San Antonio Spurs 2009-2010 Preview

By General
for NBA-Basketball.org

Published: October 7, 2009

Background of 2009-2010 San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs, known around the Association as the ‘Team of the Decade’ for their consistently impressive showing in the playoffs and multiple NBA championships, are coming off their worst season in recent memory. They were actually 3rd in the Western Conference but that doesn’t equal as success for a Popovich or Duncan team. Injuries were a major reason for an early playoff exit, with Manu Ginobili not playing at all and Tim Duncan not playing at 100%. Greg Popovich isn’t taking any risks this year and has stacked his team with talent, most importantly ample of reserves at the PF position which should allow Tim Duncan the playoffs at full form. The small forward position in San Antonio has been never fully filled since Sean Elliott retired many long years ago. Richard Jefferson is the exact player that the Spurs needed and he will be a huge addition that should make everyone in the Western Conference concerned.

Spurs additions in 2010

Richard Jefferson

Antonio McDyess

Theo Ratliff

Keith Bogans

Spurs departures in 2010

Bruce Bowen

Fabricio Oberto

Kurt Thomas

Ime Udoka

Drew Gooden

Probably Starting Lineup for the 2009 2010 Spurs

PG – Tony Parker
SG – Roger Mason Jr. (Manu Ginobili)
SF – Richard Jefferson
PF – Matt Boner (Antonio McDyess)
C – Tim Duncan

San Antonio Spurs Guards

Tony Parker is one of the top 3 point guards in the NBA – there I said it. Manu Ginobili is one of the top 3 shooting guards in the NBA – there I said it as well. So when these two players are healthy you can imagine how tough of a backcourt they are to contain. Roger Mason played really well last year almost leading the league in 3 point shooting including some really clutch shots. He plays hard on both sides of the floor and is a good insurance in case Ginobili isn’t at 100%. Keith Bogans was actually the starting shooting guard for the Orlando Magic until he had an injury. He is another great 3 point shooter and defender that will be somewhat similar to Bruce Bowen.

San Antonio Spurs Forwards

Richard Jefferson is the new flashy signing by the Spurs and it was about time they brought a real star to this team that is seeing its big 3 aging and seeing more wear and tear each passing year. Michael Finley will be there to provide relief at the 2 or 3 spot and hit big shots as he always does. Tim Duncan is said to be the greatest power forward of all time, but health issues prevented him from playing like it last year. Popovich already employed questionable tactics to sit Duncan in some games and play him limited minutes last year, but this year he has taken this strategy a whole lot more seriously. Antonio McDyess is an excellent player that should be able to play as the starting power forward on nights where Popovich decides to rest Tim Duncan. Matt Boner will look to build on a stellar year in which he proved he could be a solid starter and shoot the lights out when he got enough space. Theo Ratliff is a veteran that should provide some useful minutes in the playoffs when toughness, grit and experience play a key role. Last but not least, the Spurs drafted DeJuan Blair who most people believe was the real steal of the 2009 NBA draft, he will progress very rapidly play alongside such great big men.

San Antonio Spurs Centers

The center position on the San Antonio Spurs should be shared between Duncan, Ratliff, and Ian Mahinmi – an athletic player out of France that should see some minutes and help out grab boards and be a defensive presence as well as he can.

Best Case Scenario for the San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have always been a team to be feared and this year they are as talented as ever to once more be the last team standing. If they are healthy they can possibly catch a Lakers team by surprise and go all the way. San Antonio will fancy their chances against any team from the East and a Western Conference Finals matchup with the Lakers will determine their fate.

Worst Case Scenario for the San Antonio Spurs

The problem with the San Antonio Spurs is that two of their main players, Duncan and Ginobili, have been far from healthy in recent years and an injury to either will immediately eliminate any chance of them being champions. Even with them being healthy and playing well, the Lakers are too big and too strong to be beaten by the Spurs. Greg Popovich will have to think of something smarter than a Hack-a-Brynum to really have a shot.

Spurs 2010 Outlook

The Spurs will finish in the top 3 in the Western Conference and progress to the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers will be too much for them and they will have to go back to the drawing board and possibliy start thinking about ‘life after Tim Duncan’.

San Antonio Spurs 2010 Predictions

Record:53-29

Surprise Player: DeJuan Blair playing big minutes as a rookie and keeping the old big men of the Spurs fresh for the playoffs

Key Player: Tim Duncan’s health and his ability to play like the best damn big man in the league

That wraps up the San Antonio Spurs 2009-2010 season preview and our detailed look at the Spurs in the 2010 NBA season.

Author:General

General has written 32 articles for us.

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