San Antonio Spurs’ Versatility Will Keep Them In Every Game This Season
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The defending champion San Antonio Spurs started their 2014-15 NBA season just as they planned. They received their fifth piece of jewelry, raised the banners, and got the 101-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks. It was business as usual for the Spurs, but it was also a good exhibition of one of their greatest strengths.
With Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter and Patty Mills out due to a variety of maladies, San Antonio was fairly short-handed. The Mavericks, who have a chance of meeting the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, are not a pushover team. The acquisitions of Tyson Chandler and Chandler Parsons automatically raised their stock in the West, so the Spurs’ victory was even that much more impressive with the roster they put on the floor.
The Spurs’ depth is what makes them so dangerous and allowed them to pull out the close win against a worthy Western Conference opponent. Gregg Popovich has the luxury of plugging in players like Boris Diaw into the mix and not missing a beat. His ability do so many things well within the Spurs’ system gave way to nine rebounds and six assists in 33 minutes.
Manu Ginobili was another piece off the bench that carried the weight. His timely shooting, baffling left-hand attack and willingness to make the extra pass led to a showing of 20 points and six assists. Corey Joseph looked somewhat uncomfortable with his new backup role to Tony Parker, but he got into rhythm and finished with seven points.
The Spurs won’t win many games off of talent alone or raw athleticism. They might not even always be able to outwork teams or even outsmart teams. One thing they will have is depth. Most teams are used to preparing for one or two players, maybe three at the most. How do you guard 15 players? You don’t, and this is why the Spurs are always a threat.
Winston Harris is a San Antonio sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @winstonharris34. “Like” him on Facebook and add him on Google.
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