Sports: Preview of WCF 2013: San Antonio Spurs versus Memphis Grizzlies

*Photo used with credit to google images. *

“A Grizzly Discovery: The Complimentary pieces are not so complimentary."

By: Rey Andrade-Garza

San Antonio, TX

          One month or so away 6 years ago, right about the time everyone was paying attention to how Lebron would ever recover from a finals loss; the Spurs had just put the finishing touches to their fourth title with a sweep of the Cavaliers.  I mention sweep because the Spurs swept the Lakers this year, the Jazz and Clippers last year and once again reminded everyone in the world that like it or not this team isn’t content with the numerous accolades they have accomplished.  Tony Parker at the press conference after their defeat of the Warriors was quick to put perspective to how opportunities like returning to the NBA Finals don’t come that often.  Not to disagree but lost on all NBA analysts and maybe Tony is one careful oversight.  The Spurs are returning the Western Conference Finals on back to back years when the supposed window of opportunity for this team came and went.  Tim Duncan played great in the first half, not the second.  Manu shot horribly yet his intangibles were finally put on high alert with his 11 assists in the game and Tony playing over 40 minutes plus put in some timely 3’s using his reserve tank but all of that is not the reason why the Spurs are legitimate contenders to the title this year.  The complimentary pieces of Tiago Splitter, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard and Gary Neal show why the Spurs returning the conference title is no fluke.  These are just complimentary pieces that would have a starting role on any team.  Kawhi doesn’t complement the Big Three; in fact, Popovich moved him to a starting role because his value in both sides of the floor has become instrumental in the pick and roll. On the defensive side his long arms swat poor passes and corrals steal and is the first straight up Bruce Bowen since Bruce Bowen. When it came to giving rest to the Big Three; Leonard often got the same treatment.  Definitely, not complimentary; essential and equivalent in importance and Leonard played like it all year.  His clutch three’s against the Warriors is no mistake nor is his growth this time around in the playoffs.  Tiago Splitter is another Spurs who importance is not one of just complementary in nature.  It was evident in the semi-final series versus the Lakers his size was missed against Pau Gasol and in crucial period of game 4, 5 & 6 Andrew Bogut weakness and inability to defend against his superb passing and rebounding was key to pivotal momentum swings the Spurs needed. His sharp passing and finding the open man will expose flat footed permanent paint tenants like Zach Randolph. I promise you the "Big Gazeebo" as I like to call him; will have more than his hands handle full with Splitter with a dash of maybe Aron Baynes for good measure.  This will be the same Splitter that if often dismissed by the likes of Stephen A. Smith and Jeff Van Gundy but will be the post that neutralizes another Gasol this coming series. Danny Green shot more 3’s this season than any other in Spur’s history but rather than recognizing that the awe of Curry’s alluring arch was mesmerizing to most but without Green’s 3’s this Spurs team wouldn’t stand a shot of retuning  to the conference finals.  The real beauty that wasn’t diagnosed by any analysts in any true detail was Green’s play on Steph Curry. A close friend of mine posted a remark to Facebook post after one game and affectionately called him Danny “Hold the Curry” Green. He didn’t just hold the curry he didn’t let it anywhere near his plate. That was the real “Ankle Gate 2013” of that series. Ankles I don’t think twist themselves but good defense makes you change directions ankles aren’t used to turning. The only true complimentary piece besides Dujaun Blair is Gary Neal. Neal has yet to cement his mark in this Spurs playoff run but did show flashes of his offensive prowess in Game 5 & 6 showed that if his shooting confidences improves Gary could and is capable of going off Curry-like.  The NBA has it wrong.  The old guard of the Spurs isn’t taking a back seat to the rise of the new Trail Blazers, Rockets or the newly dispatched Warriors. The new guard of Spurs who continue to impress upon those unfamiliar with Silver & Black basketball how these roles players are anything but complimentary. See, it's not the Big Three of Duncan, Ginobili & Parker the Grizzlies should fear it should be the complimentary pieces who don't play like complimentary pieces. I know many will say that the Grizzlies beat the Spurs in 2011 but that wasn't the WCF nor is it 2011. Yes, the Grizzlies are gritty, so are the Spurs. Yes, they have a great defensive team, so too are the Spurs. Yes, they have a great coach but better than Popovich? Here is the real discovery no one talks about and the real difference this series: Memphis roles players: Tony Allen, Pondexter, Prince and even Conley are complementary players and beyond those roles; they can't be counted on. The Spurs bench is more like a second starting unit; not true for the Grizzlies. The last time these two teams faced each other the Spurs didn't have Kawhi and Splitter wasn't Splitter nor was Green, Green in fact he was very Green and wasn't even a role or complimentary piece in that playoff series that year. I feel that NBA playoffs this year need a heavy dose of Spurs team basketball.  They seem to compliment an otherwise self-serving audience that is enamored with the “ohh’s and ahh’s” and when this team arrives on the floor the decibel meters begin to flat line, the noise diminishes, time stops and Spurs silence the critics with a deafening roar.