In Case You Were Curious…

There were actually three left. Timeouts, that is.

Now, I know, if Manu hits that jumper, and the Spurs go onto to win in OT, no one is questioning Pop’s decision to forgo calling a timeout. That being said, he didn’t call the timeout and that seems quite different from what we’ve come to expect. Popovich is no Mike D’Antonio, no Don Nelson. The rules have been strict, the discipline harsh (ask Beno Udrih about it). He’s not a control freak (though he does control nearly every aspect of this team, on and off the court), but he isn’t one to let the players tool around at the end of game. At least, not up until last night.

It seems to be fitting for the way things have gone over the last month. Granted, coming into last night’s action, the Spurs were at the same place they were last season (25-11). Still, they haven’t beaten a team with a winning record in over a month (Denver on the 15th of December), and they have some legitimate issues that came to light last night.

Problem number one…they can’t consistently score. The last two games scoring (more importantly, 3 point baskets) have come only in drips and drops until the 4th quarter, which, has been OK against the Minnesota’s and Philly’s of the world. Not against a team like Cleveland. Having Brent Barry back should help, but let’s not confuse ourselves about who Brent Barry is.

Problem number two…in an effort to get more scoring on the floor, they weaken their rebounding. Last night, at the end of the game, the Spurs were running four guards around Duncan (Manu, Tony, Finley and Barry). Only one man in five can grab a rebound, and beyond that, if the other team has any semblance of a rebounding forward (which the Cavs do in Big Z, Varajeo, and Gooden), the Spurs will get manhandled.

Problem number three…the previous problem leaves them to put either Elson or Oberto in, which basically brings you back to problem one.

It’s not to say things are desperate, but don’t forget how good the West has become this year. They sit currently in the 6th seed, only 4.5 games ahead of the 9 seed. That 9 seed, by the way, the Utah Jazz, who they beat in the Western Conference Finals last year.

Of course, on the flip side, as close as they are to missing the playoffs entirely, they’re only a game out of the 2 spot.