San Antonio, Gearing Up or Done?

Alright, I'm as big a Spurs fan as anyone out there, I know as well as any fan that the annual Rodeo Trip is a turning point, but nobody can tell me they aren't a little bit concerned right now.  After seeing that my boys in black have lost yet again (I've been spoiled by over 10 years of winning), I had to say something.  I've seen all the reports, the guys are old, but they're also experienced.  The Spurs have forgotten more about winning than most teams can hope to know.  Duncan is the rock, the foundation, Bowen can shut down anyone on the perimeter, Parker is a top 5 point guard, and Ginobili is the sixth starter.  So why are they fifth in the west at 28-14, ahead of the Lakers only because they've played one more game?

Well, first off, the starting five are not a young group.  Parker may be only 25, but he already has six hard years of wear and tear on him.  He plays late every year, plays hard, and logs lots of minutes.  Ginobili has to have his minutes restricted by Pop every night because he knows no other way but all out.  Duncan has been playing All Star games since before half the team made it pro.  And that, is the problem.  The Spurs aren't old, the Spurs that do the he avy lifting are old, as well as the key bench players.  Duncan, Bowen, Ginobili, and Parker, of which only Parker was born after 1980.  Moving past Oberto to the bench you have Barry, Elson, Finley, Horry, Udoka, and Vaughn.  In fact, other than Parker, the only Spurs born after 1980 are Bonner, Mahinmi, and Richardson, and Mahinmi gets less burn than anyone.  Yep, there's no doubt about it, the Spurs need some more young legs, to learn from the vets while they're still there.

Mahinmi is already learning the system, and from the few reports I've seen, he and Tiago Splitter should enjoy some very successful years together.  I believe Bonner to be an excellent replacement for Horry, who is expected to retire soon, and while Udoka isn't exactly young, he'll do well filling in when Bowen leaves.  Mayb e one of them will be the answer, but the glaring problem I see in San Antonio is when one of the big three get hurt, the rest of the team can step up, but not for a long period of time, although I'd love to be proven wrong.  Having these young big men in the pipeline, who should be in uniform in just a few short years, leaves us with the perimeter.

Parker still be fairly young, means we only need a serviceable point guard for the next several years, and I think Washington will be able to fill that mold, based off of the little we saw him play this year, although Jared Jordan's passing wizardry would be a superb complement to so many of the Spurs.  Now we move on to the 2 and 3 spots.  Three names come to mind, Kyle Korver, Salim Stoudamire, and Corey Maggette. I know Maggette kind of seamlessly fits into the range of the big three, but he hasn't played nearly as many games as them, and he'll bring scoring punch, not too shabby defense, and veteran knowledge of the game.  I see it as allowing Giniboli to start, and Maggette to get starter minutes at the 2 and 3 spots every night.  Korver is a 3 point specialist, once he gets used to some big time pressure playoff games, he could someday save the Spurs much like Kerr once did against Dallas.  Finally, Salim Stoudamire is very young, and brings an explosive scoring punch off the bench.  He could be a game changer when the swingmen need a breather, or are just having an off night.  36% from the three isn't bad either.  I see Barry, Finley, and Horry all leaving soon, and I'm not sold on Richardson, so the roster spots are there.  The salary cap shouldn't be an issue either, as I think they would take a pay cut if need be, because the Spurs are annual contenders.  As those three all near the end of their contracts, the Spurs should take a close look.

San Antonio needs to do something, they're still all right for now, but the rest of the West is getting younger, just look at the 25-18 that the super young Trailblazers are holding down, and Oden isn't even on the court yet!  Even the Lakers are only a game behind right now, and they have nowhere to go but up with the roster they're fielding.  Add a hungry Mavericks, a fired up Rockets, and a determined Hornets, and the Spurs decade long success is being threatened.

Comments

[southAustin(fernando);]

when did you start watching SPURS basketball?

[Shawn]

@southAustin I've been watching Spurs basketball since the mid '90s. About the time they lost to the Rockets en route to their championship.

[southAustin(fernando);]

damnIt...1995...not a good year.

at all.

i won't even open a bottle of wine from 1995.

no way.

dreamShake broke my heart...we'll discuss later. i need to sleep.

good to meet you. keep writing.