Have the Spurs officially lost 'it'?

[Statalyzer]

It seems like every year the Spurs start slowly, get called too told, too slow, people proclaim this is the year they begin a decline into mediocrity, and then sometime in February go on a big surge and end up one of the top teams.

So this year's struggles didn't seem any different to me, especially given that they had to battle multiple injuries as well as several new players that would take time to gel. And I thought I was going to be proven right by the recent mini-run the Spurs had gone on. Momentum seemed to be building just in time.

And then they lose the Cavaliers who had no LeBron James, no Shaquille O'Neal, and for the 2nd half no Antawn Jamison. So Cleveland was missing 3 of their top 4 scorers - 59 points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists per game sitting out with injury. Now instead of 0-9, the Cavs are 1-9 without LeBron over the last 3 seasons.

 

[RockyBalboa]

Duncan, Ginobili and Parker I think for this year are a fine nucleus to build around, but the supporting cast isn't near as good.

I'm kinda surprised R.C. whiffed so bad this year, but I guess after four championships he's allowed to have a bad one. There needs to be a serious overhaul this offseason. When George Hill and Roger Mason are important parts of your team, you're not winning anything in June.

 

[GHoward]

Richard Jefferson just hasn't panned out. The main thing is they are not at the same defensive level as in years past. Spurs still haven't found a real center since Robinson.

 

[HornsForever'93]

Yea about two years ago. When defense was no longer their stalwart rock, they became just another team

 

[hudsonhorn]

Richard Jefferson has basically imploded this team. He was supposed to be a good defender (not) and a great scorer (as he was in Milwaukee). He has turned out to be a bust on both ends of the floor - and he;s getting $15 mil? More pissed off than the fans is Tim as he agreed to give up max money so the Spurs could get RJ. Sad.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

Yes, yes they have. Time to get lucky again with a lottery pick.

 

[Pitter09]

I think RJ will continue to get blasted, and probably rightfully so considering the expectations. But truthfully, this team had no chance. RJ's signing was a Hail Mary... the window had closed. The physical toll of playing in the number of games these guys have played in over the last decade (due to their success and loyalty to playing internationally for their home countries) has obviously taken its toll on all three of "The Big Three".
I'm not sure that we have much to complain about. If you're a Spurs fan, this run started 11 years ago. Not many fans of pro teams anywhere get to watch a team contend for a decade.

By the way, George Hill has been one of the best and most consistent players all season. There's no shame in having him in our backcourt, he's in only his 2nd year and the guy "gets" it... he's improved dramatically... he's Pop's favorite player... and has been better than TP consistently all season. I disagree with the sentiment about him in a previous post.

 

[Statalyzer]

Right on queue, Hill just had 10 assists in the first half of the Clippers game.

Nice to win a game by 30 with Duncan and Ginobili only playing a combined 31 minutes. Spurs will be better in the playoffs than expected b/c Pop is keeping everyone as fresh as he can, but I still don't see them being able to knock off the top 2 or 3 teams in a 7-game series.

 

[YoLaDu]

Well they are an 8th seed right now? So, yeah, they have lost it.