Clippers (6-4), Mavs (6-4), Rockets (6-4), and Grizzlies (5-5) have all had a relatively difficult 10-game stretch, and the Spurs have a favorable upcoming schedule.
Also worth noting, the Spurs have played more interconference games than any of the above teams. Another positive is that We've gotten some much needed rest for Timmy, Manu and Tony, and Kawhi is due back within weeks.
Things are finally looking up after all of the injuries and that December from . However, we've still got some legitimate concerns heading into the second half of the season:
1) Can Kawhi and Tony stay healthy? - these two guys can't seem to catch a break this season. Kawhi especially is so vital to the team. His help D ability negates Timmy's deficiency in defending the PnR, and he also gives us another solid defensive option against opposing wings. Kawhi's defensive absence is obviously exacerbated by the fact that Bellinelli (our human traffic cone) has taken a good chunk of those free minutes. Tony, while clearly in decline, still adds another dimension to our offense and puts a ton of pressure on opposing PGs/defenses.
2) Did we burn Timmy and Manu out? Due to the injuries to Kawhi and Tony, our two elder statesmen had to handle a huge chunk of the scoring/playmaking duties. Timmy has looked slower and a bit worn down, and Manu is currently out with back spasms. Ideally you'd like to rest both guys for a week, but the Spurs are in a deep hole record-wise, making each game vital.
3) What the #@$#@$ happened to our defense? For the first month and a half of the season, the Spurs had arguably the best defense in the league, but then Kawhi went down, Timmy had to assume a greater offensive responsibility, and well...the results weren't pretty. The 3-point defense in particular has been atrocious. Some of it is due to Kawhi being out, but the Spurs have also done a horrendous job of closing out on shooters (looking at you, Danny). At some point the coaching staff should tell our guys that wildly leaping at guys isn't proper close out form.
4) What to do with Cojo? Joseph has been huge for us all season, especially in Tony's absence, but with Patty and Tony back, where does he fit in? His strengths are penetrating, defense, and just being a ball of energy. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the outside shooting ability to play with the starters, and he's relatively useless off ball, so how does the coaching staff utilize a guy who's clearly earned a spot in the rotation? Should be interesting going forward.
What are some of y'all's primary concerns?
Like you I'm taking the glass half full outlook. However im concerned that we are not winning the close ones and not executing down the stretch like we normally do regardless of who is on the floor. Just not use to seeing this sloppy play from our team. I also see the league getting better so that has me wondering. That all said, I've been a fan too long to get worried prior to the rodeo road trip.
We're gonna leapfrog a few teams by RRT time. The Spurs go on a 12 game streak (sounds crazy at this point) and they jump to the top of the standings real quick.
Health is always the main concern with this team, but it's also outside of our control, tbh... just enjoy the ride and hope for the best... as a fan watching from the sidelines, there's not much else to do...
I hope so.
Faith my brother. No way we went from 5 to near lottery in 6 months.
true that
Marco was out with injury for a good portion of that stretch when we played great defense. Not that surprising that our team D would plummet when you take someone as impactful like Kawhi out of the rotation and replace his minutes with a bottom ten NBA defender like Belinelli.
Defensive decline isn't surprising, at all, considering the injuries..
Statistically, only Duncan, Green and Leonard stand out on the team..overall, those 3 + Splitter are the only notable defenders on the roster, and Duncan's defensive impact is pretty inconsistent, tbh..
It's evident that the minutes have caught up to Tim, though..after starting off the year at DPOY-level, his defense has been really, really bad the past few weeks..not surprising, he's a 38-year old that has carried a large load without much rest..
Green is carrying a large burden on defense, his defensive metrics are still great for the season, but I think the large load on D has caught up to him lately, as well..he's literally the only competent perimeter defender at the moment IMO, with Joseph occasionally displaying defensive flashes(not as good as previous seasons)..
Splitter's defense has been pretty bad this year, as we've discussed in other threads..obvious that he's still getting in playing shape..not worried about him, as long as he stays healthy..
Anyways, the Spurs had a top 3 defense prior to Kawhi's injury, with Duncan/Green/Kawhi posting elite defensive metrics, even without Tiago..you remove Kawhi and replace him with atrocious defenders(Belinelli, in particular), and then place a huge burden on Duncan and Green, and it leads to an inconsistent defense, of course..
That is very true, the way they looked late in the playoffs last year was just crazy! I know they still can play near that level, just feel a run coming.
And ya, Spurs are going to finish with a top 4 seed, things will even out, tbh..only Golden State and Portland are playing with 100% effort every night, trying to get the top seeds..everybody else is pacing themselves, other than the Clippers, who seem to be on the verge of a meltdown..
Yeah, I think it's gonna happen sooner than later. Seeing Patty get back to 14' Playoffs mode this last game was great. Kawhi being out last year caused the same issues, I forgot their record without him in the lineup, but it was drastic. Things will start to take shape as soon as we get some continuity in the rotations. And stop the ing stupid ass hockey subs ution experiment.
We were 8-8 last season without Kiwi, IIRC.... like it or not, he's become a fundamental piece for this team...
Agreed. At the least, hopefully this hand thing lowers his market value.
Win win there if he comes back and plays good and we get him for less because of that hand. I feel it has hurt his contract already some, but you never know what some desperate team will throw at him like Josh Smith with Detroit! That stuff happens and people are overpaid all the time, look at Bledsoe getting a max.
Yup, Jodie ing Meeks.
OH yes, forgot about that bum. I doubt Kawhi bolts to a bum team for a big contract but you never know what will be thrown at him.
Marco is actually ranked dead ing last in DRPM among SF's
That's why I am really pissed about the losses to the Nets, Jazz and Lakers. Despite the horrible December we would be right in the mix instead of being 7th ...
Stay ahead of OKC.
Try and overtake Houston.
Not going to catch GSW, but GSW is pretty random series if they get hot (like 2013).
I fancy our chances with anyone as long as we are healthy.
Side im scared of most is Cavs/OKC if they can put it together, which is unlikely and even if they do we are well ahead of them for homecourt
anyone being scared of the Cavs
I know nobody is scared of GSW, but them having HC overall is huge because in that scenario I can see them getting hot 4 out of 7 times in a series ...
They'd prolly have to do it twice before a hypothetical match up with the Spurs, and unlike the Spurs they have several teams that can be potential problems in Memphis, Houston, OKC (despite the fact they've beaten them three times this season), and the Clippers (rivalry factor). Even then, the Dubs got re edly hot in that 2013 series yet the Spurs found ways to win.
Ya'll gotta chill tbh, Kawhi has never even been healthy for 1 game. Yeah he came back but the eye was still bothering him. Splitter, is i dont know, chilling? His defense has been . Patty just got back and look what that did for us. Bobo has been playing uninspired basketball. Parker has yet to find his groove. And so far we relied on two soon to be 40 yr olds who gave it their best to win while the studs aren't healthy. 's going to go down when Kawhi comes back.
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