duncan228
10-04-2007, 12:15 AM
http://www.nba.com/preview2007/sas.html
They're deep, they're talented, and they're the champs. The San Antonio Spurs celebrated another NBA title with a parade on the Riverwalk last summer after sweeping aside the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, 4-0. The Spurs immediately dismissed talk of a dynasty, but with their fourth championship in nine years, about the only thing they haven't done is win in consecutive seasons. Translation: Watch out other teams, the Spurs are on a mission.
In fact, the Spurs appear poised to contend for NBA titles for several years to come. This season, they will return 12 of their 15 players from the 2006-07 championship team, including every player that played in the 2007 NBA Playoffs. Their big three -- Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili -- are under contract until at least 2010. In addition, San Antonio convinced seven-time champion Robert Horry to play one more season, and picked up a Bruce Bowen clone in Ime Udoka from Portland.
Perhaps the most significant offseason changes to the team came in the front office, where former Spurs Assistant GM Sam Presti took over in Seattle as GM and then hired former Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo as the Sonics' new head coach.
While their aging group of veterans could be cause for concern (S.A. was the oldest team in the league last year with an average age of 30.37), look for the Spurs to be the odds-on favorites to win another championship this season.
Backcourt
Finals MVP Tony Parker is still only 25 years old and seems to improve an aspect of his game every year. His outside shot was vastly more accurate last year, but defenses rarely covered him tightly, preferring to live with his jumper as opposed to his lightning quick darts to the basket. One of the best finishers in traffic and a master at the pick-and-roll with Tim Duncan, Parker is making a case to be one of the top three point guards in the league.
Manu Ginobili is one of the most exciting and unpredictable players in the NBA. His presence immediately impacts the game, whether it be reckless drives to the basket, timely steals, precision passing, or hustle plays. As unselfish a player as you'll ever find, Ginobili coolly accepted a reserve role when Popovich inserted Michael Finley in the starting lineup to help the offensive flow.
Jacque Vaughn proved himself to be a steady backup at the point, and with Finley and Brent Barry stretching defenses out to the three point line, the Spurs' backcourt is an extremely formidable group.
Frontcourt
Without question, Tim Duncan is the heart and soul of the Spurs franchise. A nine-time All-Star, 10-time All-Defensive team member, two-time NBA MVP, and three-time Finals MVP, Duncan is arguably the most dominant power forward in a generation. Duncan's footwork, silky smooth post moves, and tough defense are matched by his mental strength and quiet leadership. Yet Duncan remains one of the most relaxed, unassuming players in the league.
At the center position, Popovich employed a center-by-committee template to great success last season, alternating Fabricio Oberto and Francisco Elson, depending on the matchup. Oberto is a fine passer who has an uncanny knack for being in the right position, while Elson is an athletic gazelle who can rebound and defend.
"Big Shot" Robert Horry, who had a reduced role last season, still can provide a dagger with his outside shot, and contributes bench rebounding and timely blocked shots. Newcomer Ime Udoka could turn into a great pickup for this team as a backup to Bruce Bowen. Like Bowen, Udoka plays solid defense and is known as a solid three-point shooter.
-- Jeff Brody
They're deep, they're talented, and they're the champs. The San Antonio Spurs celebrated another NBA title with a parade on the Riverwalk last summer after sweeping aside the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, 4-0. The Spurs immediately dismissed talk of a dynasty, but with their fourth championship in nine years, about the only thing they haven't done is win in consecutive seasons. Translation: Watch out other teams, the Spurs are on a mission.
In fact, the Spurs appear poised to contend for NBA titles for several years to come. This season, they will return 12 of their 15 players from the 2006-07 championship team, including every player that played in the 2007 NBA Playoffs. Their big three -- Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili -- are under contract until at least 2010. In addition, San Antonio convinced seven-time champion Robert Horry to play one more season, and picked up a Bruce Bowen clone in Ime Udoka from Portland.
Perhaps the most significant offseason changes to the team came in the front office, where former Spurs Assistant GM Sam Presti took over in Seattle as GM and then hired former Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo as the Sonics' new head coach.
While their aging group of veterans could be cause for concern (S.A. was the oldest team in the league last year with an average age of 30.37), look for the Spurs to be the odds-on favorites to win another championship this season.
Backcourt
Finals MVP Tony Parker is still only 25 years old and seems to improve an aspect of his game every year. His outside shot was vastly more accurate last year, but defenses rarely covered him tightly, preferring to live with his jumper as opposed to his lightning quick darts to the basket. One of the best finishers in traffic and a master at the pick-and-roll with Tim Duncan, Parker is making a case to be one of the top three point guards in the league.
Manu Ginobili is one of the most exciting and unpredictable players in the NBA. His presence immediately impacts the game, whether it be reckless drives to the basket, timely steals, precision passing, or hustle plays. As unselfish a player as you'll ever find, Ginobili coolly accepted a reserve role when Popovich inserted Michael Finley in the starting lineup to help the offensive flow.
Jacque Vaughn proved himself to be a steady backup at the point, and with Finley and Brent Barry stretching defenses out to the three point line, the Spurs' backcourt is an extremely formidable group.
Frontcourt
Without question, Tim Duncan is the heart and soul of the Spurs franchise. A nine-time All-Star, 10-time All-Defensive team member, two-time NBA MVP, and three-time Finals MVP, Duncan is arguably the most dominant power forward in a generation. Duncan's footwork, silky smooth post moves, and tough defense are matched by his mental strength and quiet leadership. Yet Duncan remains one of the most relaxed, unassuming players in the league.
At the center position, Popovich employed a center-by-committee template to great success last season, alternating Fabricio Oberto and Francisco Elson, depending on the matchup. Oberto is a fine passer who has an uncanny knack for being in the right position, while Elson is an athletic gazelle who can rebound and defend.
"Big Shot" Robert Horry, who had a reduced role last season, still can provide a dagger with his outside shot, and contributes bench rebounding and timely blocked shots. Newcomer Ime Udoka could turn into a great pickup for this team as a backup to Bruce Bowen. Like Bowen, Udoka plays solid defense and is known as a solid three-point shooter.
-- Jeff Brody