duncan228
10-26-2007, 06:05 PM
Yes, another preview.
I don't think this one's been posted.
Look at it this way...It's almost Tuesday! :spin
http://www.athlonsports.com/team-preview/12156/san-antonio-spurs-2007-preview
San Antonio Spurs 2007 Preview
Athlon Sports
2006-07 Record: 58-24
There’s only one thing you have to know about the San Antonio Spurs. They don’t care. They don’t care that they’re duller than an insurance seminar. They don’t care that the average fan wants to plunk down his money to see the NBA equivalent of Die Hard — plenty of fast-paced action, but little in the way of true substance. The Spurs are content to be Citizen Kane — dated and perhaps a bit dull by modern standards, but technically precise and perfectly constructed.
That’s why the Spurs, who employed a cold efficiency to sweep LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals, once again ended the season drenched with champagne. It was the Spurs’ fourth title since their breakout 1999 season, making them the closest thing to a dynasty since Michael Jordan and the Bulls were winning six titles in an eight-year span before the turn of the century.
And the Spurs did it their way.
Indeed, in a copycat league, the Spurs didn’t care that everyone else appeared to be doing everything possible to emulate the “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s. If the deliberate and precise Spurs seemed to be channeling anyone, it was the Minneapolis Lakers.
They don’t care that a frenzied, glitzkrieg attack wins TV ratings. The Spurs are content to win titles. They’re going to play their game. And the Spurs don’t care what you want to do because they’re going to make you play their game, too.
That’s why they win. And that’s all they care about.
Frontcourt
In this overexposed age of round-the-clock sports shows, ESPYs and YouTube clips, we challenge anyone to come up with a single Tim Duncan highlight. Just one signature play. Can’t think of one? That’s because Duncan isn’t about flying dunks or concussive blocks. He’s not into post-shot shimmies, finger wagging or self-congratulatory hand gestures.
Duncan is all about economy of motion and economy of emotion. The most enduring image of this stone-faced killer is Duncan hoisting the Lawrence O’Brien Trophy over his head, something he has done four times since entering the league in 1997. Duncan has established himself as this generation’s Bill Russell — a consummate team player who does whatever is necessary to win. In 2007, it was necessary for Duncan to again assert himself on the offensive end, averaging 20.0 points (on 54.6 percent shooting) to rebound from a disappointing 2005-06 season (18.6 points, 48.4). Duncan shows no signs of slowing down, especially because the Spurs keep finding perfect complements to ease his burden.
The emergence of Fabricio Oberto in the Playoffs gives Gregg Popovich a physical force in the Spurs’ high-low attack. But Oberto is much more than just a big body, also bringing a soft shooting touch and surgical passing to the Spurs’ halfcourt game.
On the wing, Bruce Bowen continues to earn minutes despite a shooting touch that could kindly be called erratic. Bowen, who has a knack for hitting important shots, makes his living with sticky perimeter defense — and sometimes questionable tactics.
Robert Horry just keeps chugging along, collecting rings (seven and counting) and NBA paychecks by doing just enough to win. But there aren’t many shots left in “Big Shot” Rob’s arsenal, with Horry’s biggest shot of last season being the cheap one he delivered to Steve Nash in Game 4 of the Western Conference semis.
Francisco Elson remains a work in progress, and he should continue his upward arc this season. Elson, who started 41 games, proved he can be a legitimate contributor, showing speed and good hands on the boards. Matt Bonner brings a long-range shooting eye, especially from the arc, in the few minutes that he rustles up.
Backcourt
Every time you think you’ve seen everything Tony Parker has to offer, he peels away another layer to expose something new. Parker was always known for his ability to finish near the basket. But with defenders backing off to deny that blazing first step, Parker has evolved into the king of the midrange game. Parker, who has attempted only 74 3-pointers in the last two seasons combined, has continued to refine his jumper that was reworked with the help of Chip Engelland. The result is a devastatingly effective balance between scorer and creator, the force that keeps the Spurs’ offense humming and keeps opponents from collapsing on Duncan. In the past, Parker has always come back a bit hungrier than the year before, but this season will be the true test for the 6'2" Frenchman. After he won another NBA title, took home the Finals MVP hardware and became Mr. Eva Longoria in the summer, we’ll see just how much effort Parker puts into further improving himself this offseason.
Manu Ginobili, who still flashes that manic exuberance that can try Popovich’s patience, made a very successful transition back to being the Spurs’ sixth man. The athletic lefty brings a valuable element of unpredictability to the league’s most predictable team with his fearless, electric drives, off-balance shots and gambling defense.
The rest of the senior-citizen guard corps — the Spurs have enough old fogies that they need a paleontologist as team doctor — fit into well-defined roles.
Michael Finley, who started every playoff game, seemed to finally find his groove in the Spurs’ scheme. Once one of the league’s top offensive weapons, Finley, who had across-the-board career-lows last season, has learned to assume a floor-spacing role with the Spurs. Ditto for Brent Barry, who simply camps out on the 3-point line and slings in his absurdly accurate set shots. Now 35, Barry no longer has the athleticism to get to the basket and finish, but that’s not what the Spurs need him to do. Jacque Vaughn, whose only job is to hold onto the ball while Parker rests, will do the same this season.
Beno Udrih, who logged only 20 minutes in the playoffs, appeared to be a promising talent three years ago but has slipped to the bottom of the rotation because of his maddening inconsistency. James White, whose high-flying athletic skills set him apart from the rest of his teammates, was released after summer league play. And Vassilis Spanoulis, acquired from Houston in exchange for the rights to Luis Scola, asked for his release and will remain in Europe.
Final Analysis
Each year we keep waiting for the Spurs to grow too old, too slow or too far behind the times, but it never happens. It may this year. Houston took a leap forward, while Dallas and Phoenix both figure to rebound from last year’s disappointments. The Spurs’ decision to stand pat may not have been wise.
I don't think this one's been posted.
Look at it this way...It's almost Tuesday! :spin
http://www.athlonsports.com/team-preview/12156/san-antonio-spurs-2007-preview
San Antonio Spurs 2007 Preview
Athlon Sports
2006-07 Record: 58-24
There’s only one thing you have to know about the San Antonio Spurs. They don’t care. They don’t care that they’re duller than an insurance seminar. They don’t care that the average fan wants to plunk down his money to see the NBA equivalent of Die Hard — plenty of fast-paced action, but little in the way of true substance. The Spurs are content to be Citizen Kane — dated and perhaps a bit dull by modern standards, but technically precise and perfectly constructed.
That’s why the Spurs, who employed a cold efficiency to sweep LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals, once again ended the season drenched with champagne. It was the Spurs’ fourth title since their breakout 1999 season, making them the closest thing to a dynasty since Michael Jordan and the Bulls were winning six titles in an eight-year span before the turn of the century.
And the Spurs did it their way.
Indeed, in a copycat league, the Spurs didn’t care that everyone else appeared to be doing everything possible to emulate the “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s. If the deliberate and precise Spurs seemed to be channeling anyone, it was the Minneapolis Lakers.
They don’t care that a frenzied, glitzkrieg attack wins TV ratings. The Spurs are content to win titles. They’re going to play their game. And the Spurs don’t care what you want to do because they’re going to make you play their game, too.
That’s why they win. And that’s all they care about.
Frontcourt
In this overexposed age of round-the-clock sports shows, ESPYs and YouTube clips, we challenge anyone to come up with a single Tim Duncan highlight. Just one signature play. Can’t think of one? That’s because Duncan isn’t about flying dunks or concussive blocks. He’s not into post-shot shimmies, finger wagging or self-congratulatory hand gestures.
Duncan is all about economy of motion and economy of emotion. The most enduring image of this stone-faced killer is Duncan hoisting the Lawrence O’Brien Trophy over his head, something he has done four times since entering the league in 1997. Duncan has established himself as this generation’s Bill Russell — a consummate team player who does whatever is necessary to win. In 2007, it was necessary for Duncan to again assert himself on the offensive end, averaging 20.0 points (on 54.6 percent shooting) to rebound from a disappointing 2005-06 season (18.6 points, 48.4). Duncan shows no signs of slowing down, especially because the Spurs keep finding perfect complements to ease his burden.
The emergence of Fabricio Oberto in the Playoffs gives Gregg Popovich a physical force in the Spurs’ high-low attack. But Oberto is much more than just a big body, also bringing a soft shooting touch and surgical passing to the Spurs’ halfcourt game.
On the wing, Bruce Bowen continues to earn minutes despite a shooting touch that could kindly be called erratic. Bowen, who has a knack for hitting important shots, makes his living with sticky perimeter defense — and sometimes questionable tactics.
Robert Horry just keeps chugging along, collecting rings (seven and counting) and NBA paychecks by doing just enough to win. But there aren’t many shots left in “Big Shot” Rob’s arsenal, with Horry’s biggest shot of last season being the cheap one he delivered to Steve Nash in Game 4 of the Western Conference semis.
Francisco Elson remains a work in progress, and he should continue his upward arc this season. Elson, who started 41 games, proved he can be a legitimate contributor, showing speed and good hands on the boards. Matt Bonner brings a long-range shooting eye, especially from the arc, in the few minutes that he rustles up.
Backcourt
Every time you think you’ve seen everything Tony Parker has to offer, he peels away another layer to expose something new. Parker was always known for his ability to finish near the basket. But with defenders backing off to deny that blazing first step, Parker has evolved into the king of the midrange game. Parker, who has attempted only 74 3-pointers in the last two seasons combined, has continued to refine his jumper that was reworked with the help of Chip Engelland. The result is a devastatingly effective balance between scorer and creator, the force that keeps the Spurs’ offense humming and keeps opponents from collapsing on Duncan. In the past, Parker has always come back a bit hungrier than the year before, but this season will be the true test for the 6'2" Frenchman. After he won another NBA title, took home the Finals MVP hardware and became Mr. Eva Longoria in the summer, we’ll see just how much effort Parker puts into further improving himself this offseason.
Manu Ginobili, who still flashes that manic exuberance that can try Popovich’s patience, made a very successful transition back to being the Spurs’ sixth man. The athletic lefty brings a valuable element of unpredictability to the league’s most predictable team with his fearless, electric drives, off-balance shots and gambling defense.
The rest of the senior-citizen guard corps — the Spurs have enough old fogies that they need a paleontologist as team doctor — fit into well-defined roles.
Michael Finley, who started every playoff game, seemed to finally find his groove in the Spurs’ scheme. Once one of the league’s top offensive weapons, Finley, who had across-the-board career-lows last season, has learned to assume a floor-spacing role with the Spurs. Ditto for Brent Barry, who simply camps out on the 3-point line and slings in his absurdly accurate set shots. Now 35, Barry no longer has the athleticism to get to the basket and finish, but that’s not what the Spurs need him to do. Jacque Vaughn, whose only job is to hold onto the ball while Parker rests, will do the same this season.
Beno Udrih, who logged only 20 minutes in the playoffs, appeared to be a promising talent three years ago but has slipped to the bottom of the rotation because of his maddening inconsistency. James White, whose high-flying athletic skills set him apart from the rest of his teammates, was released after summer league play. And Vassilis Spanoulis, acquired from Houston in exchange for the rights to Luis Scola, asked for his release and will remain in Europe.
Final Analysis
Each year we keep waiting for the Spurs to grow too old, too slow or too far behind the times, but it never happens. It may this year. Houston took a leap forward, while Dallas and Phoenix both figure to rebound from last year’s disappointments. The Spurs’ decision to stand pat may not have been wise.