The San Antonio Spurs have won their fifth championship with the consistency and efficiency that they have been known for, the team that has been branded as old and boring has proven yet again that the old school is the only school in winning an NBA title. If you look at the numbers, they have managed to squeeze out extraordinary performances at just the right time, and keep things fresh for the younger players as well. What are the things Gregg Popovich and his team have done better than other teams?
Managing decline. It’s been well over a decade since Tim Duncan averaged over 20 points per game in one season. Yet, he continues to be a major factor in big games. Manu Ginobili has been in and out of starting lineup for years. What the Spurs coaches have been able to do is create a strategy where the gradual decline becomes almost imperceptible, by spreading the offense ever so slightly. Throughout the season, you’d never notice that one player takes a couple of extra shots here and there to offset the difference. The key, of course, is doing it consistently, which the Spurs are tirelessly efficient at.
Accepting roles. In this regard, San Antonio bears a striking similarity to the Boston Celtics of the late 1950’s and 1960’s. Players who would otherwise be starters on other teams accept less minutes and specific roles in exchange for a better chance at winning. Last year, the Spurs even brought retired All-Star Tracy McGrady back for one more go-around as a “just in case†utility player. And when the Spurs rest their stars, the role players know they have a chance to come up big. This year, Popovich and team management saw the uniqueness of Leonard and Patty Mills, who in turn found their niche in the system, and it was glorious to watch.
Pacing. The Spurs know that 50-plus wins will put them in a great playoff position. Expect them to make four big runs of about eight to 12 wins during the season, in between which they’re apt to rest Duncan, Ginobili and Tony Parker even at the risk of sanctions from the NBA itself. The Spurs know when other teams will be slacking off, like before and after the All-Star break, and that’s when they’re most likely to strike. They don’t need to top the standings, just be in more strategic position for a post-season run.
Peaking at the right time. Given their penchant for pacing throughout the regular season, the Spurs also have the ability to really turn it on when needed. The Finals against Miami was proof of that. The Spurs showed that they’re deeper, more poised and better able to make the big plays. They are able to manage fatigue and injury better than other teams, which gives them more flexibility when the playoffs come.
Keeping pieces together. As this writer has said before, one noticeable aspect of being a San Antonio Spurs player is that you will most likely be around for a while. Most of the players usually stick around for at least three years. This provides not just depth but also consistent performance, and ample time to learn the system and culture.
Finding motivation. The Spurs talked a lot about last year’s devastating loss to the Heat, a championship they lost after it was all but in their hands already. That is more than enough fuel for them to stay focused. But what is even more impressive is that the Spurs translate that motivation into numbers: how many wins do they need and by what point in the season; who needs to produce and in what range, and by how much they have to minimize the best players on other teams. The motivation gives them the will to stay on course even when games are tough. That is the true sign of a champion team.
Genuine care for one another. You never hear the players blame one another or even imply that one of them cost them a game. They know they need each other to succeed, but it goes beyond that. When Kawhi Leonard was named Finals MVP, the team as one rejoiced with an outburst of appreciation you rarely see with other teams. They are all on the same page off the court as well as on it. Leonard himself said that they were “friends first†before they were teammates.
Gregg Popovich. There’s a reason why the Spurs mentor is the longest-tenured head coach in the NBA. He doesn’t care about the trappings of the profession, even showing disdain for the in-game interviews. He’s there to do a job, and the system prevails above all. In recent years, he’s relaxed his dicta on tempo, allowing the Spurs to get more easy points in transition. More importantly, he rallies the leaders of the team to keep everyone in line with the team structure.