SportsLine.com Report
July 28, 2000

Free-agent update

The big prize is coming back. Tim Duncan flirted with Orlando, then stayed true to San Antonio, agreeing to a reported three-year deal with an option for a fourth year. The deal can't be officially tied up until Aug. 1, when the floodgates open on free-agent signings.

The exact value of Duncan's contract won't be known, also until Aug. 1, when the NBA salary cap is set. The highest salary for players with fewer than seven years of experience is expected to be increased to about $9.5 million, and Duncan would get a 12 1/2 percent annual raise after the first year of the contract.

That would put the deal in the range of $32.1 million if he stays three years, $45.1 if he exercises the fourth-year option.

Duncan, 24, told the Spurs early in the July haggling period that he would stick around after giving them a huge scare with a tour of Orlando. Center David Robinson cut short his Hawaiian vacation to persuade the forward to stick around, when the Magic appeared to be making headway in wooing the top free agent of this year's class.

ANDERSON STILL LIKES SPURS: The Duncan signing had the Spurs turning their attention to much-needed help in the backcourt, where the two starters last year (Mario Elie and Avery Johnson) are free agents that the Spurs aren't tripping over themselves trying to re-sign.

Instead, Clippers guard Derek Anderson has moved to the top of the list of guard targets. Anderson's agent Tony Dutt said the Spurs are a top destination choice for the guard, despite the fact that he reportedly almost was dealt to Denver in a three-way deal that would have included Boston. That deal is apparently dead.

GILL AN OPTION: If they don't land Anderson, the Spurs could go after Nets free agent Kendall Gill. San Antonio likes the swingman but might not have enough money under the salary cap to lure him. Plus, they don't want to strap themselves for next year's class of free agents that includes Dallas' Michael Finley.

SportsLine.com Report
June 12, 2000

1999-2000 in review

Even if for some reason they wanted to, the Spurs don't have time to dwell on the embarrassment of becoming the first NBA champion in 16 years to be ousted in the first round the following year.

Much is on the Spurs' plate this offseason, leaving the team -- players, coaches and front office alike -- little chance to linger over San Antonio's five-game, opening-round upset at the hands of the Phoenix Suns.

There are decisions to be made. Free agents to be signed. Veterans to be released. Rosters to be overhauled.

And, above all, there is the fate of Tim Duncan.

Not only is the Spurs' All-Star power forward coming off knee surgery that forced him to miss the entire playoff series with Phoenix and headed to the Olympics in September, but Duncan also is eligible for free agency. What the mild-mannered, third-year pro from the U.S. Virgin Islands decides to do most likely will decide the short-term fate of the franchise.

Will he bolt for Orlando and the Magic's $18 million of room under the salary cap? Or will he confound the speculation and stay in the Alamo City, despite the aging roster the Spurs have surrounded him with?

Duncan isn't saying, and he hasn't been heard from since undergoing surgery in late May to repair the partially torn lateral miniscus in his left knee. The surgery is expected to sideline him 6-8 weeks.

"I'm not going to go back and forth worrying about it,'' Spurs coach-general manager Gregg Popovich said. "Whatever he decides, I will respect. I'll still love him no matter what his decision is.''

It is perhaps easier for Popovich to focus on the Duncan situation than to reflect on the Spurs' roller-coaster of a 1999-2000 season, which ended with San Antonio joining the 1983-84 Philadelphia 76ers on the list of defending world champions that failed to make it to the second round.

San Antonio started the year 17-7, but struggled to replace the scoring and defensive punch that was taken away from them when Sean Elliott missed the first four months of the season because of a kidney transplant.

A late surge enabled the Spurs to finish 53-29, but the injury to Duncan in the final week of the regular season doomed San Antonio's hopes of a repeat. Now comes a question-filled offseason.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT: Despite the absence of Elliott, the Spurs looked like the champions of last season in late November while reeling off seven consecutive victories. Duncan led San Antonio in rebounding in six of those seven games, including three outings of 17 rebounds apiece.

The individual high point, though, came in late March on a trip to rival Portland. Having just won the night before in Seattle, the Spurs overcame a double-digit fourth quarter deficit behind Duncan's 36 points and 15 rebounds to claim a clutch, 89-85 victory in a rematch of last year's Western Conference finalists.

SEASON LOWLIGHT: Two losses to the lowly Dallas Mavericks in a span of six days in March, including a 110-88 pasting at the Alamodome, had the Spurs scratching their heads.

Both losses featured inexplicable breakdowns. The 22-point home setback featured almost no defense by the once-defensively formidable Spurs, who allowed Dallas to shoot 52 percent from the floor and at one point open up a 30-point lead.

The following week in Dallas, the Spurs fell apart in the waning seconds and let Mavericks guard Erick Strickland roam free underneath, enabling him to nail a wide-open putback at the buzzer for a 97-96 victory that had Dallas fans, coaches and even owner Mark Cuban celebrating at midcourt.

KEY STAT: 31.2, as in the average age of the Spurs' roster this season. That made San Antonio one of the oldest teams in the league, and all those gray hairs -- coupled with the absence of the injured Duncan -- certainly showed in the Spurs' opening-round playoff loss to the speedy, youthful Suns.

San Antonio finished the season with a whopping six players at least 34 years old, including David Robinson (34) and key regulars Avery Johnson (35) and Mario Elie (36).

The Personnel File

MVP: Duncan might have seemed more dominant on the way to winning NBA Finals MVP honors in 1999, but the Spurs' cornerstone actually posted better numbers this past season.

There certainly was no doubt in 1999-2000 whose team the Spurs had become. Where once Robinson ruled, the smooth, elegant Duncan was now San Antonio's go-to scorer and defender. He finished the year ranked third in the league in rebounding (12.4 per game), ninth in scoring (23.2 points) and was a fearsome defensive presence with 2.23 blocks per contest.

Now, if only the Spurs can convince Duncan to stay .

BIGGEST SURPRISE: Elliott. The Spurs' courageous veteran forward shocked many with his amazing comeback in March from a kidney transplant just eight months before.

Never mind that Elliott was noticeably fatigued throughout his six-week stint and averaged just six points while shooting 36 percent from the floor. Just his mere presence on the court (he was the first athlete in any pro sport to come back from a kidney transplant) proved a heartwarming story.

Elliott now is dropping hints that his brief return might have been the exclamation point on his career. At age 32, and with a NBA championship already in hand, Elliott is mulling retirement and a switch to the broadcast booth.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Elie proved to be on the verge of his last legs, averaging just 7.5 points and shooting a career-low 43 percent from the floor in 79 games. The scoring average was Elie's worst since his rookie season, and his shooting got worse as the season wound down. Once the playoffs arrived, Elie bottomed out, shooting just 27 percent (6-for-22) against the Suns. That performance guaranteed the free agent will not be re-signed.

COACH: Popovich, long a target of fan criticism in San Antonio, didn't get to enjoy San Antonio's first NBA championship for long. Once the Spurs began to falter after a 17-7 start, the second-guessing began in earnest, especially in the face of his veteran team's penchant for mindless turnovers.

Popovich also was heavily questioned about his decision to rest Duncan for the entire Phoenix playoff series, although Popovich -- well aware of Duncan's impending free-agent status -- did so with the Spurs' future in mind.

The 2000-2001 season, not to mention the moves he makes as general manager this offseason, will be crucial for Popovich's future in San Antonio. Voters approved a new arena for the Spurs last November, and the team's management wants to go into the building on a high note.

Offseason tinkering

THE DRAFT: The Spurs once again will be picking near the bottom of the first round and don't expect to improve their lot through the draft. San Antonio traded its first-round pick to Dallas last summer, avoiding disaster when the Mavericks chose to take the troubled Leon Smith off the Spurs' hands.

FREE-AGENT MARKET: All eyes in San Antonio will be on Duncan, who is eligible for free agency July 1.

Duncan has given no hint of his plans, although he is almost certain to look around before making his decision. Orlando has at least $18 million in room under the salary cap and will court Duncan heavily, although those close to him say the 7-foot forward is comfortable in San Antonio and would like to stay.

Elsewhere, the Spurs aren't expected to re-sign Elie or Jerome Kersey. Point guard Avery Johnson also is a free agent, and the Spurs might look to re-sign him to a one- or two-year deal.

If Duncan bolts, don't be surprised if the Spurs start over immediately with a fire sale. Robinson would be the most likely subject of a trade should Duncan depart.