New York Daily News article (source of this article):
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...p-362240c.html
What separates Dallas from San Antonio is Nowitzki, a 7-footer with quickness who gives the Spurs matchup problems on the perimeter. While it might seem like an overreaction to their playoff loss, the Spurs feel as if they have to change with the times and find an answer for Nowitzki.
So they began to adjust to the new-world NBA this past week when they traded center Rasho Nesterovic to Toronto. Now, they can play Duncan more in the middle. As for a power forward, they're like a lot of teams who see Phoenix's Boris Diaw as the new big thing. The Spurs think they drafted such a player last June in 6-10 Ian Mahinmi, also of France. But they believe he's still at least a year away.
The Spurs also want to get more athletic on the wing. So they're looking to revive a deal for the Hornets' J.R. Smith, who had problems with coach Byron Scott in his rookie season. The deal for Smith, a Newark product who came right in from high school, fell through at the last minute at the trading deadline. But now, Brent Barry could be on his way to the Hornets.
The Spurs are also trying to use Luis Scola, a 6-7 Argentinian, as trade bait. They drafted Ginobili's national teammate in 2002, thinking he'd one day join Duncan up front. But in the new age NBA, where quickness is becoming a bigger priority up front than traditional power players, they think Scola's rugged low-post game is only going to get in Duncan's way.

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