The Spurs Can Only Get Better
By Darren Carter
ARJ Sports Executive Editor


July 11, 2003

Alot of people hate the NBA's League MVP Tim Duncan and the World Champion San Antonio Spurs because the are not flamboyant enough, they are bland, they don't have charisma, they don't run and gun, they are soft, and what ever else the haters say. Well all the people that said the NBA title they won in 1999 wasn't legit because of the strike shortened season, what ya gotta say now. San Antonio Spurs....2003 NBA World Champions.

While Tim Duncan is a free agent, all signs point to him re-signing. The Spurs will lose David Robinson to retirement, possibly Steve Kerr to retirement or free agency, probably won't bring back Steve Smith, and Speedy Claxton and Kevin Willis are free agents as well.

If I could keep Willis and Kerr at minimum 1 year contracts, I would bring them back, if not cut ties with them. As for Claxton I make him a good multi-year medium range offer to keep him as a back up. The rest of the core of the Spurs are locked up, with Bruce Bowen, Malik Rose, Manu Ginobilli, Steven Jackson, and Tony Parker for the next couple of years, with about 15 million dollars to spend in free agency, with a championship under their belt. I'd say the Spurs are poised to make a run at the title every year for a long time provided there is no serious injury to T.D.

Tim Duncan 
Timmy the cornerstone of the Spurs Dynasty. 

Speculation is that S.A. will make a run at Jason Kidd, that would make Tony Parker expendable. J. Kidd is looking for a place where he can win a title, and make the most money. There is a big possibility he can do both with the Spurs. With Tim and Jason in the lineup, they would be as formiable as Kobe and Shaq, with a better supporting cast.

Also there is a possibility of bringing in someone like Jermaine O'Neal, who Duncan has went on record saying he would like to bring in to help bolster the front line after losing Robinson, or someone like Karl Malone.

Also a remote possibility is, make minor tweaks in the line up for this up coming year, with 1 year contracts given to players who have a good upside, but haven't proven themselves or proven players coming off injuries with slight question marks. They will have a one year trial period to prove themselves healthy or worth signing long term. Some one like Michael Olowokandi or Alonzo Mourning who sat last year out with a kidney ailment would be ideal fits here. If they work out fine, if not you have about 12 million in free cap space for the free agent class of 2004, with likes of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Tracy McGrady possibly available you always have that option.

Really the Spurs are sitting pretty with that much cap room and that great a chance to win the the title again, all the top flite free agents will be crazy not to consider San Antonio.

Here's a list of all the top free agents for 2003.

1. Jason Kidd, point guard, Nets.
2. Jermaine O'Neal, power forward, Pacers.
3. Michael Olowokandi, center, Clippers.
4. Andre Miller, point guard, Clippers.
5. Elton Brand, power forward, Clippers.
6. Gary Payton, point guard, Bucks.
7. Jerry Stackhouse, shooting guard, Wizards.
8. Karl Malone, power forward, Jazz.
9. Lamar Odom, small forward, Clippers.
10. Wally Szczerbiak, shooting guard, Timberwolves.
11. Juwan Howard, small forward/power forward, Nuggets.
12. Ron Artest, shooting guard, Pacers.
13. Jonathan Bender, small forward, Pacers.
14. Richard Hamilton, shooting guard, Pistons.
15. Jason Terry, shooting guard, Hawks.
16. Brad Miller, center, Pacers.
17. Clifford Robinson, small forward, Pistons.
18. Elden Campbell, center, Sonics.
19. Corey Maggette, small forward, Clippers.
20. Reggie Miller, shooting guard, Pacers.
21. P.J. Brown, power forward, Hornets.
22. Scottie Pippen, small forward, Trail Blazers.

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