It all depends where you stand on the issue. Were the San Antonio Spurs that won the NBA title during the lockout season a fluke, or a potential dynasty? In the two seasons since we've seen a different dynasty get started, and a Spurs team underachieve, but what about that championship? And why haven't the Spurs gotten back to the Finals since?

	The Admiral is no longer an MVP candidate, but he teams up with Duncan well.

So as we continue our 2001 Summer Spotlight Series, here's the deal with the Spurs.

The good: Just having one of the league's top talents is enough to make the postseason, and throwing in a top-five and future Hall of Fame center means playoff success. The year the Spurs won it all they not only boasted a fearsome twin towers of Tim Duncan and David Robinson, but solid spare parts in a healthy Sean Elliott, do-it-all Mario Elie and productive point guard Avery Johnson.

Today the other names have changed, but with the two big men, the Spurs don't need much more. Duncan, all of 25 now, is an annual MVP contender. He scores (22.2 ppg), rebounds, blocks shots and other than a mysterious new problem at the line, he's dominant. Robinson, 11 years his senior, still rebounds and defends with the best centers, and finds his offense when he wants to in a secondary role. No team in the league can match the Spurs' 14 feet in the middle.

Derek Anderson spent a solid year here in search of future riches, and he got it, thanks to Paul Allen's checkbook in Portland. Coming in his place at shooting guard, however, is someone more experienced, professional and well-suited for the team. Steve Smith doesn't slash to the hoop, fly through the lane or get to the line like his predecessor. He can hit jump shots from 20 feet and beyond, which is critical for the new league rules, which might find Duncan and Robinson with three or even four bodies draped on them in now-legal zone defenses. Smith could thrive, just like Mitch Richmond figures to in LA.

Those are the scorers, and everyone else has a role. Terry Porter and Antonio Daniels will handle the point and third guard duties, and both are very capable. Daniels, only 26, emerged last year and might see more time at shooting guard due to his athleticism. Bruce Bowen, a Pat Riley favorite who defends swingmen with the league's best, is offensively challenged (.363 FG), but very valuable on a team like this. Malik Rose and Danny Ferry are veterans who can score when asked to. This is a deep team.

	THE FACTS
	2000-01 record: 58-24, 1st in Midwest, 1st in West Playoffs: lost in West final Team leaders: Duncan 22.2 ppg; 12.2 rpg; Johnson 4.3 apg Team stats (NBA rank): Points, 96.2 (12th); Rebs, 44.1 (9th); FG %, .461 (4th) Current rotation: Robinson C; Duncan PF; Bowen SF; Smith SG; Porter PG; Daniels 6th man Spot in Summer Power Rankings: No. 3

The bad: So what about that magical half-season when the Spurs couldn't be beat? The Spurs could have (and still might) won another title or two but they can't do it without their top three players. He was out in the playoffs two years ago when the Suns registered a first-round win. Last year in the West finals Anderson was hurt, and Robinson was missing in action as the Lakers swept. The last two games were awful blowouts by 39 and 29 points. Ouch.

That's the bad with this team, the notion that they have something to prove and the title was tainted. Phil Jackson wasn't shy about questioning the title run, accomplished in a wacky shortened season in which the Zenmaster wasn't coaching. We've said it with the Kings as well: Can the Spurs get over the Laker hump? The playoff sweep three seasons ago is a distant memory. Now all we recall is last year's sweep.

The ugly: Unlike the Lakers and Blazers, where team chemistry hasn't been a strongpoint of late, the Spurs have never had these problems. Until this summer. Anderson crying about a contract is one thing, but when the Admiral spoke up about leaving town in search of a big contract, seemingly ready to give up on the team that drafted him, waited for his military commitment to end and paid him $14 million last year, it was strange. Robinson threatened to leave if he wasn't paid similar money, but what the Spurs were trying to do was get the younger and still dominating Chris Webber. It didn't work. Robinson crawled back with a $20 million deal over two years. Must be tough. But the lasting impression might not go away.

The future: The Spurs can win the NBA title. We can't say they're better than the Lakers or Kings, but if things fall the right way, this is a dangerous team for the next two seasons, until Robinson and Smith are about done. You can make a case that the Spurs are now the underdogs in the West, a forgotten team. This team had the league's best record, yet nobody gives them a chance. That's ludicrous.

But the Spurs don't have a ton of time. Not only is this an old team, Duncan will be heavily wooed -- for the second time -- by the Magic in two years when his new deal ends. If Tony Parker and Amal McCaskill are leading the team in 2004, you don't want to watch. But in 2001-02, another 55-60 wins are pretty much guaranteed, and a trip to the West finals certainly possible.

So we asked you this question about the Spurs: Was the championship three season ago a fluke, or could the Spurs reach that goal again?

Check the file to the right for responses.

Eric Karabell is ESPN.com's NBA editor.