The Spurs were trampled by the Mavericks last night, 98-81. (Thankfully those other mavericks were losers last night.) This loss made it three straight for our Spurs — their worst start ever, unless you count when they opened 0-4 in the 1973-74 season back in the ABA days. Since the Spurs joined the NBA in 1976, they’ve never lost three straight right out of the gates. I won’t be surprised if they lose again tonight, on the road against the Timberwolves.
Michael thinks that the Spurs could make the playoffs this year by winning 45 games — 10 without Manu and another 35 with him. I’m not sure that they can and I’m not sure that they should.
Remember the 1996-97 season? The Admiral missed all but the first six games that season. Gregg Popovich took over from Bob Hill. Dominique Wilkins was acquired and became our leading scorer at the ripe age of 37. The Spurs won just 20 games, finished 6th in the Midwest Division, and got the #1 pick in the 1997 draft, selecting the Senior Center from Wake Forest, Tim Duncan. The rest, as they say, is history.
Is it too early to write-off this season? Of course it is, but is a 45-win season something worth shooting for? Yes, if it means that the Spurs could get a lottery pick. The Warriors won 48 game last year and drafted 14th, the Blazers won 41 and drafted 13th and the Kings won 38 and drafted 12th.
But a decent draft pick in 2009 won’t help the Spurs in the near term and we all know that Tim Duncan’s time is now. If the Spurs are to win a fifth title with The Big Fundamental, they need to make a bold move. And make it soon, before this season slips away.
I’m afraid it’s already slipping.
Finally, now the real season has started. We all miss Manu very much but I know Spurs will pull through somehow without him. Can’t wait for his return.
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https://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2008/11/lucho-hero.html