AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The trade deadline came and went without the Spurs making a move -- although, if you believe Gregg Popovich, it wasn't for lack of options. "Sure, there were like five or six things we almost did," Popovich said in his best deadpan. "Huge trades. And then at the very last second we said no to all of them." OK, so Pop was kidding -- he had reporters in stitches a couple of times during his brief pregame meeting Thursday evening -- but there's no denying that rumors had surrounded his club all week. Among the Spurs who heard his name mentioned the most was Roger Mason, and hours after he learned once and for all that he was staying put, I caught up with him for a few minutes in the Spurs' locker room.
Matt Watson: As you're aware, your name was included in some rumors. How tough is that to hear it? Do you hear anything from the team at all, or is it just internet sites and stuff like that?
Roger Mason: It's not too tough, you know. At the end of the day, we're all fortunate to be NBA players, make a good living and be very blessed. You know that it's a business. You know that sometimes teams have to do what they think is best for them, so you just go out there and do your job and let the chips fall where they may.
Matt Watson: Do you think the route that you took made it easier? You know, at the end of the day, you're still in the NBA.
Roger Mason: Yeah, maybe my route does. But it doesn't really matter what someone's route is, we're just blessed to be in this situation. And I think if you're professional, you do your job and whatever happens happens.
Matt Watson: How did you spend today? Were you watching the TV at all or were you just kind of hiding out?
Roger Mason: I had my eye on the tube a little bit just to see -- I'm an NBA fan, I like to know what's going on in the league. So I paid attention just like any other time around the trade deadline.
Matt Watson: What did you think about some of the deals that did go down?
Roger Mason: Actually, the deal that was really good was the deal that Orlando made, getting Rafer Alston. I thought that was a good deal for them. I thought that Oklahoma City got a good player in [Thabo] Sefolosha, that was good. There were some good deals -- the Bulls got a good trade done with [John] Salmons and Brad Miller, I think that potentially could put them over the top for a playoff spot in the East.
