When the great scorer comes to write against the San Antonio Spurs, he’ll mark how Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and David Robinson both won and played the game—greatness personified with picks and pops, cuts and catch-and-shoots.
Seldom, however, have we given much shrift to the footnotes of San Antonio’s quiet dynasty: those manifold role players who helped grease the wheels of greatness.
Because without the Kawhi Leonards and Jaren Jacksons, the Marco Belinellis and Sean Elliotts, the four banners and beautiful basketball—gleaming totems of a 15-year golden age—may have never been.
For the Spurs, depth isn’t merely a byproduct of how they play. It’s essential to who they are.
Fans are no doubt familiar with what’s become a seeming rite of the NBA season: Popovich opting to rest his stars—often in “big” games—to better prepare them for the playoff grind.
That may be the motive everyone talks about, but it’s part and parcel with Pop’s goal of getting everybody, from Duncan to Au ...
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Article written by Jim Cavan
San Antonio Spurs Role Players Have Been Key Ingredient to 15-Year Dynasty
May 24th, 2014 by Jim Cavan Leave a reply »
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