(Sportsbooks) - San Antonio enters the 2007-08 campaign as the defending world champions. The Spurs captured their fourth title (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007) in nine years, as they swept LeBron James and the
Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.
They finished 58-24 during the regular season, and knocked out Denver, Phoenix and Utah in the Western Conference playoffs. All-Stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker were once again the Spurs top players during the 2006-07 campaign and in the postseason. Duncan led the club in scoring (20.0 ppg) and rebounding (10.6 rpg) during the regular season, while Parker, who won the 2007 NBA Finals MVP, was second on the team in scoring (18.6 ppg) and was the team's top assist man at 5.5 per game.
Manu Ginobili and defensive stopper Bruce Bowen made their contributions, and both earned their third rings. Veteran forward Robert Horry picked up his seventh championship, while Parker also won his third and head coach Gregg Popovich and Duncan took home their fourth.
The defending world champions had a very quiet and uneventful offseason. San Antonio acquired guard Vassilis Spanoulis in a traded with Houston and signed free agent forward Ime Udoka, who spent last season with Portland. Matt Bonner, Fabricio Oberto and Jacque Vaughn re-signed with the team, while free agent big man Melvin Ely decided to ink a deal with New Orleans.
History is not on San Antonio's side this season. Following a championship, the Spurs have never made it past the Western Conference semifinals in the playoffs. In 2000 they fell in the opening round to Phoenix, and lost in the semis to the Lakers in 2004 and Dallas in 2006.
San Antonio enters the season with a veteran roster that is built to win now. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili, who posted 16.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists during the 2006-07 regular season, are the stars, and their supporting cast is consists of role players who are happy to do their job and go along for the ride.
BACKCOURT
Parker, Finley and Ginobili give Popovich an excellent three-guard rotation to work with, while veteran Brent Barry is versatile and can play both guard spots. Ben Udrih, who suffered a non-displaced fracture of his left index finger in early October, and Vaughn give the Spurs plenty of depth in the backcourt.
The 25-year-old Parker has developed into one of the top point guards in the NBA. Not only is he one of the top play-making guards in the league, Parker has also become a dangerous scorer. The 6-2 Parker has the ability to take over a game single-handedly
Popovich will use Ginobili off the bench and as a starter when the team needs a different look. The 30-year-old Ginobili makes the Spurs a more dangerous squad when he is coming of the bench, as he is instant offense and usually injects life into the team when it is struggling.
As long as Parker continues his stellar play, the Spurs' backcourt is in good shape. Parker has an excellent all-around game and is a great floor leader. The sky is the limit for the two-time All-Star.
FRONTCOURT
Duncan is still one of the most dominant players in the game and is arguably the greatest power forward to ever lace up a pair of sneakers. He can defend, rebound and has a soft shot from 12-15 feet from the hoop. Entering his 10th season in the league, the 31-year-old Duncan has not lost a step.
Oberto came through during the postseason and will get a chance to start at center for the Spurs, while Francisco Elson will compete for minutes in the middle. Neither player is going to turn heads with bug numbers on the stat sheet, but both are effective in Popovich's game plan.
Bowen, averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game last season, and Udoka give the Spurs two solid defenders. The 37-year-old Horry will get minutes at center and power forward, but will save his best for the postseason.
OUTLOOK
San Antonio and Dallas will battle for bragging rights in the Southwest Division during the regular season. Pencil the Spurs in for their usual 50- plus victories and a high seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Duncan, Ginobili and Parker are going to try and lead the Spurs to back-to- back titles. The Spurs are the hunted this season and will be put to the test every game. Popovich knows what it takes to win, but capturing consecutive championships is something the Spurs have not been able to achieve.
