The Spurs have only won 1 championship in the past 10 years. That was when Splitter was benched for Bonner, then Diaw. The 41 pt 1st qtr that led to 3 straight wins vs the Heat. The most efficient basketball in NBA history.

The Spurs won the previous 2 championships due to Robert Horry on the floor in crunch time (aka the last 6 minutes of the 4th qtr) and not the starting center. The NBA has a whole has taken the concept of 4 3-pt shooters on the floor for the entire game and not just crunch time. Look at the Western conference playoff picture, only the Timberwolves start 2 bigs and Towns shoots 3's.

The last 2 games Aldridge was guarded by the other team's center - Adams, McGee. Teams could care less about Gasol. Can Gasol punish the other team's 4 man on the block? No. Aldridge has to roam the perimeter defensively. Can Gasol pump fake a 3 and drive to the basket? No. Can Gasol guard a pick and roll switch? No. Gasol needs to be a 12 minute a game player and on the floor only when Aldridge isn't. Those extra 12 minutes need to go to in some kind of combination to Anderson/Gay/Bertans.

When (if?) Leonard returns the starting lineup needs to be Murray, Green, Leonard, Bertans, Aldridge. In crunch time sub in Gay for Bertans. Leave Murray in. Don't sub in Parker, Mills, or Ginobili. (All 3 can't guard anyone.) Teams will dare Murray like the Knicks dared Avery Johnson. How'd that work out for the Knicks? Rondo was a 2nd yr point guard when the Celtics won a championship.

Don't think the Spurs can compete for a championship without a big 3 (they have a big 2 in Leonard/Aldridge). But, being competitive in the playoff race and playoffs will require the benching of Gasol. Today's style of play in the NBA requires it.