Playoff Teams Preview, cont.

San Antonio Spurs

54-28

Duncan: never lost a 1st round series

Ginobili out for the playoffs (knee)

KEYS: Parker- 22 ppg, 6.9 apg

Duncan- 15.5 ppg, only 44 games played

Mason- 11.8 ppg, 42% from deep

They are who we thought they were! Everyone knows what you getting with San Antonio: a healthy dose of The Big Fundamental in the post, a little of Parker's jets mixed in, and defense for 48 minutes. But realistically, this team can't be thinking championship right now. No Manu basically confirms that. Popovich is probably the best overall coach in the game right now, but even he can't register enough offense when you have so few options. Mason and Finley are decent players, but you can't count on them for 15 a night. Bonner is very limited, as is the rest of the team.

Even defensively, this team is sorely lacking. Duncan doesn't have the type of agility that he used to and instead of being backed by David Robinson and Bruce Bowen (who isn't playing as much anymore), its Bonner and Michael Finley. Huge difference.

This team is probably hating the fact the brackets set them up with Dallas in the first round. Dirk and Josh Howard are both as tough a matchup for them as Parker is for Dallas. Remember, this Dallas team came of age when S.A. was running the west: they are built to beat this team. Will they do it? I say no, the Spurs will win because of the home court. But this Spurs team is done in the next round against Denver for a relatively quick vacation for Popovich and Duncan.