New-Look San Antonio Spurs Still Looking Up in Western Conference

They're retooled, refreshed, and ready to lay claim as kings of the mighty Western Conference.

The San Antonio Spurs upgraded their small forward position by acquiring Richard Jefferson from the Bucks, and they improved on their post help by signing Antonio McDyess and drafting DeJuan Blair.

So this sets them up for another run through the Western Conference to the Finals, right?

Maybe not. There are a few reasons why the Spurs won't be celebrating with a championship at the end of the season.

The first thing that might be detrimental to a Spurs title run is age. The average age of the presumed starters is only 31, but we have to look at those numbers a little more carefully.

Tim Duncan, although arguably the best power forward of all time, is 33. This is not really old, but by NBA standards this is about the age where the erosion of your skills becomes evident. Duncan came out of school as a senior, so he has a little less league time than a lot of 33-year-olds, but he plays a position where he is repeatedly hammered in the post. This has to take a toll.

Two of the other starters, Manu Ginobli and Antonio McDyess, are also on the other side of 30, as they’re 32 and 34, respectively. Their plight is further complicated by the fact that they have been victim to various injuries throughout their careers.

Injuries are another factor that have plagued the Spurs for the past few years. Every player that San Antonio is counting on has been beset by injuries that have caused them to miss valuable playing time. From Duncan's foot injuries, to Ginobli's ankle and foot injuries, to McDyess and Blair's multiple knee injuries, to Tony Parker's current ankle injury, the list goes on and on. There is really no reason to think that this year will be any different for the Spurs, as far as injuries go. You can just about count on them.

Another thing that is overlooked is with their wheeling and dealing, did they really improve enough to overthrow the Lakers? Looking at them position by position, I really don't think so.

The only clear advantage the Spurs would have over the Lakers is at the point guard position, and if you look at the Lakers, that has been a problem of theirs for awhile, but they find ways to overcome it.

Jefferson, though a good athlete, is no match for a tandem of Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest, nor is Michael Finley. Duncan is great, but paired with McDyess and Blair against Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom, that is a battle the Spurs probably lose.

The benches are about even, but the Lakers' bench has the advantage of winning a championship. Greg Popovich is a great coach, but really, who is a better coach than Phil Jackson?

San Antonio has positioned itself for a wild ride through the NBA this year. Through roster moves they have upgraded and put themselves in the thick of the title talk.

Unfortunately, that's all it is, talk, because at the end of the season, the Spurs will be improved, but they'll still be looking up in the Western Conference.