duncan228
10-26-2009, 11:09 AM
TrueHoop Network 2009-10 Season Preview: San Antonio (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/)
by Timothy Varner
2008-9 Record: 54-28
Crystal Ball
The consensus prediction of the TrueHoop Network bloggers … and the best hopes of 48MoH.
Crowd Says: 55-27
We Say: 59-23
San Antonio Spurs, Mortal Splendor
During the Celtics heyday, Red Auerbach boasted a winning percentage of .719. In the modern era, Pat Riley’s Showtime Lakers played to the tune of .733. Phil Jackson’s Jordan Bulls dominated the 90s with an otherworldly percentage of .771. Jackson’s three-peat Lakers? .735. In his 12 seasons with San Antonio, Gregg Popovich, whose cynical disdain for the regular season runs more than skin deep, has, nevertheless, posted a winning percentage of .707. That’s the company the Spurs keep.
What should we expect this season? 58 wins and a run at the title. Same as every other year.
But if that comes off as cocksure bravado, it’s not. It’s just calculator-speak. It’s the safe assurance of a system that works, and players that work within it. It’s not a peacock spreading its fan; it’s a weatherman forecasting rain just after the thunderclouds clap.
Although I expect the Spurs to grind to their usual .700 season, this year’s team is different. The difference is that the championship baton has passed through three runners, and this season marks the start of their anchor leg. It marks the start of the end of the race.
And in this case, they may have saved their best runner for last. The Spurs revamped this summer, surrounding their core of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan with needed relief in the form of Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess and DeJuan Blair. On paper, Coach Popovich has never had so much talent with which to work.
It’s ironic, then, that all that boring old patter about the Spurs being too old and injury prone rattles me this season unlike ever before. And why would that be?
In a word, legacy.
The Duncan-Popovich Spurs are nearing the end, the finish line is in view. What image will all those photo-finish flash bulbs record for future historians? The Spurs are racing against the league, and the they’re racing against the history of the league. Will we remember Gregg Popovich in the same breath as Red Auerbach, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson? Will the half-derisive moniker of “mini-dynasty” give way to a proper placing of the Spurs amongst the league’s greatest teams? Can Tim Duncan stay true to himself by quietly–and, yes–methodically emerging as the best player of the post-Jordan era?
No one is so crass to think the Spurs’ amazing run will thicken into empire; we have, after all, the Lakers and Celtics for that. But the hope remains that our perishing little republic will continue to shine, if only for a few moments more.
No You Can’t
Because celebrating success built on integrity is just plain un-American. Just like the Spurs. (Matt Moore, Hardwood Paroxysm (http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/)).
After the Gold Rush
A stealth storyline heading into the season finds its genesis 80 miles northeast of San Antonio. Back in 2007 the Spurs purchased, as one of their unique projects, the Austin Toros. Their design: developing a true farm team in their neighbor to the north. The Toros front office is run by Dell Demps, the Spurs’ Director of Pro Player Personnel; on the court, the Toros feature the same offensive and defensive sets as the Spurs.
The Spurs’ training camp roster included 3 players who cut their teeth in Austin: Ian Mahinmi, Malik Hairston and Marcus Williams. Of those three, Hairston and Mahinmi are still will the team. Die hard optimists amongst the Spurs’ faithful see these players prominently featured on future rosters. The sober realist, however, sees something more shrewd. That person sees an inexpensive, system-smart core of players that could solidify the Spurs’ bench. Or at least an innovative method for getting there.
The Spurs made a name for themselves by finding star players in unheralded international draft picks, a practice that attracted no shortage of get-rich-quick imitators. Could the Spurs strike gold again by grooming rotation quality players in the D-League? It’s time for that story to come of age.
All-A-Twitter
“Today, the first dunk in 5 months!! It felt so goooood! Starting to get better. Can’t wait.” Manu Ginobili September, 2
On the Record
“If we don’t win it, I should probably be fired.” Coach Popovich commenting on the Spurs’ upcoming season from summer league.
The 2008-9 Almanac
Offense: 13th
Defense: 5th
Pace: 26th
Team Factor Strengths: Turnovers (1st), Defensive Rebounding (1st), Free Throws (1st)
Team Factor Weaknesses: Offensive Rebounding (3oth), Forced Turnovers (3oth), Free Throws (3oth)
The Play
Enlightenment (noun): the joyful uncertainty experienced by Spurs fans whenever their team’s priggish offense dies to give life to Manu Ginobili’s wizardry. 9.8 seconds left on the clock, Richard Jefferson inbounds to Manu Ginobili at halfcourt, two shooters in the corner, Tim Duncan flashes high for a screen…
The People’s Choice
From the moment he was dealt to Milwaukee for Richard Jefferson, everyone in San Antonio hoped to see Bruce Bowen return to the Spurs. But those days are gone. The Spurs won’t look the same without Bruce Bowen relentlessly harassing the league’s premier perimeter players and knocking down timely, cutthroat corner threes. The Spurs simply, somewhat heartlessly, shipped the best perimeter defender of the decade into retirement.
If You’re Watching the Bottom Line, You’re Watching This
The Spurs did not extend Manu Ginobili last summer, waiting on a confirmation of good health before adding years to his contract. The Spurs’ stall maneuver gave birth to a two-headed monster of intrigue. If Manu Ginobili returns to form, how much will he cost the Spurs next summer? On the other hand, do the Spurs have it in them to treat a re-injured Manu Ginobili as a 10 million dollar expiring contract?
by Timothy Varner
2008-9 Record: 54-28
Crystal Ball
The consensus prediction of the TrueHoop Network bloggers … and the best hopes of 48MoH.
Crowd Says: 55-27
We Say: 59-23
San Antonio Spurs, Mortal Splendor
During the Celtics heyday, Red Auerbach boasted a winning percentage of .719. In the modern era, Pat Riley’s Showtime Lakers played to the tune of .733. Phil Jackson’s Jordan Bulls dominated the 90s with an otherworldly percentage of .771. Jackson’s three-peat Lakers? .735. In his 12 seasons with San Antonio, Gregg Popovich, whose cynical disdain for the regular season runs more than skin deep, has, nevertheless, posted a winning percentage of .707. That’s the company the Spurs keep.
What should we expect this season? 58 wins and a run at the title. Same as every other year.
But if that comes off as cocksure bravado, it’s not. It’s just calculator-speak. It’s the safe assurance of a system that works, and players that work within it. It’s not a peacock spreading its fan; it’s a weatherman forecasting rain just after the thunderclouds clap.
Although I expect the Spurs to grind to their usual .700 season, this year’s team is different. The difference is that the championship baton has passed through three runners, and this season marks the start of their anchor leg. It marks the start of the end of the race.
And in this case, they may have saved their best runner for last. The Spurs revamped this summer, surrounding their core of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan with needed relief in the form of Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess and DeJuan Blair. On paper, Coach Popovich has never had so much talent with which to work.
It’s ironic, then, that all that boring old patter about the Spurs being too old and injury prone rattles me this season unlike ever before. And why would that be?
In a word, legacy.
The Duncan-Popovich Spurs are nearing the end, the finish line is in view. What image will all those photo-finish flash bulbs record for future historians? The Spurs are racing against the league, and the they’re racing against the history of the league. Will we remember Gregg Popovich in the same breath as Red Auerbach, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson? Will the half-derisive moniker of “mini-dynasty” give way to a proper placing of the Spurs amongst the league’s greatest teams? Can Tim Duncan stay true to himself by quietly–and, yes–methodically emerging as the best player of the post-Jordan era?
No one is so crass to think the Spurs’ amazing run will thicken into empire; we have, after all, the Lakers and Celtics for that. But the hope remains that our perishing little republic will continue to shine, if only for a few moments more.
No You Can’t
Because celebrating success built on integrity is just plain un-American. Just like the Spurs. (Matt Moore, Hardwood Paroxysm (http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/)).
After the Gold Rush
A stealth storyline heading into the season finds its genesis 80 miles northeast of San Antonio. Back in 2007 the Spurs purchased, as one of their unique projects, the Austin Toros. Their design: developing a true farm team in their neighbor to the north. The Toros front office is run by Dell Demps, the Spurs’ Director of Pro Player Personnel; on the court, the Toros feature the same offensive and defensive sets as the Spurs.
The Spurs’ training camp roster included 3 players who cut their teeth in Austin: Ian Mahinmi, Malik Hairston and Marcus Williams. Of those three, Hairston and Mahinmi are still will the team. Die hard optimists amongst the Spurs’ faithful see these players prominently featured on future rosters. The sober realist, however, sees something more shrewd. That person sees an inexpensive, system-smart core of players that could solidify the Spurs’ bench. Or at least an innovative method for getting there.
The Spurs made a name for themselves by finding star players in unheralded international draft picks, a practice that attracted no shortage of get-rich-quick imitators. Could the Spurs strike gold again by grooming rotation quality players in the D-League? It’s time for that story to come of age.
All-A-Twitter
“Today, the first dunk in 5 months!! It felt so goooood! Starting to get better. Can’t wait.” Manu Ginobili September, 2
On the Record
“If we don’t win it, I should probably be fired.” Coach Popovich commenting on the Spurs’ upcoming season from summer league.
The 2008-9 Almanac
Offense: 13th
Defense: 5th
Pace: 26th
Team Factor Strengths: Turnovers (1st), Defensive Rebounding (1st), Free Throws (1st)
Team Factor Weaknesses: Offensive Rebounding (3oth), Forced Turnovers (3oth), Free Throws (3oth)
The Play
Enlightenment (noun): the joyful uncertainty experienced by Spurs fans whenever their team’s priggish offense dies to give life to Manu Ginobili’s wizardry. 9.8 seconds left on the clock, Richard Jefferson inbounds to Manu Ginobili at halfcourt, two shooters in the corner, Tim Duncan flashes high for a screen…
The People’s Choice
From the moment he was dealt to Milwaukee for Richard Jefferson, everyone in San Antonio hoped to see Bruce Bowen return to the Spurs. But those days are gone. The Spurs won’t look the same without Bruce Bowen relentlessly harassing the league’s premier perimeter players and knocking down timely, cutthroat corner threes. The Spurs simply, somewhat heartlessly, shipped the best perimeter defender of the decade into retirement.
If You’re Watching the Bottom Line, You’re Watching This
The Spurs did not extend Manu Ginobili last summer, waiting on a confirmation of good health before adding years to his contract. The Spurs’ stall maneuver gave birth to a two-headed monster of intrigue. If Manu Ginobili returns to form, how much will he cost the Spurs next summer? On the other hand, do the Spurs have it in them to treat a re-injured Manu Ginobili as a 10 million dollar expiring contract?