10 Keys for a Spurs Repeat

San Antonio Spurs Radio Play by Play voice Bill Schoening was asked by NBA.com to list 10 keys to the Spurs' quest to repeat as NBA champions......

1) Guard Against Complacency
Spurs guard Manu Ginobili says the Spurs must remember that it took lots of hard work and sweat to attain their status among the NBA elite, and that they can't take anything for granted as they try to build the foundation for a successful defense of the title. Head coach Gregg Popovich calls it playing with the "proper fear". During the course of an 82 game schedule there will certainly be some off nights, but the Spurs coaching staff doesn't want those to be the result of a lack of hard work or preparation. When you wear the crown, everybody wants to knock it off.

2) Spread the Wealth
Two time league MVP Tim Duncan had no problem watching NBA Commissioner David Stern hand Tony Parker the NBA Finals MVP trophy last season. Some superstars would have wanted more individual accolades, but Duncan knows Parker's development as one of the top point guards in the league will fuel the Spurs for years to come. In fact, the playoffs were a testament to many players getting involved.

Robert Horry and Michael Finley had big games against Denver, Duncan had a monster series against Phoenix. Manu Ginobili came alive against Utah, and Parker was the main catalyst against Cleveland. Bruce Bowen's defense was a constant throughout. Duncan has always bought into the team concept and that's why he's considered one of the most unselfish stars in the NBA.

3) Bench Help
It's no secret that the Spurs are the oldest team in the league. Therefore, Pop will do his best not to wear down his regulars during the course of the season. Ginobili has been extremely productive so far in less than 30 minutes per game coming off the bench. Other reserves such as Matt Bonner, Brent Barry and Francisco Elson will also be relied on.

4) The Two-Headed Center
They will divide the minutes at center, and they are completely different types of players (from Argentina and Holland) but Fabricio Oberto and Francisco Elson will be expected to help take some of the interior defensive load off of Tim Duncan. Oberto is a wily veteran of international ball who made great strides last season in his second year with the Spurs. He's tough, smart, and a good passer. Elson can run the floor as well as any big man around. He can block shots, and has a nice touch on his midrange jumper. Their collective efforts at center will be of paramount importance.

5) Stay Healthy
If you're a Spurs fan, knock on wood right now. No serious injuries have hit the team come playoff time in recent seasons. This is an obvious key for all playoff teams, and even though the Spurs are blessed with experienced depth, it would be tough without one of the big three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili.

6) Tony Parker's Midrange Game
If you watched the NBA Finals last season, you saw Cavs coach Mike Brown pleading with his team to keep Parker out of the paint. They couldn't do it, as Parker repeatedly used his quickness to get into the lane and then used a variety of moves to finish, becoming the first European player to win the Finals MVP trophy.

Parker has worked endless hours with assistant coach Chip Engelland to develop a pullup 17 footer, and he has also taken more three pointers in the early season. If defenses have to guard Parker out on the perimeter, he will have more options on pick and roll. If they continue to go under the screen and he can consistently bomb away from distance, he will be very difficult to stop.

7) The Manu Factor
It's no coincidence that Ginobili has captured a Euroleague title, an Olympic Gold Medal and three NBA titles. He's one of the fiercest competitors in the league and impacts the game at both ends of the floor. HIs willingness to leave it all on the floor is contagious. When he enters a game at the AT&T Center, a buzz permeates the arena in anticipation of what he's going to do next. If Ginobili is fresh and healthy in the playoffs, that's a big plus on the Spurs side of the ledger.

8) Keep Listening to Pop
There's a famous Popovich quote from the '05 Finals where he says, "We've been fortunate to have a guy like David Robinson, then draft Tim Duncan. What we've done is we haven't screwed it up." I'm guessing there's a bit more to it than that, but Popovich deserves a great deal of credit for what this team has accomplished over the past decade. He's got the third best regular-season winning percentage and the second best playoff winning percentage -- all time. He is one of just five coaches to win four or more titles. His emphasis on defense has made the Spurs one of the stingiest defensive teams in recent NBA history, and that has resulted in playoff success.

9) Age vs. Experience
Pop opened up training camp this season by saying the Spurs were "older than hell." While not quite ready for social security checks, there are some seasoned veterans on this roster. That said, the decision to bring everybody back in an effort to repeat should also have some benefits since the players know the system extremely well and there will be few surprises. The "corporate knowledge" usually translates to fewer turnovers and mental mistakes that can sometimes cripple younger teams or squads that haven't been together as long.

10) No Road Woes
With all their years of experience and a ton of miles behind them, the Spurs aren't fazed when they play in front of hostile crowds on the road. In four rounds in last year's playoffs, the Spurs lost two road games. During the regular season, they were 27-14 away from home. They are consistently one of the top road teams in the league. They adopt a business like approach and avoid getting too high after a win or too low after a loss. Oberto, who played in Europe for nearly a decade, says he has had objects thrown at him in the wild arenas in Greece, so it's unlikely he'll get rattled in the relatively sedate venues in the NBA.