Spurs Links 4/2/09

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Here’s a collection of Spurs-related links that have made their way through my rss reader and caught my eye.

• Manu says Pop is understating Spurs problems (MySA)

Sometimes, when we are struggling,” he said, “we go to a timeout and we just stay. And sometimes, pumping each other up and telling what he is doing wrong or right, or say a word, it helps. Sometimes it’s not always the coach who has to say everything. The last week we were a little flat in that regard; not only energy, but supporting each other.

• Underdogs step up, take down Lakers and Spurs (Dime)

The Spurs apparently have their own version of the Bobcats, and it’s the Thunder. The last two matchups have gone OKC’s way, including last night when Kevin Durant dropped 31 points to knock the Spurs out of the No. 2 seed in the West behind Denver

• Spurs April Planner (MySA)

The Spurs suddenly can’t seem to beat the Thunder, and Durant is a major reason why. The former University of Texas star was nearly unguardable in an OKC victory at the AT&T Center on Tuesday, throwing in 31 points. If the Spurs are to break their losing streak to the team formerly known as the Sonics, they’ll need to keep the ball out of Durant’s mitts.

• Nuggets ascend to No. 2 in the West (Denver Post)

And with San Antonio’s perplexing Tuesday loss to Oklahoma City, the Nuggets are in second place in the Western Conference, leading the Spurs and Rockets by a half-game. And for a couple of hours after Tuesday’s game, the Nuggets were officially in the playoffs, while still in the month of March — a first in 21 years.

• Brett Brown named Team Australia Head Coach (Spurs.com)

“We hope that he will propel the Boomers to great success on the international stage.” Former San Antonio Spur Andrew Gaze, who was on the three-man selection panel, said Brown’s global connections and focus were a big factor in his appointment.

“I think his vision of how to incorporate his role with the Spurs and the NBA to assist in the development of our players and provide international opportunities with the summer league camps that they’re involved in, is one that is great for their development but I think is also exciting for the players to be involved in,” Gaze said.

• TNT hires former Spurs coach PJ Carlesimo (Awful Announcing via Daily Thunder)

I can’t remember the last time I saw Carlesimo on-air, but I don’t remember him being that bad. He always seemed to have a surly disposition to me, but maybe a fun environment like TNT Basketball is what the former coach needs. We shall see.