senior campaign.
'Out of high school, I was torn because I loved basketball and I loved football, but I didn't really have too many football options,' he said. 'The best option I had out of high school was to go to junior college. At the time, I didn't think that was right for me.'
While at Post, Stevens averaged 2.0 points and 2.4 rebounds in 20 games, including five starts. He said he really missed football, so he put together a highlight video from his high school days which the Lambuth coaches found on YouTube.
'The school offered me a scholarship,' said Stevens, who arrived in Tennessee about a month ago. Football practice began Aug. 5.
'I plan to contribute right away,' he said. 'I fit in perfectly. These guys are great guys. I've made some pretty good friends already. They all want to win and I love to win. I loved playing basketball at Post. I loved the team. My teammates were awesome, but they knew I wanted play football. There was always a longing to play football.'
Stevens said he entered camp at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, although he's lost about six pounds already.
'It's a slow process getting back into football,' he said. 'I'd say my get-offs aren't as fast as they were but, with time, I should get way faster. Our strength and conditioning coach is a great coach. I want to get more speed and put on a bunch of muscle. I feel like if I can get my weight up and work as hard as I can anything is possible.'
Lambuth went 11-0 last year during the regular season and lost in the second round of the NAIA playoffs. The Eagles are led by first-year coach Ron Dickerson, a member of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins. Dickerson was the first African-American coach of a Division I school when he was at Temple.
'The coaches are great,' Stevens said. 'It's nice to play for such great (head) coach. It's an honor to play for somebody like that.'
Stevens is studying psychology at Lambuth, which will play as an NAIA independent this season as it makes the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II.
Lambuth athletic director Ken Brown said the Eagles' coaches have been very impressed with Stevens so far.
'He's a little raw, but I know our coaching staff really likes him,' Brown said.
Last month, Stevens and some family members moved from Meriden to Roswell, Ga., which is about six-hour drive from Jackson, Tenn. Stevens will have a homecoming of sorts on Sept. 11 when Lambuth takes on Georgia State at the Georgia Dome.
'I can't wait to play,' Stevens said. 'My goal this year is to assist my team in any way possible and to get better as a football player.'
Mens Field Announced for 2010 Paradise Jam Basketball Tournament - Aug 26, 2010 (by David Edole)
Seattle, Washington The U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam tournament directors released the 2010 mens basketball tournament field and bracket today. The eight NCAA division I mens basketball teams participating in the 11th annual event include Xavier, Alabama, Seton Hall, Clemson, Old Dominion, Iowa, Long Beach State and Saint Peters. The tournament is held annually in November at the University of the Virgin Islands in St [read more]
Seattle, Washington The U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam tournament directors released the 2010 mens basketball tournamentfield and bracket today. The eight NCAA division I mens basketball teams participating in the 11th annual event include Xavier, Alabama, Seton Hall, Clemson, Old Dominion, Iowa, Long Beach State and Saint Peters. The tournament is held annually in November at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, USVI. Three of this years tournament entrants, Xavier, Clemson and Old Dominion, earned berths to the NCAA tournament in March. Xavier advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Kansas State in double overtime. Old Dominion advanced to the second round before falling to Baylor and Clemson lost in the first round. Although these three NCAA tournament-hardened squads bring high expectations to the islands this November, they will be hard-pressed by the other five teams also seeking early season success, making the Paradise Jam one of the most competitive, neutral-court, early-season tournaments in America. Fox College Sports and Fox Sports Net will broadcast at least four of the games nationally. The 2010 tournament features more new coaches (three) than any previous field. Seton Hall will be led by new coach Kevin Willard, a Paradise Jam alumni who coached Iona in the 2008 Paradise Jam. Clemson will be guided by recently hired coach Brad Brownell, and Fran McCaffery took over the helm at Iowa. The 2010 field also includes a record number five schools returning to the island for the Paradise Jam. Three teams and one coach will return from the 2006 field: Alabama (Champion), Xavier (Runner-up) and Iowa (5th Place). Anthony Grant, who led VCU to a 6th place finish in the 2006 Paradise Jam, will return as Alabamas head coach. Old Dominion (2005) and Clemson (2001) both finished second in their respective brackets and return to St. Thomas to try for a championship in 2010. The 2010 Paradise Jam will tip off November 19 with Saint Peters playing Old Dominion at 2:00 pm, followed by Long Beach State vs Clemson at 4:30 pm, Alabama vs. Seton Hall at 7:00 PM and Iowa battling Xavier at 9:30 PM. All game times are Atlantic Standard Time (one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time). Two games will be played daily on November 20 (losing teams from Nov. 19th) and two more on November 21st (winning teams from Nov. 19th). The games on November 20th will be at 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM, followed at 9:30 PM by a local game pitting the University of the Virgin Islands against a university team from Puerto Rico. The winners bracket games on November 21st will be played at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM. The final day of competition on November 22 will be structured similar to the first day, with game times set for 2:00 pm (7th & 8th place), 4:30 pm (4th & 6th place), and 7:00 pm (3rd & 5th place) with the championship game at 9:30 pm. All games will be played at the state-of-the-art University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. In 2009 Paradise Jam action, Purdue edged out Tennessee in the final seconds for the Paradise Jam championship. DePaul beat Saint Josephs to take third place, Northern Iowa defeated Boston College to capture fourth place, and South Dakota State edged East Carolina for 7th place. Download Bracket
Copyright (c) 1998-2010 Eurobasket Inc. Disclaimer
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.
