San Antonio Spurs 2009-2010 Facts:
- Western Conference 7th Place
- South West Division: 2nd Place
- Record: 50 Wins 32 Loses
- Playoffs: Defeated 2nd Seed Dallas Mavericks 4 - 2
- Lost to 3rd Seed Phoenix Suns 4 - 0
Key Moves
Incoming
- C Tiago Splitter
- G James Anderson
Outgoing
- G Roger Mason
- G Keith Bogans
- C Ian Mahinmi
- G Malik Hairston
The Aging San Antonio Spurs are looking for one or two titles before Tim Duncan retires and they have to rebuild this team. Tony Parker’s contract is up and if he wants a contract extension he will have to produce a big year. Tiago Splitter will not be rookie of the year, but he’ll one of the only rookies to make an instant impact. Splitter won’t lead the league in any categories, but he’s the perfect role player to put alongside Duncan. Manu Ginobili took the summer off and is rejuvenated, as long as he stays healthy the Spurs will be a tough team to beat. George Hill is looking to improve again this year and take some minutes from Parker and Ginobili. DeJuan Blair will take some minutes from Duncan because of his energy and rebounding. If Richard Jefferson figured out the Spurs system and doesn’t play timid, then the Spurs will contend for the title.
Tony Parker is in a contract year and will look to have a huge a season for the Spurs to increase his value in free agency. Parker can still get to the rim at will, but needs to work on his shooting and defense to become elite. Manu Ginobili took the summer off from playing international basketball and the Spurs are hoping that will keep him healthy for the whole season. Ginobili is an X factor type of player who does it all, but gets hurt a lot. George Hill is not as good a play maker as Parker, but he's a better shooter. Hill will play major minutes and if Parker is injured or traded will help keep the Spurs in title contention. James Anderson can score in many different way, but I doubt he'll make an impact this season.
The Spurs will try and cut back on Tim Duncan's minutes, but he'll still make an impact this season. Duncan is one of the best players in the league even at his age because he can pick his spots on offense and defense. Duncan is hoping to win at least one more title before his hall of fame career is over. The player everyone is talking about in Texas is rookie Tiago Splitter who will becoming over from overseas to play this season. Splitter is a solid role player who does everything right. Splitter will not lead the team in any categories, but will play solid defense and rebound the basketball. DeJuan Blair will try an earn more minutes, by hustling for every loose ball on the court. Blair is undersized, but can out rebound almost anybody in the NBA. Antonio McDyess will be in the rotation and be a role player for the Spurs. Matt Bonner will likely only see when Duncan is being double teamed and they need more shooters on the court. Richard Jefferson will start at small forward and the Spurs are hoping he is more aggressive and finally figured out there offensive system. The Spurs need to utilize Jefferson as a slasher and allowed him to attack the basket more.
- Center: Tiago Splitter
- Power Forward: Tim Duncan
- Small Forward: Richard Jefferson
- Shooting Guard: Manu Ginobili
- Point Guard: Tony Parker:
- Sixth Man: George Hill
Bench: DeJuan Blair, Matt Bonner, Antonio McDyess, Malik Hairston, Marcus Haislip, Alonzo Gee, James Anderson, Curtis Jerrells, Gary Neal, Marcus Cousin, James Gist, Kirk Penny, Bobby Simmons, and Garrett Temple.
- All-Star Player: Tim Duncan
- Best Veteran Player: Antonio McDyess
- Best Asset: George Hill
- Best New Addition: Tiago Splitter
- Key Player: Manu Ginobili
- Western Conference: 6th Place
- Division: 3rd Place
The San Antonio Spurs will likely make the playoffs again this season, but unless they make a move I don’t see them contending for a title. If Ginobili is healthy and Jefferson can put up decent numbers then the Spurs will be a scary team to play out west. You can never count out any team that has a star the caliber of Tim Duncan on it.
