Season 48, Game 73
San Antonio 103, Memphis 89
47-26, 6th in the West

The losses are so noticeable, we’re missing a team really coming together.

Even in today’s game–a fairly dominating win against a solid Western Conference contender–I found myself focusing on all of the things that were bothering me. Never mind that Tiago is playing the best ball of his life and went toe-to-toe with Randolph–and won. Never mind that Kawhi is slowly reaching yet another level on his rise to (hopeful) superstardom. Never mind that Boris is rounding into shape and looking like playoff Bobo. Never mind that Tim is as solid as ever, Tony is close enough to peak level to still be formidable, and Manu is still the conductor of the second unit and fearless on the court.

Forget all of that. I was focusing on Tony pressing too much and forcing the issue; the outside shot not falling; Jeff Green being unguardable for stretches; Patty Mills still unable to hit a big shot; poor decisions in the open court. All the while, the Spurs led wire-to-wire, played great defense, kept Randolph and Gasol off the offensive glass, and bullied the team inside that are supposed to be the bullies. It was a spectacular game.

Mills is a good case in point. His shot is still just not there. He’s had so many wide-open momentum-swinging threes in the last few weeks, and I’m pretty sure he’s missed them all. It’s indicative of that last piece still missing from last year’s form, and what prevents the team from really blowing teams out. And we’re right to focus on that and wonder if the shot will come back. But we shouldn’t lose sight of all of the things Mills is still doing: playing pesky defense, moving the ball, cutting away from the ball, and basically working his ass off.

Over the last 16 games, the Spurs are 13-3 and just dominating teams. The three losses–two OT losses (one to the lowly Knicks) and the loss in Dallas–stand out so much for one reason or another that it gives the sensation the team isn’t as good as they really are. But make no mistake: this team is even better than you or I think right now.

As for tonight’s game, Kawhi Leonard scored 15 straight points to start the 4th quarter and ended with a 26 and 10, yet I was most impressed with Tiago’s game. I’m not entirely sure what’s gotten into Splitter, but this is the best he has ever played. His defense has come back, and he’s added another dimension to his offensive game. As silly as it looks, his post game is a real threat. He outplayed Randolph tonight by beating him at his own game. Think about that. He bellied him up in the post on defense and went right at him in the post on offense. Randolph’s overall numbers were better, but Splitter’s game was more impactful.

After starting out poorly, Parker found his stride in the second half. He was really pressing in the first half and being too aggressive, trying to do too much on his own. He settled in in the second half, and picked up the mantle from Leonard in the middle of the 4th, though I thought the offense was still a little too stagnant once the lead ballooned to 16.

And did I mention Kawhi scored 15 straight points to start the 4th and really put the team over the top? Because that is a thing that happened.

A lot can happen between now and the end of the regular season in the tight middle of the Western Conference standings, but this could very well be a first round match-up. I think Memphis wants nothing to do with San Antonio, the one team they can’t really push around nor with whom they can dictate the terms of the fight.

The Spurs head to Florida for a Miami-Orlando back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday. These are two very winnable games, but given the team’s recent predilection to lose easy games, it feels like a 1-1 trip. Let’s see if the Spurs have really stopped messing around and can get two big wins.