Spurs news and notes: Hill on his new role, Manu’s passion, and more

• The San Antonio Spurs took on the Indiana Pacers tonight which meant a return home for George Hill who attended IUPUI. This season he’s taken on the sixth-man role for the team and had this to say:

“I really didn’t know until the start of the season,” said Hill, a guard who started 43 games last year. “I’m still part of the main rotation, and it’s not about how you start the game, it’s about how you finish.”I just continue to play the same way I’ve been playing, and I’ve been a good second-half player.” (source indystar.com)

• After losing two games in a row, mvptexas.com asks if the Spurs should be worried:

For some two losses in a row might not be the cause for worry, but having a defense that let 233 points get scored on them is. In San Antonio it just means it is time to get back on track in the next game.

• Express News’ Tim Griffin talks about Manu Ginobili’s passion:

Ginobili mirrored that attitude Tuesday night in New York when he angrily slammed a towel on the bench when Gregg Popovich pulled his starters near the end of San Antonio’s loss to the Knicks. His coach was conceding the game a little early for Ginobili’s taste and he didn’t like experiencing it.

• The 2011 NBA All-Star Game is coming up next month and at the rate the votes are coming in, it would seem Tim Duncan might not be there in Los Angeles. NBA.com discussed whether Duncan deserves an All-Star nod:

Career and future Hall of Famedom notwithstanding, does Tim Duncan deserve an All-Star nod given his stats this season?

Steve Aschburner: This sort of debate doesn’t happen in baseball. For one, the All-Star rosters are bigger than the NBA’s 12. More important, baseball appreciates and plays to its history more than other sports. A legendary player such as Duncan, if he were a left fielder, would be embraced even in a down season for his star power and career achievements. The NBA is much more about now. (The one flaw I’ll acknowledge is that Duncan always has been a thinking man’s Hall of Famer – even in his prime, it would have been tedious to sit through a highlight reel of his greatest moments, given how un-flashy and fundamentally focused he’s been.)

Fran Blinebury: The idea that players have to earn their way onto the All-Star team with their performance in the first half of the season went out the window with canvas Chuck Taylors and the steam engine. When the NBA turned the event into a “Dancing With the Stars” for dunkers, it is simply a popularity contest. Yao Ming gets the China vote, even though he’s likely finish. Allen Iverson was a favorite last year. Magic Johnson was retired in 1992 when he was named MVP. Just relax and enjoy the show.

• Ene-B-A caught up with Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter recently. Check out the video HERE.

• Two former Spurs’ players Garrett Temple and Blake Ahearn are getting a look from the Phoenix Suns:

BayHawks lead local investor Owen McCormick confirmed the site of the workout.

“I’m happy Blake and Garrett are getting this opportunity,” McCormick said. “It’s great for the organization in that it’s showing the NBA thinks two of our guys are NBA players and it sends the right message to our players that at any time you can get the call.” (source goerie.com)

• And if you missed the San Antonio Spurs-New York Knicks matchup this past week, then you probably missed this exchange between DeJuan Blair and Ronny Turiaf.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_DxcKlPwZY&w=468&h=282]

• Want to win a pair of free tickets to a San Antonio Spurs home game this month? Of course you do! All you have to do it follow @projectspurstiq on Twitter to enter. Easy huh?