I'm not gonna due the micro analysis man sorry. Your reading too much into it.
Anyhow, by fairy dust I mean, coming into the season with the belief and tradition of being a Spur. The winning tradition... That's just my opinion. Also the players are starting to miss Kawhi's impact. Even Pau mentioned it, like it's in the back of their heads. With the type of distraction, focus can indeed be hampered. Team is starting to make excuses. It's just time for him to come back. Their ready. If he's ready he should play. They already said it's just something he'll most likely have to play through.
As for his supporting cast, who was the Gay last season on the Spurs squad? Who was the Paul last year on the Spurs squad? If by worse you just mean Dedmon is gone, who cares. He had no impact in the playoffs whatsoever and is currently irrelevant. He couldn't even play cause he couldn't control his at ude. As for Simmons, he didn't even make a dent till the playoffs. He had a play a game, like a dunk or steal, but Paul has been doing more. Stretching the floor and is a much more impactful player considering roles. Simmons wasn't 6th man Simmons till everyone got hurt pretty much. David Lee was fine but Joff has been better. Just don't understand how you say we are worse. We are clearly better. When you are missing a player of Kawhi's caliber things can get ugly. Every team without talent knows that, not to say we don't have talent(since you are micro analyzing) just making the point that when your number 1 option on offense and defensive anchor is gone, people will be out of place and in different than usual roles.
Great experience for everyone though that is only gonna make the team better in the long run.