The San Antonio Spurs are off to a strong start in their candidacy for 2019-20’s most disappointing team.
The Spurs were a playoff team just last season and, as the No. 7 seed, took the Denver Nuggets to game seven in the first round of the playoffs. And they still have the majors pieces from that team: DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Derrick White, Bryn Forbes and Rudy Gay. Plus, San Antonio has Dejounte Murray back from his ACL tear. Marco Belinelli and Patty Mills are still around, too. Jakob Poeltl is a tough interior defender.
Now, this group has knocked off the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers, but they also lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Not to mention the Pistons blew them out of Detroit to the tune of 34 points.
The Pistons have beaten Brooklyn, too, but only by four and in the early stages of the season, when the Nets didn’t have an identity. Now Brooklyn does, though. The Spurs, not so much.
But unlike the Cavs, San Antonio has what should be a strong core. The Spurs can absolutely steal a win on Thursday, especially since the game is on their turf.
Also, if the Nets play like they did in New Orleans, they’ll be in trouble.
Though, the fact the Nets were sloppy against the Pelicans could work to their own benefit in San Antonio. Kenny Atkinson wanted to go over the offense before the game, so Brooklyn should be a bit more refined on Thursday.
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