2010-11 Season Previews: San Antonio Spurs

Bat-Manu

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. We're doing the Spurs, trying to get one more title before Tim Duncan rides off into the sunset for good.

2009-10 Record: 50-32
Additions: Tiago Splitter (FA), James Anderson (Draft), Bobby Simmons (FA), Gary Neal (FA)
Subtractions: Roger Mason, Ian Mahinimi, Malik Hairston, Keith Bogans

Last year was a bit of a disappointment for San Antonio.  They came in as one of the favorites for the title, but got eliminated in the 2nd round.  Still, all was not lost, and plenty of good is carrying over to this season, in what might be considered San Antonio's last real chance at competing for a title, with the core's declining health and age, and the uncertainty with Tony Parker's contract.

While the Spurs are relying on that aging core of Duncan/Ginobili/Parker (who really isn't that old yet, it just seems like he is), they've done a fine job of adding some really nice young pieces as support.  DeJuan Blair was fantastic as a rookie last year, proving that he should have gone in the lottery, and playing all 82 games with no knee problems.  George Hill had a bit of a breakout season and postseason, garnering attention across the league.  Alonzo Gee and Garrett Temple were nice pickups late in the season, both with some nice potential between them after finally getting into the NBA from the D-League last year.

This year the Spurs were finally able to bring along Tiago Splitter as well, one of, if not the best, players in Europe for the last couple years.  He'll pair up nicely with either Duncan or Blair, and despite never having played in the NBA, could be one of the more NBA ready prospects.  I have him as a dark-horse candidate for the Rookie of the Year, and although his stat line might not be very gaudy, he could have one of the biggest impacts of any rookie.  Speaking of rookies, the Spurs acquired the very talented James Anderson in the draft, probably the best shooter in the draft, and he should fit well in Popovich's system (corner threes galore).

The Spurs also re-signed Richard Jefferson this summer (to a lot of money it should be said), a somewhat perplexing move considering how disappointing Jefferson was as a Spur last season.  His scoring dipped from almost 20 PPG to only 12.3, and his 3P% was an abysmal 31.6%.  The hope with Jefferson is that he'll regain his touch and play from years past and provide that extra spark that the Spurs need.  It's a gamble, especially with his bad play last year, but if anyone can inspire Jefferson to turn it around its Popovich.

Duncan was his reliable old-self, perhaps a bit slower, but just as effective.  With Splitter and Blair in the fold, I expect to see his MPG dip a bit as the Spurs conserve him for another postseason run.  This is also likely of both Ginobili and Parker.  Parker is in a contract year, and hopes to have a good one, especially since he didn't perform up to par last year thanks to nagging injuries. 

Young and Old will have to mesh perfectly for San Antonio to win it all, but the talent is definitely there.  They might not end up with the best regular season record, or even one of the best, but if they're in the playoffs and healthy, they should not be discounted.  The Spurs might be the only team in the West that can knock the Lakers off their throne, but it'll take everything they've got.

Projected Win Range: 48-52