Is this the end of the San Antonio Spurs’ empire?

April 24 09

Breaking news mixed with analysis …

Their News: The Spurs will be over the salary cap next season with the majority of the current rotation intact. Unless a blockbuster trade (Vince Carter?) surfaces this summer, then this roster will remain relatively unchanged, just a year older and a little more injury prone. Real GM, Derek Fleck.

Our Very Quick AM Analysis: Was last night’s 67 points against Dallas a sign? Is this really the end of an empire in San Antonio?

I, like you, am shocked by the Spurs’ first round struggles. For years, they’ve been a staple on top of the NBA standings and, even with Manu Ginobili’s injury, I expected more.

Just two years ago, they won an NBA Title. Hall of Fame post Tim Duncan still blocks shots, rebounds, and scores, while Tony Parker is a very good point guard. Plus, they’ve got several strong role players.

Well, what is happening against Dallas?

Simply put, age has caught this crew. Most of their core is over thirty. And as Fleck correctly points out, with Tim Duncan getting on in years, there is no blue-chip prospect to take over as the first-option.

It’s too early to write this team off. But Gregg Popovich’s uneasy laugh in yesterday’s post-game press conference was telling. Perhaps, the fiery sidelines boss can see the signs. Perhaps, he realizes this could be the end of their championship run.

Is this the end in San Antonio? Get at us with thoughts in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of killbucky.

15 Comments: Is this the end of the San Antonio Spurs’ empire?

Posted by

on 04.29.2009

it’s time for the Spurs to rebuild for the future. .

Posted by

on 04.28.2009

"Most of their core is over 30" That is not Tony Parker!!! .

Posted by
watermelon
on 04.27.2009

whoa! jason terry’s birthyear is 1977 while Parker was born in 1982. TP once said that most people thought that he’s in his 30s. but it’s not. check your facts .

Posted by
melo boy
on 04.27.2009

yeah there old. but thats not it. Dallas is just attacking the spurs on their weeknesses and just playing better. its obvious who wants to win more. terry is younger than parker, dirk is younger than duncon and josh howard is killing bowens oh so great defence. Its the end. maybe not this season or next but soon. And remember vince carter is getting old too. .

Posted by

on 04.26.2009

suck on that one Amy. 3-1. Spurs are still; better than Raptors though. Damn the Raptors suck .

Posted by
40inchleaper
on 04.26.2009

Amy, it’s 3-1 series now .

Posted by

on 04.25.2009

What now kids? The Spurs are suffering, indeed! .

Posted by
J.K
on 04.25.2009

Amy, one game doesn’t determine if the team is dominate team to win the championship or not. It is obvious that Lakers are not even challenged by Spurs. Although they won many championships, that is now history. Spurs cannot catch up to speed and endurance of young Lakers’ role players. So in order to compete with Lakers for next season, they must get younger bench players with a veteran mix up. It might be good idea to get a socring role bench player and put manu on starting line up. .

Posted by
Amy
on 04.25.2009

Well i dont know what any of you are thinking, it was a blowout loss but look in the second game we won by 21 points. San Antoino is still the best team in the nba they have won 5 champion rings. Its not over because we always give 100% in the end. If i were the mavs I’d be practicing hard. .

Posted by
40inchleaper
on 04.25.2009

in addition to JK’s comments, unless the Spurs are capable of signing "OLD" but still capable players to a minimum contract such as Allen Iverson, Sheed, to name a few in exchange for a championship. then retire old players .

Posted by
J.K
on 04.25.2009

Spurs are done. They are not what they used to be. Although Parker has matured, the Big Fundamental and Manu’s ability slowly faded by the age/fatigue. Signing bunch of old players like Wallace won’t make a big difference winning championships. They are not Boston. So what must Spurs do? Trade. They must trade their core of old players. Bowen, Finley, Thomas, Vaughn, Udoka. The Spurs front office should consider moving those players to get more salary cap or trade to get young players that can play alongside Parker. Unlike Duncan and Manu, Parker is a rising star who is entering his prime stage. If Spurs want to compete with Lakers for championship run, their front office should start looking for signing and trading during this summer .

Posted by
Liam
on 04.24.2009

yep there done. they never did anything to get younger. they added george hill, they should have kept pops mensa bonsu but no... the got gooden, who is over 30 i think. so yea its there own fault. i dont think any superstar would want to play in san antonio somehow. its like the old mens club for basketball. .

Posted by
You know who it is
on 04.24.2009

You wish you could support a team that are as good as the spurs. Your team at its peak is the level when people start to say the Spurs are terrible. Raptors suck. Now, the Spurs will sign someone like Rasheed Wallace next year, get healthy and probably win the championship. Then we can all laugh at people who said they were done. However they will not win this series against Dallas and can therefore get a long break like they deserve and need. You need to get off the fence OLY and go in hard. Hopefully for you, that Canadian team can actually make it to the first round next year, or the year after or the one after that. .

Posted by

on 04.24.2009

jesus, its the play-offs, blowouts are bound to happen, everytime it happens you cant claim that a team is over, this kinda stuff happens, the mavs wanted it more. dont warrant you to claim that they are over, they have been saying this for years now, it happens, its a rite of passage for championship teams to go through this, although they are no longer championship caliber without ginobli. .

Posted by

on 04.24.2009

Spurs are done ... it’s ova kid .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Is this the end of the San Antonio Spurs’ empire?

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