Head coach Gregg Popovich's playbook hasn't produced much silver lining lately, but that doesn't mean the San Antonio Spurs' 10-11 record in December and January has been all for naught.
For a roster that was in danger of proceeding complacently through its 2014-15 campaign, there's suddenly a sense of legitimate urgency amid all the injury setbacks and damaged rhythm. The club now holds the Western Conference's No. 7 seed with a 22-15 record, and title-worthy performances have been relatively few and far between.
Friday night's 100-95 win against the No. 8-seeded Phoenix Suns created some distance between the two teams in a season where it could very well matter. More importantly, though, it was San Antonio's fourth win in its last six tries—perhaps a signal the Spurs are finally turning the corner after a December few wish to remember.
Last week's 101-92 victory against the Washington Wizards suggests San Antonio is still plenty capable of beating good teams, but circumstances have been brutal to this team—both because of a daunting schedule and significant stretches without six-time All-Star Tony Parker and reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, the latter of whom could remain sidelined for weeks.
The December doldrum—which has unsurprisingly continued into the new year—hasn't done much for the Spurs' place in the standings, but it could do worlds for this locker room.Those might not seem like game-changing numbers, but they suggest this team's depth chart is becoming more polished by the outing.
Then there's the season Danny Green is having. He's risen to the occasion as San Antonio's best three-and-D option on the wing while Leonard has tended to his ailing torn hand ligament. Friday's 20-point outing marked the sixth time this season he's tallied at least as many points. He did so just seven times all season in 2013-14, including the playoffs.
And while the supporting cast is getting better, the Spurs' injured assets have gotten a little extra rest. Parker and Leonard have missed 29 games combined this season, and Patty Mills made his season debut on Dec. 28 after recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Backup center Tiago Splitter missed 22 games of his own early this season.
Manu Ginobili may be the latest casualty after he left the game with 6:45 remaining in the first half on Friday due to back spasms.Paradoxically, those injuries could help those guys avoid some of the cumulative fatigue, wear and tear that typify an 82-game grind. Not such a bad thing.
Assuming Leonard returns sometime during the near term, this team may be able to string together some wins and actually build a little momentum. Friday's win against Phoenix is a start, and it didn't come a moment too soon.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2324986-san-antonio-spurs-threatening-to-emerge-from-december-downturn
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