McDonald: Rest For The Weary

[duncan228]

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblog...onald_r_3.html

Jeff McDonald: Rest for the weary

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich admits that, due to a March schedule that would make a marathoner cramp, his team hasn't had a good, long, significant and sorely needed practice session in about three weeks.

Finally afforded a chance to do just that Tuesday afternoon, the first of (gasp!) two straight days without a game, Popovich instead opted to let his players rest their weary bodies and worked out their minds.

In lieu of practice, the Spurs engaged in a 90-minute film session to try and iron out some of the offensive and defensive kinks that have cost them four games in a row.

Anyone expecting Popovich to run his team through the ringer after blowing a 22-point lead in a 93-91 loss to Boston on Monday night would have been sorely disappointed with the Siskel and Ebert session.

With the Spurs 11 games into their 18-game March marathon, and with another five-games-in-seven-days stretch set to open Thursday at Chicago, players used the day to recharge their legs.

"This has been our toughest schedule in the many years I've been here," Popovich said Tuesday. "It's especially tough on a team that's the oldest team in the league. That's not a good combination, and it probably has an effect. But what's the bottom line there? Nobody cares. All that matters is the W or the L."

The Spurs (still) aren't panicking despite their four-game losing streak, which has dropped them to sixth place in the West. They are 2 1/2 games out of first, but just 3 1/2 ahead of ninth-place Denver, meaning it's probably bad karma to be promoting playoff ticket packages just yet.

[nkdlunch]

OLD!!!!!!!!!!!

[SenorSpur]

Everything has to change. Teams get better. Organizations get smarter. This grueling schedule and the increased compe ion in the West is EXACTLY why having the oldest team in the league is not the advantage this FO has seems to think it is.

[ancestron]

Glad to hear they are studying film. Can't believe they haven't practiced in 3 weeks, though.