The winds of trade swirled through the NBA Western Conference with improvements to the Lakers, Suns and Mavs. The sports pundits have, with good reason, placed these teams at the top of list for championship contenders.
However, with all the talk surrounding these reborn teams, along with the West-leading Hornets, how can we forget about last years' champions, San Antonio?
Little tinkering has been done to an already stellar lineup. The Spurs boast a solid squad and despite being left out of the trade talks, they look to stay pat with their team that won them the championships last year. As a result, I still can't resist but to pick them coming out of the West.
So, how come I like the Spurs so much?
Granted, they had come under an unlikely injury to Tony Parker which threw their backcourt into a tailspin. But if TP gets healthy come playoff time, the team with some of the best fundamental play in league—led by Sir Pop himself—should beat out the much improved teams in the west.
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The one qualm I may have is at their centre position occupied by Fransisco Elson and Fabricio Oberto. With Shaq and Pau as their main competition heading into the second season, they may face some stiff competition, causing them to get into unusual foul trouble. The same goes for Duncan when the Spurs go small, as he will likely pick up some cheapies under the hoop.
Asides from these potential problems, a resurging Manu Ginobili—who has looked like a man possessed as of late—and a healthy TP should bring the Spurs back to their championship ways. Not to mention having Damon Stoudamire come off the bench to take up some serious minutes in the backcourt (something the Spurs never really had).
As well, veteran older guys like Bruce Bowen—the ultimate playoff pest—and Robert Horry—Mr. Clutch—put their games into a third gear come playoff time. Given that it will most likely be Bowen's last hoorah, you can count on him to be the defensive leader for the Spurs.
Finally, there's Tim Duncan, Mr. Fundamentals himself. Sure, he goes under the radar as one of the most boring players in the game. But if boring gives you a consistent 20 and 10 a night, I will take it any day. He is the epitome of a basketball nerd, who understands how the game is played and relies more on the backboard than on flashy play.
With Pop at the helm the Spurs should be geared up to make another run at their illustrious fourth ring in six years.
This is not to say that teams like the Lake-show, Mavs and Suns and even the young Hornets aren't contenders by any means. Certainly the trades they made to improve their squads will come in handy come playoff time. Yet, for all of you westcoasters who have been caught up in the trade hype, all im saying is don't count these guys out.
After all, you have to beat the champs to become the champs.
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9 months ago
Did you see what the Lakers did to the Sons? And that was on a back to back. I think Pop needs to make a few more trades if he wants to stop the Lakers. First you are going to need a 10 man rotation with sharp shooters. Next, you need two Kobe stoppers. Then you need a center that can run and score and finally some luck.
If the Spurs are not at full strength just give your best shot and hope for the best.
9 months ago
to be the best, you have to beat the best. you have to beat the spurs in the playoffs first before these great teams on paper can claim anything
9 months ago
have you heard about 20-game winning streaks lately?..
well, the lakers will get it done...mark my words..
20-game winning streak...wow
9 months ago
never count out the spurs. they love going under the radar. makes them that much more dangerous
9 months ago
Is that you best comeback flying under the radar? The Spurs are the defending Champs, its going to be hard for them to get off the ground let alone fly. They are sitting ducks. Phil Jacksons will cause all sort of mismatches for Pop that he'll start yelling for a committee to band teams with ten man rotations.
Doesn't the Laker bench keep you up at night? Forget the five starters. D'Antoni had no answer. If you're hopiing that Pop can somehow work miracles with players on the wire and in the D-League, it ain't gonna FLY. The Laker bench players have been together for 2 to 3 years. There're young, fast and well coached. Remember point 4. Get ready for 48 minutes of point 4.
9 months ago
Laker bench players playing for 2-3 years is an advantage, Spurs bench and starters playing together for 2-3 years or more is not!!! Lakers coached by Jackson are well coached but coach pop is shit (he has won more titles in last 10 years than the Zen master)! Number of playoff series won by Bynum + Gasol + odom = 0 but they will fly but a team that had the best win-loss record in last 10 years across all professional sports can not fly!!! Jackson has 10 men rotation. Let us look at spurs rotation: Duncan, oberto, Ginobili, Parker, Bowen, Horry, Udoka, Vaughn, Finley, Bonner: that is 10 already and you have Stoudamire and Kurt thomas to come.
Nice analysis dude! hope lakers play better than your analysis because I am really looking forward to an electric round of playoffs in West..
And 20 games streak: ha ha ha ha!
9 months ago
Last time the lakers were so pumped up & were given the title without playing for it, 4 hall of famers in the court and a hall of famer couch in the bench...can't forget and wont forget .4 because it was invalid. It was the NBA's way of showing that Hollywood brings more ratings & marketing then the alamo. One thing I haven heard is chemistry, with all these big name trades the spurs are the only team that has it...Regular season wins are insignificant in the june. One more thing I believe in divine justice, the lakers cheated the spurs with .4 they paid vs the pistons, the nba invented over time in game 7 to the mavs only to be embarassed by Miami. The spurs finished the lakers dynasty in 03 since then San Antonio is the only team to win it for the west, in conclusion if SA doesn't win the west, welcome the new champs Detroit, Boston or Cleveland.
8 months ago
I like the way you overlooked three straight Laker championships from 2000-2003 in you analysis.
Answers these questions for me:
Are the Lakers young and talented?
Is Kobe Bryant the best player in the world?
What current coach in the NBA has the most rings?
Who has the best bench in terms of statistics Lakers or Spurs?
And finally, Who is the number one team in the Western Conference?
8 months ago
Your ten man rotation sounds like the 30 and over club. Pass the Geritol and Ben Gay. I hear they have pace makers on sale at Wal-mart, better stockup!
8 months ago
Haterz! I'll take the "30 and over club" with 4 championship rings anytime.
8 months ago
Laker fans acting like they will get passed the first round. Reason those championships happened was because of Shaq and saying otherwise is a flat out lie. Don't get me wrong, Kobe is the best in the game but has yet to do anything in the playoffs without the big guy.
Nothing is for sure just look at the Mavs. Spurs look hungry to finally repeat and with Manu looking more impressive than ever, they look poised to make a big run.
Manu since Spurs last lost.
30 points 12 assists 6 rebounds
44 points 3assists 4 rebounds
18 points 4rebounds 4assists
46points 8assists 5rebounds
34points 12rebounds 6assists
He will definately be a factor that everyone is underestimating due to Duncan being the man.
8 months ago
But can Manu continue to produce those types of numbers the remainder of the season and well into the playoffs? Isn't he over 30? He's know KOBE Bryant. So are you saying that one man is going to beat the Lakers? Manu is no Shaq. Please stop talking about your 4 championship rings, we have 16 championship rings. What's important here is that your Spurs are already fatigued due to a shortened vacation period as a result of their last title run and "AGE". It's nothing to be ashammed of, everyone gets old. My Lakers during the eighties finally got "OLD". If happens to the best sport teams. Look at Phoenix, their age is starting to show, especially when they play the Lakers.
I like the compassion you Spur fans exhibit for your team. For the record the Gasol trade insures the Lakers getting pass the first round.
Point 4 and I'm out.
from 8 months ago
Isn't he over 30? Kobe Bryant is 29 years old while Manu is 30. By no means am I saying Manu is Shaq but add that with Tim Duncan and you have a nice combo. Add that with Tony Parker once he's healthy and you have just as good or better lineup than the Lakers.
You can say Gasol helps you and everything but he is a playoff bust. Until he proves otherwise he is nothing more than a stat grabber.
8 months ago
Sorry for the typing errors in the previous paragraph, I must be getting "OLD".
8 months ago
Remember if your Spurs lose a game they will fall further behind the Lakers in the standings.
8 months ago
stop it man. spurs are the only ones that have no pressure after those big trades. Now they will let the rest to think they're better, and in the post season, all the myth is going to dissapear.
Lakers are very good, but it is too fast to call them N°1contenders, I feel that they can't resign any player to win, when if in San Antonio someone is not feeling accurate, there is always someone behind to fill the space.
Plus, Duncan is the most unselfish player ever, and as much Manu is no Shaq, Pau or Kobe are no Duncan.
That's why I think if anybody thinks the trades made San Antonio weaker, prepare yourself for lesson N°4. Money can't buy you rings. It's not that simple...
Spurs NOT death.!!!
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