Photo by Andrew Jason Flores
Too much of the preseason has been focused on the question: when will the Spurs finally look like a complete team?
Given the team’s All-Star acquisitions and their 20-man roster, many were wondering what the final squad would actually look like. After the embarrassing contest against Phoenix and before their last preseason game against division rival Houston, there were three major hints that things were getting serious for Coach Popovich’s team.
First was the post-game interviews: a more serious tone fell over the Spurs locker room. Next was the extra practice by LaMarcus, immediately after his poor shooting performance against the Suns. Finally came the release of four players – Jimmer Fredette, Youssou Ndoye, Keifer Sykes and Deshaun Thomas – who didn’t have what it takes to be a Spur this season.
So what would be the result of such significant changes? How about a 25-point spanking of the team’s most hated rival?
I know. It sounds so good, it’s worth repeating: the Spurs beat the Rockets by 25 points.
The Spurs responded to a tight game at halftime by opening up a double digit lead with a very Spurs-like performance in the third quarter. The lead got so out of hand that the fourth quarter was mainly about the third string bench playing together and making their case for remaining on the team. Being at the game, it was a thing of beauty to behold firsthand.
The first noticeable change was the return of Danny Green’s shot. Green shooting 6-for-6 from behind the arc in the first two quarters helped the Spurs to a three point lead at halftime. Witnessing “Icy-Hot” on fire not only excited the home crowd, it also showed how important it is to have #14 be a dependable 3-point shooter. If Danny had shot like he had in prior pre-season games, the Spurs would have likely been walking into the locker room with a double digit deficit.
Is this game a sign that Danny’s shot is on the upswing heading into the regular season? This Spurs fan hopes so.
Sharing top scoring honors with Green was LaMarcus Aldridge. I have to admit, when I heard over the loud speakers, “aaaaand from Texas… number twelve… Lamarcuuuuus…. Aldridge”, I was smiling from ear-to-ear. It finally became real to me that the Spurs have a 17-foot assassin — nickname courtesy of ex-Spur Vinny Del Negro — starting for them.
In all of my time as a Spurs fan, never have I witnessed our team throw the ball to a big man on the elbow and watch him reliably drain buckets. LaMarcus was not shy about taking his shot. The team fed him early and often, which resulted in #12 having more of the rhythm he is used to playing with.
It occurred to me how important it is for Aldridge to find his groove at the beginning of a game. When his shot is working, he provokes double teams and the Spurs’ passing game comes alive. This is akin to the need for a football team to establish a good running game early, so that their passing game can open up. I believe the Rocket’s second half adjustments were meant to stop Aldridge, which helped the team wiz the ball around for their good-to-great style of play.
Tony Parker, still working on creating a relevant stat line, showed his age. Not that he was slow – he made two scores with his patented cut-to-the-rim moves – but rather that he made mature decisions about which shots he would take. He forced fewer shots and made more of an effort to be the field general for his team. His 3-point game is still missing, but fortunately the Spurs do not have to depend on that to win.
Kyle Anderson showed signs that he’ll be taking the role of general for the second unit. This is not to say that Ginobili is irrelevant. See the no-look pass he made to Tim Duncan in the third quarter. Rather, Anderson continues to look more confident and involved in creating many scoring plays. His shot selection looks great, his hustle is undeniable and his passing seamlessly works with the Beautiful Game. The only improvement the young player needs, in my opinion, is better conditioning. His two missed free throws at the end of the third quarter were a blaring indication of fatigue. Some of that may have to do with the fact that he played the most minutes of any Spur, but it’s a good sign that Coach Pop trusts his leadership and understanding of the system.
Boban Marajanovic is easily the fan favorite. I don’t remember ever seeing Spurs fans get out of their seats to greet a third string player with loud cheers when he entered the court. This man has some serious untapped potential in the NBA – he is a massive human being, folks. To see him laying the ball in the rim without leaving the floor is something every Spurs fan should witness. It brought me joy to see the Spurs have a dominant big they could throw the ball to on every play, then wiz around him until he found an open teammate or path to the rim. He ended the night with a respectable stat line (10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal), despite the fact that he is still learning how to play in the NBA and with the Spurs.
Other notables:
– Tim Duncan is still the man, despite having lower than average stats (4 points, 6 rebounds). Maybe the Big Fundamental should change his nickname to Old Faithful? I’m sure this point has been made before.
– Boris Diaw had a solid, but quiet game. Despite his 0-for-4 shooting performance, he managed to produce in ways that ended with a plus-minus of +15.
– Manu Ginobili definitely looks like he is having the most fun on the court. I think he realized early that his new role will help him play longer while he enjoys the precious minutes he’s given.
– David West had his least impressive game so far, yet his hustle was never a question in the game. He is eager to get a ring this year – make no doubt about that.
– Patty Mills scored double digits and brought energy to the second squad, as we expect him to do. I don’t think we are going to miss Cory Joseph as much as some suggest, as long as the wonder-from-down under stays healthy.
– For the first time in the preseason, fans were able to witness a Jonathon Simmons steal and dunk. His jump shot is still missing, but so is his confidence. If he can just get over his need to be perfect on every possession, and relax, he will start playing his electric game and his shots will start to fall in.
– If minutes are any indication, Reggie Williams will be the last player cut from the squad. Expert reports confirm this hunch.
Photo by Andrew Jason Flores
I believe this lopsided win by the Spurs is a good sign after such an uncomfortable beginning to the preseason. I don’t feel it’s a stretch to say our team has finally found a launching point for another successful season.
I know there are many doubters out there when it comes to the ability of this team to create the chemistry needed for a long playoff run. I think, however, about the loud Houston fan sitting behind me: after spending most of the first half crying to the refs about foul calls and heckling Spurs players, his demeanor changed to a quiet pout at the end of the third quarter. When I asked him why he stopped cheering for his team, his classic response was: “It’s just a preseason game, buddy.”
From the way his intensity went from eleven to zero, I doubt that the Spurs display of the Beautiful Game was nothing short of a sign of the joyous times in store this season.
Go Spurs Go!
