San Antonio Spurs 1999-2000 Capsule

	Tim Duncan. (AP File Photo)

Coach: Gregg Popovich (fourth season, 110-86)

Last Season: 37-13, first in Midwest Division, beat New York in NBA Finals

Who's New: G Terry Porter (free agent), F Samaki Walker (free agent), C Felton Spencer (free agent), F Chucky Brown

Who's Through: F Leon Smith, C Will Perdue

Slam Dunks: Every NBA champion since the 1988 Los Angeles Lakers has repeated. Why should the Spurs be any different? ... Superstar F Tim Duncan (21.7 ppg, 11.4 rpg) is now stuck with the tag of "best player in the league" and wears it quietly and proudly for a team that emerged as smarter, tougher and more versatile than the competition in 1999. His devastating nside-outside game has opened things up for class act C David Robinson (15.8, 10.0), who can now relax, take the open shots, play defense and show off the championship ring critics said he would never get. ... G Avery Johnson (9.7 ppg, 7.4 apg) ran the point to perfection down the stretch, making sure Duncan got the ball in scoring position during crunch time and hitting the jumper of a lifetime in Game Five of the Finals. ... Veteran Gs Mario Elie and Porter should keep the club focusing on the task ahead rather than basking in glory. ... It's easy to forget Popovich, who as GM helped put the team together before leading it to the title.

Airballs: The Spurs lost their best perimeter shooter in F Sean Elliott, who is recovering from a kidney transplant and either will retire or return come January. ... The addition of Walker does not do much to change the fact that the Spurs are relying on a cast of thirtysomethings. But if age did not factor in an abbreviated 50-game schedule with plenty of back-to-back games, it should not play too huge a role in a regular slate. ... G Antonio Daniels served as an adequate backup to Johnson, but will be called upon to take his game to another level if he hopes to become the heir at point guard.

Coach Says: "Right now it is a committee situation at the 3 (small forward). We are not going to be able to replace Sean. We have to do it with the guys we have. You are going to see Chucky Brown, Jerome Kersey, Malik Rose, Tim Duncan and maybe Samaki Walker there. It depends on who we are playing that night."

Game Plan: The Spurs should return to the conference finals without a sweat but winning those last eight games for a second straight year is where Duncan, Robinson and Johnson will have to prove their mettle again.

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