You gotta love the media. It’s their specialty, not to mention their job, to stir the pot. Over the summer, Chris Paul apparently had expressed a desire to be traded. He was supposedly unhappy with the direction of the Hornets franchise. Later, Paul said he never asked to be traded. He just wanted to know what direction the organization was going. He wants to know if they are committed to winning a championship now.

Carmelo Anthony said the same thing. He never asked to be traded, yet there were so many rumors and trade proposals saying he was going to be dealt. This brings up another point: players need to say what they mean and stop making veiled comments. It just confuses things even more. Nobody knows if Anthony wants to stay or go. What gives?

Tony Parker has made it very clear. He has said countless times that he wants to stay in San Antonio. He understands the business side of basketball. Manu Ginobili was signed at the tail end of last year due to the sense of urgency he showed. R.C. Buford saw the improved play and rewarded him for it. Parker realizes he is in the last year of his contract and he wants to do everything that he can to help the Spurs be successful right now. If he improves his play this year, I’m sure Buford will offer him a contract extension before the season is over. He is too valuable to the success of this team, regardless of what people say. I think Parker will come back with a renewed sense of urgency. He can return to his level of play from two years ago when he averaged 22 points a game. That should shut up the ridiculous trade talk.

I’m disappointed at the loyalty of some Spurs fans. On top of the harsh criticisms of Gregg Popovich and his “questionable” coaching, there are some who have been saying Parker is dispensable due to the emergence of George Hill. That’s tough to hear. Parker has meant so much to the success of the Spurs. Without him, the Spurs would not have captured the three titles that they achieved while he was the point guard. Period. I’m tired of hearing Spurs fans bashing Pop’s coaching decisions and Parker’s irrelevance to the team when it’s just not the truth.

Parker is in for a career year. At 28, he is entering the second phase of his career with a little chip on his shoulder. Analysts and fans alike have been saying he has lost his speed and quickness. This is the year for Parker to prove the naysayers wrong and to play like he never has before so that Buford will have to give him an extension.

So Spurs faithful, if you really are faithful, trust in Pop’s coaching. I know it may seem unorthodox and downright odd at times, but he’s won four titles. Spurs faithful, trust in Tony Parker’s leadership. He is just as important to this team as Duncan, whether you want to believe it or not. Let’s root for these guys to reach the top once more while Duncan can still run and has Ginobili and Parker to help, because this team needs all three of them.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

The Greatest Spurs Team of All-Time

If you haven’t done so already, you should go to ESPN.com to create your all-time starting five on your favorite team. My all-time starting five for the Spurs was tough to choose from, but here they are:

C David Robinson
The Admiral was THE reason I fell in love with the Spurs. He exemplified class, leadership, and integrity that trickled down all the way through to his teammates. He was such a dominant force night in and night out. I was so happy for him when he went out a champion in 2003.

PF Tim Duncan
This is a no-brainer pick. Not only is Timmy the greatest Spur to play the game, he is one of the greatest players ever to play. Four championships, two MVPs, three Finals MVPs, a boatload of All-NBA Team honors on offense and defense, etc. The accolades go on and on. Big ups to MY MAN!!!

SF George Gervin
One of the pure scorers in the history of the NBA. The “Iceman” could fill the bucket in bunches. His patented finger roll was a thing of beauty that made grown men cry. He once averages 33.1 PPG in 1979-80. He held the record of points scored in a quarter with 33 (now tied with Carmelo Anthony). Just a scoring machine.

SG Manu Ginobili
This was a tough decision to pick Manu over James Silas and Alvin Robertson. One of the main reasons I did so was I grew up with Manu. I didn’t see Silas and Robertson play. In addition, the Spurs are a different animal with a competitive, feisty Manu Ginobili on the court attacking opposing defenses.

PG Avery Johnson
The little big man was the Spurs’ floor general for their first title in 1999. He, along with David Robinson, was among my favorite players to watch and another reason I love the Spurs. He knew how to carry himself on and off the court. He is the franchises assist leader. I wish him well in New Jersey with the Nets this season. It was tough to choose him over Tony Parker, but it had to be done.

So those are my five greatest Spurs of all-time. Who are your five favorite Spurs?

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network