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“It’s been a process, getting back, staying in shape and being able to get the core back so I wouldn’t feel any pain,” Diaw said. “It’s been good so far. I think I’ll be ready. I’m playing five-on-five already, and we don’t play until Monday, so I should be good.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Fabricio Oberto, the starting center on the Spurs’ 2007 title team, was at practice Wednesday doing some work for a TV network that is sending features back to Argentina about the Spurs and Manu Ginobili. The sixth man is the undisputed star of the “golden generation” Argentina national team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. One of the most popular teammates in recent Spurs history, Oberto visited with old friends, former teammates and media members still around from his playing days. Oberto walked off the court with Tim Duncan, his frontcourt mate from 2005-09. “Absolutely great to see him,” Duncan said. “One of the all-time greats.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Fabricio Oberto 

Jeff McDonald: Tim Duncan's take on contentious GSW-DEN series: “It’s playoff basketball. Everybody shakes hands the first game. The second game you kind of give a five. By the third game, you don't talk to anybody.” Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan 

Three finalists have emerged for the Phoenix Suns' general manager's job, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Suns plan to have completed interviews with Boston assistant general manager Ryan McDonough, Milwaukee assistant GM Jeff Weltman and San Antonio Spurs assistant GM Scott Layden soon, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Jeff Weltman, Ryan McDonough, Scott Layden 

Out of action since April 12 surgery to remove an olive-sized cyst from the base of his spine, Diaw says he’s “getting close” to returning to the Spurs’ active roster. He could suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against either Golden State or Denver, a series that would not begin until Monday at the earliest. “I’m feeling good,” said Diaw, who on Tuesday came out of a second full-contact practice with no trouble. “It shouldn’t be much longer.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Metta World Peace: Marc Gasol and Tim Duncan are the best big men in the game. Glad they are not on the same team Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan, Marc Gasol, Metta World Peace 

Jeff McDonald: Pop said Boris Diaw went through entire practice today. Sounds like he'll be available for start of Round 2. Splitter still uncertain. Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Tony Parker: Really hope people will RESPECT Jason Collins for his decision to come out. Just glad he can now relax and not be afraid to be who he is. Twitter @tonyparker

San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Tony Parker, Jason Collins 

David Bertans, selected by the Pacers in the 2011 NBA Draft (42th overall pick) and whose right were traded to the Spurs, will travel to San Antonio when his European season ends. The Young Latvian will spend the summer working out with the Spurs, as reported by his agent Arturs Kalnitis. Sportando

San Antonio Spurs, David Bertans 

Jeff McDonald: Tony Parker was asked if Spurs took satisfaction in being ones to euthanize Lakers. "Not really," he said. "Not like that." Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker 

Marc J. Spears: Don't be surprised if T-Mac returns to China next season to play over NBA since he made a lot of $ on and off the court there this season. Twitter @SpearsNBAYahoo

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Tracy McGrady 

Jeff McDonald: Tiago Splitter just walked into Staples Center. No longer on crutches, so that's something. Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Injuries 

Unofficially, the team’s medical staff estimates it could be a week to 10 days for Splitter to return, a timetable that would make him available for most if not all of the second round. “He’s been really special for us,” Popovich said before Saturday’s practice at a gym in Santa Monica, Calif. “Hopefully, we can get him back as soon as possible. Somebody else will have to step in and guard their big guys.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Injuries 

Though it left him with blurred vision, point guard Tony Parker seemed unconcerned about a scratch to the white part of his right eye, suffered when Darius Morris reached for a steal midway through the second quarter Friday. “It was a little bit blurry in the second half, it’s a little bit blurry this morning,” Parker said before Saturday’s workout. “The doctors say (Sunday) it should be fine.” Parker made three consecutive jumpers after the poke but said his vision got worse as the game went along. “I was not really seeing the rim,” Parker said. “I asked the doc, ‘I think something’s wrong with my right eye.’” Parker is on a three-day regimen of special drops in the eye to promote healing. His latest injury is opposite the eye scratched in the infamous New York City nightclub brawl last summer and is significantly less severe. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Injuries 

Coach Gregg Popovich says starting center Tiago Splitter is out indefinitely after spraining his left ankle late in the third quarter of the Spurs’ 120-89 Game 3 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Unofficially, the team’s medical staff estimates it could be a week to 10 days for Splitter to return, a timetable that would make him available for most if not all of the second round. “He’s been really special for us,” Popovich said before Saturday’s practice at a gym in Santa Monica, Calif. “Hopefully, we can get him back as soon as possible. Somebody else will have to step in and guard their big guys.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Injuries 

This isn’t just about the Spurs having a plug-and-play piece to replace Tiago Splitter. This is about a moment for Blair to show other teams what they could have had in February, and what they can still get this summer when he becomes a free agent. An audition? “It is,” Blair said. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, DeJuan Blair 

Jeff McDonald: Diaw will have a contact practice this morning, but will not play Game 4. Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

San Antonio Spurs, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Jeff McDonald: Splitter out indefinitely with ankle sprain, Pop says. Could return for Round 2. Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Injuries 

Against Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker. And in this universe, that can only mean one thing: Final score, 120-89, the worst home playoff loss in franchise history. San Antonio up 3-0 in the series. “I thought our guys played as hard as they could play,” head coach Mike D’Antoni said after. “but they ran out of gas toward the end.” SheridanHoops

Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Mike D'Antoni, Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan 

Starting power forward Tiago Splitter is expected to miss 7-10 days with a sprained left ankle, according to a Twitter post by Express-News columnist Buck Harvey. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Injuries