duncan228
10-01-2009, 02:18 PM
Ginobili's health, Jefferson's impact could spur Spurs to title (http://www.probasketballnews.com/story/?storyid=745)
By Tony Mejia
Pro Basketball News
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (54-28)
How it ended: For the first time since 2000, the Spurs were ousted in the first round of the playoffs, done in by Dallas and the inabilitity of Manu Ginobili to overcome an ailing ankle. The Spurs were seemingly running on fumes all season with Ginobili limited, yet still managed to overachieve and capture the Southwest Division. Wins in five of six helped them earn a coveted No. 3 seed, but that late regular season push used up all the gas they had left.
Coach: Gregg Popovich is a beast. Now that he'll have considerable depth to work with, count on him getting his squad ramped up to where they're firing on all cylinders come postseason - health permitting.
Arrivals: F Richard Jefferson, F Antonio McDyess, C Theo Ratliff, G-F Keith Bogans, F DeJuan Blair, F Marcus Haislip
Departures: G-F Bruce Bowen, F-C Fabricio Oberto, F-C Drew Gooden, F-C Kurt Thomas, G-F Ime Udoka, G Jacque Vaughn
Projected starters: F Richard Jefferson, F Tim Duncan, C Matt Bonner, G Tony Parker, G Roger Mason
Position battles: Michael Finley started 77 games last season, but with Jefferson on board likely needs to beat out Mason for the minutes available behind the new arrival and Ginobili. Bonner is likely to keep his starting spot since Popovich likes how he spreads the floor, but McDyess figures to be out there in crunch time, with Ratliff a defensive option. Haislip, Malik Hairston, Curtis Jerrels, Dwayne Jones and Marcus Williams will be competing for the opportunity to stick.
Chemistry experiment: Jefferson's arrival and the return of Ginobili means the Spurs learn to share the wealth. It won't be a problem with given the veteran presence and only one goal in mind, but Parker's scoring figures to take the biggest hit while his assists should climb. It will be interesting to see whether Mason can push George Hill for minutes at the point behind Parker to keep the French superstar from overextending himself.
Best case: Ginobili, following an offseason where he not only avoided national team duty but stayed off his ankle entirely, is fresh and effective come playoffs like he was in 2007, helping win the Spurs another title. Given all the shrewd moves he's made so far, the potential for a San Antonio revival makes R.C. Buford a top contender for this year's top executive honor.
Worst case: Jefferson's slump carries over, and he fails to provide the lift San Antonio envisioned, a problem compounded by Ginobili's inability to regain his explosion. Duncan and Parker again wind up carrying too much of the load and the Spurs bow out early again.
Prediction: It's not an odd-numbered year, but San Antonio should rightfully be considered a major threat to capture a championship. There's more talent and depth on this roster than there has been the past few seasons. So long as everyone stays healthy, expect the Lakers' repeat chances to have to go through San Antonio.
By Tony Mejia
Pro Basketball News
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (54-28)
How it ended: For the first time since 2000, the Spurs were ousted in the first round of the playoffs, done in by Dallas and the inabilitity of Manu Ginobili to overcome an ailing ankle. The Spurs were seemingly running on fumes all season with Ginobili limited, yet still managed to overachieve and capture the Southwest Division. Wins in five of six helped them earn a coveted No. 3 seed, but that late regular season push used up all the gas they had left.
Coach: Gregg Popovich is a beast. Now that he'll have considerable depth to work with, count on him getting his squad ramped up to where they're firing on all cylinders come postseason - health permitting.
Arrivals: F Richard Jefferson, F Antonio McDyess, C Theo Ratliff, G-F Keith Bogans, F DeJuan Blair, F Marcus Haislip
Departures: G-F Bruce Bowen, F-C Fabricio Oberto, F-C Drew Gooden, F-C Kurt Thomas, G-F Ime Udoka, G Jacque Vaughn
Projected starters: F Richard Jefferson, F Tim Duncan, C Matt Bonner, G Tony Parker, G Roger Mason
Position battles: Michael Finley started 77 games last season, but with Jefferson on board likely needs to beat out Mason for the minutes available behind the new arrival and Ginobili. Bonner is likely to keep his starting spot since Popovich likes how he spreads the floor, but McDyess figures to be out there in crunch time, with Ratliff a defensive option. Haislip, Malik Hairston, Curtis Jerrels, Dwayne Jones and Marcus Williams will be competing for the opportunity to stick.
Chemistry experiment: Jefferson's arrival and the return of Ginobili means the Spurs learn to share the wealth. It won't be a problem with given the veteran presence and only one goal in mind, but Parker's scoring figures to take the biggest hit while his assists should climb. It will be interesting to see whether Mason can push George Hill for minutes at the point behind Parker to keep the French superstar from overextending himself.
Best case: Ginobili, following an offseason where he not only avoided national team duty but stayed off his ankle entirely, is fresh and effective come playoffs like he was in 2007, helping win the Spurs another title. Given all the shrewd moves he's made so far, the potential for a San Antonio revival makes R.C. Buford a top contender for this year's top executive honor.
Worst case: Jefferson's slump carries over, and he fails to provide the lift San Antonio envisioned, a problem compounded by Ginobili's inability to regain his explosion. Duncan and Parker again wind up carrying too much of the load and the Spurs bow out early again.
Prediction: It's not an odd-numbered year, but San Antonio should rightfully be considered a major threat to capture a championship. There's more talent and depth on this roster than there has been the past few seasons. So long as everyone stays healthy, expect the Lakers' repeat chances to have to go through San Antonio.