NBA 2005-06 Western Conference Preview: Southwest Division

The Southwest Division may be the best division in the entire NBA. This division featured 4 playoff teams and the NBA champions last season. Don’t expect things to change a whole lot this year as the top three teams in the entire Western Conference may be in this division. This is how things should shake out in the Southwest this season.


1. San Antonio Spurs: Last season: 59-29 1st place Southwest Division, 2nd place Western Conference.


Offseason: Coming off their second title in three years, the Spurs knew that they didn’t want to mess with a good thing. So rather than drastically overhauling their team with big-money free agents, they upgraded sensibly adding veterans Michael Finely and Nick Van Exel. While Finley’s and Van Exel’s best years are behind them, they are still solid players that will add to the Spurs’ already outstanding depth.


Along with the two veteran guards, the Spurs also added Argentinean big man Frabrico Oberto. Oberto is a power forward that will add some defensive toughness and refined offensive moves to the Spurs frontcourt.
San Antonio also resigned clutch power forward Robert Horry during the summer.


Strengths: This team is absolutely loaded. They are, perhaps, the most versatile team in the league. They can beat a team with their high-powered offense or stifling defense. They can play an up-tempo fast break style just as effectively as they can in a half-court grind-it-out defensive struggle. Their roster is filled with veteran leadership and immense talent. The starting backcourt of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobilli is one of the most talented and exciting guard tandems in the league. Add that to a frontcourt featuring all-world Tim Duncan, defensive specialist Bruce Bowen, rock solid Michael Finely, underrated Nazr Mohammed and clutch shot specialist Robert Horry you have, arguably, the most talented team in the league. When you add the best coach in the NBA, Greg Popovich, you have a team that has “dynasty” written all over it.