• The San Antonio Spurs will face the New Jersey Nets tomorrow and Nets’ guard Devin Harris says 
the Nets’ defense is similar to the Spurs and says he knows how to attack them on the court:
According to Devin Harris, the Nets’ defense is very similar to the Spurs’.
“Our system is sort of the same,” Harris said.
As such, Harris said, the Nets ought to know how to attack the Spurs’ defense when they play them Monday night at the Prudential Center. The key, he said, is to attack them in transition.
“With a team like that, you’ve got to push the pace,” he said. “You don’t want to go against their half-court defense because it’s solid. We’ve got to push the ball, and try to score in the first 6, 7 seconds. We don’t want to spend a lot time in their half-court defense.” (nj.com)
• Nets’ coach and former Spurs’ player Avery Johnson says he wants the Nets to be known for their outside shooting:
“Oh yeah,” Johnson said when asked if he wants his team to become known for its 3-point shooting. “This is the way the game is now. That’s why (the Nets’ 3-point shooters) will tell you they do not have any restrictions on 3s. As much as people want to say about us being a little bit more disciplined team, I’m liberal in that area, especially with guys who can shoot 3s.” (nj.com)
• The Spurs may have the best record (45-9) in the NBA but according to the LA Times’ latest NBA Power Rankings, the Miami Heat are number one:
1. MIAMI (39-14) Riley’s Runts go 30-6, with one of Big Three out in three of the losses. (3)
2. SAN ANTONIO (45-9) Forget Lakers and Mavericks. The closest beast in the East is 5½ back. (1)
• With the Trade deadline looming, RealGM.com has some trade deadline needs for the Spurs and names Troy Murphy as a player the Spurs could target:
Hit the jump to read how the NBA All-Star game can be improved, how to win a pair of free Spurs tickets and more.
San Antonio also could use another legitimate big. They have a strong group here already, but they lack the size to really be physical against big teams like the Lakers. If that big could also serve as a stretch shooter, all the better.
Desperation Meter: The Spurs don’t have any disposable players on contracts significant enough to make a game-changing trade, so they are far more likely to import a player from the waiver wire who is bought out of a large contract.
Troy Murphy is the very obvious buyout candidate who would fit perfectly with San Antonio for the postseason.
• Larry Wade of Shreveporttimes.com, says he wants a shake up in the All-Star game and suggests a game made up of the best international players in the NBA versus the best American players in the NBA. He names Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili to make up the international squad:
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs guard (France): If it’s speed you need, he’s your guy. Parker can penetrate defenses at will. The 2007 NBA Finals MVP helps anchor the Spurs backcourt.
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs center (U.S. Virgin Islands): Duncan will go down as one of the best forwards in NBA history. He’s the only player in NBA history to earn All-NBA and All-Defensive honors in each of his first 13 seasons.
There are other outstanding international players in the NBA. Pau Gasol (Spain), Manu Ginobili (Argentina), Nene (Brazil), Anderson Varejao (Brazil), to name a few, have also competed like All-Stars.
• Express News’ Tim Griffin shares his notes from the Spurs win over the Washington Wizards and took pity on the Wizards.
• Want to win a free pair of Spurs tickets to the Oklahoma City Thunder in San Antonio this month? Just follow @projectspurstiq on Twitter for a chance to win.
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