What hopes do all 16 teams have of hopping in the postseason driver's seat? Take a ride with NBA.com as we outline each team's Keys to Success.
MASTER KEY: Tim Duncan is one of just three players in the league (
Shaquille O'Neal,
Antonio McDyess) who averaged more than 20 points and 12 boards a game, and with the year the Spurs have had, the Big Fundamental has made a serious case for MVP after it had been all but engraved for
Allen Iverson. And don't look for the 1999 Finals MVP to let up in the playoffs either; his career postseason stats equal those of the regular season, and with the game on the line, his array of skyhooks and face-up bank shots are automatic and indefensible.
KEY STOPPER: Forget about going inside against the Towers. When Duncan and
David Robinson get defensive position down low, it's a total eclipse of the hoop. The two seven-footers average nearly five blocks a game between them, and, more importantly, their mere presence turns gimme layups into desperation fallaways or kick-outs for lower-percentage jumpers.
KEY IN THE KEY: Besides having the league's best low-post duo in Duncan and Robinson, the Spurs get quality minutes off the bench from
Malik Rose, who's good for nearly eight points and six rebounds in 21 minutes per game. Make no mistake, though, the Twins are the Spurs' bread and butter, accounting for 37 points and half of the team's total rebounds on average.
KEY DISTRIBUTOR: San Antonio is a good passing team, with five players (including Duncan) averaging more than three assists. Veteran point man
Avery Johnson leads the Spurs, but the Little General is most valuable to the Spurs for his skill at directing the offense on the floor. Along with Johnson, look for
Antonio Daniels,
Derek Anderson and
Terry Porter to find the big guys for good shots down low.
 
KEY WIN, KEY VID: The Spurs were reeling after dropping four of six -- including two blowouts by New York and Philly -- on an east-coast road trip. But the team recovered quickly by going into Sacramento on Jan. 25 and beating the West-leading Kings on their home floor, where they hadn't lost in regulation all season. Tim Duncan was brilliant in his matchup against Chris Webber, posting 36 points and 21 rebounds.
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KEY RESERVE: Though he's usually backing up either
Avery Johnson or
Terry Porter,
Antonio Daniels is the guy who plays the big minutes at point guard. A quality passer who can slash to the basket, Daniels also keeps defenses honest with his outside shooting (40.4 percent from behind the arc), allowing Duncan and Robinson room to maneuver in the post.
KEY LONG-RANGE GUNNER: Name a Spur. San Antonio shoots more than 40 percent from three-point range as a team, a ridiculous statistic that is crucial to the team's success because it prevents defenses from collapsing on Duncan and Robinson. Watch out for Daniels and
Derek Anderson, along with veteran bombers like Porter,
Danny Ferry,
Sean Elliott and
Steve Kerr, to hurt the opposition from downtown.
KEY IMAGE
Later, Lakers: The Spurs will have to unseat Shaq and the defending champion Lakers to make their title run a reality. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE Photos)
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KEY INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE: It's not often that a loss can be inspirational, but on April 12, a night when the Spurs were attempting to clinch the number one seed in the West against the Kings,
Tim Duncan showed his team that he could be relied upon in a big game. San Antonio
ultimately fell to Sacramento in overtime, 107-105, but the big guy could not be contained, finishing with 42 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. Going into the playoffs, it was an important performance that further solidified his status as a team leader on a championship contender.
LITTLE-KNOWN KEY: Turnovers can make all the difference in a close game, and
Avery Johnson is one of the best in the business at taking care of the ball. Johnson's assist-to-turnover ratio is 3.9 to 1, ranking second in the NBA.
KEY NEWCOMER: San Antonio signed free agent guard
Derek Anderson last summer for his quickness and outside shooting, and the former Clipper has not disappointed. Anderson has started every game for the Spurs, is second in scoring to
Tim Duncan and plays ferocious perimeter defense.
KEY TIDBIT: The San Antonio Business Journal named
Avery Johnson one of its "40 Most Influential People Under 40." Perhaps -- and the Spurs are hoping -- Johnson can wield some of that heralded influence in the playoffs and help lead them to their second championship in three years.
