NBA San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs Are Prepared For Injuries

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San Antonio Spurs' Bench

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As NBA teams deal with the injury bug that has been striking more often than not, the San Antonio Spurs are in a great position to benefit from their injury-proof lineup.

Every team’s biggest nightmare is losing their players to injury like what the Oklahoma City Thunder are experiencing. The early loss of Russell Westbrook and last season’s NBA MVP Kevin Durant have made them look like a completely different team. The Spurs, however, don’t have to fear these types of issues. They’ll gain the upper hand on hobbled teams like the Thunder.

The depth of the Spurs is highlighted because it gives them an edge in the box score against other teams. While this is true, the Spurs’ bench should be acknowledged as a great emergency plan that has been put in place for the possibility of injuries.

Last season, the Spurs fought numerous injuries on their way to becoming NBA champions. One of the reasons why they were able to stay relevant, despite dealing with injuries to Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and others, was their access to capable players coming off the bench.

Gregg Popovich experimented with countless lineups during the stretch when the team wasn’t at full health last year. His keen sense of time management is also a major factor in preserving the aging roster in his possession. Some may question the effectiveness of a team that is viewed as old, but with no one averaging over 30 minutes of playing time last season, the Spurs can execute at a high level even when they aren’t healthy.

No team goes into a season expecting injuries, but they have to assume things will happen. The Spurs’ aren’t the youngest team out there, but they’re definitely built for the long haul.

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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