San Antonio Spurs: Complete Season Preview and Primer

We're less than a week away from tipoff and Tim Duncan's San Antonio Spurs are itching to play again after a disappointing loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference quarterfinals last season.

So what have the Spurs done since then? 

Do they have enough firepower to bounce back?

Are they too old?

Who's on the hot seat?

All of these questions and more answered in this complete season preview of the 2011-12 San Antonio Spurs. 

2010-11: At a Glance

Last season the San Antonio Spurs looked like they were going to replicate one of their performances from earlier in the 2000s when they won four titles. 

The Spurs won 61 games and lost just 21, good enough for second best in the NBA. Although Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are both in their mid-30s and the Spurs' window had seemingly closed, they dominated the regular season and were aiming to recapture the glory days from recent history.

However, the postseason was not as friendly.

The Spurs ran into a young, hot Memphis Grizzlies team that dispatched the Spurs in six games. It was only the fourth time in NBA history that an eighth-seeded team won a series in the first round. It was also the first playoff series victory in Grizzlies history.

The disappointing playoff loss shattered all notions of the Spurs winning their fifth title. 

That being said, the season was highlighted by strong play from young players like Gary Neal, DeJuan Blair and George Hill along with consistent play and leadership from veterans like Duncan, Ginobili and Tony Parker. 

Although Hill bolted to Indiana, the Spurs still have young pieces to stay competitive in the West.

2010-11 Leaders

PPG: Tony Parker, 17.5 PPG

RPG: Tim Duncan, 8.9 RPG

APG: Tony Parker, 6.6 APG 

SPG: Manu Ginobili, 1.5 SPG

BPG: Tim Duncan, 1.9 BPG

FG%: Tiago Splitter, 52.9%

FT%: Steve Novak, 54.8% 

Offseason Highlights

Major Acquisitions

T.J. Ford (from Indiana via free agency)

The Spurs signed T.J. Ford on December 9 to back up Tony Parker at the point guard position. Ford attended the University of Texas and is a former Longhorn so he should welcome the return to his home state. 

Also, he's a great backup option at a crucial position. The league's best teams all have elite point guards like Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose. Ford is nowhere near those guys but he'll be able to spell Tony Parker and give him an ample amount of rest throughout the regular season.

Major Departures

George Hill (to Indiana via trade)

The Spurs dealt Hill to the Pacers for former San Diego State star Kawhi Leonard in June during the draft. This was a head-scratcher move at the time because Hill put up solid numbers from the guard position with 11.6 points per game and 2.5 assists per game.

Leonard is young and still needs to develop but could be a healthy asset in the future. With T.J. Ford coming in to replace Hill, the move doesn't seem as questionable as it did when it was first made.

Antonio McDyess (retired)  

McDyess called it quits today after an illustrious 15-year career. He averaged 12.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game with Denver, Phoenix, New York, Detroit and San Antonio. 

His departure now leaves the Spurs looking for a center before the start of the season. 

Expected Starting Lineup

C: DeJuan Blair

As of now, Blair is going to assume the starting center role. The former Pitt Panther is undersized for a center at 6'8" and is probably more suited to back up Duncan at the power forward position.

Last season, Blair played in his second full season and he averaged 8.3 points and 7.0 rebounds.

PF: Tim Duncan

The San Antonio legend's numbers may be dipping but that doesn't mean he's ineffective. He averaged 13.5 points and a team-leading 8.9 rebounds per game last year. His intangibles are not measurable and he's easily one of the best leaders in basketball.

SF: Richard Jefferson

Jefferson has massively underperformed ever since signing with the Spurs in 2009-10. He averaged close to 20 points in Milwaukee back in 2009. Since then, Jefferson has put up pedestrian numbers averaging just 11 points last season. 

If the Spurs want to go far, Jefferson needs to elevate his game and be more consistent. 

SG: Manu Ginobili

Don't tell Manu he's too old. The Argentinian stud scored 17.4 points and averaged almost five assists per game last season. He may be aging, but he's aging like wine. 

PG: Tony Parker

People who call the Spurs don't seem to realize that Tony Parker is only 29 years old. He's in his prime. He's still performing and he's easily the best player on this team. 

His play will determine how far the Spurs end up going in the playoffs. He has to facilitate the game for his teammates in order to maximize the Spurs' potential. 

Important Bench Players

One advantage that the Spurs have over most teams is their depth. They have plenty of young and upcoming players that they are grooming by giving them bench roles like Tiago Splitter, James Anderson and Gary Neal. 

This trio has only played a combined five seasons in the NBA. They are the future of the Spurs and what better way to get their feet wet than by backing up some of the greatest legends of the game?

Finally, the addition of T.J. Ford can make Tony Parker's job easier. Ford's a guy that has shown he can perform. He once averaged 15 points per game in 2008-09 and almost eight assists per game in 2006-07. 

The Spurs bench is key for their success and expect their young players on that bench to improve as the season commences. 

Player with Most Pressure

Richard Jefferson

As mentioned before, Jefferson has not produced as much as the Spurs would like him to during his tenure in Texas.

He did significantly improve his three-point shot last season, draining close to 45 percent of his shots from downtown. However, he needs to improve his rebounding and scoring in general. 

He can be characterized as the Lamar Odom of the Spurs. When the Lakers were winning their championships, Odom was the X-factor for the Lakers. If he stepped up, the Lakers were going to win.

It's the same deal with Jefferson. The Spurs have enough weapons to win games in the regular season, but they're going to need Jefferson to at least put up respectable numbers if they want to win in the playoffs.  

Player on the Rise

Gary Neal

After spending much of his early career in Europe and having wild success, Neal spent his first full season in the NBA this year with the Spurs and put up respectable numbers. 

He averaged 9.8 points per game and drained 41.9 percent of his three-pointers. Neal showed that he's the real deal and may become a steal for the Spurs if he continues playing the way he did last year off the bench.

Who knows? Maybe he'll take over once Manu's time has come. 

Holes Left To Fill

With the retirement of Antonio McDyess, the Spurs are now left with a gaping hole at the center position.

As mentioned before, DeJuan Blair is an undersized center and is probably more suited for the power forward position. 

Brazilian center Tiago Splitter can also oversee the center position. However, he's only in his second full season and more toughness may be needed.

Either way, the Spurs need a big to clog the paint if they want to win in the playoffs. Coach Popovich stated that he wants someone that can come in and help win games rather than just eat up minutes. 

So is a trade in store for the Spurs in the near future?

Schedule Highlights

As everyone knows, this year's season is going to be brutal for most teams. There are 66 condensed games packed into four months. 

The Spurs schedule is just as hectic. The Spurs have two sets of back-to-back-to-backs and it'll be interesting to see how their aging team handles them. 

The season is highlighted by a nine-game road trip in February leading up to the All-Star break. The Spurs travel to Memphis, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Detroit, Toronto, Los Angeles (Clippers), Utah, Portland and finish up in Denver. 

One main advantage the Spurs have during this nine-game swing is that the games are played over a three-week period so they'll be able to get some more rest. 

Immediately after the All-Star break, the Spurs have a seven-game home stand in early March. This is probably the friendliest the schedule gets.

April doesn't get any easier. The Spurs have their second set of back-to-back-to-backs and all three games are on the road in California. They play the Warriors, Lakers and Kings from April 16-18. They also have two more battles against the Lakers that month and a tilt against the Celtics on April 4. 

Expectations for the Season

Just like always, the Spurs are flying under the radar. While the Lakers' pursuit of Dwight Howard and the new-look Clippers swallow up the Western Conference headlines, the Spurs pretty much look like the same team that won 61 games last season.

Dallas has taken a step backwards after losing J.J. Barea, Caron Butler and Tyson Chandler. Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki are also aging and it'll be difficult for them to keep up with the schedule. 

Finally, the Lakers have more questions than answers. Kobe has questioned the Lamar Odom trade and the team as a whole has some kinks to iron out as they begin a new era without Phil Jackson. 

That being said, the Spurs don't have the firepower to match the Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies or Los Angeles Clippers. 

Oklahoma City has speed and athleticism with guys like Serge Ibaka, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Memphis is only getting better and the Clippers look like the best team in the West on paper.

The Spurs will have a solid regular season and they'll win plenty of games. They're a sure-fire playoff team and they definitely want to avenge the disappointment from last year's early playoff defeat. 

Expect them to win a few playoff series and if they get enough help from their young bench then they could have a shot for the NBA Finals.

After all, the last NBA team to win a championship in a shortened season was San Antonio. 

Prediction

And folks, here are some bold Spurs prediction for the 2011-12 season.

40-26, Fifth Seed in the Western Conference

Lose in Western Semifinals