San Antonio Spurs
If it wasn’t clear before now that the San Antonio Spurs are a team on the cusp of needing to rebuild, I think it’s pretty clear now. Yes, they won the game but the Spurs very much have the feel of a toppled dynasty.
That impression isn’t just to do with the fact that they aren’t the elite team on the court that they once were. Another player that had a solid game for the Knicks is Marcus Morris with 26 points and three steals on the night. The reason I’m mentioning him here is that the circumstances and comments around how he ended up on the Knicks says a lot more about the Spurs.
On July 6th, nba.com reported that Morris had agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal with the Spurs. By July 11th, that deal was no more and reports were that Morris would sign with the Knicks instead. Eventually, Morris gave the explanation that the change in direction was about what was best for his family.
The Spur’s issue was that they had made trades and restructured contracts to make room for Morris while under the cap. Popovich’s characterization of things and the reports that the Spurs were angry with the turn of events is what leaves me with a less than stellar impression of the Spurs.
That no deal is a sure thing until someone has signed on the dotted line is just the reality of business. For the Spurs to be taking it so hard in so public a way just leaves me wondering if the internal workings of the organization are declining with the natural downswing of the team.
It’s the second time in as many years that the Spurs have done something in publically managing a situation (Kawhi Leonard) that makes me question the internal decision making. And for an organization that was the example of professionalism in the league it just stands out more.
With regards to the Spurs game, there isn’t really much to say in terms of new information. LaMarcus Aldridge did about what you’d expect contributing 22 points, two blocks, and eight rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan did a lot of what made him infuriating when he was a Toronto Raptor. Driving into traffic with no place to go resulting in a terrible mid-range jump shot. The 3-point range he had been working on last I paid attention to him seems to have completely disappeared. Overall, he had uncharacteristically low offensive production shooting only 30 percent from the field and 64 percent from the free-throw line.
My overall impression of the Spurs in this game is that of underseasoned food. It still accomplishes a purpose but it’s not very interesting.