Simmons on Spurs, Duncan

ESPN's Bill Simmons has published his annual NBA Preview. In typical Simmons fashion, it is a list of the 33 most intriguing figures for the upcoming season. Two Spurs make appearances on the list. #33 is Manu Ginobili, saying what we've all been saying for months: without a healthy Manu, nothing else really matters. #2 is Tim Duncan, and I encourage you to read the whole thing.

At the end of the Duncan section, he writes this:

I am a Spurs junkie. I love reading about them. I love the way they put their rosters together and value chemistry so deeply. I love the way they interact during games (as I've written many times). I just get a kick out of them. And the truth is, this might be their last chance for a dominant season with Tim Duncan leading the way.

I think it happens. If only because great basketball players have a habit of somehow finding that one great team. They are my pick to win in 2010. Convincingly.

Needless to say, Simmons is picking the Spurs to win the 2010 title (over his beloved Celtics in 6). I hope he's right.