HOOPSAHOLIC

So it's safe to say that the Spurs are still the Spurs, you guys. San Antonio sure did let us know that when they took down the Clippers and Warriors in consecutive nights to improve to 4-3 on the season. Greg Popovich's squad never seems to go away, and the veterans know how to turn on the "go switch" when their team needs them to. Just when people started to count out the Los Spurs (is it hispanic heritage month yet?), they proved us wrong again. I'm warning everyone now that they should prepare for the worst thing ever in this day and age, which is to watch the least flashiest team in the league go on another long playoff run. 

I really can't blame any fan for feeling that way, because there's times I feel the same way. Too often, I catch myself getting frustrated when I see the Spurs are playing in prime-time on national TV. I fall victim of wishfully wanting to watch Steph Curry as opposed to Tony Parker, and I'd sure as heck rather see a Blake Griffin dunk than a Tim Duncan bank shot. Basketball fans prefer flashy and famous over fundamentals and free throws. It's the world we live in. It's just like when a guy chooses to drive a diesel truck that has "sweet top lights" as opposed to a fuel friendly Honda (yes, I drive a Honda). Or when a girl decides to wear a fancy shoes or heels that kill her feet, instead of choosing a comfier alternative.  

But in all reality, "team" basketball is the Spurs' way, regardless if NBA fans like it or not. It's what they've been doing for years, and it's the main reason for thier championship success since they drafted Duncan in the 1999 draft. He was the number one pick, but he joined a TEAM filled with players such as David Robinson and then the rest is history. Before this season, many people predicted either the Clippers or the Warriors to win the Western Conference, and rightfully so because they're solid teams with elite talent. But leaving the Spurs out of that equation is sort of like doing another equation where you add two numbers together and the result is a letter from the alphabet, it just doesn't make sense. Not only did the Spurs beat both of those teams I just mentioned, but they did it on back to back nights. Pop is a coach who's known to rest his players, and last season no player on the Spurs averaged more than 30 minutes a game. Pop rarely plays his veteran guys on both nights of back to backs, but supposedly Duncan and Manu Ginobli wanted to give it a go both nights, and it worked out in San Antonio's favor. Along with great ball movement on offense, San Antonio has played stellar defense only giving up 95.6 ppg this season, which ranks sixth in the league. 

The Spurs trailed the entire game against the Clippers until they ultimately prevailed in the fourth frame for a victory. Then in last night against the Warriors, Tony Parker shredded the the Golden State defense for 28 points and seven assists while Kawhi Leonard added 19 points. To top it off, "Old Man Duncan" aka "The Big Fundamental" aka "Tim", who played 70 minutes in the back to back set, put together a double-double in the win against the Warriors. Parker said after the game, "We had a little bit of a slow start, but we're back in business."