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awesome article!!! your best one yet
I noticed that you've honed your writing style a little bit compared to earlier pieces. this reads a WHOLE lot better.
keep up the good work!
Potential Dynasty in the Spurs
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By Peter Rumm MD
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jun 12, 2005, 10:19
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_13040.shtml
Ten Reasons for a Potential Dynasty in the Spurs
Last Thursday night I saw the San Antonio Spurs dig themselves out of a rusty start to outscore a tough Pistons team 81 to 52 on the way to a lopsided game one win in the Finals.
This occurred just about a week after they completed a surprisingly easy series against the run and gun Suns, beating a 60+ win team and first seed at their own game, and in their own house three times in a 4 to 1 series win.
This also followed two series where they handled the surging Denver team with equal ease after an opening day loss, and got through a gritty Sonics team in 6 games.
This run alone through the deep Western Conference playoffs, does not a potential dynasty make, but the Spurs have all the right ingredients to start a serious discussion on that matter.
The following are a listing of ten reasons why I feel in 4-5 years henceforth the Spurs, and not the Lakers, will be considered by far the dominant team of then 99-09 time period, if not a dynasty "for the ages":
1) I expect the Spurs to win this series handily, but if not, at least to win it. This would give them 3 les in 7 years, the same rate as Larry Bird's Celtics during a similar battle with the Lakers. As basketball fans know the Spurs already own 2 championships in the last six years, "bookending" les of a great Lakers team that might have truly challenged their dominancy (but broke up rapidly). Perhaps, only a very controversial late shot clock start event on Fisher's 0.4 shot has kept us from discussing the Spur's own "tripeat" chances this year.
2) Look at their recent record in more detail. In Duncan's eight seasons, the Spurs' 438-186 record and .706 winning percentage is not only the best in basketball, it's better than any team in the NBA, NHL, NFL or Major League Baseball in that span. Moreover, Sam Smith wrote a recent column that maintained that Duncan's winning percentage is higher than any other superstar in any sport ever over an similar period of time. Nothing beats a winning organization, add some more les, one really has to think dynasty.
3) They possess a legit second true star in the making in Manu Ginobli. In reality, there should no surprise to serious fans of the game on this guy. He already has been a European League MVP, the dominant star of last year's Olympic gold team and can truly do it all on both sides of the ball plus seemingly has that extra special "clutchness factor".
4) They have a very strong starting team with enough stars and unselfish role players. Heck the Spur's may have another third legit star in the making. Tony Parker is only 23 still, but holds a ring and is a top tier point guard at the very least. Although he struggles with playoff consistency, he has held his own at times very well in past playoff battles with Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, Stephon Marbury, and recently with Steve Nash. He came up big in the decisive 5th game versus the Suns, when they dared him to shoot from outside. He responded in the second half with a quick decisive eight points on jumpers and a three. On a day in a day out basis, no one in the league is seemingly quicker to the hole and he has his tear drop shot down to a science. The Spurs also now seem to have "finally" found the center to step in for David Robinson in Nazr Mohammed, who after a slow start has become an offensive rebounding machine, is playing better defense, and scores enough points to keep defenses honest. Bruce Bowen gets a lot of knocks but he is a two time all NBA defender who in my opinion was the real defensive player of the year. Bowen does not get "love" from the "whinny" Ray Allen or Vince Carter but completely shut down Shaun Marion against the Suns. No surprise there, for he has done it routinely and "frustratingly" against star players the last few years, with his hard nosed defensive style!
5) The Spurs are composed of lots of depth at many positions. In this playoffs, their former starter Rasho Nesterovic has hardly played. However, "Big Shot" Horry is getting many key minutes. Tony Massenburg routinely sits but can still bring occasional needed muscle and hustle. On the slightly smaller side, Devin Brown and Glenn Robinson are swing men who can score and surprisingly, it seems that Robinson can also play defense in the right system. One forgets how good Brown looked this year when healthy. and expect the Spurs to resign him and prep him to potentially replace Bowen down the road. At the guards, Beno Udrih has been a stud as a rookie at point this year. Finally, as almost an after thought is Brent Barry. Barry has had an up and down year but may still turn out to be the great player off the bench the franchise thought they were getting this past summer.
6) The scary thing is that the Spurs will probably get even stronger, probably through their international pipeline. As soon as next season, the Spurs could be ready to add Ginobili's teammate on the Argentina Olympic team, forward Luis Scola. Scola's game has Spurs fans excited and they may be preparing him to eventually succeed Robert Horry. They also hold the rights to Robertus Javtokas, the Lithuanian center who has recovered from a terrible motorcycle accident and was the MVP the recent European championships. They have trade assets like Nesterovic and their 28th position first round draft pick. They also hold the rights to a Russian big man named Sergei Karaulov and Viktor Sanikidze, from Georgia. The latter player is a SF who along with Scola, may very well be on the Spurs next year.
7) They possess in Popovich a coach on the verge of greatness. "JT the Brick" from late night radio said recently he is the best in the business, and many would not argue too much (although Pop would probably state humbly that his good friend Larry Brown has earned that honor). Here is what "JT" stated: "Greg Popovich is the best coach in the NBA now that Phil Jackson is fishing in Montana, and his assistants put in more hours than any other coaching staff in the NBA. They love to teach and stress fundamentals but also have no problem getting into the face of every player on the roster when necessary."
8) Perhaps most importantly, the Spurs stress a true system. Popovich and his colleagues stress consistency, defense first, and a team oriented concept. Somehow (and to their credit) their stars buy into it and have stayed loyal to this Texas team and their coach, turning down offers in many cases to go elsewhere for larger markets or larger immediate "fame".
9) Most franchises would envy their locked up talent. Manu Ginobli just signed out several years, Barry is on a long term contract, and perhaps most importantly, Tony Parker resigned this year to keep core talent around for 4-5 years around a certain other star. Expect the Spurs to try to keep Muhammed and rebuild the team slightly with even more international talent.
10) What else can really be listed but one name, Mr. Tim Duncan! Enough said. Simply put he is the single most important piece and is the best player in the game today. Mr. Duncan brings it on both sides of the ball year in and year out. By the end of this year he will have in almost all certainty three les, eight first team all star selections, probably three finals MVPs (although Manu Ginobli could surprise here) and multiple defensive first team awards. Mark him down among the games all time best already and he is headed for at least top 5-10 status by end of his gloried career.
This may not be good news for fans of other teams, and marketers that prefer large markets or "flashy" teams, but mark my words. By the end of the decade we will all know that the Spurs and Tim Duncan were around!
News author and exclusive author
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Last edited by Rummpd; 06-12-2005 at 06:10 PM.
awesome article!!! your best one yet
I noticed that you've honed your writing style a little bit compared to earlier pieces. this reads a WHOLE lot better.
keep up the good work!
It's certainly a possibility, and it's an exciting time to be a Spurs fan. The only things I can see getting in the way:
- Injuries. They happen. They suck. They can kill a team's le chances quickly, especially if they are serious and come at the wrong time.
- Role players. It's not a given that the team will try to re-sign Mohammad, and it's not clear if they'll be able to match what other teams will offer him. Horry could very well be back next season, but that's not guaranteed, and he's not going to be around forever. And they'll have to find a quality replacement for Bowen sometime within the timeframe you specify. The Spurs have had great role players over the years and it's a huge reason why they've succeeded. Pop and RC have done a great job of finding players who fit in. But they might need to replace Horry, Nazr, Bowen, and other over the next couple of seasons or so, and that's not going to be easy.
Still, it's awesome that Parker, Manu, and Duncan are locked up for a while.
- Luck. It's hard to win les over and over again. It takes some luck.
- The possible emergence of a stud. Lebron isn't Jordan by any means, but some think he could be. Some also feel that Amare will dominate like Shaq has in the past. Great players surrounded by solid role players content, and if the player is great enough (like Jordan), he'll find a way to win.
I think the Spurs have a great chance to win les over the past few years. Hopefully they can stay healthy and retain their role players.
Thank you,
Peter
EXCELLENT post, good sir. Hey, would you mind if I posted your argument on another site to get some Spurs dynasty discussion going? I would give you credit, naturally. Anyway, good read and good points all around.
No problem. (Please cite my original article, see link above)
I just posted your article on another forum but put the link at the top and didn't post the complete article. Great article.
Another key is the disarray of potential contenders. Los Angeles just imploded. They were a major rival, despite the fact that they hadn't won a championship since 2002 and ESPN-type revisionism tended to make people think the Pistons were the team to end their dynasty last year, not SA a year previous.
The other teams are either seriously deficient in some way (Phoenix, defense), aging (Miami, Minnesota), will get blown up (Seattle), too young (Cleveland, Denver), or just don't quite have it going on (Indiana).
Nothing against the Spurs. I say this simply to point out that for the next year or two, there will be no team that can properly rise to the same level the Spurs should be able to play at for the next 2-4 years.
Great Article
My rockets have the best chance of stopping this potential spurs dynasty.
Yao Ming breaks out next season after finally having an offseason off to work with Houston coaches.
^^ that could be true... we also have the Suns dedicating theirselves to Defense... man i think Amare has the right at ude for it...it could be a fun 3-4 years
No one is talking about Indiana but they could be a threat. With J. O Neal, Stephen Jackson, and Ron Artest along with a healthy Jamaal Tinsley could be a threat to San Antonio. If Detroit gets a bench or Miami gets a power forward.
The problem with Indiana is that JO and Tinsley(Bender too) are always hurt. That and the fact Artest is crazy.
They need a vet point guard. Nothing flashy, they just need consistency at the 1. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if they made a push for Joe Johnson the offseason...
I forgot Houston in my very quick assessment. They have two tremendous pieces but aging role players. Definitely need to shore up some spots (replace Juwon Howard, for example, move him to the bench). I'm not sure what their cap situation is.My rockets have the best chance of stopping this potential spurs dynasty.
I see them as a looming threat, but not next year. They have yet to make it out of the first round.
Houston have the 3 keys needed to beat the spurs.
1) A goto type player who can score in the half court
2) A legit inside presense
3) Defense
Van Gundy is out to build a spurs killer..The foundation is set and role players will be added via FA and the draft. In the end though it comes down to whether Yao can take the next step as a player. We will see
How can you have a dynasty if you have no season? The Spurs will lose their chance at any more les if the NBA whimpers out of existence. And if the spurs win two different fifty game season, strike shortened "Champi*nships", how will that effect the legacy of their reign?
The future is grim indeed.
But the present kicks ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go spurs go.
you mean like Ray Allen, Carmello Anthony, Shawn Marion, and Rip Hamilton?A goto type player who can score in the half court
You lack a smart PG with speed and an ability to play defense.
Until you get 1, that will always be your achilles heel.
None of whom are on the level of Tmac..how many of those guys can score 13 points in 40 secs to win the game??you mean like Ray Allen, Carmello Anthony, Shawn Marion, and Rip Hamilton?
No what we need is a rebounding/dirty work type power forward who can take some pressure off Yao and protect him. That is the current major flaw of our team..the rest of the holes can easily be filled.You lack a smart PG with speed and an ability to play defense
Right now we are just one or two small pieces away just like you guys were with the Lakers..in 2 years Yao will be a prime 26 and the roster should be in place for championship runs
the mavs will still beat you by 40
Our time will come..Dallas might have beat us but they will never win anything until they get a bigman.
Lets face it..teams that want a le have to go through TD. You need a dominant bigman to beat them.
Amare and Yao are the only ones who have a chance , Shaq has maybe a year left but thats it...
I have seen Yao flat out dominate games at times and show flashes of greatness. He's not ready yet but has a great work ethic and i truely believe he will be a superstar in two years. This will be the first offseason in his career he can spend with coaches to improve.
I have high hopes for Houston and think Van Gundy is a good fit for them. They need to follow up with the nice roster moves they made during the season and draft well and hand-pick role players. With their pick late in the draft, there might be some bangers at the 4 available.
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