We Miss You Kawhi

After one of the toughest months in franchise history where the Spurs scathed by with a record of 8-10, January looks much more promising. The New Year brings hope with the return of Tony Parker, and an opportunity to dig themselves out of the seventh seed in the West. The majority of the opponents in January are from a softer Eastern Conference, and even without Kawhi the Spurs should be able to take advantage. 

It was the second game of the brand new month and the Spurs led the Pistons by eighteen halfway through the second quarter, until they broke down again. The rebounds that would normally be gobbled up by the claws of Kawhi Leonard turned into second chance points for a talented Detroit frontcourt. In the third quarter, the eighteen-point lead would turn into a ten-point deficit. Once again, a small fourth quarter push brought the game down to its final seconds. Once again, the Spurs couldn’t finish a sub .500 team.

This is all to say that the Spurs have been missing their two best players (Tony only played 13 minutes against the Pistons) and the rotations have been unorthodox. Pop has often been subbing five for five to keep the energy up, and there has been a recent shift to zone defense to make up for Kawhi’s absence. But last year it didn’t matter who the Spurs were missing, as long as they were moving the ball they were winning.

The Spurs are struggling now, but Kawhi’s hand is getting better and he is predicted to return in two weeks. We are also an even deeper team with Cory Joseph showing his true potential. Pop doesn’t care what seed we are; he just wants to get to the playoffs. For now, the veteran Spurs will get back to work and San Antonio will not worry. Because the last time the Spurs had similar mid-season trouble, they won the championship in 1999.