Why?

by Big50 on Dec 7, 2009 2:12 PM CST

After the Spurs went on a 5 game winning streak and all was right with the world, they have since dropped 2 games in a row and have not looked particularly good in doing so. This leads me to wonder, "What is going on with all this crappy play and very un-Spurs like basketball?" Having had the weekend to wonder and think about it I've come up with a theory or two.

How are the Spurs losing with fans like these?

When these Spurs were winning five games in a row, they were playing regularly. 5 games in eight days and 5 wins. Then the Spurs are off for 5 days and come out extremely sloppy in the next two games. The Celtics and the Nuggets took advantage of turnovers and poor offense.

Theory 1

This Spurs team needs to gel. Therefore when they play games regularly they will mesh more and be more effective. When having almost a week off there will be more rust than with teams that have been together for many years. Look for the Spurs to play well despite a couple of SEGABABAs in the month of December.

December	Opponent	Time	Local TV	Nat TV	Radio
Mon 07	@ Utah	8:00pm	My35 HD		WOAI-AM 1200
Wed 09	vs Sacramento	7:30pm	FSNSW		WOAI-AM 1200
Fri 11	vs Charlotte	7:30pm	FSNSW		WOAI-AM 1200
Sun 13	@ LA Clippers	8:30pm	FSNSW		WOAI-AM 1200
Tue 15	@ Phoenix	8:00pm	FSNSW		WOAI-AM 1200
Wed 16	@ Golden State	9:30pm	FSNSW		WOAI-AM 1200
Sat 19	vs Indiana	7:30pm	My35 HD		WOAI-AM 1200
Mon 21	vs LA Clippers	7:30pm	FSNSW		WOAI-AM 1200
Wed 23	vs Portland	7:30pm	My35 HD		WOAI-AM 1200
Sat 26	@ Milwaukee	7:30pm	FSNSW		WOAI-AM 1200
Sun 27	@ New York	5:00pm	FSNSW		WOAI-AM 1200
Tue 29	vs Minnesota	7:30pm	FSNSW		WOAI-AM 1200
Thu 31	vs Miami	6:00pm			WOAI-AM 1200

Who comes up with these schedules?!

Theory 2

Pop is trying to figure out who to start, who to play and who to finish. The Boston game was crazy. The bench played more than the starters and Manu didn't play late in the 4th. Once this team gets a good rotation down it will help with the continuity of the team. Knowing your roll makes it easier for you to accomplish what you set out to do, like win. Look for this team to improve when Pop gets a rotation set.

Maybe it's time for the beard to make a comeback...

The Answer

All in all I like where the team is headed. The defense is getting better, the rebounding is improving and if they can get the recent free-throw and turnover woes in check this team will look a lot better. Don't forget, this team was 12-12 at this time last year, with similar injuries and much more team chemistry to rely on.

Two years ago the Spurs started off hot only to struggle later in the year. This team is more athletic and younger, but mostly they are just new. This team has a great foundation and just needs to square away a few things. I look forward to a nice December and an even better 2nd half of the season. It's early and way to soon to lose faith.

Sometimes we just need a hug...or a slap on the butt

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Comments

Well done. And, I agree, but the turnover problem starting DURING the winning streak, in the last win against Philly. What bugs me is that it’s been 3 straight games with that issue – Spurs need to be sharper tonight.

The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!

by Tim C. on Dec 7, 2009 2:23 PM CST reply actions

Agreed. I know we are still integrating the new pieces, but the overall sloppy play, especially by Spurs veterans, is troubling.

Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way. - Jane Austen

by CapHill on Dec 7, 2009 2:57 PM CST up reply actions

I think a big part of the turnover issue falls into “Theory 1”. Lack of chemistry = a lot of silly mistakes. For example, there have been lots of times where Manu has caught some of the new players off guard; they’re just not used to each other yet.

However, this problem isn’t just a lack of chemistry—sometimes it’s just sloppy play. These TO’s, I have a problem with. But I’m sure Pop will fix those very, very soon.

by Daniel_B on Dec 7, 2009 7:00 PM CST up reply actions

I mostly agree with you, Big50, but we also have to consider the quality of our opponents. The Celtics and the Nuggets are two of the 5 contenders. We’re about to hit a stretch of mediocre teams, so things will get better.

And thanks for sharing your thoughts. FanPosts have been scarce lately, and you, LE and romes showed up today and wrote a bunch of great posts. I love it.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Dec 7, 2009 5:18 PM CST reply actions

Sure that is a factor, but if you look at the game we played against Boston, we owned them in most categories and yet came up short. I don’t think they had as much to do with the turnovers and bad FT shooting as the Spurs did. I didn’t see the Denver or Utah games, but it seems like more of the same. The Spurs beating themselves rather than getting beat.

by Big50 on Dec 8, 2009 9:42 AM CST up reply actions

Not quite 12-12.

Spurs are currently 9-8 which is what they were last year.

It’s amazing to see how their record builds throughout the year though (2008-09 season). Hope to start seeing the same thing this season too.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_2008-2009_schedule.html

by werdnawee on Dec 7, 2009 7:57 PM CST reply actions

After 9-8 (last year), the Spurs starting building and pretty much remained 66% the rest of the way.

LET’S START BUILDING AGAINST THE JAZZ TONIGHT!!!!

by werdnawee on Dec 7, 2009 8:00 PM CST up reply actions

Oops, I think I was using ESPN’s 08-09 schedule and it confused me. You are correct.

by Big50 on Dec 8, 2009 9:40 AM CST up reply actions

Breaks kill us, especially long breaks. The Spurs and long breaks are like leaving a car sitting outside, not run, unstarted through a week of below zero weather and a foot of snow. They will not start on the first try. They need to warm up. (Sorry, it snowed here last night, and we’re expecting 6 inches tomorrow night. :-P )

by Ed (dfjmed) on Dec 7, 2009 8:08 PM CST reply actions