With Manu Ginobli out, the trio of Duncan, Parker, and Finley look to be the big three for San Antonio.

The San Antonio Spurs are not at their best, obviously, when Manu Ginobli isn’t in the lineup, and many league analysts attribute the loss of his extra offense to their early woes. However, I believe their problems originate elsewhere.

Last night, it wasn’t a lack of offense that kept San Antonio out of the game. The cutting and driving lay-ups and mid-range jumpers of Tony Parker (24pts), and hooks and short J’s of Tim Duncan (27pts) kept the Spurs in the game. But still, their were two other contributors for the Spurs last night; starter Michael Finley chipped in 16 points, and off-season free-agent acquisition Roger Mason scored 14 on 6-7 shooting… also helping to keep San Antonio in the game. The four player’s point totals adds up to 81 of the 99 their team posted altogether. That really isn’t bad considering teams like the Washington Wizards get an average of 70+ points from their big three, Gilbert Arenas (when actually healthy), Antawn Jamison, and Caron Butler, and are still one of the highest scoring teams in the Eastern Conference, if not the entire NBA.

The problem with last night’s loss wasn’t a lack of offense for the Spurs, but a lack of defense, and the fact that they allowed 13 offensive boards and countless second chance points to the Trail Blazers. Add that to a hot 10-18, 26 point, shooting night by Brandon Roy, and the Spurs still only barely lost. 

For all the grief the Spurs offense is receiving, the problems look to be emanating more from a lack of fundamental basketball skills, a phase of the game that this team has shown to be the greatest at over the past several years. If they can get back to actual Spurs basketball and not allow a team so many offensive boards, they’ll be back on track as one of the top five teams in the West.

Don't count out Roger Mason Jr. He may become a sleeper for the Spurs this season.

LaMarcus Aldridge’s stats as a rookie went from nine points per game, five rebounds, 72% free throw percentage, and 22.1 mins per, to 17.8 points per, 7.6 boards, a 76% free throw percentage, and 34.9 minutes per contest in his second season.

LaMarcus Aldridge has received high praise for his short and deep jumpers.

It’s funny how NBA fans and league analysts clamor about the potential of center Greg Oden and overlook the marked improvement and all star potential of center/forward LaMarcus Aldridge. Oden has yet to set foot on an NBA court in a regular season game, while Aldridge has played in a total 139 games and has enhanced his play in almost every phase thus far.

This is the kind of year-to-year improvement that would suggest a player can become an All-Star if not All-Star caliber. If Aldridge continues to grow and Oden becomes the superstar that everyone is expecting, then the two may very well become one of the more potent power forward and center combos in the NBA today.

However, if Greg Oden falters, then at least the Trail Blazers know that they have a more than capable insurance policy in LaMarcus Aldridge.

Greg Oden has shown potential in practice. But how will he fare in actual game play?

LeBron James looks to remind us why they call him "The King."

When the NBA opens up their regular season tomorrow, the fans should be treated to a hotly contested battle between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics.

Last season, the two teams went to seven games before Boston finally came out on top. The main stat of the series was the fact that both teams won all of their home games. If the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to make a statement to open the season, a win in Boston would be a great way to do so.

The second game of the TNT double-header features Greg Oden’s NBA regular season debut when Portland travels to L.A. to face the reigning Western Conference champs.

The Lakers welcome back a promising young star in Andrew Bynum and look to continue their Western Conference dominance from last year when they finished with the best record in the conference. Last season, Portland was off to a surprising early start when they went on a 13 game winning streak at one point, but faded away the remainder of the year. Don’t count out the young and talented Trail Blazers to make things interesting.

The schedulers did a decent job putting some spirited potential on the board for day one of the 2008-2009 NBA regular season. 

Greg Oden hopes to be wearing a Jersey and in a puddle of sweat the next time he's in this position.