(RealGM) Spurs Still Lead The Race...By Far

http://spurs.realgm.com/articles/65/20070820/spurs_still_lead_race.._by_far/

Everybody wants to be the Spurs.

Even with the remodeling of franchises such as Houston, Boston, New York and others, it’s been two months through the offseason and this much is true: San Antonio is still the team to beat.

At this time last year, clubs such as Dallas or Phoenix were said to be the league’s best; the two teams that would ultimately lay claim to the NBA title.

But what’s been realized is that standing pat is often times the best thing to do. With job security dwindling at an all-time rate, clubs are pushing full throttle to try and steal the crown.

The problem is that the moves are made out of desperation, not from actual need.

Take Boston, for example. The acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen undoubtedly make them better - for the next two years, three max.

But will the Celtics truly threaten the Spurs, or even the Suns or Mavs? What about the Bulls or Pistons?

The answer is no. Boston had a plethora of young talent in its stables. What the Celtics needed was time to grow and nourish that talent; young studs such as forward Al Jefferson and wing Gerald Green.

Given adequate time, the Celtics could have been an Eastern Conference force in two years, and would probably have made the postseason next year.

Here’s a little secret that Danny Ainge doesn’t realize: the team’s problem was not its youth or lack of veteran leadership. Its problem was coach Doc Rivers, who in all his years as coach has yet to understand the concept of a rotation and continues to blunder late-game situations.

Mainstay Paul Pierce may have been upset and threatened to trade had Ainge not pursued the aforementioned All-Stars, but, hey, trading Pierce would have been in the team’s best interest as well.

Imagine the quality young pieces that could have prospered alongside Jefferson and Green, as well as Ryan Gomes and guard Sebastian Telfair; all of whom deserved a chance to see what they could do in due time in a conference that is still considerably weak.

Instead, what Ainge ultimately bought Boston way maybe one or two 50-win seasons, and a few trips to the Conference semis. Because at this point, the Celts are still in the rearview mirror of the Heat, Pistons, Bulls and Cavs.

The Rockets also got better, but they added veterans when what they needed was a tremendous dose of youth and quickness.

Mike James? Steve Francis? Standing by perennial malcontent Bonzi Wells to take more distraction and responsibility away from Yao and Tracy McGrady?

The moves to acquire Luis Scola, Aaron Brooks, and Jackie Butler were sound, positive moves to add youth and energy around an aging core.

Houston needs a leader and an identity in the worst way. McGrady and Yao have proved they’re anything but leadership quality. While remarkable talents, neither of them have yet to prove capable of taking over when it matters.

The Rockets are hoping something can be salvaged of James and Francis, both of whom provide a nice sense of nostalgia but whose best years are buried deep within the past.

Entering the offseason, Houston needed depth at point guard behind starter Rafer Alston, a starting power forward, and athletic depth at all spots.

Today? There is still no depth behind Alston (anyone who considers Francis and James as players who aren’t anything more than undersized scorers are kidding themselves), the Rockets still have not legit starting forward, and the only athletic talents (Brooks and Butler) won’t see the light of day because they’re not ready to contribute significantly this year.

Realistically, the Rockets are probably good enough for a 52-win this year. And that’s precisely how many wins they compiled last year.

What’s worse? They’re still not better than the Spurs, Mavs, Jazz, and Suns.

It’s always an interesting watch, this NBA offseason.

Everybody wants to be the Spurs but nobody’s figured out how.