Alamo Isn’t All They Remember

If there’s one thing this town can do well, it’s remember.

And maybe it’s fitting that the defining moment in San Antonio’s sports history was a loss. Soon after the Spurs finished celebrating their first-round NBA playoff victory over the Seattle SuperSonics and toasting Tim Duncan’s superb effort four days after his father died, the talk turned to the memories of last year--memories of the Lakers’ sweep of the Spurs in the Western Conference finals.

The Spurs remember, all right. And unlike the fall of the Alamo, it wasn’t a tale of courage and defiance against overwhelming odds. The Spurs had their hearts and character questioned from all corners--including by their coach.

The Lakers came into San Antonio and took Game 1, then stole Game 2, and by the time the series got to Los Angeles the Spurs were ready to roll over and go paws-up. They’ve heard about it ever since. Now they get to do something about it.

“It’s great,” Duncan said. “I’m excited about it. We’re all excited about it. There’s no way to forget getting swept last season and ending the season on that note. We feel we have as good a chance [of beating the Lakers] as anybody.”

“Every time you play them, you think about [the sweep] somewhat,” backup guard Antonio Daniels said. “And that gives you a little bit more motivation.”

It’s not as though you had to be with the Spurs last season to have incentive against the Lakers.

“Everybody who’s played the last couple of years, you’ve lost to L.A. because they’ve won the championship,” said guard Steve Smith, who spent the previous two seasons in Portland.

“They swept myself when I was in Portland. They swept this team. In life, you’re always going to get another chance. It’s great to get a chance to go back there.”

So they’re hyped and ready.

But why should this year be any different than last?

“Maybe lightning doesn’t strike twice,” forward Malik Rose said.

Actually, they have enough personnel changes to alter the way they can attack the Lakers. The main differences: Derek Anderson, Sean Elliott, Samaki Walker and Avery Johnson are out; Smith, Tony Parker, Bruce Bowen and Mark Bryant are in.

“It’s a completely different team than we had a year ago,” Daniels said. “We’ve got the 19-year-old point guard [Parker] who’s extremely quick. We’ve got the defensive stopper in Bruce. We’ve got a deadly shooter in Smitty.”

The only element they might be missing: the guy who’s been with them the longest, David Robinson. His back is acting up, he couldn’t play in the last four games of their series against Seattle and the Spurs keep using the word “doubtful” about him.

The good news for the Spurs is that Rose is in full bloom. He had 18 points and 13 rebounds in Game 5, coming off a career-high 28 points in Game 4.

The most noticeable difference is Parker. He replaces the slasher/penetrator they lost in Anderson, with the advantage that he already has the ball in his hands most of the time.

If you want a comparison, the Dallas Mavericks’ Shooters Galore concept works because Steve Nash can break down defenses and then find the open man.

“Everybody’s running around trying to keep up with this guy,” Spur Coach Gregg Popovich said. “I don’t know what level Parker’s going to get to, but he’s our version of that.”

That has been a problem spot for the Lakers, because Derek Fisher hasn’t been as adept at stopping opposing point guards as he was last season. It didn’t become a major issue last series because Portland’s Damon Stoudamire completely lost his shooting touch. But Parker just finished holding his own (and then some) against Seattle star Gary Payton.

Everyone keeps waiting for those rookie jitters to kick in. Hope you’re not in a hurry.

“I love that pressure,” Parker said. “Big games. Big series. It’s great.

“That’s going to be nice, play a playoff series against the Lakers.”

“I think he just brings another depth to our team,” Rose said. “No one can really stay in front of this guy. He’s probably the fastest guy in the league, end line to end line.”

Sooner or later, the Spurs will get the ball to Duncan. He’s one of the most reliable options in the NBA. Horace Grant was able to keep him in check for a half at a time last year, but now he’s gone and the task is up to Walker.

You’ll notice Duncan is a little more animated these days. He’ll clap and playfully pat Parker on the head, or argue with referees on behalf of his teammates.

“We may not be as wise out on the court as far as veteran leadership, but I think that’s where Timmy has really made a case for MVP and stepping up and being a more vocal leader,” Rose said.

Most Valuable Player? For the Lakers, it’s Shaquille O’Neal.

He ceded the stardom in last season’s conference finals to Bryant. Exploiting the absence of an injured Anderson, Bryant went wild, averaging 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

With Robinson out or limited by his injury, look for O’Neal to reclaim his dominant role and for the Lakers to advance.

The Spurs at least have a chance to reclaim some dignity, simply by showing up for four consecutive games. That would be a step in the right direction.

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J.A. Adande can be reached at: j.a.adande@latimes.com