Yet for all the Spurs' venue and fashion-inspired changes, their roster makeover likely won't be nearly as dramatic. Unlike a year ago when they started anew with eight new players, including three new starters, the Spurs begin this summer hoping to build from Tim Duncan's first MVP season, Tony Parker's dazzling rookie year and the experience they gained from a disappointing finish that saw them compete but again give way to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"That's what you saw in the series (against the Lakers): that cohesiveness, that chemistry a team has from playing together," David Robinson said. "That was the X-factor in games. They executed a little better than we did, and they ended up getting the win. Any of those games could have gone another direction.

"(Staying together) has probably got to be the thing for us. ... We've got guys who can do the job."

In addition to trying to sign their 1999 second-round pick, athletic Argentine guard Emanuel Ginobili, the Spurs ? barring trade opportunities ? will attempt to bring back Malik Rose and Bruce Bowen.