Memo: Spurs Maintain Pulse Even In January

Tim Duncan is having to put in some big time work right now. You can tell Pop is worried by the minutes TD is playing. Duncan was averaging about 32mpg a while back. Duncan was actually playing just under 30mpg in December (albeit one game was an injury, so just over 30mpg is more like it). But this month his minutes have risen to just under 38. Pop is definitely worried.

We’re also seeing a lot more touches for Duncan than earlier in the year. That’s partly because Tony Parker is carrying a few knocks and isn’t in tip-top shape but it’s also because he’s become worried about offensive execution with the team not getting enough easy shots around the hoop.

At the same time Pop must be worried about riding Duncan too hard too early.

San Antonio lack a starting wing. A fourth scoring option. I don’t mean a top scorer, but a 10-13ppg scorer who can shoot and put the ball on the floor.

They also lack a wing with strength who can play in the post, San Antonio have been vulnerable against Melo, Artest, Bonzi and other wings like that. It’s been that way for the last few years but they haven’t addressed it yet. Surprising. This will be hard to acquire in season so I’d pretty much write off any chance of it happening.

Finley’s play has been a bit disappointing this season. He’s still a solid rotation guy but I’m not convinced he’s still starter material. He’s dragging a bit defensively, that’s my main concern with him.

I have no ideas on who they could get but I think the Spurs should be on the phone lines looking to see if anyone is available. I’ll keep thinking on names and see if I come up with any suggestions.

Pop has also been unwilling to end transfer speculation. We all remember last season when the Spurs were heavily linked with a bunch of wing players, until Pop came out and said this is the team we’re going to run with, I’m happy with what we got and we aren’t changing. He hasn’t done that this year.

He’s also been scouring his D-League team. Signing Marcus Williams, DeMarr Johnson, Keith Langford, Darius Washington, Jeremy Richardson. That’s a lot of movement. Pop must not be happy with the options presently available.

This is a real hole in the Spurs armour. It’s not changing their championship hopes but it is messing with their rhythm and Pop’s ability to stick with a steady rotation. San Antonio have a few assets to play with so they should try to address this so they can steady up their ship.

Their biggest trade asset is probably Brent Barry. He’s also their best shooter, a good ballhandler, passer and decent defender so he’s tough to give up. If San Antonio do let him go they must get back someone that can contribute right now because his loss would be significant. He has an expiring contract of about 5.5m.

The Spurs also have Oberto, Elson and Horry expiring at around 3-3.6m each but I can’t see them moving one of them without a great deal being offered so pretty much write that off.

They also have another Euro stashed away in Robertas Javtokas. On top of Tiago Splitter but I’d be loathe to give up on him, he looks like he might become a PJ Brown imitation. Also their young big on their roster presently in Mahinmi.

They also have their draft picks I believe so add that to a potential package.

So they have pieces they could deal in order to get someone of value.

It’s not a huge deal but it is something they could improve. They’re still the best in the West whether they make a move or not. Once it’s time to gear up they’ll be ready to run again.