San Antonio Spurs 2008 Season Preview

Southwest giant San Antonio Spurs will look to redeem themselves after their playoff run ended in the Western Conference Finals.

San Antonio Spurs: 2007-08 Overview

The San Antonio Spurs entered the 2007-08 NBA season as the reigning NBA champs. Known for their signature fast yet low-key start, the San Antonio Spurs did not disappoint but were overshadowed by the emergent Boston Celtics in the early going. Sixth man Manu Ginobili blossomed into a superstar alongside big man Tim Duncan and slasher Tony Parker. Behind the efforts of the Spurs Big Three, shutdown defense, and a team-first attitude, the San Antonio Spurs streaked to a 56-26 mark on the season, good for the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

In the first round of the playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs matched up against the Phoenix Suns. Once again, the two teams collided in what was one of the most physical match ups in the postseason. The San Antonio Spurs would oust the Phoenix Suns before facing off against Southwest Division rival New Orleans Hornets in Round 2. The young New Orleans Hornets put up quite a fight, but the more experienced San Antonio Spurs prevailed in a seven-game set. However, by stretching out the series, the San Antonio Spurs would head into the Western Conference Finals tired, battered, and bruised. With the advantage of rested legs, the Los Angeles Lakers won the series, 4-2.

San Antonio Spurs: Offseason

Staying relatively quiet in the offseason, the San Antonio Spurs did not make any drastic moves. So long as the Spurs Big Three – Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili – could stay healthy, the Spurs feel solid about their experienced roster – despite it being the oldest in the league. Aside from re-signing free agents Kurt Thomas and Michael Finley, the San Antonio Spurs picked up Salim Stoudamire from the Atlanta Hawks and Roger Mason, Jr. from the Washington Wizards. Roger Mason, Jr. could give the San Antonio Spurs another scoring option and a bit of youth to the aging Spurs roster. No. 26 draft pick George Hill will be one to watch out for as the rookie guard has plenty of upside and could be a valuable contributor in just his first year. 

San Antonio Spurs: Offense
The San Antonio Spurs can count on Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili for instant offense. However, until Manu Ginobili returns from ankle surgery, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan will be the Spurs’ big one-two punch. While The Big Fundamental Tim Duncan is still the foundation, leader and hardest worker on the team, the San Antonio Spurs will look to Tony Parker as their go-to guy on offense. From penetrating in the paint, hitting a midrange jump shot, or draining a three pointer, seven-year veteran Tony Parker is one of the toughest point guards to cover in the league. Expect Tony Parker to lead the team – and all point guards for that matter – in scoring this season. The San Antonio Spurs lost sharp shooter Brent Barry to in-state rival Houston Rockets, so the Spurs will have to find some outside shooting elsewhere in their lineup – perhaps Bruce Bowen or Michael Finley. 

San Antonio Spurs: Defense

With plenty of chemistry on offense, the San Antonio Spurs are better known for their dominating defense that’s led by one of the league’s premiere perimeter defenders in Bruce Bowen. From shutting down players from Steve Nash to LeBron James, Bruce Bowen has a hand in someone’s face at all times – turning blue-collar defense into an art form. Kurt Thomas comes off the bench and brings experience and a certain toughness on defense, while Tim Duncan patrols the paint, blocks shots, and leads the team in rebounds.

San Antonio Spurs: Lineup

Point Guard: Tony Parker, Jacque Vaughn
Shooting Guard: Michael Finley, Manu Ginobili
Small Forward: Bruce Bowen, Ime Udoka
Power Forward: Tim Duncan, Matt Bonner
Center: Fabricio Oberto, Kurt Thomas

San Antonio Spurs: Outlook

The San Antonio Spurs will compete in the Southwest Division – arguably the most talented division in all of the NBA. While facing the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, and familiar playoff foe New Orleans Hornets, the San Antonio Spurs have will have their work cut out for them. The San Antonio Spurs are likely to coast throughout the early part of the NBA regular season before turning it on come playoff time. With a chemistry that every team would love to have, one of the best coaches in the league, and a handful of championships already under their belt, the potent yet aging San Antonio Spurs are once again a playoff contender though not a shoe-in for home-court advantage, the division title, or the NBA Championship as they have been in previous seasons.