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onozomygod
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Five keys to the Spurs 2010-11 season
Pat DeCola - FOXSportsSouthwest.com
Alright, it’s a tad too early to be definitively say which teams will be playing in April, May, and June.
But take a second to think about the teams that conclusively have a shot at a deep playoff run.
(…pause for dramatic effect…)
Did the Spurs come to mind?
The answer is likely no, which is baffling to think about – especially for a team that perennially has a legitimate chance to win it all. When is the last time the Spurs weren’t at least a semi-favorite to contend for a championship?
With that being said, there are still several reasons to be excited for the Spurs in 2010 as they transition into a new era with lowered expectations.
1. How will the Big Three respond from an epic playoff collapse?
At first, last season’s playoff run began as nothing short of a minor miracle after a seventh place finish to squeak into postseason play was extended following an upset of second-seeded Dallas. But a series sweep at the hands of former San Antonio punching bag Phoenix left the Spurs with nothing but unanswered questions surrounding an aging team that appeared to be on the downward slope of a monumental climb to the top of a dynasty.
Tim “Old Faithful” Duncan is approaching his 14th season in the league at a ripe 34 years of age, which is nearing AARP territory for NBA big men, especially those with bum knees like Duncan possesses. If it weren’t for his Hall of Fame basketball IQ and fundamentalist style of play, it’s possible that with as many miles he has on his odometer he would have been done long before 2010.
Manu Ginobili is 33 years of age, which may come as a shock to some because of his relatively short NBA tenure, but is still old nonetheless. Never a stranger to injury concerns, Ginobili has yet to play a full season despite his less-demanding 27.8 MPG of his career.
But the real spark plug of the team in recent years is the 28-year old Tony Parker, who exploded for 22 PPG two seasons ago but battled injuries last year. The shift of power has landed in his hands as Duncan’s beard sprouted more gray hairs, but the amount of wear and tear Parker has taken from being in the playoffs year after year after year makes him a liability for injury yet again.
These three are unquestionably gamers of the highest degree and will continue to be looked upon for leadership on and off the court, but will it be enough to get over the hump in the coming season or two?
One wildcard aspect of the upcoming season will be Richard Jefferson. After a somewhat confusingly disappointing 09-10 campaign, who knows which version the Spurs will get this fall?
The 30-year old saw a significant drop off in production but is determined to make a bigger impact after opting out of his player option and re-signing with the team.
He could help out with the bridge being built by the other three guys as they get over the hump here.
The Spurs had a lot of thinking to do after their weak playoff exit. All three of these guys stayed far away from the FIBA World Championships in Turkey this summer, a smart decision for the long-term aspirations of San Antonio.
The motivation will be there this fall and beyond, but how much do they have left in the tank?
2. The development of DeJuan Blair
Luckily for Gregg Popovich, another explosive option may be waiting in the wings for his chance to get into the game and really make an impact.
DeJuan Blair showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season and the 21-year old will be ready to show that he’s closer to a 20-20 guy (which he managed twice last year) than a single digit points and rebounds guy (which happened occasionally, even in games he started.)
The 6’7” Blair’s per-36 minute stats are eye-popping, at 15.4 PPG and 12.7 RPG (4.8 of which are offensive). But these also come along with 5.4 fouls, an aspect of his game that the coaching staff will be working on with him in training camp.
Regardless, DeJuan Blair is well on his way to being a force in this league, a much-needed injection of youthful power for a Spurs team that has failed to establish another dominant forward in recent years.
3. Will this team make the playoffs?
Ok, so I admit that number three isn’t exactly an enticing reason to get excited about this team.
But hear me out.
The last time the Spurs failed to reach postseason play was 96-97. As some may recall, this was the team that saw just one player (Avery Johnson) start more than 58 games and included Dominique Wilkins, Vinny Del Negro, Vernon Maxwell, and Carl Herrera.
Notice anybody missing from that intimidating list?
Robinson and Duncan.
David Robinson played just six games that season due to a broken foot and Tim Duncan had yet to be drafted.
So of course they didn’t make the playoffs.
That season can basically be considered a mulligan and is truthfully the only reason they were able to get Duncan in the first place because of their excellent lottery position attained from the miserable season incurred.
The reason I bring this up is because the time before this was more than two decades ago in 88-89. Needless to say, R.C. Buford runs a very proud franchise. They aren’t fans of missing the playoffs.
So with the team that they have, which finished in a bottom-eight three way tie with Portland and Okalahoma City last season, don’t you think they’ll have to wrestle with a more open and improving Western Conference just to sniff the playoffs?
And won’t it be great to watch a team scrapping and fighting for every game, knowing that the reputation of a successful organization is on the line in a way that could severely change the tone of the franchise in the future?
Yes, it will.
4. Readiness of 20th overall pick James Anderson and Brazilian Tiago Splitter
Coming into the draft, Oklahoma State guard James Anderson was rated as one of the more NBA-ready guards, an aspect of the 6’6 21-year old that was a large piece of the reasoning behind drafting him.
As previously established, the Spurs are a win-now, win-then franchise, expecting immediate and long-term results. It’s a method that clearly works, with the assumption that players coming into the league better hit the ground running and be ready to play.
Because of this, San Antonio likes to draft guys who have the experience necessary and aren’t project players. We saw it with Duncan and even Parker, who started 72 games in his rookie season. We saw it with DeJuan Blair to an extent last season. It’s just a successful way to keep the ball rolling with the prosperity of the franchise.
All of this leads me to believe that Anderson will be ready to run with the big dogs from the get-go.
Splitter, however, was an exception to the rule. The seven-footer from Brazil, taken 28th overall has yet to see any NBA action, but has spent his time polishing his skills overseas to the point that he has developed into one of the best players in Europe, particularly in the center position.
The Spurs didn’t necessarily need to bring him over until this point in his career, but the time is right for the 25-year old to offer his services to his NBA team. Splitter’s defense is his strong point, with the coordination to be more than just a body in the middle. San Antonio will see plenty of Splitter this season and he should be developed enough by now to contribute significantly off the bench.
If this is the case, the team might be better off than they’re given credit for.
5. How the franchise reacts to transitional phase
Well, if the case is that this is the proverbial “bridge year” for San Antonio, it’s going to be a tough facet to swallow for the traditionalists in Texas.
Tim Duncan has one year left on his contract after 2010. It’s hard to see him continuing past that year, regardless of what he says. Much to Shaq’s appeasement (since he hates being compared in a negative light to Duncan), Tim Duncan won’t be Shaq. He isn’t going to keep jumping from team to team, seeking another ring.
So if the face of the franchise is gone, what’s left?
Tony Parker?
Not necessarily – Parker’s contract expires after this season and could very well be in search of greener pastures once he hits free agency. A mid-season trade is an even more likely scenario if things go south quickly.
That just leaves the Ginobili on the board as the last remaining familiar face. His deal finishes up in 2013, but with his history I don’t think anybody sees him staying around for that long. Certainly not longer.
There is going to be a high turnover rate in the next two years and some fresh faces brought in to replace the old standards. We know this.
But the reaction from every part of the franchise, from the owner’s box to the butts filling the seats at the AT&T Center is going to be perhaps the most interesting storyline for this Texas basketball season.
Stay tuned.
http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/09/28/10/Five-reasons-to-be-excited-about-the-upc/landing_spurs.html?blockID=320230&feedID=3629
onozomygod
Wishful thoughts by a Laker fan? Post any story you want, but SA is the last team an LA fan wants to see in the WCF
That's funny because all last season I told every Spurs fan I came across I'd love to play the Spurs as they'd be the easiest match up. Ask any Spurs fan from the ESPN forum as there are plenty here.
As it was I predicted well before the season even started that the Lakers were not going to get that pleasure because the Spurs would fail to advance far enough in the playoffs. I was right.
I predict the same this season as well, unless the Spurs get the 8th seed.
You do know that the Kobe-Phil Lakers are 4-1 versus the Spurs in the playoffs right? Lol, and no Laker fan wants to face them? Unbelievable the fantasy world you guys live in.
Someone please wipe prep h on history2b....
Why do I give a what some fat, 23 year old, Bostonite, wannabe musician, ty writer has to say about the Spurs?
I have shoes older than this kid.
RTB ...
... or else
You do know that the Kobe-Phil Lakers are 4-1 versus the Spurs in the playoffs right? Lol, and no Laker fan wants to face them? Unbelievable the fantasy world you guys live in.
Spurs beat them in '99 and '03 , was phil there in '99?,, maybe not, but kobe and shaq were
Judgement should be reserved for content, not authors.
Based on content, he hits the nail right on the head, I don't care if he's a pimple-faced teen high school drop out or a 40 year sports journalism veteran; It's about content.
Content?! It's all opinion and conjecture. I've seen better analysis from some of the numbnuts who post here.
Rehashed old news . . . heard it all before. Boring.
Spurs beat them in '99 and '03 , was phil there in '99?,, maybe not, but kobe and shaq were[/QUOTE]You do know that the Kobe-Phil Lakers are 4-1 versus the Spurs in the playoffs right? Lol, and no Laker fan wants to face them? Unbelievable the fantasy world you guys live in.
No Phil was not there in 1999.
And yes, Kobe was a 20 year old kid still learning the game. Where was Tim at age 20? Losing at Wake Forest University. Kobe's raw talent came together under the guidance and direction of Phil and through the natural maturation process.
So again, the Lakers head to head versus the Spurs under Phil-Kobe is 4-1.
If you want to go back even further, overall it's 8-3.
You were saying....
RTB ...
... or else
These clever non-responses to content are humorous.
They'll be even more amusing come April.
Where were the Lakers in 2007? Oh, yeah . . . not in the playoffs. Maybe you should adjust your premise to Phil-Kobe-Pau.
No Phil was not there in 1999.
And yes, Kobe was a 20 year old kid still learning the game. Where was Tim at age 20? Losing at Wake Forest University. Kobe's raw talent came together under the guidance and direction of Phil and through the natural maturation process.
So again, the Lakers head to head versus the Spurs under Phil-Kobe is 4-1.
If you want to go back even further, overall it's 8-3.
You were saying....[/QUOTE]
Well, im not living in the past,, maybe you should wait for the season to start before you start your talking,, I'm not the only one here who's gonna remember this BS when the SPURS show Pau has no heart Kobe has one knee Fisher is 50 yrs old and Bynum can't hold it together for a whole season. You got lucky beating Boston last year, your lucks all out I think
Sorry, I must have missed this hanging out at a Lakers forum talking mess between 05 and '07.
Oh, wait ... never mind.
lol lakerfan
So what's the point of your post? If your Lakers are in "great" shape to win it all again why be concerned about the Spurs? You are concerned right? You hate the thought of the Spurs possibly being good enough to give the Lakers some trouble. LOL, you rather the Lakers be eliminated from the playoffs by "any other team", but not the Spurs!! We'll soon find out.That's funny because all last season I told every Spurs fan I came across I'd love to play the Spurs as they'd be the easiest match up. Ask any Spurs fan from the ESPN forum as there are plenty here.
As it was I predicted well before the season even started that the Lakers were not going to get that pleasure because the Spurs would fail to advance far enough in the playoffs. I was right.
I predict the same this season as well, unless the Spurs get the 8th seed.
You do know that the Kobe-Phil Lakers are 4-1 versus the Spurs in the playoffs right? Lol, and no Laker fan wants to face them? Unbelievable the fantasy world you guys live in.
.................................to be continued!
the Lakers are one injury away from becoming pretenders, so don't get your pussy all wet yet
"Squeak into postseason play"At first, last season’s playoff run began as nothing short of a minor miracle after a seventh place finish to squeak into postseason play was extended following an upset of second-seeded Dallas
thank you"Squeak into postseason play"
In 2007 the Lakers were in fact in the playoffs.
And if we adjusted the premise to Phil-Kobe-Pau it would be 1-0 record as they've only played 1 time. Excellent example of strong critical thinking skills though.
Okay, we get it. You're a Lakers fan who has nothing better to do on a Tuesday morning/afternoon, but haunt a Spurs fan site and troll. Here's a hint: Move where the jobs are!
You predicted that the Lakers would not play the Spurs in the playoffs last year? ("Really, dude. I told all my friends like before the season even started. Really. You can ask them.") It's not that I don't give a what you supposedly predicted. It's more that nobody gives a what you supposedly predicted. I'm guessing that you're here because none of your buddies on ESPN.com give a what you supposedly predicted.
But other than that, you know, thanks for sharing.
Like an Andrew Bynum injury? Oh yeah, that's right we've won 2 years in a row despite him not even playing healthy. Amazing.
FYI, every contender team is "one injury away from becoming a pretender," which is still better than just being a pretender healthy or not.
Article is pretty spot on, though I would give the Spurs the "semi-contender" label that the author dismisses. Not favorites anymore certainly (even though there times the spurs won w/out being the favorites). Semi-contender sounds just right as a matter of fact.
The Lakers are great right now, and clearly the conference choice to make the finals (at least), but I think a reasonable person would say that the Spurs have the ability to beat any other team in the Western Conference. Especially when one considers that the both the Nuggets (whether Melo stays or not, at this point the damage is done) and Jazz are weaker teams then they were last year. The Blazers are under new direction, and like the Houston Rockets are only great if their all-star caliber centers stay healthy (I know you can say that about the Spurs as well, but Tim isn't quite as injury prone as Yao, or Oden). A Maverick's series could be considered a toss up since both teams have shown the mental for ude to take each other out in recent years. And despite last year's embarrassing loss to the Suns, I still can't find any traces of fear in myself when considering a possible matchup against them.
While the spurs haven't added a superstar (sorry Tiago, not for a few years, if ever) this summer, a major shift has occurred. While adding young guys over the past several years the Spurs, and their fans, have had the at ude of "If (young guy X) can really step up then we have a shot to go deep in the Playoffs." Going into this season the thought has changed to "Well, we know that George Hill, DeJuan Blair, iand n all probability Tiago Splitter will be positive forces on this team throughout the season and post season."
Down play that if you want, but the difference between a 1 or 2 maybes, and 3 guys with positive expectations from their teammates, and coaches could be the difference in a team not making it out of the 2nd round, and a team that has a shot at upsetting LA.
lol lakerfan posting in the Spurs forum.
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