What is the future of the Spurs without Duncan?

[BradLohaus]

It's been 20 years since the Spurs were down, not counting the tank year. You can't expect this to last forever.

[cherylsteele]

I think the Spurs will be still compe ive. We have done alright in the draft with rather lower 1st round picks. Someone said we would be like the Suns after Timmy goes. As a long time Spurs fan, I remember the run and gun days of Ice, Mitch, Silas, etc. We held our own and then some. Those teams could outgun the Suns, Mavs, Warriors, etc....at least scoring wise. They did average like 115-120 ppg for many years. The problem back then was the defense was not good enough, but it was fun to watch that too.

[Mixability]

There will be less flags on cars. The Go Spurs Go signs that businesses usually put up will be put in storage. In other words, the bandwaggoners will be gone and we'll know who the real fans are.

[Strike]

Without Duncan, there will be some lean years in my opinion. But that's a few years away. Dude is only what, 31?

[cherylsteele]

Josh Howard #29 es!

I wasn't trying to bash you post....geez....testy are we?
I was trying to say that 11th or so isn't the end of the world with our draft picks down near the bottom. I just gave Manu and Tony as an example of good picks at the bottom of the draft.

[Soul_Patch]

Although i will miss the out of this existing squad, i almost look forward to see'ing what kind of changes the FO may try and make and how well it does.

It is going to be a sad day when Duncan retires, but it will also be a sort of rebirth for this organization into god knows what...id think we will have a new coach, new philosphy of play, etc...its kinda fun to think about.

[cherylsteele]

Utah did well to get into the WCF, but they did so because Houston kind of sucked and Dallas imploded. Before that, it took them basically a decade to get back into form. Last time they had any playoff success was 1997-1998.

Same or similar for us.

At least they are in the mix.....I would be pleased if we could get back to that level as quickly as the Jazz have.

[bdictjames]

Hey I think Oberto's going there. He's not gonna be Timmy, but his bank shot and his passing can be very good.

[Mr. Body]

At least they are in the mix.....I would be pleased if we could get back to that level as quickly as the Jazz have.

You do know I just said a decade, don't you?

[violentkitten]

is duncan 41 and not 31? what's the future of the suns without nash? that's a much closer reality.

[AFBlue]

is duncan 41 and not 31? what's the future of the suns without nash? that's a much closer reality.

This is a good point. It's hard to know what the future without Duncan will be like because there's no telling when he'll retire. He's got at least 4 good years left in him and I could conceivably see him going six years. The only one under contract at the end of that four-year point is Tony.

Any guesses about what the makeup of the Spurs will be by then would be pure speculation...

So I'll speculate that Jackie Butler becomes Carlos Boozer or Nene and the Spurs ride him and Tony for as long as possible.

[violentkitten]

i'm not sure why all of a sudden the spurs are 'at the end of their run'. td is 31, tp is 25 and manu is 30 this year. that's not exactly aged. will the supporting cast be overhauled soon? sure.

[gino>yourlife]

5 words:

james white and matt bonner

[my2sons]

Lots of talk of the good ol days and "three rings" while their team goes 40-42 and picks 11th every year.

sounds like a fan that lived, loved it learned it

[violentkitten]

sounds like a fan that lived, loved it learned it

better than being the fan of a team that wins 55+ every year with no rings to show for it and having to troll the internets seeking validation.

[boutons_]

Tim will leave a big hole, but so will his $120M contract leave a salary hole which ought to buy something of sufficient quality to keep the Spurs near the top.

But losing Tim AND Pop, who are both responsible for 10 years of success, will throw the franchise into darkness and mediocrity.

[violentkitten]

Tim will leave a big hole, but so will his $120M contract leave a salary hole which ought to buy something of sufficient quality to keep the Spurs near the top.

But losing Tim AND Pop, who are both responsible for 10 years of success, will throw the franchise into darkness and mediocrity.

so enjoy the next 5 before that happens.

[atxrocker]

when duncan is gone, expect half to jump off the bandwagon at alarming rates

[thousandth]

5 words:

james white and matt bonner

1 word:

NO

[Spurs>mavs]

were going to suck for a couple years.

[Texas_Ranger]

When Duncan will retire the Spurs will strart going down. Manu will be old, Parker will not be able to do all by himself. Horry, Oberto, Bowen, Elson, Vaugh will not be in the team cause they will retire, at least Horry & Bowen will. So I'll say 5 years of , then we'll get new Duncan on the NBA draft.

[cornbread]

So I'll say 5 years of , then we'll get new Duncan on the NBA draft.

Or we could get a Kwame Brown. Remember, not all #1 draft picks are created equal.

[ImpartialObserver]

Definitely less wins and championships, but most likely a more exciting brand of basketball to watch.

[Texas_Ranger]

Or we could get a Kwame Brown. Remember, not all #1 draft picks are created equal.

Or even better. What do you say about Michael Olowokandi.

[Obstructed_View]

Barring a devastating injury or a chronic ailment, Duncan will be productive for ten more years. Really not much to worry about. Keep halfway decent players around him and don't wear him out before mid-march, and the Spurs will be fine for a while.