2016 Western Conference Finals, First Round
San Antonio 94, Memphis 68
Spurs lead series 2-0

If the Spurs beat the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs, but no one watches, does it really happen?

Most die-hard NBA fans have already tuned out this series, and plenty of die-hard Spurs fans are headed that way. While it’s always nice to see the Spurs win big, there’s little joy in watching these two teams play. Memphis, in the absence of much real talent, has doubled down on the grit and the grind, and the Spurs are more than happy to match them grit for grit on the defensive end.

Poor Zach Randolph. He can’t turn around without three Spurs players completely assaulting him. But if no Memphis player can make an outside shot, what else should the Spurs do?

The Spurs’ offense has actually been fairly underwhelming for large stretches of these games. With Memphis barely able to crack 70 points, though, it’s hard to work up too much ire.

That’s the thing about watching these games, though. I find myself getting so frustrated with the Spurs, imploring Kawhi to attack the rim, screaming at Boris and Tony to hold on to the damned ball, wondering if LaMarcus will keep making shots and playing tough. Then I look up and the team is up by 20-points and the Grizzlies have barely cracked 50 points through 3three quarters. So….

There’s more boredom and worry in these games than joy. There just is. But let’s try to find a couple bright spots in this overwhelmingly dull series:

• Patty’s shot seems to be coming back. When he hits threes, the second unit offense can elevate to another level.

• Kevin Martin has been surprisingly good in stretches, providing some needed offensive punch when shots aren’t falling. I still don’t know what his place is in the rotation, but having a scoring threat like that on the bench is never a bad thing.

• Aldridge is working his ass off on the defensive end guarding Randolph. There is plenty of help once he makes his move, but the primary responsibility lies with Aldridge, and he is handily winning that battle.

• The team is rebounding on the defensive end of the court extremely well. Memphis has almost zero chance in this series, but any path to a victory necessarily includes extra possessions and lots of offensive rebounds. The Spurs aren’t letting that happen.

• The second unit has done a fantastic job of opening the game up at the ends of the first and third quarters, routinely going on 9-0-type scoring runs. It’s in these stretches when the game is really put out of hand.

• No one is playing heavy minutes, no one has gotten hurt.

The series shifts to Memphis Friday night. There will certainly be better energy and effort from the Grizzlies in front of their home crowd, but how much difference can it make? We’ll find out Friday night.

Go Spurs Go.