My apologies for the gap in newsletters. We were snowed out for a bit, and the Spurs then were in a long delay themselves, in COVID isolation protocol.
L 99-102 @ Thunder
W 117-114 vs Pels
L 113-124 vs Nets
W 119-93 vs Knicks
L 102-107 vs Thunder
We learned a little bit about this team in that time. There was an epic comeback vs the Nets that fell apart in OT. There was some hustle and good effort vs the Knicks.
Given that the team is playing better than predicted, the veterans on the team have been subject to fewer trade rumors than was expected. Some of that has to do with their games. While Aldridge is still a good big man, he is still known for his midrange game and insists on a handful of possessions where he is posted up. DeRozan has adapted his game more than the public realizes, moving to a point-forward position and even taking a few more threes. He is still the closer-extraordinaire and he is a big reason the Spurs are in contention.
Everything I read recently suggested the Spurs were listening to offers — even those including Patty Mills, and Rudy Gay — but were not really interested in anything silly. The future is the kids, but the winning involves the vets. That is the status quo and has been up until this:
Aldridge has been a peripheral figure this season due to injuries and timing. He has looked a little slower and probably could get back into useful shape with a nice chunk of game time.
We will wax nostalgic for the brief time he looked like a great complimentary piece to an aging Tim, Tony, and Manu and Kawhi and was part of the squad that won the most games in team history some other time. He was also frustrating. See this tweet:
Tonight the Spurs play the Mavericks and their star Luka Doncic. For all the praise for him (deserved), Dallas is behind the Spurs in the standings by a couple of games. Once it was evident that he was going to be the star of the future, the Mavericks rearranged their roster to begin supporting him because that was the path to winning.
Everyone has to find their role and figure out how they fit. No one can command a starting role forever. Tim took the mantle from Dave, then conceded shots to Manu and Tony and then Kawhi. Late in his career he was the knowledgeable coach-on-the-floor and not the superstar scorer he was. That he excelled at that role made him useful until the very end. Aldridge doesn’t seem like he is willing to fade that way.
Melo had to adjust and maybe LMA returns to Portland and accepts the role he did not ever want: second fiddle.
DeRozan has enough pride (and time left) to think he can do the work of the number one guy, but he realizes that he needs to adapt to maintain. He has done so this season and if he continues to do so, there is a Rudy Gay-like path for him the rest of the way.