The realization of this season is becoming clearer with each game. First, the unexpected injuries to Manu and TP. Second, the awful, uninspired performances of veteran players, who Pop has relied on heavily in the past, but are now at or near the end of their careers. Third, the emerging, yet inconsistent, contributions of inexperienced young players, whose arrival on the team is long overdue. They are now just getting their first taste of NBA action.
Pop's most critical mistake is that he unwisely gambled on the continued productivity of the older veterans on this roster, for yet another year. To date, they've all looked horrible and uninspired. Looks like age have finally caught up to guys like Finley, Thomas and Oberto. As a result, he is forced play the younger guys sooner than expected. He is now faced with the most significant challenge of his coaching career. A roster mixed with end-of-the-line veterans, a few of young, hungry, developing players and the Big Three at the core. He's going to have to rebuild on the fly.
However all is not lost. A young prospect via a high draft pick next year, the continued development of the supporting cast of young players and the replacement of the non-functioning vets with possible players like Gist and Splitter (pending buyout), and there's no reason the Spurs shouldn't be right back in the championship hunt again next season. .
Remember the Fakers went through a similar "on-the-fly" rebuild a few seasons ago, following their NBA Finals appearance in 2004. They made some smart draft picks (Bynum, Farmar) and a couple of smart moves in free agency (Gasol, Ariza) and they propelled themselves right back in contention.
The Spurs' PPG is the second most they've scored since Timmy's been here, 2 points more than last year.
They're allowing more points per game than they have since 1989, 15 ppg more than last year.
When you shoot lights out and STILL LOSE, there's something more than your offense that needs help.
Not agreeing
Right on a money
The Spurs are the worst defensive team in the NBA and one of the top five best offensive teams in the NBA, yet their problem is offense.
Gotcha
OMG! They've now morphed into the Phoenix Suns. God help us all!
Spurs offense is actually pretty good, even without Manu and Parker for a full game. There 6th in offensive efficiency in the NBA.
Defensively, only Sacramento is worse.
Thanks for these...................................
What you've been seeing on offense for the Spurs is an illusion. This will become evident soon enough.
Way to go out on a limb there. Parker out will hurt the offense.
Props for the insight.
He must be psychic.
I saw that film of Tony rolling the ankle-it looked bad.
I think Oberto looked good against Dallas and Minnesota. Then Pop chose Thomas as starter and Oberto lost his confidence. I've seen that movie last playoffs.
Maybe Oberto makes up for his lack of confidence by working hard but I don't sure. In few games of preseason Oberto did a pretty good job, but against Miami he slept through the whole game.
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