San Antonio Spurs doing what they do best, failing apart
The San Antonio Spurs have had the best record in the NBA for the duration of the 2010-11 season, but as the regular season dwindles the Spurs are going through the same reoccurring post-season situation they experience every year, injuries.
Monday, the Spurs (57-17) lost their fourth consecutive game; this time against the Portland Trail Blazers 100-92. The Trail Blazers (43-31) are a solid team and currently sit in the six spot in the Western Conference, but they didn’t play the Spurs.
When you think of San Antonio’s roster, the first three names that pop into your mind should be Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. None of these players played against the Blazers. Antonio McDyess sat out with a back problem to add insult to injury.
San Antonio is playing the same role in the NBA that they have for the past two seasons. Duncan and company play a great regular season and have many fans and media personalities with the mindset that the championship is going back to San Antonio. Then in the last month of the season or the beginning of the playoffs, the Spurs roster falls apart and they get beat up in the first or second round.
This seems to be the same formula we are dealing with now.
Earlier in the season, I said the Los Angeles Lakers might not win another championship because eight players in their 10 man rotation are 30-years old or older. I forgot they had a killer named Kobe Bryant who has led his team to a 15-1 record since the NBA All-Star break. This brings them back into the championship conversation and knocks the Spurs down a couple pegs.
San Antonio has the best record in the league, but is not considered the best team in the west. Why?
It’s because of their age and brittle bones. Duncan (34) and Ginobili (33) are the backbone of the squad but are on their last legs. McDyess (36) is an important big man off of the bench, but he has been on his last legs for the last two seasons. Parker (28) is still in his prime, but he seems to have injury issues every season.
The difference between the Lakers and the Spurs is, the Spurs don’t have a clutch player such as Bryant. Even if two or three of the injured player are able to play at 100% during the playoffs, who is going to have the energy to make the plays needed to beat the young quicker teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder?
If Rudy Gay wasn’t out for the season, the eight seeded Memphis Grizzlies could upset the Spurs. It’s a far cry, but it would have been possible.
I appreciate what the Spurs have done this season, but let’s face it, when it comes to the nitty gritty end of the season, the Spurs can’t hang anymore. I wish Duncan could go out on top because he is the best power forward to ever play in the NBA, but some have to leave after a second round playoff defeat. Duncan will be the second option.
