San Antonio Spurs
’06-’07 Record/Standing: 58-24 (.707), 2nd in Southwest Division
’06-’07 Postseason (if applicable): NBA Champions (defeated Cleveland 4-0 in NBA Finals)
Coach (Record): Greg Popovich, 12th season (576-276)
Key Additions: SF Marcus Williams (draft; 2nd round, 33rd overall)
Key Losses: n/a
If there is one thing that the NBA can take solace in it’s the fact that the Spurs have not been able to win back-to-back titles in their history. Although you have to admit that if that’s what teams in the NBA are hanging their hats on that this Spurs team is very intimidating and tough to defeat. While the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks got most of the attention during the regular season, the Spurs quietly put together another excellent season and turned the proverbial switch on once they got into the playoffs. They quickly dispatched of the Denver Nuggets, fought through a tough series with the Suns, and then easily pushed aside the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers on their way to their 4th title in 9 years. The team is all back; they don’t lose players at the rate that other teams do because people want to play there and win championships. Tim Duncan is at the top of the list when it comes to leaders that can win championships in the NBA today. When you have names like Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Bruce Bowen supporting you, it makes the job a lot easier.
What will be the Spurs’ Achilles heel this season? Will they have a weakness at all? The Spurs will more than likely coast through the regular season; they don’t need the awards or the 60 win seasons. They know that their number is 16, as in the number of games they need to win the playoffs to win the Championship. Can anyone come in and dethrone the Spurs, or will the Spurs do what they have not been able to do and finally repeat as champions?
Projected Starting Lineup (’06-’07 Stats)
PG: Tony Parker (77 games, 18.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.5 apg)
SG: Michael Finley (82 games, 9.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.3 apg)
SF: Bruce Bowen (82 games, 6.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.4 apg)
PF: Tim Duncan (80 games, 20.0 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 3.4 apg)
C: Francisco Elson (70 games, 5.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 0.8 apg)
Backcourt: A lot of teams get envious when you think about how much talent the Spurs have across the board. They have former NBA All-Star Michael Finley as a bit starter on this team paired with Tony Parker. Finley has been a good addition to the Spurs and has been the perfect roleplayer at the shooting guard position. He runs the floor when it is called for, but he can also spot up and take feeds from Parker and Co. and hit big shots. He’s going to hustle, something that is a staple of all the Spurs’ players. We all know about Parker and Eva Longoria, but have you seen him on the court lately. That shaky Parker that we saw in year’s past in no more, and he’s been replaced with a solid, consistent point guard that hits shots and can take over a game. He’ll take off on the break and run past an entire team, but he can also give you a disciplined playmaker that can run the offense. Parker can play defense as well; he’s learning the ins and outs for playing defense against different teams and offensive sets, something that has only made him better as a guard overall.
The talent does not wane when they have to go to the bench. How many teams have someone that could be an All-Star coming off the bench as the team’s sixth man? I would venture a guess as not too many. The Spurs are one of the very few teams that can say this, with Manu Ginobili coming off the bench. He’s instant offense and can hit shots all over the floor. Sometimes he’s going to amaze you with the acrobatics and the incredible shots that he hits. He’ll hustle and play defense. He’s not incredibly athletic, but Ginobili gives you strong effort on defense all the time. They can also come off the bench with Brent Barry, a spot shooter that still has ability on offense and defense. Barry’s instincts and clutch shooting make him very valuable for the Spurs. Backup point guard Jacque Vaughn has given them a veteran that plays solid all-around. He’s just a guy that eats minutes and maintains a lot of the offensive sets the Spurs run inside.
Grade: A
Frontcourt: Tim Duncan might be one of the greatest players of our decade or era, depending on how you look at it, but he still is not the media darling that others are. Of course, I think that he’ll take the 4 NBA Championships over that attention anyday. Duncan is incredibly fundamental and disciplined in all factions of the game, whether it’s at the post, from the perimeter, on defense, or rebounding the basketball. Duncan is the unquestioned leader of this team and has no glaring weaknesses. He’s worked to improve aspects of his game over the past few years. Then there is small forward Bruce Bowen, one of the better on-the-ball defenders in the entire league. He’s going to give them a little on offense, but his biggest contributions in on defense and in the hustle categories. Both Francisco Elson and Fabricio Oberto are both solid centers, but the nod goes to Elson as the starter. He’s another one of those guys that is not expected to do a ton offensively, but he will give the team top effort on defense and under the boards. He works hard and can still be an imposing player inside with Duncan alongside.
Their rotation is short up front because they will also get minutes from Brent Barry or Manu Ginobili at the small forward position. Of course, the team does have options at the forward positions. Robert Horry is not called “Big Shot Bob” for no reason, but you have to also take a look at his overall contributions. He’s another guy that will just do his job and fill his role, whether it’s for a big shot or just rebounding or hustling on the court. Oberto will play inside and give them the same kind of contribution as Elson, a big body inside that can play strong and big without making too many mistakes. Off the bench, it’s about getting solid minutes without mistakes. They can get production on offense from other options.
Grade: A-
Coach: Is there any doubt that Gregg Popovich is rising among the list of the greatest coaches in NBA history? With 4 titles in 9 years, the Spurs have been one of the best teams in recent memory. It has a lot to do with Popovich, his personality and approach to the game. He wants players that can go out there and be solid players. They do not need to be flashy or extremely athletic; he just wants them to be able to do their job. Popovich knows how to motivate his own team and make the matchups on the court that will favor the team. Overall, Popovich is probably one of the best coaches in the history of the NBA, no question.
Grade: A+
Bold Predictions
Record: 55-27
Team MVP: Tim Duncan
Overall Grade: A
Notes: Their win total is lower than the talent level because the Spurs are about winning to get into the playoffs, and then preparing for the postseason. It’s not about higher win totals, they want to get in so they can win the championship. Once they clinch the playoffs, they rest players and get ready to dominate. It’s very hard to have the bulls-eye on their back, but if any team can play with the pressure it is definitely the Spurs. Tim Duncan might finish as one of the best power forwards in NBA history. He reminds me of Joe Montana in a sense that there were others with more talent, but all Duncan and Montana do is win championships. The cast is solid; Michael Finley and Brent Barry are former All-Stars that are mere roleplayers with the team. Meanwhile, Tony Parker is entering the class of elite point guards as his game has matured. The Spurs will be on the short list of NBA Title contenders again this year.
