This is the next installment of PBT’s series of “What your team should do when the lockout ends.” Today it’s the San Antonio Spurs. You can also read up on the Lakers, Timberwolves and Mavericks as we start to work our way through all 30 NBA teams.
Last Season: Best team in the NBA until the last night of the season. Signature wins over every contending team. A renaissance year from Manu Ginobili, a return to good for Tony Parker, a quiet vintage year from Tim Duncan. Yes, it was a wonderful year for the Spurs. Right up until the playoffs started. Then it threw itself into the trash can, vomited, and fell asleep in its own wretch. The Spurs were a regular season beast that wilted in the playoffs. It was like the bizarro Spurs. There were signs, though, of the impending collapse. The Spurs’ defense wasn’t their strength, it was their offense that saw them through. And just as San Antonio showed so many teams in their prime, it’s defense that does in those regular season behemoths. The Spurs fell to Memphis in a flurry of interior scoring from Randolph and Gasol, and with Manu Ginobili not at full strength, they couldn’t overcome. Embarrassing, dispiriting, and ominous. So yeah, didn’t exactly end on a high note.
Changes since we last saw the Spurs: The only substantial change for the Spurs came on draft night. For years, George Hill has been the heir apparent to Tony Parker, filling it at point guard and running as shooting guard in a pinch. But the Spurs saw an opportunity and traded Hill to Indiana for the pick that netted them Kawhi Leonard. Other than that, it’s been Tony Parker and Ginobili playing in summer overseas competition and Tim Duncan receding into whatever statue-like state he spends his summers. The Spurs are in a relatively stable condition in terms of the cap, though that’s not a good thing after how their season ended. The extension they granted Richard Jefferson seems particularly concerning.
When the lockout ends, the Spurs need to... Get back their identity. The Spurs won championships with defense, consistent but plodding offense, discipline, and rebounding. They have drifted too far towards what I refer to as “Matt Bonner Land.” Bonner’s an awesome guy. He’s also a huge defensive liability who can’t rebound and is only on the floor for this excellent three-point shooting. The Spurs need fewer Matt Bonners and more Fabricio Obertos (only healthy). Their focus needs to turn away from offense and back to defense. The offense will be there with the big three plus the supporting cast. But scheming for defense, even if it’s difficult given the specific talent on roster.
DeJuan Blair is facing a must-improve season. He’s a great offensive rebounder and can finish around the basket. He also gets overwhelmed on defense and has little idea of where to fit in on offense. He’s a sledgehammer in a scalpel kit. Richard Jefferson found his role last season, nailing corner threes and working as an auxiliary offensive option. If he were to, you know, not have an absolutely wretched postseason, he might be worth the money he’s owed.
The bigger question for the Spurs may be answering the question of whether they’re through or not. Tony Parker denied saying that the window was closed, but all of the Big Three have been honest and upfront about the short timespan they have left. If making another run is imperative, the Spurs need a makeover, immediately. Otherwise, they’ll just be treading water when the lockout ends, going through the motions.