SAN ANTONIO -- For Spurs fans, the off-season can test one's patience greater than waiting on Tiago Splitter to find success at the free throw line.
Luckily, the 2012 Summer Olympics in London are less than one week away and that means it's time to watch several members of the Spurs represent 4 different countries.
Six Spurs players - Boris Diaw, newly-signed Nando de Colo, Manu Ginóbili, Patty Mills, Tony Parker and Tiago Splitter - and one assistant coach - Brett Brown - are among the more than 10,000 athletes and coaches participating in the 17-day sporting extravaganza.
The 2012 Olympic Men's Basketball competition tips off with preliminaries on Sunday, July 29 and continues through the Medals round on Sunday, August 12.
In total, the competition includes 12 teams playing in two groups - A & B.
The United States is in Group A along with Argentina, France, Lithuania, Nigeria and Tunisia. While Group B is made up of Australia, Brazil, China, Great Britain, Russia and Spain.
During the preliminary rounds (July 29-August 6), teams will play every team within their group with the top four teams from each group advancing to the elimination rounds (August 8-August 12).
From a San Antonio perspective, compelling story lines come running out of the gate on Day 1 as Tony Parker and the French National Team begin their Olympic campaign against the United States, defending gold medalists. While Tiago Splitter and Brazil face Patty Mills and the 'Boomers' of Australia.
Two days later on July 31, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker match up as Argentina meets France.
For a complete schedule, visit the Olympic website.
Chances are, Tiago won't suddenly unearth free throw line finesse, but you can count on some compelling basketball starring members of the Spurs to hopefully help you battle that off-season malaise.
