http://www.boston.com/sports/basketb...e_over/?page=1
Is Spurs' golden age over?
If healthy, they think they'll contend again
By Marc J. Spears
Globe Staff / July 6, 2008
Imagine what would have happened if Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, or Ray Allen couldn't have played deep into the playoffs for the Celtics. Imagine the Lakers without Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, or Pau Gasol.
That's basically how the Spurs viewed their situation in their failed attempt to repeat as NBA champions with their big three not at full strength. With Manu Ginobili hampered by a left ankle injury that could keep him out of the Olympics for Argentina, the Spurs' star trio of Ginobili, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker wasn't at full strength and fell shy of repeating. Assuming they are healthy next season, the Spurs very well could return to the Finals.
"I hope we can come back with a healthy group," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "[The Ginobili injury] hurt us significantly. How good would the Celtics or Lakers have been if one of their three best players were injured? The teams that win championships have their best players playing when it matters the most, not to take away anything from the Lakers or Celtics."
I predicted prior to the 2007-08 season that San Antonio and Boston would play in the Finals. And even after the Lakers acquired Gasol in a midseason trade, I stuck with my prediction because of the Spurs' ability to get back on defense and then defend in suffocating fashion, run when needed, and play textbook half-court basketball. For years, the Spurs have been playing like the Celtics did this past season.
During the 2007-08 regular season, Ginobili averaged a team-best 19.5 points and 5.9 free throw attempts per game. But because of his ankle, the Sixth Man of the Year's production dipped in the postseason, and in the Western Conference finals Ginobili averaged 12.6 points and attempted only 3.2 free throws per game.
"We had 'Ma,' but we didn't have 'nu,' " said Spurs guard Brent Barry.
If an MRI expected to be taken soon doesn't show improvement in Ginobili's ankle, expect the Spurs to ask him not to play in the Olympics, even though he will be Argentina's flag bearer during the opening ceremonies. And considering that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is a former USA Basketball assistant who loves the international game, Ginobili would have to be in bad shape for the Spurs to suggest he sit.
"It was worse than [Ginobili] let on," Spurs forward Anthony Bonner recently told the Toronto Star. "When I was watching Ray Allen go right by [Lakers guard] Sasha [Vujacic] every time and lay it in every time, I was like, 'Yeah, it must have been really hurting.' " Vujacic often guarded Ginobili in the conference finals, but with more success than he had against Allen.
Once the Spurs were eliminated from the playoffs, many believed they needed to get younger. San Antonio's roster averaged 31.6 years of age this past season, while the Celtics were at 28.8. The Spurs, however, laughed at the notion that they were too old, especially since Duncan (32), Ginobili (31 on July 28), and Parker (26) are still playing well when healthy, and are younger on average than the Celtics' Allen (33 on July 20), Garnett (32), and Pierce (30).
"[The media has] been saying that for a while," said Buford. "Very few championship teams have won with young players. The Celtics were young for a while and now they have James Posey, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, P.J. Brown, and Sam Cassell. Championship teams are very seldom made with young players.
"This group has been to the conference finals four of the last six years and won three championships. I like our group. We've got to be healthy."
While Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker will remain the Spurs' headliners, their supporting cast is expected to get younger. The Spurs' free agents include forward Robert Horry, Barry, swingman Michael Finley, and forward-center Kurt Thomas. San Antonio is interested in re-signing Thomas and Finley, but also has interest in Clippers free agent forward Corey Maggette and Nuggets free agent guard J.R. Smith. Dynamo Moscow center Robertas Javtokas, drafted by the Spurs in 2001, could move to the NBA next season.
Expect the Spurs to give 21-year-old center Ian Mahinmi a chance to prove himself next preseason. And rookie George Hill is expected to back up Parker.
The Spurs have won all four times they have reached the Finals but have never repeated. And since 2003, San Antonio has reached the Finals every other year. If the Spurs are healthy, it is very possible that trend will continue in 2009.
But considering how an already tough Western Conference is expected to get tougher, the Spurs know it won't be easy.
"I'm not a fortune teller," said Buford. "But the Lakers will be better, Phoenix will be better, the Hornets will be better."
The teams that win championships have their best players playing when it matters the most, not to take away anything from the Lakers or Celtics.
Like I have said in the past, if Manu was sooooo hurt why did he even play? So many missed shots and turnovers is what killed us more than him just not doing what Manu usually does. He shouldn't have even played if he was so damn hurt.
had spurs won game one
manu would not have played game 2
no it isn't.
When did we pick up Matt's brother Anthony? Was it like the Marc for Pau deal?
yes
When many look back on the 07-08 season and think about what was really at stake for the Spurs legacy, they will commit suicide.
Unbelievable.San Antonio is interested in re-signing Thomas and Finley
The writer must of put 'bonner' in to google and the first that came up was Anthony.... right after he googled Spurs Draft History and scouted spurstalk.com
good article.
actually spoke the truth and put the spurs in good light.
"We had 'Ma,' but we didn't have 'nu,' " said Spurs guard Brent Barry.
they definitely have one more push, imo.
finley's time is done. he got his ring. just let it go man.
Or without Andrew Bynum.
Oh wait...
AnthonyBonnerDynasty
What an oversight though since the Lakers were playing without one of their 3 best players.
I believe that starting with the 2009-2010 season the Spurs will no longer be contenders.. one push left.
Knicks want's to sign him?
Seperating brothers
The media is Charlie Brown, the Spurs are Lucy and the "they are getting old" argument is the football. It's practically been a decade, will those guys ever learn? Poor Charlie Brown.
mark spears...fook boston globe. There will be no second time
If we sign Finley and Thomas..and lost in playoffs again, then SPURS FRONT OFFICE AND RC BUFFORD!!! I love Spurs player but everybody in Spurs Management can suck . I know we are old dudes,but not learning from experience and be total stubborn will not help. I will withdraw my statements if Spurs sign both and we got another championship.
I've never seen so much whining and excuse making over an "injury" in my life. Manu was so hurt that he played in all 5 games of the WCF.
BIG ING DEAL. You think the Spurs are the only team who has had to suffer through injury in the playoffs? Look at the Rockets, they were without their BEST player and you don't see them whining and moaning about it. even the Lakers were without their starting center, yet nobody seems to mention that.
For a franchise that espouses the notion that they are classy and dignified they certainly do whine like ing pussies. Or maybe it's just their fanbase.
Newsflash LAKERS are !
The insinuation that the Spurs fanbase is classless is incredibly amusing, coming from a Laker fan.
brent barry is hilarious. we need to keep him at all costs.
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