The End of the Tim Duncan Era.

[Russ]

Sorry, but I am compelled to observe . . . :flag:

[Riverwalkman]

Agreed

[superjames1992]

Uh, Tim Duncan isn't retiring after this season.

[mexicanjunior]

Uh, Tim Duncan isn't retiring after this season.

His window for championships is about closed though...

[superjames1992]

His window for championships is about closed though...
Well, yes, but he has next year and maybe the year after, though, I doubt we will win one unless Splitter ends up being some savior down low.

[4>0rings]

We just need a CENTER that isn't white, undersized, soft, shoot's 3's, arms longer than a T-REX, and doesn't do the ole' defense.

[MannyIsGod]

I agree the window is probably closed at this point. It is what it is and Tim isn't as dominant as he was when they were winning it all. I suppose I still hold out a bit of hope for them to build a Pistons like team where there is no one shinning star but a lot of good players who work in a system extremely well but the bench needs to get a bit deeper for that to even be an option and Tony Parker needs to return to the type of season he did last year.

All in all if they never win another ring I'll still be a more than happy fan.

[DMX7]

His window for championships is about closed though...

He can still contribute, he's just not a 1st or 2nd team all nba player anymore.

[IcemanCometh]

Unless Tiago Splitter is the 2nd coming of Manu then the Duncan era has officially closed the window on its championships

[SpurOutofTownFan]

If they Spurs bring a true center and some outside shooters they can still give it another go. Hopefully Splitter will come over and something else. Until Duncan doens't retire the spurs are still contenders.. they might not win but I doubt team would like to play them in the PS

[spursfaninla]

Tim is still very good, but he is getting older. He will need to play fewer and fewer minutes. He can't be counted on to be the main scoring threat on the team any longer during either the regular season or the playoffs.

Spurs have a depth problem. The bench looked good when we had manu, rj and hill on it, but that was a mirage because mason and centerpiece were starting.

Our top 6 players are ok, but we need another 2 that we can really count on. Splitter next year would really help. Development from Blair, Hill, and RJ will make us better also. Or, we trade RJ as an expiring contract for a decent player.

Disapointing year.

[Spurtacus]

Don't kid yourself. OP is right. Even though we have Manu for three years...TD era is over. Unless of course we get Bosh of Wade.

[carina_gino20]

I don't believe it. If there's anything to take from this season, I love what we've seen from George Hill and Blair, no matter how piss poor they have been this series.

[superjames1992]

We just need a CENTER that isn't white, undersized, soft, shoot's 3's, arms longer than a T-REX, and doesn't do the ole' defense.
Oh, so I guess Tiago Splitter won't do since you gotta be racist.

[MaNu4Tres]

The way the league is headed the Spurs can't afford to continue building the team solely on one dimensional shooters.

Not only do you need your wings to be good shooters but you need your wings to be multi-dimensional and athletic.

I hope this is one of the Spurs priorities going into the draft and off-season.

[EricB]

Give him a better bench which downtown require him to play balls out down the stretch like this year and he will have more gas left in the tank.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

This only could make it more difficult to bring another big player - players like Jefferson, Dice, etc they look at whether the team they are going has a chance to win it all - I can see someone like Boss going to the Spurs but he will definitely look around. Also I dont know whether that's possible money-wise, cap-wise, etc.

[JRPOLOBOY]

Its not over till i see them hang number 21 in the at&t center.

[baseline bum]

Losing Horry was the first straw, and losing Bowen was the last. This is no longer the team that won titles, and it's time to officially retire the 4 rings smack.

[Doe]

All in all if they never win another ring I'll still be a more than happy fan.

Agreed, easy to lose perspective but four dream seasons and plenty of deep playoff runs. More than I could have asked for. Next year should be fun with the new players anyway and if they have another run in them, awesome.

[Riverwalkman]

The way the league is headed the Spurs can't afford to continue building the team solely on one dimensional shooters.

Not only do you need your wings to be good shooters but you need your wings to be multi-dimensional and athletic.
I hope this is one of the Spurs priorities going into the draft and off-season.

Are you talking about Richard Jefferson?

[ATXSPUR]

It was a good run. If anybody said back in 1998 that in 12 years some ranking systems would have us as the third best franchises all time behind Celtics and Lakers none of us would have believed it. Unless something crazy happens and we get Dirk next year no more championships for the Duncan era though.

[Man In Black]

I'm not too sure it is. It is if we're saying that he's the de facto reason they were winning it. What he is now, is no longer the great foundation. He is now just 1 of 3 strong pillars instead of the rock of Gibraltar. He can still be very productive and if the Spurs can bring him 2 bigs with some talent and fiery passion, a combination of that and strong Tim plus great Manu & Parker keeps them in playoff contention. Now, if they can find a real heir apparent for Bowen, someone whose lockdown skills come with a mentality that rules can tested, then I see better possibilities. It's crazy...this team is better offensively, but ultimately, it's the defense that's in retrograde.

[MaNu4Tres]

Are you talking about Richard Jefferson?

Let me rephrase athletic. You need your wings to have good lateral foot speed and be able to change directions quickly for defensive purposes and offensive purposes.

Richard Jefferson doesn't fall into that category. He's more of a leaper.

[Harry Callahan]

Losing Horry was the first straw, and losing Bowen was the last. This is no longer the team that won titles, and it's time to officially retire the 4 rings smack.

The Spurs are now a good team that can win 50 games if everyone stays healthy (which never happened much this year). Duncan, Tony, and Manu are not playing at the level they did a few years ago. Father Time waits for no one. I still enjoy what the Big three can bring to the table.

The 4 rings talk is still OK by me because only three other teams have more LOBs if I recall.

Boston fans still mentions all of their ships as do the Lakers. We can be very proud of those four banners.

I'm very disappointed in the result of this series because the Suns could have been exploited on defense, but the Spurs decided to shoot from the outside and not take the ball to the basket. The failure of this team was on the defensive end. They have given up 100 or more every stinkin game of this series. They don't have enough athletic people to chase the shooters anymore.

[ElNono]

We kind of started the transition with Hill and Blair. To be honest, we do need more depth, but not the offensive kind. We really need better defenders surrounding the big 3, not the gimmicks like Bogans, or the flat out failures on D like Bonner, RJ or Mason.
It's a stretch, but if we can find that defensive personnel, and go back to that defensive identity, we might have one more shot.

[Capt Bringdown]

Losing Horry was the first straw, and losing Bowen was the last. This is no longer the team that won titles, and it's time to officially retire the 4 rings smack.

Like night and day, the difference between those teams and the sorry state we're in now.

Soft and getting softer.

[MarceloM!]

I am possitive, we need new blood. George Hill will be great next years.

[Blackjack]

We kind of started the transition with Hill and Blair. To be honest, we do need more depth, but not the offensive kind. We really need better defenders surrounding the big 3, not the gimmicks like Bogans, or the flat out failures on D like Bonner, RJ or Mason.
It's a stretch, but if we can find that defensive personnel, and go back to that defensive identity, we might have one more shot.

That's really the crux of it right there: This might be the most talented offensive Spurs team ever but they don't run a better, more efficient offense -- they're pretty ill-fitted -- and their defense has really taken a hit -- the Spurs of yesteryear won with lesser, better fitting offensive talent and a great defense. You can't simply say we lost this much defense but gained this much offense, so it all balances out. It just doesn't work that way.

Plus, this team's lost so much more than just a physical skillset. It's what I was alluding to in my piece "The Prestige". It's an intelligence and an intangible that you're rarely able to replace. You're lucky enough to find it once, much less over the course of a decade on your way to four titles.

The Spurs are going to need to hit big in the draft, luck out in free-agency or a trade, hope that Splitter is more than just a solid rotation big or some combination of the three, to legitimately challenge for another title. It's going to take a hell of a lot of luck and good fortune for it to happen, but ... hey . . . This franchise does seem to have some pretty decent luck. :hat

[venitian navigator]

this year draft could be a good one for taking some young legs for defense...hopefully we could buy a low 1th

[jjvalerieD]

Duncan is still great!But he's getting old.He needs helpers,no matter in center or better bench or 3pt shooter or...The Spurs must buy something useful this time.

[ElNono]

That's really the crux of it right there: This might be the most talented offensive Spurs team ever but they don't run a better, more efficient offense -- they're pretty ill-fitted -- and their defense has really taken a hit -- the Spurs of yesteryear won with lesser, better fitting offensive talent and a great defense. You can't simply say we lost this much defense but gained this much offense, so it all balances out. It just doesn't work that way.

Plus, this team's lost so much more than just a physical skillset. It's what I was alluding to in my piece "The Prestige". It's an intelligence and an intangible that you're rarely able to replace. You're lucky enough to find it once, much less over the course of a decade on your way to four titles.

The Spurs are going to need to hit big in the draft, luck out in free-agency or a trade, hope that Splitter is more than just a solid rotation big or some combination of the three, to legitimately challenge for another title. It's going to take a hell of a lot of luck and good fortune for it to happen, but ... hey . . . This franchise does seem to have some pretty decent luck. :hat

Deja Vu. We had a fairly similar conversation when the season started. Back then, Bogans showed promise, but he turned out to be a gimmick.
I liked what we did against Dallas. But against a deeper team that executes well, we just really have no answers.
And completely agree with the 'corporate knowledge' and 'basketball IQ' take. We really managed to pile up a bunch of not only soft, but dumb basketball players. I'm looking at you Mason, Bogans, RJ and Bonner...

[SpurOutofTownFan]

The Spurs are going to need to hit big in the draft, luck out in free-agency or a trade, hope that Splitter is more than just a solid rotation big or some combination of the three, to legitimately challenge for another title. It's going to take a hell of a lot of luck and good fortune for it to happen, but ... hey . . . This franchise does seem to have some pretty decent luck. :hat

I'm extremely concern with the prospect of Splitter being a failed experiment after all. We'll see but after some of the last failures we can't never be 100% sure of anything anymore. I agree with you, a lot of luck will be needed again.

[Blackjack]

Splitter's only going to be a failure if the expectation is unreasonable: If you're expecting the guy to be an All-Star, you're probably going to be disappointed.

I think at worst he's a solid rotation big. But if he ends up being a legitimate number 2 big and someone that can coexist with Tim in the starting lineup -- which isn't out out of the realm -- he'll be quite the coup -- but it still doesn't mean he's enough to capture another title.

They've got some work to do in addition to the good fortune they've got to hope for. But, still, it's hard to complain -- given we've been lucky enough to experience the true Golden Age of Spurs basketball (something most fans are never afforded).

[Blackjack]

Deja Vu. We had a fairly similar conversation when the season started. Back then, Bogans showed promise, but he turned out to be a gimmick.
I liked what we did against Dallas. But against a deeper team that executes well, we just really have no answers.
And completely agree with the 'corporate knowledge' and 'basketball IQ' take. We really managed to pile up a bunch of not only soft, but dumb basketball players. I'm looking at you Mason, Bogans, RJ and Bonner...

:lol

I remember the conversation but I can't quite remember the topic -- I think it was in a 48MoH thread. Do you remember so I can check it out?

[peskypesky]

it was a great run. that 2007 sweep of the Cavs was the true end of the Duncan Era.

[ajh18]

The ironic thing is, this is what people were saying about the Phoenix Suns Steve Nash era as recently as last year. People vastly underrate chemistry and its importance. This team has the talent to compete. Next year, with Splitter, a more mature Blair and Hill, a healthy parker, and a potentially improved Jefferson, we can be an even more talented team than we are this year. But if the parts dont fit together, it won't matter. That's what this will all be about. The window is open if the parts fit. If they don't, like this year, it doesnt matter how much talent we have. Look at the Blazers of a decade ago.

[Texas_Ranger]

Go kill yourself.

[MateoNeygro]

:flag:
Its not over till i see them hang number 21 in the at&t center.

Agree. I'm going to support them no doubt.

[MateoNeygro]

That's really the crux of it right there: This might be the most talented offensive Spurs team ever but they don't run a better, more efficient offense -- they're pretty ill-fitted -- and their defense has really taken a hit -- the Spurs of yesteryear won with lesser, better fitting offensive talent and a great defense. You can't simply say we lost this much defense but gained this much offense, so it all balances out. It just doesn't work that way.

Plus, this team's lost so much more than just a physical skillset. It's what I was alluding to in my piece "The Prestige". It's an intelligence and an intangible that you're rarely able to replace. You're lucky enough to find it once, much less over the course of a decade on your way to four titles.

The Spurs are going to need to hit big in the draft, luck out in free-agency or a trade, hope that Splitter is more than just a solid rotation big or some combination of the three, to legitimately challenge for another title. It's going to take a hell of a lot of luck and good fortune for it to happen, but ... hey . . . This franchise does seem to have some pretty decent luck. :hat

Good take. We have been very lucky for a long time. It was bound to run out eventually. Maybe we can get it back though.:flag:

[UnWantedTheory]

It looks bad, but its a possibility with a little luck to extend the run...it just isnt likely. But I shall wait and hope. Always. Oh,...

P.S.

I Love You

:)

[Capt Bringdown]

The Duncan era Spurs dominated the Suns. Unless the Spurs mount the greatest comeback in NBA playoff history, the Duncan era is finished. He's incapable at this point of playing a dominant role in a championship run.

That doesn't mean Duncan won't win another title with the Spurs, but it would have to be in a supportive role, similar to the role The Admiral played on our championship teams. Who knows if that new "X" era will ever come into being...

[alchemist]

Rebuild the bench and give him a center and the Spurs will be back in action. I have zero doubts the front office hasn't noticed how weak the bench play has been.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Not over. Get Splitter. Trade Jefferson somehow for better spot shooting SFs. Let TP recover from his multiple injuries in the off-season. Let George Hill refine his game a little bit more over the offseason. Make DeJuan Blair learn some jump shots in the offseason. And the Spurs will be back in the playoffs in the next season, contending well.

[TampaDude]

Yup...it's been a helluva run, but it is indeed over. I'll always love Timmy and the Spurs, though! :toast

[temujin]

I agree, the days for the Spurs to be contenders are gone, in 2008.
Duncan could be a fantastic sub, certainly not the key man in the middle anymore.
He is 34, has bad knees and 25' max is what you can ask.

Trade parker: he is way past his prime.
12 ankle injuries is a lot for a small guy.

The real question is why Ginobili sticked to this team.

[dc_spursfan]

I don't think Duncan's era has closed just yet. The Spurs were a 50 win team, and beat the second seed in the Mavs . The Spurs need to make some changes but the Spurs door is still barely open .


Hopefully, find a trade for RJ and try to get a better bench with more versatility.

[Spurs Brazil]

I don't think it's the end of TD era. Just look at this Suns team. They didn't even made the playoffs last season and now they are one win away from the WCF and with the same group. The only difference is Frye in place o ONeal.

I just hope the Spurs can do the same. Get ride of the deadweight like Mason, Bonner, Jefferson and Bogans and keep developing Blair, Hill and Malik. Tiago arrive will also help.

With Tony and Manu not playing in the summer I think we can have one more run

[Truckules]

Replacing Mason and Bonner with De Colo and Splitter should be an upgrade if the FO can lure Splitter and decide that they desperately need shooting help from De Colo. Drafting Paul George helps with defense and gets another shooter. Maybe see if any team is interested in RJ. It's not the end of the Duncan era, but it's close. I think there's 1, maybe 2 years left.

[slayermin]

I refuse to give up until it's done. But if this is it, I will drink to the greatness I have witnessed since 97-98.
:toast

[Arrowch4]

he needs to work really hard on his free throws this off season. and so do others.

[spursfan1000]

He can still contribute, he's just not a 1st or 2nd team all nba player anymore.

or 3rd or 4th

[rascal]

The Spurs are going to need to hit big in the draft, luck out in free-agency or a trade, hope that Splitter is more than just a solid rotation big or some combination of the three, to legitimately challenge for another title. It's going to take a hell of a lot of luck and good fortune for it to happen, but ... hey . . . This franchise does seem to have some pretty decent luck. :hat

Thats why I wanted the spurs to get into the lottery. There was no championship this year for this team. The higher the draft pick the higher the possibility to hit big in the draft.

[sananspursfan21]

We kind of started the transition with Hill and Blair. To be honest, we do need more depth, but not the offensive kind. We really need better defenders surrounding the big 3, not the gimmicks like Bogans, or the flat out failures on D like Bonner, RJ or Mason.
It's a stretch, but if we can find that defensive personnel, and go back to that defensive identity, we might have one more shot.

yah, really i thought this years offense was better than any i've ever seen. it was the defense that was the achilles heel. i never thought i'd see the day that the spurs would score 120+ (if my memory serves me, they did 4 or 5 times)

[Bender]

Richard Jefferson doesn't fall into that category. He's more of a leaper.
or leper.

[cheney212]

the era isnt over as long as we make a few changes and cut tims min. down with another solid player and get rid of bogans bonner and mason (mayne RJ) then spurs have a chance

[J_Paco]

Some people in this thread are complete idiots, or they didn't see how well Duncan played during the first 2/3 of the season. Timmy can still play at a high level, but having the burden of being the only interior scorer and defender wore him down, again. Pop must somehow resist the temptation to overwork Duncan during the regular season, his minutes should possibly be cut down to under 30 MPG, actually develop/ride the young big men (Blair, Splitter, Ian [?] or 2nd round pick) and specifically use Duncan as a defender/rebounder. He'll hopefully have more in the tank during the post-season.

Our title contending run maybe over, but I wouldn't doubt that Timmy still is a top 10/15 player.

[HarlemHeat37]

The era of winning titles was over 2 years ago, it's tough to win without an elite player..

A lot of hyperbole towards Duncan though..he had a very good series and his post defense was fantastic in this series, limiting Stoudemire to a lot worse than we expected to see from him..Duncan put up around 21 PPG, 11 RPG and 2.5 BPG in this series, the only flaw being his FT%..it's very unfair to rely on Duncan, without mobility, to defend both the perimeter and the inside..it's a product of the Spurs not having anybody else up front and the fact that Pop's strategy was poor on the defensive end..

I have no idea where this talk is coming from TBH..he's no longer dominant, but he's still easily a top 15 player in the NBA IMO..you aren't going to get as much from him by making him carry the burden in the 1st half of the season though..the only big men I would take ahead of Duncan would be Dwight, Dirk and Ugly Racist..

[Lars]

Manu/Td to the Rox imo :D

[SPURSGOAT]

The Duncan era isn't over until he retires. :wakeup

[Blackjack]

Yeah, his demise is greatly exaggerated. He's set an impossible standard for a 34-year-old player with bad knees to meet, but he's still a top five big in the league and could easily be the second or third best player on a championship team -- as long as the talent surrounding him allows it.

The era of Tim being the best player on the team and a perennial MVP candidate is over. The model in which the Spurs have won their four championship is over. The Spurs' championship hopes, however, are not over (yet) -- they're murky and even bleak, and just about an ungodly amount of good fortune has to come their way, but when you've got Tim and Manu locked up for the next couple of years ... you've got a shot; championship teams need a Tim and a Manu, they just need them to not be counted on as they've been in the past.

In all likelihood, we've seen the last of Tim's championship run in San Antonio.

But, then again, in all likelihood, you don't win the Draft twice in ten-years -- ending up with two of the greatest big men to ever play the game -- and draft two players that could both end up in the Hall of Fame with a late first and a late second; in all likelihood small market San Antonio doesn't when a championship, much less four.

It ain't over 'til it's over y'all -- we of all people should know not to close the door prematurely.

[Agloco]

it was a great run. that 2007 sweep of the Cavs was the true end of the Duncan Era.

Splitting hairs here, but I think the official end came at 0:00 4th quarter Game 5, 2008 WCF; Staples Center, Los Angeles CA.

We were still a better team than the Lakers that year but injuries cost us.

[rmt]

it was a great run. that 2007 sweep of the Cavs was the true end of the Duncan Era.

I think it could have been extended, but complacency/arrogance (whatever you want to call it) caused them to stand pat and resign Oberto, Vaughn, Bonner, etc. I guess they looked around and saw only DAL (who were embarrassed by GSW) and PHX (who they owned) as competition. So instead of improving the team, they traded away Scola (16/9) and kept Bonner (7/3). Of course, they couldn't have known about the Gasol trade, and Garnett and Allen to BOS.

If the Spurs had kept Scola, they wouldn't need McDyess. They could have used the MLE to get a long, defensive SF who can hit the 3 like Ariza. If they had kept Ratliff and brought back Bowen, they'd have:

Duncan/Ratliff/Splitter (in 2010)
Scola/Blair
Jefferson/Ariza/Bowen
Manu/Hill
Parker

There's:
shot blocking (Duncan, Ratliff)
defense (Duncan, Ratliff, Ariza, Bowen)
length (Duncan, Ratliff, Ariza)
low-post scoring + rebounding (Duncan, Scola, Blair)
3pt shooting (Bowen, Ariza, Manu, Hill)
penetration (Manu, Parker, Jefferson/replacement)
mid-range shooting (Scola?, Manu, Parker, Hill)
ball-handling (Manu, Parker, Hill)
big-stage experience (everyone except Hill and Blair)

NB: these are all players (except Jefferson) who do multiple things well instead of players (Bogans, Mason, Bonner) who only do 1 thing well (and lately - not even 1 thing).

With Scola and Splitter on board next year, Duncan could play 25 mins. in the RS and save his knees for the playoffs. With Temple and Hairston and so many players 30 or younger (Scola, Splitter, Blair, Ariza, Parker, Hill), they'd be more likely to trade Jefferson and take on a long-term contract.

One last rant: the trainer who OKed/suggested Duncan running up steep inclines and throwing tires should be fired. His knee problems got a lot worse after that summer. For the rest of his career (is that only 2 more summers? :-( he should only swim.

[Russ]

The End of the Tim Duncan Era.


I didn't mean that Duncan was done, just the Duncan era Spurs dynasty.

And I hope it starts anew in 24 hours . . .

[clubalien]

It was a great run but it is over.

Since the big 3 will likely remain, I think San Antonio will remain in the playoff picture. Not sure if they'll be an actual playoff team though.

But I'd expect somewhat of a Pistons overhaul/retooling process.

Can't stay on top forever
detriot got to retool with the secound pick of the draft correct.

we have had good luck drafting players like tim and david. that is or only hope since lebron probaly will resign with cavs and dirk might still sign an extension

[dbreiden83080]

or 3rd or 4th

Oh please... :rolleyes

[ElNono]

:lol

I remember the conversation but I can't quite remember the topic -- I think it was in a 48MoH thread. Do you remember so I can check it out?

Not really, and I'm too lazy to look it up. I do still have some private messages I interchanged with Mel_13 early in the season about Bonner, and the defense overall...

But this is certainly a discussion we had early in the season, when I was severely disgusted in the lack of an actual stopper, and Finley and Bonner being starters. Deja vu indeed.

[ElNono]

Blackjack, thanks for finding it (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145256). This was after a loss to Chicago, back in January.

[peskypesky]

the Scola trade torpedoed the Duncan Era. period.

[peskypesky]

"Scola trade will go down as the biggest mistake in Spurs history

That's just the harsh truth, he won't just be good he will be great in the NBA and that guard the Spurs picked up won't be anything special

let's just hope Duncan can overcome yet another stupid move by the Spurs FO and carry this team to another title."

-Spurs Dynasty 21
09-01-2007

[poop]

Matt Bonner is the embodiment/symbol of all that has been wrong with this team. as long as he is on the team/in the rotation we will NEVER win a title.

[Capt Bringdown]

"Scola trade will go down as the biggest mistake in Spurs history

That's just the harsh truth, he won't just be good he will be great in the NBA and that guard the Spurs picked up won't be anything special

let's just hope Duncan can overcome yet another stupid move by the Spurs FO and carry this team to another title."

-Spurs Dynasty 21
09-01-2007

Not even Duncan could overcome that move. We continue to grasp at straws. It's hard to imagine another another contender pissing away an opportunity like that, but I'm sure it's happened.

[Strike]

Losing Horry was the first straw, and losing Bowen was the last. This is no longer the team that won titles, and it's time to officially retire the 4 rings smack.

As soon as Lakerfan stops pulling all 15 rings out of their ass.

[Josepatches_]

The era of winning titles was over 2 years ago, it's tough to win without an elite player..

A lot of hyperbole towards Duncan though..he had a very good series and his post defense was fantastic in this series, limiting Stoudemire to a lot worse than we expected to see from him..Duncan put up around 21 PPG, 11 RPG and 2.5 BPG in this series, the only flaw being his FT%..it's very unfair to rely on Duncan, without mobility, to defend both the perimeter and the inside..it's a product of the Spurs not having anybody else up front and the fact that Pop's strategy was poor on the defensive end..

I have no idea where this talk is coming from TBH..he's no longer dominant, but he's still easily a top 15 player in the NBA IMO..you aren't going to get as much from him by making him carry the burden in the 1st half of the season though..the only big men I would take ahead of Duncan would be Dwight, Dirk and Ugly Racist..

True.
Duncan is enough good yet.How many teams have a better PF/C in the league? Orlando,Lakers? Raptors? Howard and maybe Bosh are the only ones. The league is very different right now.

But every year TD will be worse.And TD is the only player who can put this team in the top of the league.Offense,defense....everything was built around him in the good years. Nesterovic,Oberto,Nazr....they aren't really better than Dice or Blair but TD was a lot better so he doesn't need help.

We still are a good team but not good enough to win.Cavs,Magic,Lakers...we are 2 or 3 steps behind

But those 2 or 3 steps are big.

[dbestpro]

I am on the side that Duncan wore out both mentally and physically by trying to maintian as the only big on the floor. Small ball did more damage than you can show with just statistics. I felt we should have resigned Ian and developed him as the young shot blocker along side Timmy. Duncan needs a younger side kick to hand the ball too. He needs to take a lesser role in the offense, but we need another young inside player to get this done. Splitter will provide support and may be the guy. I would have liked to see an active Ian be part of that combined solution. If Ian goes elsewhere and is effective we really have to start putting Pop's feet to the fire.

[TJastal]

I am on the side that Duncan wore out both mentally and physically by trying to maintian as the only big on the floor. Small ball did more damage than you can show with just statistics. I felt we should have resigned Ian and developed him as the young shot blocker along side Timmy. Duncan needs a younger side kick to hand the ball too. He needs to take a lesser role in the offense, but we need another young inside player to get this done. Splitter will provide support and may be the guy. I would have liked to see an active Ian be part of that combined solution. If Ian goes elsewhere and is effective we really have to start putting Pop's feet to the fire.

Per 40 minutes this year, Mahinmi averaged roughly 26 pts, 12 boards, 2 blocks, and shot 63%.

Not bad for a sparse collection of random appearances throughout the year. It's really a testament to Mahinmi's good mental approach that he was able to produce such numbers. I hope he gets signed somewhere else where he'll actually get a regular role/minutes.

[Mark in Austin]

Losing Horry was the first straw, and losing Bowen was the last. This is no longer the team that won titles, and it's time to officially retire the 4 rings smack.

Some random thoughts in response:

It can be a title team again, but only by rebuilding the defense with guys like Horry and Bowen. Easier said than done I know, but defense has to be the focus this summer.

If there is a theme aside from defense this summer it has to be consistency. McDyess was great at the end of the year. Bonner has moments where he's a great fit. Bogans kills it one night and is worthless the next. As the big three age, there will be more and more inconsistency / off games from them. The role players cannot suffer from consistency problems too.

The Lakers and Jazz both have shown that smallball isn't the only way forward. But you need the right bigs. I think if PHX goes on to win LA will kill them defensively because LA has more mobile length.

Like others have said, Duncan needs defensive help from a center. Imagine Robinson as the only defensive presence in 2003. Wouldn't have been pretty. But with Duncan they were deadly protecting the rim.

Hindsight's always 20/20 but the only trade that I think would have helped the team get further this year would have been for Camby (as imperfect as he is) and he wasn't available in the offseason when the Spurs made their move.

It will be interesting to see how smart Splitter is - I don't care if he averages what big Dave did his final year, to have another mobile big that can rotate / swithch off with Duncan as primary or secondary help defender would be huge. PHX and DAL both had way too many shots in the paint from little guys.

If Splitter isn't the answer than the Spurs still have Jeffersons expiring deal and worst case Parker as assets.

I think it would have been interesting to see how this year's team would have done if Parker hadn't broken his hand. A bench unit of Manu, Jefferson and Blair with great chemistry might make a difference against PHX.

[Jace]

Would have liked to see Duncan traded to a title contender..

Utah+Duncan could have won it all

Nuggets+Duncan could have won it all

[Spurminator]

I'm not convinced the window is closed at all.

[MannyIsGod]

I'm not convinced the window is closed at all.

I think with some retooling they can rebuild around the (semi)big 3 but the fact of the matter is that even if they're able to do this there are 2 teams which I think will be incredibly difficult to beat in the coming years: The Lakers and The Cavs.

Its going to be their NBA for the next several years and for the Spurs to make noise in it they're going to have to get far deeper than they are now.

[Jace]

How do you retool with all of your money tied up in Parker, Ginobli, Duncan and Jefferson?

All of them need to be trade bait

[Capt Bringdown]

I'm not convinced the window is closed at all.

The Tim Duncan window of domination is without question closed. That doesn't mean the title window is closed, but Tim's going to have to play a lot lesser role, and there's going to have to be an introduction of some unknown X factor/player(s).

Tinkering around the edges ain't going to cut it.

[kromediablo]

its not over, its just hell of a lot harder to do it by himself. Who will be the next coming big man to help out Timmy? Timmy is about to pass the torch soon. I still think we have one more championship in the works!!

[Capt Bringdown]

Just because Tim Duncan's on the roster, it doesn't mean that it's still the Duncan era. We've got no championship potential with him as the main load bearer anymore. Those days are long gone.

[superjames1992]

Would have liked to see Duncan traded to a title contender..

Utah+Duncan could have won it all

Nuggets+Duncan could have won it all

What?