By Sam Amico
ProBasketballNews.com
Truth be told, this isn't the San Antonio Spurs' first rodeo.
That is why the defending NBA champions don't seem overly concerned with the major trades taking place around them -- like the L.A. Lakers landing Pau Gasol, or Phoenix landing Shaquille O'Neal, or Dallas nearly landing Jason Kidd (a trade that, at this writing, is in limbo).
All were deals made by Western Conference contenders, strong organizations that felt a shake-up was necessary if they hoped to contend with the Spurs.
As for the Spurs, well, they are pretty much the same Spurs they've always been. And for them, that's plenty.
"We have a good team already," veteran forward
Robert Horry told me prior to the Spurs' 112- 105
win in Cleveland. "Sure, there are some additions
you can make that might help you be a better
team, but sometimes, you gotta stick with what
you know."
Horry and the Spurs know plenty.
They know Tim Duncan is an unshakable force in
the low post, that he understands when to lead,
when to defer, and when it's time to just take over.
They know Tony Parker is the ultimate point
guard, that he knows when it's time to blow
right past you for an easy score, and when it's
time to slow things down and get the ball into Duncan.
They know Bruce Bowen is a staunch defender, that Horry is Mr. Big Shot, that Michael Finley isn't too bad from the perimeter himself, and that Ime Udoka is turning into the perfect successor for Bowen.
They also know that, in the words of coach Gregg Popovich, "Manu is Manu." Popovich is referring to guard Manu Ginobili, and he's talking about Ginobili's ability to score, defend, hit clutch shots and, well, you name it.
"He's one of the most unbelievable competitors I've ever been around," Popovich said after watching Ginobili torch the Cavaliers for 46 points on a remarkable 15-of-20 shooting from the floor.
"That's why he has NBA championships and Olympic championships and European championships. He's a pretty special guy."
Mostly, the Spurs know that just knowing each other counts for a lot.
"Having played together and having been there really helps, because the entire team seems to think as one," Horry said.
Really? How so?
"Well, it just boils down to familiarity," Horry said. "You know the exact moment when a (teammate) is gonna go backdoor, when he expects to receive the pass, when to get him the ball. It's things like that. And it comes from being a veteran ball club and just knowing the guy next to you on the court."
And not knowing can sometimes be a hindrance -- no matter how good the guy next to you might be.
That's something the Spurs and recent free-agent acquisition Damon Stoudamire learned firsthand already.
Stoudamire is veteran point guard who was brought in to help ease the temporary loss of Parker, out with an injured heel. Just like any situation in which a new player is with a new team, there have been some speed bumps.
"For instance, Damon got caught in a situation the other night where coach called a play that he hadn't gone over," Horry said. "Then everybody had to start pointing and directing traffic while we're in the middle of the game."
Horry wasn't picking on Stoudamire -- rather, he was using Stoudamire's newness to illustrate a point. It's something the other West contenders may soon find out for themselves.
"What happened with Damon shows that knowing your teammates and knowing the system can make all the difference," Horry said. "That's especially the case when it comes to the playoffs."
RODEO DAYS
You can hardly mention the Spurs without talking about their annual "rodeo trip" -- in which they are forced to play on the road for several weeks (a total of nine games) while the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo takes place at the AT&T Center.
It's a trip that has traditionally helped the Spurs to bond and get ready for life after the All-Star break, when the regular season tends to be even more intense.
This year has been no different.
"It always seems to change the character of our team," Duncan said. "It always makes us better. There's just something about it, and whatever it is, it works for us."
Popovich added to that.
"I think on this trip, we started to focus the way we need to for the playoffs," he said. "And that was the best part of it. Our mental toughness really increased."
THE NEW SPUR
The Spurs may not have made any headline- grabbing deals, but they think their "small" acquisition of Stoudamire may prove to be big in the long run.
Stoudamire is a 12-year veteran who spent the first part of the season with Memphis. He's only been with the Spurs for a week.
"Right now, Damon hasn't really shown what he can do," Horry told me. "He's still in the learning process. When you come to a team like this that's winning already, and when you're the caliber of player he is, sometimes you're just trying to make sure you don't step on anyone's toes.
"You just walk on eggshells and try to learn the plays, and stay out of Tim's way and out of Manu's way while you try to run the system."
I asked Stoudamire how it feels to join a championship team in the middle of the season and he sat up and smiled.
"It feels good," he said. "It's a little bit of an adjustment, trying to learn the plays and understand the scheme, but you see why this works. It's the guys. They've been great, and you get the sense it's always this way around here."
And the Spurs believe in him as much as he does in them.
"I think right now he's been a little timid, and that's OK," Horry said. "But I'd say once he gets about 10 games under his belt, we'll see the true Damon."
SOME SPURS THOUGHTS
* Horry speaks the truth, as you can tell Stoudamire is still learning the system and figuring out how to modify his own game. He should be a good fit, too -- as he won't be looked upon to score a lot or be some kind of a savior. But Stoudamire CAN score and he CAN hit clutch shots, making him an ideal player off the bench for a winning team.
* What impresses me most about the Spurs is just how fundamentally sound and unselfish they are. They have a winning mentality and know that playing well in May and June means more than impressing people in February. In that sense, they remind me a little bit of the 1980s era Boston Celtics.
* It's easy to think of the Spurs as a halfcourt team, simply because they excel at those defensive- oriented, grind-it-out type games. They still play almost an elbows-out, feel-on-the-floor brand of basketball. But they also run a very effective, very disciplined fast break. Everyone knows where to spot up for an open 3-pointer and whose job it is to finish in the paint. Again, it all goes back to what Horry said -- that knowing where your teammates are stationed on the floor is a huge plus.
* And who says the Spurs don't like to run? After all, they're 17-1 when they score more than 100 points.
* The Spurs are celebrating their 35th anniversary this season, having played their first ABA game in October 1973 against the San Diego Conquistadors. They have two games remaining in which they'll pay tribute to the '73-74 team -- Feb. 19 against Charlotte and March 26 against the L.A. Clippers. All I know is every time I hear about it I practically shed a tear thinking about George Gervin and the old HemisFair Arena.
* I still view the Spurs as the league's best team -- even after all the blockbuster trades. But I also know the West is much stronger than ever, and the Spurs will likely need to secure a top three seed to get back to the Finals. My guess is they will.
Sam Amico is the editor ot ProBasketballNews.com. Contact him or subscribe to his free e-mail newsletter at amico@probasketballnews.com.
