2008 San Antonio Spurs Predictions & Preview - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MonarC · 10-28-2008, 01:20 PM

2008 San Antonio Spurs Predictions & Preview

The San Antonio Spurs are going to try to keep their streak of NBA titles in odds years going at four this year after taking home the hardware in 2003, 2005, and 2007. Even though a lot of the pundits are calling this group too old, San Antonio still has Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan and the Spurs have won more than 50 games for nine straight season. San Antonio is listed at +180 to win the Southwest Division.

Another problem outside of their aging roster is that Ginobili will be out until January with an ankle injury suffered over the summer. He had to have surgery in September and the team is going to have to try to get by without their leading scorer for the first part of the year. The Spurs are one of the favorites at 5-to-1 to win the West.

Still, Greg Popovich has always been able to get contributions from a supporting cast and this year should be no different. Some call the Spurs old, but we like to say they have a lot of veterans which will help them get far this season. However, with our NBA predictions we just don’t see them getting past the New Orleans Hornets, LA Lakers, or the Houston Rockets. The odds makers are giving the Spurs at 9-to-1 chance to win the NBA title.

Duncan logged more minutes than anyone else on the team last year, but Popovich is hoping to cut his minutes down to save Duncan’s legs. Duncan does it all though down low with his rebounding, defending, and skills to score in almost any fashion. Last year he grabbed 11.3 rebounds while scoring 19.3 points per game. Bruce Bowen is getting up there in years and even though he might have lost a step he’s still a great on-ball defender who seems to aggravate whoever he playing against with his constant hard work. On offense he does little except for hitting the wide open corner three. Down low Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas will split minutes. Thomas is a more physical player who grabbed 7.2 rebounds while scoring 6.3 points. Oberto shot 60% from the field, but is a hustler who does the little things in the paint. Over/under 48.5 is the win total set for betting at BetUS.

Parker has developed his game over the last few seasons to include a better outside shot, which makes him tough to defend. If you get in his face then he’s one of the quicker guys in the league and will just drive by you, sag off, and he can now hit the outside shot. Michael Finley committed himself to a workout plan that saw him drop 20 pounds which should help him move better on the floor. He’s a solid outside shooter who also defends pretty well.

The Spurs won’t have Ginobili for two months, so their sixth man will have to be someone else. Even when he returns you have to be worried about how that ankle heals. Ginobili is the kind of guy that relies on his quickness and if he loses some of that he won’t be as effective. In the backcourt the Spurs have George Hill, Jacque Vaughn, Roger Mason, and Salim Stoudamire to eat up some minutes.

Final Analysis

It almost seems like it’s now or never for the Spurs. With so many veterans San Antonio did try to get some young talent in the off-season and you have to wonder how many years Duncan has left. Our feeling is that this team isn’t quite up to the level of some of the others in the conference, but you can’t count out the Spurs until it’s all said and done.
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Big C · 10-28-2008, 08:44 PM

Spurs are getting older and definitely not better.

Do not be stunned if they are a one-and-done team.

MonarC · 10-28-2008, 08:56 PM

They may be a little older, but don't count them out yet.

It's an odd year, remember that.

10-28-2008, 01:20 PM	#1
MonarC Senior Member The truth will set you free Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,513	2008 San Antonio Spurs Predictions & Preview 2008 San Antonio Spurs Predictions & Preview The San Antonio Spurs are going to try to keep their streak of NBA titles in odds years going at four this year after taking home the hardware in 2003, 2005, and 2007. Even though a lot of the pundits are calling this group too old, San Antonio still has Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan and the Spurs have won more than 50 games for nine straight season. San Antonio is listed at +180 to win the Southwest Division. Another problem outside of their aging roster is that Ginobili will be out until January with an ankle injury suffered over the summer. He had to have surgery in September and the team is going to have to try to get by without their leading scorer for the first part of the year. The Spurs are one of the favorites at 5-to-1 to win the West. Still, Greg Popovich has always been able to get contributions from a supporting cast and this year should be no different. Some call the Spurs old, but we like to say they have a lot of veterans which will help them get far this season. However, with our NBA predictions we just don’t see them getting past the New Orleans Hornets, LA Lakers, or the Houston Rockets. The odds makers are giving the Spurs at 9-to-1 chance to win the NBA title. Duncan logged more minutes than anyone else on the team last year, but Popovich is hoping to cut his minutes down to save Duncan’s legs. Duncan does it all though down low with his rebounding, defending, and skills to score in almost any fashion. Last year he grabbed 11.3 rebounds while scoring 19.3 points per game. Bruce Bowen is getting up there in years and even though he might have lost a step he’s still a great on-ball defender who seems to aggravate whoever he playing against with his constant hard work. On offense he does little except for hitting the wide open corner three. Down low Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas will split minutes. Thomas is a more physical player who grabbed 7.2 rebounds while scoring 6.3 points. Oberto shot 60% from the field, but is a hustler who does the little things in the paint. Over/under 48.5 is the win total set for betting at BetUS. Parker has developed his game over the last few seasons to include a better outside shot, which makes him tough to defend. If you get in his face then he’s one of the quicker guys in the league and will just drive by you, sag off, and he can now hit the outside shot. Michael Finley committed himself to a workout plan that saw him drop 20 pounds which should help him move better on the floor. He’s a solid outside shooter who also defends pretty well. The Spurs won’t have Ginobili for two months, so their sixth man will have to be someone else. Even when he returns you have to be worried about how that ankle heals. Ginobili is the kind of guy that relies on his quickness and if he loses some of that he won’t be as effective. In the backcourt the Spurs have George Hill, Jacque Vaughn, Roger Mason, and Salim Stoudamire to eat up some minutes. Final Analysis It almost seems like it’s now or never for the Spurs. With so many veterans San Antonio did try to get some young talent in the off-season and you have to wonder how many years Duncan has left. Our feeling is that this team isn’t quite up to the level of some of the others in the conference, but you can’t count out the Spurs until it’s all said and done. -------------------------------------------------------- Want more info about Spurs & Manu? Check out my Manu fan message board. http://manuginobilifans.proboards107.com/

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10-28-2008, 08:44 PM	#2
Big C Senior Member I Lost A Bet With Ramona Join Date: Oct 21, 2006 Posts: 3,522	Spurs are getting older and definitely not better. Do not be stunned if they are a one-and-done team.

10-28-2008, 08:56 PM	#3
MonarC Senior Member The truth will set you free Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,513	They may be a little older, but don't count them out yet. It's an odd year, remember that.