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The Spurs bid for a 5th championship stalled last season right about the time Manu Ginobili injured his ankle. At two-thirds strength, the Spurs were still able to fight into the WCF, but, as you remember, with little success thereafter. Without Ginobili, the Spurs were no match for the Lakers. Since the final buzzer of yesterday’s game, I’ve experienced, to crib an expression from P.G. Wodehouse, all the emotions of someone who carelessly swallowed a family of scorpions. And although I’m disappointed that we ceded the division lead and 2 seed to the Rockets, I’m fairly happy with the Spurs play. In fact, the Spurs have played excellent basketball for all but the final few minutes of each of their last two losses. Still, a sinking feeling that all is not well swims around in my gut.

Tim Duncan is not healthy. The Franchise is averaging 15.8 points and 9.9 rebounds per game this month. That’s not bad, but it’s not Duncan either. Yesterday’s 23 is his only 20+ scoring affair of the month. Prior to this, his last 20+ point game came on February 17. The right knee tendonosis he’s battling could improve with rest, but that comes at the cost of tumbling in the standings. The Spurs’ rash of injuries gives rise to a season-besetting set of circumstances. I’m not folding up and calling it a season just yet. But there is no question that the Spurs are in a hard spot.

The issue before Popovich is whether or not he should give Duncan some rest prior to the playoffs. From where I sit, the answer is an unqualified “yes, please.” At a minimum, I’d like to see Duncan sit out one game apiece of the remaining three back-to-backs, but I suspect Popovich already intends to make this move. If that’s the case, the Spurs should be more aggressive. They should look for opportunity to accomplish two objectives at once: to provide Drew Gooden with meaningful minutes and give Duncan time on the shelf. The Spurs play the Warriors, Hawks and Clippers this week. That’s the easiest remaining 3 game stretch of the season. Perhaps, Coach Popovich should make a go of it sans Duncan and Ginobili. Maybe they only go 1-2 in those games and squander an opportunity of winning back the 1/2 game they just gave up to the Rockets. But that’s better than entering the playoffs with a partial Duncan.