With several newcomers on the San Antonio Spurs roster, this season promises to be a year filled with excitement. While the end of last season could have gone either way; let’s just say that the ball didn’t bounce in the Spurs’ favor. This summer the Spurs replaced two of their bigmen, Rasho Nesterovic and Nazr Mohammed, for a faster, more athletic group of guys. With their core coming back -- Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and the Argentinean sensation, Manu Ginobili, along with the elite defender Bruce Bowen, there is nothing the Spurs need more than an aggressive center to be back on top again. Let’s face it, when the Spurs lost the Admiral, David Robinson, they lost a huge asset and are still trying to recover.
With the additions to this year’s roster such as Francisco Elson, a 7-foot center from the Denver Nuggets and Jackie Butler, a 6-10 center who spent last season with the New York Knicks, the Spurs improve athletically and aggressively. Butler, ironically made his debut into the NBA on March 21, 2005, against the Spurs. He is a young, talented player who joins the Spurs now as he once joined in the likings of Lebron James in the 2002-03 McDonald’s All-American team. Though Butler is young and raw, he has good hands and moves well around the basket. Elson signed on with the Denver Nuggets in 2003 and put up some decent numbers in three seasons there, especially considering that he has played behind Marcus Camby. He knows his role and is no stranger to Texas. Elson played for Kilgore Junior College for two years before triumphing with his NIT championship college team in California. Both new centers will add depth and athleticism to this team and will assist in helping Duncan on the glass.
Last year the Spurs lost the championship to a “little” prodigy of San Antonio and the defense of his Dallas team. This upcoming season the Spurs need to maintain focus and play their game. Because in all reality, when the Spurs play ball together and possess that self confidence, no team in this league has a chance of even comparing in talent. In addition to Butler and Elson, the Spurs have also acquired forwards Matt Bonner and Eric Williams; both were traded from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Nesterovic. Bonner has a terrific shot from the 3-point range, while Williams offers defensive strength and stability. A new guard has been added to the team as well. Jacque Vaughn, a 6-1 veteran, will fill the backup point guard role behind Parker and Beno Udrih. Returning players also include Brent Barry, Michael Finley, Fabricio Oberto and Big Shot Robert Horry. With such a skilled bench and the many star players this team is packing, the San Antonio Spurs should have no problem rising to the top of the NBA and competing for their fourth championship title.
