San Antonio Spurs Tickets

San Antonio Spurs 2008/2009 Season Preview The San Antonio Spurs might have begun to show their age and some complacency after being eliminated in the Western Conference Finals by the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Spurs got off to their usual slow start, causing many of the uninformed to panic, before picking it up in the late winter and spring months.

However, injuries and a roster that hasn't changed much in the past several years seemed to doom them in a disappointing finish to the 2007-2008 season. With their current roster, anything less than a trip to the NBA Finals has to be considered a disappointment by their standards.

With Duncan getting older and both guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili injury-prone, finding another scorer and some help off the bench. Forward Michael Finley is still a solid contributor but certainly not the scoring threat he once was in his prime with the Dallas Mavericks.

Guard Bruce Bowen is still a top-notch defender, but his offensive game fell off from the previous season. "Big Shot Bob" Robert Horry also seemed to fall off the map this year, especially in the playoffs, where he missed a number of critical open shots he would normally make. He seemed to age five years overnight. The Spurs need to find a shooter to come in off the bench and knock down open perimeter shots.

They did sign guard Roger Mason Jr. away from the Wizards in the offseason, and he should provide some much needed energy and outside shooting. The Wizards and other teams had interest in Mason, but the Spurs simply paid more than any other club was willing to spend.

San Antonio always does well in the NBA Draft, selecting players that seemingly no one else is interested in and turning them into very productive players. The Spurs selected point guard George Hill in the first round, and he certainly fits their drafting philosophy. The Spurs hope he can become the top backup to Parker.

The Spurs also drafted guard Malik Hairston from Oregon and forward James Gist from Maryland. Hairston is a nice all-around player and could see time off the bench in a limited role while Gist was very impressive during the summer league and could become the first big man called upon to spell Duncan.

With the big three of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili, the Spurs are certainly going to be serious NBA title contenders for at least the next few years. However, the Spurs are no longer the cream of the crop out West and they have plenty of teams hot on their tail.