The San Antonio Spurs had a terrific off
season, as they boosted their roster with significant talent and going
for this season, they are one of the legit contenders to win it all.
However, they are coming from a disappointing season last year. Last
season, the Spurs were derailed by injuries on their best players. Tony
Parker got injured earlier in the season and Manu Ginobili missed the
second half of the season, including the postseason. The Spurs were
eliminated in the first round by the Mavericks - the first time since
2000 that such thing happened to the franchise and in that series, one
thing was pretty clear: the veteran core of players couldn't help
anymore the team. Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, Jacque Vaughn or Fabricio
Oberto have passed their prime and didn't help the team in the way they
used to and the Spurs looked hapless against the Mavericks.
Going
for this season GM R.C. Buford did everything that he could to change
this scenario and we can say that he did a heck of a job. The Spurs
received from the Bucks Richard Jefferson in exchange for Fabricio
Oberto, Kurt Thomas and Bruce Bowen, in a great move for the Spurs.
Jefferson is an all star player who makes his job in both ends of the
floor. He is a player that can put 18/20 points and 5 boars per game,
but he will have to adjust in a team that has so many offensive options
and his total points per game will likely suffer a drop. However, his
work ethic and resiliency works perfects for the Spurs and he will be a
vital piece for this organization to take a step forward this season.
R.C. Buford didn't end his work with the Jefferson addition. He also
signed veteran player Antonio McDyess to help Tim Duncan in the front
and despite the fact that he is 34-years old, he has been remaining
injury free over the last years. Last season, when McDyess became a
starter for the Pistons after the All-star break, he averaged 12.1
points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game and he can be a solid
piece for the Spurs by providing solid numbers next to Tim Duncan.
The biggest surprise last season for the Spurs was undoubtedly Roger
Mason Jr. The sharp-shooter specialist helped the team and Tim Duncan
early on, when the Spurs didn't have Parker and Ginobili and ended the
season averaging 11.8 points and 2.0 3-pointers per game. He also hit
several huge game-winners and was a key member for the team - he played
all 82-games during the regular season. However for this season, with
Ginobili healthy and with Richard Jefferson in the team, Mason won't
probably have the same minutes that he had last season, however he will
be precious for the team because he will be left opened by the
opponents and he will torch them in the perimeter.
Now
it's time to start talking about the Spurs' Big 3: Duncan, Parker and
Ginobili. Tim Duncan had once again a terrific season last year, but he
looked tired in the postseason. The reason was pretty simple: without
Parker and Ginobili, Duncan had to carry alone the team offensively and
this had consequences later in the season. However, there aren't many
players in the league capable of averaging 19.3 points, 10.7 rebounds
and 1.7 blocks per game, while shooting 50-plus percent and Duncan is
having these numbers through his career. Duncan has been the face of
this franchise and the natural leader on the floor. Now with 33-years
old, the window to win another championship is still open, but his team
mates must do their jobs.
Meanwhile, Tony Parker is improving his numbers year after year and
now with 27-years old, he is entering the prime of his career. For the
first time on his career, Parker reached the 20-points mark by
averaging 22.0 points per game. At the same time, he averaged 6.9
assists per game - also a career high. Parker's speed and athleticism
has always been impossible to contain, as there aren't many defensive
good points guards in this league and at the same time, with so many
different offensive options, his number of assists won't decline for
this season.
Health was a problem for Manu Ginobili last season. Note that he
started the season injured from the Olympics and he has never able to
stay completely healthy last season. When he's healthy, Ginobili is one
of the most difficult matchups in the league and a difference maker
down the stretch for the Spurs. For the first time in years, Ginobili
didn't compete during the summer (NBA postseason or National games) and
he is primed to return to his form this season. He is arguably the best
talent coming from the bench in the league and the biggest candidate to
win the 6th man award once again.
The Spurs have young players as well who can develop into good
players. Point Guard George Hill showed some potential last season and
that was enough for Greg Popovich to give him the status of being the
primary backup of Parker. The Spurs have also drafted DeJuan Blair and
he has the talent to be one of the steals of his class. Michael Finley,
Matt Bonner, Theo Ratliff and Keith Bogans will also give some depth in
every department for the Spurs and Popovich has one of the deepest and
most talented rosters in the league this season.
Evidently, the Spurs emerged as one of the best teams going for this
season and together with the Lakers, they look like the team to beat in
the West. With 4 perennial all star players in their team, the Spurs
have the talent, the depth and the intangibles to win the championship.
Greg Popovich will wisely manage his team during the regular season and
they only need everyone to stay healthy to make a serious run for the
championship later in the postseason.