Spurs likely first round matchup holds an unlikely role model

Also, I wouldn’t expect Memphis to have one of their best games playing the 2nd game of a b2b against a Spur team with one day rest at home.

But sometimes the Spurs do tend to play “less exuberant” when the competition isn’t at it’s best.

After reading through all the tirades in the comments section recently, particularly regarding trades, Tiago, our rebounding et al, I felt motivated to post a more thorough piece than my usual 2 cents worth.
In order to make this comments section more enjoyable for everyone, I think its necessary for trigger-happy posters to challenge their own thinking a little bit more before leading fellow spurs fans on one-dimensional peregrinations through subjective arguments about ‘potential outcomes’. For example: Tiago will take 2 years to get it, and at 28 will be too old; ranting about our interior D and rebounding and subsequent trades we should make that don’t align with the spurs game plan; and tedious remarks about the spurs shortcomings after singular-game disappointments.
I will try to make my view as simple and objective as possible:

Tiago: He is a very good all-round player with limited flair offensively, but with a nose for drawing contact and fouls from his opponent. What that translates to in the NBA is subject to his ability to put in the necessary work to adapt, and the time in which he takes to accomplish this. But, overall, in the short time he has put in on the court for the spurs, he has done some good things, albeit not yet comfortable enough in the spurs system to be a major contributor. A recent poster noted the extra growth he will achieve in the offseason and I agree there. I respect the argument to give him more playing time, but also respect the time Blair, Dice and Bonner have put in to learn the system. We are starting to see a little bit of payoff with Blair in the last month or so.

Trades: There is only a handful of players that would likely warrant sacrificing system knowledge at this stage of the season for pure talent. I could be wrong, but I couldn’t see anyone we could get through trades that wouldn’t take away from something else. Again, just an opinion…not fact.

Front Office arguments: I appreciated reading someones’s critique of the FO, not being perfect and pointing out circumstances where they made mistakes, and overall misconceptions about them never missing a beat. That would be like saying a bank never makes a bad investment….being constructive in critque equals read-worthy.

Playoff chances: There is obviously an argument about size, defense and rebounding stifling our chances of going all the way – that is a question for every team, big or small. My faith in the spurs having a real chance is based around the notion that as an elite TEAM they possess more gears in a playoff series than the other teams. Execution then is the key, and that is something Pop and Co. have tried to emphasise through a commitment to really developing players, and rewarding them for that commitment, and by focusing on their strengths, and not simply trying to follow some fly-by-night league trends.

Regarding redundant posting sessions:

Here are some things I think are under-analized as far as Spurs talk goes:

Why has the team had so much success playing relatively “short” in the interior throughout the season? And, how do you think Pop will adjust when playing against “Tall/big” in the playoffs?

Does anyone see similarity in Bonner’s overall game development to Bruce Bowen? Bonner has improved defensively and at attacking the rim, Bowen improved 3pt accuracy and drives to the rim.

Although Tiago is not playing alot and fans are concerned about our lack of size to take on LA and Boston, is our record not a sign that Spurs finally have real depth in size and versatility?

The big question for me:

How are teams going to try to stop us in the playoffs, and what are the best ways to overcome this? Are the Lakers and Mavs going to try to stay home on the perimeter and make Tony and Tim and Manu Jumpshoot and drive into the bigs to win….I think this will definitely be a strategy. I think it will be important to have guys like Neal who can shoot a 3, and also a one-dribble 15-18 footer. And also important is mobile bigs like Dice and Blair to get offensive boards in half-court situations, and pose a threat on the pick and roll. Tiago doesn’t have this yet, and Blair is only scratching the surface…thats why Dice is so important.
Thats my rant, I hope for all of you who made it through it that I added something- new conversation possibilities if nothing else.
We had alot to critique about last year because there were alot less W’s…..this year, for me its all about strategy come finals time….if they play it right, they might just be the last team standing.

I serioulsy doubt Blair considers Randolph a role model. I think it was just a poor choice of words.

@ Easy B

Great post.

“There is only a handful of players that would likely warrant sacrificing system knowledge at this stage of the season for pure talent.”

According to what I’ve read, the Spurs were approached by several teams prior to the trade deadline only for the Spurs to negate the offers. It would be interesting to hear what some of those offers were. This leads to your next POV regarding FO decisions.

“That would be like saying a bank never makes a bad investment….being constructive in critque equals read-worthy.”

Best it’s kept under the mat because as we all know…nobody’s perfect. However no matter how distained some may be in past FO decisions…one can’t argue 4 championships and if not for a major bone head decision by a player (not a coach or exec.,) the Spurs probably have 5 championships.

Finally, you are correct (i.m.o.) in that it’s not how the Spurs may match up against other teams but how other teams will be able to play against the Spurs. This year’s team has a chemistry and knack for snatching victory in the jaws of defeat where as last season it was quite the opposite. It seems that if any player may be having a bad game others are ready and productively step in to eliviate a bad individual performance.

In the past I had been critical/concerned (rightfully so imo) of Bonner’s worth to this team. After seeing the vast improvement he has been able to produce over his once singletary role as a player, it should give hope ( or at least credence) that this team has the ability to eventually nurture a productive player no matter the limitations that exist on the surface. This if anything should give hope to Spurs fans that Blair and Tiago will someday become consistently good.

It’s the desire, hope and uncertainty of success, (I think), of many Spur fans that fuels a lot of the displeasure, trade talks, and criticism even though they have the best record in the league thus far and look to be poised to make a viable championship run. Count me guilty as charged in some of those instances, but am loving this year’s results a lot more than last. Greatest fear…getting to the point where they have gotten so far only for them to somehow not make it to the finals. I tend to think that the players may have some of this fear in them as well since they are human after all but will use this fear to propel them to great rewards at the end of the season.

@ Rob

Yeah, it’s good to see Bonner doing more in other parts of the game besides the spot up 3′s. Despite limitations, he (and all players) should train and work to improve themselves. Bonner should have a zeal and purpose about it too—he was resigned with a very nice contract, and after the ‘Core 3′ (Tim, Tony & Manu) he has the longest tenure with the Spurs (and part of the last championship squad). He may not be a leader, but his place and role is essential to the bounce-back success of this team.