Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has softened his stance on the February 2008 trade between the Lakers and Grizzlies that sent Pau Gasol to Los Angeles.

Once a harsh critic of the deal, which many perceived to be lopsided, Popovich now says that Memphis made out good in the deal.

"They gave up a great player but it helped them extend the franchise's success into the future," Popovich said. "It's shown that they've done a good job. Whatever they were thinking a couple of iterations ahead at the time has paid off for them."

The Grizzlies received Kwame Brown, rookie Javaris Crittenton, the rights to Marc Gasol and first-round picks in 2008 and 2010.

"What they did in Memphis is beyond comprehension," Popovich said at the time. "There should be a trade committee that can scratch all trades that make no sense. I just wish I had been on a trade committee that oversees NBA trades. I would have voted no to the L.A. trade."

Tony Parker sprained his left ankle during the third quarter of Wednesday's win over Atlanta.

“Tony said it wasn't so bad, but he will probably miss a couple of games,” said Ginobili.

X-rays taken after the game were negative.  A timetable for Parker's return will likely be established when he is reexamined on Friday.

George Hill is expected to start at point guard in Parker's absence.

On Wednesday, Gregg Popovich was asked about a Yahoo! Sports report that the Spurs had “researched and debated” getting involved in the bidding for Amar'e Stoudemire.

“What the heck is Yahoo?” Popovich said. “Is it one of those computer things? Is that like Twittering?

“It's that time of year, I guess. Trade deadline. Everybody's going to come up with something.”

The Spurs have researched and are debating pursuing Suns forward Amar'e Stoudemire, league sources have told Yahoo! Sports.

Questions remain about what San Antonio would be willing to give up, however, including whether or not they'd part with Manu Ginobili.

Also, will the Spurs be willing to sign Stoudemire to a lucrative contract extension and increase their payroll?

"They know they've got to do something," a source familiar with the front office's thinking said. "They feel like they've got to at least look at this ... and they are."

Spurs forward Michael Finley hasn't played since Dec. 5 because of a sprained left ankle.

The veteran went through his second full practice on Tuesday, but there is still no specific timetable for his return.

"He's getting closer, but he's not ready yet by his own admission," coach Gregg Popovich said.

Finley was averaging 5.2 points and 0.9 rebounds prior to the injury.

Malik Hairston of the Austin Toros was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played during the week of Jan. 18, 2010.  

Hairston, on assignment from the San Antonio Spurs, led Austin to a 4-0 record last week, including victories over the Erie BayHawks, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Maine Red Claws, and Springfield Armor.  He scored a team-season-high 43 points in an overtime road victory over the Red Claws in Portland, Maine on Jan. 22.  

Hairston averaged 35.8 points, shooting 49 percent (48-of-99) from the field to go with 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists.  He scored more than 30 points in all four contests last week.  

Other top performers last week included Albuquerque?s Antoine Agudio, who averaged 19.0 points and 3.5 assists in three games for the Thunderbirds; Springfield?s Morris Almond, who averaged 28.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in two games for the Armor; Rio Grande Valley?s Mike Harris, who averaged 25.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in three games for the Vipers; Austin?s Dwayne Jones, who averaged 17.3 points and 14.0 rebounds in four games for the Toros; Idaho?s Coby Karl, who averaged 32.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in two games for the Stampede; Tulsa?s Mustafa Shakur, who averaged 25.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists in two games for the 66ers; Iowa?s Curtis Stinson, who averaged 18.5 points and 13.0 assists in two games for the Energy; and Sioux Falls? Reggie Williams, who averaged 27.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in two games for the Skyforce.

Spurs forward Richard Jefferson agrees that he hasn't played up to his potential thus far in San Antonio.

Jefferson was one of the most hyped acquisitions of the offseason.

"I particularly haven't been playing as well as I would like," he said. "Everyone kind of has to look in the mirror and try to step it up."

Jefferson is averaging 12.8 points per game, tied with Manu Ginobili for third on the team.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich isn't worried about Jefferson's numbers.

"Those kind of opinions are for you all (in the media) to form," Popovich said. "We just go to work every day and try to be the best team we can be. You can assess it any way you want."

Spurs forward Tim Duncan surpassed the 20,000-point mark for his career on Friday night in a 116-109 loss to the Rockets.

Duncan became just the 35th player in NBA history to eclipse the scoring milestone.

Houston guard Aaron Brooks wasn't sure what all the celebration was about when the crowd in San Antonio gave Duncan a standing ovation.

"You know what it was? He scored the basket and everyone yelled and it was like, 'Dang. Why's everybody yellin?' Did Eva [Longoria] come in or something?" Brooks said, referring to Spurs guard Tony Parker's wife.

"Then I realized it was 20,000 points, and that's incredible. That's an amazing feat, and to get a win and kinda spoil it ... sorry, that's what we're here for."

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have waived forward Marcus Haislip to allow him to pursue opportunities outside of the NBA.  

The 6-10, 230-lb Haislip appeared in 10 games for San Antonio and averaged 2.5 points and 1.0 rebounds in 4.4 minutes.

The Spurs roster stands at 14.

An interview published in Argentina featured a strong statement from Manu Ginobili about his future with the Spurs.

Ginobili clarified his comments for the Express-News before Wednesday's game.

Ginobili does not expect the Spurs to offer him a contract extension before the five-year deal he signed in 2004 expires this summer.

He stressed that doesn't mean he expects to be leaving the team.

"Just because I don't expect the Spurs to extend my contract before it expires does not mean my days as a Spur are over," he said.

Ginobili said the confusion about his comments likely was a result of differences in player contracts in Argentina.

"In Argentina," he said, "the term extension, as it is here, doesn't exist. The fact is, they can re-sign me before the deal is over. They took 'extend' to mean even after it is over, instead of re-sign. So they are two different terms."