Spurs Set Win Record, Play Kings Saturday, Hope Artest Doesn't Bring Nunchuks

Can the Spurs finally repeat as NBA Champions? ESPN doesn't think so. CNN/SI, not so much. Charles Barkley? No. And the Spurs' first opponent, Ron Artest and the Sacramento Kings? Absolutely not.

So despite the emergence of Tony Parker as an All-Star, the addition of Michael Finley to their bench, and a record-setting 63-win season, the Spurs go into the playoffs...as decided underdogs. Wild, eh? Most of the naysayers believe that the Spurs will be significantly hampered by Tim Duncan's foot problems, which have limited his defense and unhinged his bank shot for the last three months. Manu Ginobili's litany of minor injuries has only added fuel to the doom and gloom surrounding SA's fate this year. As usual, the Spurs have little to say about any of this.

Tomorrow's opening playoff game against the Kings will have some very, very interesting subplots. Ron Artest is certainly the biggest. This dude is crazy like Gnarls Barkley, recently proclaiming himself "the best player in the NBA" and telling reporters that "the Kings are the real #1 seed". So, Ron-Ron lies a lot, but the real question is: will he come completely unglued when his team starts losing? Will he destroy a TV camera, punch Ginobili in the face, or tackle the Spurs Coyote? Only time will tell. The other real story here will be Mike Bibby versus Tony Parker. Traditionally, Bibby has owned this match-up, but with Parker's career-year and his incredibly accurate shooting, the tables could finally turn for Frenchy. Regardless, this series will be a highlight of the eight first-round matchups which kick off tomorrow.

What are your predictions, Austinists? Let us know in the comments.

Spurs vs Kings Game One will be broadcast on ESPN tomorrow at 4:30pm. The game is sold out. Game Two is Tuesday night. Photo via Matt Wright.