So I was thinking about putting together an incredibly long and boring article to symbolize the way the San Antonio Spurs play basketball, but instead went with a short one that will probably take me about 30 minutes to write, the same amount of time, maximum, that I can watch a Spurs game.
The 2010-2011 season will be the final year of the San Antonio Spurs... dynasty? off and on reign out West? stealing titles that should have gone to the Utah Jazz if Stockton and Malone played 10 years later? Whatever you want to call the Duncan era in San Antonio, I think this season is the 'Remember the Alamo' type of last stand for the core group of Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli. I think Poppovich will try to imitate what Doc Rivers did with the aging Celtics last season and try to apply it to his guys. Difference is, the Spurs quietly have better young role player depth than most any other team in the NBA. Here's a look at the starting five.
Point Guard
Tony Parker is married to Eva Longoria. Eva Longoria is not a small market wife. Parker becomes a free agent after this season and I feel like somewhere on a post-it note in their master bedroom is a list of teams she has hand picked for him to play for.
Dear Tony,
I've compiled a list of teams you can play for next season:
1. L.A. Lakers or even L.A. Clippers- Just get me to L.A. and get me more face time than Jack Nicholson.
2. New York City- Eh, not as warm as L.A. but 42 home games... 42 new outfits purchased.
3. Miami- South Beach.
So help me if you sign with Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, or Indiana I won't have sex with you for three years and will replace you with that gardener guy from Desperate Housewives from the when people still cared about my show season.
With Love,
Eva
Quietly Tony Parker is now 28 years old, no longer the young, 18 year old future star that he was championships ago. I would be willing to put money on Parker going to the Knicks next season if a) Felton doesn't have a breakout year and b) they decide not to entertain the idea of Chris Paul. If the Spurs are struggling around All Star Break and it has become clear Tony Parker is not resigning look for them to feel out the trade market.
Manu Ginobili
So good when healthy. Problem is he's now 33 years old. In that 33-36 range as a shooting guard your maximum is usually Ray Allen where every now and then you get hot and have a 30 + point game, but can't do it every single night. Ginobili also plays a more get to the basket type game which is harder to continue to do after your 30th birthday. I think they keep Ginobili for the entire season but around NBA draft time look to make a deal with someone like the Orlando Magic who could really use a "win now" star shooting guard that would legitimately place them in the conversation of NBA title contender. Vince Carter's expiring 2011-2012 contract and a 2nd round pick for the upgrade of Manu Ginobili? Spurs get a little back right away with Carter then can begin rebuilding the next generation team with cap room and picks.
Small Forward
Richard Jefferson signed a new contract this year in a bizarre free agent episode. I think this year will work better for Jefferson as he gets more comfortable in the offense and will return to a 15 ppg type of guy.
Power Forward
When it's all said and done I'm not sure if I will say Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett is the power forward of this generation. If the Celtics can squeeze out another one or two the conversation becomes more intense, but right now the four rings and career 21 and 11 numbers gives Duncan the nod. Problem is, he hasn't averaged 20 + points since '06-'07. Apparently there are tons of reports of him being in great shape physically right now and is moving faster than ever before. I think Duncan realizes this is probably one of his last years as a top level guy and is pouring everything into it.
Center
I'm putting Antonio McDyess here for now, but don't think he will be for most of the season. The guy is 36 years old which surprised me because I had him more in the 48 range. Always liked his game, but you can't expect his prime numbers.
The New Generation
George Hill
George Hill had a great playoff run last season and showed that he will one day either become the replacement for point guard Tony Parker or shooting guard Manu. At only 23 years old look for him to get even more minutes this season allowing the Spurs front office to see if he's better suited to be the PG or SG of the future.
James Anderson
Here's my obscure pick to become a star in the NBA. He did things so quietly at Oklahoma State, but at 22.3 ppg was probably the best player in the Big 12 last season and toward the top of players overall in the country. His biggest games came against the higher competition dropping 27 against Kansas, 30 and 27 against Kansas State, 31 against Baylor, and 31 against Missouri. I think this is the guard version of DeJuan Blair, late pick that will prove to be a ridiculous steal. John Wall will be the rookie of the year and the ultimate all-star type guy of his draft class but i think James Anderson and Jordan Crawford will sneak in and 10 years down the road be right at the top possibly passing by guys like Evan Turner and Wes Johnson.
(Been over 30 minutes, got bored, watched Shakira "She Wolf" music video to get my heart rate back up)
DeJuan Blair
Such a great steal from the NBA Draft's 2nd round. 20 years old doesn't turn 21 until April. Scored 7.8 ppg and 6.4 rpg in 18 minutes a game as a backup post player. As that number reaches closer to 30 and eventually closer to 40 as I feel like he will slowly replace McDyess, watch those to look like 16 and 10 numbers.
Tiago Splitter
I was really impressed by this guy in the FIBA tournament as he proved to be one of Brazil's best players. 24 years old, about 7 feet tall, watch for him to have a great first season in the NBA.
Verdict
If healthy, the Spurs have one of the best starting fives in the league. They also have this young core group of four who I think will provide great +/- stats off the bench. The season could go one of two ways, they could prove to be too old, battle injuries, and start breaking apart the aging core sooner than later, or, my hunch, they make a little run. Last season they came in as the 7 seed and surprisingly knocked off the 2 seed Mavs before being embarrassed by the Suns. Of the West's final four last season the Suns and Jazz have taken a step backwards, but I see the Thunder and Mavs filling in for them. That leaves the final four as Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, and Thunder. Here's the dream scenario of how things could play out for Spurs fans:
Lakers win the Pacific grab the 1 seed
Dallas wins the Southwest grabs the 2 seed
Oklahoma City wins the Northwest grabs the 3 seed
Portland grabs the 4 seed
Utah grabs the 5 seed
Houston grabs the 6 seed
San Antonio grabs the 7 seed again
Repeat performance of knocking out the Mavs then an upset against the Thunder using their veteran experience against the young Thunder squad. Western Conference finals against the Lakers is as far as I can continue this dream scenario. Lose in 5 games, Parker signs with the Knicks, Manu traded away, next season Duncan gets hurt a la David Robinson in 97? and the Spurs get a top 3 draft pick to throw in the mix of their new young core and the final season for Tim Duncan. In between the Lakers dynasty and the upcoming Heat's, San Antonio slinks a fifth title and Duncan goes off happily, just like Robinson, into the sunset.
Spurs, worst case scenario for this season: 8th seed out west. Best Case: Western Conference finals loss to Lakers.
And yet somehow this turned out to be an incredibly long and boring article. Just like the Spurs.
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