Southwest Preview Series: San Antonio Spurs

Quick note regarding the Mavs…

Center Nathan Jawai has been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a future second-round pick. This is simply a move to help reach the 15-man roster requirement. After the Jawai trade, the roster sits at 16. To get to 15, the Mavs will either buy out Shawne Williams (ideally) or cut Jake Voskuhl.

Now on to our final installment in the Southwest Division preview series. We bring in Timothy Varner of 48 Minutes of Hell to help us get a feel for the 2009-10 version of the San Antonio Spurs. Now on to the interview…

MavsBall: Tell us about the offseason activity that the Spurs were involved in. Any big splashes in free agency, the trade market and/or the draft?

TIMOTHY: The Spurs remade their roster this summer in an effort to send Tim Duncan back to the finals before he retires. They traded for Richard Jefferson and signed veterans Antonio McDyess, Theo Ratliff and Keith Bogans. And lady luck batted her lashes at R.C. Buford during the draft; the team selected Pitt standout and projected lottery pick DeJuan Blair in the second round.

MavsBall: What role do you expect the new additions to play with team? Are we looking at role players or major contributors?

TIMOTHY: Obviously, Richard Jefferson is an All-Star level talent and is an immediate upgrade over Bruce Bowen. I suspect he’ll lead the team in minutes. Fans are anxious to see his defensive contributions, but he’ll really open up the offense. When Bruce Bowen was with the Spurs–God bless you, Bruce,– the Spurs were hampered because of Bowen’s inability to contribute to the offense. Richard Jefferson changes all that, and the Spurs are thrilled to have another player who can get to the rim (and line). Pop also plans to use Jefferson in post situations.

Antonio McDyess is the same steady player he’s always been. He averaged a near double-double last season by giving the Pistons his usual workaday reliable offense and defense. His minutes might dip a little in San Antonio, but everyone expects that he and Duncan will compliment one another beautifully.

With as much attention as Jefferson and McDyess garner, I’d say that great play from George Hill and DeJuan Blair is essential for the Spurs to hang with the other supercontenders. Jefferson and McDyess were enough to bring the team even with, say, the Celtics, Magic or Lakers. But the Spurs will need unexpectedly good contribution from a couple more role players to jockey past the other supercontenders.

MavsBall: What would you say to the critics that say the Spurs are too old to sustain championship caliber play for an entire season?

TIMOTHY: Part of me says the criticism might be true. But most of me says bah. They were supposedly too old in 2005 and 2007 too. Besides, Parker is in his prime and the team has gotten younger around the edges. But obviously, if Duncan or Ginobili fall along the way, the team won’t advance to the Finals.

MavsBall: Can Manu Ginobili find a way to stay healthy for 82 games? Will the addition of Richard Jefferson take some of the pressure off of Ginobili to be a major contributor every night?

TIMOTHY: The answer is in the question, to an extent. The hope is that Jefferson can take some of the burden off of Manu Ginobili. Look for Manu to shoot more jump shots and three pointers than ever before. His fearless drives through the lane will make a late, late season appearance. Between now and then, he’ll leave that for the young guys.

MavsBall: What kind of a season do you think this team is capable of? Do we have a playoff team on our hands? What are realistic expectations for this year’s squad?

TIMOTHY: The expectation, as always, is a championship. Why else do they play? I think this team is capable of it, but there is a crowded field of legitimate contenders, so no one is taking postseason push for granted. But on paper, the Spurs have enough talent to get it done.

Thanks Tim.

Our position preview series starts tomorrow…get ready and expect greatness.

Until next time…

Peace. Be good.

Tags: Antonio McDyess, Boston Celtics, Bruce Bowen, Dallas Mavericks, DeJuan Blair, George Hill, Jake Voskuhl, Keith Bogans, Los Angeles Lakers, Manu Ginobili, Nathan Jawai, Orlando Magic, Richard Jefferson, San Antonio Spurs, Shawne Williams, Theo Ratliff, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker