The Spurs are 1-0 with a win over the Denver Nuggets Tuesday night. Their next game, as with the Cavaliers, is Friday night when the two teams square off. Aaron Lopez, Rocky Mountain News predicts, along with many others, that the Spurs will finish first in the Southwest Division. Below he fills us in on the latest:
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
• Last season: 59-23, first in division, second in West; beat Pistons in seven games to win NBA title.
• Coach: Gregg Popovich (10th NBA season, all with Spurs, 455-233).
• Best new threads: G Michael Finley (free agent, Mavericks); G Nick Van Exel (free agent, Trail Blazers).
• Out of style: G Devin Brown (free agent, Jazz); F Glenn Robinson (free agent).
• Design trends: The Spurs, winners of two of the past three NBA titles, are wearing a tuxedo while everyone else is clad in denim.
• Possible fashion faux pas: Free-agent addition Van Exel is perpetually chasing a championship ring and could be San Antonio’s kiss of death.
• Will walk the playoff runway if . . . : They do what they always do – defend like crazy, run the offense through Tim Duncan and listen to Popovich.