Pop said that his guys are running on fumes. The second half of this pandemic schedule was always going to be tough. It had a ton of back-to-backs and a good chunk of the final stretch is on the road (17 of 24 or some such).
The booster was going to be the nine-game home stand. You know, the one that saw the Spurs go 2-7. The thing about long stretches of play is that they make you more susceptible to injury. Dejounte Murray was a late scratch. Dieng was hurt1. Everyone that was not completely out of the game looked a step slower and was feeling some lingering effects.
Add to this the fact that the Spurs were playing longer games — OT! — and it is taking a toll. There is a little bit of a chicken-and-egg thing going here. If the Spurs were good enough to blow teams out they could rest DeMar and company but they are not so they need him to play a ton.
When DeMar missed that potential game-winner vs Indiana? 2, not only did the Spurs have to play a little extra but it was a missed opportunity to win.
It is difficult to judge this team right now because of the circumstances. The Spurs were a top-ten defensive team for a while there and now cannot guard anyone. It could be that 1) they have been figured out or 2) they are gassed or 3) a little bit of both. .
Jakob Poeltl has been good in his new starting role but now has no one behind him. Moving him up in place of LaMarcus Aldridge was step one. Finding someone to fill the Jakob minutes behind him was going to be the big question. Drew Eubanks has been fine. He is always good for an athletic play in the lane but is questionable on defense. He knows the system and will fly in there to try to dunk but he is not Jakob. That said, their numbers suggest that each are very similar in defensive rating and that Jakob is simply the better offensive player.
Gorgui Dieng is supposed to be that guy and well, he is a N/A so far.
So what is the plan?
The Spurs need some rest that they are not going to get. They need to either go Portland-style and get more offense or just level up defensively. Funny. That describes a mediocre team and that is exactly what the Spurs are right now. Blame it on the schedule or the players but it does not materially change the circumstances.
Okay that was a freak injury thing. But he went from not playing to getting minutes and that increase in playing time is one factor that increases injury susceptibility.
I’ll admit the games are running together. There were three overtime periods in the last week.