Health is a no-brainer and pretty much goes without saying but second to that would be growth.
If I'm brutally honest with myself when looking at this roster, and that of the main compe ors, health alone will keep the Spurs contenders, but alone won't bring home a le.
The Front Line
The front line consists of two known, proven quan ies; Duncan and 'Dyess. Alone they don't have the means to likely hold up throughout the regular season and playoffs without a significant contribution defensively from the likes of a Blair, Mahinmi, Haislip, and Bonner. That's 3 out of 4 guys that potentially need to contribute that have little to no experience. Unless another addition is yet to be made, the growth of this very green crew proves to be vital.
Backup Point
Tony Parker's ascension to superstar-level last year proved to be a godsend to an injury-riddled team. He took more ownership and responsibility than he ever had before and almost single handedly kept the Spurs in the running for a top 3 seed. While the growth of Tony was fantastic and the new-found gear he unleashed was some kind of a revelation, a glaring weakness was exposed. Do I have to mention Roger Mason?
Tony's ability and stud-status can no longer be questioned but the length of time he's asked to do it, sure as can. Let's face it. Tony's a 6'-ish, slight point-guard. He's simply not built to bear the responsibility of being that dominant a facilitator night-in and night-out, lead the team in scoring and give an honest effort defensively. The recent additions of Jefferson and McDyess, along with a healthy Tim and Manu should ease the scoring and facilitating burden but the guy needs a blow every now and then. Enter Hill and McClinton.
A backup point the likes of Vaughn is no longer acceptable. The Spurs need someone to come in and actually have the potential to expand a lead, not simply tread water. Hill and McClinton, though more shooting than point-guards, do bring such potential. The Spurs don't need these guys to be pure point-guards or to be Parker clones, but they need them to come in and exploit their respective strengths, take care of the ball and simply initiate the offense. Their ability to grow/succeed in such a role could ultimately be the difference in the type of Parker the Spurs get down the stretch; in terms of health and freshness.
Defensive-Wing
One of the all-time great perimeter defenders leaves a void, that even in his advanced years, will not easily be filled. Bowen was more than what he brought physically to the floor, even if that was enough to leave an indelible impact. Bowen brought a toughness and grit along with a confidence and assurance that few role players ever have. With the Spurs having to part with one of the cornerstones of their three previous championship teams, the Spurs look to the newly acquired Jefferson to approximate what Bowen brought on the defensive end.
Jefferson early in his career proved to be a capable defender and more of an all-around player. Possessing ideal size, strength and athleticism, there's no question R.J. has the tools to be a quality defender. As his years went on in the league though, and as injuries to the likes of Kidd, Carter, Redd, and Bogut occured, Jefferson's role steadily drifted away from the all-around player he was entering the league.
R.J. became a 20ppg scorer and honed his offensive-ability to a level he never reached before, but with that progression also came a regression on the defensive-end. Pop's admitted duty now, is to reverse/revert his thinking back to more of the defensive all-around player he was entering the league and get him to accept a different role than he's become accustomed.
Another option that could potentially be taking a crack at filling the Bowen void would be Malik Hairston. Malik coming out of Oregon was a deceptive, physical athlete, who was probably a little more physical than athletic. Playing in an up-tempo offense in Oregon he played more of a small-ball 4 and was a very solid mid-range shooter, slasher, rebounder, defender, and an underrated passer.
Malik, though, entered the draft having re-made his body and having shed a lot of his "baby fat." While still a physical player, his explosiveness seemed to find another gear. Standing 6' 5'' with long arms he no longer look or played like the small-ball 4 he'd been labeled, but proved capable of sticking to the most elite of players on the defensive end. A Detroit kid who plays with both a physical and mental toughness, Malik never seems phased by the opponent or challenge. Hearing Malik's comments, Pop's obviously made the objective clear. Rediscover and improve on that shot and prove capable of being that primary defender night-in and night-out. Another vital role potentially depending on the growth of a player. (Gist, although more of a 4 offensively, could also potentially be an option here. I feel the ability is there for him defensively at the 3 but his ability to knock down the corner 3 offensively, might very well be his ticket to a roster spot.)
This upcoming year's transition in personnel brings a challenge that hasn't been seen since probably the '04 team. The big difference?
The talent acquired is a proposition, that perhaps, we've never seen.
This team will probably win on talent alone most nights, while they grow and learn from each other, and their ultimate success might end up being in a somewhat '03 fashion; in terms of growth during the season and peaking down the stretch.
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