I was wondering today about whether or not the Spurs could become even better than last year? In 2013 Finals, we saw glimpses of great basketball. In 2014, it was on full display. Now having the system in place for 3 years with basically the same key members, can they improve on their astonishing performance?
My best guess considering the trend is that the Spurs will be better next year. Having won it all playing that style, can only add to the confidence and trust in each other, and the system.
What are your thoughts?
In my opinion, this year's "redemption" or "revenge" helped drive this team, coach Pop included. Next year there won't be that same stigma I'm afraid. They won't be better until Manu and Mills play and perform at the levels they're capable of and that may take a while considering their injuries. We'll just have to wait and see.
I could see Beli and Ayres getting better in their second year with the team, especially so for Ayres. He was pathetic last year so there's nowhere to go but up.
Tough to see TP, Manu, or TD getting any better really.
Hard to foresee what will happen with Kawhi, whether he'll make the jump to an ~18 and 10 guy or stay doing his Shawn Marion thing in the RS.
Patty will be injured most of the year and for a player like him, it's hard to imagine a better year than 2014.
Baynes and Splitter are known quan ies at this point. Boris will be Boris. Green will be Green.
KA is the real mystery. Will he carve out a rotation spot or do the De Colo thing?
Cory Joseph sucks and will continue to suck.
I don't think the growth of this team has so much to do with individual players improving. Sure, thats a component, but this team depends far less on individual play and more so on the TEAM. Hence, as chemistry improves and the players become more comfortable in this heavy ball-movement system, we'll largely get better and better. Seeing the benefits of this system showcased so clearly in the Finals is a nice motivator. But not having 6 looming over their head anymore is a detractor. One can only hope that this team takes it to another level. I'll buy what you're selling.
Big concern is keeping the hunger. Last year, as said, they were intensely driven to avenge the Miami loss. If they fall into the "flip the switch" mentality it could be trouble. That's a risk especially with no real roster overturn.
They played at an extremely high level down the stretch and through the playoffs. There's always room for improvement, but performing below that level is more likely.
The Spurs hit their stride in Game 3 of the Finals. THAT was the "Beautiful Game" that had shown itself here and there, at times disappearing with scoring droughts. But they found it, were consistent (save for the start of Game 5) and now they should know how to keep the ball from "sticking".
If they move the ball, personnel won't matter so much as moving without the ball and moving the ball side to side, in and out.
I feel this team will win more games than this year, and have a real shot to repeat...finally!
I think they can get better, but the league will get better at defending them as well. As perennial contenders and now NBA champs, the bullseyes on their backs are even bigger. They might not say it publicly, and I don't think they have to do it to solidify their legacy, but winning the elusive back-to-back les for the big three will be a great motivator for next season.
They can, but they can also regress.
They at least earned the benefit of the doubt until the playoffs roll around... They're going to have a target on their backs now, and teams will play harder to measure themselves against the Champs, even though Pop will probably massage minutes left and right, and the team won't be really whole until Patty comes back and has a few weeks with everybody.
I still expect ST to meltdown over December/January losses tho
And this gif will be posted in all those threads:I still expect ST to meltdown over December/January losses tho
Like others have said, it'll be tough to return to where they were playing towards the end of the playoffs. That being said, there are still possible areas for improvement:
Kawhi - This is the most obvious one. If Kawhi can consistently play like he did vs. Portland/Miami, that will be a noticeable improvement.
Tony - Hopefully Tony can get back to where he was during the 2013 season
Green/Splitter/Mills - All of these guys are still at the stage in their career where they can still make improvements to their game
Joseph/Baynes - Joseph could take advantage of the offseason + Patty missing time and improve noticeably. Baynes could improve his consistency. He showed flashes of greatness (by backup big standards, of course) last season, but other times he looked pretty mediocre
Kyle Anderson - I don't see him coming in and having a noticeable impact on a team that's already so complete, but you never know
Belinelli - Might play a little better after having a year down in the system
MLE - We could pick up someone for the MLE who will immediately improve our team
Obviously none of these things are guaranteed, and some of them are quite unlikely. Just listing some possibilities. You also have to keep in mind that Duncan/Manu might experience some decline.
Pop "perfected basketball" in February 2014. The Spurs were playing a different game than the rest of the league from that moment on.
Barring injuries, the onus is on the rest of the league to adjust since the Spurs are bringing back every core component.
Maybe, I would love to see some players getting more minutes during the regular season, guys like Baynes Daye Cojo and even SoulGlo, and of course our regular cast must play to avoid getting rusty, our Big 3 should play just a few minutes per game ´till January.
And this gif will be posted in all those threads:
Headed downstairs to find Dale....
And this gif will be posted in all those threads:
Won't matter tho. By then, that's gonna be so 6 months ago...
I think the Spurs can improve. The were scintillating last season, not perfect, so there is always room for improvement, and their chemistry isn't going away, it will only strengthen.
I also think the hunger will be there - it is probably Timmy, Manu and Pop's farewell tour, and they still don't have a repeat on their resumes, something that would hurt down deep, so I think they will come back with a fire in their bellies.
Yes, because this place has unfortunately become heavily populated by morons who can't see the big picture. Every year we tell them that losses to good teams early in the season are meaningless, and every year they still freak out. Drama queens!I still expect ST to meltdown over December/January losses tho
It will incite the cliff jumpers, thus providing me with amusement.
Won't matter tho. By then, that's gonna be so 6 months ago...
Lets not get too ahead of ourselves. I think any chances of the Spurs' repeating should be on Kawhi's shoulders. Duncan, Tony, Manu, and Boris were all huge components to the Spurs' championship run - each one will be in their mid-late 30's by next year. Duncan in particular will be one year short of 40.
Mills and Splitter are useful against a handful of playoff opponents, but there are some series where they don't see as serviceable as they could be.
I am yet to find any reason to believe Belinelli, Anderson, Ayres, Joseph, or Daye** (that is if he comes back) can consistently contribute in multiple playoff series. With that said, I fully trust Belli to hit a big-shot when the Spurs need it most.
At some point in the playoffs, the Spurs need an all-star to just dominate 1-on-1. In the past 2 post-seasons those players have been Parker and Duncan, but I'm not sure if they can keep holding that type of responsibility. Maybe it's just me, but I feel both players looked noticeably less mobile/agile compared to the 2012 and 2013 post seasons. Thus why Kawhi's emergence in series-clinching games were huge (22&7 against Portland, 17&11 against OKC, 22&10 against Miami.)
I feel Kawhi's ability to drive, finish, post up, shoot off the dribble, and rebound will be most critical this following season. He's had all the experience one would wish a 23yr old could have. From winning Finals MVP to losing the most heart-breaking finals in the past 20 years, missing championship-clinching free-throw in the process.
Training with Tim Grover could be a very underrated factor, and it's really the only way I think the Spurs can realistically win a championship against hungry teams like OKC - over expecting a 33yr old Parker/39yr old Duncan to carry the load while Kawhi waits in the corner.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Pop should make every play an ISO Kawhi possession. I'm just saying when the defense gets tight, the Spurs need someone to takeover for the team.
You gonna bump the "Spurs can't beat good teams" thread?
First? I can't wait until our third straight loss by January and thewhy can't we beat elite teams
Since we had the 1 seed throughout this year, the upstairs mantra will be "we can't win without homecourt
Book it.
It's hard to imagine the team getting any better. The Spurs have had some amazing teams in the last 15 years and none of them have ever played at the level of the 2014 Spurs of the final three rounds. They have a great shot at going for the repeat with everyone back, but improving on the most dominant Finals in league history?
I agree with this. The 2014 team was absolutely dominant. I think there could be some side improvements, like Parker coming back healthier and with an extra gear more regularly.
We're going to have plenty of time to give to other players with Patty being out, Boris and Tiago playing in the Worlds (maybe Manu too), so there could be some extra depth added, which is always great.
Really looking forward to next season. If they can match the production of the 2014 team, I can't see them getting beat (barring some injury)
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