Spurs in schedule soft spot before Rodeo Road Trip starts
When the Spurs host the Charlotte Hornets tonight they will be in the middle of three game in seven nights stretch. It’s pretty much the exact the opposite of what they were facing at the end of December when they played five games in seven nights which included two sets of back-to-backs. And if Jeff McDonald’s recent post about Danny Green getting worn down is any indication, the Spurs need this break.
In fact, January as a whole felt completely different from December. At 9-3, the Spurs so far have had one of those months you expect them to have record wise. Thanks to some mostly good health, they were also able to rest some guys who really needed it, namely Tim Duncan. Simply put, Duncan was a monster in December. Nearly a 2005 monster version of himself. His averages that month 17.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 block. But he also played 34+ minutes per game. I’m pretty sure having to play his franchise anchor that many minutes at age 388 38 in one month upped the average number of wine glasses Pop mowed through that month. Since the start of January, Pop’s really scaled back Duncan’s minutes to something closer to what he’s averaged the last couple of seasons. Currently, Duncan’s at 26 minutes, but has played all 12 games so far this month. Getting him some extra rest might be the second biggest thing to come out of January right behind getting healthy Kawhi Leonard back.
Speaking of Kawhi, it’s been a small sample size since he’s returned from injury, but I would think this is about the guy we’ll get for the rest of the season, well maybe not his absurd rebounding numbers, but everything else. What’s been telling for me is he’s getting back to hitting his outside shot. Overall his field goal percentage is down and I’d expect that to go up, but the good news is his 3-point shooting is back up around his career average after a dreadful start. And that opens up everything else for him. It makes the one or two dribble midrange pull-up he like easier, it makes his drives easier, everything. The offense is still a work in progress, but a versatile Kawhi is never a bad thing.
Oh right, the reason we’re here. The Spurs host the Hornets tonight at 7:30 from the AT&T Center. Kemba Walker will not play due a torn meniscus. Now there’s literally no reason the Spurs shouldn’t win this because they should be able to stall out an offense that wasn’t great with Walker in the lineup.
Spurs sign Reggie Williams to 10-Day Contract: The San Antonio Spurs released a couple of statements Wednesday morning. The first was that they chose not to sign JaMychal Green to a second 10-day contract. Green looked good when he got some minutes, but is probably better served going back to Austin or signing with a team that will get him some more minutes. Shortly after that the team announced they signed swingman Reggie Williams from the Oklahoma City Blue (The Thunder’s terribly named D-League affiliate. Williams’ name is probably familiar to you. He’s been around the NBA since as far back as 2009 when he became one of those random role players the Golden State Warriors would find and all of a sudden they’d have a half dozen 20 point games. This season he’s averaging close to 18 points and 5 rebounds for the Blue. No word on if he’ll be in the line up for the Hornets game. Fun fact, he is the second Reggie Williams in franchise history to suit for the Spurs.
One More D-League Related Note: Kyle Anderson is killing it right now.
