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Through spokesmen, the league and the Spurs declined to comment on the photo Monday, which first surfaced via the popular website Deadspin.com over the weekend and has gone viral. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was genuinely perplexed when asked about the snapshot after practice Monday afternoon, saying he was not aware of it. Duncan and Parker did not address the media. It is unclear whether the picture might draw further disciplinary action from NBA commissioner David Stern, who last week fined the Spurs $250,000 for Popovich’s decision to send four key players — including Duncan and Parker — home early from a six-game road trip to rest. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, David Stern, Tim Duncan, Referees, Joey Crawford 

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, who attended the Halloween party in question dressed as Zorro, said he hoped the photo would be taken for what it was — a portrayal of a light-hearted moment in the middle of a private event. “It was Halloween,” Ginobili said. “If somebody dressed like Pop was there, I probably would have done the same thing with my little sword. I think it was a joke. It was very innocent.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Gregg Popovich, David Stern, Tim Duncan, Referees, Joey Crawford 

On Saturday morning, a Halloween picture of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker holding fake guns to the head of a Joey Crawford impersonator went viral, surfacing on Reddit and quickly spreading across the Internet. USA Today

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Referees, Joey Crawford 

In the photo, the San Antonio Spurts teammates are pointing fake guns at the back of the head of a man dressed in a makeshift Crawford referee uniform. A noose hangs above the fake Crawford. Duncan, dressed like the comic book hero The Punisher, presses his fake gun against Crawford's head while Parker, in a leather jacket and an eyepatch, points his fake gun and mugs for the camera. USA Today

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Referees, Joey Crawford 

Manu Ginobili, who was at the party where the photo was apparently taken, said the photo should not be taken out of context. “I don’t know exactly what people are saying about it,” said Ginobili, who went dressed as Zorro. “What I know is, it was Halloween. If somebody dressed like Pop was there, I probably would have done the same with my little sword. I think it was a joke. It was very innocent. They were just probably kidding. I didn’t see it at the time, but nothing to be serious about.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Referees, Joey Crawford 

Ginobili said he did not know who the man dressed as Crawford was, describing him as a random attendee at the party. “He was somebody without hair, he decided to dress like a ref,” he said. “He was part of the party. It was a big party, a lot of people. It just happened.” Ginobili said he does not think the action deserves action from the league office. “Why would I?” he said. “I’m not concerned. I don’t think it’s something to take so serious. But who knows what’s going to happen?” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Referees, Joey Crawford 

I'm getting a lot of e-mails and feedback on Twitter over a photo of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker from Halloween obviously just having fun, but with toy guns pointed at someone dressed up as NBA referee Joey Crawford. There is also a noose hanging in the background. Crawford is the league's more controversial referee, and once ejected Duncan from a game while he was on the bench. The league suspended Crawford for the incident. WOAI.com

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Referees, Joey Crawford 

It appears Gregg Popovich has done it again. With the road miles piling up on his veteran team, the Spurs coach has dispatched four of his top five leading scorers home to San Antonio in advance of tonight’s nationally televised game against the Miami Heat. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green did not travel with the team after Wednesday night’s win in Orlando, instead heading back to South Texas this morning for an extra day of rest leading up to Saturday’s sure-to-be-rugged home game against Memphis. The four were spotted on a Southwest flight making a pre-lunch escape from central Florida. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Gregg Popovich, Danny Green, Tim Duncan 

But, maybe, the actual key is a healthy marriage between coach and player, Pops and Timmy. “He doesn’t really even talk to me that much, anymore. We’ve been married so long that we . . .” Popovich trailed off. “Complete each other’s sentences,” chimed in a reporter. The coach was asked if Duncan has ever verbalized that he wants to show people, the league, that he still has it. “Half the things I say he doesn’t hear, the other half he tunes out if he did hear… because he figures it’s bullshit,” continued the coach in jest. “Manu’s [Ginobili] getting to that point, Tony’s [Parker] close to it… Time to go!,” Popovich finished with a rare smile. Truth About It

San Antonio Spurs, Coaching, Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan 

The Spurs' offense has gone through some changes over the years with Parker and Manu Ginobili's penetration becoming the focal point. But Duncan's post presence has remained a key part and much like it has been for the past 15 seasons, the Spurs' success has been dictated on a healthy, productive Duncan, who has been plagued with knee problems at the end of his career. "My pain level is down a whole lot. I've found something that works with my brace and the treatments," said Duncan, who signed a three-year contract extension with the Spurs this offseason. "I'm just feeling good health wise." USA Today

San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan 

"It was very tough," Duncan said of gauging his playing ability when his knee forced him to miss games. "Mentally I felt like I could play at a certain level and physically I couldn't do it. I just continue to work at it and try to actually feel like I can play the way I think I can. Especially at this point in my career, I think it's feeling good." USA Today

San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan 

Jeff McDonald: Pop on long-term relationship with Duncan: "He doesn’t even talk to me very much anymore, we’ve been married so long.” Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan 

Tony Parker had the gaudier scoring numbers, but it was 36-year-old Tim Duncan who earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors after helping the Spurs go 3-1 with averages of 22.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 blocks. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan 

Still astounded to see Tim Duncan’s run of 13 consecutive All-Star appearances end last February, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich already has begun stumping for his star big man three months ahead of this season’s game in Houston. Step one of the campaign appears to be to remind voters — and fellow coaches who select reserves — of last season’s snub. “I thought he played well enough in the West to be on the All-Star team,” Popovich said. “I thought that was a big mistake, and I thought a lack of respect for how well he played last year. He’s done the same thing this year.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan 

Earlier this week, Boston coach Doc Rivers told reporters that his greatest failing as a free-agent recruiter came in the summer of 2000, when he swung and missed on luring Tim Duncan to Orlando. Duncan said Rivers shouldn’t be so hard on himself. “He made his pitch,” Duncan said. “I don’t know there’s anyone to blame for it. It’s just a decision that went one way or the other and I decided to stay.” San Antonio Express-News

Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Doc Rivers, Tim Duncan 

Asked to compare the two, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said, “Just put a mirror and tell them to look at it. They’re both extremely professional. “They obviously do it differently. Kevin is more outward in his emotion and Tim is more inward. They both have the exact same mentality. They both are extremely tough. “It’s amazing how much both of them care about winning. They’re both unselfish at times to a fault. It’s amazing how similar they are yet how different they act.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Doc Rivers, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett 

According to Elliott, Cousins — never known for his maturity or good decision-making — said something to the effect of, “I’m going to bust his (expletive).” That drew a lecture from Elliott, which he took into overdrive after Duncan proceeded to dismantle Cousins over the final four minutes. In addition to blocking Cousins at the rim, Duncan scored three baskets, including a dunk off a give-and-go with Boris Diaw that left Cousins flat-footed. Crowed an angry Elliott: “That’s why some humility is in order. You think you’re dominating Tim Duncan, you get it stuffed right back in your face. Timmy doesn’t like to talk trash. But if guys start talking mess to him, he’s going to respond. All that trash talking was premature. I’m not about to let these guys off the hook. Young ballclubs…should learn from this. Don’t start talking and flapping your gums against one of the greatest players ever. He’s going to make you pay. Tell me who got the best of this exchange.” San Antonio Express-News

Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, DeMarcus Cousins, Tim Duncan 

The 22-year-old center wasn’t too pleased about Elliott’s comments, calling the Spurs analyst “immature” to media after the game. “I mean me and Tim – we’re good,” Cousins said, pointing out that he meant nothing malicious with his trash talk. “Like I said, I have the utmost respect (for him). But for the commentator to say the things that he said – that was immature.” Below, video of Cousins voicing his displeasure of Elliott’s comments following last night’s loss at Sleep Train Arena. Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, DeMarcus Cousins, Tim Duncan 

Tim Duncan’s new three-year deal with the Spurs isn’t for $36 million, as was first widely reported. According to numbers provided by the NBA Players Association, he will earn $30 million, with the third year, at $10 million, at the future Hall of Famer’s option. New York Daily News

San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan 

Brent Barry: As I basked in that satisfaction I stood next to Tim Duncan. I said something like "Well that was fun last year, we should try to do this again!" He giggled his goofy giggle. And then I asked him how much he would give me if I kissed David Stern upon getting my ring. He offered a sum, I considered it and waited for my name to be called. As I approached the Commish I felt like I couldn't let my captain down. So after a quick ‘Congratulations Brent’ from David I hugged him and planted one right on his cheek. To this day, I swear he and grandma have the same skin. As I moved slowly from the spotlight as it found the next player, I casually glanced over to Tim and, wiping my tongue with my finger tips as if something flakey remained from my time with Mr. Stern, I mouthed the words: "You owe me a hundred bucks!" I swear I heard him laugh all the way over to where I stood on the court. buzzfeed.com

San Antonio Spurs, David Stern, Tim Duncan, Brent Barry