[The Splash DocParticipant]

what do you guys expect from SAS this year look at the core rotation.

Guards- Tony Parker, James Anderson, Manu Ginobili and George Hill

Bigs- Tim Duncan, Tiago Splitter, Dejuan Blair, Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess and Matt Bonner

If all goes well injury wise I see a WCF appearance they match up well with LAL from players to coaches but if the injury bug bites then a 1st round exit is likely I doubt I see them in the lottery but honestly if it happen then we might see the start of a new dynasty for SAS which means bye bye- Parker, Ginobili, Duncan and Jefferson 

[yankees1Participant]

The Spurs have a great organization . They have been adding very good young talent ( in Blair, Hill, Anderson & Splitter ) to their core . They obviously have a good eye for talent because they are usually drafting late in the first round. I can see then making a smooth transition and staying competitive even with Duncan and Ginibili aging. Splitter will have to come up huge for them this year to really challenge in the west. I would not be surprised to see Parker traded later in the season for another big.  

[Mr. JewboyParticipant]

 Richard Jefferson isn’t a big

and no way they’re gettin rid of duncan. he’s there until he retires-at least 4 years

[llperez]

they are right in the mix without about 8 other teams fighting to battle the lakers. spurs should make the playoffs, but they could easily be anywhere from 2nd to 8th. Some real question marks with what to expect from all the vets including duncan, parker, manu and jefferson who are all slowing down.

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

 What do you expect from George Hill? Could he start at the 2, and move Manu back to the bench as a sixth man role or not?

For their season, I expect their age to hurt them. Right now their roster is not better than Utah’s. Utah swept them last year, and should do the same this year. So if the Spurs couldn’t beat Utah last year, they certainly won’t have a chance against the Lakers. Just look at what the Lakers did to Utah in the playoffs last year. How can the Spurs compete with the Lakers if they can’t even beat a smaller team like the Jazz. I only expect the spurs to make it to the second round. But since they are so old they might not even make it out of the first round! (Sorry but that’s the truth. Their age really hurts them.)

[Spurs2020Participant]

 dwill, the spurs did not play the jazz in the playoffs last year, they upset the #2 dallas and got swept by the suns because of excessive fouling by the spurs and a miracle game by goran dragic (who was drafted by the spurs)…

The spurs are right in there depending on injuries… 2-8 seed, i guarentee they make the playoffs barring any sort of disaster…. I will try and highlight the major variables

Tony Parker: was injured on and off all last year, never really found his rhythm and came out with a very dissapointing season. Knowing him, that won’t happen again, he is one of the most competitive players in the league and should be back to his old self, 22 ppg and 6.5 apg, expect better defense as well…. also remeber, the spurs said they will trade him if the season doesnt start well, he wants to be in SA, so expect him to go all out…

Manu Ginobili: minutes will be very limited in the regular season, especially with the addition of James Anderson, who is 100% NBA ready and will contribute significatnly right away. Andersons greatest value, other than corner 3’s (ala bruce bowen) will be extending manus career. Manu, when in rythym and getting minutes, is one of the best in league. For evidence, look at the end of last season starting around when parker got hurt, he single handedly kept them in the playoffs beating teams like the cavs, nuggets, and lakers. over that span he averaged over 30 ppg and really was dominating teams. Manu does WHATEVER it takes to win, his competitiveness is unparalleled in the league

Tim Duncan: reportedly came to camp thinner and lighter and in better shape than ever in his carreer, like any great vet, he is adjusting his body and game to his age, still changes the game drastically and demands double teams, splitter will help them keep height while his numbers are limited in the reg season. Will dismantle younger players who arent disciplined with masterful fakes and footwork. Struggles mightily against dwight howard and pau gasol

Richard Jefferson: did not fit well in the read and react offense, hopefully, a 2nd year of it will yield better results. At times he had no confidence last year and looked plain lost. His lack of movement on the court clogged lanes for parker/manu and he his horrible shooting meant he couldnt stretch the D. atheltic defender, and a good teammate, if he doesnt stepup, could be packaged with parker in a trade

George Hill: fantastic, but must continue to develop his pg skills. Doesnt change the game the way parker does. is a better shooter, but  doesnt find teammates as well as he should. If his rate of improvement maintains, hell be handed the starting spot, and parker will be gone, if not, will be a big scorer for the team and their most reliable corner shooter, a must for their offense

Blair: a great complement and piece to taller softer splitter. will be improved this season, thrives in read and react, could potentially start if he learns to move the ball a bit better. great competitor

Splitter: tall, long, athletic, fast, unorthodox, and a pitbull type of competitor, will fit in immediatly, but may take time to adjust to NBA

Bonner: must grow some nuts, hes perfect for their offense, but often looks scared on the court

 

The spurs will make the playoffs and will 100% get out of the first round if they aren’t playing the lakers first round. Their biggest asset is their competiveness and experience. the spurs are built for the playoffs, and won’t rollover to any team. the biggest question marks is how healthy they can be if they get deep in the playoffs.Aren’t on the lakers level, but with popp calling the shots and fiery competitive disciplined squad, its realistic to see a team like the lakers "lose" to the spurs, rather than the spurs beat them…

[HitsterParticipant]

Tim Duncan is a year older but still the cornerstone of the franchise, Parker is in contract year so will need to deliver, Manu can carry on being a great 6th man with maybe Hill starting. Jefferson needs to refind his New Jersey form to give them a 3rd scoring starter option. Anderson will play behind the experienced backcourters and can be brought along. Getting Splitter over may be massive as he would have been drafted much higher if he had been likely to come over in 2007 and he will be NBA ready. Blair has a season under his belt and his game compliments Matt Bonner’s nicely. Diceman gives extra veteran presence in the frontcourt also.

The Spurs will surely win around 50 games and are always dangerous in the play offs, the Duncan era is ending but they are rebuilding gradually and with Burford and Poppovich they have two excellent guys to steer them.

 

[McDunkin]

Dont forget about Kirk Penney possibly making the roster.

[JoeWolf1]

 I think the Spurs will win about 47-50 games

and my prediction for rookie James Anderson is about 9 ppg off the bench.

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

 I did not say the Jazz beat the Spurs in the playoffs, I was talking about the season. They got swept by the Jazz in the season series. Read what I said, don’t just infer or assume.  Old seasoned veterans are a nice commodity to have but their is a such thing as having too many. And the Spurs definitely cross that line. The only time seasoned veterans work is when they challenge for the title like the Celtics did last year. 

And come on, the Spurs did not get swept by the Suns because of too much fouling on their part. That is a lame reason to loose. I don’t why people think the officials make such a big difference on games. They make a small difference but they aren’t as bad as they were. Usually the team that should win, wins. I have no doubt the Spurs will make the playoffs but only as a 6-8 seed. Its very rare that a 6-8 seed gets past the first round.

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