The '08 San Antonio Spurs: Mission Failed

The San Antonio Spurs of the 2007-2008 NBA season came looking to defend and re-win the Larry O'Brien championship trophy, from the previous season's finals win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite having come through the toughest match-ups in NBA Western Conference history, the Spurs were dethroned and locked out of the NBA Playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers, who were led by league Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant. Now, the Spurs will be looking to see how they can improve, but first let's see why they failed to win a consecutive title.

The primary reason for their failure was that the team in general is an aging bunch. With the slow regression of future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, the Spurs are having to deal to with the realities of their franchise big man not being as dominant and it showed throughout the season. Duncan, who averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds for his previous ten years in the NBA, finished the 2008 regular season having failed to continue that streak, finishing just under the 20 point average, but this is a somewhat superficial part of his regression. The life of the superstar big man has seemed to bare some visible marks just coming upon 10 seasons played, with examples such as Willis Reed, Bill Russell, Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning and David Robinson. Duncan is no different, and his athleticism on both ends of the floor have made for his effectiveness to be especially crucial to the Spurs' win-loss record.

Along with Duncan, key fixtures such as Bruce Bowen, Brent Barry, Michael Finley, Robert Horry and Fabricio Oberto have held the Spurs back. Bowen, an 8-time All-Defensive NBA team member, is in his late 30s, and while his defense is top-notch among all NBA players, Bowen's ability to really play enthusiastically has declined and is sure to make him a part of the Spurs bench in coming years. Barry, a former Slam Dunk Contest champion, suffered a leg injury in the past season, which limited his court time. Barry is much better served to play as a third-string guard, rather than as an immediate substitution option at the shooting guard and small forward positions. Finley, also a fellow former Slam Dunk Contest participant and All-Star, was already a virtual old man in coming to the Spurs in 2005; his effectiveness as a slasher/shooter is largely affected by his sudden loss of penetration ability, thus making him a spot-up shooter--something that he is not by nature. Horry, one of the most decorated champions in league history, is now only dutiful for spot duty, which makes his effectiveness as a shooter somewhat limited, due to coming off the bench with cold muscles and he will probably retire. Oberto, a serviceable center to Duncan's power forward, has played many, many minutes in his professional career in Europe and South America, will further aged the Argentinean this season, even though he is in his early 30s.

The Spurs will now have to concentrate on bringing fresher, younger players who can fit into the team's disciplined system. With a gracefully aging Duncan, a maturing Tony Parker, and in-his-prime Emmanuel Ginobili, the Spurs can keep the integrity of the team without having to fully stay the same. They would be better served elevating some current Spurs to higher status in minutes and roles--such players like Ime Udoka (a three-point shooter/Bowen-esque defender), Matt Bonner (long-distance shooting big man), DerMarr Johnson (a 6'10" combo guard) and the little-used Damon Stoudamire (a fiery former Rookie of the Year in his mid-30s) would help to bring back some much needed energy.

If the Spurs can do this and add a talented scorer/defender, like Ron Artest, who is a potential free agent in the 2008-2009 offseason, the Spurs will be able to fully come back and compete again for the NBA championship.