Offseason Power Rankings

[Indy]

The Spurs have lost all of their depth at the Center position. They had two perfect compliments for Duncan in Rasho and Nazr, and they failed to retain either of them. That was a mistake. I like Elson, but he cannot carry the load by himself. I know they just inked Jackie Butler, but he isn't as stable as what they had, not by a long shot, and that's what the Spurs need at the Center position.

As for Duncans health, He had his healthiest season in a long time last year untill the playoffs, and they would have lost to Dallas anyways. I don't think that's such a HUGE deal saying OH Duncan's healthy. He'll put up 18-19 and 10-11.

Not to mention the fact that some of their key role players are really aging. Robert Horry will be entering his 15th season, Bruce Bowen will be going into his 11th, Michael Finley going in to his 12th, Nick Van Exel going in to his 14th, Brent Barry entering his 12th. You just never know what's going to happen with guys like that.

I still think the Spurs will compete for the divison, and get the 4th spot in the playoffs, but they will be eliminated in the second round for the second year in a row.

[Silas]

Last year was definitley not his healthiest season, he may have played a lot of games but very few of them were at 100 percent, many of his numbers were down.

[Indy]

Last year was definitley not his healthiest season, he may have played a lot of games but very few of them were at 100 percent, many of his numbers were down.

I misworded my self a bit. I meant that its as healthy as he's going to be for the rest of his career. His foot problems aren't going to go away, he'll have to deal with them for the rest of his career.

He'll never have a season where he averages 20+ ppg again.

[Matt]

im willing to bet he'll get 20ppg this season.

[Silas]

If Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are both healthy on a usual basis for the rest of their careers as spurs than you may be right Indy, just because they wouldnt need Duncan to average 20+ ppg, but I'm not sure sure that'll happen, and Duncan is only 30 years old and with his playing style I'm willing to be he's going to be productive even in old age.

[Amphatoast]

Last year was definitley not his healthiest season, he may have played a lot of games but very few of them were at 100 percent, many of his numbers were down.

I misworded my self a bit. I meant that its as healthy as he's going to be for the rest of his career. His foot problems aren't going to go away, he'll have to deal with them for the rest of his career.

He'll never have a season where he averages 20+ ppg again.

That's stupid to say he will never average 20+ppg again. How was last season his healthest when he had that bad foot all year? Because he played through the pain? He had to, the west was competitive for the division and they needed him for whatever he could contribute in the season to win the west for home court advantage.

Duncan can average 20points and more in a season still, you acting like he is Shaq now. Shaq you can say might not average 20 anymore since it's a struggle for him and his age/health is catching up to him.

Duncan is still Mr. Fundamental and still a good player who can average 20/11 without a problem if he has to which he might have to do.

[nets4life]

Utah and Indiana definatley deserve to be higher on the list

[Indy]

That's stupid to say he will never average 20+ppg again. How was last season his healthest when he had that bad foot all year? Because he played through the pain? He had to, the west was competitive for the division and they needed him for whatever he could contribute in the season to win the west for home court advantage.

Read what I said. I said its as healthy as he'll be. He'll have those foot problems for the rest of his career.

I'm a big Tim Duncan fan, don't get me wrong. I think stats don't tell the whole story about his effectiveness. I feel he won't put up the 20+ ppg seasons anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't think he's not still one of the leagues best.

[Riot]

Can you guys please stop gangbanging Indy?

[Metsis]

I'll jump on this bandwagon... Indy is on to something... The more Manu and Tony will score, the less Duncan will see the ball. The fewer touches he gets in a game, the fewer shots he will take in a game. He probably could average 20+ if he wanted to, but is that really what he wants??? I bet you people that he is more than willing to let Manu and Tony run the show and score when they can and relying to Duncan when they can't get open.

I know that Tim Duncan is mr fundamental of the league, but along with that name and the attitude he has shown, he doesn't think that he has to get 20+ points per game... If the team keeps on winning and he score 10ppg, I bet he would be as happy as he is when scoring 20ppg. He would just find the game easier and could concentrate more on other areas of the game. Much like Robinson before him... He saw that David gave space for the young guys to take over if they had what it takes, and I believe that is the route Duncan will follow too.

He could average 20ppg, but I'm thinking that if the team kept winning with him scoring 12ppg, he would be fine with that too.

---------------------------

Orlando is maybe slightly too high. Dwight Howard needs to average at least 20+ per night if this team is to make the playoffs. Which he can do if Jameer Nelson is healthy and Grant Hill is able to contribute.

You are forgetting that Darko is in town... He will score around 15-20 points this season, if he can play that 35-40 minutes a game... I don't think Dwight will have to score 20+ to get to the play-offs... Jameer Nelson has to be healthy to score and start the plays, but they have a good chance for a play-off spot this season. Guarding two seven footers is a total nightmare in todays NBA. Teams barely have one servicable seven footer on their rosters, so defending two big guys is a big deal. Especially with the potential of Darko and Dwight really getting it on next winter. I think the two can coexist really well when they get on the court. Darko will play further from the basket and Dwight can rule the inside with his rebounding and strength and can just bang it more. If Darko can establish a scoring presense early in the season, Dwight will less likely face double teams as the other big guys can't come over to help and leave Darko open...

I'm looking forward to this... I think that Dumars will curse the day he let that one go. And curses his coaches that they didn't even give the man a chance to play and show his stuff. Right now, Darko is leading a team into the FIBA tournament and that could do wonders for his maturity for the upcoming NBA season.

[funk99]

I'll jump on this bandwagon... Indy is on to something... The more Manu and Tony will score, the less Duncan will see the ball. The fewer touches he gets in a game, the fewer shots he will take in a game. He probably could average 20+ if he wanted to, but is that really what he wants??? I bet you people that he is more than willing to let Manu and Tony run the show and score when they can and relying to Duncan when they can't get open.

I know that Tim Duncan is mr fundamental of the league, but along with that name and the attitude he has shown, he doesn't think that he has to get 20+ points per game... If the team keeps on winning and he score 10ppg, I bet he would be as happy as he is when scoring 20ppg. He would just find the game easier and could concentrate more on other areas of the game. Much like Robinson before him... He saw that David gave space for the young guys to take over if they had what it takes, and I believe that is the route Duncan will follow too.

He could average 20ppg, but I'm thinking that if the team kept winning with him scoring 12ppg, he would be fine with that too.

100% agree with you. duncan wasnt up to full health last year but decided in letting the younger players play and still get the win

[hova-]

That is just what Im thinking.
Tim Duncan knows when he has to score.
While regular season the Spurs where the best team in the west with him scoring 18 ppg. He did not have to force it, and he is a player who does not care.
When they needed him in the playoffs he was there, his stats were awesome and he played very well. But then, the whole team was not able to win, we all know about the great strategy of the Mavs going small ball with Devin Harris, causing huge problems. But that is something different, the main fact is, Duncan was there when they needed him, and with less injuries he will do that for the next season and for even more seasons.