“Be disciplined to like and embrace the boring.” This mantra reverberated through the basketball community after the San Antonio Spurs showcased an impressive performance against the Dallas Mavericks on opening night. However, as the season has progressed, it appears that these words from assistant coach Mitch Johnson have not resonated with the young Spurs squad. Following a disappointing 118-116 loss to the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers, it’s clear that the Spurs are currently facing challenges that are hindering their performance.
The Spurs have now recorded two consecutive losses where they failed to establish themselves as the aggressors on the court. During these games, they have exhibited a concerning trend of silly mistakes that starkly contrast with the team that started the season with an impressive 5-0 record. In fact, their performance on Wednesday night bore a resemblance to the struggling team from two years ago that managed to win only 22 games. This leads to the question: Are they truly ready to compete at a higher level, or are they falling prey to the pitfalls of youth and inexperience?
The errors piled up for the Spurs during their recent match against the Lakers. They struggled with sloppy inbound passes that were easily intercepted, committed turnovers before even clearing the ball following defensive rebounds, and allowed offensive rebounds off free throws and long-range misses. Additionally, they let Lakers players split double teams under the basket and made a back-court violation, which was a tough situation to navigate. Crucially, they also missed several key free throws and fell victim to unnecessary fouls before the ball even crossed half-court, particularly succumbing to Marcus Smart’s expert foul-baiting.
All these indicators suggest that the Spurs are lacking discipline on the court. Nonetheless, despite these challenges, they managed to remain competitive against the Lakers, which is a testament to their inherent talent. However, one can’t help but wonder what the Spurs could achieve if they simply minimized these avoidable mistakes. With the right adjustments and a renewed focus on discipline, there is potential for significant improvement.
As the Spurs embark on a challenging 0-2 West Coast road trip, this might serve as the much-needed wake-up call for the team. It’s essential for them to recognize the importance of discipline and to embrace the fundamentals that define successful basketball. If they can harness their talent and refine their approach, the Spurs could quickly turn their season around and re-establish themselves as a formidable contender.
