It’s funny to think that the San Antonio Spurs are considered to be a struggling team right now with a record of 18-11 in the difficult Western Conference, but they’ve lost four of five and six of eight, so a few questions need to be asked. Here is a look at four reasons why the Spurs aren’t playing up to their lofty standards right now. And remember, it’s only December.
They Have A Target On Their Backs
As the defending NBA champions, the Spurs get the best from their opponents every single night and for a team that is so dependent on veterans like Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, it can be a grind – especially this early in the season. Teams are lining up to face the Spurs with playoff-like intensity and that’s not something they’re used to seeing in November and December.
The Spurs played a lot of basketball last season and their summer probably went quicker than normal. It can be hard for them to get up for some games but it isn’t hard for the opposition to get up for them.
Leonard’s Performance Has Tapered Off
There were high hopes for Leonard to be the breakout star of the season after winning the Finals MVP. Remember, he dominated the finals against the Miami Heat and was supposed to be the flag bearer for the next Spurs generation. However, Leonard hasn’t taken that next big step that was predicted as he is averaging 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals a game. A lot of that has to do with injuries he’s suffered. He’s still a good player but he hasn’t been the man that went beast mode against Miami.
The Spurs are still a good team with Duncan, Parker and Ginobili leading the way but Leonard was the x-factor. He was the difference between the Spurs being a very good team in the Western Conference and the Spurs being an indomitable force. They’ll need him to see more of that guy. Otherwise, there’s too much weight to bare for the other guys.
Bad Luck, Bad Breaks
The Spurs have 11 losses and three of those have come in overtime, including back-to-back triple-overtime losses to the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies (two of the best teams in the NBA). Overall, much of that can be attested to bad breaks as the Spurs were shorthanded in those games. Nine out of 10 times, the Spurs win games like that – especially at home. Although they’d rather have the wins and be higher up in the standings, one can attribute some of their losses to bad bounces.
Popovich might actually be slightly happy (as happy as Popovich can be) that the Spurs have lost a few games like this – especially for the younger players, so that they know how to handle pressure come playoff time. We’ve seen him do this time and time again, which goes right into the final point.
Gregg Popovich’s Rotations
The Spurs have played 28 games; only one player, Boris Diaw, has played in all 28 games. Popovich juggles his rotations as much as any coach in the league and he has no problem sitting all of his stars for a night (like he did last Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks) if he feels their older bodies need the rest, regardless if it’s a nationally televised game or not.
That being said, it can be tough to get into a rhythm when players, especially your best players, are being shuttled in and out of the lineup all the time. Pop’s hand has been forced due to injuries more so than age, but he knows that this is a marathon, not a sprint. He has won five NBA titles and has a good idea of what he’s doing. Nonetheless, not having the regular lineup on a nightly basis has cost this team in the early part of the 2014-15 season.
