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The 04-05 Spurs started off the season strong going 12 wins to 3 losses in November.

By December all Spurs fans believed this years Spurs team to be the best ever to come out of San Antonio. The team management had the foresight to prevent distraction by re-signing Tony Parker before the season started. The team had more stability than any Spurs team in this century having all starters and many key bench players in contacts through the 2007-2008 season. The Spurs had even managed to bring in the great veteran guard Brent Barry and received from him a commitment to play for the Spurs through the 2007-2008 season. The Spurs enjoyed their best start in the Tim Duncan era and no team seemed ready to last against them in a seven game series.

By February the Spurs had secured what was then the best record in the NBA and had just sent Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili to the All Star game. Confidence in a Championship destiny for 2005 season was high in Spurs circles.

However, for the more pessimistic Spurs fans, things seemed to be going too well.

On February 24th the other shoe dropped and the Spurs emotional leader Malik Rose was gone. On paper this was a smart business move. Malik's contract was heavy and the Spurs have Luis Scola committed to come in next season. Both men play a similar game at the same position. As a fan of the game, though, one has to question the wisdom of messing with team chemistry when that team has the best record in the league. The team's reaction? An 82 to 84 loss to Memphis; only their second loss at home all year to that point.

Since that time the Spurs have lost their rhythm. The team has suffered through several injuries, including stints on the IL by three of the five starters.

The Spurs added Dion Glover, only to waive him in order to sign Glen Robinson. A defensive-minded club known for their complicated system, adding players late in the season (Robinson was signed April 4th) shows the effect the shake-up hadon this team. The team has gone 17-10 since and shows some signs of over coming the emotional hangover sustained by the trade.

A great road record shows confidence, while and a great home record shows comfort. The Spurs are 38-3 at home and 21-19 on the road. The squad is clearly not confident.

The good news for Spurs fans is, despite all that went wrong in the last few months, only the Suns at this point would be the host team should the two face off in the playoffs.

Tim Duncan's return to the line up is a big boost of confidence to the team and the new additions Nazr Mohammed and Glenn Robinson are starting to understand their roles and are learning how to play within the system. Should this years Spurs team win a championship these last few months will only make their victory more sweet.

To earn the honor of hoisting the O'Brian trophy for the third time in Spurs history, this team must play as a unit. "Team Defense" has been the mantra of the two championship Spurs teams and must be so again this year if they are to reach their goal. The only enemies this team has are a lack of focus and confidence on the road. The ability is there, the desire is there and anything short of a 2005 championship will be a failure and a disappointment for Spurs fans and the players alike.

Only time will tell if this Spurs squad will live up to their potential or chalk this year up to another "What might have been" season.

Spurs fans get their voice heard on InsideHoops.com. The writer of this Spurs fan editorial hails from San Antonio, Texas.