After the game, Popovich intimated that he learned something new about his team and particularly the new mix of players.

"You learn about your team every game," Popovich said. "Tonight I learned that these guys have character and aren't going to hang their heads. They played hard and I applaud their tenacity for hanging in and continuing to persevere through the game — despite making some critical mental errors and missing some assignments.

"But you have to play 48 minutes and we didn't do that. We missed free throws and had too many turnovers. You can't do that against a team as good as they [the Celtics] are."

On the future of the Spurs, Popovich was a bit more circumspect.

"Hopefully we'll get better week by week," he said. "Hopefully."

Blair, who scratched out a team-high 18 points in only 21 minutes and grabbed 11 boards, understands the season is young — and it is long

"You can't win a championship in November," he said.

Wise words from a rookie.

The motto for the 2009-10 San Antonio Spurs is "Work in Progress." They are not in the same league as the NBA champs, the Los Angeles Lakers. And they have a ways to go before they can beat a team like the Celtics — or Orlando, or Denver.

But 66 games from now? The jury is out and a verdict isn't being returned any time soon.

However, if Popovich's postgame calm and cool demeanor was any indication of what he thinks his team may be come April, the rest of the Western Conference — and the league better watch out.

That "Work in Progress" sign might well turn into another San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship banner.