The Old Patty died on the operating table while his shoulder was being repaired. He's gone.
I am going with Diaw, the emergence of 2.0 and part of the "operation post up" tandem with Kawhi last year was a huge part when our offense stalled. Added a new wrinkle to our system that we need back.
I believe Kawhi is just going through a shooting slump while still learning how/when to take over the offense when his number is called.
I guess we will find out opening game of the playoffs if the Spurs really are saving themselves or their energy meter is at 0 from redemption last year.
Splitter, Green, and Leonard. Those were our three most valuable players last year, arguably.
I really enjoyed the time when you went away.
To solve this riddle, basically look at which player, if they were playing to last years potential, would have had the biggest impact on the outcomes of the games we've lost thus far. IMO its Parker and its not even close.
Its clear that Parker and Splitter haven't recovered from their ailments. In both cases its unclear if they ever will. Early in the season we could chalk up losses to injuries. The irony here is that the Spurs have been worse since those two have come back.
As I said above, the biggest issue is Parker. He's gone from the best or second-best player on the roster to a below average PG. That has a domino effect on offense (look no further than the 3 point shooting numbers).
On the defensive end the issue is Splitter. That too, has a domino effect with respect to rotations and player minutes.
Diaw is a distant third, but I expected this from him. It's his MO after a contract year. He's playing like and I have no expectation that change.
The Spurs are done this year unless there is a gear these guys are hiding.
1. Collective regression
2. Splitter
3. Diaw
4. Parker
Regardless of what Pop says, the Spurs don't need MVParker to get back to the finals. Diaw 2.0 and Splitter playing at a high level covers a mul ude of ills. The base offense opens up even more when those two become a worry for other teams and the Splitter's defense is huge, obviously.
Parker, Diaw, Mills, Ginobili and Splitter are the main culprits.
They absolutely stink right now.
Too much satisfaction, not enough talent
Parker and Diaw are 1A and 1B. There's a fine line between being experienced and old and this group has crossed that threshold this season. Obviously, Duncan and Ginobili were already old at the start of this run three seasons ago, but Parker and Diaw were still in their prime. They no longer are now and Ginobili has taken another another step back, which makes 4 of the top 7 old (throw in whatever the has happened to Splitter and that's 5 of 7 that aren't the same). Only Duncan is relatively consistent game to game, but his ability to create his own shot has further diminished in that time too.
All of the above, tbh.
Splitter imo
How about a regression of the coaching staff? I mean, what has Messina really brought to the table that we didn't have from the coaching staff last year?
TP/Splitter/Mills
All of the above
what would Tony do if they sent him up to Austin?
I support him but Parker no doubt about it at all. He has BEEN HORRIBLE this year.
I personally think the biggest regressions have been from Splitter and Parker. Not having Penetration and a lay-up-floater threat from Parker stalls the offense on many possessions and his lack of any defense is worse than his minimal defense in the past. Splitter this year has had the feet of Hephaestus and the hands of Malik Rose.
That said if we had Boris 2.0 from last year he would be doing a reasonable facsimile of covering for both of them. His creative ball handling and ability to get his own shot when needed forced defenders to collapse on him, and having a reasonable amount of size in position in the lane with the ability to switch on a pick and role or pick and pop makes a lot of difference.
I don't think the Diaw regression is the most extreme or the culprit for the spurs decline this year from last. I do think it is the one that hurts the most because it shows both a lack of drive and self respect and it alone could cover for a number of the other declines.
All combined, throw in Manu's as well.
Poop & Parker.
Splitter. The offense is missing his screens and the whole deffense fell with him. Parker is too slow to go to the basket as he did last season. Patty, Boris, Green are in a slump, but they can step up when they want. Splitter and Parker issues look far more serious, tbh. And Kawhi is just finding his real dimension as a player. Which is good since his contract is about to expire.
Splitter's and Diaw's are the most concerning ones. Diaw has been the lazy k that he was in Bobcats and Splitter plays like a highschooler
Bang his teammates wives
Leonard's obviously the biggest problem right now.
He's not playing like the franchise player he is supposed to be.
Then miss games and make up random injuries as an excuse.
All of the above but you have to look at the offense. Last year we had 5 players shooting 40% on 3s. This year we have one. And out shooters are scared to take the 3, mostly they are avoiding the defender racing toward them to run them off the line and stepping into the 2 pt area. Our offense has gone to , including our ball movement.
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