Are the Spurs Too Old?

Shapecity · Nov 22, 2008

Sorry to be a buzz-kill, but the San Antonio Spurs are in trouble.

Heck, for anybody who’s watched any one of the Spurs’ first 11 games this season has likely had to pop more than a couple of blood-pressure pills with San Antonio playing in six contests that went until the final shot.

Through the first three weeks of the 2008-09 season, they have already seen a year’s worth of highs and lows.

The lows include a 1-4 start and a deadly serious ankle injury to star point guard Tony Parker, who is likely expected out for several more weeks.

Oh, and don’t forget the off-season news that Manu Ginobili, the ultimate sixth-man who’s been spending his time pitching Time Warner Cable, will be out until mid-December recovering from ankle surgery.

Now, there has been positive news regarding Ginobili being slightly ahead of schedule, but even if he’s cleared medically, it likely won’t be until January before longtime Spurs coach Gregg Popovich puts a full load on him.

The highs have been less obvious, but they did include a career-high 55 points by Parker in the Spurs’ first victory of the season — a 129-125 overtime win over Minnesota — as well as winning four of their last six games.

But despite its recent success, on seemingly — dare I say “lucky” — shots, the Spurs are still depending a little too heavily on other-worldly performances from new guard Roger Mason Jr. and Mr. Consistent himself, Tim Duncan.

And given the lows already mentioned, ESPN.com is declaring the Spurs won’t even make the playoffs, making it the first time since Duncan joined the team in 1997 the team didn’t play in the postseason.

I’ve already said this is clearly a very real possibility, and with each week that goes on, it appears more and more likely.

And although I feel like I might be repeating myself, the Spurs have shown one major weakness this season, with or without Parker or Ginobili — rebounding.

Over the last five games before Wednesday, which included three straight victories, San Antonio has been outrebounded by an average of 8.25 boards.

San Antonio needs a second power in the paint besides Duncan, who has done everything in his power, averaging a double-double this season with nearly 24 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Neither Fabricio Oberto, Matt Bonner or Kurt Thomas has proven to be any sort of force to be reckoned with under the basket, with all three averaging less than four boards per contest.

Obviously, help is desperately needed.

One option might come from one of the Spurs’ recent opponents — the Los Angeles Clippers, who look eager to shake things up after an overhauled roster has squandered plenty of opportunities during their 2-9 start.

With the emergence of Marcus Camby, who was acquired from the Nuggets in the offseason for next to nothing, the Clippers are reportedly willing to trade 26-year-old center Chris Kaman, a beast in the paint who still has four years at almost $11 million per year left on his contract.

But at 26 years old, Kaman is still in the prime of his career and would give San Antonio the type of inside game it had when Duncan joined “The Admiral” David Robinson in 1997, a combination that ultimately turned the Spurs from an average team to a perennial contender.

Playing a limited roll at times this season, Kaman is averaging 13.2 points per game but more important is his average of 10.5 rebounds.

While other rebounding options are limited, at least at this juncture, there is still Charlotte forward Gerald Wallace, whose pricey contract the Bobcats are eager to expunge.

Again, acquiring Wallace would mean a huge commitment from the Spurs, but the 26-year-old Wallace has shown himself to be a quality talent and can still provide some much-needed youth to the NBA team with the highest average age.

While as anyone who follows the NBA knows that trades aren’t that easy to be made, they are nevertheless a necessity for teams that just don’t have the current personnel to make a serious postseason run, a position San Antonio is finding itself in as each day goes by.
Click to expand...

Source: Daily Times

La Bomba · Nov 22, 2008

I would never count the spurs out come play off time. They also have their big three injured, so that's another reason for their slow start, BUT they are old and should start rebuilding soon.

Jontro · Nov 30, 2008

The Spurs could still do some damage come playoff time, but their championship days are over. I wonder how long they're gonna hold on to this aging crew until they start making moves to make them younger.

Colonel Ronan · Nov 30, 2008

This forum makes me feel like I'm back in the 1930's.

DynastYWarrioR6 · Dec 4, 2008

Main Event said: ↑

This forum makes me feel like I'm back in the 1930's.
Click to expand...

That's the point.

Log in or Sign up

Are the Spurs Too Old?

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

La Bomba The Future

Jontro What?

Colonel Ronan Continue...?

DynastYWarrioR6 JBB SmurfY

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Are the Spurs Too Old?

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

La Bomba The Future

Jontro What?

Colonel Ronan Continue...?

DynastYWarrioR6 JBB SmurfY

Share This Page

Useful Searches