Is Spurs' golden age over?
If healthy, they think they'll contend again
Imagine what would have happened if Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, or Ray Allen couldn't have played deep into the playoffs for the Celtics. Imagine the Lakers without Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, or Pau Gasol.
That's basically how the Spurs viewed their situation in their failed attempt to repeat as NBA champions with their big three not at full strength. With Manu Ginobili hampered by a left ankle injury that could keep him out of the Olympics for Argentina, the Spurs' star trio of Ginobili, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker wasn't at full strength and fell shy of repeating. Assuming they are healthy next season, the Spurs very well could return to the Finals.
"I hope we can come back with a healthy group," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "[The Ginobili injury] hurt us significantly. How good would the Celtics or Lakers have been if one of their three best players were injured? The teams that win championships have their best players playing when it matters the most, not to take away anything from the Lakers or Celtics."
I predicted prior to the 2007-08 season that San Antonio and Boston would play in the Finals. And even after the Lakers acquired Gasol in a midseason trade, I stuck with my prediction because of the Spurs' ability to get back on defense and then defend in suffocating fashion, run when needed, and play textbook half-court basketball. For years, the Spurs have been playing like the Celtics did this past season.
During the 2007-08 regular season, Ginobili averaged a team-best 19.5 points and 5.9 free throw attempts per game. But because of his ankle, the Sixth Man of the Year's production dipped in the postseason, and in the Western Conference finals Ginobili averaged 12.6 points and attempted only 3.2 free throws per game.
"We had 'Ma,' but we didn't have 'nu,' " said Spurs guard Brent Barry.
If an MRI expected to be taken soon doesn't show improvement in Ginobili's ankle, expect the Spurs to ask him not to play in the Olympics, even though he will be Argentina's flag bearer during the opening ceremonies. And considering that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is a former USA Basketball assistant who loves the international game, Ginobili would have to be in bad shape for the Spurs to suggest he sit.
"It was worse than [Ginobili] let on," Spurs forward Anthony Bonner recently told the Toronto Star. "When I was watching Ray Allen go right by [Lakers guard] Sasha [Vujacic] every time and lay it in every time, I was like, 'Yeah, it must have been really hurting.' " Vujacic often guarded Ginobili in the conference finals, but with more success than he had against Allen.
Once the Spurs were eliminated from the playoffs, many believed they needed to get younger. San Antonio's roster averaged 31.6 years of age this past season, while the Celtics were at 28.8. The Spurs, however, laughed at the notion that they were too old, especially since Duncan (32), Ginobili (31 on July 28), and Parker (26) are still playing well when healthy, and are younger on average than the Celtics' Allen (33 on July 20), Garnett (32), and Pierce (30).
"[The media has] been saying that for a while," said Buford. "Very few championship teams have won with young players. The Celtics were young for a while and now they have James Posey, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, P.J. Brown, and Sam Cassell. Championship teams are very seldom made with young players.
"This group has been to the conference finals four of the last six years and won three championships. I like our group. We've got to be healthy."
While Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker will remain the Spurs' headliners, their supporting cast is expected to get younger. The Spurs' free agents include forward Robert Horry, Barry, swingman Michael Finley, and forward-center Kurt Thomas. San Antonio is interested in re-signing Thomas and Finley, but also has interest in Clippers free agent forward Corey Maggette and Nuggets free agent guard J.R. Smith. Dynamo Moscow center Robertas Javtokas, drafted by the Spurs in 2001, could move to the NBA next season.
Expect the Spurs to give 21-year-old center Ian Mahinmi a chance to prove himself next preseason. And rookie George Hill is expected to back up Parker.
The Spurs have won all four times they have reached the Finals but have never repeated. And since 2003, San Antonio has reached the Finals every other year. If the Spurs are healthy, it is very possible that trend will continue in 2009.
But considering how an already tough Western Conference is expected to get tougher, the Spurs know it won't be easy.
"I'm not a fortune teller," said Buford. "But the Lakers will be better, Phoenix will be better, the Hornets will be better."
Gordon pact a positive sign
Lost in the hoopla surrounding Golden State free agent guard Baron Davis committing to sign with his hometown Clippers last week was the Clippers' surprising signing of first-round pick Eric Gordon.
The Clippers have earned a reputation for signing their first-round picks late, resulting in the players often missing summer league. But Los Angeles inked the seventh overall pick from Indiana last week.
"This is where I thought I might be drafted at," said Gordon at his introductory press conference last Tuesday in Los Angeles. "It was definitely a high chance that I would be here. I know some players on the team and I am pretty familiar with them."
Gordon led the Big Ten in scoring at 20.9 points per game last season, topping 30 points three times, en route to being named conference freshman of the year. The Indianapolis native earned second-team All-America honors and set the Big Ten freshman scoring record (669 points) previously held by Ohio State's Michael Redd, now a Milwaukee Buck.
"Eric has played point guard in both high school and college and we've watched him play some terrific basketball," said Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor. "He is very strong and big on the perimeter. He's also an excellent ballhandler."
Gordon's goals as a rookie? "Of course, anybody would want to be on the All-Rookie team," he said. "It's all about what happens on the court with your team. I would like to go to the playoffs and hopefully go to the Finals."
The biggest question is whether Gordon will be a point guard or shooting guard in the NBA. The Celtics had a similar situation after drafting Chauncey Billups No. 3 in 1997. Expect the Clippers to have a lot more patience than the Celtics did.
The good news for Gordon is that there isn't pressure to start with Davis and veteran shooting guard Cuttino Mobley on the roster. Gordon could back up at either position.
"It really all depends on whatever situation is right for me," said Gordon. "Hopefully, I'm somewhat of that missing piece.
"I like the chemistry the Clippers have. I think this is a great group to play with."
No deal yet, but Celtics have themselves a gym dandy
It was disappointing for rookie guard J.R. Giddens and the Celtics that he wasn't involved in last week's free agent/rookie camp in Waltham because he has yet to sign a contract.
But the Celtics don't have to worry about the 30th overall pick in the draft working out on his own. Giddens is a gym rat.
While in Los Angeles preparing for the draft, Giddens would work out in the morning with former NBA player Don MacLean. And the 6-foot-5-inch, 215-pound Giddens would often come back to the gym twice afterward to work out on his own. After working out four straight days for four teams, MacLean once actually sent Giddens home when he showed up to work out again. And it's not out of the ordinary for Giddens to get in extra shooting late at night.
While playing at the University of New Mexico, Giddens often asked the video coordinator to give him tape of NBA players at his position, such as the Celtics' Paul Pierce and the Lakers' Kobe Bryant. Giddens also has a very competitive nature that should suit him well with the Celtics.
"He's talented. He's very, very gifted," said New Mexico assistant coach Craig Neal, a former NBA player. "He's got a great body. He's long. The biggest thing that people don't understand about him is he's super competitive. He hates to lose in Scrabble. We harnessed some of that."
Giddens could also compete with new teammate Ray Allen and coach Doc Rivers for sharpest-dressed Celtic. Giddens arrived at his introductory press conference in a gray custom-made suit with a black handkerchief in the breast pocket and a shirt monogrammed "JGidd." It wasn't hard to see where Giddens got his style. His father, Charles, was nearby and also was dressed to the nines.
"I told him, 'You're working with men now so you have to dress like a man,' " Charles Giddens said.
Etc.Wish you were here
Heat star Dwyane Wade wishes James Posey never left Miami after he helped the Heat win a championship in 2006. While Posey is getting a lot of interest in free agency, with Boston also showing interest in Clippers free agent forward Corey Maggette, Wade would be surprised if Posey doesn't return to the Celtics.
"I don't think Boston is letting Posey go," Wade said recently. "I was looking at Posey the whole playoff series and thinking, 'Man, he was good for us.' It's indescribable what he does. He's one of those guys that won't get the national attention, but he will get the locker room respect. That's probably more important, when you get the locker room respect. I miss him and miss what he does on the court, for sure. I'll be surprised [if he leaves Boston]."
He was a super Sonics fan
Celtics forward Brian Scalabrine grew up a SuperSonics fan, living about a 40-minute drive from Seattle in Enumclaw, Wash. And he said the reaction in the area to the news that the Sonics will be moving to Oklahoma City after 41 years in Seattle wasn't as bad as one would expect.
"It's not like Boston. A few people are upset," said Scalabrine in a telephone interview. "There are just a few people talking about it. More people are talking about us winning a championship. Winning it all is big.
"It's a business move for them. It makes financial sense. It didn't work here [in Seattle], but it will work there [in Oklahoma City]."
Scalabrine said his best Sonics memory came in 1996, when they played the Bulls in the NBA Finals. His worst was when the top-seeded Sonics were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the Nuggets in 1994.
"I used to go to the Green and Gold scrimmage," said Scalabrine. "We'd skip school, buy tickets in the morning, hang out in downtown Seattle all day, and then go to the scrimmage. That was at the time when they were awesome."
As part of its settlement with the City of Seattle, the franchise's name and team colors will not be going to Oklahoma City. The NBA is open-minded about bringing a franchise back to Seattle via expansion or relocation if a new arena is built. Scalabrine said he would love to be involved in such an organization as a part-owner.
"The Sonics were a great organization," Scalabrine said. "They were good to the fans. I'm looking forward to being involved with the new team."
Welcoming committee
Milwaukee's Michael Redd and Toronto's Chris Bosh are all smiles because of new teammates coming their way. The Bucks recently acquired Nets guard Richard Jefferson for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. And the Raptors are expected to acquire five-time All-Star Jermaine O'Neal.
"It's definitely an upgrade for us," Redd said. "I'm going to miss Bobby and Yi, but the organization wanted to get better and we had to. I think it's going to add a lot to our team. [Jefferson] had a great year last year, too. We needed the help."
Said Bosh, "I feel good about it. I'm excited. It definitely adds more depth and size. If you look at everything we had to improve on last year, interior defense, rebounding, you can say toughness, second-chance points, [O'Neal] really brings something to the table to all those aspects."
Gold futures?
The United States, Angola, Argentina, Australia, China, Iran, Lithuania, Russia, and Spain have earned the chance to win the men's basketball gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. Three more countries will join that field after the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Athens July 14-20. The 12-team field for that tournament: Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Cameroon, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Korea, Lebanon, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and Slovenia.
Ex-Celtics Ryan Gomes and Dana Barros will not be playing for Cape Verde, though they are eligible. Clippers center Chris Kaman recently received a German passport and will join Dirk Nowitzki playing for Germany.
"Fantastic" was Nowitzki's reaction to the addition of
Young Turk
Celtics fans might get their first chance to see second-round pick Semih Erden play when he suits up for the Turkish national team against the US in an exhibition game during the USA Basketball International Challenge July 31 in Macao, China. Erden, the 60th and final pick of the recent draft, could, in fact, be jumping center against the US's Dwight Howard. The 6-foot-11-inch, 240-pound Erden averaged 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game for Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul last season and has a year left on his contract.
Erden is working out in Las Vegas and soon will depart for Turkey to begin preparing for national team exhibition play. Turkey, which will host the 2010 FIBA world championships, did not qualify for the Olympics.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@globe.com; material from personal interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.
