Danny Green | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Burning questions for Spurs’ offseason

By Jeff McDonald

Thanks to Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the offseason came two victories shy of the NBA Finals for the Spurs.

What’s next for the Western Conference runners-up? Here is the answer to that question with five more, plus one:

How badly does Tim Duncan just want to eat red meat and play “Call of Duty” all day?

The Spurs’ franchise player since draft day 1997, Duncan’s contract famously expires July 1. Whether he decides, at age 36, to sign another one will largely hinge on the answer to the question above.

Duncan proved this season that his body can still handle the rigors of an NBA season, but it takes hard work — and a stringent low-fat diet — to make that happen. If Duncan is ready to finally unstrap that omnipresent knee brace, sink his teeth into a cheeseburger and fire up the Xbox in retirement, nobody would blame him.

If Duncan does decide he’d still like to play “until the wheels fall off,” expect the Spurs to come to a workable agreement with him. Duncan’s not playing anywhere else.

So how much is an aging franchise player going for these days anyway?

Less than the $21.1 million Duncan made last season, but probably more than you’d think.

Duncan appeared rejuvenated during the lockout-shortened season, including a 25-and-14 performance in Wednesday’s Game 6 ouster in OKC. Though clearly no longer an MVP candidate — and, according to the voters at least, no longer an All-Star — Duncan remains a quality NBA big man, and those don’t come ? cheap.

The Spurs have other free agents to address (namely guard Danny Green and center Boris Diaw), but must first gauge what their payroll looks like after they re-up Duncan.

How dangerous are the Olympics for Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker?

Put it this way: Coach Gregg Popovich plans to attend the London Games this summer, but don’t be surprised if he watches matches involving Argentina and France with both hands covering his eyes.

Who can forget the sight of Ginobili rolling around on the court in 2008 in Beijing, clutching an injured left ankle that would soon require surgery? Of equal concern is the daily toll year-round basketball takes on 30-something bodies, and neither Parker (30) nor Ginobili (soon-to-be 35) is getting younger.

With the Olympics piled on top of a deep playoff run, expect Popovich to give his international backcourt plenty of rest come training camp and the preseason in October.

Should we prepare for more draft-night drama?

After years of using draft night to select players whose names fans couldn’t pronounce from countries they couldn’t locate on a map, then stashing them overseas for future use (or not), the Spurs made a bold move last June to land Kawhi Leonard at No. 15.

The Spurs do not have a first-round pick in the June 28 draft, having shipped it to Golden State in the March trade for Stephen Jackson, but won’t rule out trying to move up for the right player and right price.

Tiago Splitter: linchpin or liability?

Somewhere in the middle. The former first-round pick produced a sophomore campaign significantly more impactful than his first, doubling his scoring average to 9.3 points per game, and increasing his rebounding and blocks, while serving as a capable backup to Duncan.

But Splitter fell off the map during the latter part of the Western Conference finals, proving his upside has limits. The 6-foot-11 Splitter never was meant to be the heir-apparent to Duncan as the centerpiece big man, but should be a useful rotation piece going forward.

Bonus question: Should Erazem Lorbek and Nando de Colo look into obtaining work visas?

A 6-foot-10 forward from Slovenia currently playing with Ricky Rubio’s old club in Spain, Lorbek was a sidepiece of the Leonard deal. De Colo, a 6-foot-5 guard from France, has also been playing in Spain since the Spurs drafted him 53rd overall in 2009.

Both have a chance to cross the pond and join the Spurs next season, depending on how the free-agency landscape shakes out. If you’re handicapping it, expect Lorbek to make the jump before de Colo.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Slideshow: Spurs vs. Thunder Game 2

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Spurs 120, Thunder 111: Game 2

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) shoots over San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) lays the ball in against San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33) near San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) shoots near San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33) and San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) reacts after hitting a three point basket during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) gets a hand on a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) is trapped between San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) and San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) slams the ball near San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) is under pressure from San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33), San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2), San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) and San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) talks to San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich stands near San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) makes a three point basket during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) holds his daughter Sydney and his son, Draven, before the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) gestures after a play during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) gestures after a play during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) passes around Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nazr Mohammed (8) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) passes over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nazr Mohammed (8) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Matt Bonner (15) shoots a three point basket during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a play during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

A fan holds up a sign during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Fans hold up signs during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

A fan holds up a sign during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after hitting a three point basket during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) gesture for possession of the ball during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (3) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nick Collison (4) and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) fights for control of the ball with San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) with Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) nearby during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) falls out of bounds after the play during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) swipes the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) drives against San Antonio Spurs’ Matt Bonner (15) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) shoots against San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) and San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) passes around San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) pulls in a rebound against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) and San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Fans hold up signs during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gestures during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) dunks against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Candles, Clippers blown out by Spurs

By Jeff McDonald

Behind the scenes, the birthday boy fastened his tie just so, cinching into a knot just so before ambling up to the interview podium to meet his public.

It was there, in front of a national television audience, that the newly turned 30-year-old Tony Parker was forced to confront the obvious.

Yes, he was old now too.

“I’ve fought it the whole season,” Parker said. “Now I have to let it go.”

The team everyone still thinks is older than dirt inducted a new member to the 30-and-over club Thursday, the same day they raced past the Los Angeles Clippers 105-88 in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.

In leading the Spurs to a 2-0 lead that feels insurmountable, Parker didn’t look a day over 29. He celebrated the Big Three-Oh with 22 points, and he defended a hobbling Chris Paul, and he took command of the Spurs’ offense when it needed taking command of.

The rest of the Spurs’ Old Man crew didn’t look so decrepit, either.

With 36-year-old Tim Duncan again steadying the ship– and perhaps sending the Clippers scurrying for his Virgin Islands birth certificate — and the 30-year-old Boris Diaw enjoying his highest-scoring night since moving from Charlotte, the Spurs won their 16th game in a row.

Only twice before have the Spurs won 17 straight: In 1995-96 and 2003-04, the latter streak ending at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference semifinals.

These Clippers aren’t those Lakers. And these old Spurs aren’t those old Spurs.

Two nights after notching a playoff-high 26 points in Game 1, Duncan poured in 14 of his 18 in the first half of Game 2, when the score was still in doubt and every basket mattered. He used every tool in the tool kit to get it, going glass one moment, schooling young DeAndre Jordan in the post the next, going 9 of 14 from the field.

“Vintage Timmy,” Parker called it.

Instead of, you know, old Tim.

“I feel unbelievable,” Duncan said. “Better than I have in the last four or five years. For whatever reason, I feel healthy, and I feel great.”

Diaw, who went from late-March import to starting center in a French flash, scored 16 points and was a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor. Parker’s countryman, one month his senior, also added some surprisingly rugged defense on Blake Griffin, who again had to work for his 20 points, which came on 16 shots.

“He’s fit in pretty seamlessly,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Diaw.

While the Spurs’ over-30 club was running amok — and getting four timely 3-pointers from 24-year-old guard Danny Green — Paul again looked like an AARP member shuffling to the earlybird dinner.

The 27-year-old All-Star muddled through a second-straight disaster, balancing his 10 points and five assists with a career-worst eight turnovers. In two games to start the series, the Clippers’ All-Star point guard is 7 of 21 from the field with 16 points and 14 turnovers.

Blame a strained hip flexor and bum groin, which have clearly limited Paul’s effectiveness. But also credit Parker.

“Tony did the lion’s share of work tonight on Chris,” Popovich said. “He really set a tone tonight. He was just driven.”

And now, Parker and the other Spurs’ 30-somethings head to Los Angeles with a chance to close the series out by sweeping a back-to-back Saturday and Sunday.

There was a time the Spurs might have struggled in such a situation, but those were the old Spurs. Not these old Spurs, who by the way still boast an average age under 30.

“They’ve been saying the Spurs are old for 10 years now,” Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. “They’re not old.”

Yet the Spurs did get a day older Thursday, when Parker blew out 30 candles.

The day before, Popovich had marveled at the thought, how the wet-behind-the-ears teenager who arrived in San Antonio in 2001 was now a grown, 30-year-old man.

“Whoever said time flies wasn’t an idiot,” Popovich said. “It seems like he got here just last year.”

In a season that has felt like one prolonged flashback, with the Spurs chasing a fifth championship five years after their last, time has seemed to stand still. Now, the Spurs are halfway to their first Western Conference finals since 2008, inching closer to the finish line.

A day that began with a celebration Thursday ended with one, too. The only question now is how many more there are to come.

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

SPURS VS. CLIPPERS
(Spurs lead best-of-seven series 2-0)

Game 1:

Game 2:

Game 3: Saturday, @Clippers, 2:30 p.m., ABC

Game 4: Sunday, @Clippers, 9:30 p.m., TNT

* Game 5: Tuesday, @Spurs, TBA, TNT

* Game 6: May 25, @Clippers, TBA, ESPN

* Game 7: May 27, @Spurs, TBA, TNT

* If necessary