said Buford and Popovich celebrated when Hill fell to the 26th draft slot. Popovich believes Hill can contribute immediately and will compete with Vaughn to back up Parker.

The Spurs management also believes its second rounders, guard Malik Hairston and forward James Gist, will compete for roster spots at training camp.

Yet, it seems preposterous that three rookies few people knew before draft night will somehow fix the team's frightful scoring woes. The Spurs are right there in the championship hunt, but they need to remove the right.

Unlike the Rockets and Mavericks, the Spurs don't need to prove their core can win a championship. Tim Duncan has already secured a Hall of Fame slot, and Parker and Ginobili—two clutch playoff performers who initially looked like fitting late draft picks—have made strong cases, too.

Leave it to Horry to sum up the Spurs best: "You get greedy. You win one championship and then you want another and another. Every year is your year."

 

Free agent outlook:

The Spurs did not pass a figurative torch to the Lakers after losing in the conference finals, and the reign is not over. That makes Buford's offseason work the toughest of his Spurs tenure.

He must use an unattractive MLE and lure a 10- to 15-point scorer, who can bolster bench production and allow Ginobili to start.

The one who makes the most sense for the Spurs doesn't have any. Maybe Popovich can reach J.R. Smith the same way he did Stephen Jackson.

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