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Spurs shoot for back-to-back titles as season kicks off

The defending champions San Antonio Spurs will try to accomplish a franchise first -- back-to-back NBA titles -- in the 2007-08 season that starts today.

San Antonio swept to their third title in five years with a four-game sweep over the Cleveland Cavaliers in last June's finals.

But in a remarkably successful span -- with championships in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007 -- the Spurs have never been able to win consecutive titles.

Essentially unchanged this season, they are tabbed by their rivals as the team to beat.

While the NBA balance of power is still tipped toward the Spurs and their Western Conference cohorts, the Boston Celtics have created a buzz in the East with the acquisition of All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

NBA commissioner David Stern will be counting on a return to the court to turn fans' minds away from the disquieting spectre raised by disgraced referee Tim Donaghy, who has admitted betting on games he officiated.

Donaghy is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to federal charges linked to illegal gambling, but Stern insists that NBA investigations have found Donaghy is a lone bad apple.

Teams gunning for the Spurs in the still powerful Western Conference will again include the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, with the Mavericks bidding to bounce back from a colossal post-season collapse.

Dallas, rebounding from their loss to Miami in last year's finals, won 67 regular-season games. before imploding in the first round against the Golden State Warriors.

The Suns have added veteran forward Grant Hill to an otherwise largely unchanged rotation.

The Denver Nuggets, whose talented team finally gelled late last season, will be hoping to build on the strong form they showed in winning 10 of their last 11 games before falling to the Spurs.

While the Houston Rockets are banking on the addition of Argentinean power forward Luis Scola to complement Chinese center Yao Ming and shooting guard Tracy McGrady, Los Angeles Lakers' big-scoring superstar Kobe Bryant still lacks a strong supporting cast.

In Boston, a July deal brought 10-time All-Star Garnett from Minnesota together with playmaker Paul Pierce and veteran guard Ray Allen.

The Celtics will still face a strong challenge in the East from the Detroit Pistons, who appear poised for another 50-win season.

While the Cavaliers will be determined to get back to the championship series, the Chicago Bulls will also be vying to build on a breakout 2006-07 season.
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