HoopWatch

When the Dallas Mavericks were asked who their top contender for the Larry O’Brien trophy will be, it did not take them long to reply – San Antonio. As Dirk Nowitzki amply stated, “Everyone has to go thru San Antonio.” They did so last year in an epic seven-game series, and they will again. This time though, they might meet in the Western Conference Finals.

The San Antonio Spurs still remain as the most-feared team in the NBA. And why not? They have the defense, experience and discipline to topple any team in postseason wars. Though the game has evolved into a fast-paced, run-and-gun type, the Spurs still rely on their suffocating defense and fundamental basketball to win games. And they have a great mind in Greg Popovich as a coach.

The Popovich style of coaching is so effective come playoff time, and it covers from the start of training camp all the way to the postseason. He is not afraid to use his bench and rest his stars so that they will be fresh for the playoffs. He is so much well known for not being overly concerned with his team’s regular season record, but rather using it as an 82-game tune-up for when the real action gets underway. As long as his team continues to improve, well, it seems just fine by Pop if his team isn’t leading in the win-loss column when the calendar still reads February.

If you may notice, Manu Ginobili has never had a 30-minute regular season, but he plays extended minutes in the play-offs. “Clutch-Manu” is far different from “regular-season-Manu.” This season, Ginobili is playing in just 27 minutes a ballgame and averages 16.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals. He attempts only 11.7 times a night. These numbers as we all know increase in the playoffs. Ginobili shares his minutes with Brent Barry, Michael Finley and even Matt Bonner. Barry and Finley each play for extended 21-minutes off the bench, while Bonner contributes in 11 minutes.

None of the San Antonio stars play for more than 35 minutes in regular season play (unlike the Bryants, Carters, or McGradys of other teams). Tim Duncan and Tony Parker play for just 34 and 33 minutes respectively. Popovich is not afraid to use his bench in the regular season. This led to the inconsistency of the Spurs game this season. And this is the reason why they are nine games behind league-leading and fellow Southwest rival, Dallas Mavericks. The Spurs bench can only take them as far as they could. Currently, they are 39-18, third in the West, five games behind the second-running Phoenix Suns.

But Popovich could not care less. All these positioning will change in the postseason wars, as the San Antonio stars remain fresh and are more rested than their Phoenix counterparts. And they are the only team good and experienced enough to contend with the Mavericks for the title. Don’t look now, the Spurs are on a six-game winning tear. As early as this month (two months away from the NBA playoffs), they are showing the brilliance that they always have. (pics courtesy of nba.com)