The San Antonio Spurs looked tired and physically beaten by the time the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated them during the Western Conference finals last summer. It was the furthest the Spurs had travelled in their four quests for a repeat title, but it wasn't enough.
Undermined by a lack of rest, a key injury to Manu Ginobili, and an infamous no-call foul against Brent Barry in the closing seconds of Game 4, the "old and tired" Spurs were dispatched in five games.
"It was tough because we always want to win championships," point guard Tony Parker says, "We had a couple of injuries so we weren't able to finish like we wanted to, but that's sports."
By the time the (hard fought) regular season had come to an end, the Spurs' record stood at 56-26 — tied with the New Orleans Hornets.
The Spurs had some opportunities to clinch the top spot in the West, but instead settled for the third seed heading into the playoffs. That forced them into a matchup with the rugged Phoenix Suns in the first round. That classic battle of a series was followed by a face-off against the young, hungry and very dangerous New Orleans Hornets, whom it took the Spurs seven games to fend off.
The Spurs, the NBA's oldest team, definitely looked a year older. During the summer, the front office decided to infuse some younger talent into the roster. But time and again, they were turned down by both free agents — Corey Maggette and Jannero Pargo among them — and draft picks like Tiago Splitter, who decided that better paychecks were waiting for them elsewhere.
As usual, the Spurs surprised everyone on draft day with their first-round selection of George Hill, a 6-2 shooter who wasn't projected to go until the middle of the second round. Spurs scouts had been keeping an eye on him at IUPUI in Indianapolis, and are convinced the former Summit League Player of the Year can contribute right away.
No doubt, Hill can score in bunches — but he must adapt his game to the point position. This is the very thing that Spurs' fans fear could be his demise. Coach Gregg Popovich, after all, has a reputation for impatience with point guards who don't pick up the nuances of his game quickly or adequately enough. Just ask Beno Udrih or Damon Stoudamire.
Interestingly, Stoudamire's departure after a very brief stint in San Antonio has opened the door for his cousin, Salim — who found himself frustrated, angry, and yet quite productive as a shooter during his first three seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.
If the younger Stoudamire can bring some of his sniper-like shooting to San Antonio and crack the roster, he would be a welcomed pickup — especially when one considers that Ginobili will be sitting out the start of the regular season (perhaps until December) following his post-Olympics ankle surgery.
Roger Mason, a proven catch-and-shoot scorer who the Spurs tried to sign last season, flies in to help from Washington. He joins Michael Finley, another catch-and-shoot specialist, who re-upped with the Spurs in August.
Gone are Brent Barry (signed with Houston as a free agent) and Robert Horry (signed at a retirement home).
The Spurs are hoping young French big man Ian Mahinmi — who made his impression on scouts at the 2004 Under-18 European Championships — is finally ready to contribute in the paint after developing his game with San Antonio's NBDL club, the Austin Toros.
Power forward Anthony Tolliver picked up a two-year contract from the club after some impressive play in the NBA's summer league. Tolliver brings with him good rebounding, sound defense and good floor intelligence — and may wind up surprising a few folks if he can earn minutes in Pop's rotation.
Parker and Tim Duncan will continue to lead the squad offensively until everyone gels and picks up the team's "corporate knowledge."
Popovich has the team where he most likes them. Every time they've won a championship, they've been positioned as the underdog. He is one of those coaches who can take the right mix of players and go further than most expect — especially if he has them firing on all cylinders by April.
"The beginning of the season is always wonderful," Popovich said. "You look forward to all the competitive situations in camp. You get to look at the young guys. You put in new ideas, things you thought about all summer. It's always a fun time of year, without a doubt."
Something better work, because these Spurs aren't getting any younger. Defensive specialist Bruce Bowen is 37, Michael Finley is 35, Fabricio Oberto is 33, Duncan's 32 and Ginobili is 31.
"I think it's going to be the last year with the same team — with the same core," said Parker, who at 26 should be entering his prime. "I think coach Pop wants to give it one more chance with that team and I think we deserve it. We won three championships in the last six years, so we'll give it one more time. After this year, we're definitely gonna have to go younger. I think for this year, I'm confident that we can do it again."
The predicted starting lineup:
C — Fabricio Oberto
PF — Tim Duncan
SF — Bruce Bowen
SG — Roger Mason, Jr.
PG — Tony Parker
The bench: Jacque Vaughn, Roger Mason, Kurt Thomas, Ime Udoka, Michael Finley, George Hill, Ian Mahimni, and Matt Bonner.
Fighting for a roster spot: Salim Stoudamire, Desmon Farmer, Daryl Watkins, Devin Green, Malik Hairston and Brian Morrison.
Copyright 2008  SpursReport
