[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

The rise of Leonard as a bona-fide superstar and the acquisition of Aldridge has definitely led to a pretty dramatic shift in San Antonio’s style of play. The last spurs team to win a title in 2014 was void of any real superstar and relied almost solely on ball and player movement to generate offense. However, starting last season and continuing this season, they have gone away from that and towards a much more isolation heavy attack.

This is somewhat predictable when you add a player like Aldridge who has been used to being force fed on the block for most of his career. However, the development of Leonard from a rotational piece to a superstar has dramatically shifted the offense as well. It’s sort of a catch 22 in a way. They now have 2 guys that can create their offense and manufacture a shot which is no doubt valuable in a playoff setting. The downside is that neither of these guys are great passers and the ball tends to stick when it gets in their hands. At times the offense can get very predictable, which is something you wouldn’t think you would say about the spurs ever.

Last night’s loss to the warriors has to be extremely concerning for the spurs. They were playing at full strength against an opponent that wasn’t. The warriors were short-handed and in the second night of a tough back to back on the road. The spurs jumped out to a 20 point first quarter lead and just couldn’t hold it. If the spurs couldn’t beat the warriors in a game of this much importance under these circumstances, than I think you have to question if they realistically have any chance of beating them in a 7 game series at full strength.

 

[Anton123Participant]

I have little faith in the Spurs as title contenders, 

I don’t think their offense is worse because they have stars, I think it is because they have fewer passers: Dedmon & Aldridge instead of Duncan & Diaw, as well as a Tony Parker who can’t really break down defenses anymore and Ginobli who isn’t quite as good. Kawhi, Aldridge and Parker are all better at creating for themselves than setting up teammates, the fact that they’re still quite a good passing team really speaks volumes about Greg Popovic, but I don’t think this is a roster that can win it all, at least against the GSW and even Houston.

In my opinion, all their problems would be solved with a PG who can pass, shoot and play a little defense (all the things Tony Parker isn’t very good at).

[SubZeroParticipant]

I hope Chris Paul goes there in the offseason for a few reasons. 1, I just like when the Spurs are good and think he’d be absolutely perfect for the team that’s put together right now. 2, hopefully being on the team would make him go back to his pre-Clippers days and quit whining so much. And 3, I think LA will never be able to be legit contenders until they wipe the slate clean of the past few years and get rid of CP3, Blake, and/or Doc

[Author]

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