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WTF, Okafor is a legit bigman.
Duncan and Spurs eye one more run to le
By: Bob Harvey
San Antonio limped home with the division le last season before being slapped out of the playoffs in the opening round by Dallas. After adding veterans Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyes in the offseason, the Spurs hope to have enough support for their Big 3 and make one last run at the NBA Championship. In the end, it will still depend on the health and production of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli.
San Antonio Spurs (Odds to win the division: 2/1)
Following a disappointing playoff run, The Spurs took some bold steps with the franchise and while they’re not using the term rebuild, they will admit to a serious “makeover.” San Antonio acquired three veteran players during the offseason knowing full well their window of opportunity to win another NBA championship is closing as Tim Duncan gets older.
By adding Richard Jefferson, Antono McDyess and Theo Ratliff, there is an infusion of quality veteran depth a sign that this time is built on winning now, not down the road. The pickup of those three players should help ease the burden on the likes of Duncan, Manu Ginoblli and Tony Parker but it’s ultimately going to fall on the Spurs' Big 3 to create enough offense.
First round exits are something the Spurs aren’t used to. The last time it happened was 2000 when Tim Duncan still had a lot of spring in his step. Now with the additional pieces in place, San Antonio expects to win it all. The usually humble Greg Popovich came right out and said he should be fired if they don't win it all, a true testament to how good of a roster this team has and how strongly pop feels about this year’s club.
Some NBA executives believe this team has everything they need and any other year they would be the clear-cut favorite. But sadly Spurs fans that’s not the case. San Antonio should repeat in the Southwest Division but that’s about it. Depending on how Duncan holds up I could foresee a Lakers/Spurs Western Conference final but that’s taking a real long shot.
Harvey’s take: San Antonio went 54-28 in winning the division. I expect a similar record and a second round playoff exit this season. But sorry, there will be no finals matchup with the Lakers.
Houston Rockets (10/1)
Houston’s season ended with a second round loss to the eventual world champion Lakers and Rockets fans I hope you enjoyed it because that’s as good as it’s gonna’ get for you in the foreseeable future. You my friends are staring at what promisies to be a long, cold winter where the victories will be scarce.
Yao Ming is out for the season with a leg injury. Ron Artest left as a free-agent to sign with Lakers and who knows what kind of contribution you’re going to get from the oft-injured Tracy McGrady. I’m sorry but Luis Scola, Trevor Ariza and Shane Battier are nice players but won’t make up for the losses of Yao and Artest. T-Mac remains the wild card.
Harvey’s Take: Last season the Rockets were 53-29 and beat Portland in the first-round of the playoffs. This year Houston will be lucky to go 41-41.
Dallas Mavericks (4/1)
Last season the Mavericks were sorely lacking in the depth department. So they spent this off season and more of Mark Cubans money, to pick up some quality back up players with good shooting skills to go along with a defensive edge. It sounds like they borrowed from the Spurs offseason playbook.
The Mavericks were an average defensive team a year ago so if you can’t stop them you better outscore them. With no reliable scorers other than Dirk Notwitzki and Jason Terry, Dallas added Shawn Marion as part of a four-team blockbuster deal. The Mavs other big off-season deal was to get Drew Gooden who is big and can score.
If it sounds like your reading the Spurs preview again, I can’t help it. Both of these teams are using the same plan which is build around your core players. In both cases It should translate into a 50-win season but no ring.
Harvey’s Take: Team Cuban was 50-32 last season and should finish with at least 50 victories this season. They’ll also flameout in the first or second round of the playoffs.
New Orleans Hornets (8/1)
Will Chris Paul and David West be enough to carry this Hornets squad onto the next level in the NBA? Paul has the star power, West has wicked game but both players ran out of gas during New Orleans embarrassing loss to Denver in the playoffs.
New Orleans did its fair share of wheeling and dealing. Tyson Chandler was sent to Charlotte for Emeka Okafor. The Hornets also saved money by offloading Rasual Butler and Antonio Daniels. Via the draft, they obtained UCLA’s Darren Collison to serve as Paul’s backup and picked up Marcus Thornton a potentially big scorer off the bench. Ike Diogu is another new face who will help in the scoring department but won’t help where this team will need the help the most and that’s in the “boardroom.” Pat Riley put it best, “No rebounds, no rings.”
Harvey’s Take: The Hornets went 49-33 last year and flamed out in the playoffs. If Chris Paul stays healthy the Bee’s should get 50 wins this season. However without a legitimate big man they will struggle again come post-season time.
Memphis Grizzlies (100/1)
Every division needs a floor mat and in the Southwest Division it’s the Grizzlies. As a lifelong Lakers fan, I’ll always feel a special bond with this team. It was the Grizzlies who gave us Pau Gasol in exchange for Kwame Brown. If it’s not the most lopsided trade in NBA history it’s right up there.
This year’s Grizzlies will be first team in the league to tank. Mark my words. By acquiring notable 'me first' guys like Allen Iverson and Zach Randolph during the offseason, this team has clinched the award for the team most likely to quit first this season. Good luck Grizzlies fan.
Harvey’s Take: A Gawd awful team. 24-58 last year and they’ll be no better this season.
WTF, Okafor is a legit bigman.
Spurs 58 and 24
Mavs 55 and 27
Hornets 53 and 29
Rockets 51 and 31 (they will still play hard every night)
Grizz 35 and 43 (some improvement but nothing to write home about)
conf finals is a long shot
Bob Harvey.
As I posted on this linked site in response to the above trash by Mr. Harvey:
10/14/2009 8:32:10 PM
Are you serious -the reloaded Spurs as a long shot to even make the WCF - huh? With Blair and veteran additions they can play not only the best top 8 in the West (and that includes the Lakers who have a big hole at point guard and the volatile Artest) but in the league. There is no team out there that has a better le shot than the Spurs now period.
I don't think the Spurs are gearing up "for one more le run." They will be just as good or better in 2011 when Finley, Bonner and Mason? leave and you have Splitter joining, Blair with one yr expr, Parker in his prime, Jefferson with a yr exp in the Spurs system and playing for a contract, Mahinmi? improved and Manu 1 yr removed from his surgery. The Spurs should be strong for the next 3 yrs.
the Lakers!!!
Flush that piece of crap, Bob Harvery, down the toilet. Good for nothing POS...!!!
Damn right. I don't know what Harvey was smoking.
If nothing else, from a rebounding standpoint, but he's better than Chandler in every way.
Who in Harvey's coffee this morning?
Harvey’s take: San Antonio went 54-28 in winning the division. I expect a similar record and a second round playoff exit this season. But sorry, there will be no finals matchup with the Lakers.
How the can the Spurs meet the Lakers in the Finals??? WCF maybe, but not the Finals.
Maybe he was lazy or something.
This is trash. Who the does he think the Lakers will be meeting in the WCF then? The Nuggets?
He's a in Lakers homer, what else could he say?! Once the Spurs start clickin, we should win closer to 60 games this year, barring serious injuries there's no reason why we couldn't. Come post season it will come down to defense and matchups. We'll be much better in that regard and should take us much further into the post season.
Switch Bob with Buck and it's pretty much the same.
2009-2010 San Antonio Spurs Season Preview
Predictem.com
Last Season's Record: 54-28
Head Coach: Gregg Popovich
Division: Southwest
Conference: Western
Projected Starting Lineup
PG: Tony Parker 6-2
SG: Manu Ginobili 6-6
SF: Richard Jefferson 6-7
PF: DeJuan Blair 6-7
C: Tim Duncan 6-11
Key Reserves: Michael Finley 6-7 SG, George Hill 6-2 PG, Roger Mason 6-5 SG, Antonio McDyess 6-9 PF
Current 2010 NBA Championship Odds: 15-2 at Bodog Sportsbook.
As long as Tim Duncan is still playing, the Spurs will always be a top contender in the NBA. In 12 seasons, Duncan has four NBA championships, and he will try to make it five this year. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are still there to form one of the longest standing trios in the league. But now Richard Jefferson joins that core. The Lakers are the reigning NBA champions and the clear favorites in the Western Conference, but if any team can defeat them in a seven-game series, it's the Spurs.
Who's In/Who's Out
Jefferson was traded to the Spurs in the offseason. He replaces Bruce Bowen, who was traded and then retired. Jefferson isn't the same defensive stopper as Bowen, but he provides a lot more offense. Jefferson has a decent jump shot, but he is especially a good slasher. He can take his defender off the dribble and get to the basket. The Spurs got a steal in the second round of the NBA Draft with DeJuan Blair, a 6-foot-7 power forward from Pittsburgh. Blair is a strong big man with great rebounding ability and work ethic. Antonio McDyess was acquired in the offseason to give the Spurs depth in the frontcourt. McDyess is a 15th year veteran who played for the Pistons the last few years.
Backcourt
Parker is one of the top point guards in the league. He has three championships in eight years and is still only 27 years old. As long as he and Duncan are healthy, the Spurs will always be one of the top teams in the league. Parker and Ginobili form one of the best backcourts in the NBA. Both players can shoot from outside or drive to the basket. Michael Finley and Roger Mason give them two more veterans in the rotation. Mason came along last year and hit some big shots for the Spurs. He is one of the best 3-point shooters in the league. George Hill was a rookie last year after being drafted by the Spurs in the first round. He is a solid floor leader who will see some time backing up Parker.
Frontcourt
Duncan, Blair and McDyess are the main big men for the Spurs. Either Blair or McDyess could start. It just depends whether Gregg Popovich wants to go with the rookie or the veteran. McDyess gives them more height and experience, but Blair gives them more strength and energy. Duncan may not be what he was five years ago, but he is still an elite big man in this league. He can dominate around the rim or he can step out and hit his patented 15-foot bank shot.
Strengths
The Spurs have as much experience as any team in the NBA. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili have been in San Antonio almost as long as The Alamo. The three of them know how to play off of each other and are very difficult to defend. Having Popovich as their coach is also a strength for this team. He has been in San Antonio longer than Duncan. The Spurs are one of the best defensive teams in the league. Duncan can defend any big man in the league. Parker, Ginobili and Jefferson can defend any perimeter players.
Weaknesses
There is a good chance that at least a player or two on this team will have injury problems. That's just how it works with so many older players. It's good to have experienced veterans, but having an old roster can be a weakness. The Spurs already lack depth, so injuries could hurt their depth even further. They especially lack depth in the frontcourt, where Duncan, Blair and McDyess are their only solid big men.
Betting Odds and Projections
The Spurs are listed on Bodog with 15-2 odds to win the 2010 NBA Championship. If the Lakers don't come out of the West, the Spurs have as good of a chance as any team to get to the NBA Finals. But betting against the Lakers is tough to do. Even if the Spurs did get past the Lakers, the Cavs and Celtics would likely be favored over the Spurs. The key for the Spurs is staying healthy. If their key players are there for the whole season and are 100 percent in the playoffs, this team can go deep. They will likely win their division le and earn a top three seed, but figuring out how to defeat the Lakers will be a difficult task.
How do we ing lack depth? this is the deepest we've been in years or maybe the decade
Bob Harvey is crazy if he thinks the spurs are a long shot to make the confrence finals.
Somebody has been smoking funny cigarettes
Damn Buck, I usually like your articles, but this one sucked.
It's not Buck Harvey, the article is from SportsBook Review.
I don't want to read another word from Bob Harvey, ever. No depth? No chance at the WCF? This dude should be fired and replaced by someone here on ST.
lol...You're right Duncan228. Thanks for clarifying. Now my positive opinion of Buck Harvey is reinstated.
Tim Duncan didn't play in the 2000 playoffs, and he didn't have a lot of spring in his step either-- he was awaiting knee surgery for an injury that caused him to miss the final games of the regular season and all four of Spurs' postseason games that year.First round exits are something the Spurs aren’t used to. The last time it happened was 2000 when Tim Duncan still had a lot of spring in his step.
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