San Antonio Spurs: 30 Team Previews In 30 Days

2009-'10 Statistics

Finished 50-32, second in Southwest Division, seventh in Western Conference.

Post Season

First Round: Defeated Dallas Mavericks 4-2

Second Round: Lost to Phoenix Suns 4-0

Additions and Re-Signings

Richard Jefferson via re-signing, James Anderson via draft, Matt Bonner via re-signing, Curtis Jerrels via free agency, Gary Neal via free agency, Ryan Richards via draft, and Tiaggo Splitter via free agency.

Losses

Roger Mason via free agency and Keith Bogans via free agency.

The San Antonio Spurs are a franchise that seems to be destined to win games forever. In fact, it's hard to believe that the 50-win season last year was their worst since they won 20 games in the 1996-97 season. With their rock in Tim Duncan leading the way, the Spurs know regular season success and they know how to transition it into the postseason.

After suffering their second straight early post season exit, could the Spurs dynasty be coming to an end?

San Antonio's only four years removed from winning their fourth title, but with Duncan at 34 years old and Manu Ginobili at 33, they could see their reign as one of the Western Conference's best coming to an end in the near future.

There is still little doubt that they will be in the postseason come next year and will pose as a threat to any team that attempts to stand in their way. Duncan has been leading the way since joining the league in 1997 and has earned every accolade as a future Hall of Famer. Last season, however, he averaged a career low in points and rebounds at only 18 and 10 respectively.

His blocking production went down as well to a career low 1.5, but even with the decrease in numbers, Duncan's leadership and high basketball IQ enable the Spurs to go out season after season and win 50 plus games. His plethora of post moves and strong defense are the catalyst to this Spurs team, and knowing Timmy, he will give it his all to secure a fifth title.

Duncan has also been blessed with an astounding supporting cast for his entire career, with Tony Parker being his running mate over the past nine seasons. Parker is two seasons removed from averaging a career high 22 points and seven assists, but had his season derailed last year by injuries and only played in 56 games. The 16 points he averaged was the lowest since his third year in the league way back in 2003.

The injuries to Parker opened the door for now third-year player George Hill, who stepped up in a big way last season. Hill averaged 12 points and three assists in his first season receiving significant minutes. Unlike Parker, Hill has the range to go with an already volatile game and hit one three-pointer per game last year on 39-percent shooting.

Parker has been the subject of rumors that he might be departing, which would open the door for Hill to begin to lead the Spurs offense in the future. Hill is one of a number of dangerous young threats on this team that are ready to fill the shoes that Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker will leave behind through either retirement or departing for a new team.

Their second round steal in DeJuan Blair has shown the most promise as an undersized power forward/center. Blair came through huge as a rebounding threat on both sides of the court averaging six rebounds over 18 minutes per game. He showed off a bright future with two games of 20-plus points and 20-plus rebounds, including grabbing 10 offensive rebounds in a game where he dropped 28 points and secured 21 rebounds overall.

The Spurs have been known to be a wise team when it comes to picking up young big men starting with David Robinson, Tim Duncan, DeJuan Blair, and they just might have found another gem in Tiago Splitter. The seven foot Brazilian has shown off impressive foot work and is ambidextrous and is a huge pick up for the Spurs who have needed a reliable center for some time now.

San Antonio is one of the most storied franchises and has been an NBA finals contender fo nearly the past 15 years thanks to smart pick up's and possessing some of the smartest, most fundamental players in NBA history. It's a fact that we will be talking about the Spurs come May, but it's going to be a stretch if we'll be seeing Timmy going for his fifth title.

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Tony Parker

SG-George Hill

SF-Richard Jefferson

PF-Tim Duncan

C-Matt Bonner

Prediction

47-35

This is part 26 in a 30-day series of previews for each NBA team for the upcoming 2010-2011 season. My profile contains the other teams that I have already previewed.