Time to preview the 2010-11 San Antonio Spurs
Music to listen to: Waltz Across Texas by Ernest Tubb
Last season/offseason changes: The Spurs put together another 50-win season and a spot in the playoffs last year but it seemed like they were off the entire season.
Whether it was Manu Ginobili being nicked up with injuries, Tim Duncan looking mortal (really an elite older post player with bad knees) or Richard Jefferson’s ineffectiveness, San Antonio looked off last year.
The Spurs managed to beat Dallas in the first round of the playoffs but eventually fell to a more athletic Phoenix squad in the next one.
The only player of consequence that left the team is Roger Mason and that’s not a major loss.
The hyped Tiago Splitter is finally playing in the NBA and he has been one of the top post players in Europe the past few seasons. This is critical because Duncan needs rest during the season and can even use his services at center even though the Spurs are saying that DeJuan Blair at that spot. We’ll see how long that lasts.
The Spurs also brought back Richard Jefferson, who looked out of place all season with San Antonio. The Spurs’ system does take new players time to adjust but usually by the end of the regular season, things look better. They didn’t for Jefferson.
Strength: It all starts with Duncan, who has pushed himself into the argument of the greatest power forward of all-time. Four titles, multiple MVP awards and consistent elite play will do that. He’s not the force that he used to be but can still be effective for a top team.
Tony Parker had an off year last season but still is one of the top point guards in the league. There aren’t many other players who can match his speed and shot-making ability.
Weakness: Age and health.
There isn’t a team in the NBA that will rely as much on the health of older and injury-prone players.
If Duncan, Parker and Ginobili stay healthy, its not a tough argument to make that the Spurs are the second-best team in the West. However, when’s the last time that this has happened?
The Spurs also had lapses in defense last season. The championship Spurs teams were always one of the top defensive teams in the league but that didn’t happen last season. If San Antonio is going to have any chance to return to the Finals, they have to play better defense because it isn’t going to outscore any of the elite teams in the league.
Most important player: Jefferson has to find his form if San Antonio is going to make a run this year. The Spurs brought him in to be a top outside shooter but he hit only 32% of his three-pointers last year. He’s not going to become a 45% shooter in one offseason but he also needs to improve his defense.
Celebrity crush from the city: Its easy to just go with Eva Longoria.
Coaching: Gregg Popovich is arguably the best coach currently in the NBA (save your Phil Jackson comments for another day) and knows how to handle any situation. He may have had one of his better coaching jobs last season and he’s going to have to do it again managing the minutes of his top players while staying competitive in an ever-improving West.
First memory of the team: It was seeing David Robinson do his thing.
Best case: NBA Finals
Worst case: Another first-round playoff exit.
Uniform grade: They’ve had the same uniform scheme since their existence and its not changing anytime soon. I would like for them to add a third color to the scheme besides black and white. Grade: B
Overall outlook: The Spurs may be the most polarizing team in the NBA. Some think that their window is closed and would be fortunate to even win a playoff series this year. Others think that they may be the top team to contend against the Lakers in the West and make the Finals.
If I knew that they could have a healthy season, I would have no problem making the Spurs a Western Conference finalist. However, I don’t trust their age and would be surprised if they get that far in the playoffs.
Those are my thoughts, what about yours?
2010 Backdoor Cut Previews:
Atlantic Division
Central Division
Southeast Division
Northwest Division
Pacific Division
Southwest Division
The Sports Inquirer 
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