Opponent: San Antonio Spurs (26-13)
Spurs Efficiencies:
Offensive: 107.3
Defensive: 104.0
DeSagana Diop makes his Charlotte debut - against the team that made him famous (Diop's defense against Tim Duncan in the playoffs a couple years back is what started gettig him noticed). Charlotte is on a 3-game winning streak, winning the last over playoff-caliber teams...but the Spurs are at a slightly higher level. Can the Bobcats pass this latest test? Things are getting interesting in CLT.
Another game, another Q and A exchange - this time with Timothy Varner at 48 Minutes of Hell. A link to my answers to his questions and now time for his answers to my questions:
Q. As someone who has enjoyed watching Timmy play since college, I'm curious how he looks this year and how much longer do you think he has in him (at a relatively high-level)? It will be a sad day for great basketball when he retires.
A. Duncan looks fantastic. He's putting up roughly the same numbers as ever, but Popovich is using him differently this season, which I wrote about a couple weeks ago. In short, Duncan is much more of a mid-range player this season. This will sound homerish, but I expect Tim Duncan to compete at a high level through his final season in 2012. Why? Duncan's game is not contingent on athleticism. His athleticism began to dip a few years ago, but his numbers more or less remain steady. His skill set, basketball IQ, and fundamentally sound approach should allow him to keep on keeping on.Q. What does it feel like as a Spurs follower for your team to consistently find fringe players that seem to fit right in on your team? Roger Mason, Jr., really? His best year in college - 3rd team, All-ACC, and now a vital cog in the Spurs churning to the playoffs once again.
A. You feel like a child born into a privelaged home. Although, the Spurs had targetted Mason for a few years and his minutes as a starter last season suggested a better player than people recognized. But more importantly, he fits their program. "Program." That's a word you hear Pop use a lot. The Spurs front office looks for players of a certain character whose skill set is reproducable within their system. Mason checked out on both fronts. In other words, the Spurs have winning formula and the discipline to work within it.Q. Are the Spurs title contenders with their current roster? Tim and Manu are the wrong side of 30, but with Tony Parker getting somewhere near his peak at 26, does he balance it out? If they need to make a move, who are you hoping they land?
Title contenders? Sure. Favorites? No. I think they could beat every team in the league in a 7 game series, save the Lakers, Cavs and Magic. In a perfect world, they would add a rugged interior player and scoring small forward to their playoff roster. They may have the rugged interior big behind their bench in Ian Mahinmi, but injury has reduced him to a footnote this season. If Joe Smith is bought out, he'd be a great fit. But Mahinmi making an impact this season or Smith being let loose are remote possibilities. In terms of scoring wings, the Spurs options are even more remote and just as limited. Honestly, I'm hoping that Carlos Delfino opts out of his contract with Khimki. He'd be ideal in a Krstic scenario. This question is complicated by the Spurs paltry assets, lack of roster space, and 2010 cap strategy. But if the Spurs decide to alter their 2010 plan, then a player of higher quality might be available in a salary dump. But, frankly, I would not want the Spurs to alter course. They'll just have to play the hand they're dealt this season and, perhaps, play a few more rounds in NBDL lotto. If that is the case, I would want to see players on par with Courtney Sims and James White-yes, that James White-receive 10 Day try outs.
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