Five Challenges For The Spurs To Overcome

RC Buford and company have been very busy and lucky over the past few months. They got an absolute steal (ignoring the knee issue) in picking up DeJuan Blair in the draft. Managed to wrestle Antonio McDyess from the clutches of Joe Dumars and of course the cream of the crop, they agreed to help the bucks shed some weight off their current salary by taking Richard Jefferson off their hands for a bit. Great Stuff. On paper.

The spurs lost to their dreaded nemeses the Mavericks last season in round one of the playoffs. While it was widely observed that they overachieved (just don't tell Pops that) they definitely gave Dallas a run for their money, well as much as 4-1 says. One of their most lacking need was a third scorer or someone else that can create opportunities on offense. Normally this would be Ginobili's area however he was currently sporting a sharp suit on the sidelines. Obviously Bruce Bowen's demise was also key on defence.

Now here is what makes next season so exciting. They not only get Jefferson a career 17ppg they also get Manu back, one of the best fourth quarter scorers in the game. You would think that this would be enough of a reason to pencil them in for the conference finals? Below are five challenges for the Spurs to overcome before they can take a fifth.

1) The 2003 Lakers - On paper they seemed to have assembled on of the greatest teams of all time, or at least this decade. Gary Payton and Karl Malone were added to an already strong cast of Kobe, Fisher and and of course a dominant O'Neal. They were practically swept in the finals losing 4-1 to Detroit!

2) 2009 Lakers - the spurs cannot match their length of Odom, Gasol and Bynum. McDyes is good but he is not 24 anymore and Blair might be a beast in the big East where tossing Thabeet around might be standard but he does give up way too much in height. Ian Mahinmi might be an x Factor and Theo Ratliff was great years ago. Haislip 6 fouls? Note I did not mention Kobe, or did I? They also added Ron Artest whose defence could singlehandedly negate Jefferson's addition.

3) The dreaded Age issue. 11 players on the current roster were born 1980 or prior. Brilliant for experience not so much for endurance.

4) Chemistry - Tony Parker had a career high last year of 22ppg however can he take a step back this year to accomodate Jefferson and Ginobili's return? Can Richard Jefferson play Pops' way or just keep doing his own thing.

5) This may be a reach but injuries. They do happen on all teams however it appears that Duncan was ailing for most of last season. I just hope the big Fundamental can get all the rest he needs over the summer to heal.