Nothing to see here, just Manu Ginobili & Tim Duncan, hanging out on Valentine’s Day. Enjoying some post victory glasses of water. Cheers!
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Nothing to see here, just Manu Ginobili & Tim Duncan, hanging out on Valentine’s Day. Enjoying some post victory glasses of water. Cheers!
The Departed Los Angeles Lakers
“When Duncan missed, I thought the Lakers had it won. Watching McDyess tip that ball in was like getting shot in the head coming out of an elevator.”
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
At First I was like this:
But then I was like this:
Tim Duncan: 16 pts. 7 boards. 3 assists.
Final: Spurs 113 - Warriors 102
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“When I say run the play, run the (expletive) play!”
- San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Greg Popovich to Tim Duncan & Tony Parker during their 111-94 win over the Golden State Warriors.
Imagine if they were losing!
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
And so it was, Tim “The Rectifier” Duncan decided to end the month of November with a Trip-Dub (15 pts-18 rebs-11 asst). The Spurs meanwhile, went 14-1 during the month (thanks Dallas!). Which means San Antonio is atop the league with the best record at 15-2 overall. And still we ask:
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAAAAIIIIIINNNNNEEEDDD!!!???
(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Jazzketball
San Antonio Spurs: 12-1
…but please, by all means, continue to talk about the Heat/Thunder/Lakers/Celtics.
When last we left the Spurs, they were swept out of the Western Conference Semi-Finals by Steve Nash and his Phoenix Suns. Much of their energy was worn out by a knockdown drag out series against the Dallas Mavericks in the first round. The Suns, and their speed, took full advantage and ran the silver and black attack into the ground. The same Suns team that the Spurs had eviscerated regularly over the last few seasons.
Q: So where does that put them this year?
A: In the same spot as last year. Almost.
Like recent seasons before, the analysts will continue to highlight their age and health. If this weren’t true, everyone wouldn’t be shouting it from the rooftops. So, essentially, this is nothing new. Tim Duncan is knee deep in his 34th year. Manu Ginobili is a year behind. And Antonio McDyess is bringing his 36 years on to the hardwood. If you’ve learned anything from Indiana Jones, you know “It’s not the years, honey, it’s the mileage.” Both Duncan & Ginobili have got tons of miles. They’ve also got a few rings to go with those miles. Oh, and let’s not forget, they also have the Wizard at the helm of the ship.
Now, age & health isn’t something that can really be helped. Duncan can’t turn back the years without fracturing the space time continuum. You could try to tell Obi-Wan Ginobili to take it easy when he drives the lane, but his game would suffer severely and what who would we dress up as for Halloween?
So we go to the tangible problem areas that can actually be worked on. Mainly, outside shooting and defense. How can you forget the Spurs’ explosive defense and textbook gameplay? What was that? You never watched their games, except when you wanted to take a nap? Oh. Well then, just imagine their games got even less interesting with the deterioration of their defense due to, you guessed it, age & health! Will these bros ever get over the loss of Bruce Bowen?
How about that shooting beyond the arc? It’s a good sign when you’re relying on Matt Bonner to handle your culinary tastes and your threes right?
Key Additions: James Anderson & Tiago Splitter
Anderson is the definition of “killing two birds with one stone.” He’s got the youth and he was the Big 12 player of the year, which means, he’s a shooter. 21 years may be a little too young, but he’s got some excellent vets to take notes from.
At 25 years, Splitter is ready to leave Brazil and try on the real deal NBA, as soon as his calf and foot heal. The Spurs have got some pretty high expectations of this guy, but don’t be surprised if his biggest contribution comes, not from his stats, but his ability to compliment Duncan and give him some decent rest throughout the season.
Fun Fact! - Splitter’s birthday is on New Years Day!
Key Losses: Roger Mason & Bruce Bowen
Yes Bowen retired over a year ago, but don’t think that his lockdown defense isn’t still missed. Mason was a part of the supporting cast, that supported the teams outside shooting. His role diminished last season and this season, it’s non-existent. I’m thinking, maybe you don’t want to make your weakness even weaker? I don’t know, maybe its just me?
Predictions/Analysis:
Let’s start with those we’ve not mentioned. George Hill, DeJuan Blair and Richard Jefferson need to step it up big this year. Jefferson moreso than Blair. After making that trade and going outside the cap space, Jefferson didn’t come close to making the necessary impact that was expected of him. The dude is out of excuses. Blair just needs to get better. McDyess shouldn’t be starting over him and he needs to be competent enough to supplant Duncan down low. Hill has been involved for a few seasons now, so he should be hitting his stride this year. Depending on the health of Parker, he could be in for some major playing time, so he needs to be ready.
Manu “The Nose”, Parker & Duncan are looking good coming out of the offseason. The key for them is to last as long as possible and help to develop their counterparts. The Spurs have addressed their age problems, but they haven’t become answers yet. Anderson & Splitter need experience in the first place, but you knew that, because I just said that earlier.
A Championship isn’t impossible, but it’s highly doubtful. Both the Lakers and the Thunder are looking far and away like more complete teams, whereas the Spurs are plugging leaks on the ship and waiting to see if they hold. That said, anything less than the playoffs would be a surprise.
Fun Stuff:
In honor of the Spurs opening victory of the season, allow yourself some time to get your laundry done with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, & Tony Parker. So fresh & so clean. Mermaid clean.
21 days left until the 2010-11 NBA season tips off.
Brought to you by two of the greatest power forwards in NBA history.
The Big Fundamental landed in a city with another hall of famer, a genius front office, and a willing owner. The team won a few titles then reloaded with two of the best international players in the game two win a couple more. Duncan has played himself into the record books and the hall of fame as one of if not the greatest power forward to suit up. The numbers don’t lie; 4 c’hips, 3 Finals MVPs, and 2 NBA MVPs, 20,000+ points and 11,000+ rebounds.
The Big Ticket landed in one of the coldest cities in the NBA. There was no talent in Minnesota and it was near impossible to lure any there. Perhaps it was Kevin’s fault for taking too much money or being too loyal. Maybe McHale and the front office fucked it all up with the Joe Smith incident. Or maybe fate never wanted it to work out in Minny. (Personally, I like to blame Stephon). Regardless of who you put the blame on, #21 was a monster on the court. In 2003 he racked up mind boggling stats (how does 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.2 blocks a game sound?) and an MVP. Yet he fell a few games short of the finals. #5 KG finally got to the top of the mountain, yet his numbers have never been the same.
Leave it to two of the best ever to star in one of the best commercials ever:
The beluga whales at Sea World with Tim Duncan
Tim has quite a rapport with his whale companion, probably because the beluga whale is the Matt Bonner of the animal kingdom. They’re going to get a sandwich together later.
The 2010 Free Agent Bonanza isn’t quite over yet, but it’s never to early to look ahead to the 2011 madness that might ensue. Check out SI for the full story.
Possible invitees to next year’s summits include:
- Carmelo Anthony
- Tim Duncan
- le Tony Parker
- Joakim Noah
- Yao Ming (if he doesn’t retire first)
I don’t know about y’all but I only care about where Zach Randolph ends up.
(photo by John Biever/SI)
How ‘bout them Spurs?
Here’s their top 10:
Agree or disagree? Who’s in your top 10? Should Kobe (currently 12th) be top 10 material - if not, what does Bryant have to do in order to be top 10?
