The Spurs never win back-to-back, so will they be back?

[thebigjustice]

The Spurs remain the most clutch and defensively committed Western team, but didn't seem to be themselves this year; but then again the Spurs have never won 2 straight titles and could be back to dominance next season given that pattern. Maybe they lack motivation after winning each title. I certainly see Boston as the clear favorite to win 65+ games and the Championship, with San Antonio as the likely Finals opponent. I can see a grind-it-out series like that lifting the NBA Finals to new heights not seen since the 90s.

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

Depends what moves they make in the offseason. They'll have to go through NO, Rockets, Lakers. Spurs didnt win in 2001, the last odd year they didnt. When the lakers were also significant.

[Basileus777]

The Spurs roster was flawed last year and they probably overachieved even getting to the WCF. But they can still win a title next year, they just need to have an excellent offseason. Their core of Duncan/Parker/Manu/Bowen is still capable of winning a title, they just need to find younger role-players to complement them.

[thebigjustice]

Duncan and Parker still look great, Duncan is a machine. While they build around those guys its going to be hard to dislodge them for good, and ringless veterans will continue to want a ride.

[NDaATL]

I don't see them beating the Hornets or Lakers. I also think the Jazz or a healthy Rockets team will give them fits.

[Roscoe Sheed]

The main problem they have is that outside of their big 3, they have almost no chips to exchange in trade

Also, I'm all in favor of patriotism and everything, but it is pretty clear that Manu needs to just rest up this summer

[jman3134]

If they properly update themselves in the draft, I think they have a chance to return to full form. The key X factor is the play of Tony Parker, which was dreadful against the Lakers. Duncan needs to dominate to compensate at times and he is getting older. Honestly, I think barring Tiago Splitter coming to the States, the Spurs will remain towards the top of the league but go out in the conference semis or in the finals.

[thebigjustice]

Well the way I see it, they had one bad series, thats all. Same as the other years that followed each ring, one bad series but a very good season overall. Their murderization of Phoenix was superb.

[cdubbz]

I think people credit houston too much even after their 22 game surge. I just dont see the rockets as a title contender with their current roster. I love McGrady and Yao, but they havent gotten past the first round. Tmac is always a question with his injuries as well. Maybe next year is their year with alston becoming a good starting point gaurd for them.

To the topic....I think if the spurs can grab some youth and athletic players then they can still compete for the title. Their Big 3 is very very strong and just need a few more role players that can score will help tremendously. I think the Spurs got lucky against NO, i really didnt think they could beat them. The lakers will be tough for them...bynum and gasol are long and can score....+ kobe. Hopefully they can add someone nice in the draft.

[YouAreBeneathMe]

They are capable of it. A few things have to be cleared up before the Spurs are crowned champs again in the near future.

First off, what is up with Ginobili's knee injury? Will he be okay? The Spurs don't want him to play in the olympics as he could re-aggravate an injury that should have kept him out of the LA series for his own career longevity's sake, but who knows.

The most obvious concerns are their bench, and the collective age of all those role players. I've heard Corey Maggette's name being thrown around in connection with the Spurs, so maybe there's something to that. SA is right back in the thick of things with a high octane addition like Maggette.

So you can officially say goodbye to Horry, Barry, Finley, Vaughn, Thomas, and all those characters... unless SA decides to be stupid.

[thebigjustice]

It should be put into perspective how difficult it is to beat Phoenix, New Orleans and LA back to back to back. They are all Championship favorites. I suspect if LA had to beat Phoenix and New Orleans before playing the Spurs then it would have been the Spurs in the Finals.

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

It should be put into perspective how difficult it is to beat Phoenix, New Orleans and LA back to back to back. They are all Championship favorites. I suspect if LA had to beat Phoenix and New Orleans before playing the Spurs then it would have been the Spurs in the Finals.

Coulda shoulda woulda, if Manu was 100% healthy. If bynum played. If this, if that. It wasnt, so it didnt happen.

[TNBT]

I agree with most of what has been said in this thread. The Spurs have a team that can compete for a championship next season, but they still need to improve if they want to beat the other top teams in the west.

[thebigjustice]

I'm not a Spurs fan by the way, in fact I like seeing them lose

[pillwenney]

They have some holes that probably need to be filled.

1) I still don't know if they have their Bowen replacement (and they'll need him more than ever next year). Udoka is good in some ways, but he can't keep up with elite SGs (ie Kobe).

2) They need somebody more mobile up front. Essentially losing Horry (in other words, age finally taking its toll on Horry) was pretty huge for them. Splitter coming over should be very key here, assuming he's ready to contribute.

3) I think they need one more guy that can create his own offense (but I might just be saying that because Manu's injury made their offense look really stagnant). The guy doesn't have to be a superstar, just somebody that can handle most players in the league in a one-on-one situation.

4) This one might not be completely true since they have won without it, but I think they need to upgrade their backup PG spot. Vaughn is just completely "meh" IMO.

Other than that, it's just about getting some younger players to contribute. They could be fine up front with Splitter coming over, Bonner likely ready to step in and Udoka coming off a fine offseason. They just need a younger perimeter defender, a good iso player and a back up PG. If they were able to trade for John Salmons (as a Kings fan, I don't know how they would, but just for the sake of argument) and draft Chalmers, I think they could be set for another title run.

[ss1986v2]

...

scratch the name "splitter" and sub in "mahinmi" and throw in a few more "hopes" and "maybes", and you would be a bit closer. splitter resigned with tau a couple of weeks ago.

[HarlemHeat37]

I think we'll be there next year..the only needs are younger role players, which is much easier to fill than a big-time player..backup PG and young swingman are the main needs, and I think they'll be addressed, whether through the draft or FA..

[thebigjustice]

Yes when you have that BIG3 it makes it easy to remain in the hunt with just a couple of lil tweaks. Especially with a smart guy like Pop making the tweaks. This is the key to winning, much like the 95-98 Bulls, and now the Celtics. The BIG3 just have to stay healthy and more rings will come. Veteran stars like TD Gin Parker are much safer bet to come out of the West than the upNcoming teams with something to prove like New Orleans and LA. Stability is the key, and veteran teams have it. More specifically, defense and a post-anchor is the key.

[HarlemHeat37]

well ANY athletic swingman is an upgrade over Finley defensively..Finley might literally be the worst defender in the NBA..Ginobili's D has fallen off a lot this year, where he's just average now..so I think it was impressive that an old team with injuries, and average defenders like Parker, Ginobili and Oberto..and a terrible defender in Finley, was still able to rank 3rd defensively..

so the system won't change, and the D will only get better next year..so I don't see any reason the Spurs won't contend..ANYBODY is an upgrade over Finley and Horry, ANYBODY..health killed us in the regular season AND playoffs..