Tuesday, September 14th, 2010...4:08 am
The winter of the Duncan Dynasty
For as long as I can remember, I started every San Antonio Spurs season with the belief that the team could win the NBA title.
Partly because of my youth — I was in elementary school during the David Robinson-Avery Johnson days. And also because of the quality of the teams, especially the ones Tim Duncan led as I’ve grown into adulthood.
But now, in September 2010, I’ve finally lost that feeling. To me, the San Antonio Spurs are no longer title contenders. Some will scream “blasphemy” and close their browser windows in anger. Others will think “duh” and wonder why it took me so long to open my eyes. But admitting the Spurs’ time has passed ain’t easy.
It’s not the end of the world, for the Spurs to have little shot at championship number five. That’s the beauty of the NBA. We get to watch DeJuan Blair defy traditional models of effective big man. All while trying to implement a jump shot into his game. And we can see what George Hill can improve upon this year, after making so much progress last summer.
I’m fortunate to get a chance to watch Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili on a nightly basis, both nearing the end of their careers, do what they do better than most ever have. Tony Parker, he of the only-28-years-old-and-still-in-his-prime fame, should be out for blood this season. Somehow Parker turned into a bit of a villain in the past year for some Spurs fans and without a concrete reason.
We also get to see Tiago Splitter, the international man of mystery, discover his status in the best basketball league in the world, after being the top dog in the second best basketball league in the world. Then there’s James Anderson. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy will make his home in the land of the Longhorns and Aggies and Roadrunners and Bobcats (eat ‘em up cats). If he works as hard as we hear, Anderson won’t have trouble making fans.
Unfortunately, the league passed San Antonio by. The Lakers feature five players significantly above average. Two of whom, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, could be considered in the top 10 players in the NBA. The Boston Celtics have four potential All-Stars on their roster. The Miami Heat boast three top 15 players (or top 25, depending on your opinion of Chris Bosh) who are all in their primes.
Several months ago, blogger Matt Moore went on one of his Twitter rants, this one about the Lakers (I can’t find it to link to, the guy has over 30,000 tweets). This was in February or so, and Los Angeles wasn’t playing well. He said that in the end, talent wins out. The most talented team wins the NBA title. And sure enough, the Lakers were champs in June.
These days, the Spurs don’t have that quality. They are still a very good team. San Antonio will probably win 50 games again in 2010-11 and extend their streak of 50-win seasons. They’ll be a team that no one wants to play, be it December or May. But they will never truly be a threat for the title.
It’s strange not to expect a championship at the end of the season. I know at some point, I’ll get sucked in and think, “hey, this team might actually have a shot.” But it will be short-lived. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Only one team out of 30 goes home celebrating when all is said and done. San Antonio fans should feel blessed they experienced that outcome four times.
But the team will go about their business as usual, preparing as if they have another shot at the title. Because in reality, they do. I’m just one person with an opinion, albeit with an outlet for that opinion. The Spurs will fight tooth and nail for that fifth ring. I’m just here to tell you that if they fail to get it, don’t fret. There’s plenty more reason to follow along this season.
121 Comments
September 14th, 2010 at 4:34 am
Damn.
Pour one on the curb for the homies.
September 14th, 2010 at 5:02 am
BLASPHEMY!
September 14th, 2010 at 5:10 am
Andrew, this is what is wrong with blogs, statistic divers, unabated free time, and the wandering mind; over analysis.
Let’s not forget that sports is about the unknown, the uncontrollable, and surprise. It is also important to believe in something even if your mind tells you not to do so.
I say…GO SPURS GO!
P.S. - Although, for a long time Spurs fan, that Durant kid should be fun to watch this season. Just saying?!?
September 14th, 2010 at 5:28 am
@BigJ
You see it at over-analysis? When writing it, I simply thought of it as a realistic look at the season ahead.
September 14th, 2010 at 5:41 am
I have these moments too. And I definitely have that zen-like so-what-even-if interest that Andrew outlines. James Anderson is enough reason for me to watch attentively this season. I’m excited for whatever era comes after the Tim Duncan era, but, for my money, it can keep waiting, at least for a season or two.
Doomsday was imminent in 1998 and that ended up a Y2K-sized blip on the Spurs’ radar. I don’t think the window is closed. The Spurs still have a fighting chance. The odds aren’t the same is all. But longer odds bring greater glory. I’m embracing my inner underdog.
Andrew and I can jostle over this tit for tat, post for post as the season progresses.
September 14th, 2010 at 6:07 am
harshed. my. mellow.
That’s one to keep for the private journal or to reflect on afterward.
And besides, sports are 38% psychological. And 21% pure happenstance. I think the talent and bodies in our other 41% got a puncher’s chance.
September 14th, 2010 at 6:27 am
I don’t know if the Spurs can win it all, but I do know these two things:
1. The West is much weaker this year than last, especially if Melo moves on.
2. No team in the league gives the Lakers more problems match-up wise than the Spurs. Not the Thunder nor the Celtics. I’m not a psychic, but I’d be willing to wager quite a bit that last playoffs the Lakers were much happier to face the Suns in the Conference Finals than the Spurs. The Spurs just have to beat the Lakers next year, and with the Lakers getting a year older as well and with a questionable bench I think the odds are pretty even if that series comes to fruition.
September 14th, 2010 at 6:32 am
@Micah
Why do you think the West is weaker? I would say with confidence that the East is stronger, but I’m not sure the West is weaker?
September 14th, 2010 at 6:39 am
hey andrew, big ups
i’d hate to say it too about my favourite team, but sometimes, the writing is on the wall.
September 14th, 2010 at 6:44 am
In protest, I’m done with this blog.
For a few days.
September 14th, 2010 at 7:02 am
I smell a setup!
September 14th, 2010 at 7:24 am
“I was in elementary school during the David Robinson-Avery Johnson days.”
“But they will never truly be a threat for the title.”
I was a grown man at that time and watched the Spurs win big in the regular season ( only to be done in the playoffs ) for at long, long time but I never gave up on them. And not once did I think that they would NEVER win the ‘chip.
At the end of the day, that’s what being a true fan is all about.
I will not give up on my team, the time will come once again even if YOU feel like it won’t. And, at least, I’ll still be loyal to my team because I’d rather be loyal to a team with troubles than be a bandwagoner on a team with success.
Go Spurs Go!!
September 14th, 2010 at 7:28 am
If Tony comes back with a vengeance. If Tiago is anything near a Brazilian version of Robinson (at the end of his career; think 2003). If James Anderson comes in and is that dead eye shooter the Spurs have been lacking. If Tim & Manu stay healthy…
… then the Spurs have a great shot.
Lot of if’s, which is the reason for this blog, I suppose. You never know, though, stranger things have happened (like the Spurs EVER winning a championship). Until Timmy actually retires, I’m not ready to take on this defeatist attitude. Someone needs a hug.
September 14th, 2010 at 7:29 am
I think the Spurs are about the same as the Celtics, who last year came within a hair of beating the Lakers. Three aging stars, good roll players, depth at most positions, quality coaching, and championship experience. With (A) a little luck, (B) good health, and (C) development of young talent, the Spurs are in the same position. Nobody picked the Celtics to go to the finals last year, and in fact they had a lackluster season right up until the playoffs began. So I don’t think anyone can say the Spurs have no chance. They are certainly not prohibitive favorites. But if A, B and C hold true, I would not bet against the Spurs come playoff time.
September 14th, 2010 at 7:48 am
We’ve said it before, but only a re-commitment to top-class defense will give the Spurs a chance this year. If we’re in the top 3 in def. ppg by the end of the year, we have a chance. If not, then not.
September 14th, 2010 at 8:05 am
@ ITGuy
I think there’s a major difference between being realistic and a bandwagon fan. Just because you believe your team isn’t a contender doesn’t mean you are any less of a fan than one who believes you’re destined for a title that particular year.
What about the hardcore fans in Minnesota or Golden State? Are they any less of fans because they know their team has no shot at a title this year even though they live and die with every game?
Maybe I’m misinterpreting your comment, but it sounds like you’re saying that anyone who doesn’t believe SA is going to win a title this year isn’t a loyal or true Spurs’ fan?
And no one is giving up on this team. In fact, Andrew pointed out the reasons why he’s in fact, optimistic about this team - Splitter, Anderson, Blair, etc.
And FWIW, at the end of the season, I think we’ll be playing like the 2nd best team in the West, and meeting the Lakers in the WCF.
September 14th, 2010 at 8:36 am
The truth hurts..
September 14th, 2010 at 8:38 am
It hurts you kn0w?!
September 14th, 2010 at 9:09 am
Boston Celtics: 17 NBA Championships.
Minn/LA Lakers: 15.
Chicago Bulls: 6
Spurs: 4.
Other 3 teams are in large markets that can attract almost anyone. Spurs made some great decisions and managed 4 titles, mainly with role players by not going over the cap.
We had some great years, and I wish we had some more to see, but reality is what it is.
I’m grateful to see risks in the FO. RJ didn’t perform in year one but it was better than watching other teams in the playoffs while the Spurs sat at home.
Let’s hope this team gets a few lucky bounces, stays healthy, and beats the living crap out of the Lakers!!!!
GO SPURS GO!!!!!!
September 14th, 2010 at 9:12 am
“Somehow Parker turned into a bit of a villain without a concrete reason” ???
Actually I’m not sure he was ever thought of as much of a villain, but our reasons for disloyalty were spelled out again and again. In brief, the fact that his game is more suited to a 6th man role, than that of QB means that most everybody else’s offense suffers when he’s on the floor. Ginobili is the only true playmaker on the squad, making everybody from RJ to Blair much better. These arguements were validated when TP went down last year and the Spurs started kicking ass.
This year is TP’s last chance to silence the critics.
“Sports are 38% psychological”
That might actually be an understatement, and is one of the reasons the Spurs aren’t contenders. Ice Cold plasma is what makes (my least favorite player) Kobe Bryant the leagues best player, and also feeds Gasol and the rest of the guys, even if Gasol’s talent is what makes Kobe a champion and MVP. Chauncy Billups and Dwayne Wade are right there. Rondo is the man on his team. Our guy is Ginobili, who plays too few minutes to be The Man. Pop doesn’t let Blair play enough to lean on his confidence, and we’ll see what Tiago is made of. But just like the Celtics in their last Finals game, too often, the Spurs willingly fall into the trap that the we can’t win certain games. Actaully, Tony’s confidence rarely wains, but his offense is just not varied enough to take over in any situation.
I know Spurs Nation doesn’t want to admit it, but I’ve seen Pop and TD’s teams give up and pout too many times, we just aren’t the most confident group. All the more reason to build around DEFENSE!
September 14th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Excellent article. Your points are correct.
ESPN published an article a month or so ago about how the current Lakers was built on the trade of Shaquille O’Neal to Miami after falling short in the 2003 Finals.
Not many teams would have responded to making the NBA Finals by trading a Hall of Fame player still near his prime and firing a Hall of Fame coach like the Lakers did. The consequent decisions made by that head office has led them to today. They were willing to break apart a team to set up tomorrow. They were willing to sell off players and personnel who had contributed to their organization substantially.
We are not. And I thank God for it.
The question for us is not whether it would be better for the Spurs in their drive for another championship to trade one or all of the Big Three while they still have high value. Of course that is what you would have to do.
The question is whether that is the kind of team/organization/community we want to be?
I would rather be a fan of the San Antonio Spurs than the Los Angeles Lakers any day.
I would rather care for and support a Tim Duncan as he ages and laugh with my children at those HEB commercials with Manu, Tony and Tim than have to explain to my kids what happened between that girl and Kobe that night in Colorado.
Your point is correct. We are making strategic decisions that are not completely based on being the best basketball team. We are making strategic decisions to do the best we can with these men that we have all fallen in love with.
And may God bless our city for it.
Tim…you deserve every ounce of our loyalty.
September 14th, 2010 at 9:26 am
@Tyler,
Being that I’ve been hardcore Spurs fans since before ’99 (pre- chips) I disliked the comment which stated that;
“But they will never truly be a threat for the title.”
Last year I knew the Spurs were in trouble and I even predicted the season was over before the playoffs but, I won’t ever say that the Spurs will never contend for the title again.
Didn’t the Spurs prove that statement wrong about 4 times already?
Go Spurs Go!!
September 14th, 2010 at 9:31 am
At this moment, SAS are not the chamionship contenders, that’s for sure. But, there’re still plenty of occasions to upgrade (think of where was Bryant before Gasol trade) and lots of the unknown (think of where was Boston when Garnett blew his knee 2 seasons ago and where were C’s when he was more or less healthy last season) that giving up, now, before the ’10-11 season even started is… reckless.
). Of course, he might as well play some modest 20-15-15 game and say after the game that he’s especially proud of those 15 assists (‘I needed the guys who can really score’ wink to Cavs fans). Right now, it’s just guessing, nothing more.
Before every season, I play with my friends with a ”who’s the best prophet?” game. The questions are various, like: how many double-doubles would Shaq have at the end of the season? (with the possible answers like: less than 5, 6-10, 11-15, more) or ‘who’s going to be the best 3-pt shooter?’, etc., etc.
Right know, we might as well betting on how many points would Bron score against Cavs in Cleveland, but my guess is… he’dn’t show up (DNP: flu-like-symptoms
I believe in Spurs or as you usually say: Go Spurs, go!
We’re just one Oden-like season of Kobe to enter the Finals, again, and one Arenas-like behaviour of LBJ to face Orlando in the Finals and win, again.
Greetings from Europe,
Monty.
September 14th, 2010 at 9:35 am
@ Timothy
I will temper my comment a bit by saying the West is ostensibly weaker.
The Lakers are the best team; however outside their best 6 players there is a precipitous drop in talent.
Phoenix replaced Stoudemire, Barbosa, Amundson with Turkoglu, Childress, and Warrick. Possibly marginalizing Dudley in the process. (if that ends up being the case, the Spurs should try and trade for him despite his annoyingly unfortunate affiliation with TMZ)
Portland could be good. But they should have been good 2 seasons ago and with all the front office unrest, trades and trade talk, injuries, and what seems to be wavering belief in Roy, they may have reached their potential.
Oklahoma City will undoubtedly be better and I believe will challenge for a top 3 spot in the West.
Dallas will be the same as they are every year - not too afraid of the Chandler addition
Houston will be a wild-card depending on the health of Yao. With a healthy Yao they could be a top 3 team as well.
Utah lost a lot of talent and with Okur hurt they aren’t the same team. Jefferson is a good player and a good addition to that team, but who is going to run the pick and roll with Williams?
Injuries and drama I believe have and will marginalize the Nuggets
Basically, aside from the Thunder, what Western teams really look like they have gotten better? There are too many question marks about the top West teams at this point to really say any of them have gotten stronger, and question marks to me at least make it easier to assume they have gotten weaker.
The teams I see the Spurs having the most competition from, aside from Kobe and co., are the Rockets and Thunder; and the Rockets are not a sure bet at this moment.
Caveat: by mid-season trades, injuries, chemistry or, fortuitous events may alter my pre-season perception of the West, but at the moment this is how I see it (which really doesn’t matter much).
September 14th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Great article!
The reason I will enjoy this season a lot more than last year is that the odds are actually better to win it all this year than last, in my opinion, and there are so many interesting stories, new people, new developments on the team and in the league. Truth is, Spurs and a few other teams are really only one Kobe or Gasol sprained ankle or season ending injury away from hoisting another Larry Obrien trophy. That’s what makes it seem within reach to me.
September 14th, 2010 at 9:45 am
Several things about the evaluation of players by writers drive me nuts. If Hill, Blair, Splitter, Anderson, Neal were on either the Lakers, Heat, Magic, or the Celtics, they would be being talked about as budding superstars. On the Spurs they are just complementary players. The Lakers drafted Derrick Caracter - writers have gushed about what a steal he was in the draft. Anderson - not so much as a mention. The Lakers signed 3 new role players including Matt Barnes who has played on 8 teams in 8 years and 37 year old Theo Ratliff. Why would the best, most talented team need to sign 3 additional players?? The Celtics who played for the NBA championship needed to sign Shaq and Jermaine O’Neal?!?!? Look at all powerful Dallas - does Mahinmi make them better?? How about Tyson Chandler - does he make them contenders - if you think so, look how he did at the worlds. He averaged more fouls than points or rebounds.
I don’t think the Spurs are that far out of playing for the Championship. As usual, I think it is going to come down to team health. One major injury and that team is down for the count. What would the Heat be with one of the big 3 out for an extended period of time?? Could the Lakers win it all with either Kobe or Gasol out??
If players play for the Spurs they are always considered to be fringe or average - never budding stars.
September 14th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Omg! You’re dead to me. Just kidding I’ve been watching too much Jersey Shore. I think the (situation) with the height of Duncan and Spliter is going to cause a lot of problems for opposing teams. But you’re right teams aren’t gearing up to beat the Spurs anymore. If I’ve leaned anything about watching basketball is that the chase is always more fun then the result.
September 14th, 2010 at 10:32 am
@Tim:
I do think that the West is getting weaker. Stoudemire and Boozer moved East, essentially taking their teams out of contention (unless you believe in Turkoglu or Jefferson). Dallas returns essentially the same team that folded in the first round, with Dirk, Kidd, and Marion another year older. Same with Denver, except that it’s Billups and K-Mart that are aging and Melo is clearly a lame-duck this year. And as for Portland and Houston, every year they come into the season with high hopes, but how many years in a row do key players like Oden, Yao, and Roy have to keep getting hurt before they stop being “fluke” injuries and we just realize that they are injury-prone players who I wouldn’t bet on to stay healthy?
Given all of that, I would say the only two teams in the west that are clearly better than the Spurs are the Lakers and the Thunder. Sure, if healthy, we will be hard-pressed to beat them. But injuries happen. Thus, while I’m not optimistic about this season, we’ve got as good a chance as anyone to get out of the West with a little bit of help.
And just a reminder: we weren’t really considered contenders going into 1999 or 2003 either. Those seasons seemed to turn out alright.
September 14th, 2010 at 11:00 am
@John
I completely agree with you except for one point which I’m sure to get a lot of flack for: I think the Spurs are still better than the Thunder despite what the pundits say.
Sure they have a transcendent player and the Spurs have two transcendent players past their prime, but the Thunder have some glaring deficiencies that even all of Durant’s brilliance cannot make up for.
The Thunder are considerably weak up front. Green is a good player, but he is a good role player and a tweener. Krstic is their starting center, which needs no comment. They have Ibaka who may take a leap at least defensively this year, but is offensively challenged. Collison is a perpetual underachiever, and they have that rookie Cole who has been categorized as a career role player.
So while not the worst front court it in my mind does not compare to the Spurs, Lakers, Blazers…
I also think they are too inexperienced and outside of Durant, inconsistent, to make a strong playoff push, they need more of a veteran presence on the team to do so.
They also lack consistent outside shooting, but that may change this year with the additions of Cook and Peterson and the development of Harden.
They are a dangerous team and getting better all the time, I just do not think they are there yet. Time will tell though.
September 14th, 2010 at 11:11 am
you’re crazy. tony and manu are still gonna be as dominant as they’ve been becuase they are gonna be rested through the summer, as they’ll both be better than ever. duncan will go through the smae game plan as before, playing low minutes until the playoffs, and splitter will be the dominant force we have been waiting for. adding all the pieces with the big three with we always have had, will make a GREAT team. the thunder or lakers will be our only challenge this year, i don’t really think the trailblazers are as good as they are projected to be. They will be like the magic, too much talent in one team, and the right player will not get to ball enough (howard) for their team to win. We will always be giving the ball to duncan to post up, and we will win. (barring injuries) good day
September 14th, 2010 at 11:13 am
@micah
I understand where you’re coming from. But just remember that Westbrook just compared very favorably to Derrick Rose in the World Championships and seems set for an all-star coming-out party this year. Ibaka did a great job of guarding Tim down the stretch in some of the later games we played last season, and the fact is that nobody can really contain Durant at this point. Beyond that, the Thunder have a cast of able role players like Green, Harden, Thabo, Collison, etc, that may not be flashy but can play solid defense and are at least good enough on offense to keep opposing teams honest. And honesty, have a transcendent superstar is just such a huge deal in basketball; when two teams are somewhat closely matched as I think the Spurs and Thunder could be, the team with the best player on the court generally wins.
But like I said… it’s close enough that anyone claiming the demise of the Spurs before the season even starts is a little premature. The Spurs are right there in that level below the Lakers (and arguably, the Thunder), so that if we catch a few breaks, we could give Tim one more nice playoff run.
September 14th, 2010 at 11:39 am
Who knows how good Neal, Blair, Splitter, Hill, and Anderson can be?? When he was drafted, no one knew that Durant would be that much better than any of his peers. Who knew last year that Wesley Matthews who was UNDRAFTED would play well enough to get a 5 year, $32 Mil contract? Hill was runner up for Most Improved. Does that count for something - NOT if you are a Spur. I think the Spurs are quietly happy with their team. They don’t seem to be panicking about signing any additional players (something you can’t claim about contributors here and at PTR). One thing for sure is that we will start finding out in 2 weeks when training camp finally opens.
September 14th, 2010 at 11:49 am
thats the spirit!
September 14th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
I’ll be the first to admit that on paper the Spurs do not look like contenders…however we found out harshly last season how you look on paper doesnt always translate to what the production on the court will be. And that goes for the rest of the teams in the West too.
LA is the only sure team in the West right now. There’s no way just because OKC took LA to 6 games that they can automaticaly be catapulted from the 8 seed to the 2 seed. They have virtually the same guys, albeit Durant and Westbook will be better.
So I say, hold all teams outside of LA to the same standard. We have no idea until we actually see some games being played. Give our guys a chance to show if they too are better in their next year. I wouldnt predict us as chance, but im damn sure not ruling that out.
September 14th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Thanks for your candor, Andrew. It’s not always easy being a fan, and also dealing with reality. You’re just acknowledging that the Spurs have a very slim chance of getting a title this year. And while you certainly don’t say that with joy, trying to stay in touch with reality is more important to you than being a cult member, and I applaud you for that. The following pithy quote says it all:
“But admitting the Spurs’ time has passed ain’t easy.”
micah
September 14th, 2010 at 6:27 am
“The West is much weaker this year….”
The West is not weaker this year. OKC, Blazers, Rockets, Mavs, Lakers, Grizzlies, Kings, and the Clippers are all the same or better this year (even the Warriors are probably better!).
“No team in the league gives the Lakers more problems match-up wise than the Spurs.”
I disagree. The Rockets & Blazers are tougher match-ups for the Lakers than the Spurs.
quincyscott
September 14th, 2010 at 7:29 am
“I think the Spurs are about the same as the Celtics, who last year came within a hair of beating the Lakers.”
We don’t play team defense like the Celtics. That’s the main difference.
Chris K.
September 14th, 2010 at 7:48 am
“We’ve said it before, but only a re-commitment to top-class defense will give the Spurs a chance this year. If we’re in the top 3 in def. ppg by the end of the year, we have a chance. If not, then not.”
Well put. I agree.
Tyler
September 14th, 2010 at 8:05 am
“I think there’s a major difference between being realistic and a bandwagon fan. Just because you believe your team isn’t a contender doesn’t mean you are any less of a fan than one who believes you’re destined for a title that particular year.”
A point that obviously can’t be reiterated often enough.
GitErDun
September 14th, 2010 at 9:45 am
“If Hill, Blair, Splitter, Anderson, Neal were on either the Lakers, Heat, Magic, or the Celtics, they would be being talked about as budding superstars. On the Spurs they are just complementary players.”
Those players are in fact not budding “superstars”, and it has nothing to do with what team they play for.
September 14th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Off topic, but….
Erick Dampier just released from Charlotte, which begs the question, would he consider the Spurs??
I have to think we’d jump at the chance to sign another big of his caliber. Even at his age, he’s still an above average interior defender. It would be a coup if the FO could pull that off. Fingers crossed.
September 14th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Tyler
September 14th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Agreed. Currently we don’t have the size (youth or athleticism) to compete against the front lines of last season’s finalists. At least Dampier would give us the size to compete.
September 14th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Lakers, Bulls, and Heat are my only serious tile contenders. The Celtics have a shot. So do the Magic. The Spurs shocked the hell out of me when they got swept by Phoenix. I agree with 50+ wins. I think Duncan should move on if he wants to win more championships. But he has more character than that. I would say I’m 95% sure that Duncan is going to finish his career with San Antonio. I think that after Duncan retires so will Popovich and I also think that Manu will leave and Parker would be traded for sure after that happened.(If he was still on the team).
September 14th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Jim Henderson….
““If Hill, Blair, Splitter, Anderson, Neal were on either the Lakers, Heat, Magic, or the Celtics, they would be being talked about as budding superstars. On the Spurs they are just complementary players.”
Those players are in fact not budding “superstars”, and it has nothing to do with what team they play for.”
Unless you have a crystal ball that only speaks to you, you have no way of knowing what each of these players will or won’t turn out to be. Stop being the self appointed 48MOH know it all.
September 14th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I’ll hold comment on this article until about the end of the season.
My die hard fandom thinks they have a shot at a title. The decline of who the team has won championships around may be the reality that’s being spoke here.
But…the season hasn’t started. The new faces haven’t proved good or bad. And there’s the heart of a champion that always seems to find a way to win.
We’ll see. But I understand the just of the article. Combining emotion with doubt seems to inevitably breed future mental preparedness in times of anxiety of the unknown.
September 14th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
I recall when the Lakers use to break my heart, when Majic brought his act to town. When Portland came back, while I went to grabbed a burrito. I thought, if I only had skipped the last desire for heartburn. When Rodman brought us hope, only to put on a white wedding dress and leave us at the alter. I was dreaming when I saw Ice and the Doctor J go mano a mano, only to wake up to a Washington Bullet between the eyes. If the eye covets what it sees, I witnessed Kobe Crying, Shaq murmmering, and the Mighty (Jackson) making up excuses why the Spurs got lucky. The punishment of a liar, is when he tries to tell his truth nobody beleaves him. Go Spurs Go.
September 14th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
“He (Matt Moore) said that in the end, talent wins out. The most talented team wins the NBA title.”
i disagree. in the 2004 finals, the pistons beat (actually, trounced) a more talented lakers team. plus, we all saw the travesty of the 2006 finals. there’s a reason they play the games. the spurs have as good a chance as any and a better chance than many to win it all in 2011. they need a ‘perfect storm’ season to win the championship. here’s to them.
September 14th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
You saw what happened last year once Ginobili was in full stride. They were beating all the top teams on their home court. Well. things want be the same this year. They are even better. If they don’t break Ginobili’s noes again and put that big white bandage glaring in his eyes, we got them right where we want them.
September 14th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
the number 8 seed took la to 8 games… all of a sudden they are going to be the number 2 seed? based off what?
September 14th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
I like the reality check. After being dismantled defensively by Phoenix last year, we have well and truly assumed underdog status….which I think the fan base need to embrace. For us to make the WCF this year and face off against the lakers would be somewhat punching above our weight as things on paper currently stand. But thats the beauty of the team this year, we have a good injection of youth with alot of upside potential……..thats why they play the games!
September 14th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
I like our chances; I honestly do not think we’re done yet. Last season was an injury plagued season full of adjustments, yet we still managed to make the playoffs and beat the number two seed. The spurs met their demise at the hands of a motivated and red-hot Suns team that was playing killer pick and roll (PnR) basketball. Our Achilles heel was our pick and roll defense. As constituted last season the spurs were more suited to defend against isolation offenses and that is why we got past Dallas. Dallas offense is predominantly an Iso offense that runs through Dirk. Though they run some PnR plays they are not as effective as the suns. Dallas PnR plays often end up as Pick and Pop because Dirk does not roll as hard and opts for an elbow jump shot. Additionally their lack of 3-point threats allows the spurs to adjust with help defense. My point is the Spurs defend well against none PnR teams. Last season the Suns were the perfect storm for the spurs. If you factor in TP’s injury plagued and ineffective season, Manu’s broken nose and TD’s “burnout” and subsequent lack of lateral speed to defend the PnR, one begins to understand our second round loss. These combinations of circumstances are fixable and we addressed them this offseason. By bring in Tiago and the development of Blair, the Spurs can lighten TD’s load to save him from “burnout” and we have also improve our PnR defense. Additionally, though we can’t take credit for this, the spurs stand to benefit from the weakening of the PnR western conference teams (Jazz and Suns). This season the spurs are better suited to deal with injuries with their depth and the versatility of the current players to play multiple positions. We are also more athletic and have more promising three point threats than last season. The moves made this offseason may not have the same sizzle of last summer, but at least on paper we are a much better team than we were last season. The only team that’s a notch above us in the west is the Lakers, this is the only team in the west we should be worried about and I still like our chances against them. We match up well against the Lakers. The spurs have made subtle and significant changes this offseason. I believe we’re still in the bunt!
September 14th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Whatever the case may be…Just don’t lose to the Mavs in the playoffs and I’m good.
September 14th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Vikombe: I completely agree with where you are headed on this. I would like to think that, had the Spurs advanced, they would have given the Lakers a better run for their money, even last season.
Jim Henderson: As far as comparing the Celtics and Spurs, I do not think the Celtics really were a lock down defensive team last season. But they definitely stepped up the defensive intensity in the playoffs, and they had the bodies to do so. I absolutely agree that unless the Spurs can recover their defensive chops from two seasons ago, they will not contend. I think Splitter, Hill and Jefferson will have a lot to say about that. (And, personally, the less of the red haired bomber I see on the floor this year, the better. I am probably oversimplifying things, but my gut says there is an inverse relationship between team defensive quality and minutes played by Bonner.)
September 14th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
GitErDun
September 14th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
“Unless you have a crystal ball that only speaks to you, you have no way of knowing what each of these players will or won’t turn out to be. Stop being the self appointed 48MOH know it all.”
“…..only speaks to you….”???
The suggestion that I somehow went out on a limb because I said that Hill, Blair, Neal, Splitter, & Anderson we’re not “budding superstars”, regardless of what team they played for, is preposterous. Believe me, I’m far, far from alone in that assessment. Just take a poll and you’ll see what I mean. Look, two or three of those guys could make it to “all-star” level (if everything goes as well as possible) in the next 3-4 years, but “superstar”? No way. The only one I’m not “quite sure” about is Anderson, because he’s young AND I haven’t seen him play enough, and not at all in the NBA. But the main point here was that these players would not be seen as budding superstars just because they played for a more high-profile team.
rob
September 14th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
“My die hard fandom thinks they have a shot at a title.”
I think Andrew is just saying that the Spurs have a very slim shot at a title, not that they don’t have “any shot”.
Vikombe
September 14th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
“The only team that’s a notch above us in the west is the Lakers, this is the only team in the west we should be worried about and I still like our chances against them. We match up well against the Lakers. The spurs have made subtle and significant changes this offseason.”
The changes were much more subtle than significant. I don’t see us as a clear-cut two-seed in the West, and I don’t think we match-up that great with the Lakers. Our front line does not have a good enough combination of weight (TD, Dice, Splitter), height (Blair), or youth (Dice & TD). I see the Rockets & Blazers as matching up better with LA. As it stands, I would seed us 4th or 5th, at best. We have a very slim chance at a title. Everything would have to go close to perfect, which would include our fair share of luck.
September 14th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
The Spurs have a chance this year to be a good team and an outside shot at the WCF. There was a considerable amount of turnover and injuries among several top flight Western Conference teams. Unlike years in the past where there was a clear cut #2 WC contender, this year there are a number of teams who could take that spot. Also, keep in mind that injuries will inevitably take a toll on 1 or 2 good teams (lets hope its not us) thus increasing our chances at getting deeper in the playoffs.
I get amused at certain “experts” and several other self appointed hoops gurus who think they can predict next season’s playoff rankings and outcomes 8 months in advance. Lets not forget that last year there was only a 5 game difference between being #2-8 seeds in the West. Had the Spurs started the season in a more respectable fashion, we would have easily been a higher seeded team and could have even gotten to the #2 spot. In the end, the only thing we can really bank on is that the Lakers (barring injury) are the #1 seed. The rest of the WC playoff seeding is completely up in the air.
Whether we make it to the conference finals or not (and I believe we have a decent chance) this season will certainly be interesting. I can’t remember the last time we had so many new/young faces on the team. Blair, Hill, and Splitter should be decent contributors to varying degrees. However, guys like Temple, Anderson, and Neal are huge unknowns. I doubt any of these three make any real contributions in the playoffs, but if one got hot and won a regular season game or two, that could be the difference in a higher seed.
In the end, this will be a huge test for Pop and the coaching staff. These young players will test how well the coaches can teach, involve, and develop the new talent. Let’s hope Pop can live up to his reputation.
P.S. I agree with those who think we should sign Erica Dampier. He would be a nice addition to the team and can eat up some defensive minutes in the middle while Splitter is getting his NBA legs.
September 14th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
i meant 6 games, not 8. duh.
September 14th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Hobson13
September 14th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
“I get amused at certain “experts” and several other self appointed hoops gurus who think they can predict next season’s playoff rankings and outcomes 8 months in advance. Lets not forget that last year there was only a 5 game difference between being #2-8 seeds in the West.”
Well, no one’s quite sure who the “experts” and “self-appointed hoop gurus” that you’re referring to. But one thing is for certain: nobody knows for sure how the seedings will play out in the West this season, and I don’t know anyone on this blog that has stated otherwise. That said, there’s no harm in evaluating the rosters and coaching staffs of the playoff contenders, and making an educated guess at the final seedings. In that vein, in my view, “odds are” the Spurs will end up around the middle of the pack. Now, could they finish 7th or 8th in the West, even miss the playoffs? Perhaps, but in my view the odds don’t favor it. Could the Spurs finish 1st or 2nd in the West? Sure, but again in my view the odds don’t favor it. You seem to suggest that the teams vying for playoff spots 2-8 all have an identical shot at being #2. I respectfully disagree with that (although I concede it is fairly close), and have previously made seeding guesses accordingly. If we polled a hundred people for their prediction of final seedings, in all likelihood less than a handful would get the seedings correct one through eight. And any predictions I’ve made along these lines are just that; educated guesses for the fun of it, and very likely to be wrong to one degree or another. We’ll see at the end of the season, but regardless of predictions, it should be an interesting & enjoyable season, and I hope the Spurs end up #1 in the West. No, it’s not impossible, just very unlikely!
September 14th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Jim Henderson
September 14th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
“Well, no one’s quite sure who the “experts” and “self-appointed hoop gurus” that you’re referring to.”
My reference was more directed at the mainstream media not calling out anyone on this blog.
“That said, there’s no harm in evaluating the rosters and coaching staffs of the playoff contenders, and making an educated guess at the final seedings.”
We’ve done this ad nauseum for months. Weeks ago I compiled my detailed thoughts on the WC and many on here did the same. There’s simply nothing left to be said on the subject.
“You seem to suggest that the teams vying for playoff spots 2-8 all have an identical shot at being #2.”
Yes, perhaps, but how do you seriously differentiate legitimate top 8 teams who have lost/added key members of their rotation(Utah, Suns), have key players that are injury prone/recovering from injury (Portland, Houston, even Spurs) or teams that have virtually no playoff experience (OKC). In short, after the Lakers, no other team has an overwhelming advantage in talent, yet they all (including Spurs) have very different weaknesses. The only way we find out who can do what is to play an 82 game regular season. Again, I don’t mean to be harsh, but this blog, as a group, has said everything there is to say without the Spurs beginning the 2010-2011 season.
September 14th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
JP
September 14th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
“Whatever the case may be…Just don’t lose to the Mavs in the playoffs and I’m good.”
Haha i with you bro!!
September 14th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
RE: Erica Dampier - If all you want is his defense, I guess that’s fine. BUT, the dude’s got hands of stone, or maybe he just doesn’t have flexible digits, I dunno. All I can say is OFFENSIVE LIABILITY.
I’m really looking forward to this season! So much excitement and uncertainty, but the good kind! As a great man once said: “The suspense is terrible. I hope it’ll last.”
Go Spurs Go!
September 14th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
So that’s it, huh? Just give the Western Conference title to them Lakers and book our fishing reservations early?
Wait a minute. Last time I checked, this is the Spurs blog. Not the TWolves. Not the Hornets. Darn. This is not even the Nuggets blog.
I think if we really want to be realistic about the upcoming season, we should face the fact that yes, it’s gonna be one hell of a ride. The Lakers practically remained the same, the Thunder are maturing and the Rockets got Yao back. But this is the Spurs, guys, and WE DON’T GIVE UP ‘TIL THE TROPHY’S AWARDED TO THE CHAMPS. You might think that I’m into hallucinogens, but I think that’s what being a fan is about - believing in your team and expecting them to push hard despite the apparent impossibility of the situation. Back in 2004, I don’t think anyone thought about a role-player-filled Detroit would topple the Fearsome Foursome in L.A. In 2006, everybody has practically written off the Heat against the Mavs who beat the defending champs.
If our attitude will be that of “yeah, the Lakers would reign supreme in the West again and we’ll just watch to see the newbies develop,” then it’s best to just hand the trophies to the Lakers or to whichever team we believe “have what it takes to win the title.”
September 14th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Hey, how about if TP doesn’t want an extension? Why not go for a trade for Chauncy Billups? If Carmelo Anthony changes team i think we have a chance with Chauncy… your thoughts please???
September 14th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
You say that, all of that. Highlight some factors that work negatively, some positively, and then…decree that it’s over. A Spurs blogger on the almighty 4-letter network. Et Tu, Andrew? Don’t drink the 4-letter Kool Aid man.
You say middle of the pack, I disagree. Yahoo released their NBA mag recently and I go straight to their predictions page and I see:
Western Conference Finals Lakers Over Spurs
Imagine that, a national mag that says the Spurs will meet the LAL in the West Finals.
They can get THERE and FARTHER. I’ve been saying this a lot on message boards all over the place. “There are more DAVIDS than there are Goliaths.” If you give David the right tools, and most of all, the right mindset…Goliath of Gath will fall yet again.
I’d think
September 14th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
We might not have the best chance of winning the title, but we would be in the top 10 of title contenders. I just thank my lucky stars that I support the Spurs and not the Warriors or Clippers. At least I get to go into each season with some hope.
By the way, with Dampier being waived to we have any MLE left to make an offer over the vet’s minimum? Should we?
September 14th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Will the Spurs win a 5th title this year? Who knows, that’s why they play the game.
The top 16 teams are as close as I’ve ever seen in my 27 years of life. There are way too many variables this year to even make an educated guess as to who will win.
And that’s why I’m buying NBA League Pass.
Go Spurs Go!
September 14th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
I have one legitimate question to the writer. What do you consider the Spurs most athletic team during the Duncan era? Would you not consider this one of the most athletic and talented team the Spurs have had in Duncan’s era? I would go on to say that this team is probably more talented and athletic than the year that the Spurs won in 2007. Why would you close the window on this team?
I mean, it’s true that the Lakers have more talented big man but can’t we argue that the Spurs have a better bench than them, even without Ginobili? I’m not sold on the Celtics, sorry. They may have gotten to the Finals last year but I’m willing to bet the Spurs could’ve handled them easily in a 7 game series, despite their loss against the Suns.
I’m not closing the window on the Spurs yet. Sorry. I think this article is flawed. I’m not saying the Spurs are winning. But I am saying that the Spurs still have a decent chance, if only they gel very very well.
September 14th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
I just showed my brother the title of this post. His quote:
“South Texas has pretty nice winters.”
September 14th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
@ Chris All the “ifs” you mentioned do not have to happen. I’d say if we only get one or two of those “ifs” then the Spurs are good. I’d say the most important if is their defense, “if only their defense would be as good as their championship years.” Spurs got plenty of offensive talent to be worrying about the other “ifs.”
September 15th, 2010 at 2:27 am
Andrew and company,
Nice essay. I’ll chime in with a long, history-laden counter, if you don’t mind…
Although I’m not that old, I’ve been a Spurs fan since they were in the ABA (back when George Karl played for them, and Phil Jackson was still a bizarrely mangey forward for the Knicks). Things have changed a lot since then, but not THAT much. These days there is a media-fuelled tendency to believe that you have to have a dominant team to win the title and that dominant teams are only built from big-name trades, big-money signings, or big-name draftees (usually from a famous college program like Duke or Kentucky).
Contrary to that media obsession, though, there have been many championship teams that were not been particularly dominant-even recently. Here’s a list examples of good-but not great-teams that surprised everyone to win championships, even overcoming great teams in the process:
* The Knicks in 1970 (when they beat Wilt Chamberlain Lakers with a 6’9″ center limping on a torn ligament) & ’73
* The Warriors in ’75
* Bill Walton’s “Wild Bunch” Trailblazers in ’77 (who beat what was touted as the most talented squad ever assembled)
* The Bullets in ’78 (who didn’t even win 50 games!)
* The Sonics in ’79
After that, yes, there was a run of dynastic championships, dominated by Bird & Magic. But then the Pistons came out of nowhere in 1988, winning championships in ’89 and ’90. They were not perceived as a great team until AFTER their first title. They did have one star (Thomas), but were made up of a bunch of castaways, a great coach, two hidden gems (Rodman and Dumars were a surprise to the entire league-including Detroit), and a nasty defense. Then of course the Bulls arrived with Jordan, Pippen, and Phil Jackson. But when Jordan retired for two years, a pretty good but not great Rockets team managed two titles as well. Yes, they had Olajuwon, but who else was on their first team? Their next best payer was probably Otis Thorpe, a one-time all star.
After Jordan returned and then retired, we had a pair of dynasties that won 7 of 8 (Go, Spurs, Go!). But again, who knocked off the ultra-superstar Lakers in 2004 (when they added Malone and Payton to Shaq and Kobe)? Detroit? Whose best players were the frequently traded Chauncey Billups and the offensively challenged Ben Wallace? And more recently, did anyone really expect Miami to win in 2006? Sure, Wade was on fire in the playoffs. But Shaq was already as much a burden as an asset. And who were the other superstars on that team? Only the coach (Pat Riley).
Sorry for the history lesson, but in fact about a third of the titles won since Bill Russell retired were won by teams that emerged seemingly out of nowhere. And frequently those teams did so against supposedly dominant teams. The common denominators? First, a team-oriented culture (best epitomized by Portland in ’77). Second, a tenacious commitment to defense (some more than others, of course, with the Warriors and Bullets at the bottom of the list and all three Pistons teams at the top). Third, a hall of fame coach (which every single one of those teams had, lending credence to the idea that it really is a coach’s league). And finally, a collection of hungry but talented role players, who were overlooked for some reason (perhaps they went to smaller schools, like Jack Sikma, Joe Dumars, and Ben Wallace did). Maybe they needed a second chance (like Chauncey Billups did with Detroit or Gus Williams did with the Sonics). Or maybe they offered an unusual but useful array of skills (it could be a pesky defensive specialist like Phil Jackson or Dennis Rodman, a spectacularly streaky shooter like Vinnie Johnson or Antoine Walker, or a shot-blocking-only specialist like Marvin Webster). But each contributed in crucial ways.
Now admittedly this is a time when there is a pretty dominant team, unfortunately in our own conference (LA). So I’m not saying that I expect that the Spurs will win the title. But even dominant teams not only can be beaten but frequently are. For instance, the Lakers had Chamberlain and West together for five seasons, surrounded by a strong supporting cast. They only won one title. Even our own Spurs only managed four titles in nine years. So let’s not hand the title to LA or Miami just yet. Besides, the current Spurs fit the profile of a good team that can win the championship, even if they have to knock off a dominant one to do it: They have a team-first culture, they are committed to defense (although they will need to shore this up, as they’ve slipped in recent years), they have a hall of fame coach, and they have a stable of hungry but talented role players, many with an unusual but very useful set of skills.
They are different in one crucial respect, however, because their best players already have multiple rings. Some might argue that this makes them less hungry (in my opinion, though, it enhances their chances). Even so, there is one very good historical model for a post-dynasty team that won championships against better squads: I’m referring to the Boston Celtics of the 1970s, who had no business winning two championships-especially in 1974 against a very strong Milwaukee Bucks team that featured two of the 10 best players of all time (Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).
So, in other words, it ain’t over until it’s over. Do I think the Spurs are LIKELY to win? No. But it’s entirely possible. This is a good team, with champions on its roster and in the coach’s seat. As the coach of one of the teams mentioned above used to say, “Never underestimate the heart of a champion!” (That’s Rudy Tomjanovich, of course, coach of the Rockets in ’93 and ’94.)
Cheers,
Tim
September 15th, 2010 at 3:37 am
Jim Henderson
“I think Andrew is just saying that the Spurs have a very slim shot at a title, not that they don’t have “any shot”.”
I know what he was saying. All I was eluding to was that…though it doesn’t look as promising as years past…we yet don’t have a clear idea of how the new faces are going to perform. How healthy the core will be and remain. Or how much determination and drive will surface and sustain.
I’m not disagreeing or agreeing on the article. I’m taking a wait and see approach before formulating an opinion regarding the Spurs chances of winning the title.
Just a side note….The views and opinions generated by several regarding this article have been well articulated and written concerning both sides of the issue.
It’s been one of the best responses I’ve read.
And I agree with Hobson…Dampier would not be a bad pick up if nothing else were to happen prior to the season starting. He’s always had success defending against the Lakers. But OKC seems to have their sights on him now.
September 15th, 2010 at 4:11 am
Andrew is dead on.
Spurs dont have much of a shot at the title with this roster.
Unless,
* Pop learns how and when to use D. Blair. He should swallow his pride and call Doc Rivers for advice.
*Anderson and Neal turn out to be agressive on offense and defense and are able to consistently hit shots, contested and otherwise. Unlike Bogans and Mason, these guys can finish at the rim as well.
*Bonner is mandated to actually play the PF position. We are looking weak in our frontcourt because as it stands, Bonner cant be viewed as a big. (ALL COACHING)..He actually has the size and bulk to make a difference in the paint, if properly coached. No more of this 6’10 two guard crap.
*Jefferson returns to form and Pop just lets the guy play…He might even incorporate RJ into the offense.
* Stop all of the Hill over Parker BS. There is no comparison, and it will only lead to Parker’s departure.
*If, the big three spent time this offseason getting physically stronger.
*Splitter! From all of the talk and praise for this young man, hopefully he can be a 12-10 per night guy…
This is extremely important…If this guy can get those numbers consistently, and play good defense…then we have something to to feel good about…If!
Finally…Popovich
Which Pop do we get this season? The guy who is still trying to set his rotations 3 games from the end of the season? The Ego maniac who got caught up reading his own Press?
The guy who completely dismantles his roster prior to the all star break?
Or, the Pop who charges out each year with the dictator like idiocy that undermines and humiliates players, destroys thier confidence and market, and eventually runs them out of town?
Lots of if’s indeed….
September 15th, 2010 at 6:00 am
Fair enough points, but I am absolutely not throwing in the towel until we see how this still potentially very strong team gells. The Spurs have been under-estimated for years and remember this is the same the “big three” core of Parker/Manu/Duncan, albeit older, that almost beat the feared Lakers when they had Shaq, Bryant, Malone and Payton barring a disputable Fisher 0.4 miracle. Is the current Lakers (or even the Heat) team really more formidable than the supremely talented dominant Shaq in his prime, a younger Bryant and 2 fellow allstars in their company back then? This also the first time in years none of the big three played overseas or had an injury coming into the season that I can remember.
Plus is a lot of proven and potential talent behind the big three in Dice, Jefferson (what if he bounces back big time?), Hill, Blair, Anderson, and Splitter.
Foremost, I believe the Spurs themselves fully quietly believe another run is possible. Time after time this resilient franchise has been written off in series or at the beginning of seasons and until Duncan retires, I will always believe they have at least some chance of pulling off one last glorious run.
September 15th, 2010 at 6:53 am
Dampier would be a fantastic pickup for the Spurs.
SA has to return to the grind-it-out, low scoring, “boring” style in order to contend. As much as we love watching high scoring games, this team won’t be able to outscore their way to a title. (sidenote - I used to get the most satisfaction when friends of mine would call me up during the playoffs and bash SA for being “boring”)
Adding another big that our perimeter defenders can funnel offensive players to would help our team defense immensely (after all, this is what our defensive philosophy is predicated on). Dampier would be able to play the role of Nazr or Rasho from years past, when our team defense was the best in the league.
In short, this team doesn’t need more offense - we have enough firepower to compete. We need more defense, and that starts on the interior where Dampier can really help. Add him to this team and we could possibly have 3 better-than-average rim protectors (Splitter and TD being the other two).
September 15th, 2010 at 7:12 am
I think Dampier could be very useful. If the aim is to assemble a team to take down the Lakers, then we are certainly going to need a lot of long bodies to throw at their front court. Dampier is that.
However, I think a more pressing need is at the 3. We have good depth at the 4/5 with the addition of Splitter. I don’t feel confident about depth at Jefferson’s spot. It seems to me that, with our current roster, the roll of the backup 3 will be filled by a 4 or a 2 who is playing out of position. Which may work just fine, but it concerns me.
September 15th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Agreed with picking up Dampier. I’m a little biased, of course, being a Mississippi State grad, but hey… he fits a need on the team.
Man, I remember that Final Four run MSU made. Killed me that they choked against Syracuse. Kentucky won it all that year. Guess who beat them in the SEC Championship Game? Yeah. MSU.
Note to front office: go get Dampier!
September 15th, 2010 at 7:40 am
I think this is correct. It all hinges on Duncan. Fact is Duncan is slowly and surely becoming older, and the Spurs’ title hopes with him. He’s not the automatic double team he was before. He’s guardable now by 1 on 1 coverage. That alone has changed the offense’s dynamics completely. Not even mentioning the waning team defense.
September 15th, 2010 at 8:00 am
I’m not quite getting how Spurs fans can say their opportunity for a championship is over. Yes, Duncan and Ginobili are getting older, but they can still contribute. There’s no doubt about it.
Parker should have a banner year this year. With Duncan and Ginobili playing conservative minutes and Parker in a contract year, it’s his time to shine. I think he can outplay his best year of two years ago.
Let’s not forget how this team has defied the odds these last couple of years. Everyone keeps expecting the Spurs to die out and not become relevant, but they keep showing up.
Not only have they overachieved in the past couple of years (like last season in the playoffs), but how about their championship seasons? I was absolutely blindsided when they won in 2007. It was almost surreal. At no point did I think they were out of the discussion, but I definitely didn’t think they were the frontrunners. After all, this was the first year where all of the critics were saying Timmy and Manu are starting to slow down. In the end they swept the Cavaliers. Things went their way with the Mavs losing in the first round and Steve Nash flopping his way to the ground in the second round matchup (you know what REALLY happened Suns fans).
A championship team always has an element of luck. You can have all the skill and talent in the world, but sometimes you need a lucky bounce (take the Lakers for instance last year with three buzzer beaters, most notably Game 5 vs. the Thunder).
The Spurs still have a shot, albeit a long one. As a devout fan, you just can’t rule out their chances. There’s always a chance!
By the way, I love the comparison to the Celtics of last year. There are definitely similarities. Three (or two) old “fading” stars, a solid bench, now they just need that proven three-point shooter and an improved defense. It’s not so far-fetched to think those two things can happen with James Anderson and Tiago Splitter respectively.
So here’s to hope. Here’s to the prospect of raising the 5th banner. I’ll take it one step further: here’s to anticipating a Western Conference Finals match-up with the Los Angeles Lakers. I want it to happen. I hope it happens. And when it does, I hope they tear ‘em a new one.
Here’s to a renewed HOPE in our Spurs (today’s word of the day is hope, by the way). GO SPURS GO!!!
P.S. Open letter to Richard Jefferson: Please earn your worth this season. I know what you can be, now just fulfill your basketball destiny already!
September 15th, 2010 at 10:04 am
I feel the same way about the end of the championship window… It’s a strange feeling to have because part of me thinks well what’s the point of all this then? Then I remember that I love basketball, the Spurs, and watching Ginobili and Duncan play. We might see better players than Ginobili or Duncan in a Spurs uniform one day but there won’t ever be another Manu or Timmy.
September 15th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Dampier?
Wouldnt Mahinmi or Dwayne Jones have been just as long and just as capable at 22yrs old as a 90 year old Dampier? The decisions of theis FO are ridiculous.
We need to be more like the fans in Dallas…J Garrett’s catching huge heat from the media for his pop warner play calling….
Our coach and FO can be as jacked up as they like and not a peep from any media source or our very own fan base.
Are we all afraid of Pop and RC? Or is it just the cowardly local media that cowers in his presence?
Something very eerie about that to me.
Besides, if the fan base see’s the upside in picking up ANY good player from anywhere in the leauge (example Dampier) to add to the roster, the FO will certainly not go after that player…Instead they will go after some no name scrub and stash him overseas to watch us get beat down in the playoffs.
Amundson is a prime example.
No my friends, its time to exercise a little fanbase muscle in San Antonio.
We are the base, the financing, and the following for this franchise.
If fans were to stop buying tickets, stop comming to games, stop buying merchandise, and stop drinking the Pop and RC koolaide, PETER HOLT WOULD BE FORCED TO TAKE NOTICE AND MAKE SOME CHANGES.
people like this coach and FO allow themselves to get to the point where they actually think it is about them.
We dont support the team because of those nimrods, we support the game and the players, and winning. Period!
We watch the players play..
Time to flex our Spur Nation muscles..
Cant wait to see if the Spurs knew what they were doing in releasing Mahinmi, giving guaranteed money to “no name” Neal over the veteran, Malik Hairston, giving millions to retain Bonner (He must be dating Pop’s daughter), and finally, indirectly encouaging Tony Parker to move on to another team.
If they are correct, I would not question “Zen Buford” and “Zen Popovich” ever again…
Right! ROFLMAO
September 15th, 2010 at 11:07 am
@Ballhog
Erick Dampier is light years ahead of Ian and Dwayne Jones as a player. It’s not even close.
September 15th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Um, one of the reasons I’m not a Mavericks fan is that I have no desire to “be more like the fans in Dallas.” I don’t want our owner to be like the Dallas owner. I don’t want our “ridiculous” front office to emulate the one in Dallas. No. Thank. You.
September 15th, 2010 at 11:35 am
@ quincyscott: +1.
I live in the Dallas-area and ugh - fortunately I won’t have to hate the owner of my favorite baseball team since Cuban lost out to Nolan Ryan’s posse. Cuban has a lot of fans, but there is a contingent that wonder how long he’ll continue to be the General Manager - For those who think Pop and RC have issues, Donnie Nelson and MC aren’t exactly setting the world on fire! Tyson Chandler and Ian? Really?
September 15th, 2010 at 11:36 am
The only answer, and the only way the Spurs will prosper in the long run, is for the fans to make more demands and maybe boycott the team. Great Idea!
My other favorite: “[Pop,] The Ego maniac who got caught up reading his own Press?” LOL!
September 15th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I also live in Dallas, and for the Spurs to try in any way to emulate the Mavericks and Cowboys would be sickening.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the Cowboys, but god the fans up here are annoying.
September 15th, 2010 at 11:56 am
@kevin,
That struck me as being rather funny. Cowboys fans hate their own fans. Hehe. That’s just another reason why Spurs fans are cooler and better. We’re so much more reserved than those fools in Dallas, or LA, and now Miami.
September 15th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
It’s funny, but I’d have to say most Cowboys fans from places OTHER than DFW are way better fans.
September 15th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
On second thought, I think Dampier is way too expensive. Scratch my above, rash enthusiasm.
September 15th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
quincyscott
September 15th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
“On second thought, I think Dampier is way too expensive.”
But his current contract is voidable.
September 15th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
How is it voidable? I thought he was supposed to be one of those “trade-chips” contract-wise, but the Mavs spent it to get Chandler - wait, I guess he was dropped and that cleared his contract status?
September 15th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
@quincyscott
I don’t think he’ll be that expensive. Being that it’s pretty close to training camp, and that most teams have spent most of their cap and exception money, I’m thinking $2-4M, at least for the first year. Of course, there will be several teams putting on the full court press for his services - Miami, OKC, Dallas, among others…..
September 15th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
If waived during a certain period of time, Dampier’s contract comes off the books, which Charlotte executed to get under the luxury tax. They could have waited and tried to find a trade partner in order to swing a few assets, but that would have required Charlotte to take on salary, which they apparently didn’t want to do.
September 15th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
All things considered - this article is completely incorrect.
I believe there are only about 6 teams (plus wildcard) in the league at any given time that have the ability to win it all.
LA
Miami
Chicago
San Antonio
Oklahoma
Boston
***Wildcard***
Last year we stunned everyone with our ability to upset the #2 seed Mavericks, who were the only front runners to beat LA. I believe had we played LA in the first round, we would have won. We could not have run into a worse match-up in the Suns. I also believe we would have beaten Boston in 7 games.
Lets be honest - who builds a team to beat the Suns?
I think we have roughly a 10% chance to win it all.
10% is alot more than 0%
September 15th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
I agree we would of beat lakers first round. we were playing good and they were playing like sh!t! I still think were the biggest threat to the lakers in the west! due to i still have to put experience first(spurs) over young and talented (thunder, blazers)! even though we did get younger too! cant wait till the season starts! GO SPURS GO!
September 15th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
well, title or not, i love me some spurs basketball. can’t wait to see tiago and duncan make opposing teams frontcourts head spin with good passing, footwork, and drwaing contact. those internationals really have a knack for that im looking forward to the era of the blazers thunder kings fighting for bragging rights in the west while the mavs, suns,nugget,are in rebuiling mode. i think the spurs are right up there with the latter group of teams in terms of rebuilding youth movement. we may not have a brandon roy, tyreke evans, or mvp durant, but blair, hill, anderson, splitter is a good start! im so prof what the spurs have accomplished along with their preparation for a turnaround. go spurs and viva san antonio!
September 15th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Two words, son: Red Rocket
September 15th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
DieHardSpur
September 15th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
“All things considered – this article is completely incorrect.”
The article is not “completely incorrect”. Andrew basically says that the Spurs have a very small chance at winning a title this year. And he’s clearly correct about that.
“I believe there are only about 6 teams (plus wildcard) in the league at any given time that have the ability to win it all.”
You’d have to add Houston, Dallas, Portland, and Orlando to that list. And if one did cut it down to 6 teams, the Spurs wouldn’t be on the list in my view. How can you rank us ahead of Orlando?
I’d give the Spurs a 3-5% chance of winning it all.
Also, if given the opportunity, it is very unlikely that we would have beaten Boston or LA in a 7-game playoff series last year. Our defense was not strong enough.
“10% is alot more than 0%”
Again, Andrew is not suggesting that the Spurs have NO chance at a title this year, just that it’s very slim, as the following quotes from the main post clearly suggest:
“It’s not the end of the world, for the Spurs to have little shot at championship number five.”……
……”But the team will go about their business as usual, preparing as if they have another shot at the title. Because in reality, they do.” ……
……”The Spurs will fight tooth and nail for that fifth ring. I’m just here to tell you that if they fail to get it, don’t fret. There’s plenty more reason to follow along this season.”
September 15th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Sing no sad swan songs yet for San Antonio. Even as a realist, the Spurs may collectively surprise all of us yet. Let see how they perform first before we consign them into the dustbin of NBA history.
September 15th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
@ Jim
“The Spurs will fight tooth and nail for that fifth ring. I’m just here to tell you that if they fail to get it, don’t fret. There’s plenty more reason to follow along this season.”
When it comes down to it…I must agree with that statement. I must say though, watching our 3 Spur warriors go to battle every season without the proper supporting cast pisses me off.
Even though this group has gotten a little older, they are still effective. These guys still compete and want to win. They are proven warriors that will take any team to the limit.
Just cant figure out why we would squander the final years of Duncan, Parker and Ginnobli in a Spurs uniform, instead of reloading and continuing to compete for championships.
Also cant figure out why Duncan and Ginnobli seem to be OK with it all…No complaints, no recruiting, no lobbying for help, not a peep.
Though we all support our Spurs, doesnt it bother anyone that the fan base never has even the slightest idea of what in the hell this FO and coach are doing? Ever?
Here are some pretty basic fan type questions that could easily be answered..
Why not try to bring in….
Amundson?
Brewer?
JR Smith?
Mahinmi?
Hairston?
Barnes?
Shaq?
S. Jackson?
OK, our FO does deserve some credit. We trust that they know what they are doing. Theu may very well know far more than any of us…
If so, let us in on the reasons for not pursuing any of these players?
Why not get some of these veterans instead of greenhorn rookies and D leaguers?
Even now…Why arent the Spurs considering Dampier?
Come on guys…Are these ridiculous questions?
September 15th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
How many games did the Spurs win last season? 50
How many players return from that team? 8
How many played 75 or more games? 6
Why didnt the other 2 play more than 75? Broken bone in their hand.
What did they add to the roster?
Garrett Temple 27 games last season (13 with the spurs)
Alonzo Gee 11 games with Wash 7.4 pt 3.0 reb Rookie of the year in the DLeague
Tiago Splitter best big man not in the NBA MVP in Europe and A Championship
And last but not least JAMES ANDERSON, Big 12 all rookie team as a freshman, 2nd team all Big 12 as a soph, 1st team all Big 12, Big 12 Player of the year, 1st and 2nd team all american on various lists, Wooden award finalist.
By my standards, Anderson has no more to prove to anyone than John Wall, Blake Griffin or anyother rookie. BTW Splitter is still considered a rookie for NBA purposes, but he has played 10 full years as a pro in Europe.
I refuse to believe the Spurs have NO chance to win. In fact, I believe they are the team everyone is going to be surprised by if they are thinking the door is closed. Tim is playing fewer mins but producing at the same rate as any year before. Manu the same. Tony is in contract year. All are RESTED. IMO I am looking at the youngest team the Spurs have had in years.
I personally dont agree that LA is the best team in the league. In 2003, LA was the 3 peat champs and we knocked them off. I can see it happening again. We are deeper with better players than I have ever seen the Spurs have in the past.
Knock off LA!!!!!
September 15th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
You better never ever say that again or that will be the last time I come back here..
Tony is in shape
Tim is still in shape
Manu is in shape
and we have Splitter now
what the hell is wrong with you ? Of course we can we win another one…
everyone blablablabla about the Lakers… but one injury to kobe and there done
September 15th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
@Ballhog you said it best, we have no idea what they’re doing. But does that mean they’re doing nothing? No. I just hate this arguement of “why didn’t they even try to get Amudson, they must hate all of us!” I trust that this FO is working hard behind the scenes, not just sitting around talking about how great they are and trying to do the opposite of what their fans want.
And truth be told, I don’t think we should all press to get answers. All I care about it results, and recently, we gotten them. It has been 3 years, but I still have hope. Anything can happen. We’re not in the same spot as, say, the warriors. We have a good team that is hella fun to watch and can beat anyone on any given night. We can get hot in the playoffs and win it all. We probably won’t, but we could.
September 15th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
OHHH BTW!
ppl seem to forget pretty fast
but
last year, we had so many bad things going for us
Manu was weak but at the end
Tony was weak all year long
RJ sucked so bad
only Timmy was OK
AND we still finished by beating those Mavs
with a pretty good record in the season too
September 15th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
i don’t care how much talent dallas loads up on their roster. they are never going to win a championship. poor chemistry, no leadership has earned them nothing over the last decade. i would still put la miami and boston as the favorites. orlando lacks leadership and vince carter is their go to go in the clutch (!) and oklahoma still lacks experience. sa still hangs in the second tier of contenders
September 15th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
i agree with the general premise of the article, in that there is a lot to like and watch about the spurs. the primary contention, that we “…will never truly be a threat for the title [this year]” is something with which i respectfully disagree.
sure, i guess it depends on how you define a “contender”. if it’s a team with a more than 50/50 shot at the title, then no, i don’t believe that’s us. however, i think there are only 4 teams of that caliber: the lakers, heat, magic, and celtics. i think orlando and boston cut that rather closely, too. i think we have as good a shot as anybody in the west outside of the lakers, and you can dismiss that as optimism, but i can just as easily counter that you’re being overly pessimistic where you’re rosy on others. the rest of the west is relatively even, and i like our chances, especially with tony healthy, splitter, and a summer of jefferson working with pop.
i’m going to enjoy the season, be thankful that we’re not a team of narcissistic, felonious, or ambivalent players, and root for a 5th championship. i’ll be disappointed if we don’t win it, but honestly, my life is pretty good.
September 15th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Maverick1948
September 15th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
“What did they add to the roster?
Garrett Temple 27 games last season (13 with the spurs)”
The fact is, he’s played a grand total of 393 minutes in the NBA, “mostly” in garbage minutes or against the opponents 2nd team, and thus he’s essentially an undrafted rookie. Nice young player with some upside still, but Garrett is highly unlikely to be a “impact” player this year with the Spurs.
“Alonzo Gee 11 games with Wash 7.4 pt 3.0 reb Rookie of the year in the DLeague.”
Similar to Temple, only with fewer NBA minutes under his belt. Not a strong defender, and a bit too out of control with the basketball. Glad he’s had some success in the D-League, but that’s an entirely different level of competition. Gee will be unlikely to see much action this year on the Spurs, let alone have any meaningful effect on the team’s ultimate outcome.
“Tiago Splitter best big man not in the NBA MVP in Europe and A Championship”
Solid player with great fundamentals. He will help the team this year, no doubt. The big key is how well will his defensive chops translate from the European game to the NBA? Granted the gap continues to close incrementally between Europe and the NBA, but a substantial difference still remains. And how effectively will Splitter be able to handle the superior size and athleticism that many of the NBA 4/5′s have? These are BIG questions that we won’t have a real answer to until probably early 2011, or perhaps much later.
“And last but not least JAMES ANDERSON, Big 12 all rookie team as a freshman, 2nd team all Big 12 as a soph, 1st team all Big 12, Big 12 Player of the year, 1st and 2nd team all american on various lists, Wooden award finalist.”
The fact is, Anderson is a #20 pick, and has not played a minute yet in the NBA. Even if we, as some on here have suggested, consider Anderson as “really” a late lottery pick, the great majority of picks slotted #10 or higher do not even ever become consistent, solid rotation players on good teams. Some buck the odds and become really good players, and Anderson could do so. But to have high expectations that Anderson is going to make a real difference for us this year is to hope for the unlikely. And that’s fine, but let’s just not act like we can count on him to help us win a title in his rookie year. It’s simply not realistic.
“By my standards, Anderson has no more to prove to anyone than John Wall, Blake Griffin or any other rookie.”
Actually, based on an analysis of the past dozen drafts, number one picks have a much higher likelihood than those drafted outside the top five of going on to having productive & long-term NBA careers.
“I refuse to believe the Spurs have NO chance to win.”
I don’t think that anyone on this blog is claiming that the Spurs have NO chance to win a title this year, and that includes the author of the main post.
” Tim is playing fewer mins but producing at the same rate as any year before.”
Actually he’s not producing at the same rate, particularly on the defensive end (the very area that we are hurting the most). For example, his pick & roll defense is nowhere near as good, and he’s now averaging about a full bpg. less than he did in his prime. Plus, he’s not as consistent of a “horse” on the offensive end, and rarely draws double-teams compared to the past. Timmy is still very good, but we have to face that he’s clearly in decline.
“…..I am looking at the youngest team the Spurs have had in years.”
Sure, we’re younger, but other than Blair, Hill, & Splitter do we have any young guys that are going to earn some regular minutes in the rotation? I think that is still a big question-mark, and until it’s answered our so-called “youth” movement is less meaningful than it might appear on the surface.
“We are deeper with better players than I have ever seen the Spurs have in the past.”
You appear to be undervaluing all the key players that we had on this team during our championship years (and overvaluing some of our players we have now). Plus, our biggest impact player (TD) is clearly not the same dominant all-around player that he was during our championship years. This team is not better one through ten than any of our title teams, and it probably never will be.
September 15th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Andrew
I didn’t know Duncan had already retired! When did this transpire? Please inform.
Conjecture doesn’t always yield the purported outcome.
Everyone is enamoured with the Lakers led by one of the biggest hypocrites on the planet in Bryant and that snark Jackson. And I hadn’t realized that the Heat were already crowned Eastern Champs with the Lakers winning it all! If that were so, then why even bother playing the games if the conclusion is foregone
I think perhaps you need to be reminded of one thing- all things come to an end. And whether it is this year or next, it will come. For the Lakers, Celtics, and the Heat as well. Having 3 young studs as the Heat do may not necessarily translate into a 70 win season culminating in a championship. We will see won’t we how it transpires once as Sherlock Holmes said in 2009= the game’s afoot
My dad told me once that you have to have talent, a coach that doesn’t ruin it and you have to be lucky but at the right times. And whose to say those can’t happen for the Spurs?
September 15th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Andrew
one last thing- since Timmy is in decline as you adamantly state, then does that transfer to your blogging as well? Will you blogging decline as you age?
Since you debunk what other’s response has been,
then why must your interpretation be the correct one? For after all, if Tim is declining and the team is not worth our support because well there’s no Pau Gasol or LeBron James, then why bother.
Because don’t you need this declining team to write about?
September 15th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Andrew,
You’ve taken some flak from a number of the Spur faithful on this thread. So, just FWIW, I want you to know that I think this was one of the best posts that I’ve ever read on the 48MOH, and there’s been a number of very good ones. Keep up the good work. Most of us appreciate a sensible, sincere, balanced post even if it reveals things about the Spurs current status that may jar to some extent our sensibilities as a fan. Thank you.
September 15th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Cant wait for this season to start. Im more excited about this team than our last two teams for 08 and 09. We have a great group of young, athletic, veterans on this team. Spurs had a terrible luck last year with injuries and still managed to get to 50 wins. With a little bit of luck and avoiding the injury bug, easily see the spurs getting to 55 wins this year. Also if Jefferson can play at half the level he used to, it will be a big improvement for the spurs.
Unlike many on here I am forecasting a great year for the spurs. Parker will be playing like a bat out of hell. Nice additions all around. For all the doubters out there, when june comes around dont forget your gloom and doom and then be jumping on the bandwagon.
GO SPURS GO! 2010-2011 NBA CHAMPIONS
September 15th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
I’ve never seen so much hate on a post here at 48. You’re suppose to comment the writings, not attack the writer.
September 15th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
i’ve seen plenty of vitriol here, but get perspective people, seriously. i echo jim in that it was an intelligent, introspective look at how one approaches and leavens one’s expectations for the team. i disagree, but i appreciate it nonetheless.
@annie
“one last thing– since Timmy is in decline as you adamantly state, then does that transfer to your blogging as well? Will you blogging decline as you age?”
you know annie, i bet his skills will decline when he hits 90 or so. my grandpa’s writing skills declined later, but he wasn’t a blogger, which my blogging friends tell me is a lot tougher than our sweatpants, takeout, and smeary-fogged glasses mental images make it out to be. take a deep breath.
September 16th, 2010 at 6:28 am
@Jim -
If you will notice in my post:
“I believe there are only about 6 teams (plus wildcard) in the league at any given time that have the ability to win it all.”
There is one wild card in there. Whether it is Houston, Portland, or Orlando…
Like it or not - the Spurs improved over the summer. I think we can all agree on that.
When the Author states “To me, the San Antonio Spurs are no longer title contenders.”
I take that as we have no chance of winning a title - I dont think he is correct in that statement.
September 16th, 2010 at 6:45 am
I think some are missing the point here:
No one is giving up on this team.
No one is saying we have no chance at a title.
No one is saying this season won’t be exciting.
No one is saying we don’t have good things to look forward to.
All the writer is saying is that our prime (as a team) is probably behind us (I think we can all agree on that) and that the likelihood of a championship in the coming seasons is probably lower than it has been in awhile. That’s not to say we can’t claw our way to one last title - every single one of us still holds out hope for that, even the writer!
September 16th, 2010 at 6:57 am
@ annie
“And whose to say those can’t happen for the Spurs?”
No one here is saying that. Did you read the entire piece??
September 16th, 2010 at 7:06 am
And of course, he does. The Spurs are the surprise package of the new season: underrated, ignored, not given a second look, which from where we sit, is just the way we like it. Then again, as we’ve been saying all along, wait till San Antonio takes to the floor…
September 16th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Well your are right about Duncan era comming to an end in about 3 yrs but you are wrong about this team not having quality shot at title,you proved it in your article (haha)If you going to say age stops the spurs well you better look at your nba finals teams (Lakers- Boston)they are both older than spurs team this season,kobe is 32,fisher 36,rest lakers starters is 30/Allen 35.Garnett 34,Pierce 32,both o,neals 31,38.So what makes these guys fountain of youth over Parker 28.Duncan 34,Ginobilli 33 ,nothing.kobe bryant was so bad in last final game,it was ron ron who saved them and i am willing to bet he wont hit those shots again.Boston oldest team nba should won that. game.Rest spurs team fall at 2 at (3o)jefferson,bonner,rest team is 25 younger.if you want talk about youth as title contender then miami is only team.THIS TEAM HAS LEGIT SHOT AT TITLE
September 16th, 2010 at 11:36 am
DieHardSpur
September 16th, 2010 at 6:28 am
“Like it or not – the Spurs improved over the summer. I think we can all agree on that.”
Yes, well, so have most of our prime competitors, which is something that apparently you, and many others on here fail to admit.
“When the Author states “To me, the San Antonio Spurs are no longer title contenders.”
I take that as we have no chance of winning a title….”
If one considers Andrew’s post in its entirety, and views this line you quoted in its proper context, one can see that what Andrew in fact intends by that line is that the Spurs are not “bonafide” title contenders this year. In other words, their chances are so slim that they’re not “real” contenders. The line was not meant to suggest that the Spurs have NO chance at a title this year, as the quotes that I provided you in my previous post clearly attest to.
Tyler
September 16th, 2010 at 6:45 am
Exactly right.
SEAN
September 16th, 2010 at 7:51 am
“If you going to say age stops the spurs well you better look at your nba finals teams (Lakers- Boston)they are both older than spurs…”
Boston has two starters, one an all-star, under the age of 26 (Perkins, Rondo), and they have three likely “non-rookie” rotation players all under the age of 28 (Davis, West, & Robinson).
LA has two starters under the age of 30, one an all-star (Gasol), and one on the verge if he can stay healthy (Bynum), and they have four non-rookie rotation players age 30 or below (Barnes, Blake, Brown, & Vujacic).
The Spurs have just ONE starter and all-star under the age of 29, and three non-rookie (although Splitter is technically a rookie, and Blair is a “young” 2nd year man) likely rotation players (Blair, Hill, & Splitter).
We have fewer “young” starters, and our quality youth are younger and less experienced than the reserves of Boston or LA.
Thus, we have more unknowns than do either Boston or LA, and overall less talent. As a result, we have a chance at a title this year, but it’s very slim, and impossible to expect with any reasonable degree of confidence.
September 16th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
The Greatest Spurs Team of All-Time
If you haven’t done so already, you should go to ESPN.com to create your all-time starting five on your favorite team. My all-time starting five for the Spurs was tough to choose from, but here they are:
C David Robinson
The Admiral was THE reason I fell in love with the Spurs. He exemplified class, leadership, and integrity that trickled down all the way through to his teammates. He was such a dominant force night in and night out. I was so happy for him when he went out a champion in 2003.
PF Tim Duncan
This is a no-brainer pick. Not only is Timmy the greatest Spur to play the game, he is one of the greatest players ever to play. Four championships, two MVPs, three Finals MVPs, a boatload of All-NBA Team honors on offense and defense, etc. The accolades go on and on. Big ups to MY MAN!!!
SF George Gervin
One of the pure scorers in the history of the NBA. The “Iceman” could fill the bucket in bunches. His patented finger roll was a thing of beauty that made grown men cry. He once averages 33.1 PPG in 1979-80. He held the record of points scored in a quarter with 33 (now tied with Carmelo Anthony). Just a scoring machine.
SG Manu Ginobili
This was a tough decision to pick Manu over James Silas and Alvin Robertson. One of the main reasons I did so was I grew up with Manu. I didn’t see Silas and Robertson play. In addition, the Spurs are a different animal with a competitive, feisty Manu Ginobili on the court attacking opposing defenses.
PG Avery Johnson
The little big man was the Spurs’ floor general for their first title in 1999. He, along with David Robinson, was among my favorite players to watch and another reason I love the Spurs. He knew how to carry himself on and off the court. He is the franchises assist leader. I wish him well in New Jersey with the Nets this season. It was tough to choose him over Tony Parker, but it had to be done.
So those are my five greatest Spurs of all-time. Who are your five favorite Spurs?
September 16th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Just throwing that out for discussion. Enough for the ifs and maybes, let’s look back on what was and still can be!!!
September 16th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Jim,
You, i believe, are missing the point of the article.
If he believes we are not contenders, how could he believe we could still with a title.
You are contradicting yourself.
I can be a contender, and not a champion.
I can not be a champion if i am not a contender.
With his statement, “To me, the San Antonio Spurs are no longer title contenders.” he is essentially saying we have no chance.
Every F-150 is a Ford, but not every Ford is an F-150… it is the same concept.
September 16th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
DieHardSpur
September 16th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
You apparently refuse to look at the post in its entirety. Instead you dissect certain sentences for “logic” in the literal sense, and as a result your points are taken out of context.
The quotes of Andrew’s that I provided you CLEARLY point out that Andrew was NOT suggesting that the Spurs have NO chance at a title, but just not enough of a chance for it to be very meaningful.
“With his statement, “To me, the San Antonio Spurs are no longer title contenders.” he is essentially saying we have no chance.”
No, in the context of the entire article he is saying that “for all intents and purposes” we are no longer title contenders. That is different than we have “no chance”. A “title contender” is typically reserved for those teams that have a “decent” shot at winning it all. Andrew is simply suggesting that we no longer have a “decent” shot at winning it all. And I agree. This does not mean that he or I believe that we have NO shot. It’s just that our shot is so slim that the Spurs can’t really be considered “bonafide” contenders to be NBA champions this year.
Please focus on taking the context of the ENTIRE article into account. You’ll see that Andrew was clearly NOT suggesting that the Spurs have NO shot at a title this year.
September 16th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Organize your best reaction points. When you need to write more than 5 lines, it’s obvious you don’t know what your talking about. 4 year olds, dude!
September 16th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
I love the guys spirit, but AJ would not start over TP on the GOAT Spurs team. Aj was literally so terrible in 1999, other teams refused to guard him on jumpers; he never made them pay until the last game of the Finals. Those of us watching remember a horde of frustrating misses.
September 16th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
ChillFAN
September 16th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Organize your best reaction points. When you need to write more than 5 lines, it’s obvious you don’t know what your talking about. 4 year olds, dude!
What are you talking about?
September 16th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
@Jim Henderson, I meant it to no one in particular, but long Replies (in Sept no less) are uninformed and BORING. Less has more impact. Yes, size matters.
I botched the quote, “8 year olds, dude.” from the big lebowski, responding to Jesus Quintana’s challenge. Long replies dumb down the blog.
September 17th, 2010 at 1:32 am
I’m fascinated by all this quibbling over an otherwise fine article. But it’s there all right: “They (the Spurs) will never be truly be a threat for a title.” We might as well consign San Antonio as a group of also-rans. What has been said has been said. No turning back on that one.
On the other hand, I know that our esteemed writer would like to be proven wrong.
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