EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SA Express-News

For all the changes the Spurs made in the offseason — the trades executed, the veteran free agents signed and the rookies drafted — everyone in the organization understands a simple truth.

To have a legitimate chance to win the franchise's fifth NBA championship, power forward Tim Duncan and shooting guard Manu Ginobili must be their All-Star-caliber selves if the Spurs are to maximize success with a roster that may be the deepest in franchise history.

The long grind toward a postseason Spurs fans already anticipate eagerly begins tonight at the AT&T Center when the Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets.

In the seconds before tonight's game tips, Duncan will walk to center court and show off a body that is 15 pounds lighter and a right knee...