Watch for the Magical Ending

Kobe is pumped and ready to taste victory for the 4^th time. There is no dream match up featuring the two biggest names in the game; nevertheless we should expect a magical ending. If the biggest force in the game can stay on the floor and out of foul trouble then the Orlando Magic not the Los Angeles Lakers will be the 2009 NBA champions. Remember this simple fact…. Big men win championships. Russell owns 9, Shaq and Duncan have 8 collectively and now it is time for Dwight Howard to take the throne as this generation’s most dominate post player by leading his team to victory. The Orlando Magic averaged over 100 points against the Lakers during the regular season and that will not change in the finals. What will change is the Lakers ability to keep pace. The Lakers porous defense against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic will be the repetitive theme throughout this series resulting in their defeat. With their first title under their belt and Dwight Howard only 23 years of age, we should all prepare for the rise of the Magic Kingdom.

Spurs potential fix for Small Foward

The mix of potential replacements at the SF position for the San Antonio Spurs range from 1^st team defender to journeymen. In this article I will only name names and reserve the pros and cons for another day. Let’s divide 10 free agents into two groups, ‘high-end’ and ‘standard’. I spent this pass weekend car shopping. Hopefully that explains my terminology.

High End PlayersWho can play the 3

Ron Artest – 6.7

David Lee – 6.9

Shawn Marion – 6.7

Lamar Odom – 6.10

Hedo Turkoglu – 6.10 (ETO)

Standard or players who should not exceed the mid-level exception who can play the 3

Trevor Ariza – 6.8

Josh Childress – 6.8

Al Harrington – 6.9 (P)

Jarvis Hayes – 6.8 (T)

Marvin Williams – 6.9

(ETO = early termination option, P = Player option, T = Team option)

Manu Down! What's the effect?

Obviously any true Spurs fan would prefer a healthy Ginobili as the post season approaches but given the surprising effectiveness of newly acquired role players over the course of the year, I'm not ready to write this team off just yet. How does Manu's season ending injury effect this team going forward? For one thing, coach Popovich should have an easier time settling on a rotation now that he does not have to incorporate Ginobili. Secondly, the decision to give key minutes to the role players who have been most effective thus far, namely Hill and Mason, should happen immediately. I don't see Vaughn complaining too much if he is redirected to the end of the bench. No one is expecting this team to get beyond the Lakers but everyone should expect the Spurs to give them a run for their money in the Western conference finals, even without Manu.

Spurs Changing Party?

The fiscally conservative brass of the San Antonio Spurs may be on the verge of changing their 'political party' affiliation by acquiring the big spending contract of Vince Carter. Here's why they should consider it. The main reason why they should pull the trigger has to do with father time. Duncan and Manu are both in their early thirties so realistic championship quest are 1-3 years tops. By adding VC into the mix now, the likelihood of another Riverwalk celebration happening in June during this 3 year period becomes a real possibility. Even though the salaries of Duncan, Ginobili, Parker and Carter would consume 2/3s of the Spurs cap space, there is a way to field a decent team around these stars through 2011. I will address this point in my next post.

Spur Continuity, When?

The first month of the 2008-2009 NBA season is in the books and one fact is apparent, the winner of the Championship next June will come down to the survival of the fittest. Western contenders like the Jazz and Spurs are beset by the injury bug early on but both clubs find themselves above 500. The Spurs lost the first game of the season in which Duncan, Ginobili and Parker were in the starting lineup this past Monday. Can they rebound on the road against a red hot Nuggets team? Are there any potential trades on the horizon that might bring frontcourt help for Duncan to the Spurs? One thing is for certain, Coach Popovich is making the best of a difficult start and he is known for putting together a quality team by seasons end. Despite the Spurs 9 - 8 start, don't expect this season to be any different.

Defense Wins Championships

Earlier in the year I drew comparisons to several of the Spurs loses and victories by focusing on their opponent's field goal percentage. When it exceed 50% the opponents won. Just like clock work the Spurs have used their Rodeo trip to fine tune their playoff engines. Since that trip we have seen marked improvement in there offense and defense but most importantly their defense. Over the last 10 games the Spurs defense has held opponents offense to 41% and the results are a 9-1 record during this time. What happens next? With the acquisition of Kurt Thomas, the Spurs appear primed to improve on their defense, a defense that has earned them 4 championships. Could a 5th championship be on the way? Time will tell.

Is It Gambling Time?

The trade deadline is less than 3 weeks away. The Lakers acquisition of Pau Gasol probably have alot of GMs thinking trade, trade trade! The Spurs have acquired point guard, Damon Stoudamire (former teammate of Gasol) but could the Spurs make another unexpected trade before the deadline? Sure, why not. Of all the possible players/teams in the trade market, my bet would be a trade between the Spurs and Kings. If the Kings are looking for cap flexibility similiar to want prompted Memphis to trade their only all-star, then the Spurs have the perfect deal for them. Kings receive shooting big man (Matt Bonner) to compliment Brad Miller and Brent Barry's expiring contact. The Spurs acquire Ron Artest! Perhaps this trade is onesided, (I am a Spurs fan, of course it would be onesided) but if it works for the Lakers why not the Spurs.