Spurs Article

[SD2042]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/heres-why-the-san-antonio-spurs-arent-really-nba-title-contenders/ss-BBybDGe?ocid=spartanntp#image=2

I came across this article from a few days back. It focuses on the cons of why the Spurs aren't consider title contenders vs. the other teams in the Western Conference. The issues come down to the obvious: age of roster, offensive load, defense against up tempo squads, and etc.

Just want to get the fans thoughts on this article!

[Nolan]

Sadly I kind of agree with the premise of the article. I really am worried about our ability to go far in the playoffs.

We rely too heavily on Kawhi on both ends; if he's not on our offense is putrid. Secondary scoring is a huge issue for us. LMA is too inconsistent, Tony isn't the player he once was and the same goes for Manu. Really outside of Kawhi and Pau we don't have anyone that can consistently create offense and come playoff time I can really see those issues sinking us.

[-Sammy-]

Sadly I kind of agree with the premise of the article. I really am worried about our ability to go far in the playoffs.

We rely too heavily on Kawhi on both ends; if he's not on our offense is putrid. Secondary scoring is a huge issue for us. LMA is too inconsistent, Tony isn't the player he once was and the same goes for Manu. Really outside of Kawhi and Pau we don't have anyone that can consistently create offense and come playoff time I can really see those issues sinking us.

I agree. In many ways, Kawhi has become the new Robinson-- not in terms of position or playstyle (obviously) but in the sense that too many possessions reduce to 'give the ball to Kawhi and watch.' Then he gasses himself on the other side of the ball as well; I mean, he's young and resilient and all that, but not only is it going to burn him out, it's just not great basketball.

Props to Pop for yet again getting the most out of this roster, but I have that 'we're going to get exposed in the playoffs' feeling this season. I will adore being proven wrong.

[SD2042]

Sadly I kind of agree with the premise of the article. I really am worried about our ability to go far in the playoffs.

We rely too heavily on Kawhi on both ends; if he's not on our offense is putrid. Secondary scoring is a huge issue for us. LMA is too inconsistent, Tony isn't the player he once was and the same goes for Manu. Really outside of Kawhi and Pau we don't have anyone that can consistently create offense and come playoff time I can really see those issues sinking us.

I agree, In many ways, Kawhi has become the new Robinson-- not in terms of position or playstyle (obviously) but in the sense that too many possessions reduce to 'give the ball to Kawhi and watch.' Then to expect him to gas himself on the other side of the ball as well; I mean, he's young and resilient and all that, but not only is it going to burn him out, it's just not great basketball.

Props to Pop for yet again getting the most out of this roster, but I have that 'we're going to get exposed in the playoffs' feeling this season. I will adore being proven wrong.

That was my concern as well from the way the Spurs played against the Grizzlies. Like the over reliance on Kawhi, being a step behind defensively, and not being on the same page offensively. My fear with the Spurs is that a team with young athleticism and up tempo system could potentially outlast them in the playoffs.

[imagump1313]

I agree with the article also. We rely too much on hero ball from Kawhi and we have too many under-achievers offensively. Having Danny Green and Kyle Anderson on the floor at the same time is ridiculously hard to watch.

I said before the season that for us to contend, Anderson needed to become an every day option and play consistently. He is playing exactly the opposite of that. Also Danny Green needed to shoot more consistently. While he has his moments, he constantly falls right back into not being able to throw a wide open shot into the ocean way too often.

I tend to disagree that Pop is getting the most out of this roster. Dedmon has played well in spurts and Patty Mills has been more consistent than I thought he would be. But Pop just cannot seem to figure out how to get guys like Anderson and Green to shoot the damn ball. Simmons is at least aggressive but he constantly makes poor decisions. And I still think Pop has not figured out how to use Aldridge correctly.

Our saving grace has been, Hands-down David Lee. I can honestly say without Lee on this team we would have at least 5 less wins at this point.

I keep saying it. This team is probably the hardest Spurs team Ive had to watch. They rely too much on Kawhi, they take stupid shots otherwise, they turn the ball over needlessly because of laziness, and they are very inconsistent defensively.

We are winning games now but IMO playing like we are, we will struggle to even win one series in the playoffs

[SD2042]

I agree with the article also. We rely too much on hero ball from Kawhi and we have too many under-achievers offensively. Having Danny Green and Kyle Anderson on the floor at the same time is ridiculously hard to watch.

I said before the season that for us to contend, Anderson needed to become an every day option and play consistently. He is playing exactly the opposite of that. Also Danny Green needed to shoot more consistently. While he has his moments, he constantly falls right back into not being able to throw a wide open shot into the ocean way too often.

I tend to disagree that Pop is getting the most out of this roster. Dedmon has played well in spurts and Patty Mills has been more consistent than I thought he would be. But Pop just cannot seem to figure out how to get guys like Anderson and Green to shoot the damn ball. Simmons is at least aggressive but he constantly makes poor decisions. And I still think Pop has not figured out how to use Aldridge correctly.

Our saving grace has been, Hands-down David Lee. I can honestly say without Lee on this team we would have at least 5 less wins at this point.

I keep saying it. This team is probably the hardest Spurs team Ive had to watch. They rely too much on Kawhi, they take stupid shots otherwise, they turn the ball over needlessly because of laziness, and they are very inconsistent defensively.

We are winning games now but IMO playing like we are, we will struggle to even win one series in the playoffs

Speaking of Green, I had an issue with him playing at the SG spot. Green never had the dribble ability to be in the spot. Defensively I can understand the argument. Also from his UNC days he was known as a 3 and D player who normally played at the SF position. That changed once Kawhi was traded to the Spurs and has played at the SF since. I'm wondering if Green could be better effective either playing behind Kawhi from the bench at SF or perhaps trade him for a SG who can handle the ball and be effective on both ends of the floor.