San Antonio Spurs Will Learn From Preseason Loss
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The San Antonio Spurs lost to Alba Berlin. Yes, you read that correctly. In their first preseason action, the defending champions were toppled by a German power, who toughed out a victory on their home floor. Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s remember who we are talking about.
This game was a pretty weird one. The veteran Spurs turning the ball over in the final seconds, only to be beaten by a buzzer-beating floater from the free throw line? This is a story you couldn’t even make up if you tried.
Besides the fact that the game was uncommonly close, Gregg Popovich took it a step further and played his normal rotation. The man that has been know to sit his star players in the regular season decided to play Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobili and the rest of the gang. Popovich played Duncan and Parker over 30 minutes, but not to worry. “Pop” knew what he was doing.
Popovich is one of the greatest coaches in NBA history, and for good reason. He thinks in ways that most wish they could comprehend. In the case of this loss, Popovich knows how to use this to motivate his troops when the time comes. It might not have the same sting as a loss to the Miami Heat in the 2013 NBA Finals, but I’m sure this won’t be soon forgotten.
The Spurs turned the ball over 22 times, which is an early season issue they’ve struggled with in the past. They also shot an awful 25 percent from beyond the arc. There is a positive that the Spurs can take away from this. Parker led all scorers with 28 points and looked as healthy as ever.
Teams don’t read much into a preseason loss against an unheard of team, and this one is no different. San Antonio knows what is at stake this season and won’t be side tracked by a mere formality.
Winston Harris is a San Antonio writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @winstonharris34. “Like” him on Facebook and add him on Google.
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