This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The New Orleans Hornets have made the most early-season noise, courtesy of the buzzing return of All-Star guard Chris Paul. The Jazz have initially earned the most respect, following a breathtaking 4-0 road trip that plastered Utah on television highlight reels across the country. But Utah's opponent tonight at EnergySolutions Arena is the hottest team in the NBA. And, as always, the San Antonio Spurs are operating under the radar.

San Antonio (9-1) has won eight consecutive games, moving into a tie with the Hornets for the best record in the league and first place in the Western Conference's Southwest Division. While many in the media continue to fawn over Miami's Big Three, praise Boston's Big Four, drool upon contact with Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and kowtow before the Los Angeles Lakers, the Spurs are doing what they always do: win.

Since Gregg Popovich took over the franchise in 1997, San Antonio has won the NBA championship four times while making the playoffs 13 consecutive seasons. Granted, the Spurs have not produced the same spark the past two years, dealing with injuries while adjusting to change. But a San Antonio core of Popovich, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili remains intact, while recent additions such as Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, George Hill and DeJuan Blair have either added proven veteran experience or passionate youth. Factor in that longtime general manager R.C. Buford is still discovering diamonds — 26-year-old rookie reserve guard Gary Neal is averaging 6.1 points and 2.5 assists while shooting 45.2 percent behind the 3-point line — and there is no doubt that the Spurs are still the Spurs. Which could spell trouble for a Jazz team that will take the floor during the next two games without coach Jerry Sloan, who will be absent after a death in the family.

Sloan and Utah All-Star guard Deron Williams dished out heavy praise for San Antonio prior to Utah's practice Thursday. The grace was guided by Sloan, who credited Popovich with consistently producing competitive teams characterized by great leadership and teamwork.

"He's a very well respected coach," Sloan said. "I think a lot of what he does we'd like to be able to do sometimes, and we don't get it done."

Meanwhile, Williams broke the Spurs down to their most basic traits: great coach, good system, great players.

"Those three things make you a good team," Williams said.

Williams also believes that improved play from Ginobili and Parker — combined with a more comfortable and in-tune Jefferson — has San Antonio clicking just 10 games into its season.

Jefferson was technically a bust in 2009-10, despite averaging 14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 46.7 percent from the field. But the veteran forward has turned a year's worth of experience in the Spurs' demanding system into early rewards this time around. His average numbers have significantly jumped — 18.7 points, 53.9 percent from the field, 46.3 on 3-point attempts. And as Jefferson has suddenly ascended, San Antonio's longtime star, Duncan, has been allowed to temporarily slumber. The two-time NBA most valuable player is putting up career-low statistics — 13.7 points, 9.8 rebounds. But he is also averaging an all-time low in minutes (29.9), which should him allow him to rise up and peak when the games truly begin to count in mid-April.

"Right now, Tim's not even having to score for those guys to be successful," Williams said.

bsmith@sltrib.comTwitter: tribjazz —

Hot streak

The Spurs (9-1) have won eight consecutive games and are tied with New Orleans for the best record in the NBA.

Date Opp. Final

Nov. 1 Los Angeles Clippers 97-88

Nov. 3 Phoenix 112-110

Nov. 6 Houston 124-121, OT

Nov. 8 Charlotte 95-91

Nov. 10 Clippers 107-95

Nov. 13 Philadelphia 116-93

Nov. 14 Oklahoma City 117-104

Wednesday Chicago 103-94 —

Spurs vs. Jazz

P At EnergySolutions Arena

Tipoff • 7 p.m.

TV • FSN Utah

Radio • 1320 AM, 1600 AM, 98.7 FM

Records • Spurs 9-1, Jazz 8-4

Last meeting • Jazz, 105-98 (Jan. 20)

About the Spurs • San Antonio has won eight consecutive games and is tied with New Orleans for first place in the Southwest Division after starting the season 1-1. … Manu Ginobili tops the Spurs with 21.2 average points per game. He is shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 41.8 percent behind the 3-point line. … Forward Matt Bonner (back spasms) is day to day.

About the Jazz • Utah has won eight of its last 10 games. … Five Jazz players — Deron Williams, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, Andrei Kirilenko and C.J. Miles — are averaging at least 10 points. … Utah ranks fourth in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7), trailing only the Lakers, Hornets and Celtics.